Phil’s Faves: Albums, April 26, 2020

Posted on May 1, 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.

Most of the songs heard on this list have been played on my radio show, “Prime Time Theme Attic,” heard Mondays, 8PM-10PM ET! (Temporarily on hiatus. Here’s a link for when it returns: http://rdo.fm/r/4qntu )

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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Judy Banker rebounds to spend another week at the #1 “Buffalo Motel!!”
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Top 10 Albums for the Week of April 26, 2020

1. Buffalo Motel—Judy Banker
2. Radiant—Wild Ponies
3. All Mine—Sarah Morris
4. Scarecrow—Linden Thoburn
5. Lost on the Range—The Whiskey Charmers
6. Whistleblower—Luti
7. Little Bit of Love—The Loving Mary Band
8. Driving Friend—Johnny Irion
9. Heaven to Me—Jay Stielstra
10.We Wonder—Mike Ward
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Don’t forget to like my Facebook page!

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “If I” by Tracy Kash!!!

Posted on May 1, 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 music selection is, in three words, “Pure Pop Perfection!”

In fact, I’m even going to say it doesn’t get any better than this!

Detroit is truly lucky that singer/songwriter Tracy Kash has selected our city for her home!

She excels at many musical styles, from jazz to pop. And she does so on keyboards, flute, and her voice!

In fact, she’s so good at flute, (and I love this story!) Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull [Hall of Fame]–a pretty good player himself (ha, ha!), had Tracy join him onstage for a duet when he came to town in 2003!

Tracy Kash reminds me of Carole King or Laura Nyro [Hall of Fame]!

She absolutely sounds like Carole King on today’s song from her most recent album, “Fierce!”

The song sounds and smells like it was conceived in “The Brill Building” (where many great hits from the 50’s and 60’s were written), with Neil Sedaka working on “Calendar Girl” in the room next door!

It has a playful Latin rhythm with a very tasty guitar solo!

I can imagine the backup singers–3 of them, standing around a single mike wearing taffeta dresses, or whatever it was they wore back then!

The lyrics highlight a hopeful encounter for romance!

The song is as catchy a bug getting stuck to a No-Pest strip on a hot sultry night!

It lifts my heart!

I’ve said enough!

I’m running out of exclamation points!

Check it out yourself!

I am excited to announce that The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “If I” by Tracy Kash!!!

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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 #tracykash #ifi #fierce #jethrotull #caroleking #lauranyro

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Phil’s Faves: Songs, April 26, 2020

Posted on April 30, 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,” heard Mondays, 8PM-10PM ET! (Temporarily on hiatus. Here’s a link for when it returns: 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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Tosha Owens gets hate and everything else on the run for her fourth straight #1 Faves song!!!!
This is also the third straight #1 Faves song for Keith Laurin and Detroit Strong Music!!!
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Top Ten Songs for the Week of April 26, 2020

1. We’ve Got Hate on the Run—Tosha Owens (Detroit Strong)(Single)
2. I Like Your Hair—Kid Gulliver (Spree)
3. Blessed Be the Nation—Judy Banker (Single)
4. One Way—The Rallies (Serve)
5. Cruel World—Billy W. Brandt with The Thing and Stuff Band (Get it Going)(Seattle Jazz artist)
6. The Piper in the Cave/An Ghaoth Aniar Aneas (The South-West Wind)—Altan (The Gap of Dreams) [Hall of Fame]
7. Love Isn’t Fair—Suzi Quatro (No Control)
8. Patient Man—Where’s Keith (Living on Mars)
9. Declined—The Claudettes (High Times in the Dark)
10.Soldier of Love—Ben Reel (Land of Escape)
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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: “The River of Thought” by Heather Pierson!!!

Posted on April 29, 2020 by PhilMaq

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

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 think Heather Pierson is one of the greatest musicians I have ever seen in my life!

How’s that for an opening statement?

She plays tenor banjo, guitar, and keyboards, and she plays those so well, that you might forget about her other instrument–her voice!

Heather has just released a brand new album entitled “Be Here Now: Songs Inspired By and Offered for Meditation.”

And while she is incredibly gifted on the instruments in her repertoire, she actually leaves those behind for this album, and uses only her voice.

What???!!!

Well, Heather likes to create and perform music in various styles. She also likes to investigate what a layered single voice can do!

Miscellaneous but tasteful percussion are the only other sounds on “Be Here Now.”

In these unusual times where everything seems like a Science Fiction movie, Heather Pierson has delivered an album to the world that can calm the soul and relieve anxiety–if only for a little while.

I would recommend listening to the album in short sections, or a song a day for meditating. The songs themselves are melodic and take on their own personalities.

Some even sound like church hymns!

And when a voice is the only instrument you’re listening to, you realize just how beautiful hers is!

I am calmly announcing that The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “The River of Thought” by Heather Pierson!!!

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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 #heatherpierson #theriverofthought #beherenow

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “In Honor of the Essential Worker” by Nick Small, Robin Horlock, and Detroit Strong!!!

Posted on April 28, 2020 by PhilMaq

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

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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In today’s world, every day may have a life and death encounter.

Most of consciously try to minimize that possibility.

However, there are workers who don’t have that option. Their encounter odds go up, but they continue to do their jobs to help someone that they don’t even know, and indirectly keep our society together.

Keith Laurin, through his Detroit Strong Music group, has written and recorded another song that celebrates the goodness of our community.

Nick Small  gives us all a voice to thank all essential workers!

Robin Horlock accompanies him on guitar.

I think that’s songwriter Keith Laurin making a cameo at 2:42 toasting everyone!

Detroit has had some nice salutes to Frontline workers, but there are many more working in lower profile positions. I’m sure there’s more than any one of us could think of!

Detroit isn’t New York where health workers can hear us applaud for them.

Detroit isn’t Italy where we have tried to replicate a daily spontaneous porch singing event for songs no one wants to sing.

This is a song of gratitude that can be used around the world!

I am proud to announce The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “In Honor of the Essential Worker” by Nick Small, Robin Horlock, and Detroit Strong Music!!!

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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

 

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Unnamed King” by ShwizZ!!!

Posted on April 27, 2020 by PhilMaq

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

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 you’ve been paying any attention to me or my Most Awesomest Songs, you would know by now that I pretty much like the complete musical spectrum!

Today’s choice will fill in a lot of categories.

The multi genre band ShwizZ mixes prog/rock, fusion, metal, funk, and many more styles together–usually within the same song!

They hold the Philby record for the longest “Hot Song” that clocks in at over 13 minutes, as well as several other Philby Awards!

Andy Boxer is one of the best drummers I have ever seen!

Ryan Liatsis is one of the best guitarists I’ve ever seen!

Throw in John Ferrara of the band Consider the Source, another multi genre Philby Award winning band, and you have the lineup for ShwizZ‘s brand new song “Unnamed King!”

Expect some “Big Things” from the band, their upcoming album in June!

The best was to describe ShwizZ is just to listen to them!

I am totally honored that I was chosen to debut their new song!!!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Unnamed King” by ShwizZ!!!

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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 #shwizz #unnamedking #considerthesource #bigthings

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Starcrossed Losers” by The Fratellis!!!

Posted on April 26, 2020 by PhilMaq

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

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 we celebrate “Willy the Shake,” as Joni Mitchell referenced him!

He’s Shakespeare to the rest of us.

I thought today was his birthday. Turns out his baptism anniversary date is today. His actual birthday is April 23, 1564.

Close enough!

I have chosen a song by The Fratellis, a rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, from their  “In Your Own Sweet Time” album.

The song features Shakespeare’s tragic characters Romeo and Juliet.

When this song comes up on my player, I will often play it several times in a row.

It has a catchy melody, but the string arrangement is crazy!

For the longest time, when I glanced at my player, I thought the song title was “Starcrossed Lovers” because of the subject matter.

I was shocked! Shocked I tells ya, to find out the actual title of this selection!

The Most Awesomest Song of the Day Is “Starcrossed Losers” by The Fratellis!!!

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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 #thefratellis #starcrossedlosers #inyourowntime

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Cruel World” by Seattle Jazz Artist Billy Brandt with The Thing and Stuff Band!!! the

Posted on April 25, 2020 by PhilMaq

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

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 I would like to shine a spotlight on one of my current Faves songs because I think it deserves it!

I feel that this song may not be getting the listens it deserves because its title sounds like it’s a negative song.

Not true.

One of the reasons I mentioned why I started “The Most Awesomest Song of the Day” category, was because some of the lyrics in the songs that I listen to seem to be taking on different meanings in the world situation today.

“Cruel World” by multiple Seattle Jazz artist, Billy Brandt, from his “Get It Going” album, is one of those songs.

It starts talking about how tough the world is, but then switches to a positive message:

“In this cruel world/You can’t avoid the hurt/

In this cruel world/You are the flower or the dirt/  

But there’s Love/Above and below/

And it’s Love/That makes that flower grow” 

Billy always keeps “Love” and the “children” in mind because it will be their world soon enough so they need to be taught which is more important!

And he does all of this against a funky/jazz beat with insanely incredible sax solos!

Nice keyboards, too!

I am happy to announce The Most Awesomest Song of the Day is “Cruel World” by Seattle Jazz Artist Billy Brandt with The Thing and Stuff 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!

 

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The Most Awesomest Songs of the Day!!!

Posted on April 25, 2020 by PhilMaq

 

The Most Awesomest Songs of the Day

I am assessing my latest endeavor, “The Most Awesomest Song of the Day!”

Up to this point, I have posted 10 entries.

The songs range from garage rock, to ska, to americana, to emotional meditative pieces, to  jazz flavored funk, to classical flavored R&B, and to rock variations and more.

The songs also range from just released, to a couple of years old, to a re-release, and to an old classic.

Some make me cry, some make me wanna dance and/or turn the volume up.

Sounds like things are going as I hoped they would!

These selections are different and separate from both my Faves lists and The Philbys, although some of them may end up on those lists.

What I did feel the songs should be singled out for, was its own Awesomest page so that they can be collected for easy reference so they can be explored and listened to!

I am pleased to announce The Most Awesomest Songs of the Day page!!!

Please feel free to share!

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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!

 

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The Most Awesomest Song of the Day: “Having a Rave Up” by The Prefab Messiahs!!!

Posted on April 24, 2020 by PhilMaq

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

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 a little Friday Music Fun? 

Here’s a recipe for you:

Take 1 part Yardbirds  album title

Add 1 part Yardbirds influenced guitar riff

Stir in a stompin’ drum beat

Cook with some vintage yet “borrowed” Prefab Mania film clips

Heat until it melts and boils over

This recipe is best served smokin’ hot and can feed millions! 

Today’s selection has all of that recipe and more!

Multiple Philby Award winners, The Prefab Messiahs, put out a most excellent album a couple of years ago entitled, “Psychspoitation Today.”

They even made a trippy companion video album for all of the songs!

Here’s one of those songs to start your weekend- where everyday seems the same:

The Most Awesomest  Song of the Day is “Having a Rave Up” by The Prefab Messiahs!!!

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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 #theprefabmessiahs #havingaraveup #fridaymusicfun #psychspoitationtoday

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