The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Hard Times in the Land of Plenty” by Kenny Parker!!!

Posted on May 31, 2020 by PhilMaq

I have started a new feature: The Most Awesomest Song of the Day! 

Here’s a link to the complete list: https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/

I want to emphasize mostly, relatively newer music, just like on my Monday night show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )

But I can promise this: I will not force my selections. If something doesn’t hit me, I won’t post one.

Everything I do has always been about shining a spotlight on the artist and their music.

Now I will have the potential to shine 365 more spotlights if I want to!

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We’re going to go local today, but I’m going to pick a song from an album that went over well all over the world!

Kenny Parker has been delivering the blues to Detroiters for several decades, and continues to hone his skills!

Last year, he released his Philby Award winner and best album to date, “Hellfire!”

The album is packed with a solid collection of many styles of blues tunes.

But the final song, “Hard Times in the Land of Plenty,” has enough juice to short circuit the rest of that fine album!

It’s a song with a familiar blues theme: In a country as wealthy as ours, it sure is hard to make a living, let alone survive.

The song starts with a guitar riff that sounds like it was borrowed from Paul Burlison when he was with Johnny Burnette!

The driving rhythm takes you hostage until the end of the song!

Dan Devins passionately belts out the lyrics!:

“You gotta rob Peter to payback Paul/

You used to stand up straight, but now you gotta crawl/

Hard times in the land of plenty/

Some got it all/

And the rest ain’t got any.”

Legendary guitarist Jim McCarty keeps things going at warp speed by cutting loose with a wicked guitar solo, then Dan returns for a final verse before the ride rocks to a stop!

Kenny Parker keeps the band tight and going in the right direction!

And as bad as things were when this song was written, world situations now are considerably worse with a pandemic virus, sky high unemployment, racial tensions, and lack of any kind of leadership at the Federal level.

This is angry blues!

This is combustible blues!

This isn’t blues/rock.

It’s damn near punk blues!

We can only hope that things get better!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Hard Times in the Land of Plenty” by Kenny Parker!!!

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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

#KennyParker #Hellfire #HardTimesintheLandofPlenty #PhilMaq #TheMostAwesomestSongoftheDay

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Cherry Wine” by Nancy Wright!!!

Posted on May 29, 2020 by PhilMaq

I have started a new feature: The Most Awesomest Song of the Day! 

Here’s a link to the complete list: https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/

I want to emphasize mostly, relatively newer music, just like on my Monday night show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )

But I can promise this: I will not force my selections. If something doesn’t hit me, I won’t post one.

Everything I do has always been about shining a spotlight on the artist and their music.

Now I will have the potential to shine 365 more spotlights if I want to!

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How ’bout some Friday Music Fun?

I’m not making any suggestions, and certainly don’t want anyone to overdo it, but I have a very tasty song for today by saxophonist Nancy Wright from her “Playdate” album!

Nancy can tear things up with the best sax players you can think of!

I’m not much of an imbiber myself. My addictions are music, junk food, and basketball.

But I probably could get interested in a sip of “Cherry Wine!”

This is a fun tune with a wide open singalong chorus to sing and dance to!

Except her significant other needs to make the “Wright choice” between herself and that “Cherry Wine!”

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Cherry Wine” by Nancy Wright!!!

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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

#themostawesomestsongoftheday #philmaq #NancyWright #CherryWine #Playdate #FridayMusicFun #Vizztone

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Aimless Knowledge” by Cindy Ruenes!!!

Posted on May 28, 2020 by PhilMaq

I have started a new feature: The Most Awesomest Song of the Day! 

Here’s a link to the complete list: https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/

I want to emphasize mostly, relatively newer music, just like on my Monday night show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )

But I can promise this: I will not force my selections. If something doesn’t hit me, I won’t post one.

Everything I do has always been about shining a spotlight on the artist and their music.

Now I will have the potential to shine 365 more spotlights if I want to!

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Today’s selection is a nice little folk/rock gem from Cindy Ruenes!

It’s on her 2019 Philby Award winning debut album, “Please Don’t Tell Me How to Dance!”

One of the things that I like about Cindy‘s music, is that she doesn’t talk down to her audience. I also gave her an additional Philby award for “Best Lyrics” for the same reason.

Cindy‘s subjects range from self empowerment, to works of art, to symbiotic relationships.

And she is able to do these things without sacrificing melody!

In “Aimless Knowledge,” the song for the day, the woman in the song doesn’t feel lonely while pursuing a world full of knowledge. She doesn’t have the time.

The listener is pulled along on a river of lush harmonies!

Close your eyes and float along!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Aimless Knowledge” by Cindy Ruenes!!!

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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

#themostawesomestsongoftheday #philmaq #CindyRuenes #PleaseDontTellMeHowtoDance #AimlessKnowledge

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Phil’s Faves: Albums, May 24, 2020

Posted on May 28, 2020 by PhilMaq

Over time, my listening habits have changed and at the moment I usually listen to albums completely through. I haven’t done that in years, but it’s actually very rewarding—particularly when the album is good. Every album that will be on this list will fit that category.

Songs from the albums on this list forms the basis of my countdown list for the “Top 9 at 9:09” segment of my “Prime Time Theme Attic Show,” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

(Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu)) on mostly alternating weeks, along with my “Phil’s Faves, Songs” lists!

It’s another peak into my listening habits—which is a goal of mine. If you want to know where I’m heading or what I think about some new music, you will find it here.

I honestly don’t expect there to be much volatility on this list because these albums are what I have been basing many of the sets on my show.

Once again, there will be no boundaries. I will go wherever my musical muse takes me.

Here’s the link to the complete list of Fave Albums: https://philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-albums/

If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

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Everything is ShwizZtastic at this week’s #1 Faves spot!
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Top 10 Albums for the Week of May 24, 2020

1. ShwizZ II—ShwizZ
2. Scarecrow—Linden Thoburn
3. Heaven to Me—Jay Stielstra
4. Lost on the Range—The Whiskey Charmers
5. Iterations—Mental Health Day
6. Lines and Spaces—Heather Pierson
7. All Mine—Sarah Morris
8. Here to This—Downriver Dan
9. You and Me and the Sun—Annie Fitzgerald
10.When My Baby Comes Around—Rod Johnson
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Don’t forget to like my Facebook page!

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “When the Bloom Falls From the Rose” by Sarah Jane Scouten!!!

Posted on May 27, 2020 by PhilMaq

I have started a new feature: The Most Awesomest Song of the Day! 

Here’s a link to the complete list: https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/

I want to emphasize mostly, relatively newer music, just like on my Monday night show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )

But I can promise this: I will not force my selections. If something doesn’t hit me, I won’t post one.

Everything I do has always been about shining a spotlight on the artist and their music.

Now I will have the potential to shine 365 more spotlights if I want to!

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Fire up the fiddle and get that heart pumping!

Get the banjo plunking and the bass drum thumping!

Power chords and layered harmonies!

Roses, thorns, and Sarah Jane Scouten in a love triangle!

And apparently, we all know she likes to wreck her health!

This song is currently on my weekly Faves list, but I thought it needed a little more attention!

It’s a real barn burner!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “When the Bloom Falls From the Rose” by Sarah Jane Scouten!!!

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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

#themostawesomestsongoftheday #philmaq #SarahJaneScouten #WhentheBloomFallsFromtheRose #barnburner

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Phil’s Faves: Songs, May 24, 2020

Posted on May 27, 2020 by PhilMaq

This is a weekly Top Ten list of what I consider to be the best songs that I listened to the previous week. Most songs will be current, but there are no boundaries. I’ve already stated on this web site that I am obsessed with music. I am constantly hunting it down whether it’s online, on CD, from my personal collection, from a library (Yes, I think the library is a great source of music–especially for music that you aren’t sure about.), TV, or radio. Since most of these sources mostly emphasize new music, the odds are pretty good that most of the songs on this list will be new. But in my search, I don’t use any boundaries for the other sources. I am just looking for good music that I haven’t heard, or happened to forget about. Everyone, including myself, has forgotten way more great music than they can ever remember-even if they are also music fanatics.

Also, there will be no rules concerning songs on this list. A song can show up or drop off a number of times. This will be the most volatile of my lists. It all depends on how much music I am exposed to during the week and what I find interesting. On really obscure stuff, I will try to include the source, if I know it.

Most of the songs heard on this list have been played on my radio show, “Prime Time Theme Attic,” “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

(Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu)

This list forms the basis of my countdown list on the “Top 9 at 9:09” segment of my “Prime Time Theme Attic Show” on mostly alternating weeks, along with my “Phil’s Faves, Albums” lists!

Here’s a link for the complete history of all the Fave Songs:

https://philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-songs/

If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq !

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The Claudettes “decline” the other candidates for this week’s #1 Faves song!
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Top Ten Songs for the Week of May 24, 2020

1. Declined—The Claudettes (High Times in the Dark)
2. Tragedy in A Minor—Skinny Lister (The Devil, The Heart, and The Fight)
3. Blessed Be the Nation—Judy Banker (Single)(Here’s the link for a FREE download of the song: https://judybanker.com/pete-seeger-blessed-be-the-nation-project )
4. Step Right Up—Building Birds (If a Tree Falls…)
5. End of the World—Flamin’ Groovies (Fantastic Plastic)
6. Crazy—The Slackers (Peculiar)
7. The Piper in the Cave/An Ghaoth Aniar Aneas (The South-West Wind)—Altan (The Gap of Dreams) [Hall of Fame]
8. When the Bloom Falls From the Rose—Sarah Jane Scouten (When the Bloom Falls From the Rose)
9. Dirt Roads and Dandelions—Mike Gentry (Mike Gentry)
10.We’ve Got Hate on the Run—Tosha Owens (Detroit Strong Music)(Single)
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Don’t forget to like my Facebook page! Thank you!

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Dirt Roads and Dandelions” by Mike Gentry!!!

Posted on May 26, 2020 by PhilMaq

I have started a new feature: The Most Awesomest Song of the Day! 

Here’s a link to the complete list: https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/

I want to emphasize mostly, relatively newer music, just like on my Monday night show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )

But I can promise this: I will not force my selections. If something doesn’t hit me, I won’t post one.

Everything I do has always been about shining a spotlight on the artist and their music.

Now I will have the potential to shine 365 more spotlights if I want to!

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I don’t like to play songs about seasons until I feel things have changed, so, typically my musical “calendar” is usually a little off.

I want to really feel in my bones that things have changed, and that there’s very little chance of rolling back the seasonal clock.

It may feel more like Summer than Spring right now, so “Dirt Roads and Dandelions by Mike Gentry  is a couple of days late. I was concentrating on my Hall of Fame week. but I do know we’re not getting any more snow!

Mike is a positive thinking singer/songwriter who is a multiple Philby Award winner! His “One Water” song was the Philby Hot Song of 2019!

His self titled album has several other good songs on it, and I have chosen another song to kickoff the warmer weather!

“Dirt Road and Dandelions” has a nice folksy charm that makes you just want to take a stroll in some backwoods before things get colder all too soon!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Dirt Road and Dandelions” by Mike Gentry!!!

This one is definitely late because I would played it once the daffodils started to show up at the station. Since I didn’t see them this year, I’m adding “Some Velvet Morning” by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood as a Bonus song!!!

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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

#themostawesomestsongoftheday #philmaq #MikeGentry #DirtRoadsandDandelions #OneWater

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Legacy of War” by Deane Nesbitt Jr.!!!

Posted on May 25, 2020 by PhilMaq

I have started a new feature: The Most Awesomest Song of the Day! 

Here’s a link to the complete list: https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/

I want to emphasize mostly, relatively newer music, just like on my Monday night show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )

But I can promise this: I will not force my selections. If something doesn’t hit me, I won’t post one.

Everything I do has always been about shining a spotlight on the artist and their music.

Now I will have the potential to shine 365 more spotlights if I want to!

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Several years ago at the station, I ran across an instrumental album with an intriguing title: “Music in Search of a Movie” by Deane Nesbitt Jr.

It turned out to be quite a fortuitous discovery, and he has continued to keep me in the loop for his musical projects!

Deane is a passionate composer who uses music to tap inner feelings in the listener. His attention to detail allows him to paint with a broad anthemic brush or whimsical, intricate themes!

He’s a multiple Philby Award winner, and his 2019 release “Soundtracks in the Sand“ is his most varied yet!

For this Memorial Day, I have chosen a track that can be used for reflection and remembrance, of those who sacrificed so much to keep a “sane world” safe in insane situations, 1.e. war or armed conflicts.

It’s a powerful piece!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Legacy of War” by Deane Nesbitt Jr!!!

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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

#themostawesomestsongoftheday #philmaq #DeaneNesbittJr #SoundtracksintheSand #LegacyofWar #MemorialDay

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One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded: “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer!!!

Posted on May 23, 2020 by PhilMaq

For as long as I’ve been on the radio, and definitely for as long as I’ve been writing a blog, I will occasionally make a reference to a song being “One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded!” (GSER)

I would usually follow that by saying that I would eventually start a category for it, but then never get around to it.

Well, now I’m getting around to it!

It will pretty much follow the pattern of The Most Awesomest Song of the Day.

I’ll select a song to celebrate and then give my thoughts about it. Nothing really brand new here that hasn’t been done before. But since I have a website, I can collect them and lay out what my own greatest songs are.

I have always done two “Semi-Annual Theme Attic Hall of Fame Shows” a year on my Monday night show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )

Even though I always emphasize new music and artists, it’s always fun to take a short drive through the legendary artists, since they influenced those other artists!

But a song doesn’t have to be old or done by a legendary Theme Attic Hall of Fame member to be thus honored.

I can think of several songs that are only a few years old or less that I could identify as One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded.

On days that I spotlight a greatest song, it will take the place of The Most Awesomest Song of the Day.

This will be fun, and hopefully you will join me on my journey…at least sometimes!

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On the anniversary of synthesizer entrepreneur and inventor, Robert Moog’s [Hall of  Fame] birthday, I have decided to pick a song by Donna Summer [Hall of Fame] to demonstrate just how far the instrument and music had evolved, just a few short years after its creation!

Featuring the genius of Giorgio Moroder,  “I Feel Love” was an electronic hit that–except for the voices, was all programmed, synthesized sound!

The song came out on the front side of Disco at a time when FM radio still had the luxury to spread out a bit.

But it was ahead of it’s time, just like Prince’s “When Doves Cry!”

Some parts of the song actually sounds like Kraftwerk!

But outside of the programming, “I Feel Love” is quite simple.

It’s an infectious melody with simple lyrics, sung by one of the Greatest singers of all time, over a pulsating, hypnotic dance beat!

My wife has always liked this song, and she probably thinks she was the one that discovered it between us–and that might be true.

But I have always liked this song!

Ladies and Gentleman!

One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded: “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer!!!

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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

#PhilMaq #OneoftheGreatestSongsEverRecorded #DonnaSummer #GiorgioMoroder #IFeelLove #RobertMoog #synthesizers

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One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded: “The Lonely One” by Duane Eddy!!!

Posted on May 23, 2020 by PhilMaq

For as long as I’ve been on the radio, and definitely for as long as I’ve been writing a blog, I will occasionally make a reference to a song being “One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded!” (GSER)

I would usually follow that by saying that I would eventually start a category for it, but then never get around to it.

Well, now I’m getting around to it!

It will pretty much follow the pattern of The Most Awesomest Song of the Day.

I’ll select a song to celebrate and then give my thoughts about it. Nothing really brand new here that hasn’t been done before. But since I have a website, I can collect them and lay out what my own greatest songs are.

I have always done two “Semi-Annual Theme Attic Hall of Fame Shows” a year on my Monday night show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it returns.)

Here’s the link for when that day comes: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )

Even though I always emphasize new music and artists, it’s always fun to take a short drive through the legendary artists, since they influenced those other artists!

But a song doesn’t have to be old or done by a legendary Theme Attic Hall of Fame member to be thus honored.

I can think of several songs that are only a few years old or less that I could identify as One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded.

On days that I spotlight a greatest song, it will take the place of The Most Awesomest Song of the Day.

This will be fun, and hopefully you will join me on my journey…at least sometimes!

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Here’s a story about one of the few songs that I have played many times on my show!

When I was very young, before I even went to kindergarten, I was easily occupied by trying to listen to all of the music in the house. Considering this was a goal of mine before I even knew what a goal was, I still got into a lot of trouble!

About this time, when my older brothers and sisters were dating, occasionally records that I’d never seen before started showing up as they, uh, shared music.

They were usually 45’s, and since I had this scorched policy of listening to things that I was unfamiliar with, I quickly weaseled my way into getting my hands and ears on them!

I mean, the labels were so colorful, in so many different styles!

And the music was usually better than whatever was in my house!

I couldn’t resist even though I was supposed to leave them alone!

One of the 45’s was an old, worn, yellow label Jamie Records song by Duane Eddy. [Hall of Fame]

I had no idea who he was, but I would later learn he did “Rebel Rouser,” “Ramrod” and a ton of other high quality instrumentals!

But the one I fell in love with was this little tune, “The Lonely One!

It starts and ends with those dreamy, twangy chords!

There’s several starts and stops!

The melody was haunting, and the background singers made it even more so!

There was that ultra cool interplay between the drums and the bongos, including that, every now and then, those singular thunks on one  bongo, which I felt just made the whole song perfect!

PERFECT!!!

Apparently, one of my siblings broke up with whoever owned the record because it disappeared from the house and my life.

Eventually, I got my own copy of “$1,000,000 Worth of Twang,” the album that “The Lonely One” was released on!

Unlike my family member, I never broke up with Duane Eddy!

Ladies and Gentleman, One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded: “The Lonely One” by Duane Eddy!!!

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If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!

#PhilMaq #OneoftheGreatestSongsEverRecorded #DuaneEddy #TheLonelyOne #AMillionDollarsWorthofTwang

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