1979
Showing posts with label WWUH-FM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WWUH-FM. Show all posts
Saturday, May 30, 2020
#1596 – I LOVE LUCY – Richie Cole – 5/4/2020
Alto saxophonist Richie Cole passed away on Saturday. He had
a bit of fame in jazz circles but was a favorite of mine because of his 1979
release “Hollywood Madness” which was in our rotation during my brief tenure at
WWUH. The album was a hit with our jazz jocks and I fell in love with Cole’s
sense of humor displayed in WAITING FOR WAITS & this sparkling run through
of the I LOVE LUCY theme. Forty years on, I still love these two songs. Cole’s
catalogue is not limited to light hearted quirkiness exemplified here; the guy
had serious chops and could play with the best (and often did). Yet, I will
always remember fondly my crazy, laughter-filled days on air whenever I hear
these songs. Thank you, WWUH. Thank you, Richie. R.I.P.
#2394 – WHITE RUSSIAN – The Dirt Band - 4/22/2020
It’s 1992. We’d just moved to Denver . I was still getting used to the town
and its denizens. I was a little apprehensive when Sue told me I had to meet
this guy she’d met at her job at the Bank of Cherry Checking (Creek). She said
we could be brothers.
Then I met him. Turns out my wife knew me pretty well even
in ’92.
Richard “Jay” Cozza. Cozza the Elder. Joey Baggadonuts. Jay
turned out to be the longest tenured person I have met in Colorado and have been fortunate enough to
count as a friend. Bike Race Promoter. Announcer. Garage door installer. CD
“Uncle Vinnie’s Closet” builder. Baseball fan. Racontuer. Purveyor of all
manner of Andy Griffith trivia. All around good guy.
I tend to associate people I meet with their musical tastes.
I don’t do it to judge but to understand; there is a huge clue to the personality
type of a Metallica fan to people who someone conversant in Sonny Rollins music.
I had discovered this tune while perusing the WWUH-FM library one day. I liked
it and played it. After talking with Jay at this party, I discovered he was a
big fan of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (who shortened their name in 1976), too.
He also loved this obscure instrumental from their LP “The Dirt Band” called
WHITE RUSSIAN. They composed it after touring the USSR in ’77.
Anyway, I throw this out in tribute to a wonderful, loyal,
hilarious, tenacious & resilient friend. May whoever reads this be blessed
enough to have a friend as good to them as he has been to Susan & I. Happy
birthday, Jay.
PS – I can be sentimental because he doesn’t visit FB,
otherwise he’d kick my ass. LMAO
#788 – OVER THE RAINBOW – Livingston Taylor - 4/7/2020
A tune I discovered during one of my shifts at WWUH 1,375 years
ago is perfect for today’s moving day. SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW is where I
hope we all meet after this pandemic has released its grip on us. After all we
ARE heading to Kansas ,
Dorothy.
“Wake up where the clouds are far behind me, where troubles
melt like lemon drops high above the chimney tops…”
Peace, all. Stay safe. Thank you.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
LEAVE A TENDER MOMENT ALONE – Billy Joel
#1327 – LEAVE A TENDER MOMENT ALONE – 11/4/2019
A lot of songs on this list remind me of my brief but
eventful years on the radio at WWUH. I learned a lot about life, people,
loyalty and music. This one always remind me of those days because it features
Toots Thielemans, the late Belgian harmonica maestro.
When I was at ‘UH we had a huge classical and jazz following.
They still do, actually. Anyway, I learned about Toots during my tenure at ‘UH
well, before he showed up gracing this tune from “An Innocent Man”. The vinyl
library at WWUH was spectacular and the REAL jazz DJs who knew their sh1te from
shinola schooled us younger lunkheads in the art of JAZZ. Stephane Grapelli,
Charles Mingus, Larry Coryell, Wayne Shorter, Brubeck, Trane, Monk, Miles,
Jackie McLean (whose daughter was a DJ while I was there). All names unfamiliar
to me until those kind people opened my ears.
One last time: “Broadcasting live from the Gengras Student
Union in West Hartford , we are WWUH 91.3 FM.
Your public alternative radio”. Drop by and give ‘em a listen.
1983
THE DELI SONG (CORNED BEEF ON WRY) – Dean Friedman
#542 – THE DELI SONG (CORNED BEEF ON WRY) - 11/1/2019
“I’m either in love or it’s something I ate ‘cause I’ve
never felt this way before…..”
“Hey Louie! There’s a weirdo at table four in the back. He’s
SINGIN’…..”
The most fun I’ve ever had in a deli.
I first heard this song while investigating the amazing
record library at the radio station back in 1977 – 1979. I would say at least
25 % of the songs on this list became favorites after hearing them while at
WWUH.
1978
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)