Phil’s Faves: Songs, May 10, 2020

Posted on May 13, 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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Judy Banker gives us a new Pete Seeger song, and a #1 Nation is Blessed!
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Top Ten Songs for the Week of May 10, 2020

1. Blessed Be the Nation—Judy Banker (Single)(Here’s a link for a Free download of the song: https://judybanker.com/pete-seeger-blessed-be-the-nation-project)
2. Cruel World—Billy W. Brandt with The Thing and Stuff Band (Get it Going!)(Seattle Jazz artist)
3. We’ve Got Hate on the Run—Tosha Owens (Detroit Strong Music)(Single)
4. The Piper in the Cave/An Ghaoth Aniar Aneas (The South-West Wind)—Altan (The Gap of Dreams) [Hall of Fame]
5. Declined—The Claudettes (High Times in the Dark)
6. (Don’t) Give Up on Love—Car City (Car City)
7. I Like Your Hair—Kid Gulliver (Spree)
8. Heaven on Earth—Nick Urb with Olivia Millerschin (Until the End of Days)
9. Step Right Up—Building Birds (If a Tree Falls…)
10.Tragedy in A Minor—Skinny Lister (The Devil, The Heart, and The Fight)
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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: “Beautiful” by Karyn Oliver!!!

Posted on May 13, 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 1PM-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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Today’s song is by Karyn Oliver from her 2019 Philby Award winning album, “A List of Names.”

Not only can she write powerful, melodic songs, but she can sing them in a way that can transport you to a celestial world!

She was my pick for “Best Female Vocals of 2019!”

“Beautiful” closes “A List of Names,” and Karyn saves the best for last, on an album full of “bests!”

I would never claim to know what a woman thinks (or anybody else) but I do try to pay attention. I feel this song speaks to all women, telling each and every one of them to never settle for anything, unless it’s what they want–not what someone else wants.

And that they’re Beautiful!

She sings it over and over, because it’s true!

Although it’s directed to empower women and boost self esteem, there are enough universals in the lyrics for anyone to pick up on the image building aspects of the song!

The arrangement is “beautiful,” too, featuring Jon Shain and FJ Ventre (who both make great music as a separate duo!), Doug Hammer, Kaitlin Grady, Jim Roberts, and                    Tom Prasado-Rao.

And as great as the arrangement is, Karyn Oliver‘s incredible vocal takes the song to a level that I’ve rarely ever heard…and enjoyed!

There are a few amazing singers out there that can do astounding vocal acrobatics, but it’s not always enjoyable. I can appreciate the vocals, but I don’t always like them.

Karyn‘s vocals go directly to my soul!

Now I don’t know this as a fact, but I’m pretty sure all of those exotic songbird trills were never written down! They couldn’t be! That is what makes the vocal so unbelievable!

And just as the song appears to be settling into a pattern, Karyn finds another gear and kicks things up even higher!

I finally figured out the best way to describe her vocal: She’s what angels sing along to when they’re warming up to sing!

So, from her soul to yours, The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Beautiful” by Karyn Oliver!!!

Chills, Baby!

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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!

#themostawesomestsongoftheday #philmaq #KarynOliver #Beautiful #AListofNames #Philbys

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day Is “There Is No Way” by Annie Bacon!!!

Posted on May 11, 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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Let’s go local for today.

Well, sorta local.

Singer/songwriter Annie Bacon relocated here from California and has been welcomed into the local music scene.

I’m sure that people that have been to her shows probably didn’t even know that.

Annie joins a growing group of relocated artists to Southeast Michigan that make the state  even richer in talent!

That makes her local to me!

She once told me that she may be a distant relative of Sir Francis Bacon, best known for the Scientific Method.

I’m sure that her ancestral link helps in Annie‘s approach to songwriting.

She is very adept at mining emotional details.

Today’s selection is from her 2019 Philby Award winning album, “Nothing Stays the Same.”

It’s a song that, on the surface, makes you want to dance to its quirky stop and go rhythm, and sing along.

But underneath, the lyrics tell a different story.

So it works on several levels.

I can immediately think of two songs that work that way: “Happy Together” by The Turtles and “Every Breath You Take” by Sting. There are thousands more.

The listener is the one that chooses how deep they want to go.

Call me shallow if you want, but today I choose to dance to The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “There Is No Way” by Annie Bacon + Her Ocean!!! (A Whistlepig Records release–a label with a talented roster and one of the cutest logos!)

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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 #AnnieBacon #NothingStaystheSame #ThereisNoWay

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Mother’s Hands” by Cornell Kinderknecht!!!

Posted on May 10, 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 when I was the Music Director at WHFR for the first time,  I ran across an e-mail from an artist looking for an outlet for his music.

As Music Director, I would say I received hundreds of e-mails every day. Most of them were from promoters. But the ones I liked, and paid attention to the most, were from artists reaching out to have me listen to their music without telling me how many stations were playing it, so the station should be playing it, too.

Cornell Kinderknecht was one of those artists.

I was putting a playlist together for my annual “Suitest Day Show,” and Cornell was offering an impressive instrumental called, “Helicoid: A Suite for Mankind.”

As the cliche says, “Timing Is Everything,” and I played it on my show.

It got quite a response, too!

Since then, Cornell‘s kept me up to date on his musical pieces, and I have played his songs on many of my shows. He is a multiple Philby Award Winner!

There is one song of his that I always play on my “Mother’s Day Show”: “Mother’s Hands,” a Kinderknecht composition from his “Nightfall” album!

It features Cornell on bansuri flute with piano accompaniment.

Even though the song is a tribute to his own mother, the meditative instrumental allows every listener the space to think about their own mother, and those loving hands that guided them in their formative years, and may still be guiding them today-even from afar.

That’s just beautiful!

So Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, and anyone else who live their daily life in the role of a mother–even if you are a mother to a pet!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Mother’s Hands” by Cornell Kinderknecht!!!

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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 #CornellKinderknecht #MothersHands #Nightfall

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Philby 100 Best Albums of 2019

Posted on May 10, 2020 by PhilMaq

Will there ever be a “normal” year again?

With everything that is going on in the world, there have been times where I have actually forgotten about posting this list!

But he official Philby 100 Best Albums of 2019 post is finally ready! .

It was another incredible year for music! I will probably always say that. At least, I hope I can.

Once again, I listened to thousands of albums-(possibly the most ever!), somewhere in the vicinity of 3500-4000 albums. And I had to trim several hundred of them to keep the list at 100!

And that’s only first listens.

I’ve probably listened to everything on my list at least ten times each on average!

One of these years, probably 2020, that figure will go down, or at the least, level off. But I keep trying to find new ways to listen to music!

I’ve also given some thought as to how many albums are in my “album pool” for selection. Since I actually listen to albums over a sliding year calendar (this year’s choices are 2016-2019), the total albums in my ‘pool” that I consider for Philbys, should actually be compounded! 

In other words, these are my 100 choices out of, conservatively, 10,000-12,000 albums! (4 years x 2500-3000 albums per year!)

I always think of diamonds when I try to compare these works of art.

Each album, like a diamond, has its own unique brilliance. I think of a song on an album, as being similar to a facet of a diamond. It has to be held at the correct angle to reflect the most light. Just like a song!

So without even further delay, these are the PHILBY 100 BEST ALBUM WINNERS for 2019!

Just remember that even at album 100, there are truly tens of thousands of albums on the other side of that number.

Each one is an artistic work of art, no matter what the genre is. The musicians were artists at the top of their game! Hope you find something you enjoy!

Philby 100 Best Albums of 2019

1. Hammered—J.C. And The Disciples [Best Album][Best Rock Album][Best Themed Album] [Best Album Pink Floyd Wished They’d Made][Best Album Cover][Best Horns][Best Bagpipes]


2. When They Fall—Annie and Rod Capps [Best Americana Album][Best Album By a Duo or Group][Best All Genre Album]


3. 4:30—Angela Perley [Best Country/Rock Album]
4. Riverside—Billy Brandt and The Sugaree’s [Best Folk/Rock Album]
5. …And the Horse He Rode in On—Phil Lee [Best Outlaw Album by a Real Outlaw]
6. A List of Names—Karyn Oliver [Best Singer/Songwriter Album][Best Female Vocals]
7. Egypt Station—Paul McCartney [Best Pop/Rock Album][Best Wings/Beatles Album]
8. Southland—Lindsay Lou [Best Solo Album]
9. Hellfire—Kenny Parker [Best Blues Album][Best Slide Guitar: Jim McCarty]
10. Gotcha Covered: The Songs of Johnny Williams—Various Artists [Best Various Artists Folk Album][Best Tribute Album]
11. Please Don’t Tell Me How to Dance—Cindy Ruenes [Best Lyrics]
12. When My Baby Comes Around—Rod Johnson [Best Rock/Pop Album]
13. We Carry On—The Wag [Best Pop Album]
14. It’s About Time—Jen Sygit [Best Song Arrangements]
15. So It Goes—The Joedai Warriors [Best Record Setting 3rd Album on a Philby List]
16. The Lonesome Side of Town—Ed Dupas [Best Male Singer/Songwriter Album]
17. Where Dreamers Only Go Soundtrack—Michael on Fire [Best Soundtrack Album][Best Retrospective Album] 
18. Upside Down—The Rallies [Best Power Pop Album]
19. In the Night—May Erlewine and The Motivations [Best Blue-Eyed Soul Album][Best EP]
20. Woodface Reimagined—Sugar Snow [Best Covers Album][Best Original Artwork Cover]
21. 1000 Hands—Jon Anderson [Best Prog/Rock Album][Best All Star Cast][Best Violin: Jean-Luc Ponty][Best Keyboards: Chick Corea][Best Flute: Ian Anderson]
22. ShwizZ II—ShwizZ [Best Fusion Album][Best Drums: Andy Boxer]
23. No Control—Suzi Quatro [Best Classic Rock Album][Best Bass]
24. Hold On With All Your Might—T.J. Zindle [Best Indie Rock Album][Best Guitar]
25. I Can’t Be the One You Want Me To Be—Jillian Rae [Best Alternative Album] [Best Fiddle]
26. Sterling—Joanie and Matt [Best Album About the Old Testament]
27. Ordinary Things—Sarah Morris [Best Country/Folk Album]
28. Better Than Gold—Erica Blinn
29. Nothing Stays the Same—Annie Bacon + Her Oshen
30. December 32nd—Dave Solo [Best Album Title][Best Solo Album by Someone Named “Solo”]
31. This Broken Play—The Dirk Kroll Band
32. Wake Me When the Wind Dies Down—Vicky Emerson [Best Real Country Album]
33. Standard Deviation—Danny Schmidt
34. Radiant—Wild Ponies
35. Sounds Like Love—Bill Edwards [Best DIY Album]
36. Clouds Thick, Whereabouts Unknown—The Joedai Warriors
37. The Story Is…—Skinny Lister [Best Irish Punk Album]
38. Donny Brown—Donny Brown [Best “Last Second” Album]
39. Sweet Love—Matthew French
40. Eggtones for Peace—Seth Bernard [Best Album About Peace]
41. Iterations—Mental Health Day [Best Album About Health]
42. Sugar Town—Randy Tessier
43. Third Eye—Bill Grogan’s Goat [Best Celtic Album]
44. Tales From Earth Incorporated—Dan Sheehan [Best Political Subject Album]
45. Ordinary Band—Katie Dahl
46. Let the Fire Burn Strong—Sam Corbin [Best Male Vocals]
47. Heaven to Me—Jay Stielstra
48. You and Me and The Sun—Annie Fitzgerald
49. Guided Meditation—Hurry
50. The Pennock/Stephens Project—The Pennock/Stephens Project
51. Rebooted—The Forty Nineteens [Best Garage Rock]
52. Blue Yodel—Hoodang
53. Soundtracks in the Sand—Deane Nesbitt, Jr. [Best Instrumental Album][Best World Album][Best String Arrangements]
54. City Noir—Billy Brandt (Seattle JAZZ Artist) [Best Jazz Vocal Album]
55. Driving Friend—Johnny Irion
56. Circus on Fire—The Blueflowers [Best Goth Album]
57. Three Miles From Avalon—Davy Knowles [Best Blues/Rock Album] 
58. The Devil, The Heart, and The Fight—Skinny Lister
59. Kingfish—Christone Kingfish Ingram
60. Magic Music—Magic Music [Best Hippie Album]
61. Trust Your Instincts—Nick Piunti
62. Only Human—The Cordial Sins
63. Rose of My Heart—Dirt Road Sweetheart [Best Bluegrass Album]
64. Give It Away Again—M.J. Bishop
65. Rifles and Rosary Beads—Mary Gauthier
66. A Night at The Delphi Opera House—Lee Anna Atwell, Allison Edberg Nyquist, Linda Hicks, Joe Peters [Best Live Album]
67. Here Everywhere—Mike Galbraith
68. Jackpot!—Vegas Strip Kings [Best Roots Album]
69. Tough As Love—Lindsay Beaver
70. Easy As Pie—Dave Boutette and Kristi Lynn Davis
71. Phantasmagoria—The Breakfast [Best Jam Band Album]
72. Whistleblower—Luti
73. Paradox—Diana Chittester
74. Eclectic—John Ford Coley
75. Until Tomorrow Gets in the Way—Latvian Radio
76. Afterthought—Carilyn Striho [Best Accordion: Erin Zindle]
77. Last Import—Last Import
78. The View From Here—Sharon Tse
79. Detroit Pleasure Society—Detroit Pleasure Society [Best Vintage Jazz Album]
80. For the Ride Home—Mike Rocket
81. Community Aspire—Scott Baker
82. Dudee Free—Big Dudee Roo
83. Momma Liked to Fish—Kathy Wieland
84. Traveling Circus—No Fuss and Feathers
85. Little Bit of Love—The Loving Mary Band [Best Country Album]
86. Spree—Kid Gulliver
87. We Wonder—Mike Ward [Best Folk Album]
88. When You Go—Tiffany Williams
89. Hush Now: Lullabies For Sleepy People—Liz Beebee [Best Kindie Album]
90. Daydream Hawker—Go Fever
91. A World That’s Bigger—Mike Vial
92. Cut Loose, Vol.1—Mick Clarke
93. Songs and Images—Gary Browe
94. Once More With Feeling—The Hackwells
95. Troubled With the Earth—Nick Juno [Best Folk Punk Album]
96. Broken Soul—Dirty Mind Detroit
97. Good Bad Love—Telamor
98. Belle of the West—Samantha Fish
99. Traverse the Universe—Miss Sophie Lee and The Parish Suites [Best Vocal Swing Album]
100.Cubicle Zombie—Weather McNabb
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I do a weekly radio show, “Prime Time Theme Attic.” (Monday nights 8PM-10PM ET when it’s not on hiatus.)

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

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 Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Let Go” by Angela Perley!!!

Posted on May 9, 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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If I started a list of Best Artists of the 21st Century, Angela Perley would be near the top!

She might even be on top!

I have traveled many times to Ohio to catch her live!

She is a multiple Philby Award winner, including my “Philby Song of the Year of 2016” for “White Doves!!!

Along with guitar slinger Chris Connor, the two have put out a catalog of rockin’ tunes with catchy melodies!

Angela‘s latest album, “4:30” (#3 on the soon to be published “Philby 100 Best Albums of 2019” list), blends an evolving mixture of rockers and ballads!

She has the soul of an old hippie (that’s a compliment of highest regards), and showcases the talents of Dawn Aquarius to animate her video of “Let Go” from “4:30!”

Dawn‘s artwork would have fit in quite nicely in Detroit and San Francisco of the 60’s around The Grande Ballroom and The Fillmore! It’s very colorful, trippy and psychedelicized!

I am happy to announce The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Let Go” by Angela Perley!!!

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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 #AngelaPerley #ChrisConnor #LetGo #4:30 #WhiteDoves #DawnAquarius

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “No Words” by Wings!!! (Denny Laine)

Posted on May 9, 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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It was one year ago today, that I met a musical hero of mine. He played on, and wrote some of the greatest music of all time–guitarist Denny Laine [Hall of Fame]!

The adventure started a couple of weeks earlier, April 24,  when I was lucky enough to interview him on my morning “Theme Attic” show.

Denny was coming into town for a show at The Magic Bag to play the complete “Band on the Run” album, as well as some early songs by The Moody Blues.

It was a fun 45 minute interview! He had just been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was open to talking about anything including former band mates Ginger Baker and Paul McCartney [Hall of Fame].

Fast forward a couple of weeks later, Denny remembered me from the interview and asked me to introduce the band for his show!

Now, I’m smart enough to know that no one remembers the person who introduces the artist at a show.

But I do!

It was a great show and the band played everything including the strangely weird to hear live, “Picasso’s Last Words,” maracas and all!

Here’s one of my favorites from “Band on the Run,”–a very underrated song that Denny  said he pretty much wrote 90% of!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “No Words” by Wings with Denny Laine!!! [Hall of Fame]

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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 #DennyLaine #BandontheRun

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Love Won’t Stay Close” by Carolyn Striho!!!

Posted on May 7, 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 2PM-4PM!

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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Let’s go local for a fun song!

Today’s choice is a fun rockin’ tune by Carolyn Striho from her “Afterthought” album!

It features a sax hook that doesn’t quit!

There’s also a cool wah-wah guitar solo!

And it makes you wanna dance!

‘Nuff said!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Love Wont Stay Close” by Carolyn Striho!!!

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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 #CarolynStriho #LoveWon’tStayClose #Afterthought

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Phil’s Faves: Albums, May 3, 2020

Posted on May 7, 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,” (Mondays, 8P-10P ET) on mostly alternating weeks, along with my “Phil’s Faves, Songs” lists!

Here’s a link:

https://whfr.fm/streamer/

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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Wild Ponies are “radiant” as this week’s #1!
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Top 10 Albums for the Week of May 3, 2020

1. Radiant—Wild Ponies
2. Scarecrow—Linden Thoburn
3. All Mine—Sarah Morris
4. Lost on the Range—The Whiskey Charmers
5. Buffalo Motel—Judy Banker
6. Heaven to Me—Jay Stielstra
7. ShwizZ II—ShwizZ
8. Eggtones for Peace—Seth Bernard
9. December 32nd—Dave Solo
10.Whistleblower—Luti
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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day : “Blue Mountains of Mexico” by Jennifer Warnes (Ian Tyson)!!!

Posted on May 6, 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 was going to include this song in yesterday’s Mexican themed post, but it is so wonderful, I wanted to give it the recognition it deserves!

This is one of a handful of songs that I have played several times that hasn’t shown up on my weekly Faves Songs list!

I think it’s one of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded (GSER) and Greatest Song Ever Written!!!

Jennifer Warnes has had several hits and groundbreaking albums for many years!

I ran across this song a couple of years ago, when a various artists collection came out called, “40 Years of Stony Plain Records“–an excellent label and 3 CD compilation!

The song actually came from a different tribute compilation, “It’s a Gift”  featuring the songs of the great singer/songwriter Ian Tyson, possibly best known for “Four Strong Winds!”

Today’s selection is “Blue Mountains of Mexico” by Jennifer Warnes!!!

It’s a Western themed bittersweet love song about memories triggered by a postcard.

The song contains some of the most poetic lyrics about time and money.

I’ve always told my children that when you have time, you don’t usually have money, and vice versa. It is truly the lucky person who has both at the same time.

Ian Tyson puts it this way:

“Time like money just disappears./

No one knows where it goes./

We spend it so recklessly/

When we’ve got nothing but time.”  

That is Hall of Fame writing!

The song features nice Spanish guitar, a beautiful melody, and nice interaction between the accordion and the magnificent string arrangement!

On top of all of that is Jennifer Warnes‘ yearning vocal!

There appears to be some confusion about the geography of the song and where the “blue mountains” are.

It references the “Sangre de Cristo Mountains” which are located in Southwestern Colorado. That’s a long way from Mexico, and no one can see any Mexican mountains from there.

However, there was a time in North American history when the northern border of Mexico happened to be southern Colorado. (I tried to include a map to show this, but couldn’t figure out how to do it. You’ll have to check it out yourself.)

So the “Blue Mountains of Mexico” were, at one time, a lot closer than you think.

I really don’t know if that’s what Ian Tyson was thinking about when he wrote the song, but it’s one explanation and at least you can quit thinking about that when you listen to it.

So, we’ve waited long enough! Let’s get to it!

The Awesomest Song of the Day is “Blue Mountains of Mexico” by Jennifer Warnes!!! (An Ian Tyson song!!!)

Here’s a bonus song: The original version of “Blue Mountains of Mexico” by Ian Tyson!!!

It’s from his “Lost Herd” album.

The versions are slightly different, so you might enjoy checking them out!

Either way, you get to hear a wonderful song again and this one has Ian Tyson‘s strong, clear vocal!!!

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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 #bluemountainsofMexico #JenniferWarnes #IanTyson #StonyPlainRecords

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