The Torch

"It has been my experience that folks
who have no vices have very few virtues."
Abraham Lincoln

It's been my experience that rock songs that have no vices have very few virtues. Musically the songs that I heard were not original or interesting. Lyrically the songs were bland and boring (wow, Reliant K can rhyme 'dance' with 'pants') or Christian and boring. I'm not Christian, so this channel is probably lost on me.

The Torch, Christian rock, XM 31
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on The Torch:
"Crash", Michael Knott; "I Know", Seventh Day Slumber; "Make Your Move", More Than Electric; "Revolution", POD; "I'm Yours", Fusebox; "Silver Shade In", Brevada; "Sailing Sounds", Cush; "Marvelous Things", Eisley; "Bittersweet", Falling Up; "Banana Republic", Ill Harmonics; "Fall Awake", Echoing Green; "So Far Away", 12 Stones; "Song X", East West; "Sadie Hawkins Dance", Reliant K; "Deep Surround", Fold Zandura; "Undeveloped Story", Anberlin; "Shine", Prayer Chain; "Misfortunes Appr", Joy Electric; "Vitamin R", Chevelle.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: no channels are scheduled for Sundays. I'll reflect on the past week and look ahead to the upcoming week. Plus Sunday Spotlight.

Hank's Place

I rarely listen to country music but when I do it's usually Hank's Place (or X Country). In general, traditional country doesn't bother me but sometimes the lap steel and slide guitar just gets to me and I have to change the channel. On the other hand, Johnny Cash is an American treasure and you'll find him at Hank's Place. Some people don't like the whole Hank's Place theme. As for me, I like it because it sets the channel apart from the other channels. You really should make time to visit Hank's Place, at least for a little while.

Hank's Place, traditional country, XM 13
My previous experience with channel: very little, I've tuned in here and there.

Heard on Hank's Place:
"Neon Rose", Mel Tillis; "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", Lynn Anderson; "Crazy Arms", Ray Price; "Open Up Your Heart", Buck Owens; "Sweet Dreams", Faron Young; "Livin' A House of the Lord", David Houston; "Devil in the Bot", T.G. Sheppard; "Wish I didn't Have to Miss You", Jack & Jeannie; "Nothing Sure Looks", Gene Watson; "Bluest Heartache", Kenny Dale; "The Poor Hobo", Frenchie Burke; "Home to Texas", Johnny Bush; "Big Balls in Cow", Bob Wills; "Coat of Many Colors", Dolly Parton; "Sunday Morning Coming Down", Johnny Cash; "A Fallen Star", Ferlin Husky; "No Way Out", Johnny Paycheck; "Texas Boogie", Dale Watson; "Six Days on the Road", Dave Dudley; "Here We Go Again", Red Steagall; "Dance with Me", Johnny Rodriguez; "Empty Arms", Sonny James; "Last Date", Floyd Cramer; "Here I am Drunk Again", Moe Brandy; "Crazy", Patsy Cline.

Time spent listening: a little over an hour

Tomorrow: The Torch, Christian rock, XM 31

The Move

In general, Dance music is not for me. The Move has not changed my mind in this matter.

The Move, underground dance, XM 80
My previous experience with channel: none, I'm really not into dance music.

Heard on The Move:
"Redux-Funk!", Simon (this one 'song' for almost an hour?!)
Time spent listening: about an hour

Tomorrow: Hank's Place, traditional country, XM 13

Real Jazz

I often listen to Real Jazz when I want a break from my routine listening of rock music and sports talk. This isn't a mere background channel for me. I like jazz (especially Miles Davis and John Coltrane) and Real Jazz is the first place I turn when I need a jazz fix. This is traditional jazz at its best. It's the home of Miles, Trane, Monk, Dizzy and Bird.

Real Jazz, traditional jazz, XM 70
My previous experience with channel: it's a preset, when I want to listen to a little jazz this is the first channel I turn to.

Heard on Real Jazz:
"Dream Dancing", Zoot Sims; "Ninth Ward Blues", Irvin Mayfield; "Duck, Duck, Blue", Rick Stone; "Ms Shirley Scot", Terrell Stafford; "When I Fall in Love", Don Braden; "I Wish I knew How", Billy Taylor Tr; "Black and Blue", Louis Armstrong; "Wabash Blues", Doc Cheatham; "Boplicity", Miles Davis; "Hot House", Bobby Broom; "Lost ina Fog", Terence Blanchard; "O Amor Em Pazy", Cannonball Adder; "Just Like Living", Mose Allison; "Arigato", Hank James.

Time spent listening: an hour

Tomorrow: The Move, underground dance, XM 80

Chrome

I'm not a fan of disco, but Chrome wasn't that difficult to listen to today. The music is almost fun to listen to for a short period of time. I can't imagine listening to Chrome for longer than an hour or so. It won't make my presets, but in the future I may listen to it once in a while.

Chrome, disco, XM 83

Heard on Chrome:
"Dance Disco Heat", Sylvester; "Upside Down", Diana Ross; "Vertigo/Relight", Dan Hartman; "Don't Stop 'Til You Drop", Michael Jackson; "Love Disco Style", Erotic Drum Band; "Get A Little", Patrick Cowley; "Put Your Hands", O'Jays; "I Love the Night Life", Alicia Bridges; "You're the One", D Train; "Souvenirs", Voyage; "Second Time Around", Shalamar; "Keep On Dancin'", Gary's Gang; "Summer of 42", the Biddu Orchestra; "Everybody", Madonna; "Love is Really", Brainstorm.

Time spent listening: an hour

Tomorrow: Real Jazz, traditional jazz, XM 70

Deep Tracks

Classic rock, you know the artist but do you know the song?

Deep Tracks plays lesser known songs by the masters of classic rock (with a few of the 'standards' thrown in every now and then). Some of the songs may not be well known, but they are well done and this is one of my favorite rock channels.

Deep Tracks, deep album rock, XM 40
My previous experience with channel: it's a preset, listen several times a week.

Heard on Deep Tracks:
"It's A Long Way", Little River Band; "I Know What I", Jeff Beck; "She's A Woman", Jeff Beck; "Sister Disco", the Who; "Voodoo Chile", Jimi Hendrix; "Lucille Talks Back", B.B. King; "Alabama Song", the Doors; "Quiclsilver Girl", Steve Miller Band; "Cheat the Hangman", Doobie Brothers; "Southbound Again", Dire Straights; "Stuck Inside of a Mobile", Bob Dylan; "Once Upon a Time", Eric Burdon; "Mohammed's Radio", Warren Zevon; "The Bomber", James Gang; "Too Many Hands", the Eagles; "When the World is Running Down", the Police; "Black Maria", Todd Rundgren; "Run Like Hell (Live at the Berlin Wall)", Roger Waters; "Winter", Rolling Stones; "Buffalo Soldier", Bob Marley.

Time spent listening: 2 to 3 hours

Tomorrow: Chrome, disco, XM 83

Reflection and Projection

Week 3 Rankings: 1. XM Classics, 2. Squizz, 3. Cinemagic, 4. U-Pop, 5. Nashville, 6. Raw.

XM Classics is great, however I'd like to see more shows on the channel. Programs that feature periods and composers would be wonderful. Adding another channel that plays only chamber music would be even better.

Next Week:
Mon Deep Tracks, deep album rock, XM 40
Tue Chrome, disco, XM 83
Wed Real Jazz, traditional jazz, XM 70
Thu The Move, underground dance, XM 80
Fri Hank's Place, traditional country, XM 13
Sat The Torch, Christian rock, XM 31

Sunday Spotlight

I would like XM to include a channel like Virgin Radio U.K., that plays today's hits along with classic tracks. Maybe XM could add Virgin Radio to its lineup? Click here for Virgin Radio U.K.