


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, “Theme Attic,” is on Wednesdays 2PM-4PM ET.
Here’s a link to stream it: https://www.whfr.fm/streamer/
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…at least sometimes!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
The early solo recordings of Frank Sinatra are such odd artifacts.
No instruments were used because of a musician’s strike, so everything relied on the vocal arrangements.
On “if You Please,” The Bobby Tucker Singers do their creative best to make the song sound different than other ones!
Frankie touches on several romantic memories, and I particularly like the alliterative spring setting of moonlight and magnolia trees!
One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded is “If You Please” by Frank Sinatra with The Bobby Tucker Singers!!!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!
#IfYouPlease #FrankSinatra #OlBlueEyes #TheColumbiaCollection #PhilMaq #OneoftheGreatestSongsEverRecorded #GSER

Since my show is back on the air (“Theme Attic” heard every Wednesday from 2PM-4PM ET! Here’s a link to stream it: https://www.whfr.fm/streamer/!), I’ve decided to alter my New Year’s Resolution. Sorta…
Initially, this was the goal:
Every week, I plan to highlight two acts that I have never played before!
It was the same one I had two years ago.
When I decided on this goal, I planned to make it more obvious that I was focusing on these highlighted artists by marking the choices as either a “New Key Song of the Week” or New Key Album of the Week.”
Since I started broadcasting again, I now play at least two new artists on average that I haven’t played before. (And I often play way more than that!)
So, the next question became, should I continue my New weekly features?
Before heading back into the studio, I had more time to explore the newest releases–almost in real time.
Putting together my weekly show, is pulling me away from doing that.
At least, I should say, posting a written article about new music is.
I definitely don’t want to go back to having two more weekly self imposed extra deadlines.
Therefore, I have decided to change how I will post them.
Pre post pandemic, I would only consider artists I had never played before.
Post covid radio hiatus, I will consider all new albums that I listen to, even artists that I have played before and who may even have won Philbys!
I intend to only consider fairly recent releases, but I will decide how recent.
I like the freedom to choose from a larger pool of music.
Sometimes my choice will fit the original parameters, but I think, more often than not, it won’t.
But remember, I am already playing new artists, even if they’ve been an artist for decades(!), on my weekly show.
I also wouldn’t count on the weekly album being a weekly feature. It will be a little less frequent and I like that, too. I will only post when something hits me!
I’m expecting my “New Key Song of the Week” to be posted even less frequently than the album blog. But one never knows. About either category.
When I do make a weekly choice, I will add it to my weekly Faves Lists as before!
Whether I consider them for future lists will depend on whether my “snap judgment” is worthy of that.
The seed for this idea came from old 60’s WKNR (Dearborn, Michigan) music guides, that featured a weekly Key Song of the Week, so it’s kind of an homage to the station.
My distinction will be a weekly “key album.”
I hope you like the changes I have made, and together we will continue to explore new music!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
I ran across “Lilac and Dogwood” in a collection of singles received at the station.
Anne Marie Menta‘s beautiful voice brightens a wistful song about birthdays, flowers, and memories.
I thought of it when I noticed there are still some lilacs hanging around.
I like their beauty, but I give them a wide berth from an experience that I had one lovely spring evening, with the one who would eventually become my wife.
We had gone for an evening walk when she noticed some lilacs hanging over a fence. She rushed over and said excitedly, “I just love the smell of lilacs!”
She inhaled deeply and suggested I do the same.
How could I resist such an offer?
I quickly learned that lilacs were something else that I needed to add to my allergy list!
In spite of that experience, The New Key Song of the Week is “Lilac and Dogwood” by Anne Marie Menta!!!
I’m Phil Maq and I normally do a weekly College radio show, “Theme Attic” which can be heard every Wednesday from 2PM-4:15 PM ET.
Here’s a link to stream it: https://www.whfr.fm/streamer/!
I’m on the lookout for new music and artists!
Actually, I’m looking for any and all “good music” all of the time!
If you read this and want to send me your music, please send mp3s to phil@philmaq.com!
If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!
#LilacandDogwood #AnneMarieMenta #WhentheLoveRanDeep #PhilMaq #NewKeySongoftheWeek

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, “Theme Attic,” heard 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/!
This list forms the basis of my countdown list on the “Top 9 at 3:09” segment of my 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/
There’s plenty of other musical things to browse!
Here’s a link for my weekly Faves Album lists:
philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-albums
Another list that you might find interesting is my list for “The Most Awesomest Songs of the Day”:https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/
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 !
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Arnold Mitchem is flying “Solo” as this week’s #1 Faves song!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Top Ten Songs for the Week of May 16, 2021
1. Solo—Arnold Mitchem (Solo)
2. Control—The Cordial Sins (Only Human)
3. Hope—Diamonds in the Rust (The Whole Half)
4. Born Again—Judy Banker (Buffalo Motel)
5. Storyline—Trio of Awesuhm (Cowboys and Aliens)
6. Jesus on the Dash—Vegas Strip Kings (Jackpot!)
7. Every Day—Mental Health Day (You Could Be Anywhere)
8. Better Than Gold—Erica Blinn (Better Than Gold)
9. Time Goes By—Territorial Chant (Territorial Chant 6)
10.Daddy’s Wheels—Eric Gnezda (Single)
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Don’t forget to like my Phil Maq page! Thank you!


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, “Theme Attic,” heard 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/!
This list forms the basis of my countdown list on the “Top 9 at 3:09” segment of my 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/
There’s plenty of other musical things to browse!
Here’s a link for my weekly Faves Album lists:
philmaq.com/phils-lists/phils-faves-albums
Another list that you might find interesting is my list for “The Most Awesomest Songs of the Day”:https://philmaq.com/most-awesomest-songs/
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 !
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Judy Banker is “Born Again” with her second #1 Faves Song!!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Top Ten Songs for the Week of May 9, 2021
1. Born Again—Judy Banker (Buffalo Motel)
2. Solo—Arnold Mitchem (Solo)
3. Every Day—Mental Health Day (You Could Be Anywhere)
4. Snake Wine—Transit Method (We Won’t Get Out of Here Alive)
5. Hope—Diamonds in the Rust (The Whole Half)
6. Control—The Cordial Sins (Only Human)
7. Jesus on the Dash—Vegas Strip Kings (Jackpot!)
8. Storyline—Trio of Awesuhm (Cowboys and Aliens)
9. Better Than Gold—Erica Blinn (Better Than Gold)
10.Time Goes By—Territorial Chant (Territorial Chant 6)
__________________________________________________________
New Key Song of the Week: My Mother Gave the World to Me—Jubilant Bridge (Single)
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Don’t forget to like my Phil Maq page! Thank you!