Episode 25

     After the whimper that was the anniversary/love song show (I’ve heard nary a peep in response to it), this morning’s show was probably a welcome return to form for some listeners. As those who heard my on-air commentary know (or those who are savvy in scanning the playlist could determine), this episode was spiked with new releases. I think they fit in nicely among the other items included. And who knows? Maybe the one regular listener whose eyes roll back in her head at the mention of one group in the list might revise her thoughts about them. But I won’t hold my breath.
     While the sidebar says the next show will be on 2 March, I have yet to determine when the next show will take place. More than likely, there’ll be a sub in my regular slot two weeks’ hence, for it would be difficult for me to make it back from the Logan Square Auditorium, where Mogwai are performing on 1 March, in time for a midnight show. Once everything is sorted out, I’ll post a clarifying note here. So check back often. And keep your ears open: there are even more exciting things coming soon....

• 12:00–1:00 a.m.:
• Mogwai, “Hunted by a Freak,” Happy Songs for Happy People, Matador
• His Name Is Alive, “You Need a Heart,” Detrola, Silver Mountain
• Sam Phillips, “Soul Eclipse,” Fan Dance, Nonesuch
• Depeche Mode, “I Want It All,” Playing the Angel, Sire/Reprise
• Ryan Adams, “Sweet Lil Gal (23rd/1st),” Heartbreaker, Bloodshot
• Cody ChesnuTT, “Up in the Treehouse,” The Headphone Masterpiece, Ready Set Go
• Saint Etienne, “Avenue,” So Tough, Warner Brothers
• Slowdive, “She Calls,” Morningrise EP, Creation
• Bow Wow Wow, “Mile High Club,” I Want Candy, RCA
• Belle & Sebastian, “Song for Sunshine,” The Life Pursuit, Matador
• Anja Garbarek, “The Gown,” Smiling & Waving, Virgin
• Talk Talk, “April 5th,” The Colour of Spring, EMI

• 1:00–2:00 a.m.:
• The Dukes of Stratosphear, “25 O’Clock,” Chips from the Chocolate Fireball, Geffen
• Piano Magic, “Already Ghosts,” Writers without Homes, 4AD
• Low, “Shame,” Long Division, Vernon Yard
• Mazzy Star, “Take Everything,” Among My Swan, Capitol
• Nick Drake, “River Man,” Five Leaves Left, Hannibal
• Felt, “All the People I Like Are Those That Are Dead,” Forever Breathes the Lonely Word, Cherry Red
• The Smiths, “I Don’t Owe You Anything,” The Smiths, Sire
• The Russian Futurists, “These Seven Notes,” Our Thickness, Upper Class
• Self, “Ilovetoloveyourlovemylove,” Gizmodgery, Spongebath
• Stereolab, “Hallucinex,” Sound-Dust, Elektra
• Cat Power, “Willie,” The Greatest, Matador
• Beth Orton, “Pieces of Sky,” Comfort of Strangers, Astralwerks

Episode 24: The Love Song Show

     So, if you heard it live, you already know the tale of this morning’s show. If you didn’t, here’s what you need to know: this was my celebration of the first anniversary of ECI, and for it I decided to do a love song-focused show. One listener called wondering whether he was listening to the right show, given how, at least for him, what I was playing departed so much from what he expected/normally hears. (In actuality, 8 February is the date, but, since I will not be on air then, I opted for an early rather than late celebration.
     I am certain that some of you might quibble with my choices of tunes for this morning, and for the record, I might quibble, too. But I chose the selections that ensured a good flow for the whole two hours—and in the process I eliminated another three hours’ worth of equally worthy material. Maybe I’ll get to the others down the line. Maybe not. Putting this show together was more taxing than the process for any previous one, and I won’t repeat the experiment any time soon.
     Anyway, if you know the songs, you can follow the show’s arc: from desire to fulfillment, questioning, dissolution, hurt, anger, defiance and, oddly, reconciliation. Whether that’s how things work for you, I don’t know. Whether it makes for good radio, I don’t know. You will have to let me know.
     Thanks again to the folks who called and made requests and actually let me know they were listening. I really appreciate it. We’ll do it again in two weeks’s time....

• 12:00–1:00 a.m.:
• Roxy Music, “To Turn You On,” Avalon, Virgin
• The Cardigans, “Happy Meal,” Life, Minty Fresh
• The Spinners, “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” The Spinners, Atlantic
• The Platters, “Twilight Time,” The Platters—Golden Hits, Mercury
• Ron Sexsmith, “Right About Now,” Whereabouts, Interscope
• Dusty Springfield, “So Much Love,” Dusty in Memphis, Atlantic
• Stevie Wonder, “Happier than the Morning Sun,” Music of My Mind, Motown
• Marvin Gaye, “You Sure Love to Ball,” Let’s Get It On, Motown
• XTC, “Big Day,” Skylarking, Geffen
• Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, “Four Flights Up,” Rattlesnakes, Capitol
• The Gun Club, “She’s like Heroin to Me,” Fire of Love, Slash
• Prefab Sprout, “When Love Breaks Down,” Two Wheels Good, Epic
• Joe Jackson, “Breaking Us in Two,” Night and Day, A&M
• Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” Substance, Factory/Qwest
• Patsy Cline, “Leavin’ on Your Mind,” 12 Greatest Hits, MCA

• 1:00–2:00 a.m.:
• Elvis Costello with Burt Bacharach, “I Still Have That Other Girl,” Painted from Memory, Mercury
• Willie Nelson, “My Own Peculiar Way,” Teatro, Warner Brothers
• Prince, “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?,” “1999” (Single), Warner Brothers
• Beth Orton, “I Wish I Never Saw the Sunshine,” Trailer Park, Dedicated
• Shelby Lynne, “Thought It Would Be Easier,” I Am Shelby Lynne, Island
• Meshell Ndegéocello, “Fool of Me,” Bitter, Maverick
• Bauhaus, “Crowds,” “Telegram Sam” (Single), 4AD
• Scheer, “Wish You Were Dead,” Infliction, 4AD
• Damien Rice, “The Blower’s Daughter,” O, Vector
• Nikka Costa, “So Have I for You,” Everybody Got Their Something, Cheeba Sound
• Van Hunt, “Down Here in Hell (With You),” Van Hunt, Capitol
• Lori Carson, “16 Days,” Stars, Restless