Radio Show Friday, April 11 8-10am

Ella Fitzgerald - A Tisket A Tasket
Tex Williams - Suspicion
Basia Bulat - In the Night
David Bowie - Queen Bitch
Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Constipation Blues
Billy Bragg - The Beach Is Free
The Spinners - It's A Shame
Ruth Brown - Teardrops From My Eyes
A Girl Called Eddy - The Soundtrack of Your Life
Clarence "Frogman" Henry - Ain't Got No Home
Golden Palominos - I'm Not Sorry
Acid House Kings - This and That

I had a mostly uneventful radio show today. But I was excited about playing that David Bowie song. I don't know anything about David Bowie. I mostly learn about his music through other artists who cover his song. But I do love "Queen Bitch." But like with Bob Dylan, I don't even know where Bowie era to begin with. It seems like his music has changed so much that it's all too overwhelming.

Last night, I went to see Shelby Lynn. I just don't get her. She has some CRAZY obsessed fans who were much more entertaining to watch than Lynn. But I just don't get what the fuss is all about. Her voice was nice and all, but she never belted it out Neko-Case-style which is what I wanted her to do. And she wore a freakin' business suit. Who the heck performs at the Artscenter in a freakin' business suit? But on the way home, I listened to Clarence "Frogman" Henry. His song, "Ain't Got No Home" makes me very happy and makes me dance with my shoulders.

I am still in a bad mood over this computer, so it's hard for me to express any joy over my radio show.

Here's the link to the entire playlist.

Radio Show Friday, March 7 8-10AM

Radar Brothers - Happy Spirits
Shout Out Louds - Impossible
Sarah Vaughan - East of the Sun (West of the Moon)
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions - Suzanne
Dolly Parton - Here You Come Again
Ronnie Lane - Kuschty Rye
Super Furry Animals - Carbon Dating
Steve Miller Band - True Fine Love
Butterglory - Waiting on the Guns
Sandro Perri - Everybody's Talkin'
Golden Smog and Roseanne Cash - Seven Year Ache
Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant - Stratosphere Boogie

Do you love Dolly Parton like I love her? I recently watched 9 to 5 which ignited my desire to hear late 70s - early 80s era Dolly. I love her yodel "Muleskinner Blues." But even more than her yodel, I love "Here You Come Again." I have probably played that song 50 times in the car over the past couple weeks. And I cannot wait to get back to the station to play some off the 9 to 5 soundtrack which WXYC just acquired.


2008 has not been kind to me so far. One of the saddest things to happen is that the High Dollar Hot Dogs broke up. Well, I guess we have broken up. I never got officially dumped. But they've stopped returning my calls and emails. I was told that breaking up is what bands do. It hurts a little, but I knew that it wasn't going to work out. In memory of our little band, I played my favorite song that we covered, "Seven Year Ache."

But there is still hope for me and the uke. I told a few folks about my dream to start up the Steve Miller Band Ukulele Cover Band. Several people are interested! But I need to find a good lead uke player, because that surely isn't me. Last weekend I stayed up until 4am playing uke with Mark. We learned the Everly Brothers' "When Will I Be Loved." I also want to play Steve Miller's "True Fine Love" with the new band. Do you? Come join! Bring songs! Unfortunately, this band is still very much a dream, but maybe once things slow down a bit, I can bring this band to life.


Last week, I played Sandro Perri's cover of Fred Neil's "Everybody's Talkin.'" Because of this song, I rented the film Midnight Cowboy. I knew nothing about the film when I put it at the top of my Netflix list. I didn't know that John Voight (who is hot) and Dustin Hoffman were in it. I didn't know that it was the only movie rated X that ever won an Academy Award. I didn't know that it was about a hustler in NYC. I finally got around to watching it last night and it blew me away. I loved it! The little experimental film bits were incredible. I also have a new appreciation for Dustin Hoffman. I highly recommend it.


I am still very much obsessed with Ronnie Lane. Last week it was "Kuschty Rye." This week, it's "The Poacher." I would be playing "The Poacher" tomorrow on the radio, but since it's spring break, I am taking a week off. But tune in from 9am to noon to hear Tim's show which is really wonderful.

The rest of my playlist from last week's show can be found here.

My Little Radio Show Is Back

I'm back on the air beginning tomorrow morning! This school semester I'll be djing Friday mornings from 8-10am. Tune in locally to 89.3FM or online.


I am so excited. I've missed being on the air. I have no idea what I am going to play tomorrow. All I have been listening to is "A Good Start" by Maria Taylor over and over and over.

Radio Show, Wednesday December 19 10pm-midnight

The Spinners - It's A Shame
Bjork - Big Time Sensuality
Thurl Ravenscroft - You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Stephin Merritt - Ukulele Me!
Of Montreal - Lysergic Bliss
Looking Glass - Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)
Steve Miller Band - Dance, Dance, Dance
Two Dollar Pistols - When It Was Over
E. G. Daily - One Way Love
Matthew Sweet - Girlfriend
Mazzy Star - Flowers In December
Ivy - The Best Thing
The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride
The Monotones - Book Of Love

Germaine introduced me to the voice of Thurl Ravenscroft. He was the voice of Tony the Tiger and he can be heard in many animated Disney films. I wonder if he and Cliff Edwards ever worked together. I just love his voice: deep and kinda ominous. Germ sent me a couple Marlboro commercials and a song about North Carolina featuring Thurl. I like it when they pop up on my Ipod. As I was searching for a photo of Thurl, I found this slew of Thurl Ravenscoft mp3s. Holy cow!

I keep forgetting that we have the soundtrack to Better Off Dead at the radio station. I just love the school dance scene with E. G. Daily and her band singing "One Way Love." After googling her name, I discovered that she not only has a website but she is still making music as well as doing animation voiceover. She's contributed her voice to Rugrats and the Powerpuff Girls. She looks weird.

My entire playlist can be found here.

Radio Show, Wednesday December 12 10pm-Midnight

Mark Kozelek - Up To My Neck In You
Fred Neil - Everybody's Talkin'
Roxy Music - More Than This
Ricky Nelson - I'm Confessin'
Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream
Akron/Family - Love, Love, Love
Ike & Tina Turner - Sugar, Sugar
The Shocking Blue - Send Me A Postcard
The International Submarine Band - Folsom Prison Blues & That's All Right
Billy Stewart - Reap What You Sow
Lou Barlow (The Sixths) - In the City In the Rain
The Spinanes - Kid In Candy

Do you know Fred Neil? I don't know Fred Neil, but Richard Hawley cites him as an influence. I know his once song, "Everybody's Talking," but only because Harry Nilsson covered it.

Ike Turner died last Wednesday. In memory, I played Ike and Tina's version of "Sugar Sugar." I gotta say that I just have never really gotten into their music. It seems that it should be up my alley.. Perhaps there is a certain era or album that I should try, but I haven't found it yet.

I definitely don't listen to the Shocking Blue enough. When I was in NYC, Robert was playing a collection of 60s & 70s Asian psych pop which contained a cover of Shocking Blue's "Send Me a Postcard." That song just rocks my world and then some.

It's such a crazy time for me right now: I'm trying to tie up loose ends at work before I leave. I'm trying to get ready for the new job that starts in a couple weeks. I'm trying to finish Christmas shopping and Christmas cards. I'm trying to get in as much ukulele practice as possible as I have to play in front of people twice next week. I am also trying to bowl as much as possible so that I can get used to my new ball before the new season starts. AND I have been working my Christmas job on top of all my other jobs. It's just nuts. I did one more radio show last night, but I probably won't do another one until the semester starts back up. But the one thing that has been pushed to the side is my blog. I hate that. Writing makes me happy. But I'll get back to it soon. I hope.

The playlist for last Wednesday's show can be found here.

Radio Show Friday, November 30, 2007

Damon and Naomi - Lilac Land
Massive Attack - Better Things
Tippy Canoe - Neighbor of the Telltale Heart
Orchestral Manoeuvres In the Dark - Enola Gay
Joe Henry - Civilians
Roy Orbison - In Dreams
Emmylou Harris - Sweet Old World
Ella Fitzgerald - I Can't Get Started
Holiday - Everything You Say
The Cure - Just Like Heaven
Rick Nelson - I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow
Everything But the Girl - Another Bridge
Richard Hawley - Valentine

What a week. I should've posted about my radio show much earlier in the week, but I was busy in NYC seeing Richard Hawley.

I love Richard Hawley's music partially because I love Roy Orbison and Ricky Nelson. I forgot about my love for Ricky Nelson until this week. I used to play him almost every day when I worked at Cameron's. When I was the cute little sales girl and arrived at work early enough, I got to pick the music that we would listen to for the entire day. It usually consisted of at least one of the following: Fred Astaire, Tex Williams, Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Van Morrison's Enlightenment record, and Aretha Franklin's Sweet Bitter Love. Getting to program the music for the day was the only incentive for me to get to work on time. There were a couple of folks that we all dreaded to program the CD changer. One guy was addicted to the Rent soundtrack and played it so frequently that I was on the verge of going postal. [By the way, support your local businesses like Cameron's during the holidays. Buy local.]

Here is Nelson singing "Lonesome Town" which Hawley covers. Ricky Nelson makes me melt. [Christa, this is for you.]



During my radio show, I played two songs in honor of my band, the High Dollar Hot Dogs. We haven't played in so long that I feel like we've broken up. But we're supposed to be doing some uke gigs after Christmas. In honor of us, I played "I Can't Get Started" as performed by Ella. And I played Ricky Nelson's take on Hank William's "I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow." Both of these songs are in the HDHD's repertoire. Well, Noah and Ted have worked out the arrangement for "I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow," but I haven't heard it yet.

My entire playlist can be found here.

Now that the semester is over for the kids, I've lost my 8-10am Friday morning slot. But for you west coast folks, I'll be on at a time that you can hear me... the next two Wednesday nights from 9-midnight EST.

Radio Show Thursday, November 22 9AM-Noon

Wendy Renee - Bar-B-Q
Cisco Houston - Beans, Bacon And Gravy
The Viscounts - Shortnin' Bread
Louis Prima & Keely Smith - Banana Split For My Baby
Frank Sinatra - The Coffee Song
Big Bill Schaeffer - I Hate Popcorn
Louis Jordan - Cole Slaw
Little Joe and the Thrillers - Peanuts
Little Eva - Let's Turkey Trot
Oliver Twist - Food, Glorious Food
The Ink Spots - Pork Chops and Gravy
Sweet Violet Boys - I Love My Fruit
Little Jimmy Dickens - Cornbread and Buttermilk
Lonnie Donegan - Ham N' Eggs
Roscoe Gordan - Cheese and Crackers

On Thanksgiving morning, I did a three-hour show on food. Nothing but food songs. I loved it. I searched hard to find songs just about food. Not songs that mention food or songs about food-named dance styles. I wanted to hear folks singing about food or eating. Chomp. Chomp.

I made two exceptions to this rule, due to the fact that I rediscovered how much I love doo wop while researching this show. One of these exceptions was "Peanuts" by Little Joe and the Thrillers, which I played at full volume ten times before leaving for work on Wednesday. I was dancing hard in the kitchen until I realized that I was late for my 8am meeting.

The other exception to my food rule was Little Eva's "Let's Turkey Trot" which is about dancing. But I thought that this song is just brilliant. Instead of the backing vocalists singing "doo wop diddy diddy" as you might expect in a standard doo wop tune, they were singing "gobble gobble diddy diddy." How cool is that!?!?! So I just had to play it for Thanksgiving.

I discovered lots of new-to-me food songs from folks I know like Little Jimmy Dickens, Louis Jordan, the Sons of the Pioneers and Anita O'Day. And then there were songs from folks I had never heard of like the Sweet Violet Boys, the Thrones, and Bradley Kincaid.

But I think my favorite was the Viscounts' take on "Shortnin' Bread." That song is so much fun. It's a high-energy rockabilly number that makes me want to put on a cowgirl outfit with lots and lots of fringe and rollerskate around my house and dance like a lunatic. Wheeeeeeee!!!!!!

You can see all seventy-two food songs here. Chow!

Thanksgiving Radio Show

I won't be on the radio this Friday morning due to the holiday schedule, but I will be on Thursday from 9am to noon eastern standard time. I just got the motherload of crazy old food songs all of which I hope to play on Thursday. I even have some new hot dogs songs!!! Heaven. And wouldn't you love to hear Sammy Davis, Jr. singing "Plop Plop Fizz Fizz" or the Andrews Sisters' take on "One Meat Ball?" Well, I got 'em!

I just have to figure out how to get these songs off my computer onto a CD. I cannot seem to burn CDs, but I am hoping that I can burn through Itunes.

I hate my new computer.... it is so frustrating and depressing. This is part of the reason that my blog posts have been less frequent. If you are interested in a fancy new laptop running Vista, let me know. I'll give you a deal.

But tune into WXYC on Thursday. Food songs always improve my mood. Even if I don't get this new crop of food songs off my laptop, I still have lots to play. I wish I could find a song about bacon-wrapped hot dogs. Yummmmmm. My next mix CD will definitely be a collection of meat songs focusing on pork products.

Radio Show Friday, November 9 8-10AM

Manu Chao - Tristeza Maleza
Lightnin' Wells - 12th Street Rag
Beirut - In the Mausoleum
Caetano Veloso - Irene
Two Loons for Tea - Monkey
Georgie James - Henry and Hanzy
A Girl Called Eddie - The Soundtrack of Your Life
The Drifters - Save The Last Dance For Me
Unrest - Make Out Club
Imperial Teen - Do It Better
Euros Child - Horse Riding
Helen Forrest - Bewitched
Jose Gonzalez - Time To Send Someone Away

It had been three weeks since I had been on the air. I felt a little rusty. I had no idea what to play and just wandered aimlessly through the stacks before my show trying to find things to play. Some Fridays I feel inspired and others I do not. This past Friday, I was not. All I could think about was how much I didn't want to go into work after my radio show was over.

Although I didn't have a very good idea of what I was going to play, it didn't really matter since there was so much good NEW stuff in the goodie bin: Manu Chao, Beirut, Two Loons for Tea, Georgie James, Imperial Teen, Euros Child, Jose Gonzalez... It was great.

I don't really know anything about Manu Chao. When I told Craven this a couple months ago, he said, "REALLY!?!? Gosh. Where have you been?" Maybe I'll go out and get his new record, La Radiolina, and try to figure out what I'm apparently missing.

On Friday, I played a track off Beirut's new one, The Flying Club Cup, that featured a ukulele. So, of course, I ran out yesterday to buy it. It is going to require some serious listening (i.e. not in the car) as it sounds dense and complex. It's a big oompa-oompa orchestral sound. I really like Zach Condon's voice, too.

Friday night, I went out to the General Store Cafe in Pittsboro with Mark to check out their food and to see Lightnin' Wells play. Good golly. What he can do with the guitar and the ukulele is mind-blowing. We were both impressed. The General Store Cafe is a weird place. There are chatckies on every surface, which is kinda distracting. Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed with my Mayan burrito. But the music was wonderful. Lightnin' even played the "12th Street Rag" which is one of my favorites. It's a fast-paced poppy song that seems impossible (to me) to master. But Lightnin' rocks it. Not too long ago, I put that song on for an evening of wig-wearing, rollerskating and cake-baking. That was a great night.

I gotta get back to practicing my uke. It's been weeks. The past week, I've been still trying to get over this Maltese cold which has made me feel like doing absolutely nothing. I am better today and I know I should get some practicing in before I attempt to play with the Durham group on Wednesday. They're good enough that they can just choose a new song, print out the music and just start playing it. Heck, one guy can just play any song without any sheet music at all. It's intimidating.

My entire playlist can be found here.

Radio Show Friday, October 12 8-10AM

The Ramones - Pet Sematary
Belle and Sebastian - Ease Your Feet Into the Sea
The Smiths - The Boy With a Thorn In His Side
Iron and Wine - Flightless Bird, American Mouth
Bobby "Boris" Pickett & the Crypt Kickers - Monster Mash
Crooked Fingers - Don't Say A Word
Badfinger - Baby Blue
The Bats - Empty Head
Chris Isaak - Don't Leave Me On My Own
Lefty Frizzell - Always Late (With Your Kisses)
Kay Starr - The Headless Horseman
Bobbie Gentry - Fancy

Halloween is fast approaching. Although I am not a big fan of the holiday, I do love some seasonal songs, such as the Ramones' "Pet Sematary," and Kay Starr's "Headless Horseman." Oh my gosh, this Ramone's video is really funny to watch. They must've had a blast making this:

My absolute favorite Halloween song (shucks, it's on my top ten of all-time favorite songs) is Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "Monster Mash." Whenever I hear it, I get this urge to dance like a dork. That song has been on continuous play at more than one point in my life. It is great.

Iron and Wine's new record, The Shepherd's Dog, is out. It is really a great record. I've been listening to it alot this week. The vocal harmonies make me melt. (Is Sam Beam just singing with himself?) And I find myself entranced by the percussion.... which is very much in the foreground, but not too overpowering. Iron and Wine make the most beautifully intimate music. This record is not as sparse as his earlier efforts, but the added instruments do not distract from its powerful subtlety. I look forward to listening to this record alot more.

So, that was my last radio show until I return from Sicily. My entire playlist can be found here.

Recommended listening while I am away from the station: Fleetwood Mac, the Smiths, Richard Hawley (duh), Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Slim Gaillard, the Shout Out Louds, and the Great Lake Swimmers.

Radio Show Friday, October 5 8-10AM

The Archies - Sugar, Sugar
Calvin Boze - Keep Your Nose Out of My Business
Jimmy McCracklin - The Walk
Stephin Merritt - This Little Ukulele
The Mabuses - Mirth
Feist - 1234
Richard Hawley - Tonight The Streets Are Ours
Fred Astaire - Cheek to Cheek
New Pornographers - Failsafe
The Real Tuesday Weld - It's A Wonderful Li(f)e
Great Lake Swimmers - Song for the Angels
Lee Morse - Side By Side
Robert Mitchum - Beauty Is Only Skin Deep
Glenn Mercer - Wheels In Motion

I haven't played any ukulele music on my radio show in a few weeks. I've been so busy with work and weddings that I haven't been practicing my uke either. The other night, I was over at Ted's and "This Little Ukulele" by Stephin Merritt popped up on his Itunes. That song is just great. I usually skip over the Eban and Charley soundtrack when I am needing a Stephin Merritt fix, but that song is definitely mix tape material. I've heard rumors that the Magnetic Fields will have a new record coming out soon. Thank goodness!!! I really need a distraction from Richard Hawley.

I have never really liked Feist. I dunno much about Leslie Feist... I always thought she was overrated and lame. (My assumption was not based on actually listening to her music.) Elizabeth sent me the link to this video for Feist's song "1234" as it nods to Busby Berkeley. I am not so sure if I've changed my mind about Feist, but I am willing to give her a shot. When I watch this video, it just makes me want to watch real Busby musicals. But I appreciate what she's trying to do and I like her voice. Heck, I was even thinking about getting the CD.



Bill introduced me to the music of the Great Lake Swimmers this summer. Holy cow. They are probably the one band who could actually get me over my Richard Hawley addiction. Their self-titled debut album was recorded in a silo in Ontario. Their second album, Bodies and Minds is beautifully mesmerizing. I might go put it on right now.

I really love that "Wheels In Motion" song by Glenn Mercer. He used to be the lead singer for the Feelies, a band with whom I am unfamiliar. But this song is so cute and poppy and has wonderful hooks. That is my kind of song.

My entire playlist can be found here.

Lady's Bridge Released Today

Richard Hawley's Lady's Bridge is now available stateside. Run. Don't walk. Get it today.

Hey, look! There's Renee Weaver!!!



And this acoustic version of "Tonight The Streets Are Ours" just makes me weak in the knees:



My obsession with Richard Hawley just won't go away. WXYC got a copy of Lady's Bridge. So, be sure to call and request it on the radio. I doubt that it will make rotation, but it should. It's my number one record of 2007.

Radio Show Friday, September 28 8-10AM

Regina Hexaphone - The Forty-Niner
Jonny Polonsky - Evil Scurvy Love
Bongwater - David Bowie Wants Ideas
Brenton Wood - Gimme Little Sign
Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone
Bishop Allen - Butterfly Nets
The Tourist - The Ol' Ball & Chain
Spencer Davis Group - I'm A Man
Jackie Wilson - Reet Petite
The Replacements - Alex Chilton
Bongos, Bass and Bob - Thorazine Shuffle
Paul Simon - Me and Julio Down By the School Yard
Two Dollar Pistols - Stranger Things Have Happened

A friend suggested that I listen to "David Bowie Wants Ideas" as I would get a kick out of the last line of the song. He was right. I haven't thought about Bongwater or Ann Magnuson in years. I might try some more of their stuff when I am up at the station next.

When I was searching for the Bongwater LP, I ran across another record in the "BO" section of the library. Bongos, Bass, and Bob!! I have a cassette of my very first radio show ever from June 1989 at WSOE - Elon College/Burlington where I played a song by Bongos, Bass and Bob called "The Thorazine Shuffle." That song just cracks me up. I was so happy to discover it in WXYC's stacks. That just made my day.

On Wednesday night after the Sea and Cake show at the Cradle, Bill and I wandered down to OCSC. A song came on that I liked and Bill pointed out that it was the Replacements. I never thought I liked them as I thought that were dissonant rockers... but I think I was getting them confused with the Residents. I keep hearing Replacements songs in random places. Perhaps I need to explore some Replacement albums. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

If you are looking for a sweet contemporary ukulele song, I suggest Bishop Allen's "Butterfly Nets." It was sooooo pretty. I don't know who they are or where they're from, but that song is just really nice especially with the uke. When the saxophone kicks in, it makes me think of Bernadette Peters and Steve Martin in The Jerk (although she played trumpet instead of sax).

I am very excited to see that Regina Hexaphone have a record out called Into Your Sleeping Heart. Sara Bell's voice is so endearing. I haven't gotten this record yet, but it's on my list. I need to go to the record store soon.

My entire playlist can be found here.

Radio Show Friday, September 21 8-10AM

The Real Tuesday Weld - Kix
Hank Snow - I've Been Everywhere
Great Northern - Home
Carolyn Mark - The One That Got Away (With It)
The Cure - In Between Days
Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have To Leave It
Danny Kaye - Inchworm
Bright Eyes - If the Brakeman Turns My Way
Kishore Kumar - Doob Doob Jata Hoon
Richard Thompson - 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Sol Hoopii - Weave a Lei
Okkervil River - Savannah Smiles

When it comes to new records, this is my favorite time of year. It's like Christmas. It seems like everyone's got a new record out and is touring right now. It's a fun time, albeit an expensive time. I played a ton of new stuff on Friday from the Real Tuesday Weld, Bright Eyes, the Great Northern, Carolyn Mark (half of the Corn Sisters with Neko Case). I wish I had an extra few bucks to get some of these fabulous new releases, but instead I've been spending my cash on cocktail dresses, cashmere wraps and wedding gifts.

But I am thinking about taking on a new accounting client.... one of my FAVORITE restaurants in Durham. I could use the extra cash. But I cannot decide if I should take a new client or not, as I am already working six days a week. The food is fabulous... what should I do?!?!? If I work more, then I can buy more records. But if I work more, I won't have time to listen to these new records. Oh well, I'll decide after I return from Italy.

A friend gave me the new Shout Out Louds record a few months ago and I just fell in love with it. I played it for a friend who said that that they sounded like a derivative of the Cure. But I don't care. I love their new wavey pop sound. They're coming to the Cradle in October (all the way from Sweden), but I am going to be out of town, which I am a little sad about. Our Ill Wills, is probably gonna be on my top ten list for the year. It is extremely catchy and fun.

Okkervill River. Who are they? Where did they come from? Why haven't I heard of them until now? How come they didn't invite me to go canoeing?! I've played them a couple of times on the radio and I liked what I heard off their new record, The Stage Names. But today as I am typing this, I can't remember what they sounded like! I might just get their new record and listen. They're coming to the Cradle soon as well.

And if you missed my show on Friday, you missed this great song by Danny Kaye. He's got some really wacky songs, but this one is very pretty. For some reason "Inchworm" reminds me of my grandparents. But I don't know why. Probably because I was just in Danville (where my grandparents lived) this weekend. I do remember him singing this on the Muppet Show.



My entire playlist can be found here.

Radio Show, Friday September 7th 8-10AM

Lullaby Baxter - What's Wrong With You?
Dean Martin - Just In Time
Iron and Wine - Kingdom of the Animals
Great Lake Swimmers - When It Flows
New Pornographers - Myriad Harbour
The Clientele - I Hope I Know
Nick Drake - Milk and Honey
Caribou - She's the One
Carmen Miranda & the Andrews Sisters - Cuanto La Gusta
Geeta Dutt - Chin Chin Chu
M Ward - To Go Home
Built To Spill - Else

Iron and Wine have a new album coming out toward the end of September and we have the single at the station called Boy With A Coin. They're touring this fall, but they aren't coming to NC. Boo.

There is a new collection of Nick Drake songs out called Family Tree. It's songs that he recorded before his first full-length album Five Leaves Left that his family released from his estate. I played "Milk and Honey" from the collection. It's great. I cannot wait to hear more.

The Clientele's new record, God Save the Clientele, is really great. This London band plays bright melodic pop tunes that are very sweet and tug at the heart strings. And they're playing at the Cradle on Tuesday night! I was just talking to a coworker about some of our favorite live shows and we both agreed that the Lambchop/ Clientele/ David Kilgour show at the Carolina Theatre a few years ago was one of the best. I am very excited to see them again. They're opening for Pete Bjorn & John, who I don't really know anything about, but I've been told that I would like them. Woot!

My entire playlist can be found here.

Radio Show, Friday August 31st 8-10AM

The Reflections - Just Like Romeo and Juliet
Dwight Yoakam - Free To Go
Patsy Cline - Back In Baby's Arms
Django Reinhardt - Embraceable You
Harry Nilsson - Moonbeam Song
Ivy - I Get the Message
Little Name - I Always See the Sun Rise
The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset
Pearl Bailey - Frankie and Johnny
Linda Thompson - Versatile Heart
Sun Kil Moon - Neverending Math Equation
Love - Always See Your Face
Chris Isaak - Two Hearts

When I was pulling music from the library on Friday, I went to get the Summertime Gold box set, thinking that I would find something good and summery to play. As soon as I saw the words "Romeo and Juliet," that Reflections' song got stuck in my head. It's still stuck now. What will make it stop?

I also discovered a new band, Little Name, who play sugar sweet pop along the lines of Belle and Sebastian. I really like it. If you're into that sort of thing, call up WXYC and request it. Or listen on their MySpace page or on the band's website.

My entire playlist can be found here.

So, that was yesterday.

Today, I feel like I could kick someone in the shins. Stay outta my way and don't ask.

Last Supper of Summer

Today felt like the last day of summer for many reasons:
1. It's the second to last day of watermelon milkshakes at Cook-Out.
2. Summer tomatoes are getting fewer and greener.
3. I really feel the shrinking daylight hours.
4. School's back in and students are everywhere.
5. I have this great urge to shop for jackets.
6. It's Labor Day weekend which means it's almost September (which reminds me of the Earth, Wind, & Fire song).
7. It's only 90 degrees outside instead of 105.
8. My fall semester radio show starts tomorrow morning.
9. Starting next Tuesday, I'll no longer be able to wear my white shoes, according to the fashion rules.

Since I was feeling like summer was coming to a close, I decided to celebrate with my last meal of summer: two barbecue sandwiches featuring the meat we brought back from our trip last weekend (one on the left has barbecue and slaw from Bill's & one on the right has barbecue and slaw from McCall's), a sliced summer tomato with cottage cheese (which is how my mom adorned tomatoes growing up), hushpuppies from Cook-Out, and the watermelon milkshake. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to eat all this food. I finished only 2/3s of each sandwich and only one hushpuppy. (Stick to the cheddar burger and milkshakes at Cook-Out, as the hushpuppies aren't their strong point.) But I did finish that tomato. Yum!

Although summer is over, I'm really excited about the fall. Trips to Calistoga and Sicily. A slew of weddings and a baby shower. Lots of rock shows. And I just finished the audit at work. This fall is going to be great.

I can hear Maurice White, now:

Our hearts were ringing
In the key that our souls were singing.
As we danced in the night,
Remember how the stars stole the night away

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in september
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day

New Radio Show Time

So, school has officially started. In honor of this momentous occasion, I played "Love Will Make You Fail In School" by Mickey and Sylvia last Tuesday on WXYC.

I will no longer be on Tuesday nights. Instead, I have my beloved Friday morning 8-10am shift back throughout the fall semester. Good bye west coast listeners! Hello Friday morning commuters!!!

Radio Show, Tuesday August 21 6-9PM

Papercuts - Just Another Things To Dust
Flatlanders - Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown
Petula Clark - Downtown
Golden Smog & Roseanne Cash - Seven Year Ache
Orange Peels - Back In San Francisco
Richard Hawley - I'm Looking for Someone To Find Me
Nick Gilder - Hot Child In the City
Rosalie Allen - Wide Rolling Plains
Mickey & Sylvia- Love Will Make You Fail In School
Tex Williams & Texas Caravan - Won't You Ride In My Little Red Wagon
Congress-Woman Malinda Jackson Parker - Cousin Mosquito #1
Kate Bush - This Woman's Work
Magnetic Fields - All My Little Words
Albert Hammond - It Never Rains in Southern California
Josh Ritter - Right Moves
The Flamingos - I Only Have Eyes For You
Yma Sumac - Wimoweh

Last Tuesday after this radio show, I went to see Un Duex Trois, the Papercuts and Ladybug Transistor at Local 506. I absolutely loved the Papercuts. I like their record alot. I played songs by them and by Ladybug Transistor trying to plug the show, but there were still only around 40 people at that show.

Over the past month or so, I have searched the library for the Flatlanders CD, with no luck. But last Tuesday, I found it and played "Tonight I Think I'm Gonna Go Downtown." Naturally, I had to follow it with Petula Clark's "Downtown," which I think only Craven heard all the way out in Oakland, California.

I think that the High Dollar Hot Dogs have officially adopted "Seven Year Ache" into our repertoire. I hope so. I am so addicted to that song. I need to learn more about Roseanne Cash. That song is so great (especially the Golden Smog/Roseanne Cash version) and Elizabeth sings it so heavenly.

The HDHDs finally have a CD of some of our songs. I think it is difficult to listen to, but Ted thinks it is great. I love being in a ukulele band. I think that everyone should be in a ukulele band.

So, only my closest friends know of my obsession with 1980s teenage angst movies... especially ones with John Cusack. Better Off Dead is my favorite movie ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. I want my two dollars. Say Anything is a close second. I think that if John Cusack were to woo me with a boom box over his head, he needn't play any Peter Gabriel. I think that my boom box woo song would be "I Only Have Eyes For You" by the Flamingos. Dreamy.

My entire playlist can be found here.

No Radio Show Tonight

I won't be on the radio this evening due to a work function, but you should tune in anyway. My sub is awesome. She's been filling in during sign-ups this month and I caught her show last Friday. Her show is really fun and very listenable. She even played Betty Hutton's "Blue Skies."

Tune in.