MUSIC ON THE RADIO....OR NOT

After listening to a current radio station in Baltimore (the most popular non country one called WMIX) for several hours this past week, I ask myself: Is all the music just plain horrible? I have to admit the answer to that one is No.  When they play some GOOD music, it is by people I actually like. I have heard ONE DIRECTION, ADELE, MICHAEL BUBLE, ROD STEWART,
and others that really are very good, but they don't play them often enough. As is the case with most current radio stations, they eventually resort to playing rap, hip hop, new country and a lot of "screaming meamies", which I hate.  There is nothing worse than listening to someone who is singing and doing what I call "trying to find a note by sliding up and down the musical scale."  As for rap, I can't think of any of its redeeming values...mainly, I don't even call that music; it is repetitious rhythm, and it really gets on my nerves.

After living through the music of the early and mid 50's and being spoiled by hearing 99 percent great singers, the point is obvious. There are not enough of them around today for me to waste my time turning on the radio.  I'd rather listen to my own station on live365 or to my cd collection. (you can link to my station from the sidebar menu on the website). 

For a period of about 2 years, I used to also tune in to the local country music station (WPOC), and although that station often played music by stalwarts like Dolly Parton and Reba McIntire and George Strait, it spent too much time supporting artists like Taylor Swift (I call her "the breathless wonder") and, of course, my one time  favorite, Kenny Chesney (who is by now highly over exposed). Think about it: too much exposure (and liasions) killed Garth Brooks. I miss the Dixie Chicks (they had a great blend), and Shania seems to have disappeared into the woodwork.

In my car, it is never a problem because I subscribe to Sirius Radio, and there are lots of choices. My favorite channels there are: 40's on 4; 50's on 5; Siriusly Sinatra and On Broadway.  MOST of them also play songs by Doris Day. (The broadway station has not yet learned that Doris and Frank Sinatra sing most of the Broadway songs better than they were ever sung in the original shows!) I have tried to impart the message to them: they don't listen.  Anyway, if I don't like what a station is playing, I simply change the channel. I will have to admit I have played very few cds in the car since I bought the car in May of 2012 when it came equipped with Sirius Radio.

Of course, everyone knows that today we have available a reincarnation of Frank Sinatra in the voice of Michael Buble'. I will happily admit that when he first came out, I really liked him. As he has continued to grow into one of the nation's most popular singers (because he learned early on the importance of singing the standards), he has also (like Kenny Chesney) become over exposed.
He tends to get too cute and full of himself instead of the humble, innocent young performer he once was. Success spoils. When he sings a ballad (straight up), he is one of the best.  That said, check out his new CD called TO BE LOVED. It is very good.

In the past few weeks, I have rediscovered Josh Groban. I knew he was always good, but I tended to forget because if anything he is very underexposed. We need to hear him a lot more...especially his latest CD, ALL THAT ECHOES.  Unless it is a CD by Doris Day, I rarely play a CD more than 2 or 3 times when I first buy it. Then I put it away with the 50,000 others I own, and play it occasionally. NOT TRUE OF THIS ONE.  I have it in the car, and have played it more than any other in the past year.  Josh's version of "I Believe When I Fall in Love, It Will Be Forever" cannot be beaten; it is amazing!  Ditto the first song on the CD, "Brave". I love every bit of it.

Although some folks will call me a trifle old-fashioned, it is because when I listen to music, I want to hear REAL MUSIC, and not amateur attempts at singing or playing. Those tv shows that feature new artists....what a joke! More screaming meamies and singers trying to find a note.  As I said before, I was spoiled by the 50's...at the time, we did not realize we were listening the best music ever. Today, we wish we could go back and resurrect it. I bet my girl, Doris, could still knock it out with the best of what current music has to offer, including Adele.

Speaking of new artists, I have become enamored of the voice of Joseph Leo Bwarie, and feature him frequently on my radio show. Among other things, he starred in JERSEY BOYS on Broadway in the part of Franki Valli.  He only has one CD out currently: Nothin' But Love...I call it, NOTHING BUT GREAT.  This young man is going places...if you don't know him, check out this great CD. I also feel the same way about Steve Tyrell, another great, current voice. Other current voices I enjoy: Eden Espinosa (star of WICKED) and Bruno Mars. Vince Gill is always a treat, and always current for me, as is Dolly Parton, old or not!

As for groups, they don't get much better than One Direction. I am not impressed by watching them and their appeal to squealing young ladies, but I do enjoy their sound.  Train, too, does a great job on songs like Hey, Soul Sister. On the Broadway stage, they don't get much better than Patina Miller, currently the star of PIPPIN, or Jeremy Jordan, former star of NEWSIES and featured in the TV show, SMASH.

But when all is said and done, there is nothing like Doris Day, and no one can beat her on 3 special albums: DAY BY DAY, LATIN FOR LOVERS and I  HAVE DREAMED.  Check them out!

Once we are spoiled by the near perfection of Doris Day's superb voice...it is difficult to find others to match her.