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.
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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Mavis Staples does more than “get by” as this week’s #1 album! QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Top 10 Albums for the Week of September 13, 2020
1. We Get By—Mavis Staples [Hall of Fame] 2. Prophetstown—The Joedai Warriors 3. Earn Every Scar—The Steve Taylor 3 4. Time Hasn’t Changed You—Altameda 5. The Landing—Katie Pedersen 6. Go On Ahead—Front Porch Lights 7. The Open Sea Before Me—Joanna and The Jaywalkers 8. High Times in the Dark—The Claudettes 9. Garden of Earthly Delights: An XTC Celebration—Various Artists 10.The Ballad of Billy Bob and Other Generic American Folklore—Barker and Broski QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Don’t forget to like my Facebook page!
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.
My radio show, “Prime Time Theme Attic,” is on Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET but is on hiatus because of the pandemic.
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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I find it difficult to write about today’s song because I want to say so much!
Hailing from Southeast Michigan, multiple Philby Award winning artists, The Ragbirds, are one of the best live acts out there today!
Led by the always effervescent Erin Zindle, the band bends many genres into a variety of soundscapes!
From The Ragbirds’ 2018 Philby Album of the Year, “The Threshold and The Hearth,” “Bottomless Heart” kicks off with opening drums and a shuffling Paul Simon inspired world beat, that sets the background for a night of sensuous adult fun!
It’s difficult to sit still!
Erin’s fiddle and expressive vocals guide “Bottomless Heart!”
The song centers on a couple whose relationship is getting boring, and the woman wants to spice things up.
The lyrics are wonderful and detailed!
She tells him:
“Take my pulse darling/
It’s been awhile since I’ve broken a sweat.”
“…I want you to take me out/
Light me up/
Look me over like you can’t get enough/
Charm the flames out of a young girl’s sparks!”
Whew! Those are some incendiary lyrics!
The second verse keeps things interesting with a martini simile:
“Open the window/
Put the needle on the vinyl
When you see things settling down/
Seems so boring, so final/
Now my poor heart’s getting dusty/
Like an old bottle of gin/
So stir me up like a martini/
Come on and drink me in!”
The middle eight has fun with some role playing:
“Let’s pretend that we are strangers/
And let’s meet/
Let’s get lost on the most familiar street/
Let’s get lost!”
When Erin sings the last “lost,” “Bottomless Heart” goes through a few measures that remind me of “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles, when Paul McCartney “went into a dream!”
After a complete break, the song kicks back into the chorus!
One more thing I really love about “Bottomless Heart,” is the ascending phrases of the chorus and the middle eight! They lift the heart and make the song feel lighter than air!
The harmonies with Erin’s brother T.J. Zindle, are tight and beautiful as sibling harmonies should be!
T.J. also does a great job on the guitar with the interplay of Erin’s fiddle!
And finally, listening to a woman who is in control of her sexuality, brings a special strength to “Bottomless Heart!”
I love, love, LOVE this song!
One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded is “Bottomless Heart” by The Ragbirds!!!
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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!
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,” currently on hiatus. (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET)
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:
If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq !
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ Get a clue: Mark Jewett stays on top for a second week!! QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Top Ten Songs for the Week of September 13, 2020
1.Just One Clue—Mark Jewett (Love Has No Heart of Its Own) 2.Bottomless Heart—The Ragbirds (The Threshold and the Hearth) 3.Bluestring—Mick Clarke (Diggin’ Down) 4. The Ride—Dave Solo (December 32) 5. Bad Reputation—Angela Perley and The Howlin’ Moons (Hey Kid) 6.Smartphone—The Bayonets (Crash Boom Bang!) 7.Stir Me Up—Sarah Morris (All Mine) 8. Not About You—Joanna and The Jaywalkers (The Open Sea Before Me) 9. Fire—Harts (Smoke Fire Hope Desire) 10.The Get Up and Go—Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio (Singin’) QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Don’t forget to like my Facebook page! Thank you!
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.)
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!
Please share the post to help spread the word!
Regardless of everything going on in the world that is way more important than my daily post, I will continue, nonetheless, in case someone is looking for a few minutes of respite.
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Today’s song is short…and fast!
“Fire” by Harts, an Australian artist, from an album called “Smoke Fire Hope Desire” is so fast, it’s finished in one minute and 41 seconds!
I think of it as an instrumental even though there is some talking on the track. However, the spoken part kinda lays beneath the frenetic music.
Sounding a lot like Prince on guitar, it’s best for the listener to just hop aboard and hang on for the ride!
The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Fire” by Harts!!!
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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 and by sharing this post!
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.)
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!
Please share the post to help spread the word!
Regardless of everything going on in the world that is way more important than my daily post, I will continue, nonetheless, in case someone is looking for a few minutes of respite.
“Sterling” is full of Biblical songs that put a fresh spin on ancient stories!
The song centers on the relationship between Adam and Eve.
Joanie Leeds is at or near the top for total Philbys, and is a multi faceted artist with a warm, rich voice!
It’s a warm voice, that is, unless she’s playing a snarky, Eve with an attitude!
As the only couple on earth that can’t get along–and I mean only couple because there aren’t any others, Matthew Check is the perfect foil for his partner as Adam!
And Adam is not going to win this argument!
Eve tells him that,
“I labored eighteen hours and birthed us Abel and Cain!
What have you done today?”
And then she digs the knife in deeper with a condescending, “Adam!”
All he can respond with is a weak, “Whoo!”
There are a lot of good lines in “It Ain’t Paradise” and I usually laugh at something when I listen to it!
At the least, it should put a smile on your face!
If you can’t imagine what a toe tappin’ bluegrass song with fiddle, banjo, and tight harmonies sounds like, you have to give it a listen…or two!
The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “It Ain’t Paradise by Joanie and Matt!!!
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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 and by sharing this post!
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.)
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!
Please share the post to help spread the word!
Regardless of everything going on in the world that is way more important than my daily post, I will continue, nonetheless, in case someone is looking for a few minutes of respite.
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Normally my selection of the day is a song that’s been on my player for awhile.
I like to absorb music and let it sink into my body and my brain.
However, I thought it might be fun to pick a first impression song.
I just added “The Way You Do” by Nell and Jim Band from their “Steel” album.
Although it mentions Spring, we’ll overlook that because the playful duet by Nell Robinson and Jim Nunnaly is just too hard to resist!
The earthy accordion and tasty flute solo are like a cool breeze on a hot summer day!
“The Way You Do” made a sweet first impression on me!
The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “The Way You Do” by Nell and Jim Band!!!
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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 and by sharing this post!
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.
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 Steve Taylor 3 battle their way to #1 and “earn every scar” doing it! QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Top 10 Albums for the Week of September 6, 2020
1. Earn Every Scar—The Steve Taylor 3 2. Time Hasn’t Changed You—Altameda 3. We Get By—Mavis Staples [Hall of Fame] 4. The Ballad of Billy Bob and Other Generic American Folklore—Barker and Broski 5. Prophetstown—The Joedai Warriors 6. Toward Home—Ellie Zwart 7. In Time—Rochelle Clark 8. Echoes: Remembering the Music of Tom Petty—Various Artists 9. The 7 Melodies—The Silver Snails 10.The Landing—Katie Pedersen QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Don’t forget to like my Facebook page!
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.)
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!
Please share the post to help spread the word!
Regardless of everything going on in the world that is way more important than my daily post, I will continue, nonetheless, in case someone is looking for a few minutes of respite.
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,” currently on hiatus. (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET)
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:
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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You get “just one clue” to guess who’s this week’#1! Mark Jewett with a lead pipe gets his second #1 Faves Song!! QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Top Ten Songs for the Week of September 6, 2020
1.Just One Clue—Mark Jewett (Love Has No Heart of Its Own) 2.Bottomless Heart—The Ragbirds (The Threshold and the Hearth) 3.Bluestring—Mick Clarke (Diggin’ Down) 4.Smartphone—The Bayonets (Crash Boom Bang!) 5. The Ride—Dave Solo (December 32) 6.Bad Reputation—Angela Perley and The Howlin’ Moons (Hey Kid) 7.Whispers and Moans—Sugar Snow (Woodface Reimagined) 8. Stir Me Up—Sarah Morris (All Mine) 9. The Fall—Goodbye Motel (If) 10.Not About You—Joanna and The Jaywalkers (The Open Sea Before Me) QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Don’t forget to like my Facebook page! Thank you!
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!
My radio show, “Theme Attic,” is on Wednesdays 2PM-4PM ET.
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.
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.
This will be fun, and hopefully you will join me on my journey!
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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Every year I do a Back to School show.
I am always listening to music, and the challenge for an annual show, is to find a good mixture of songs I haven’t played before.
However, there are a few favorite tunes that find their way back on to the playlist.
It’s difficult to resist the rockabilly innocence of a song by one of the early legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll, featuring a teacher from Basin street, that not only teaches standard subjects, but uses music to do it!
