FM dial scan highlights CXCVIII

Wednesday morning highlights:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Summer Dream-Bonny Light Horseman (Vocally and instrumentally, this is one of 2022's more pleasant indie rock releases.  The harmonica enhances the laid-back vocals and refreshingly honest lyrics about missing someone.)
• Fire On The Mountain-The Bucking Mules (This peppy fiddle and banjo number makes a convincing case for the return of square dancing.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Happy Times-Freddie Hubbard (This trumpet-dominated melody doesn't skimp on the joy and has an appealingly definite ending.  "Lust For Life" by Sonny Rollins sounds right to me before this.)
• Crazy For You-Earl Klugh (For over four decades, Klugh has excelled in this type of breezy guitar hook; it's no wonder this was the title track from his 1981 album.  If you seek more gripping intensity, check out "The Rainmaker," another "Crazy For You" standout.) 

KCLC 89.1 FM

• I Was Neon-Julia Jacklin (A catchy reminder not to compromise who you are, set to a beat that reminds me of the Genesis tune, "Abacab.")

Backstage psychology

Often, before playing the bass in a concert, I'd feel half nervous and half excited.  To shift the balance in favor of excitement, I'd reason, "I've played this music many times, so it's unlikely that I'll suddenly forget how to play it during the concert.  Also, this isn't a solo recital.  I'm just one of many people who'll be onstage.  The bass is a supporting instrument, and I won't be carrying the melody of a piece, typically, so the pressure's largely off there.  Also, most people in the audience won't know this piece as well as I've come to know it."

Getting into that mindset paid off for me and resulted in my feeling at least reasonably satisfied after each concert.

The foot-biting default option XXI

I'm concerned that my cat, Collette, has gotten too carefree before biting my feet.  This morning, by way of warning, she sang to the tune of George Benson's "Give Me The Night," "'Cause your feet are just right there, and my teeth can't resist a dare, I'll give you a bite."

Although my feet are aching as a result of Collette's brazen biting, I appreciate that she shared her reasoning with me.

All too resonant words

Sometimes, it's easier to recall the gist of someone's words than the specifics.  I remember longtime Cardinal baseball play-by-play announcer Jack Buck reading a poem he wrote in 2001, after the September 11 atrocities.  I don't remember the specifics of what he said except for two words, "cowardly foe."

I've never forgotten that description of the despicable attackers.  Looking back, it's a shame that Buck didn't spout a profane tirade against those who sought to destroy us.  That would have been out of character for him, of course, and not suitable for a mass audience that included young kids.  Nevertheless, I don't see how anyone could have held it against him if he'd launched into a fiery, expletive-filled rant.  After all, no admonishment could be harsh enough for vermin who extinguish others' lives for no good reason.

Context? CXCVI

Sound life advice, heard out of context on an AM radio station this week: "Never try to sand your wooden floor yourself."

My handyman skills don't extend much past using a screwdriver to tighten screws when a door handle is loose, so that's advice I'll follow.  It wasn't part of a commercial, either, so that made me respect that advice even more.

Stingray Music highlights XCVI

Friday morning standout songs:

Bluegrass

• Turtle In The Creek-The Wooks (There's appealing synergy between the banjo, guitar, and fiddle in this uptempo instrumental.)

Brazilian Pop

• Canto Di Paraiso-Kay Lyra (Guitar, flute, and strings add lush warmth to the vocals.)
  

Cocktail Lounge

• Metropolis Suite, Part 1-Brian Bennett (Hurry!  The suspect's getting away--by boarding a spacecraft, apparently; at least, that's what this instrumental underscoring suggests.)

Easy Listening

• Till There Was You-Tony Mottola (A guitar based version of a well-known melody.  The tune's warmth shines through in a slower than usual tempo; I kept expecting Mottola to launch into "I Can't Get Started."  Hot Club Of Detroit's "Patio Swing" would sound rhythmically compatible after this.)
  

Jazz Masters 

• Days Of Wine And Roses-Dizzy Gillespie (Evidence that a jazz ensemble can be freewheeling--and precise, as well.)

Latin Lounge

• A Volta-Eliane Elias (Since first hearing Elias's piano playing and vocals in the early '90s, I thought she'd be a consistently dependable artist from album to album.  The decades have shown this.  There's a smooth, welcoming, professional sheen over all of her albums.  This track, like many others of hers, would be equally at home in an international, smooth jazz, or traditional jazz playlist.)
  

Retro R&B

• The Flick (Part 1)-Earl Van Dyke & The Soul Brothers (When it's appropriate, why shouldn't an organist be able to do the equivalent of a guitar player shredding?)

Smooth Jazz

• Fly Away With Me-Pamela Williams (This 2005 track features smooth saxophone and keyboard underscoring that wouldn't have been out of place in the '90s.)

South Africa Gospel

• Busa-Hendrick Monyeki (Uplifting choral singing with a skipping instrumental backdrop.  The backing vocalists' increased volume and power as the song progresses adds to its appeal.)

Swinging Standards

• Bye Bye Blackbird-Emilie-Claire Barlow (Fitting, just-breathy-enough vocals, solid trumpet, and assuredly cool rhythm section accompaniment make this a good cover of a standard.)

Stingray Music highlights XCV

Standout tunes heard this morning:

The Blues 

• Five Long Years-Bernard Allison (Appealing blues-rock guitar and vocals, with a seeming John Mellencamp influence in its recurring hook.)
  

Canadian Indie

• Beat The Heart-Tallies (The echo enhances the vocals compellingly.  I hear a Cocteau Twins influence in this track.  Film School's "Sunny Day" would sound good after this.)
• Parasite-Bibi Club (This track, released in August, is a bouncy breath of fresh indie pop air.  This duo has a sunny, infectious "Seize the day" ethos in its vocals and instrumentation.)

Cool Jazz

• Walk Between The Raindrops-Mel Torme (Torme's voice gives the tune its requisite swing.  I also recommend Donald Fagen's version strongly.)
  

Folk Roots

• I'm Alright-Kim Richey (A lyrically honest way of acknowledging that a breakup was justified.  Also recommended: "I Know.")
• Losing Track Of Time-The Bombadils (Endearingly sensitive vocals and acoustic instrumentation.  I'd be curious to hear Shawn Colvin, Sierra Hull, or Maura Kennedy sing this.)

Jazz Now

• Wading Through-Terence Blanchard (Gripping intensity in the piano and strings.  This is a deservedly acclaimed tribute to victims of Hurricane Katrina.)

The Spa

• I'm Gonna Be There-Bireli Snow (This tastefully played guitar piece could be a postscript to a waltz.)
• Hidden Beneath-Rikard From (Movingly played solemn piano.  This could be a prelude to "Longing/Love" by George Winston.)
  

World Carnival

• Pide Piso-Bajofondo (This upbeat instrumental is part tango, part Aragorn Ballroom Orchestra, and part Talking Heads.  Not just any ensemble can blend those ingredients this successfully.)