Persistent (Christmas) earworm alert CXVI

For the past hour, Dean Martin's version of "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" has stayed in my mind.  It must be due to the formality in the intro and chorus, with the backing singers saying, "Rudolph," that plays against Martin's relatively informal take on the lyrics.  After all, do you know of any other version offhand in which the singer refers to Rudolph as Rudy?

Inevitable aging

Apparently, my memory isn't what it used to be.  I can hear my high school orchestra director asking the ensemble, "Do you...know the difference...between a fugue and a passacaglia?"

I used to know the difference offhand.  Now, it escapes me.  I guess it's a function of my semi-advanced age.  Thank goodness for Wikipedia.

FM dial scan highlights CV

Five of the best tunes I've heard in recent days:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Golden Ticket-The Bamboos (This release from July is a catchy blast of positivity; who couldn't root for someone who finds happiness this way?  This sounds like an early '70s R&B groove, to its credit.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Skating-Erin Bode (I've always enjoyed hearing Bode sing this in concert; one of many highlights from Bode's album, "A Cold December Night," it's suitable for any time of year, especially when you're relieved to be returning home.  Also recommended: "The Holly And The Ivy" and "The Star's Song.") 
• Soul Shadows-The Crusaders & Bill Withers (It's great to hear this tune get its due on the radio.  The lyrics pay tribute to the way well-performed music changes a person; it's a fine tribute to Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and Fats Waller, especially.  Other standouts from the excellent "Rhapsody And Blues" album: "Elegant Evening," "Last Call," and the title track.) 
• Winter Wonderland-Eric Reed (If you like the way Herbie Hancock acknowledges the theme of "Deck The Halls," juts off into a freewheeling improvisational jam, and eventually returns to the theme, you'll likely enjoy Reed's similar approach to "Winter Wonderland" on the piano.)

WSDZ 95.1 FM

• Go Tell It On The Mountain/Ain't No Mountain High Enough-Anita Wilson & Gregory Porter (An appealing approach for "Go Tell It...," making it sound simultaneously contemporary and giving a nod to "I Heard It Through The Grapevine."  Wilson and Porter segue it smoothly with "Ain't No Mountain...")

Blind optimism

It amused me when any conductor of a non-professional orchestra would advise, "In measure 80, change the fortissimo marking.  Make it only mezzo forte."

I'd often think, "You're conducting amateurs.  Getting them to play moderately loud instead of very loud is the least of your problems.  You'll be lucky if everyone plays the right notes in the proper tempo."

"We'll be back in just 10 minutes..."

Like everyone else, I understand that radio stations have to sell advertising to stay in business.  However, a station's commercial breaks shouldn't be so long that I can tune in at 10 random times during the day, hear long clusters of ads each time, and wonder if the station has switched to an all-commercials format.

Persistent (Christmas) earworm alert CXV

Although it's not one of my favorite songs, and I can't remember the last time I heard it on the radio, "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" has planted itself in my mind.  I'm not even thinking of one consistent version of it; its melody keeps springing to mind at random times.

I would say I'm going to drown it out with Christmas music I like, but writing about it will probably make it stay in my mind for at least a few more hours.

There are worse fates, admittedly.

Context? XLVIII

How do you fill time on the radio after a hockey game?  You ask one of your fellow commentators, "Have you tried the peanut butter and jelly hamburger?"

My stomach has felt queasy since hearing that suggestion last night.  Much like pineapple on pizza, some combinations aren't meant to be.