More than one way to underscore Mass

Last night, I watched an Easter Vigil Mass online.  It was held at a church I used to attend in the '80s, so I was curious to see how they'd handle hymns.  I had assumed the congregation would stand, and an organist would accompany them as they sang hymns.  That was how hymns were sung when I was in the congregation.

Instead, trained musicians sang and sometimes played various instruments for more modern-sounding hymns.  I was fine with that.  The congregation still got to join in during the choruses, and it gave Mass a dimension it didn't used to have.  Why not have a trumpeter when the occasion calls for it?  Why not have a guitarist strum along when it's appropriate?  Why not have professional singers belt hymns tastefully?

The allure of shuffle mode LV

I played Michele Shaheen's version of "How Deep Is The Ocean" and Wes Montgomery's "Polka Dots And Moonbeams" separately on WEW and was surprised when iTunes shuffle mode segued them for me on Wednesday.  Trying to pair an elegant, somewhat dreamy vocal number with an elegant, somewhat dreamy instrumental takes some thinking.  Upon hearing those tunes back to back, I was impressed by how well Shaheen's vocals and the trumpet outro slide smoothly into Montgomery's guitar playing.

I just wish I'd thought to program them together back in '96.

Context? CCCXII

I was surprised to hear a radio sermon on Easter Sunday once in which the priest said, "We, as (members of a particular denomination), are not generally accustomed to displaying unrestrained joy."  

I wasn't surprised that he advocated being joyful on Easter.  However, I didn't expect him to say, in essence, "Generally, we're somewhat inhibited and guarded.  Today, we don't have to act that way."

Online radio sampler highlights CCXXXI

Thursday afternoon highlights:

KOTO (Telluride, CO)

• Roxanne-DubXanne (Yes, it's the hit by The Police, reworked into a credible reggae cover.)

KRTU (San Antonio, TX)

• The Night Has A Thousand Eyes-John Coltrane (With this much inviting pep from McCoy Tyner on piano and Coltrane on tenor sax, I'm surprised jazz stations don't play this more often.)
• Sweet Bread-Warren Wolf (A superbly maintained energy level from a combo that cooks.  Wolf anchors the tune solidly on vibraphone, as usual.)

KVRF (Palmer, AK)

• Satin Doll-Stephane Grappelli (As accustomed as I am to hearing this Duke Ellington standard in a big band arrangement, it's impressive to hear a violinist carry this melody for so long.)

WDVX (Knoxville, TN)

• Passengers-Aoife O'Donovan & Madison Cunningham (I wish I'd known about this track when it was released, so I could have included it in my Favorite music of 2022 countdown.  Vocally, rhythmically, and lyrically, this is one of O'Donovan's best songs.  It's a nice reminder that we inhabit a vast universe, and while our roles in it are small, we each make a difference.)

WMRW (Warren, VT)

• Don't Cry Baby-Madeleine Peyroux (Peyroux sings like an old soul convincingly.  It wouldn't surprise me if Leon Redbone had covered this.)
• Phantom Doll-Tracy Grammer (The piano accompaniment adds appealing color to Grammer's vocals.  Rhythmically, this could segue with "Turn Back, O Man" from the "Godspell" soundtrack.)

WMUH (Allentown, PA)

• Featherstone-The Paper Kites (Brave lyrics about admitting you aren't on the same page with someone.)

Context? CCCXI

The radio personality who said, "If you try to keep track of all the streaming services, you'll lose your marbles," this morning is correct.

I've probably missed out on a few interesting dramas and sitcoms.  Still, I refuse to pay for 10 different ways of watching TV.  I'll read a review of a show that sounds mildly interesting and lose interest when reading that it's only available through BananaSplitFlixLalaPlus or some facsimile.

No, thanks.  I have sufficient other options to watch, listen to, and read already.

Persistent earworm alert CCCXXIV

I've never been to a rodeo, and cattle rustling isn't a thing where I live.  In fact, those activities have nothing to do with my completely non-rural life.  It's puzzling, then, that a song about those topics--sung by a not-so-obvious source, no less--is on my mind.

Such are the curious circumstances behind the Stan Rogers tune, "Night Guard," settling in my brain.

FM dial scan highlights CCXXXVIII

Five ear-catching tunes heard yesterday:

KDHX 88.1 FM

• I'm On My Way-Barbara Dane (This is how you draw listeners in with a piano intro.  Lyrically, the tune keeps their attention by describing a person working up the courage to leave a toxic situation.  This could segue with "Unchain My Heart" by Ray Charles.)

KWMU 90.7 FM

• Remember-Hank Mobley (A smooth tenor sax cover of an uptempo standard.)
• Our Spanish Love Song-Charlie Haden Quartet West (Whether Haden played bass as part of a duo or combo, I knew the results would always be top-notch.  This combo captures the bittersweet aspect of this melody perfectly.)

KSHE 94.7 FM

• Strike Up The Band-Michael Stanley Band (One of the group's most effective live tracks.  Also recommended: "Nothing's Gonna Change My Mind," an equally effective, slower-paced track that also works well live, thanks to its sing-along chorus.)
• Every Kinda People-Robert Palmer (Idealistic?  Perhaps--but also correct.)