Monday, August 11, 2008

Last one out, please turn off the light


My dear friend B McB has a theory that K-Mart actually closed five years ago and just didn't bother to tell anybody. I tend to agree with her and think that theory also applies to other institutions such as Hardee's, Mad magazine and the Arizona Cardinals among others. How else do you explain what is played on WSJT-FM (94.1)?

WSJT is a terrestrial radio station, or what was known prior to the advent of satellite radio as a radio station. There was a time...not that long ago...when you knew what you could expect from a radio station. Metalheads didn't have to worry about hearing disco, pop aficionados didn't have to worry about hearing country and country fans didn't have to worry about hearing black people. A station would pick a format and stick with it...right up until the point that it wasn't working and they would completely change. But now, either modern music has gotten to the point where there are just so many diverse talents and influences that it's virtually impossible to limit it by classification of any kind or programmers just don't care. Guess which theory I think is valid? Or take a peek at what's on WSJT's "smooth jazz" playlist and decide for yourself (you can see the complete list by visiting the station's site at the link provided above):


WAYMAN TISDALE - Throwin' It Down
DAVID SANBORN - Brother Ray
EARL KLUGH - Driftin
BLAKE AARON -
Bumpin' On The Wes Side
So far, so good, right? Read on...

KENNY G - Sax-O-Loco
Ok, matter of personal taste, but still definitely "smooth jazz"

SPINNERS - I'll Be Around
Smooth, mais oui! But jazz? I don't think so

DAVE KOZ - Life In The Fast Lane
Jazz artist, sure, but that's an Eagles song. A smooth jazz station would never play the Eagles...

EAGLES - I Can't Tell You Why
Hey! What the...?!?

WHITNEY HOUSTON - You Give Good Love
Now wait a minute...

SEAL - Kiss From A Rose
COMMODORES - Lady (You Bring Me Up)
MARY J. BLIGE - Be Without You

Oh, come on!

LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA - Love's Theme
SPANDAU BALLET - True
SANTANA - Smooth f/Rob Thomas
MARVIN GAYE - Sexual Healing
TINA TURNER - What's Love Got To Do With It
RUFUS/CHAKA KHAN - Ain't Nobody
Do all oldies just eventually ferment into jazz at some point?

JOHN MAYER - Waiting On The World To Change
GNARLS BARKLEY - Crazy
POLICE - Every Breath You Take
ERIC CLAPTON - Layla (Unplugged)
GLADYS KNIGHT/PIPS - Midnight Train To Georgia
CHRISTINA AGUILERA - Beautiful
Uhhhh...
And finally...
PHIL COLLINS - One More Night
Ladies and gentlemen, the persecution rests

2 comments:

janey jay said...

Eeeek. I'm not one for "smooth" jazz (I'm more of an old-school purist when it comes to my jazz) and so I've never listened to 94.1. And now I have even more reason not to.

Wouldn't you love to know what's going on in the mind of that program director?

Or maybe not.

Unknown said...

CJ, I think if there is a program director, it's a robot. And not the cool kind.