Persistent earworm alert CDXIX

I'm sure I'm far from the only person who has thought of the Hayley Williams song, "Simmer," frequently this month.  Boiling rage over the appalling situation in Minneapolis is challenging to channel into only legally permitted means, but as peaceful protesters have shown us, it needs to be done.  Instrumentally and vocally, "Simmer" reminds listeners that there are times when rage is absolutely justified--but the ways in which it's expressed need to be appropriate.  

Online radio sampler highlights CCXC

Six noteworthy selections heard today:

KQAC (Portland, OR) 

• Percy Grainger: Molly On The Shore (Rachel Barton Pine, violin; Matthew Hagle, piano) (A brisk, spirited romp.)

WEMU (Ypsilanti, MI)

• Moanin'-Christian McBride Big Band featuring Jose James (An impressive, expansive version of the Lambert, Hendricks & Ross tune that lets James drive home the "Woe is me" aspects of the lyrics and gives the instrumentalists a chance to show their chops.)
• Soul Perspective-Joey DeFrancesco (Technically impressive, fanciful organ and saxophone playing.)

WUMB (Boston, MA)

• Sooner Or Later-Eliza Gilkyson (Disturbingly appropriate for today's political climate.  Rhythmically, this could segue with the "Godspell" soundtrack's "Turn Back, O Man.")
• Sad And Beautiful World-Mavis Staples (This is also lyrically appropriate for the current political climate, as it speaks to the weariness it elicits.)

WVUD-HD2 (Newark, DE)

• SoundByte-Math & Science (Ben Folds Five meets Beck?)

SiriusXM highlights CLXVI

Today's standout selections:

The Bridge Deep Cuts 

• I Can See Everything-Poco (Brave lyrics acknowledge that your significant other might decide to end your relationship--and that you might be at least partially responsible for it.)

Chill Instrumental

• Forever-Rytes (An optimistic vibe and a steady beat fit for pedaling a bike.) 

Classical For Sleep

• Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36: II. Larghetto (Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields/Sir Neville Marriner, conductor)  (This Beethoven symphony is the least familiar one to me, so it was refreshing to hear its second movement without any preconceived notions. The strings and winds rise to the occasion here, displaying lyrical delicacy and swelling heroically when appropriate.)

The Coffee House 

• Rather Be-Jasmine Thompson (This endearing acoustic guitar and vocal version does Kam Franklin's song justice, giving it less of a dance vibe than Franklin's take.  Instead, Thompson's interpretation brings to mind the spirit of Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles.")

Coffee House Classics

• Diamond In The Rough-Shawn Colvin (It isn't easy to admit that some of life's situations won't play to your strengths, but these well-written lyrics of one of Colvin's best songs are an injection of confidence for those who need it.)

Indie Sleep  

• Life Is-Jessica Pratt (The echo on the vocals serves the contemplative lyrics well.  Lyrically, this is in the ballpark of Shawn Colvin's "Diamond In The Rough.")

Piano Instrumentals

• Twilight Movement-Fiona Joy Hawkins (Not every artist can pull off intense yet warm crescendos, but Hawkins does here.)

Real Jazz

• Sunday-Oscar Peterson/Ben Webster (The upbeat, joint-is-jumpin' vibe in the piano and saxophone would have been exhilarating to hear live.)
• One For Grew-Robert Glasper (I'm primed to like any contemplative jazz piano track with this type of midtempo-to-fast rhythm.)

Spa 

• Longing/Love-George Winston (Winston's entire solo piano album, "Autumn," is worth hearing in its entirety.  "Colors/Dance" is my favorite track, but this track also has a strong hook and a melody fit for a solo trek through the woods or soap opera underscoring.)

The allure of shuffle mode XC

Today, iTunes shuffle mode strung these three songs from my library together:

• Day's End-Jim Chappell
• Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring-Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
• Festival Waltz-Al Petteway

All three songs work equally well as station sign-offs, as each one has a "day is done, and what a positive day it was" vibe.  Who doesn't want to leave listeners with that feeling before the next broadcast day?

Context? CDXXII

Yesterday, I turned on the radio in the middle of a newscast in which the announcer said, "The college was closed today due to ice."  I didn't know which college he was referencing, so I held my breath.  Then, he elaborated on the Winter storm conditions in much of the country, and I exhaled.

If it hadn't been for that follow-up, one could have thought that the newscaster meant ICE instead of ice.

What a harrowing time in which we live now. 

Context? CDXXI

Credit for honesty to the college radio DJ who said on-air yesterday, "I'm not required to do this show today, but it's a great motivator for me to get out of bed."

It's understandable that a college station wouldn't mandate its student DJs to trek through the snow, ice, and bitterly cold temperatures just to enter the studio and play music.  College stations and noncommercial community stations are two of the only places where attendance is at least occasionally optional and where you can level with listeners to that extent.  When you show up under less than ideal conditions, why not mention it on-air, at least briefly? 

FM dial scan highlights CCXCVI

Sunday morning highlights:

WSIE 88.7 FM 

• Gentle Thoughts-Herbie Hancock (Thumping bass, a sunny keyboard hook, and a vibe that reminds me of "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers...How could I not like this 1976 instrumental?)
• Lush-Kayla Waters (This upbeat, piano-centered smooth jazz track maintains its pleasant, energetic groove for the duration.) 

KCLC 89.1 FM 

• The Bridge-Bahamas (A relaxed, welcoming groove reminiscent of '70s flute-based jazz underpins the vocals.)
• Wreck-Neko Case (An honest way of conveying, "You might think I'm kind of a lot, but we'd still make a good match.")

KWUR 90.3 FM

• Dog Show-Patchymate (This new indie rock track has a fun, carefree vibe, with a fit-for-a-carnival rhythm and lyrics that invite listeners to escape the grim reality of the world and just enjoy a dog show.)

KSHE 94.7 FM

• Your Own Special Way-Genesis (Lyrically, this is a precursor to the sentiments the band would later convey on "Follow You Follow Me.")
• Wasted On The Way-Crosby, Stills & Nash (Although the lyrics are about squandered opportunities, the trio sings them with encouraging optimism, suggesting that there's still time to pursue at least some of your prospects.)

WARH 106.5 FM

• Suicide Blonde-INXS (The opening harmonica lick drew me in each time when this was a hit.)

Persistent earworm alert CDXVIII

Whew!  My latest worknight was one of the busiest ones I've had in a while.  Given the bad, widespread Winter storm forecast, though, I expected to field a lot of calls.  Because I couldn't preface each call with the disclaimer, "This is a hectic, taxing night, so bear with me," I attempted to extract politeness from every caller by sounding like one of the most professional, courteous workers who ever lived.  To stay in that mindset, I kept thinking of the 1966 oldie, "The Pied Piper" by Crispian St. Peters.  Keeping that song in mind was my way of willing callers to be patient and respectful--and it worked!  The callers refrained from sounding disgruntled, and so did I.

I'll likely try that tactic again soon.  If "The Pied Piper" wears out its welcome, I'm not sure what song I'll use next to keep things civil.  "Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers, maybe?

The foot-biting default option XXXI

My cat, Collette, was getting impatient.  She'd already had her first meal of the day, along with snacks, so I hoped she understood it would be a while before she received more food.

She didn't understand--or, rather, she understood that but still didn't want to wait.  After biting my feet a few times, she walked off singing, "I haven't got time now to wait," to the tune of Carly Simon's "Haven't Got Time For The Pain."

"Haven't got time to wait?" I asked her.  "Your life revolves around eating and sleeping.  You have plenty of time to wait."

Collette bit my feet again.  Reluctantly, I gave her a small snack. 

Admittedly, my behavior reinforcement tactics with Collette aren't where they need to be.

SiriusXM highlights CLXV

Standout songs heard today:

'40s Junction 

• Let's Take The Long Way Home-Jo Stafford (I'm pretty sure this is one Stafford number I didn't play on WEW, but I would have if I'd known of it.  This is a classy, respectful way of saying, "We're a good match, so let's build on that.")

'50s Gold 

• Endlessly-Brook Benton (See my review above of Jo Stafford's "Let's Take The Long Way Home.")

Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals 

• Ahead-Andrew Gialanella (The optimism of this instrumental would have worked as underscoring in multiple episodes of "This Is Us.") 

Bluegrass Junction

• Family Tree-Della Mae (A frank admission that your view of the world won't necessarily match that of all your relatives.) 

Escape

• Summer Samba-Richard Clayderman (I always enjoyed playing Walter Wanderley's ballpark organ-style version of this on WEW.  The melody works just as well on the piano, as Clayderman demonstrates.) 

North Americana

• Robin's Egg-Iron & Wine/I'm With Her (A vocally strong collaboration.  Lyrically, this is an appealing way of saying that you know you've found your match when you can be yourself with that person.  If I'd known this had been released as a single in 2025, it would have been in my Favorite music of 2025 countdown.  Luckily, I'll have a second chance to include it in a countdown, as it'll be on Iron & Wine's new release next month.)

Real Jazz 

• Bouncing With Bud-Bud Powell (Cool bouncy piano and call-and-response patterns between brass players.) 

SiriusXMU 

• Bite The Hand-Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers & Lucy Dacus (A reasonable reminder that just because you're a fan of someone's music doesn't mean you're that artist's close friend.) 

Spa

• Reflect-Monster Taxi (One of the more modern-sounding piano-anchored new age instrumentals I've heard; this could fit fairly easily into a smooth jazz playlist.)

The Verge 

• Trick To Happy-Bahamas (At first, I thought, "I'm not sure about this song.  The vocals are a tad too slick for me." I'm glad I stayed with it, though, because it presents an advisable way to approach life; when you're fully present for life's subtler moments, it makes you more appreciative.) 

Watercolors

• Bright-Peter White (Pleasant, upbeat smooth jazz guitar.) 

Yacht Rock Radio 

• Please Come To Boston-Dave Loggins (A wistful acknowledgment that a long distance relationship can't work when partners can't agree on where to live.  The Pacific Pops Orchestra recorded a pleasant easy listening instrumental cover of this.) 

The pitfalls of shuffle mode XIII

Recently, iTunes shuffle mode jolted me from early morning contemplation to a too-early-for-such-a-commanding-rhythm state.  "At The Chime Of A City Clock" is one of Nick Drake's best songs, in my opinion.  The guitar opening gets my attention every time, and lyrically, I like how it observes that you can be caught up in the hustle and bustle of a crowded city but still feel alone in the world.  I enjoyed playing it in the middle of the night on KCOU decades ago.  I also played the track iTunes chose next on KCOU.  While I'm not a huge rap fan, Urban Dance Squad's  "Deeper Shade Of Soul" is one of the smoothest blends of rap and sampling I've heard.  Rhythmically, it's a well-executed track--but not ideal for a segue after "...Clock," or really, any other Nick Drake tune.

Persistent earworm alert CDXVII

This is one of the more obvious posts I've written.  Nevertheless, I'm sure I'm one of a great many people whose most frequent earworm this month has been the David Bowie/Pat Metheny Group track, "This Is Not America."

No further explanation is necessary. 

FM dial scan highlights CCXCV

This morning's noteworthy selections:

WSIE 88.7 FM 

• Straight, No Chaser-Thelonious Monk (Monk penned a captivating hook here, and it's interesting hearing Charlie Rouse on tenor sax and Monk on piano start along parallel tracks and then diverge into their own tangents.)
• The Night Fantastic-Grover Washington, Jr. (There's a reason why Washington, Jr. is one of the most popular smooth jazz saxophonists, and his signature sound here exemplifies it.  Also recommended: "East River Drive" and "Summer Chill.")

KWUR 90.3 FM

• How-Eliza Edens (Thoughtful vocals and acoustic guitar convey well-written lyrics about how challenging it sometimes is to forgive someone.)

KEZK 102.5 FM

• Something About You-Level 42 (Mark King doesn't always get his due in the states for his strength as a vocalist and bassist.  As strong of a hit as this was, it's puzzling that such tuneful, radio-ready songs as "Children Say," "Play Me," "Romance," and "Billy's Gone" didn't hit similar heights on the American charts.)

K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2

• Manuel de Falla: 7 Popular Spanish Songs: 7. Polo (La Pieta) (Convincing tension between the piano and strings.)

Online radio sampler highlights CCLXXXIX

Saturday and Sunday standouts:

KRSM (Minneapolis, MN) 

• When The Mornin' Comes-Marcus Roberts (Segues in and out of a cha-cha impressively.  "Big Chief" by The Neville Brothers would sound good before or after this.)
• This Could Be The Start Of Something Big-Count Basie (There's no shortage of pep in this strong piano-and-horns arrangement.)

KZSC (Santa Cruz, CA)

• La Cancion Es Protesta-Yorka (Timely, uncomfortably appropriate sentiments for this moment in American history.)

WBQA (Augusta, ME)

• Jean Sibelius: Concerto For Violin and Orchestra in D minor, Op. 47: III. Allegro, ma non tanto (Staatskapelle Dresden/Andre Previn, conductor; Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin)  (An interesting juxtaposition of lighthearted dance passages with stormy, intense, presumably challenging-to-play octave leaps.)

WXRT (Chicago, IL)

• Mary Anne-Marshall Crenshaw (It's puzzling that such a hook-laden, radio-friendly power pop wasn't a hit.  "Whenever You're On My Mind" and "You're My Favorite Waste Of Time" also deserved to be pop smashes.)
• Steppin' Out-Joe Jackson (Still Jackson's best hit and one of his best uptempo efforts.  Also recommended: "Breaking Us In Two," "Nineteen Forever," "One To One," and "You Can't Get What You Want.")

The allure of shuffle mode LXXXIX

I was pleased two days ago when iTunes shuffle mode paired two of the more thoughtful ruminations on the passage of time from my library.  "Yesterday Once More" by The Carpenters flowed into "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" by Fairport Convention.

That's a bittersweet but classy segue.

Persistent earworm alert CDXVI

Apparently, there's something comforting about a routine designed to make me feel better.  I've gone to the same office to have botox shots for dysphonia long enough that I could probably walk from the waiting room to the shot-giving room with my eyes closed.  I know that when I leave the waiting room, I'll walk down the hall, turn left, and go into the same room where I always have my shot.  Just as I'm about to round the corner, Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Up Around The Bend" often comes to mind; I like how the tune's lyrical optimism parallels my turn around the corner each time, so I hope it continues to be my earworm during subsequent appointments.

A function of age XLIV

Yesterday, a radio personality admitted to a singer that she was "showing (her) age" by asking her if she had to audition with "another number" besides our country's national anthem.

I think it's fine to refer to a piece of music as a number, as long as you don't call it a ditty.  That's where the line is--or where it should be, at least.

FM dial scan highlights CCXCIV

This morning's highlights:

WSIE 88.7 FM 

• Sir John-Blue Mitchell (Swingin' trumpet and rhythm section.  Thank goodness for WSIE, as I've never heard any other station or stream play Mitchell's music so frequently.)
• City Walk-Carol Albert (Uptempo, easy-to-digest smooth jazz piano that's not too far removed from the new age genre.)

KCLC 89.1 FM 

• Won't You Speak Your Mind?-Whitney (This was released in 2025 but has a throwback '70s soft rock feel.  Lyrically, it's a sound reminder that people aren't mind readers.)
• Another Life-Alabama Shakes (For times when closing the door on someone might be best reconsidered.)

K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. WFUN-HD2

• Virgil Thomson: Symphony On A Hymn Tune: III. Allegretto (Monadnock Festival Orchestra/James Bolle, conductor)  (Heroic-sounding strings, winds, and brass.)

Context? CDXX

Heard on a recent radio newscast: "Four monkeys and a goat are on the loose in St. Louis City..."

I'll be gobsmacked if I ever hear that exact sentence again in any newscast.  Here's hoping the animals are enjoying their newfound freedom, though, and stay safe.  If they're musically inclined, I hope they form a string quintet and master Boccherini's Guitar Quintet No. 1 in D minor.  I'd be impressed by any animal ensemble who could pull off the lyricism of the Cantabile movement or the tense drama of the Allegro assai finale.

Linguistic bemusement XIII

Last week, a radio sports commentator kept referring to the Jacksonville Jaguars football team as "the Jag-wires."  I've heard others mispronounce it that way, also.  This puzzles me, as I'm not sure why the "uars" syllable in Jaguars would lead people to pronounce it "wires."

After all, we don't typically ask if a lifegwired is on duty or go to the store for a qwiret of milk.

Persistent earworm alert CDXV

If you have a casual familiarity with the band Asia, the first song that probably comes to mind is either "Heat Of The Moment" or "Only Time Will Tell."  Largely forgotten to many listeners is the group's modest 1983 hit, "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes."

I'm not sure what triggered my memory of it after not thinking about it for decades.  It's fitting, though, that such downcast lyrics would spring to mind during January, often the least appealing month of the year.  "...Smile..."'s outlook dovetails well with these two other '80s tracks that are well-crafted but depressing.

Context? CDXIX

While flipping past an AM station recently, I heard someone, presumably a restaurant owner or chef, say, "lobster, which is one of our popular dishes..."

I thought, "No, thank you," and turned off the radio.  I've never eaten lobster.  Maybe it would be delicious, but I can't bring myself to look at a tank of live lobsters and say, "Kill that one." 

SiriusXM highlights CLXIV

Ten of the better selections I've heard today:

The Big Easy 

• Summertime-Preservation Hall Jazz Band (The clarinet and piano nail the essence of this Gershwin standard.) 

The Coffee House Discovery 

• Sleeping-Gigi Perez (Here's why it's important to reach out when people lose a loved one.) 

The Elevator 

• Sweet Caroline-Chet Atkins (The orchestra and Atkins on guitar capture the general spirit of this Neil Diamond hit.) 

Escape 

• Rhinestone Cowboy-James Last (A respectable harmonica-and-strings rendition of the Glen Campbell hit.) 

Iceberg

• Help Me-Joni Mitchell (Some of the most honest, forthright lyrics from the perspective of someone who fears she's smitten.  This hit also contains one of Mitchell's most appealing hooks.  If you like the general feel of the tune, you'll probably also like "Free Man In Paris" and "In France They Kiss On Main Street.") 

Piano Instrumentals

• Christian's Workshop-Heidi Breyer (Understated piano playing fit for a lullaby.)  

Real Jazz 

• People Make The World Go Round-Nat Adderley, Jr. Trio (Strong, rhythmic piano propulsion.)

SiriusXM Pops 

• Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 9, "The Great," in C major, D.944: IV. Finale, Allegro vivace (Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra/Martin Sieghart, conductor) (A triumphant conclusion to a symphony, rivaling the finale of Mendelssohn's fourth symphony.)  

SiriusXMU 

• Transmuted Matter-Stereolab (Lyrically this could pass for a mid '60s pop hit.  The modern instrumental backing reminds me it's from 2025.)

Watercolors 

• I Will Be Here For You-Al Jarreau (One of many songs with heartfelt sentiments from Jarreau's best album, "Jarreau."  Also recommended: "Mornin'," "Step By Step," "Save Me," and "Love Is Waiting.") 

Segue suggestion X

Styx's "Mademoiselle," which rarely gets radio airplay today, came up during an iTunes shuffle mode session recently, which made me think, "I've never heard any radio station play Queen's 'Killer Queen' before or after 'Mademoiselle,' but surely, some station has segued those two songs.  Both tunes have similar rhythms and attitudes, so it's a natural pairing for album rock stations."

After knowing both songs for over 40 years, I'm puzzled that this revelation just struck me.  "Mademoiselle" deserved to be a bigger hit, I've always thought, though, so perhaps if it had been, I'd have thought of this segue back in the '80s.

Online radio sampler highlights CCLXXXVIII

Six standout songs heard today:

KELS (Greeley, CO) 

• You Should Hear How She Talks About You-Melissa Manchester (This energetic track from 1982 was Manchester's biggest hit but hardly ever gets radio airplay today.  That's a shame because it's rhythmically strong, and Manchester's vocals command attention.  If you choose to sing it, however, it's wise to match Manchester's energy without sounding, as one chorus teacher did, like you're a dot matrix printer.)

KOSU-HD2 (Stillwater, OK) 

• The Middle-Kaitlin Butts (I hadn't expected to hear this Jimmy Eat World tune redone in country crossover style, but it translates well.)

WBGO (Newark, NJ) 

• The Song Is Ended-Gene Harris Quartet (A graceful, unhurried stroll of a piano melody.)
• Loran's Dance-Grover Washington, Jr. (Smooth sax and guitar that would flow well after "Love Song" by Ramsey Lewis.)

WUDR (Dayton, OH)

• Mont Blanc Massif-We Met In Paris (Soaring energy in the guitar and vocals that demands to be turned up.  This is one of the rhythmically stronger indie rock tracks I've heard in recent years.)
• I'll Change Your Mind-Kate Miller-Heidke (Lyrically, this walks an interesting tightrope between infatuation and stalking.)

A function of age XLIII

While perusing a list of albums to be released in 2026, I thought, "Oh, good.  Squeeze, Blondie, and Joe Jackson all have new releases due out this year."  Then, I thought, "That really indicates that I'm 55, doesn't it?  The three artists on this list whose forthcoming albums intrigue me most are artists who had commercial success in the late '70s and/or '80s."  

Immediately after that, I reasoned, "There's nothing wrong with that."

There isn't anything wrong with that, actually.  Why not anticipate the releases of quality artists with proven track records?

Persistent earworm alert CDXIV

January and February have never been two of my favorite months.  They've always struck me as relatively bland, unappealing, and cold.  Despite that, I've been feeling cautiously optimistic this morning, largely because of the better-than-usual Winter temperatures predicted here for the next several days.

In the back of my mind, however, I'm still hearing Pierce Pettis's version of "In The Bleak Midwinter."  I'm still relatively optimistic--but concerned that the song is looming so large in my mind well before Winter's midpoint.

Persistent earworm alert CDXIII

I haven't thought about the song on the flip side of Fats Domino's "Blueherry Hill" 45 in decades.  Surprisingly, though, "Bo Weevil" has been on my mind for the last four days despite not having heard it anywhere recently.  Lyrically, it has no connection to my life, so I wonder if I heard a song with a comparable rhythm recently without realizing it.

I can't imagine why, after all this time, my subconscious mind has zeroed in on lyrics that use an insect as a metaphor for a lackadaisical person.

Context? CDXVIII

Decades ago, I worked with someone who had a generally relaxed work ethic.  Frequently, this co-worker would draw out tasks that others would complete in half the time or give speeches about being dedicated to the work before actually doing said work.

One night, I thought, "Why does (this person) do this so often?  What's with all the metaphorical throat clearing and the compulsion to give the history of the company to people who call in?  How about just doing the work?"

As this co-worker continued expounding upon this supposed dedication before eventually falling asleep and deciding to come back the next day, I imagined Led Zeppelin singing, "Prattle on!" to the tune of "Ramble On."   

I thought, "I'm doing a ton of work well into the night here, and it would be helpful if (this co-worker) would do the same.  I don't have control over that, though, so I can at least amuse myself by imagining how it would sound if Robert Plant screeched, 'Prattle on!' at (this person.)" 

Context? CDXVII

I'm not sure what year it aired, but I ran across an air check of a former KWMU announcer who promoted the singer-songwriter program, "The World Cafe," this way: "No cover charge and no crowded rooms when you hang out at 'The World Cafe...'"

Those are two valid excuses for staying home and listening to the radio, as far as I'm concerned.

Countin' 'em down--again

Because I wasn't able to listen to all of WSIE's Top 88 Songs Of 2025 countdown last night, I appreciated general manager Jason Church doing something I'd never heard another DJ do: After the number one song concluded, he reread the titles, artists, and countdown placements of all 88 songs on-air.  I was on my way home at the time and sat in my parking lot until I'd heard all the placements in order, from number 88 to number 1.  

Thanks to Church's recap, I learned that two of the songs I'd chosen for my Favorite music of 2025 rankings, Butcher Brown's cover of "Dinorah Dinorah" and Dw3 featuring Peter White's cover of "Ventura Highway," made it into WSIE's countdown.

I appreciated the summary of the station's top jazz tunes for last year, and I'm thankful that WSIE 88.7 FM remains a well-programmed local source for jazz and other compatible formats.