It’s been one whole year since I’ve done a show, but I’m returning to the airwaves (and internet waves) with an old friend, “Theme Attic” with Phil Maq, Wednesday afternoon from 2PM-4PM EDT!
And I’m starting off the same way that I ended when the pandemic hit: with a New Music Showcase!
My first show will be the 2021 Spring New Music Showcase, Pt.1!
In case you don’t remember how this works, or if you’re new to the Theme Attic train, I will play one song from each artist and album for the first 70 minutes or so, and then I will Countdown the newest Phil’s Faves Album List with the “Top 9 at 3:09!” ( Yeah, I forgot the logo. I’m a little rusty.)
Also, as some of my New Showcases go, not every selection will be from this year, although many will be! This one will be a partial Philby adjustment that I do from time to time.
Regardless, all of the music will feature independent music artists–many of them local!, that I’ve played for the past ten years!
Listen with a friend, a pet, or a prairie dog, come along for the ride, and tune in to 89.3 FM WHFR in the Dearborn-Detroit area, stream it anywhere in the world with this special showcase link https://www.whfr.fm/streamer/, or ask Alexa to find it for you! (And let me know that everything works!
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!
Of course, I’ve already made that presumption a few times in the past year.
In a topsy-turvy year, anything can happen and, therefore, all bets are off.
But this time, it’s for real.
“Theme Attic” will return with its wide variety of independent music artists while “Prime Time Theme Attic” will remain on hiatus.
However, I will continue a weekly Faves Countdown that started on “Prime Time.”
There will be a Faves Countdown on any show that isn’t a Philby show.
And since I am returning to the airwaves, I will curtail some of the writing that I’ve been doing, starting with both the New Key Album and the New Key Song of the Week.
They may still appear, but probably not on a weekly basis.
My goal of focusing on two artists that I have never played before can now be featured on my weekly show. The goal will continue, just in a different media.
The weekly Faves Songs and Albums will remain as they always have.
Earlier, I mentioned the Philbys.
They won’t return until April.
I want to make sure that everything is operating properly–including the DJ, before I focus in on them.
Until then, I will Count the albums down until 80 are left.
There will be more changes coming to my blog and website, but I’ll cover those in the future.
For now, I will be happy to be back on the radio, and I hope you will listen with me often!
Oh. (Tee hee.) I forget to mention that my show will now be on Wednesdays from 2PM-4PM ET!
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!
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!
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! QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
My weekly radio show “Prime Time Theme Attic,” can be heard Wednesdays, 2P-4P 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!
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.
If you like what you see, don’t forget to spread the word by hitting the “like” button on my Facebook page, Phil Maq!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
This week’s #1 Faves Album has both “The Darkness and The Light” by Mike Ward! QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Top 10 Albums for the Week of March 14, 2021
1. The Darkness and the Light—Mike Ward 2. Indian Summer/Greater Heights—Walrus 3. Scenes From the Fragile, Agile Avian World—Erin Zindle 4. Live Split Vinyl: The Stereogum Sessions—Angela Perley/Erica Blinn 5. Collaboration—Warriors, Zombies and Other Joedai Warriors 6. Stand Up!—Mollywop! 7. The Power, The Glory, and The Monkey Time Redux 2020—George S. Kelly 8. Almost Extinct—Dirty Mind Detroit 9. Fierce—Tracy Kash 10.Dancing Through the Storm—Amy Dixon—Kolar ——————————————————————————— Key Album of the Week: Serious Issues—DeeCRACKS QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Don’t forget to like my Facebook page!
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.
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.
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!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Take a 19th century traditional English tune, and then fill it full of pop radio hooks and you have today’s song, “All Around My Hat” by Celtic folk rockers Steeleye Span [Hall of Fame] from an album of the same name!
The lyrics of “All Around My Hat” talk about the singer being in mourning because her “deluding young man” has gone away.
The willow refers to the woman wearing sprigs from the willow tree, (weeping willow, get it?) on the brim of her hat to publicly display her sadness. It’s supposed to be worn for “twelve month and a day.” (One year and a day.)
However, the lyric is basically saying “good riddance to bad rubbish” because her man wasn’t good anyway.
Stating her viewpoint more clearly, she puts it this way:
“I’ll sing and I’ll be merry when occasion I do see.”
In other words, she means, “I’ll decide how sad I want to be because I don’t intend to miss anything good!”
There are a couple of acapella sections, including the opening, that feature beautiful harmonies!
Rick Kemp’s driving bass line as well as Nigel Pegrum’s drums keep “All Around My Hat” moving!
Bob Johnson and Tim Hart provide the heavy chunky guitar rhythm!
And there’s some nice interplay between the fiddle and mandolin–both played by Peter Knight, on the instrumental section! (Lots of starts and stops! I love it!)
Maddy Prior delivers the strong, assertive lead vocal!
If you’ve ever needed a song for St. Patrick’s Day that should make you want to get up and do a jig…or pogo, this one is it!
One of the Greatest Songs Ever Recorded is “All Around My Hat” by Steeleye Span!!!
I’ve included a bonus live track because the single release of “All Around My Hat” edited out my favorite verse:
“Here’s a half a pound of reasons, and a quarter pound of sense
A small sprig of time and as much of prudence
You mix them all together and you will plainly see
He’s a false deluding young man, let him go farewell he.”
The sly lyrical poetry deserves to be highlighted!
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,” currently on hiatus. (Wednesdays 2PM-4PM 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:
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 Bill Grogan’s Goat and The Hewry Highwayman commandeer this week’s #1 Faves spot! QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Top Ten Songs for the Week of March 14, 2021
1.The Hewry Highwayman—Bill Grogan’s Goat (Third Eye) 2.Beautiful—Karyn Oliver (A List of Names) 3.I Will Make My Nest High Up—Erin Zindle (Scenes From the Fragile, Agile Avian World) 4. Please Don’t Tell Me How to Dance—Cindy Ruenes (Please Don’t Tell Me How to Dance) 5. Angels Fly—Johnny Irion (Driving Friend) 6.Too Cold to Cry—Lindsay Beaver (Tough As Love) 7.Hard Times—Sublunar Minds (Into a Future Bright and Beautiful) 8. The Original Swing—Seth Bernard (Eggtones For Fun) 9. Give It Away Again—MJ Bishop (Give It Away Again) 10.Lightspeed—Steve Leaf and The Ex—Pats(Lightspeed) ——————————————————————————————————— New Key Song of the Week: Fifteen Minutes—Emily Kinney (Single) QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Don’t forget to like my Facebook page! Thank you!
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!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Every week, there are many choices for the key song because so many singles come into the station.
This week is no exception, just my choice is!
It’s not very often–maybe never, that I get to select a song by an artist who is already known in another medium.
Emily Kinney has been on TV for many years on “The Walking Dead.”
Whatever.
All that matters to me is that she is a Singer/Songwriter with a sweet voice who can put together a nice sounding acoustic song like her latest, “Fifteen Minutes!”
It even has a video!
The New Key Song of the Week is “Fifteen Minutes” by Emily Kinney!!!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
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!
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!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
I’m pretty sure I haven’t said this before.
This week’s New Key Album of the Week comes from Austria!
That’s right, DeeCRACKS, a high energy Ramones sounding punk band that just happens to also be from Austria, is releasing a new album this week, “Serious Issues!”
There’s even a new powerhouse video, “Get Out of My Head!”
Get ready to do some serious rockin’!
The New Key Album of the Week is “Serious Issues” by DeeCRACKS!!!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
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!
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.
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.
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!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
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!
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.
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, “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!
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
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.
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!
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!
