Music to enjoy in 2017

So, that's 2016--a year in which far too many musicians' lives were lost and many singer-songwriters released a lot of compelling music.  In 2017, new releases are scheduled in the singers-with-captivating-range front (Rhiannon Giddens), the thought-provoking singer-songwriter department (Aimee Mann and Laura Marling), the infectious jazz bass department (Nathan East), and the appealing-fusion-between-piano, vocals, and mandolin-front (Brad Mehldau & Chris Thile.) Regardless of what happens in the new year, we won't be left empty-handed musically.

Those fond food processing days of yore

A memory book representative called me in 1995.  Her company was assembling a directory of students from my high school class, listing their current jobs and contact information.  I told her, "I have two jobs.  I'm a news processor who puts articles online so people can read them, and I sometimes write headlines.  Also, I'm an announcer at a smooth jazz radio station, KNJZ 100.3 FM."

"OK," she responded.  "So you're a food processor for KNG Radio?"

"No," I answered.  "I'm a news processor at (such-and-such company).  I'm also an announcer at KNJZ 100.3 FM."

"Oh, alright," she replied.  "I'll put Channel 100.3 for the radio station, then."

"Actually, it should be listed as 100.3 FM," I said.  "Radio stations aren't usually referred to as channels."

When my directory arrived in the mail, I flipped through it, half-expecting to see myself listed as a food processor for KNG Radio.  Fortunately, except for referring to KNJZ's frequency as Channel 100.3, the information was correct.  It just goes to show that if you're tenacious enough about details, you'll get most of what you want--maybe.

Ten years of #1 song picks

Since 2014, I've posted my favorite songs of the year on this blog.  I assembled countdowns of my favorite songs for years prior to starting this blog, however.  Here's a look back at my favorite songs of the year for the 10 years that predate my blog:

2013: My #1 song pick: Forever-Haim
(This is what pop music should sound like.  Three sisters execute a great hook, as they also do on "Falling" and "The Wire."  I've read they have a new release due in 2017, so I look forward to it.)
Other worthy contenders: Build Me Up From Bones-Sarah Jarosz, Gently Down The Stream-Hem, Heston's-The 442s, The Stars Are Ours Tonight-Mayer Hawthorne

2012: My #1 song pick: Jacaranda Bougainvillea (Live)-Al Jarreau & The Metropole Orkest
(Jarreau sings encouragingly about trees and flowers as metaphors for hope; the orchestra enhances the song's optimistic vibe.)
Other worthy contenders: Hearts And Bones (Live)-Paul Simon, I'm A Memory-Sara Watkins, Planets-Kate Rusby featuring Sarah Jarosz, Run Run Run-The Explorers Club

2011: My #1 song pick: Ring Them Bells-Sarah Jarosz
(A well-sung, well-played version of a Bob Dylan tune.  Erin Bode sings a strong version of it in concert, as well.)
Other worthy contenders: Daybreak-Sierra Hull, Fall Right In-Beach Fossils, Send Somebody-Colin Hay

2010: My #1 song pick: The Mountain-Erin Bode
(One of Bode's most memorable hooks, and some impressive whistling, as well.  She has closed her concerts with this tune often.)
Other worthy contenders: Either Side Of The World-Crowded House, Equilibrium-Hot Club Of Detroit, Stones In The River-Carrie Newcomer

2009: My #1 song pick: Prophets-A.C. Newman
(One of the most effective uses of music I've seen in a sitcom; it's used in "The Leap," one of my favorite episodes of "How I Met Your Mother."  If you enjoy seeing a likable group of people take literal and metaphorical leaps in their lives, watch that episode, and appreciate how well "Prophets" underscores the final scene.)
Other worthy contenders: Cinema Paradiso-Chris Botti featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Cold Cold Heart (Live)-Norah Jones, How Not To Behave-Christine Kane

2008: My #1 song pick: Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore-The High Kings
(A fitting tribute to one's homeland, sung with epic grandeur.)
Other worthy contenders: Born At The Right Time-Erin Bode, Sweater Song-Erin Bode, There Is A Tree-Carrie Newcomer

2007: My #1 song pick: Even A Child-Crowded House
(One of the band's most radio-friendly hooks.)
Other worthy contenders: I Will Rise Up-Lyle Lovett & His Large Band, Pick Up The Pieces-Money Mark

2006: My #1 song pick: The Long Way Around-Dixie Chicks
(Great lyrics about following your own path, even when it's not conventional or popular.  Great, "Rumours"-era, Fleetwood Mac-style harmonizing, as well.)
Other worthy contenders: Funny Little Frog-Belle and Sebastian, Holiday-Erin Bode

2005: My #1 song pick: Sitting In Limbo-Thea Gilmore
(Sometimes, a song resonates with you at just the right time.  When I first heard it in late 2005, I was on the cusp of moving, but I didn't know where yet.  The lyric, "Sitting here in limbo, knowing that I have to go," stayed with me.  Gilmore makes this Jimmy Cliff song her own.) 
Other worthy contender: One Evening-Feist

2004: My #1 song pick: Almost-Sarah Harmer
(One of 2004's most compelling, energetic hooks, and you don't usually hear it played on the radio anymore.)
Other worthy contender: Better After All-Jonatha Brooke

Not the most stable gig

A pair of popular morning drive DJs during the '80s was celebrating 10 years in radio as a team.  One of them asked the other, "You've named all the newscasters we've had since we've been here.  Now, can you name all the program directors we've had?"  The other DJ's response: "Got an hour?"

Given the precarious ratings book-to-ratings book status by which program directors are retained or let go, the DJ's response, though not meant literally, contained an uncomfortable ring of truth.

Making a joyful noise?

The overnight grocery store shelf stocker hasn't been singing lately.  Each week, for several months in a row, I'd shop late at night.  An aisle or two over, I'd hear her singing along with whatever tune she was listening to.

"What on Earth is that sound?" I thought, the first time I heard her belting out a tune unexpectedly.  "Who's singing an off-key rendition of Sweet's 'Ballroom Blitz' at this hour?"

After I got over the initial surprise, however, I thought, "Oh, why not?  Her intonation is lacking, but what harm does this really do?  It's the middle of the night, and there aren't that many customers here. It's a big store, so customers can always get away from her warbling."

I'm guessing customers whose thought process didn't go past "What on Earth is that sound?" might have complained, though.  Working among the public isn't easy, so I hope she gets to still listen to her tunes, even if she's no longer allowed to sing in the store.

Good Winter music listening

If you enjoy Christmas music, it's difficult to stop listening to it altogether on December 26.  I've often used the day after Christmas to listen to carols and Winter-related tunes that aren't as familiar to me.  Today, I listened to the "Celtic Christmas: A Windham Hill Sampler" compilation and recommend it as a bridge between Christmas and the beginning of January.

Online radio sampler highlights L (Christmas edition)

December 25, 2005: If Rosie the cat had any Christmas music requests, I'm pretty sure I played them.  After all, it's unwise to cross a calico.

Christmas music highlights heard this morning:

KWMU-2 (St. Louis, MO)

• I'll Be Home For Christmas-Dave McKenna (McKenna gives the tune an unusually uptempo, swing/lounge arrangement on the piano.  It works, as do his other interpretations on the "Christmas Ivory" CD.)

KWMU-3 (St. Louis, MO) 

• The Holly And The Ivy-Robert Shaw Chamber Singers (As the announcer noted, not just any ensemble can sing with this degree of pitch or precision.)

WXPN (Philadelphia, PA)

• O Magnum Mysterium-Linda Ronstadt & The Choir From Tucson (Ronstadt leads the singing in this solemn observance of Christ's birth.)
• Candlelight Carol-Mary Chapin Carpenter (Carpenter's alto vocals do John Rutter's lyrics about the nativity justice.)
• A Child Is Born-Thad Jones & Mel Lewis (If you're not inclined to listen to at least a smidgen of jazz during the Christmas season after hearing this, I don't know what to tell you.)

WXPN-2 (Philadelphia, PA)

• In The Bleak Midwinter-Shawn Colvin (Midwinter may be bleak, but Colvin's vocals suggest a ray of hope.)