Online radio sampler highlights CLXII

Seven of the better songs I've heard this morning:

KNMO (Nevada, MO)

• A Little Past Little Rock-Lee Ann Womack (This is a lyrically sound way of saying that you can leave a town, but casting aside memories of someone who wronged you is more difficult.  I'd be curious to hear Kacey Musgraves cover this.)

KSLV (Monte Vista, CO)

• Treat Me Right-Pat Benatar (This tune doesn't get a ton of airplay these days, so it was good to hear Benatar's resolved, empowering vocals again.  If I were programming a hits-of-the-'80s station, I'd play Blondie's "Call Me" after this.  The tunes' rhythms are so compatible that if you segue them smoothly enough, it could be difficult for a passive listener to tell when one song ends and the other begins.)
• In The Air Tonight-Phil Collins (The vocals and drum part remain no less haunting all these decades later.  Alas, per the announcement Collins made recently in London, Genesis has played its last concert.  Kudos to all Genesis members for over 50 years of strong, enduring group and solo work.)

WRSI (Turners Falls, MA)

• Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)-Otis Redding (A cool, recurring call-and-response between Redding's vocals and the trumpet and saxophone.)
• Once Twice Melody-Beach House (It's easy to get pulled into this tune's spacey vibe.)

WRUS (Russellville, KY)

• Don't Get Around Much Anymore-Willie Nelson (Nelson's voice suits this Duke Ellington standard well.  Coincidentally, I'd been thinking recently how much I enjoyed playing this piece on the bass during high school jazz ensemble rehearsals 35 years ago.  It's good to hear how well the tune adapts to multiple genres.)
• Never Had It So Good-Mary Chapin Carpenter (Rhythmically, "Between Friends" by The Nields would sound good before this.  Chapin Carpenter shows an easy knack, as usual, on this track for blending rock, country, and folk influences.)
  

The allure of shuffle mode IX

Although they don't dovetail lyrically, I never realized until today how well the Looking Glass oldie, "Brandy," flows rhythmically into "My Back Pages" by The Byrds.

Thanks to iTunes shuffle mode for pairing two songs from my collection that I wouldn't have thought to segue.

Context? CLXI

A radio talk show host said last week, "So, I was at (the gas station), filling up my car.  Then, after my heart stopped..."

Considering the ever-increasing price of gas, I'm sure that's a common reaction.  Fortunately, it's not a literal one.

Persistent earworm alert CCLVIII

I've never gone fishing, so I have no strong opinion about it.  I've never clamored to sit on a dock and cast a line.  I understand, however, how the patience it requires gives one a chance to slow down and think.

Perhaps that's the vibe Chris Rea meant to convey in his underplayed tune, "Gone Fishing."  The subject of his song admits freely that he knows nothing about fishing.  That doesn't stop him, however.

I'm not certain what sparked my memory of the song today, but it's probably a subconscious wish to escape from a barrage of negative news coverage.  I doubt I'll ever go fishing, but I can always appreciate "Gone Fishing" as a catalyst for stopping to breathe.

Persistent earworm alert CCLVII

I'm surprised it has taken 2,765 days for this oldie to elicit a mention on my blog.  John Fred & His Playboy Band's "Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)" is almost impossible to forget after you hear it.  Its foot-stomping quality is nearly involuntary.  Rhythmically, it must be as gratifying to play trumpet on this as it would be on Maxine Nightingale's "Right Back Where We Started From."  The lyrics, in my view, are appropriately goofy for the energy level Fred and company establish.  I hear why this oldie sounded fresh and fun to listeners in late 1967 and early '68. No wonder the tune has been on a recurring mind loop for me these last three days.

I don't remember which optician's ad sparked my memory of the song, but I doubt the tune will leave my mind soon.

FM dial scan highlights CLXXXV

Friday and Saturday highlights:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Please Don't Ruin This For Me (Audiotree Live version)-Tennis (This sincere voice-and-guitars rendition is the best way to hear this tune.  Except for the vocal octave leaps into a higher register, it could pass for a Cowboy Junkies song.)
• Steamboat-Adrianne Lenker (Endearingly honest lyrics about becoming ever so slowly more independent.  Vocally, Lenker reminds me of Jesca Hoop.)

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Maze-Carolbeth True (True should be better known outside of St. Louis.  Her piano-anchored jazz is consistently strong and welcoming.)
• Boogielastic-Joshua Redman (While the saxophone carries the melody, the keyboard underpinning is the most appealing rhythmic glue in this tune.) 

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

• Johann Strauss: Scherz-Polka (Joke Polka), Op. 72 (The Gaudier Ensemble) (Predictably light, mirthful, and suitable merry-go-round accompaniment at a carnival.)
  

Context? CLX

This morning, an AM radio talk show host introduced a reporter as "the Pied Piper of pessimistic perspective."  

I'm not sure how I'd react if someone introduced me that way.  I think I'd own it, though, and welcome it--probably.