I Love Public Radio

Working on Saturday mornings is tolerable, maybe even enjoyable, partly because of the "Jazz Ala Carte" program that is on every Saturday morning at 8:00 on Blue Lake Public Radio hosted by a one Lazaro Vega. He plays all different types of jazz, anything from traditional ragtime to Bebop & even some fusion. The fusion typically draws a sarcastic remark from a customer, but it's all in good fun. I turn up the radio a bit louder on Saturday morning.

The music, of course, is great, but above & beyond that, the tone of voice that just about every public radio personality has is very relaxing (including one of the most famous Lutheran's ever, Garrison Kieller, but we won't talk about him). The voices are usually quite monotone, they're not flashy, & they just seem to say "slow down".

When I first started working at my store in Grand Haven about three years ago, I used to open up the back door & look out at the trees (which have since been replaced by an apartment complex) behind the store with the classical music playing & it would remind me of driving up north with my dad. Only two stations ever got frequency on his radio, WJR & whatever station played classical music. Since WJR didn't come in up there, classical music always provided the soundtrack for our vacations. I don't remember the call letters of the classical music station in Interlochen, but I do remember that it was a service of the Interlochen Music Camp. Not only did that station teach fine music to teenagers, it also broadcast it out to the masses. I wish every town had a place like that.

The call letters to Blue Lake Public Radio, if you're ever on the lower west side of Michigan is 90.3, by the way.

Five Favorite Songs of the Day

Till I Fell in Love With You-Bob Dylan, Brixton 2005

I always thought this song was a bit of a drag until I heard this new arrangement.
When You Wake Up Feeling Old-Wilco, Summerteeth

"sing some strange verse from some strange song of vines, and you'll be where you wanna be"

I'm a Fool to Want You-Billie Holiday, Lady in Satin

I Gave You-Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Superwolf

This House-Kevin Davis

Come to think of it, those last two songs are pretty similar in theme. BPB sings "I gave you a house & you didn't haunt it, now where am I supposed to live?" while Kevin sings "This house, I built it just for you, but still I live here alone". BPB's song is quite bitter, whereas Kevin's is more sad. I just thought of that, so I thought I'd share.

The Pistons are on. What worries me about this year's team is that they are a bit too dependent on the starting five. Once they've secured home court advantage throughout the playoffs, let's hope Flip starts working in the subs more often.

Happy Saturday, friends.

andrew