Context? CLXXXIX

An on-air exchange I heard between two DJs in 1996:

DJ 1: We've been talking about this move for how many months?

DJ 2: (...This radio station) will be, hopefully, in a new facility.

DJ 1: Maybe.  Someday.  It's all up in the air right now.  I don't know.

DJ 2: That's usually the way it is, you know, in this profession...

DJ 1: I'll just come in here until they tell me to stop, and then, I'll go to another place.

DJ 2: I've done that a time or two.

DJ 1: No, I mean if we move...

DJ 2: Oh, I thought you meant just radio stations in general.  

DJ 1: No...although that does come up occasionally.

 ------

I understood DJ 2's initial misinterpretation.  The radio business is transient by nature, so it's not surprising that he reacted as he did.

No better influence

No listener should question the quality of your musical influences when a piano piece of yours brings to mind the Miles Davis classic, "All Blues."  While listening yesterday, I realized how impressively Sandy Owen pulls this off in his tune, "Waltzing Blues."  Every track on Owen's "Boogie Woogie Rhythm And Blues" album is a gem, so it's worth hearing in its entirety, as long as the watchcat allows it.

The pitfalls of shuffle mode II

iTunes amused me Monday during a shuffle mode session by pairing these songs randomly:

• You'll Never Get To Heaven-The Stylistics
• Sinner-Neil Finn

What a way to drive a point home.

Context? CLXXXVIII

Heard yesterday on a low power out-of-town radio station: "You can't factor in that the van's going to die twice, and (a band member) is going to bail (out.)"

As I listened further, I learned this was a metalcore band member talking about the challenges of making it as a fledgling band on a limited budget.  

I haven't heard the band's music yet, as metalcore isn't a genre I would seek out ordinarily.  As a compassionate human being, though, I hope they make it.

Online radio sampler highlights CLXXV

Six standout songs heard today:

KNTU (Denton, TX)

• Yardbird Suite-Alan Broadbent Trio (Tal Farlow's brisk guitar take has always been my default version of this Charlie Parker-penned tune.  In this new rendition, Broadbent shows how well the melody transfers to the piano at a somewhat slower tempo.)
• Blues In The Night-Beegie Adair (A classy piano-centered version of this much-covered Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer tune.)

KPUP (Patagonia, AZ)

• I Learn-Missy Raines & The New Hip (I'm primed to like this type of sincere-voice-and-guitar roots music.  I also appreciate honest lyrics like these about the risks of charting a new course for yourself.)
• Heads Or Tails-Booker T. & The MGs (This is how you make the most of trills as an organist.  This fun 1968 instrumental groove also features this band's customarily more-than-able rhythmic support from the guitarist and drummer.)

WFMU (Jersey City, NJ)

• Sno-Cone (Part 1)-Albert Collins (A strong, energetic blend of guitar, organ, and harmonica.  When hosting "Blues 101" on KCOU, Collins was one of the artists I turned to most for dependable segues.)

WXRT (Chicago, IL)

• Special-Garbage (Shirley Manson's forthright vocals and the tune's nail-the-listener-to-the-wall production values still leap out of the speakers as effectively as they did in 1998.)
  

FM dial scan highlights CXCIV

Five of the better tunes I've heard today:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• Love, Try Not To Let Go-Julia Jacklin (This new release has endearing vocals over piano-and-drums backing reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams.")
• Might As Well-The Persuasions & Friends (An inspired Gospel-style a cappella take on a Grateful Dead tune.  Also recommended: "Ripple.")

WSIE 88.7 FM

• Alright Now-Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo Seven (A great midtempo instrumental, bringing to mind R&B backing from decades earlier, despite being from 2015; strong organ grounding supports the brassy melody.)
• Sometimes-The Brand New Heavies (Empowering vocals over a sly instrumental backdrop in an appealing blend of jazz and R&B.)

KCLC 89.1 FM

• Open Up The Heavens-Jade Bird (Powerful rhythmic support for lyrics that say, in essence, "Hey, notice me!")
  

Persistent earworm alert CCLXXII

If They Might Be Giants recorded a children's tune over a melody much like Head East's crunchy rocker, "Since You Been Gone," what would be the end result?  Most likely, it would be similar to Levity Beet's May release, "Fine Feathered Dinosaur."  

I haven't been able to purge that tune from my mind since hearing it on WXPN tonight.  I'm fine, though, with letting it dominate thoughts for a few more hours.  Bouncy piano, bouncy vocals, silly lyrics...Even a curmudgeon like me can't resist that combination.  In fact, it'll probably place in my "Favorite music of 2022" countdown.  I haven't a clue where it'll rank, however.