Context? CDXXVI

My sixth grade chorus teacher, Mrs. B., once asked the class to write down songs they'd like to hear her play on the piano.  I was surprised when one student requested "Stardust" by Artie Shaw.  Thanks to my interest in jazz from a young age, I'd heard of that song but wasn't familiar with the melody offhand.

"That's an old song," she told the student.  "I'm curious to know how you know it."

I don't remember the student's answer, but a parent's--or more likely, a grandparent's--influence probably led him to request that song.  It was unusual, to say the least, for a sixth grade student in 1982 to request "Stardust."  At the time, I thought, "Requesting 'Stardust' or any Artie Shaw tune at age 11 shows an open mind when it comes to music."

Eleven years later, someone else left a similarly open-minded impression. 

A murky verdict IX

I was impressed last night upon hearing Kurt Elling & The WDR Big Band's cover of Joe Jackson's "Steppin' Out."  However, I suspected that my brother's cat, Lily, was somewhat less sold on it:

Slowly but surely, though, Lily started to come around: 

I was glad to see that.  Vocally and instrumentally, Elling & company's reworking of "Steppin' Out" turns it into a solid lounge number.

FM dial scan highlights CCXCVIII

Thursday afternoon standouts:

WSIE 88.7 FM 

• Ca-Lee-So-Lee Morgan (Fun, infectious calypso-style trumpet with excellent piano backing from McCoy Tyner.)
• B'wana She No Home-The Carpenters (If you're expecting "Sing," "Rainy Days And Mondays," or "We've Only Just Begun," you're in for a surprise.  This cover of a Michael Franks tune, complete with jazzy piano and saxophone shows a fun, unexpectedly spicier side of The Carpenters.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• In Your Ocean-Iron & Wine (An honest acknowledgment that while relationships can be rewarding, they're also sometimes exhausting.) 

KWUR 90.3 FM 

• Shaking As It Turns-Lula Wiles (Sadly appropriate lyrics for our current powder keg of a country.  Vocally and instrumentally, this reminds me of Sarah Jarosz.)
• Nothing's Gonna Happen (Demo)-The Staves (Sung with the group's trademark impressive harmony.)

Persistent earworm alert CDXXV

Martin Sexton's "Diner" is possibly the catchiest song about craving a late night meal that one could ever hear.  Once the rhythm enters my mind, it typically stays there for days.  That's the case this week, thanks in part to the return of the quirky medical sitcom, "Scrubs," tonight on ABC.  Since I first watched the original show, I've been impressed by the cast's easy chemistry, the show's graceful ability to pivot from humorous flights of fancy to serious medical situations on a dime, and the fact that "Diner," which isn't a well-known tune to most people, made it into an episode.

I expect that the "Scrubs" reboot will capture everything that made the first run appealing, including not-so-obvious music choices. 

A missed opportunity?

This morning, I Googled, "Did Lyle Lovett ever cover James Taylor's song, 'Traffic Jam?'"

Apparently, he hasn't.  After listening to Taylor's atypical, as-close-as-he-gets-to-scat-vocals track this morning and recalling Lovett's spoken sections of "Here I Am" and rhythmic chanting on "Church," it's not an outlandish possibility.

SiriusXM highlights CLXVII

Monday morning standouts:

'40s Junction 

• Stompin' At The Savoy-Georgie Auld (The type of classy, brassy swing I enjoyed playing on WEW.) 

The Bridge Deep Cuts 

• Come Down In Time-Elton John (Some of the most effective lyrics about the pain rejection causes.  Sting covers it effectively, as well.)

Coffee House Classics

• Telephone-Shelby Lynne (To me, this ranks second only to "Gotta Get Back" among Lynne's songs.  This is one of her best rhythms, and it's paired with frank lyrics about how sometimes, you don't really want to have a conversation with someone; you just want credit for making an attempt to call.)

Deep Tracks

• Themes-Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (If I didn't know otherwise, I might have thought the long, new age-ish keyboard intro was an extract from a Vangelis melody.)

Gas Station

• Take Me Home, Country Roads-John Denver (Longing for home, expressed honestly to a foot-stomping rhythm.)

The Groove 

• Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now-McFadden & Whitehead (Still one of the most positive anthems for anyone who feels overlooked or unheard.  Soccer fans might remember this as the theme song of the St. Louis Steamers.)

The Loft 

• Take The L-The Motels (This would have been a respectable follow-up hit after "Only The Lonely" due to its similar feel.)

Luna

• The Time Is Now-Eliane Elias (I've recommended many of Elias's vocal and piano instrumental tracks on this blog, but this one stands out for being atypically raucous.)

Real Jazz

• The "In" Crowd-Gregory Porter (Ramsey Lewis shows how cool this melody is, instrumentally.  Gregory Porter shows how cool it is, vocally.  Also recommended: Marshall Crenshaw's interesting midtempo cover.)

SiriusXMU

• What Do I Know?-Deep Sea Diver (Sometimes, it's difficult to accept that so many aspects of life are out of our hands.)

The Village

• If You Were There-Connie Kaldor (Even when you know you're in a great relationship, it's nice to hear your significant other say so.)

Yacht Rock Radio

• Sailin' The Wind-Loggins & Messina (As its title indicates, this is prototypical yacht rock subject matter--sung at an unhurried pace fit for sailing.)

Persistent earworm alert CDXXIV

When I wake up feeling groggy, I sometimes think of an early '80s TV commercial jingle for Downyflake waffles.  In the commercial, various family members wake up abruptly with huge smiles at the thought of eating such tasty waffles.  

As delicious as waffles are, I've never felt inclined to wake up smiling maniacally or sing the Downyflake jingle, "Wake up.  Wake up.  Wake up with Downyflake."  

However, the Downyflake jingle's lasting impression brightens my mood a tad on days when my disposition is sour.  Such is the healing power of waffles--and a peppy jingle.

STEAM over STEM

My school days ended decades ago, but it's still interesting to read now and then about what my local public school district offers students these days.  As I glanced over one recently mailed update, I did a double take.  At first, I thought the district was touting its STEM (i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) offerings.  I looked again.  What was formerly STEM is now STEAM (i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.)

Knowing that playing a musical instrument ranks with more technical fields in importance makes me think better of the district.  Hopefully, the district's increased prioritizing of the arts will resonate with other citizens and make them vote for school bond issues that accommodate student artists.

Context? CDXXV

Heard during a late '90s FM dial scan: "Hurry.  The 99-cent triple cheeseburger won't be around for long."

My response: "For those who crave triple cheeseburgers, that's a bargain.  That's way too much food, though, unless you've skipped at least one meal." 

Context? CDXXIV

Recently, a radio personality's closing pitch for using a particular heating and cooling company was, "All the technicians are happy to work there."

I asked the radio, "Did anyone survey them?"

Persistent earworm alert CDXXIII

Decades after graduating from college, the newspaper commercial jingle, "Wake up to The Missourian," still comes to mind at unexpectedly random times.  My frequent recall of it speaks to my desire to jump back into my past college life in Columbia, Missouri at times.  It also indicates my desire to go back to a time when more people read newspapers regularly to stay informed.

Sometimes, it's comforting to live in a world that feels less rushed--or to have the illusion, at least, that it's  relatively unhurried.

Persistent earworm alert CDXXII

Since hearing it on Community Radio St. Louis's "Move The Needle," I haven't been able to get Jesse Winchester's "Sham-A-Ling-Dong-Ding" out of my mind.  Somehow, this movingly written, sensitively sung track had eluded me until last Saturday.  If I'd never heard of the song or Winchester, I'd have guessed it was a Danny & The Juniors-style '50s dance tune.  Actually, it's a 2009 track with a convincing '50s doo-wop pastiche.  It's a fitting tune for Valentine's Day or any day you want to tell your beloved one how much she means to you.

The allure of shuffle mode XCII

iTunes shuffle mode cultivated a fun 1940s vibe yesterday during two back-to-back instrumentals.  "Twice Shy" by Hot Club Of St. Louis flowed into Jon Rauhouse's version of Louis Jordan's "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie."  "Twice Shy" is from 2024, but the fiddling wouldn't have been out of place 80 years earlier.  Rauhouse then built on "Twice Shy"'s rhythm with a strong, uptempo guitar rendering of "Choo Choo..."

I wish WEW still played nostalgic music so I could segue both tunes on the air as a DJ--or request them as a listener.

The allure of shuffle mode XCI

One of iTunes shuffle mode's most valuable attributes is showing listeners how songs they've enjoyed separately can be paired in not immediately obvious segues.  That happened for me today when Natalie MacMaster's "Paddy LeBlanc's Set" ended up before "Afternoon In Paris" by Rebecca Coupe Franks.  I wouldn't have thought to pair Celtic fiddling with swingin' jazz trumpet, but to my ears, "Afternoon In Paris" builds on the energy of "Paddy LeBlanc's Set."

Persistent earworm alert CDXXI

If you prefer to acknowledge Valentine's Day without being overly syrupy, I recommend "Valentine" by The Elvis Brothers.  As I've written before, the band's name is misleading, as their sound is actually Beatles-influenced power pop.  "Valentine" is a high energy track suitable for cranking up while driving.  I used to play it on KCOU and have never heard it anywhere else.  Lyrically, it's a sound way of being direct with someone by saying, "Baby, let me be your valentine."  That directness, fortunately, doesn't have the melodrama that ballads often have.  It's an uptempo, forthright way of conveying, "Hey, I like you, so what would you think of us being together?"

A function of age XLV

Recently, a radio talk show host mentioned how strange he felt having guitar lessons with a 24-year-old instructor.  I understood what he meant.  Logically, if someone has a skill you don't have and is able to teach it well, that person's age shouldn't matter.  In an awkward way, it does, however.  A few years younger isn't a big difference, but when the teacher is decades younger than you are, it feels odd to regard that person as an authority figure. 

At age 55, this perspective is inevitable, I think.

Online radio sampler highlights CCXCI

Seven standout selections heard today:

KMFA (Austin, TX) 

• Robert Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129: I. Nicht zu schnell (Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Scott Yoo, conductor; Bion Tsang, cello) (A lyrical, somber interpretation.)

KQAL (Winona, MN)

• My Heart Is Full-Norah Jones (The echo on Jones's vocals and replication of a heartbeat give the song appropriate gravity, especially during its crescendos.)
• Too Late To Turn Back Now-Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose (I've always liked this oldie, as the lyrics express sentiments appropriate for Valentine's Day in a classy way often missing from today's pop hits.)

KUVO (Denver, CO)

• Sandu-Freddie Hubbard/Woody Shaw (A cool walking rhythm and excellent synchronicity between the trumpet and saxophone.)

WCBN (Ann Arbor, MI)

• Perdue A Paris-Clare And The Reasons (Unusual vocal harmonies, a swirling instrumental backdrop, and an unconventional use of trumpet make this indie rock track stand out.)

WUSC (Columbia, SC)  

• After All You Put Me Through-Joyce Manor (There's nothing like power pop guitar stylings to take the edge off of negative lyrics.)

WXNA (Nashville, TN)

• Slide-O-Mike Barone Big Band (The brass, winds, and piano swing the rhythm appealingly.)

Community Radio St. Louis highlights VII

Wednesday morning highlights:

Feel Like Going Home 

• Sadness As A Gift-Adrianne Lenker (A painful, realistic acknowledgment that a relationship has reached its end.)
• Work-Thelonious Monk (Proof that a jaunty melody on the piano doesn't have to be consistently sunny; with the right melody, there's room for dissonance.)
• Sunday-Yuck (Tuneful power pop with quietly confident lyrics about winning someone back.)

Shady Grove

• Look Down That Lonesome Road-Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands (One of the interesting tricks bluegrass music pulls off is pairing sorrowful lyrics with lighthearted instrumentation.  Somehow, that combination gels appropriately here.)
• Cricket On The Hearth-Bryan Sutton (If you're a guitarist who can stay in tune and in time at this brisk tempo, you ought to clean up financially as a session musician.  Fast instrumentals such as this are this genre's main appeal to me.)

Context? CDXXIII

In recent weeks, I've heard multiple live and recorded radio commercials for Collette, the travel company.  I keep hearing announcers saying things like, "Collette will take care of everything," and "Collette will handle all the arrangements."

Then, I look at my cat, Collette, who doesn't suffer fools gladly, and imagine a commercial in which the announcer says, "If everything isn't to your satisfaction, Collette will bite you."

It's probably best that my cat isn't a travel company employee.

Persistent earworm alert CDXX

I haven't heard it on the radio since it was a hit, and I haven't seen "Footloose" since the '80s, but "I'm Free (Heaven Helps The Man)" by Kenny Loggins is on my mind this morning.  I haven't thought of that song in decades, but it's one of Loggins's somewhat underrated hits.  Right from the intro, "I'm Free" conveys urgency and longing convincingly, builds to its chorus well, and has a respectable hook.  Its dramatic structure is rooted firmly in 1984, and that's to its credit.

Community Radio St. Louis highlights VI

Saturday morning standouts:

Family Reunion 

• Barrett's Privateers-Stan Rogers (This isn't a happy tale, but just try not to get into the story once you start listening.  The Irish Descendants recorded the best version of this, but this original version by Rogers is strong in its own right.)
• Amelia Earhart's Last Flight-Plainsong (This is a tragic tale, as well, but it's a dignified tribute, sung with Crosby, Stills & Nash-style harmony.)

Songwriters Showcase 

• Morning-Sarah Jarosz (As often as I've praised Jarosz's music on this blog, this is one song I've overlooked.  I plan to listen to it more often, as comparing a great blue heron to a significant other is one of the reasons these lyrics are endearing.)
• The Dutchman-Steve Goodman (I was pleased to hear the opening guitar part of this tune, as it's one of Goodman's best recordings.  Lyrically, it illustrates the "in sickness and in health" vow that couples make when they marry.  I first heard "The Dutchman" on KDHX's "Blue Highways" in the early '00s, and it became a favorite Goodman track immediately.) 
• Years-Beth Nielsen Chapman (Even if you're relatively happy with your life as it is, reflecting on the people and places that were once central to your life might make you understandably wistful.)

Only in college CXVII

An early '90s specialty show on KCOU that I had difficulty describing was "Gardening At Night."  A key element of it, however, involved crafting sound collages consisting of live or recorded spoken words paired with musical backdrops.

One night, Robi, the DJ hosting the show, and I started talking, and he recorded part of our conversation.  Later in the show, he asked me, "(Does this) sound familiar?"

It did sound familiar, as he had put a portion of our chat on a tape loop and was playing it on the air backwards over music.

Where else can you do that on the radio?

Community Radio St. Louis highlights V

Thursday night/Friday morning standouts:

Heaven's Library 

• Brighten Your Night With My Day-James Taylor (It's interesting to hear early, i.e. 1967, James Taylor.  As my brother noted, the instrumentation differs from that of a typical Taylor tune.  I think it would work as a commercial jingle.)
• Gentle Wave-Hiromasa Suzuki (This throbbing, jazzy, spacey instrumental combines John Klemmer's and Chick Corea & Return To Forever's styles.) 
• Dream-Ryuichi Sakamoto (This short, celestial-sounding instrumental could segue with "Gentle Wave.")

Next Exit

• Going Places-Lewsberg (An immediately catchy guitar/bass/drums rhythm with a nice contrast between the two lead singers.)

Sweet Inspiration

• None Of Us Are Free-Solomon Burke (Alas, these lyrics are "quite fitting for the times," as DJ Spencer said.)
• Song Of Love-Stephen Stills (This 1972 track about standing on the side of what's humane and just is also sadly appropriate for our current climate.  Playing Midnight Oil's "Sometimes" after it was a lyrically compatible choice, although "My Country" would work equally well.)
• Fool No. 1-The Mavericks (Lead singer Raul Malo really sells this tune that sounds like a late '50s doo-wop ballad.  I think it could have worked as underscoring for a "How I Met Your Mother" episode.)
• Paintbrush-All The Days (Endearingly, sensitively written and sung.)

Community Radio St. Louis highlights IV

Six of the more appealing tunes played this morning:

The Mix-Up 

• Who Will Comfort Me?-Melody Gardot (Rhythmically, this reminds me of Peggy Lee's "Fever.")
• Hippy Skippy Moon Strut-The Mighty Show Stoppers (A catchy, rhythmic, organ-propelled instrumental that could segue with "101" by The Smuggler Brothers.)

Memphis To Manchester

• You're No Good-Betty Everett (The majority of listeners are probably most familiar with Linda Ronstadt's excellent version, but Everett's 1963 vocals and the appropriately melancholy piano backing deserve their due.)
• Two Of Us-Aimee Mann & Michael Penn (Fine vocal harmonies on this cover of a Beatles tune from two artists who deserve more commercial success.  Credit to DJ John for following this up with Mann's "That's Just What You Are," which should have been a hit.)

Pop! The Beat Bubble Burst 

• I'm So Happy Now-The Rascals (These simple lyrics say all they need to say.)
• Stay Fabulous-Marshall Crenshaw (Now, this is a music bed.  If I played guitar for a living, I'd use this instrumental as my sound check.  Its midtempo rhythmic self-assurance made it one of my most played songs in iTunes for years.)

FM dial scan highlights CCXCVII

Five tunes that caught my ear today:

WSIE 88.7 FM 

• Prototype-Robert Glasper featuring Norah Jones (This track has an appealing throwback Quiet Storm vibe in its vocals and instrumentation.)
• Wish You Were Near-Acoustic Alchemy (Since I first heard this on former smooth jazz station WSSM, I've always thought it could segue with "Shuckatoom," the "American Top 40" closing theme from the late '70s and early '80s.  It might be the group's catchiest rhythm, as it shows how a brass arrangement coalesces successfully with the acoustic guitar.)

KCLC 89.1 FM 

• Rock The Casbah-The Clash (One of the most memorable earworms from the early '80s.  The union between the piano and vocals in the chorus makes the tune, in my opinion.) 

KWUR 90.3 FM 

• Popsicle-Juliana Hatfield (This was just released in December, but if I hadn't known that, I would've thought this was one of Hatfield's early '90s efforts.  Her youthful voice and crunchy guitar playing are largely the same today.)

WARH 106.5 FM

• Burnin' For You-Blue Oyster Cult (One of the best album rock tracks for days when your mood is dark.) 

Community Radio St. Louis highlights III

I'm continuing to enjoy KDHX's online successor station, Community Radio St. Louis.  Here are two more impressive songs from yesterday that deserve acclaim:

Backroads 

• I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight-Dori Freeman (I've always found this Richard & Linda Thompson song interesting; on the surface, it sounds like a resolution to set aside one's woes for a while and just enjoy life. Listen more closely, however, and you'll hear that the lyrics are meant to be ironic.  Freeman captures the song's spirit commendably while adding just enough of a twang in the vocals to make it her own.)
• Pot On The Stove-Erin Corday (I've thought about this tune often since yesterday, thanks to its fun, calypso-style rhythm.  Vocally and instrumentally, this is a clever way to mimic food cooking on a stove.)

Now, here are five more standout songs I heard this morning:

Hip City  

• Loving You Is On My Mind-The Meters (You can pick any song by The Meters, and you'll hear the same great consistency in the rhythm section.  I can imagine this tune being cross-faded smoothly with Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number.")
• Bird Of Beauty-Stevie Wonder (This is one of Wonder's more overlooked tunes, but it's a pleasant invitation to take a break from the everyday realities of life.  The descending pattern in the backing vocals punctuates Wonder's lead vocals effectively.)
• Look Around The Corner-Quantic & Alice Russell with The Combo Barbaro (This is a nice, unusual blend of Brazilian, Classical, jazz, and R&B styles.  A cool descending bass line underscores the vocals.)
• Melting Pot-Orgone (For some tunes, a rhythm section is all you need.  That's the case with this excellent cover of a 1971 Booker T. & The MGs instrumental.  This well-sustained eight-minute groove approximates how The Allman Brothers Band might have sounded as a jazz or R&B band.)

Boogie On Down 

• Rockhouse (Parts 1 & 2)-Ray Charles (I'd segue this hip-in-any-era piano rhythm with Stanley Turrentine's "Walkin'.")

Community Radio St. Louis highlights II

Monday morning highlights:

Fresh Start 

• Do You Think We'll Last Forever?-Caroline Rose (I noticed a Prince vibe immediately in the rhythm and vocals.)
• Radio Protector-65daysofstatic (The placid piano intro eventually morphs into a dramatic piano-and-drums instrumental.)
• Cars In Space-Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (This rhythmically propulsive power pop track from 2020 sounds like it's from the '80s.)

Backroads 

• Hard Times Come Again No More-Mike Dowling (This pleasant guitar instrumental sounds at various times as if it's about to detour into "Auld Lang Syne." "Backroads" was one of my favorite shows on KDHX, so I'm jazzed about its return to CRSTL.  It continued the spirit of its predecessor singer-songwriter show, "Blue Highways," and this track was a fine way to kick things off.)
• Feeling Good-Nina Simone (DJ Stacy chose this appropriate set of lyrics to acknowledge the joy of launching CRSTL...)
• Listen To The Radio-Nanci Griffith (...as well as these appropriate lyrics.)
• How'd You Know?-Hudson & Franke (Lyrically and vocally, this reminds me of Carrie Newcomer's music, which is always a plus.)

Community Radio St. Louis highlights

One year after live broadcasts ended on KDHX 88.1 FM, a new incarnation of the station is now broadcasting online at crstl.fm.  CRSTL caught me off guard this morning by going live before its advertised starting time of 12 p.m.  Nevertheless, it's great to have a new station that essentially is KDHX.  Most of the programs and DJs on CRSTL originated on KDHX, so it's a pleasure to hear them again on their new home.  Here are some of the first day highlights:

Songwriters Showcase 

• All The Way Around-Kris Delmhorst (This was the first song I heard this morning on a sans DJ edition of "Songwriters Showcase."  Despite its melancholy bent, these are hopeful lyrics about finding your way back to someone.)
• Shotgun Down The Avalanche (Acoustic Edition)-Shawn Colvin (From the first time I heard "Shotgun Down The Avalanche," I was impressed by Colvin's committed vocals.and lyrical metaphor for a rickety relationship that sounds as though it should end.  This acoustic version retains the spirit of the original version.  I also recommend her acoustic and original versions of "Diamond In The Rough.")
• Peace March-Bruce Cockburn (I remember first hearing this appealingly upbeat guitar instrumental on KDHX's "Backroads" in 2006.  I'm glad it made the transition to CRSTL 20 years later.)

The Snappy Lunch  

• Time To Get Into The Change-Jeremy Garrett (Impressive bluegrass pickin' and fiddlin', and a lyrically appropriate way of officially kicking off the new station.  Kudos to hosts Walter and Willa Volz for choosing many similarly appropriate tracks that capture the KDHX to CRSTL transition metaphorically.)
• California Traveler-California (Fast fiddling requiring considerable dexterity.)
• Phoenix Arise-Becky Buller (As I said about Jeremy Garrett's "Time To Get Into The Change...") 

No Time To Tarry Here 

• Blarney's Ghost Medley: Rights Of Man/Old French/Battle Of Aughrim-Hank & Shaidri Alrich (At first, I thought I was going to hear "Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella" in a minor key.  The transition from somber to spirited to somber is an interesting one.  This Celtic medley has a nice blend of violin and guitar.)
• Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor (Live)-Mississippi John Hurt (An appealing guitar hook underscores lyrics about feeling weary and needing a good night's rest.  I'd be curious to hear Taj Mahal cover this.)