Notes from the Music Director 1-16-12

Howdy, all!

You might have noticed that there is a new yellow form in the log.  On one side of this form is a sheet summarizing the underwriting that needs to be read during the live shows.  You may use this as a checklist if you like.  Eventually, the log needs to legally document what goes out over the air, not act as a prompt for us DJs, and we're evolving toward that.

On the other side of the form is a summary of the daily shows.  The hope is that you--o, accommodating, wonderful people that you are--will take the time to promo the shows coming up after yours, or the next days' shows if yours is a nighttime show.  It's a nice way for us all to support each other and KRZA, don't you think?

Now, on to the new music:

World Music folks: "Novalimba" is a band out of Lima, Peru, and this disc makes a really nice addition to our library.  Enjoy!

Acoustic DJs: We are excited to add Ani Difranco's latest album, "Which Side Are You On?" to our library! Also,  Kathleen Edwards' "Voyageur" features backup vocals by none other than Norah Jones.  Also, The Pines is a really top-notch folk-rock ensemble...and I'm hard to please. Check 'em out!

Sing It Sister hosts: Wow, what a haul this week for your show!  In addition to the two wonderful women artists mentioned above, we have not just one, but TWO new female jazz instrumentalists to highlight: Janice Finlay, who makes that alto sax stand up and talk; and a rare bird indeed, female jazz BASSIST, Marlene Rosenberg.  Add to these four artists amazing gospel singer and pianist Lori Kester--from La Jara, no less!--and that's practically your whole show!

All right, enough enthusing for this week.  Until next time...

Notes from the Music Director 1-9-11

Happy New Year, everybody!

You may have noticed that there are a few changes in the studio.

1. First, there are a couple of floor lamps to help out with nighttime lighting--yaaaay!  I'm the previous owner of the lamp that looks like a space alien with lots of antennae.  If it doesn't seem to be working, first, make sure that it's plugged in, and then mess with the switch.  The switch used to have a little knob on it to make it easier to turn.  The stub that is left is really stiff and a little fussy, but it works.

2. Second,  you'll notice that there is a laptop where one of the turntables used to be.  This is the next step toward getting everyone switched over to Spinitron for entering your playlists.  We beg you, PLEASE DO NOT TURN OFF OR ALTER THIS COMPUTER IN ANY WAY.  If the computer acts up, fill out a paper playlist and either leave a note at the bottom of the stairs or call the on-call phone number to alert the staff: 719-588-4561.

Thanks for bearing with us while we make these changes.

Now, on to the music:

Bluegrass/Acoustic and Eclectic DJs: Yo-Yo Ma.--that's right, "Yo-Yo Ma", classical cellist extraordinaire and "bluegrass" are being used in the same sentence--has just released a CD of an amazing session he recorded with Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile called "The Goat Rodeo Sessions".  If you're a little tired of the usual bluegrass sound and want to shake things up a bit, check out the "Eclectic" section on the top of the New Release shelves.  You would be hard pressed to find four more accomplished musicians in one sitting.

Latin and Jazz DJs: If your mood is chill, check out Paul Meyers' "Music for Solo Guitar".  They're all original tunes, but based on Latin dance forms, and it's very nice listening for a late-night show.

World Music: Lovers of the Looping Jaw Harp Orchestra will get a kick out of TriBeCaStan, a melting pot of at least a dozen different countries' musical styles.  The bari sax totally kicks butt.  Just watch out for Track 4; the vocals stink.

Native American Music DJs: My gosh, we actually have a new Native American CD called "Ancient Winds" by Wind Spirit Drum.  Check it out!

Until next time!

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!

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...

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!

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...

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...