Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 12-13-11

Howdy, all!

The holiday season is closing in upon us, and I have some wonderful new CDs to tell you about.  First, though, I'd like to remind you to bring in an ornament for the studio tree.  It's looking a little bit less bare than it was, but there's still room for your addition!

Also, our wonderful Office Manager, Laura, is going to put together a "Lost and Found" box for the upstairs.  This can be the new home for random CDs that are left in the CD player, on flat surfaces, etc. that are obviously not part of the KRZA library (i.e. they have no lable, no tape, etc.)

Many thanks to Deb Nichols for organizing and labeling the Big Band jazz section.  It looks terrific, Deb!  Also, many thanks to those of you who give me feedback on new releases.  I still have a lot to learn, so please don't hesitate to tell me if a recording is really good, really bad, etc.

Okay, on to the new library adds:

Rockers: If you love AC/DC, check out "Slash".  Good stuff!

Bluesists: OMG, Beverly McClellan may look like a punk rocker with her piercings and tatts, but this gal puts out some serious blues!  Thanks, Greg, for the recommendation--five stars to you!

Hip-hop devotees of Eminem will love Scribes.  Check it out!

World Musicians: For "something completely different", the Looping Jaw Harp Orchestra will have you hooked in two seconds flat.  Sounds from all over the world: jaw harp, Tuvan throat singing, accordion, bass saxophone...all in nicely crafted, tightly performed compositions that will bend your mind and raise your hairs. Wild, but worth it!  Also, for a trip down a Crestone main street, check out Ancient Futures.  Guitar, tabla, and other instruments are mixed up in a New-Agey way.  Very mellow and nice.

Okay, that's it for this week.  See ya next time!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 11-28-11

Back from vacation, and ready to start reviewing again!  Stay tuned--as they say--for new additions to the library, coming soon!

***IMPORTANT*** KRZA will soon be REPLACING PAPER PLAYLISTS with an online service called Spinitron.  That's right--no more slacking on record labels; Spinitron won't let you submit an entry without a label :-).  The KRZA staff will give you an official training session when everything is set up. Be on the lookout for some changes in the studio when this happens, including a missing turntable, a laptop computer, and NO MORE PAPER PLAYLISTS!

On the fun side, KRZA invites all DJs to bring in a Christmas ornament to add to our studio Christmas tree, which is lighted but at this point otherwise unadorned.  If you bring in an ornament, make sure to put your name and phone number on the ornament somewhere so that we can return it to you when the tree comes down next year.  Help make the studio look a little festive this season...hey, it may even help out with the lighting!

Okay, I think that's it for now.  Until next time...

Monday, November 21, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 11-21-11

Hello again!

Three noteworthy additions this week:

1. Oscar Peterson "Unmistakable":  Oh, my...this is the single-malt scotch of jazz piano, right up there with Art Tatum.  Yummy, yummy, yummy!

Many thanks to the lovely chap who drives the old Volvo P1800s around town for the following additions to the KRZA music library (although they're not "new releases" per se):

2. Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto, featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim.   For lovers of Brazilian jazz, these names need no introduction, of course.  They are joined by the silken vocals of Astrud Gilberto.  Oh, my...

3. A tasty addition to the Latin library: Los Super Seven, a Tex-Mex ensemble extraordinaire.  This is top-drawer stuff.

(Did I mention that the Volvo P1800 is one of my favorite classic cars?  :-)

I am taking advantage of the absence of rehearsals and will be on vacation for the remainder of this week.  See y'all Monday, and have a great Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 11-14-11

Greetings, all!

We have five new additions to the KRZA library this week:

Ray Charles, who needs no introduction, is back in new compilation, "The Complete ABC Singles", which includes the superlative "Georgia On My Mind".  Oh, yeah.

Jane's Addiction's new album, The Great Escape Artist is now part of our library; fans of hard/alternative rock take note!

Illuminati Congo brings together the sounds of reggae, hip-hop, and African groove in "All Eye See".  This is good stuff!

If anyone happened to be listening in on Monday Morning November 14th, they would have heard Harper interview Patrick Dethlefs and Eye and the Arrow in the studio, and we are now proud owners of their CDs.  Check 'em out in the Folk Rock section (yellow spine tape).

I want to STRONGLY encourage all DJs to play songs from at least three New Release albums during their shows.  We want to encourage the music promoters to keep sending us free music.  Free music is good.  We like free music!  It's easy; just turn your chairs around and look at the wall behind you.  Deal?

Until next time...

Monday, November 7, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 11-7-11

Greetings, everyone!

It's close to quittin' time, so without further ado, here's the latest and greatest:

World Music aficionados, give Adanowsky a listen.  He's a multi-lingual, multi-cultural performer of world pop music, much beloved in Mexican Indie rock circles.  Not all world music needs to be played on congas by people in tribal dress!

Jazzers, definitely check out Christian McBride's "Conversations with Christian" album.  This superlative jazz bass player has put together a great album of jazz.  The style of each number depends on who he's conversing with.  Also, the newest crop of Christmas jazz is beginning to come down the pipelines for you to think about for the holidays.  Check out the gentle arrangements by pianist Geri Allen.

For something different, Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser have been making tsunamis on YouTube, and we are proud to offer their album 2Cellos here at KRZA.  Michael Jackson on cello?  Don't diss it until you try it!

Finally, Latin DJs, Corina Bartra's "Cielo Sandunguero" features her wonderful voice and passionate singing with a big ensemble.

Thanks, all, and until next time...

Monday, October 31, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 10-31-11

Happy Halloween, everyone!  Here are some of the latest additions to the KRZA music library; look for them on the shelves behind your chair in the studio:

Latin:
 - Bio Ritmo "La Verdad" is great Salsa with an electronic twist.  Prick up your ears to this sound!
 - Vadim Brunell has put out a lovely album of solo guitar.
 - For something different, try the David Murray Cuban Ensemble playing Nat King Cole.

Jazz:
 - Sonny Rollins's latest, Road Shows Vol. 2 is here!
 - Sophie Milman: This gal is only in her 20's, but has one of the best feels for jazz vocals that I've heard since Ella. And believer me, I'm hard to please!
 - Self-taught French jazzer Chris Joss has layered a new album, "No Play No Work".  Check it out!
 - Oscar Peterson's "Unmistakable" has be re-released.  Sublime!

World:
 - Joni Haastrup's "Wake Up Your Mind" is well worth a listen!  Also, check out "El Rego"


Singer/Songwriter:
 - Driftwood Fire is a top-drawer band from Boulder.
 - Jill Cohn has performed in the KRZA studios, as has Katya Chorover.  Make sure to support music performed locally!


Rock:
 - 9Tomorrows is a laid-back indie rock band with some reggae flavor.  I've been playing it on Monday Morning Mix-Up when subbing; one of my favorites of the new releases.

 - Wide Mouth Mason is a great blues-rock band.  If you wanna get down and dirty, this is the album for you!

 - Coldplay's newest, "Mylo Xyloto" is out, and on the shelf!  Enjoy!


Alternative:

 - Bjork's latest, "Biophilia" is on the top shelf of the new releases.

Until next time...

Friday, September 30, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 9-30-2011

Greetings again!

Okay, almost caught up with previewing, and you'll find the latest crop of new library additions to the LEFT of each genre on the New Release shelf.

Here are the highlights:

ACOUSTIC: Tori Amos is back with her heavily-Classically-influenced album "Night of Hunters".  It's on the Deutche Grammophon label, which makes it "officially" Classical...but it's all Tori, so don't let the label fool you.

ROCK: Former Sparta band member Jim Ward has put together a two-disc set composed of "Quiet in the Valley" and "The Electric Six" to liven up your mix-up show.

BLUEGRASS: The latest New Cuts compilation is up there, along with a couple of other good albums, but what jumped out at me was a Hip-Hop album called "Gangstagrass" which is...you guessed it...hip-hop rhyming over banjos and slide guitars!  If you feel like doing something quirky just to shake things up a bit, I dare you to add this to your show.  Just look straight UP on the New Release shelf--Hip-Hop has orange and black tape on the spine.

LATIN:  Check out Bio Ritmo La Verdad; straight-ahead, danceable tunes from our neighbors to the south, but with some interesting sampled sounds to catch your ear.

JAZZ: The Headhunters, the first jazz/fusion group to go Platinum in the early 70's with the help of Herbie Hancock, are celebrating their Platinumimity (uh, is that a word?) with a new album called, yes, "Platinum"!  You're going to hear funk, jazz, and hip-hop on this album.  Yes, hip-hop...they even recorded a track with Snoop Dogg.  Thoroughly enjoyable!

All that and more on the shelves behind you in the studio, so don't forget to look when you're putting together your show!

Thanks, all, and until next time...

Catie

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Who Owns Our Music Shows?

A Note From the Management

Well, technically, the FCC and the American people own our music shows.

The FCC grants permission to KRZA to use the airwaves to broadcast as a "public" radio station. We could also get permission to be a TV station, or an AM radio station. Bottom line: everyone must ask permission to broadcast.

Once we receive that permission, in the form of a license, then we make a schedule of programs we want to air, and we invite community members to host some of those programs.

It so happens that on KRZA most of our program is music shows, and almost all of these are hosted by local, community folks, such as yourself. We air many genres of music: bluegrass, jazz, classical, classic rock n roll, Spanish, Celtic, blues, and accoustic -- to name just a few!

When a volunteer hosts one of our music shows, they are doing so with our permission, based on our program schedule. Over time, we've learned that bluegrass music is great for Saturday mornings, and that blues is great on late Sundays. So we recruit volunteer DJs to host those shows at that time.

Sometimes volunteer hosts break out of the genre of the show they're hosting. This can be upsetting to listeners, the people to whom we are providing this public radio service. It's also a violation of the permission we granted to the volunteer in order for them to be on the air.

Also, volunteers tend to feel a sense of ownership of their show -- especially after being on the air for awhile. They feel that they must recruit and train new hosts, and sometimes even bring in substitutes who have never been trained by our staff.

While we appreciate the commitment of  our on-air hosts, the truth is that you don't own your music show. You have permission to host it, and we have permission to air it.

Ownership lies with the FCC and the American people.

Any questions?

Monday, September 26, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 9-26-2011

Sound Exchange Reporting is DONE with time to spare!  Thanks be to Spinitron--woo hoo!

Speaking of reporting, does anyone happen to know of an affordable alternative to CMJ?

I'm sure there are other news bits for you, but for now, my brain is fried.  I'm beginning to preview the backlog of new music.  Here are the latest and greatest additions to the KRZA library:

DON RICHMOND--and his brothers!--are featured in a new CD called "Roots and Branches".  Always awesome, you can find Roots and Branches to the far left of the Acoustic albums, propped up nice and prominently.

ROCK
Indie rockers, check out Friska Viljor, a great Scandinavian band whose whimsical music will make you     smile for hours.

Classic rockers, if you love Lynyrd Skynyrd, you'll love "American Goldwing".  Great!

If you like hardcore punk rock, Polar Bear Club is getting good reviews for "Clash Battle Guilt Pride".

JAZZ
I was looking for empty CD cases the other day, and lo and behold stumbled onto Red Garland's 1957 "Groovy" album.  Oh, yeah!

Afro/Latin jazz fans will find AfroBop Alliance's "Una Mas" a welcome listen.  I was torn as to whether to put it in the Jazz or Latin section, but it really is jazz, so it went there...but Latin DJs, feel welcome!

Thanks, all!  Until next time...

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 9-7-11

Hi, all!

Many thanks to whoever found/returned the Big Sugar album.  I would have been seriously bummed if it had disappeared; that's a great CD!

Okay, I've been following my own direction and re-filing all of the little piles of CDs that I've been hoarding for the Swingtime show, and I hope you're doing the same.  I still see little random piles of CDs here and there--that I DIDN'T put there--and I would love to see those disappear into their proper places in the stacks over the next few weeks.  How about we say that by October 1st, every random pile of CDs be properly filed?  (Yeah, I know, my piles are the worst...)

From now until October 8th, I'm going to be up to my ears in preparing the SoundExchange report.  What this means for you is that music previewing is taking a back seat for now, and you won't see a whole lot of new releases getting added to the shelf.  Very soon, we're going to be using Spinitron to enter playlists, which should save everybody huge amounts of time--especially me!  In the meanime, thanks for your patience, and I'll be enthusing about new releases again before you know it.

Until next time...

Catie

Friday, September 2, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 9-2-11

Howdy again, everybody!

There seems to be an ongoing issue of DJs not being able to find CDs.  First, I would like to implore everyone to PLEASE put the CDs away in their proper place at the end of your shift.  Almost everyone (including me) is guilty of hoarding the CDs that we want to play on our next shows. This is not fair to other DJs who might also like to play those recordings on their shows.  It is simple courtesy to put things back when you are finished with them, so that other people can find them.  I will work on my own bad habits in this regard; I ask that you do the same.

I would also like to invite everyone to make note of any CDs that you can't find, and either post them on this blog as a comment, or email me at music@krza.org.  Hopefully, I can tell you where they are (if, for instance, I'm doing maintenance on the shelves and am in the process of moving things around), or perhaps one of the other DJs can tell you where they are.

Right now, there is a huge project going on, but after that is done, KRZA is going to be implementing a system for checking out CDs that is better than the one currently in place.  Also, we're going to implement a system for keeping track of the new releases.  It is heartbreaking to come across a really terrific new release that I can't wait to tell you about...only to find it missing when I go to look for it.

Okay, that said, here's some of the great new stuff in the library:

Fans of Sarah Vaughan and Peter Gabriel, check out Sarah Fimm, new in the Rock section.  Very good!

New in the Blues genre: Ray Bonneville.  Yeah, he looks like Dustin Hoffman, but his voice doesn't sound like Dustin Hoffman.  Which is a good thing!

Political junkies: For just plain silly political satire, check out Ry Cooder in the Acoustic section.  You'll love how he makes fun of the right wing!

We have a new Reggae album by 10 Ft. Ganja plant--make sure and take a gander!

Acoustic lovers, check out Gabriel Kahane--VERY interesting instrumentation, great sound, many diferent influences!

Jazzers: Laila Biali--another Canadian--sounds  a little like Diana Krall's originals.

Sing It Sisters:  Victoria Clemmons would be a nice addition to your program; she is under Singer/Songwriters.

Thanks, all, and have a wonderful weekend!

Catie

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 8-29-11

Howdy again, all!

Does anyone happen to know the whereabouts of the Big Sugar album that I raved about last week?  I wanted Jimmy Q to play it on Morning Mix-Up, and couldn't find it...I REALLY hope that it has just been misfiled, and not stolen...

New on the release shelf:

Latin DJs: Rene Lopez's "Electric Latin Soul".  That's pretty descriptive of what it is; ya gotta hear it to believe it!

Political Junkies and Hip-Hoppers: Animal Nation's "Every Day in the Life" features wonderful tongue-in-cheek lyrics on life in an 8-to-5, low-paying job, as well as other great topics.  The first two tracks aren't that great, but after that, prepare for a good chuckle!

Blues Folk: Check out Florida-born J.J. Grey's live album, "Brighter Days".  You won't be disappointed!

Until next time...

Catie.

p.s. Thanks for the good job filling out playlists; they looked much better this week!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Notes from the Music Director 8-22-11

Hi, all!  It is my hope that you visit here now and then and get a sense of the newest and best releases entering the KRZA library, because there's some good stuff coming down the pipelines.

Keep in mind that I'm trying to keep newer releases more toward the LEFT of the New Release shelves.  If you're not sure how long a CD has been in the studio, check the top of the white label on front of the CD.

New additions  for 8/22/11:

For "Sing It, Sister" and other acoustic shows, check out singer-songwriter Susan Gibson.  Susan wrote the song "Wide Open Spaces" for the Dixie Chicks, so that should give you a good idea of the kind of music she writes.  She has also performed at Wildwood Sounds in Del Norte.  KRZA is now the proud owner of four of her albums, thanks to Maya Muse.

Blues DJs, check out Lipbone Redding. Lipbone is another veteran of Wildwood Sounds.  There are many influences in his music, from reggae to pop, New Orleans to New York.  My favorites, though, are his blues tracks, and the ones featuring the "lipbone": vocals that sound just like a trombone.  These tracks are noted at the top of the white KRZA library label.

Rockers, consider adding Big Sugar to your lineup of classic rock.  Gordie Johnson, guitarist and songwriter, has written and co-written numerous hits, including “Diggin’ a Hole” and “If I Had My Way.”  Great blues-flavored rock and roll; you just can't go wrong with these guys.

World Music DJs, check out the shelf for the latest from Tinariwen.  This band is featured on Putumayo's Mali compilation, and these Tuareg nomads from the Sahara region of Mali, North Africa are amazing.

Until next time,
Catie

Monday, July 25, 2011

Welcome

Welcome to the new blog for KRZA's volunteer DJs, The KRZA DJ Blog.


Here you'll find information about DJ events, the most current DJ schedule, and updates regarding DJ standards, guidelines and policies.

KRZA volunteer DJs are welcome to discuss and share here. Also, staff will share information about the newest music available as New Releases, changes to studio procedures, critical updates such as legal changes that DJs need to be aware of, and great DJ stories.

We're glad you stopped by, and hope to see you regularly.

Holly Y Felmlee
General Manager