The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Me Time” by Grant Maloy Smith!!!

Posted on September 7, 2020 by PhilMaq

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!

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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This is another selection that is self explanatory!

Philby Award winning singer/songwriter, Grant Maloy Smith, put out an incredible album with slice of life Americana songs, called, “Dust Bowl!”  The songs captured real life historic situations from the tragic Plains era history.

However, there is one joyously happy song on the album!

Anybody who works for a living automatically knows what it is like to NOT have to go in to work.

Since working schedules vary in the labor market, an employee may not always get a weekend off. But whatever day or days you get off, is your downtime.

Grant brings that feeling to life in “Me Time,” where the fiddles dance and everything’s fine for awhile!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Me Time” by Grant Maloy Smith!!!

https://youtu.be/MxF-XHav8aY

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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!

#GrantMaloySmith #MeTime #DustBowl #PhilMaq #TheMostAwesomestSongoftheDay

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One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded: “Workin’ For a Livin'” by Huey Lewis and The News!!!

Posted on September 5, 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!

My radio show, “Theme Attic,”  is on Wednesdays 2PM-4PM ET.

The show can be heard on WHFR 89.3 FM in the Dearborn-Detroit area of Michigan, or it can be streamed with this link: https://www.whfr.fm/streamer/!

The Greatest Songs 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.

Here’s a link to have a look at “The Greatest Songs Ever Recorded”: https://philmaq.com/the-greatest-songs-ever-recorded/! Occasionally, an “awesome song” crosses over to become a “Greatest Song!”

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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Some songs don’t need a lengthy description!

If Labor Day Weekend ever needed an anthem, “Workin’ for a Livin” by Huey Lewis and The News off of their “Picture This” album, would be near the top of the list, if not the outright #1 choice!

“Workin'” is a tight, hard drivin’ blues rocker that was pretty much where the band was at the time. They were striving to get their big break, but hadn’t been very successful. However, all of that effort was building up a  performance street cred that they could hang with anyone live!

Huey‘s rough vocal and smokin’ harp solo are the perfect fit for a song that salutes as many trades as they could fit in–including a shout out to the often neglected “ladies of the night!” 😉

This song is always a staple on my Labor Day Show!

The video is a pleasant flashback, too! The band looks like it truly was their “salad days” by how skinny they were!

One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded is “Workin’ for a Livin'” by Huey Lewis and The News!!!

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I have plenty of other musical areas to explore:

Here’s a link for my weekly list of Fave Songs:

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

Here’s a link for my weekly Fave Album lists:
philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-albums

My somewhat unusual Hall of Fame can be explored here: https://philmaq.com/hall-of-fame/!

Lastly, but most importantly, is my Philby Awards link! A Philby is my annual award for outstanding musical achievement! https://philmaq.com/philbys/!

 

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

#WorkinForaLivin #HueyLewisandTheNews #PictureThis #LaborDayMusic #PhilMaq #OneoftheGreatestSongsEverRecorded #GSER

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: ‘The Ride” by Dave Solo!!!

Posted on September 5, 2020 by PhilMaq

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!

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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How ’bout some Friday Music Fun?

It’s the last Summer Holiday of the year,  the weather looks like it will mostly cooperate, so it might be time to take the bike out for a ride!

Philby Award winner Dave Solo, has the perfect cycle song, “The Ride” from his “December 32nd,” album because, well, it’s about him riding his bike!

But it’s more than that because Dave is thinking about the time he might not be able to ride anymore. He intends to savor every moment of the ones he has left!

“The Ride” sounds like something you might find as a bonus track on a re release by The Who!

Dave is assisted by some great Donn Deniston drumming that keeps things rock ‘n’ rollin, and some Mike Gentry guitar magic as he steps up his role as a participating producer!

The song is also currently on my weekly Faves List!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “The Ride” by Dave Solo!!!

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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!

#DaveSolo #TheRide #December32nd #FridayMusicFun  #Donn Deniston #MikeGentry #PhilMaq #TheMostAwesomestSongoftheDay

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Phil’s Faves: Albums, August 30, 2020

Posted on September 4, 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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Altameda and #1 hasn’t changed for a second week!!
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Top 10 Albums for the Week of August 30, 2020

1. Time Hasn’t Changed You—Altameda
2. Earn Every Scar—The Steve Taylor 3
3. In Time—Rochelle Clark
4. The Ballad of Billy Bob and Other Generic American Folklore—Barker and Broski
5. Echoes: Remembering the Music of Tom Petty—Various Artists
6. We Get By—Mavis Staples [Hall of Fame]
7. Prophetstown—The Joedai Warriors
8. Toward Home—Ellie Zwart
9. In Memory—The Cordial Sins
10.Lovely—The Transparent Tones
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Don’t forget to like my Facebook page!

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Follow the Moon” by Vicky Emerson!!!

Posted on September 3, 2020 by PhilMaq

I have a feature to recognize a slice of good music: 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 weekly “Theme Attic” show, Wednesdays, from 12PM-4PM ET!

The show can be heard on WHFR 89.3 FM in the Dearborn-Detroit area of Michigan, or it can be streamed with this link: https://www.whfr.fm/streamer/!

If you’d like to know what I think are even better than the awesome songs, have a look at “The Greatest Songs Ever Recorded”:https://philmaq.com/the-greatest-songs-ever-recorded/! Occasionally, an “awesome song” crosses over to become a “Greatest Song!”

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 had to pick “Follow the Moon” as one of my “Moon Tunes!”

It’s so happy!

Vicky Wallace has plenty of good songs to choose from on her Philby Award winning album, “Wake Me When the Wind Dies Down.” 

In fact, this is the second pick from the album for The Most Awesomest Song of the Day!

The two songs demonstrate the depth of her talent since one is a weeper and today’s a flat out toe tapper!

Sounding like a song that a young person might sing to themselves walking home from their friend’s house, “Follow the Moon’s” lyrics contain a relationship between the singer and the heavenly sphere!

The moon gets rid of the shadows and gives her a light to follow!

It’s a great bluegrass arrangement with hot fiddle and dobro, catchy melody, and nice harmonies!

It’s a very sweet song!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Follow the Moon” by Vicky Wallace!!!

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I have plenty of other musical areas to explore:

Here’s a link for my weekly list of Fave Songs:

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

Here’s a link for my weekly Fave Album lists:
philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-albums

My somewhat unusual Hall of Fame can be explored here: https://philmaq.com/hall-of-fame/!

Lastly, but most importantly, is my Philby Awards link! A Philby is my annual award for outstanding musical achievement! https://philmaq.com/philbys/!

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!

#VickyEmerson #FollowtheMoon #WakeMeWhentheWindDiesDown #MoonTunes #FullMoonTunes  #PhilMaq #TheMostAwesomestSongoftheDay

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Phil’s Faves: Songs, August 30, 2020

Posted on September 2, 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,” currently on hiatus. (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET)

(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 Bayonets “smartly” stay on top for another week!!
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Top Ten Songs for the Week of August 30, 2020

1. Smartphone—The Bayonets (Crash Boom Bang!)
2. Bottomless Heart—The Ragbirds (The Threshold and the Hearth)
3. Just One Clue—Mark Jewett (Love Has No Heart of Its Own)
4. Bluestring—Mick Clarke (Diggin’ Down)
5. The Ride—Dave Solo (December 32nd)
6. Whispers and Moans—Sugar Snow (Woodface Reimagined)
7. Bad Reputation—Angela Perley and The Howlin’ Moons (Hey Kid)
8. The Fall—Goodbye Motel (If)
9. Stir Me Up—Sarah Morris (All Mine)
10.Same Old 45—Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles (Silver City)
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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: “Last Days” by Amy Soucy!!!

Posted on September 2, 2020 by PhilMaq

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!

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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I love Amy Soucy‘s voice!

It’s clear, vibrant, and powerful!

Today’s pick, “Last Days,” is from her Philby Award winning album, “This River!”

It’s a song that wasn’t written about the pandemic, but the lyrics certainly apply.

Are these our “last days?”

I don’t yet think so, but she lays it out that “we could be children in the garden!” 

The world has so much to offer and we could all enjoy it, if we all got along and didn’t waste resources on things like war.

And then Amy questions our legacy to following generations: What will we leave them?

I actually know people who have told me that they don’t care about what kind of world will be left because they don’t have kids and they’re not going to be here.

What a selfish attitude and a waste of heavenly gifts, as they attend church weekly!

We are all connected to each other in various ways whether we want to admit it or not.

But back to the song.

The song has big folky chords that can be strummed strongly and sung loudly!

Good melody. Nice arrangement. It has a message…and there’s that voice!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Last Days” by Amy Soucy!!!

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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!

#AmySoucy  #LastDays #ThisRiver #PhilMaq #TheMostAwesomestSongoftheDay

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “You Better Stop” by Will Ludford!!!

Posted on September 1, 2020 by PhilMaq

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!

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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Rocker Will Ludford has swapped guitar licks with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and George Harrison!

Having said that, it’s nice to know that he’s still out there making new music!

Will‘s latest album is called “Addicted,” and today’s selection is “You Better Stop.”

The uneven rhythm keeps things in motion, like trying to get your footing on a boat that’s hitting some rogue waves! It’s a perfect simile for the relationship in the song!

Keyboards sound great, and there’s a tight guitar solo, too!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “You Better Stop” by Will Ludford!!!

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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!

#WillLudford #YouBetterStop #Addicted  #PhilMaq #TheMostAwesomestSongoftheDay

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Ordinary August Day” by No Fuss and Feathers!!!

Posted on August 30, 2020 by PhilMaq

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!

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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Here’s another Sunday song!

Here’s another August song!

Through most of my formative years, there were a lot of Sunday family gatherings.

The family was large and there was plenty of time to play catch, baseball, horseshoes, or talk!

The music was often supplied by some annoying staticky out of range Polish radio station that was forced upon us by one of my now deceased brothers.

Yeah, I’d go back there in a second!

“Ordinary August Day” by Philby Award winners No Fuss and Feathers from their “Traveling Circus” album nails that slower paced afternoon feeling with the relatives!

Beautiful leads and harmonies by Karyn Oliver, Carolann Solebello, Catherine Mills, and Jay Mafale make the Sunday sound even better!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Ordinary August Day” by No Fuss and Feathers!!!

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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!

#OrdinaryAugustDay #NoFussandFeathers #TravelingCircus #PhilMaq #TheMostAwesomestSongoftheDay

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Guns of August” by Tom Alter!!!

Posted on August 30, 2020 by PhilMaq

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!

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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When I had an insatiable appetite for reading books, I recall “Guns of August” as a book written by Barbara Tuchman about the start of World War I.

The War of the Roses is an historical era of civil unrest in British history that lasted thirty years.

Local singer/songwriter Tom Alter references both terms to describe a volatile relationship.

“Guns of August,” is a song from “Wading in the Lesser Middle,”an album released earlier in the year.

It’s catchy and mid tempo, so it doesn’t seem to convey what’s lying underneath the surface–just like what relationships sometimes are.

“Guns” also talks about a truce and a possible peace in September, so there’s still hope.

I like to think the couple works things out!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Guns of August” by Tom Alter!!!

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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!

#TomAlter #GunsofAugust  #WadingintheLesserMiddle #PhilMaq #TheMostAwesomestSongoftheDay

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