The best type of highlight

Although most my radio sports reports didn't contain this type of highlight, I always hoped for contests in which someone scored a game-winning touchdown with three seconds left, hit a home run in extra innings, or scored a game-winning goal in double overtime.

There's nothing wrong with a report in which you list people's accomplishments. (i.e. "John Doe ran in three touchdowns," or "Jane Doe went three for three, scored two runs, and had an RBI.")  It's more exciting, though, when you can spotlight a game-clinching highlight.

Alas, you can't manufacture drama.  You can always hope for it, though.

Online radio sampler highlights CXXIII

Five distinctly different standout tracks heard today:

KBCU (North Newton, KS) 

• Lockwood-Adam Steffey (This uptempo mandolin bluegrass instrumental sounds compatible with "Jefferson" by Sara Watkins.)

KRUI (Iowa City, IA)

• The Sandman, The Brakeman, And Me-Monsters Of Folk (An appealing lo-fi track, with appropriately airy production; riding a train should always feel this idealistic.)

KUSF (San Francisco, CA)

• Sad Day-FKA Twigs (A beguiling approximation of how Kate Bush might sound with contemporary techno accompaniment.)

WBGO (Newark, NJ)

• You Know You Want To Be Loved-Keith Barrow (An ideal track for a Quiet Storm format; Greenflow's "I Got'cha" sounds right before it, and Earth, Wind & Fire's "Can't Hide Love" flows well after it.)

WREK (Atlanta, GA)

• Autumn's Gift-Tom June (A life-affirming piano instrumental; the Genesis (Steve Hackett) track, "Horizons," works as a prelude for it.)

FM dial scan highlights CXLVII

Five noteworthy tunes heard this morning:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Just A Little Rain-Garrison Starr (A well-produced powerful wall of guitar and vocals, with lyrics fit for facing a daunting challenge; it's from the "Girl I Used To Be" release, due out March 5.  Also recommended: "No Man's Land," a standout track from 2005.)
• Peacock Alley-Cindy Cashdollar (Sweet, ringing guitar and organ tone; this would be a great way to start a concert.  "Cole's Boogie" by Dan Whitaker & The Shinebenders would sound right after it.) 

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Tap Dancer-Sunnie Paxson (Traditional piano-led swing/combo jazz that's not out of place in a smooth jazz playlist.)
• Fx-MO E All-Stars (A smooth, bouncy, keyboard-dominated groove; I can imagine Steely Dan's Donald Fagen singing over this, although the melody holds up perfectly well on its own.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Trouble Me-10,000 Maniacs (A heartfelt, graceful way of saying, "I'm here for you, even if you just need me to listen.") 
  

Working up a sweat?

There are times when it's appropriate to convey exertion at a job--when you've just lifted a large bag of cement, for instance.  Plucking one note on a guitar doesn't fall into that category, however--as much as some artists might to try to convince you of it in concert.

The next time I type a sentence at work, I'm going to grimace in pain as I place my hands on the keyboard.  Then, I'm going to wipe the nonexistent sweat from my brow and fall on the floor, exhausted.

Of course, I won't forget to say, "Thank you, St. Louis!"  It's important to remember the fans.

Context? XCVII

I heard two AM talk show hosts talking today about an upcoming tour that the travel company, Collette, is offering.  I imagined my cat, Collette, running a one-cat travel operation and attempting to convince travelers that biting their feet is a traditional island greeting.

I wonder what percentage of travelers would adopt a "When in Rome..." mentality and accept this.

A petty fixation II

After my demo tape session, my first full hour on KCOU, it occurred to me that I hadn't filled out the tracks played sections of the current LP and CD music review forms.  I ran back to the station as soon as I realized this, marking my initials and track numbers played on each album.  

After all, if I hadn't done that...nothing would have happened.

Actually, maybe it would have.  Maybe, by not marking the tracks I'd played, the tabulations of songs played might have fallen just short of being eligible for inclusion on the College Music Journal chart. Thus, readers of that trade publication wouldn't have seen a band's name in the rankings, wondered what it sounded like, bought the album, and played it on their own stations.  The band members, then, would have been deprived of the growing groundswell of support they would have had, forcing their band to remain obscure and stay with dishwashing or telemarketing jobs longer than they would have liked.  I'm glad I did the responsible thing and gave the bands I'd played credit for their airplay.

If anyone doubts the flapping of a butterfly's wings has ripples...

Two rhythms for one meal

My cat, Collette, impressed me with her pawing at the door for food this morning.  I thought, "That's talented.  She's pounding out one rhythm with one paw and a different one with the other paw at the same time."

I gave her a little extra food, as a result.  As I told Collette, "That's an impressive polyrhythmic request for food."