Card for a prodigy?

Does a greeting card exist that congratulates a prodigy composer?  If not, such a card should exist.  Who doesn't want to be told, at any age, "Congratulations on your first concerto?"  Surely, there's a niche market for that.

An overlooked cover tune XLVII

I have yet to hear any radio station play it, possibly because it's over 10 minutes long.  Dennis Coffey's live rendition of a great Temptations tune, "Just My Imagination," deserves the airplay, though; it goes down easily and would fit into a smooth jazz station's playlist.  Also recommended: His versions of the standard, "Moonlight In Vermont," David Sanborn's "Chicago Song," and the Miles Davis classic, "All Blues."

As much as I like Coffey's raucous '70s hit, "Taurus," all of these covers are just as worthy of airplay.

The easiest and hardest feature to write

Of all the recurring features on this blog, the persistent earworm alerts are the easiest--and hardest--to write.  Half the battle is won just by writing, "This song has been running through my mind."  Elaborating on why the song is lodged so firmly in my brain or why the song is compelling or grating is the challenging part, however.  It's not enough to say, "Wow, this song is on my mind.  I wonder why."

Credit for ballpark accuracy

I listened to a radio program once.  How could I not have, when an announcer said it would elicit "giggles and guffaws?"  While I didn't giggle or guffaw, I did chortle a bit.

I suppose that's close enough.

Promoting courtesy: A shot in the dark

I wonder if any call center has ever used the chorus of Todd Rundgren's "Be Nice To Me" as its on-hold music.  If it calms down even one rude caller, it's worth a try.

A not-subject-to-debate truism

Sometimes, you know a song has the right attitude just from its title.  Before I'd even heard it, I knew I'd like John Denver's "Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone.)"  If that isn't universally applicable to everyone's life, what would be?

Online radio sampler highlights XCV

Eight noteworthy selections heard today:

KAPY (Duvall, WA)

• When The Morning Comes-Daryl Hall & John Oates (When things aren't quite clicking within a couple, it's sometimes healthy to assume an optimistic yet realistic outlook.  Considering Hall's impressive multi-octave vocals, the tune's accessible lyrics, and its memorable melody, it's surprising this wasn't a hit.  This is some of the duo's best work.)

KCSN (Los Angeles, CA)

• Hey Brother (Do Unto Others)-The Family Daptone (It's a tribute to all of the artists featured here that this sounds like a lost oldie from the early '70s.)

KUVO (Denver, CO)

• Blues For Stitt-Bill Easley (A fine tribute to Sonny Stitt, thanks to Easley's warm tenor saxophone tone and the tune's bop feel.)
• Goin' Back To New Orleans-Dr. John (No one can replicate Dr. John's unique mix of grit and authenticity as a vocalist.  Songs like this remind me of what the music world lost on June 6 after Dr. John's passing and on July 22, when Art Neville, the keyboardist featured here, as well as a Neville Brothers member and co-founder of The Meters, passed away.)

KWAX (Eugene, OR)

• Alexander Borodin: String Quartet No. 2 in D major, IV. Finale: Andante--Vivace (Cleveland Quartet)  (Compelling alternation between dark, foreboding passages and joyous, spirited ones.  Cleverly, the violins ask questions musically, and the viola and cello answer them.  At a certain point, however, the tables turn, and they switch roles.)

WUMB (Boston, MA)

• I'd Run Away-The Jayhawks (I'm perplexed that I've been writing this blog for nearly five years, yet haven't thought to cite this song.  The song's swirling intro catches the ear immediately, and the tune's well-considered, sensitive lyrics live up to its promise.  In my view, "I'd Run Away" is as strong as "Blue" and the cover of Grand Funk's "Bad Time," two other standouts from the album, "Tomorrow The Green Grass.")
• Caught By The Rain-Sarah Borges (Borges, as usual, sings this with resolve and confidence; this is especially impressive here, considering the lyrics detail a situation that isn't confidence-inducing.  I'd be curious to hear Susan Tedeschi cover this.)
• Wayfaring Stranger-Rhiannon Giddens (Giddens has the perfect voice for this well-covered folk tune.  Her soaring vocals highlight the tension and resolve inherent in the lyrics.)