Phil Maq

One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded: “Pie Song” by Olivia Millerschin (Olivia Dear)!!!

Posted on March 15, 2021 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 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/!

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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What a day!

I get to celebrate two favorites of mine at the same time: One is a mathematical constant and the other is a constantly wonderful desert! (See what I did there?)

On Pi Day, so named because of the first three digits of the aforementioned math thing (3.14 translates to 3/14), I have chosen the delightfully light, yet tasty, “Pie Song,” by multiple Philby Award winner, Olivia Millerschin!!! (She has changed her performing name to Olivia Dear!)

This is an early song by Olivia from her “Over the Weather” album, and that’s truly saying something because she is still quite young herself!

Using just ukelele and piano, “Pie Song” starts off with some nice homonym wordplay with “peace” and “piece”:

“Hey baby, I want peace of mind/
So let me slice you up a piece of mine.
You and I just slightly cross the line/
So I’ll state this kindly, once:
“He’s mine.”

So a relationship discussion evolves to the next brilliant lines!:

Hey sweetie can you read my lips/
Or do I have to spell it with my fist?

The first time anyone hears that, they almost have to think or say to themselves, “Whoa!”

But then that gets playfully walked back…:

Just kidding/
That was kinda mean/
So I take it back.

…but not really:

But, actually, seriously.

In the end, Olivia is confident she will win without a fight:

Status report:
She’s closing in.
But I know he’ll stay my man!”

I like the understated percussion as the song nears the end!

Overall, “Pie Song” is an indication of a young Southeast Michigan Singer/Songwriter hinting at greater songs to come!

And I am always interested to have a slice of whatever musical pie that Olivia Dear is serving up!

One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded is “Pie Song” by Olivia Millerschin (Olivia Dear)!!!

Although I look like I may have never met a pie I didn’t like, I prefer simple ones like apple or cherry. If I really feel daring, I’ll go with lemon meringue!

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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!

#PieSong #OvertheWeather #OliviaMillerschin #OliviaDear #PhilMaq #OneoftheGreatestSongsEverRecorded #GSER

Posted in Greatest Songs Ever Recorded | Tagged Olivia Dear, Olivia Millerschin, Over the Weather, Pie Song | Leave a comment

One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded: “Nessun Dorma” by Aretha Franklin!!!

Posted on March 13, 2021 by PhilMaq

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.

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.

This will be fun, and hopefully you will join me on my journey…at least sometimes!

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Today is March 13 or 3/13 which translates to Detroit Day, since (313) is the area code for the city.

National Geographic will be premiering an eight part series, “Genius: Aretha,” starting on March 21.

There will also be a free screening for a Detroit only, Saturday night, at The Monroe Street Drive-In.

Tomorrow night is the 63rd Grammy Awards.

When combining all of these separate events in my head, “Nessun Dorma” by Aretha Franklin materialized!

Now, I don’t claim to be an expert on opera.

Actually, I don’t claim to be an expert on anything.

I felt that I was lacking in my musical knowledge, so I did what I would normally do when I needed to be better informed on something, and buried myself in opera for almost a year.

And I came to the conclusion that I would never understand the history, intricacies, or nuances of the genre to my satisfaction.

But I do respect it!

Only a tone deaf fool wouldn’t acknowledge the truly rare talent that operatic vocalists have!

And I did find works that I absolutely love!

“Nessun Dorma,” by Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Turandot” is one of those!

It is a show stopping aria that requires an incredible vocal range as well as dynamics!

It has to be a difficult piece to sing when the singer practices it for a performance.

For the 40th Grammy Awards in 1998, world renowned tenor, Luciano Pavorotti, was scheduled to sing it when he suddenly came up ill.

When the announcement was made that he would not be performing, almost immediately came the news that Aretha Franklin would be stepping up to deliver the song!

Whhhhaaaaaattttt??????!!!!!!!

I was stunned!

I didn’t know she could sing that way!

It makes sense that Aretha could because her vocal acrobatics in Jazz/Gospel/R&B/Soul had proven that her voice was a once in a generation gift!

Not only did she give a standing ovation performance, it was also one of the greatest moments of The Grammys, as well as music in general!

And it turns out that she did a very noble thing by singing the song in Pavarotti’s key!

Double wwwhhhhhaaaatttt????!!!!

That way the orchestra didn’t have to do all of the heavy lifting by playing in a different key!

I love watching the clip and seeing that look on Aretha‘s face when she gets to that last note and the music swells!

And she did it with a world wide audience of over a billion watching her every movement and gesture!

That alone could worry any other performer

Outstanding in so many ways!

One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded is “Nessun Dorma” by Aretha Franklin!!!

I chose a bonus clip from the performance that had subtitles because it was longer and had an introduction.

Here’s another bonus clip describing the behind the scenes story!

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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!

NessunDorma #ArethaFranklin #TheGrammys #PhilMaq #OneoftheGreatestSongsEverRecorded #GSER

Posted in Favorite Songs of All Time, Greatest Songs Ever Recorded, Greatest Video, Hall of Fame, Songs That Can Make Me Cry | Tagged Aretha Franklin, Genius: Aretha, Giacomo Puccin, Luciano Pavarotti, Nessun Dorma, The Grammys, Turandot | Leave a comment

Three More First Time Winners Named For The Pandemic Philby Best Albums of 2020 Countdown!!!

Posted on March 13, 2021 by PhilMaq

The Philby Award

Welcome to the 2020 Pandemic Philbys, Part II!

For the near future, the Countdown of The Pandemic Philby Best Albums of 2020 will take a blog format.

I am presuming it will eventually change and I will then switch to radio.

But since nothing is the same right now, I have no idea when or if that will happen.

Three albums will be announced about every third day.

Included with a photo of the album cover will be one song.

That song will usually be the title track of the album, or the song that mentions the title in its lyrics.

However, if the album is an eponymously named album or does not have a song that fits into the last description, a song will be selected that is either what I consider to be the best track on the album, or the last best song if I have already played tracks from the album.

I don’t intend to say anything else about the album unless I feel inspired to do so.

Therefore, the selected songs can not be compared to each other as one song being better than another song in the post nor the Countdown.

This is not a competition!

In fact, I go through the final list after the Countdown is complete, but before it’s published, to select the “winners” that best represent a certain category or style of music.

I like to think, and I’ve said it many times before, that every album on the list is a winner in some way.

It’s unfair to the artists to compare the albums since the completed list will include entries across a time span of several years and will include many genres.

I feel that I myself is the true winner because I was able to listen to such great music throughout the year!

I’m not planning to tag anyone with my daily reveal.

There will be a partial update after every 10 albums for now.

One last reminder:

If I didn’t receive your album until after April 2020, chances are very slim that it will show up on this list. But several did make it!

I suggest that you “like” my Facebook page, Phil Maq, to stay up to date along the way.

And I’m still accepting submissions, but the submissions will now be considered for the 2021 Philbys.

I will have this information after every Philby post.

I hope you will join me on this journey for brilliant musical achievement!

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Congratulations to Southeast Michigan Singer/Songwriter George Heritier!!!

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Congratulations to The Groovalottos!!!

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Congratulations Southeast Michigan Singer/Songwriter Mary Ann Kirt!!!

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Here’s a section on submissions:

The album selections are made from a sliding four year pool of music.

This year that pool is 2017-2020.

The song selections are usually from the same range, too, but I’m a little more open to almost anything, since over time, there have been plenty of older songs that have found new life years after they’ve been recorded, even ending up on hit movie soundtracks.

Needless to say, this year is going to be unlike any year.

However, I have arrived at the realization that there will be issues every year no matter what I plan.

One of the reasons that I use a multiple year submission scale is that just getting music out to the world is sometimes difficult for an artist.

A lot of them are not really wired for self promotion.

Making music is totally different than drumming up interest in it, especially for independent musicians.

Yes, there are promoters that can help with that. And nothing against promoters because they have a role to play. But they cost money, and the artist already had to pay to record the music, and may not be prepared for the process of promoting it.

After looking at how some other independent awards are handled, I figured a four year window allows me enough time to serendipitously run across someone’s music.

I have told this story several times, but I try very hard to listen to everything that is submitted.

Although I work on my list, starting literally on January 1st, using a four year sliding window, I carry over what would qualify from the prior years.

Up to this point of the year, I just reached my largest batch of albums.

So, it’s basically a little over the number I used last year.

But let’s talk about this year, which is absolutely the weirdest year ever!

I haven’t even done a show for months!

I haven’t any idea how this will affect either list.

However, I will come up with something that makes sense.

And as large as my working list is, I know I have room for more.

I can never have enough!

Therefore, I am accepting entries for Philby consideration!

So, if you’ve made some music dating back as far as 2017, I will accept that music for consideration.

If you have something older than 2016, send that, too, but identify the release date. I’m always looking for GREAT music.

For the Philbys, I’m looking for full albums.

However, if you only have a single, I’ll accept that, too. Don’t forget that I also have a Philby Hot Songs list, and more artists are releasing singles these days.

But please don’t send me an incomplete album if you have one.

So, please don’t edit for me.

I hate that and I might not even check out the item. I don’t know why anyone would only send selected songs instead of their whole work of art for consideration.

Please don’t send me links to listen to music. That’s not how I listen to music. And I probably won’t listen to it if you send me a link to stream it. Either send me the album to download or request my mailing address to send a physical copy.

Every year I say that if your item came out later than May, it may not end up on this year’s list. So it’s possible that submissions entered now may only be considered for 2021. (It sounds so good to think of 2020 being finished!)

However, this year will be totally different than other years. I have not received any where near the amount of releases that I normally do.

It might be an excellent year to send a submission.

I will accept any genre of music. I like a variety of styles, even on the same album!

So, please e-mail your mp3s, and please make sure it is an mp3 only, to phil@philmaq.com.

If you want a physical address or have other questions, please e-mail me at the same address. Because selections will be considered for more than a single year, there isn’t an expiration date at the present.

If you want someone who will actually listen to your music, I am that person.

If you want some recognition for working hard and baring your soul, that might be me, too. I can’t make any promises, but I will listen to your music.

If you are reading this and are not a musician but know someone who is, please forward this to them.

Good luck to all who participate!
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My weekly radio show “Prime Time Theme Attic,” can be heard Mondays, 8P-10P ET when it returns.

It almost always includes a weekly countdown of my favorite albums or songs and some shows feature two countdowns!

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

#Philbys #2020PandemicPhilbys #PhilbyAwards

Posted in 2020 Philbys | Tagged Ask Yo' Mama, George Heritier, In My Element, Mary Ann Kirt, The Groovalottos, Transitions de Vie | Leave a comment

One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded: “Born at the Right Time” by Paul Simon!!!

Posted on March 12, 2021 by PhilMaq

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.

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.

This will be fun, and hopefully you will join me on my journey…at least sometimes!

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When CDs took over the music world, I continued to buy vinyl for several more years.

My approach was simple: I would buy what was available that interested me.

As artists switched over to the new medium, I became less infatuated with new releases.

I’m not sure if it was because I couldn’t buy them on vinyl, or because I didn’t find them interesting enough to care.

However, I still had that music obsession that has consumed me to this day, so I began to look backwards in music, since those albums were still available.

I began to explore the Classic Jazz years as well as 50’s Rockabilly and R&B artists.

Although that kept me going for several years, I realized that I was missing the new music.

At that time, I was holding back the inevitable tide, and seemed rather old fashioned doing so as I clung to my vinyl LPs, and would not succumb to the CD frenzy taking place around the world.

That musical dam finally broke in 1991 when I bought my first CD, “The Rhythm of the Saints” by Paul Simon.

I was crazy about “Graceland!”

I still am!

And, of course, my fervor carried over to an intense desire to hear Paul Simon‘s new musical explorations!

It wasn’t available on vinyl, so, I had to surrender to CDs.

Once I did, it became quite easy to catch up to what I had missed the past several years.

My favorite track on “The Rhythm of The Saints” is a beautiful story song, “Born at the Right Time!”

My interpretation is, it tells the story of both an unnamed boy and girl using parallel lyrics:

“Down among the reeds and rushes/
A baby boy was found/
His eyes as clear as centuries/
His silky hair was brown.”

Simon takes the story of Moses and converts it into a universal story for any boy.

The chorus is a very touching description of how each child starts out. They are a blank slate that needs love to survive. The lyrics are as perfect as their innocence!:

“Never been lonely/
Never been lied to/
Never had to scuffle in fear/
Nothing denied to/
Born at the instant/
The church bells chime/
And the whole world whispering/
Born at the right time.”

The multi genre musical mixture of Zydeco/African/Island and who knows what other style is in there, and it feels perfect for this lazy river groove!

I love the accordion, percussion, and Adrian Belew’s guitar!

The harmonies are heavenly!

My son was born first, so one would think that I would associate this song with him.

And I do think of both of them when I hear “Born at the Right Time.”

But I have linked it more to my daughter as Paul changes the gender for the final verse.

Before he gets to that, he adds these extra lines that weigh heavy in my mind:

“Too many people on the bus from the airport/
Too many holes in the crust of the earth/
The planet grows/
Every time it registers another birth.”

In a world whose population has multiplied more than 2 and 1/2 times since I was born, in my mind, another child in the world is a reason for a reflective pause of concern.

That was only a pre pregnancy discussion and it was tossed out once we were expecting what turned out to be a baby girl.

I am choking up as I’m writing this because the lyrics break me down on the second pass:

“But among the reeds and rushes/
A baby girl was found/
Her eyes as clear as centuries/
Her silky hair was brown.

Never been lonely/
Never been lied to/
Never had to scuffle in fear/
Nothing denied to.
Born at the instant/
The church bells chime/
And the whole world whispering/
Born at the right time!”

As a parent, a child arrives so trusting and without prejudices or biases.

The world would be so much better if all experiences remained in that innocent state.

And I have to think that for most people in the world, we can all identify with a child being born when the church bells chimed, and that they were “Born at the Right Time!”

One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded is “Born at the Right Time” by Paul Simon!!!

(My story continues after the song!)

Here’s a picture of my daughter.

I ran across this other photo after one that I had posted months ago.

She’s like the child in the song.

She never was “daddy’s girl.”

I used to joke that she was a Velcro baby because she would fight to hang on to my wife if I was supposed to take care of her or do something with her.

My children were almost no maintenance kids and I have always felt that they were better than I deserved.

But my little daughter has turned into an engineer!

And even though she was a Velcro baby, I love her, and I am very proud of her!

And I’m glad that she let me be part of her world!

She was “Born at the Right Time!”

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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!

#BornattheRight Time #PaulSimon #TheRhythmoftheSaints #PhilMaq #OneoftheGreatestSongsEverRecorded #GSER

Posted in Favorite Songs of All Time, Greatest Songs Ever Recorded, Hall of Fame, Perfect Songs, Songs That Can Make Me Cry | Tagged Adrian Belew, Born at the Right Time, Paul Simon, The Rhythm of the Saints | Leave a comment

Phil’s Faves: Albums, March 7, 2021

Posted on March 11, 2021 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.)

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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Walrus reach “Greater Heights” as this week’s #1 Faves Album!
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Top 10 Albums for the Week of March 7, 2021

1. Indian Summer/Greater Heights—Walrus
2. Live Split Vinyl: The Stereogum Sessions—Angela Perley/Erica Blinn
3. The Darkness and the Light—Mike Ward
4. Stand Up!—Mollywop!
5. Scenes From the Fragile, Agile Avian World—Erin Zindle
6. Collaboration—Warriors, Zombies and Other Joedai Warriors
7. NOLA to New York—Jeff Scott
8. The Power, The Glory, and The Monkey Time: Redux 2020—George S. Kelly
9. Transitions de Vie—Mary Ann Kirt
10.Almost Extinct—Dirty Mind Detroit
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Key Album of the Week: Victor V. Gurbo—Victor V. Gurbo and Co. QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Don’t forget to like my Facebook page!

Posted in Phil's Faves: Albums | Tagged Almost Extinct, Angela Perley/Erica Blinn, Collaboration, Dirty Mind Detroit, Erin Zindle, Indian Summer/Greater Heights, Jeff Scott, Live Split Vinyl: The Stereogum Sessions, Mary Ann Kirt, Mike Ward, Mollywop, NOLA to New York, Scenes From the Fragile Agile Avian World, Stand Up!, The Darkness and The Light, The Power The Glory and The Monkey Time: Redux 2020, Transitions de Vie, Victor V. Gurbo, Victor V. Gurbo and Co., Walrus, Warriors Zombies and Other Joedai Pilgrims | Leave a comment

The New Key Album of the Week: “Victor V. Gurbo” by Victor V. Gurbo and Co.!!!

Posted on March 11, 2021 by PhilMaq

I have a different music goal for this year.

Every week, I plan to highlight two acts that I have never played before!

There will be one artist each for a key song and an album.

I intend to only consider releases from 2021 or received as part of a current promotion for this designation. I anticipate some overlap from last year, especially at the beginning of this year.

Whether I consider them for future lists will depend on whether my “snap judgment” is worthy of that.

On old WKNR music guides, this was a weekly feature, so it’s kind of an homage to the station.

My distinction will be a weekly “key album.”

I hope you like my NEW New Year’s resolution, and together we will continue to explore new music!

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Year end music is kind of tricky for both the artist and the DJ.

Under normal conditions, it’s difficult to determine when is the “best time” to release an album before the holidays.

And last year was anything but normal.

When does a person’s brain switch off to concentrate on their own personal holiday priorities?

At College Radio, which is where most new music gets spun more than anywhere else, things get even more complicated because many stations start shutting down for the semester breaks.

A college station continually receives anywhere from fifty to one hundred releases per week!

It’s easy to forget an album after a long break that ends in a new year.

Well, this week’s almost eponymously named New Key Album of the Week, “Victor V. Gurbo” by Victor V. Gurbo and Co., is selected because Victor followed up with me after his promotional period was finished!

I never had anyone do that with me before!

It made me remember the energy that is present throughout the album!

Reminding me of Leo Sayer’s “Long Tall Glasses,” “I’m Not Wasted (I Just Love to Dance)” is a jump blues shuffle that passes that vibe on to the listener!

The whole album features a solid, hard working, inspired band!

The New Key Album of the Week is “Victor V. Gurbo” by Victor V. Gurbo and Co.!!!

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I’m Phil Maq and I normally do a weekly College radio show which is currently on hiatus.

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!

#ImNotWastedIJustLovetoDance #VictorVGurbo #VictorVGurboandCo #PhilMaq #NewKeyAlbumoftheWeek

Posted in New Key Album of the Week | Tagged I'm Not Wasted (I Just Love to Dance), Victor V. Garbo, Victor V. Garbo and Co. | Leave a comment

Phil’s Faves: Songs, March 7, 2021

Posted on March 10, 2021 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)

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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Erin Zindle returns to her #1 nest!!
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Top Ten Songs for the Week of March 7, 2021

1. I Will Make My Nest High Up—Erin Zindle (Scenes From the Fragile, Agile Avian World)
2. Angels Fly—Johnny Irion (Driving Friend)
3. Beautiful—Karyn Oliver (A List of Names)
4. The Hewry Highwayman—Bill Grogan’s Goat (Third Eye)
5. Please Don’t Tell Me How to Dance —Cindy Ruenes (Please Don’t Tell Me How to Dance)
6. Give It Away Again—MJ Bishop (Give It Away Again)
7. Too Cold to Cry—Lindsay Beaver (Tough As Love)
8. Built to Break—Mike Galbraith (Here, Elsewhere)
9. Hard Times—Sublunar Minds (Into a Future Bright and Beautiful)
10.The Original Swing—Seth Bernard (Eggtones For Fun)
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New Key Song of the Week: Escape Route—Jordi (Single)
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Don’t forget to like my Facebook page! Thank you!

Posted in Phil's Faves: Songs | Tagged A List of Names, Angels Fly, Beautiful, Bill Grogan's Goat, Built to Break, Cindy Ruenes, Driving Friends, Eggtones for Fun, Erin Zindle, Escape Route, Give It Away Again, Hard Times, Here Elsewhere, I Will Make My Nest High Up, Johnny Irion, Jordi, Karyn Oliver, Lindsay Beaver, Mike Galbraith, MJ Bishop, Please Don't Tell Me How to Dance, Scenes From the Fragile Agile Avian World, Seth Bernard, Sublunar Minds, The Hewry Highwayman, The Original Swing, Third Eye, Too Cold to Cry, Tough As Love | Leave a comment

New Key Song of the Week: “Escape Route” by Jordi!!!

Posted on March 9, 2021 by PhilMaq

I came up with a different music goal for this year.

Every week, I plan to highlight two acts that I have never played before!

There will be one artist each for a key song and an album.

I intend to only consider releases from 2021 or received as part of a current promotion for this designation.

Whether I consider them for future lists will depend on whether my “snap judgment” is worthy of that.

On old WKNR music guides, this was a weekly feature, so it’s kind of an homage to the station.

My distinction will be a weekly “key album.”

I hope you like my NEW New Year’s resolution, and together we will continue to explore new music!

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I can’t say that I know much about Jordi, the artist for this week’s New Key Song of the Week, “Escape Route.”

As a matter of fact, I couldn’t find anything at all.

No one sheet, no bio, no website, and no “about me” page.

That usually doesn’t matter much to me anyway, but I usually like to know a tidbit of info.

So, all that’s out there, at this point, is her music.

In the video for “Escape Route,” a graffiti scarred shell of a building stands out against a desert setting.

Might be California, Arizona, or many other desert locations in the world.

Jordi, who is cute and energetic, appears to play all of the instruments.

On youtube, the lyrics are posted along with the video.

If you just read the lyrics, the mood would be kind of dark.

However, the song rocks, featuring loud guitars and booming drums along with a catchy melody!

I like it!

The New Key Song of the Week is “Escape Route” by Jordi!!!

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I’m Phil Maq and I normally do a weekly College radio show which is currently on hiatus.

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!

#EscapeRoute #Jordi #DangerbirdRecords #PhilMaq #NewKeySongoftheWeek

Posted in New Key Song of the Week | Tagged Escape Route, Jordi | Leave a comment

Here We Go: The Pandemic Philby Best Albums of 2020 Countdown Begins Today!!!

Posted on March 9, 2021 by PhilMaq

The Philby Award

Welcome to the 2020 Pandemic Philbys, Part II!

For the near future, the Countdown of The Pandemic Philby Best Albums of 2020 will take a blog format.

I am presuming it will eventually change and I will then switch to radio.

But since nothing is the same right now, I have no idea when or if that will happen.

Three albums will be announced about every third day.

Included with a photo of the album cover will be one song.

That song will usually be the title track of the album, or the song that mentions the title in its lyrics.

I don’t intend to say anything else about the album unless I feel inspired to do so.

Therefore, the selected songs can not be compared to each other as one song being better than another song in the post nor the Countdown.

This is not a competition!

In fact, I go through the final list after the Countdown is complete, but before it’s published, to select the “winners” that best represent a certain category or style of music.

I like to think, and I’ve said it many times before, that every album on the list is a winner in some way.

It’s unfair to the artists to compare the albums since the completed list will include entries across a time span of several years and will include many genres.

I feel that I myself is the true winner because I was able to listen to such great music throughout the year!

I’m not planning to tag anyone with my daily reveal.

There will be a partial update after every 10 albums for now.

One last reminder:

If I didn’t receive your album until after April 2020, chances are very slim that it will show up on this list. But several did make it!

I suggest that you “like” my Facebook page, Phil Maq, to stay up to date along the way.

And I’m still accepting submissions, but the submissions will now be considered for the 2021 Philbys.

I will have this information after every Philby post.

I hope you will join me on this journey for brilliant musical achievement!

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Congratulations Dave Karchner!!!

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Congratulations Tom Alter!!!

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Congratulations Wattle and Daub!!!