A linguistic irritant XXVII

I've always found it silly for entertainers to introduce a cover song by saying that "it goes a little something like this..."  There's too much mock humility in that intro.  A former co-worker proved that when joking that he was going to regale all of us with a song, "and it goes exactly like this..."

KCOU playlist flashback: 9-11 a.m., 8/30/92

When I was asked to fill in for this shift, I thought, "Hmmm...Just two hours instead of the three or four hours that make up most other general air shifts.  I'd better make them count by choosing the most diverse array of music I can round up."  I was mostly pleased with the way these two hours turned out.  Here was my playlist:

   1.  Toast And Jelly-Poi Dog Pondering
(What better way to start a morning radio shift than with rousing Let's-get-up-and-have-breakfast lyrics...?)
   2.  When The World Is Running Down, You Make The Best Of What's Still Around-The Police
(...On the other hand, let's not get too carried away with our optimism.)
   3.  Short Memories-Graham Parker
(The uplifting guitar provides an interesting counterpoint to these grim lyrics about the consequences of war.)
   4.  One Place-Everything But The Girl
(Tracey Thorn sings thoughtful musings about what it might be like to settle down in one locale instead of living a touring musician's city-to-city life.  This is still one of my favorite songs.)
   5.  What's The Matter Here?-10,000 Maniacs
(Thematically, these lyrics would have segued well with Graham Parker's "Short Memories."  Natalie Merchant has always had a knack for being the listener's conscience.)
   6.  Abraham, Martin, And John-Dion
(Lyrically, this oldie illustrates how one person can be a force for good and how such a hole is left when that person is no longer around.  If ever there were a time for this reminder...)
   7.  Blues For The Chosen Few-Roger Manning
(Just try getting the guitar part out of your mind once you hear this.  After playing the KCOU promo with Manning's voice in it, I thought, "Why not play the whole song for once?"  This is DIY indie folk, with just Manning's voice and a guitar.)
   8.  Trying-J.C. Hopkins
   9.  Kid Fears-Indigo Girls
 10.  Sanctuary-The Chills
 11.  Misery (Someone Is Winning)-Scrawl
 12.  Pearl-Throwing Muses
 13.  Stay-Cubic Feet
(An early '90s track with a synthesized 1984 feel.  I segued it on a mix CD once with Heaven 17's "Who'll Stop The Rain?")
 14.  Never-The Meanies
 15.  Got My Mojo Working (Parts 1&2)-Muddy Waters
 16.  Blues City Shake Down-John Mayall
(Cool wailing harmonica from 1965.)
 17.  Wake Up-The Meditations
(If I'd thought of this reggae track earlier, I might have eased listeners into my two on-air hours with it at 9 a.m.)
 18.  Ban The Car-Greenhouse
 19.  Absolute Zero-Dead, White & Blue
 20.  Nighttrain-Public Enemy
 21.  We Will Rock You-Grandmaster Flash
(A rap track that uses the Queen song as its springboard.)
 22.  Raise Your Hand-Eddie Floyd
(Like the feel of "Knock On Wood?"  This will likely appeal to you, as well.)
 23.  Mame-Louis Armstrong
(I hadn't sought this out but was surprised to see it in the recurrent 45s category.  At our first staff meeting of the school years, Roberta, the program director, reminded us all to consider the time of day when choosing our music; in other words, don't hit listeners over the head with pounding hard rock first thing in the morning.  She said she'd tuned in while I was playing this and liked that I'd chosen morning-appropriate songs such as this.)
 24.  Samba De Be-Bop-Phil Woods Quintet
(I thought this was a good way to add some spice to a listener's morning; this is the musical equivalent of cooking chili.  Woods takes on fast alto sax runs, and the rest of his ensemble helps the tune simmer.)
 25.  Manchester England-"Hair" soundtrack
(After watching the movie, this is almost certain to become one of many persistent earworms for most listeners.)
 26.  Werewolves Of London-Warren Zevon
(Admittedly, this is a forced segue between England and London, but who's hurt by it?)
 27.  Every Little Thing-T Bone Burnett
(Rhythmically, this would have made for a sobering segue after "Manchester England.")
 28.  Full Moon-Dalton Reed
 29.  Confide In Me-Spankin' Rufus

Persistent earworm alert CXCIX

What music best mimics a migraine?  The pulsating intro of the Genesis tune, "Back In N.Y.C.," has come to my mind.  Peter Gabriel's vocal entrance also sounds appropriate when turning on a light and realizing how sensitive your eyes are to it.  This has been my recurring reality today.

A linguistic irritant XXVI

It amuses me when someone uses the phrase, "ready to rock and roll," in a non-musical context.  It's especially silly in most work-related cases.  "Ready to rock and roll?" "No, I'm not about to break into an infectious guitar riff like I'm a member of The Ventures.  I'm just going to give the quarterly earnings report."

The mysterious muse

It's slightly disappointing to me when an artist who is asked what inspired certain lyrics says, "They just came to me."

That might be a perfectly honest answer.  None of us know for sure how the muse works every single time.  Still, when someone's lyrics are profound, I hope to hear an answer such as, "With all the unrest in (a particular part of the world), I started thinking...," "While on vacation years ago, I had a chance meeting with someone who made me look at (a particular issue) in a new light," or "There was a friend I had growing up who stopped me in my tracks with this astute observation about people."

Any variation of those answers is more satisfying than saying, in effect, "Beats me."

Still, if that's the honest answer...

FM dial scan highlights CXXXVI

Seven commendable selections heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Fuzzy Logic-Ghost Funk Orchestra (This 2020 release contains instrumental passages fit for a spy thriller and appropriately distorted vocals.)
• This Life-Kendra Morris (I would have sworn this was an early '70s R&B track instead of a 2020 release.  In recent weeks, this has become one of my favorite songs of the year.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Stronger Now-Carol Albert (This piano piece would sound appropriate with lyrics of resolve sung over it but works at least as well without them.  An inspirational instrumental highlight of 2020.)
• Tell Me A Bedtime Story-Herbie Hancock (One of the warmest, most beguiling jazz melodies, thanks to Joe Henderson on flute and Hancock on keyboard.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Terrible Things-April Smith and the Great Picture Show (Smith pairs a throwback variety show style with a more contemporary sensibility in the vocals and instrumental backing.)

K297BI 107.3 FM, a.k.a. KNOU-HD2

• Johannes Brahms: Serenade No. 1 in D major, Op.11: V. Scherzo (The Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam/Bernard Haitink, conductor)  (I've had great luck in catching this piece, and this movement specifically, many times on Classic 107.3.  I never tire of hearing this joyous, brassy movement, fit for the arrival of Spring.  Although I'm most accustomed to hearing the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's recording under the direction of Leonard Slatkin, the fanfare and exuberance of this version are equally compelling.)
• Mauro Giuliani: Concerto For Guitar And Strings (Melos Ensemble; Julian Bream, guitar) (I was sorry to learn of Bream's passing on August 14.  For decades, Bream has been my most frequent source for guitar and lute pieces.  In his long, distinguished career, he made both instruments convey sorrow and lightheartedness in equal measure.  This piece is one such example of his balance.  Also recommended: Bream's "The Woods So Wild" and "The Art Of Julian Bream" albums.)
  

Online radio sampler highlights CXII

Seven standout tunes heard today:

KAFM (Grand Junction, CO)

• Dill Pickle Rag-Chet Atkins & Doc Watson (A renowned guitar tackles this whirling instrumental, fit for an interlude on "A Prairie Home Companion.")
• Pray For Rain-The Devil Makes Three (An unusual blend of rock, country, and bluegrass, tilted most heavily toward the rock side, particularly in the vocals.  The host of "Bluegrass And Beyond" explained that the area is starved for rain, so songs wishing for rain would be a recurring feature of today's show.  I hope it helps.)
• Mountain Girl-Judy Collins (A lyrical reminder that we're all products of our environment.)

KCCK (Cedar Rapids, IA) 

• All Blues-Liquid Soul (The Miles Davis classic, sped up and reworked imaginatively as a funk instrumental.)
• So Simple A Beginning-Renee Rosnes (An expansive, reflective piece, with Rosnes on piano, and more than able accompaniment from vibes, bass, drums, and especially flute.)

KUVO (Denver, CO)

• Monopoly-Bud Powell (Exhibit A of why I need more piano melodies with a bounce in my collection.)

WRFN (Nashville, TN)

• How Hard-Kit Watts (Watts belts out commanding vocals, illustrating how difficult and unhealthy some relationships are.)