Watercolors

When I want a channel to help me sleep, this is one of two channels that I turn to (the other is Audio Visions). That's not to say all the smooth jazz played here is boring, it's just that it's so easy to turn down the volume and slide into a nice slumber. During the few wide-awake times that I've listened to Watercolors, it does play interesting music and not boring Kenny G-Type stuff. It's just that when I want to listen to some jazz, I prefer the jazz that's played on Real Jazz and Beyond Jazz.

Watercolors, contemporary jazz, XM 71
My previous experience with channel: it's a "fall asleep" channel for me.

Heard on Watercolors:
"Whatz Up?!", Richard Smith; "Silhouette", Euge Groove; "Out'a Nowhere", Norman Brown; "Hudson River Nig", Kim Waters; "The Lady Wants T", Michael Franks; "Steppin' Out", Paul Taylor; "Another Place", Hiroshima; "No Ordinary Love", Chris Botti; "Bridge Over the", Keiko Matsui; "Someday Soon", David Benoit; "A New Day", Michael Lington; "Drive", Russ Freeman; "City Speak", Richard Elliot; "Better Than Nothing", Braxton Brothers.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: XM Pops, popular classical, XM 113

Suite 62

This is a nice mellow channel that I tune into when I want a little something different from my usual routine.

Suite 62, urban adult, XM 62
My previous experience with channel: one of the few urban channels that I occasionally listen to (although it's not a pre-set).

Heard on Suite 62:
"Superstar", Ruben Studdard; "Call My Name", Prince; "After the Party", Koffee Brown; "There's Nothing", Luther Vandross; "Chante's Got A Man", Chante Moore; "Happy People", R Kelly; "He Loves Me", Jill Scott; "Sentimental", Deborah Cox; "U Should've", Monica; "Computer Love", Zapp; "2Nite", Vybe; "Ask of You", Raphael Saadiq.

Time spent listening: almost an hour.

Tomorrow: Watercolors, contemporary jazz, XM 71

XMU

When I first got XM (almost two years ago), I used to listen to XMU a lot. Then the songs started to jump around too much - a Squizz-like song followed by a RAW-like song followed by a mainstream alternative song (is that an oxymoron?) - so I stopped listening. However if my listening tonight is any indication, then I'll be listening to XMU more in the future. The songs seemed to flow much better than I remembered.

XMU, new music, XM 43
My previous experience with channel: I used to listen to it frequently (it's still a pre-set), but got away from it for some reason.

Heard on XMU:
"Can't Stop Now", Keane; "21st Century Rip", The Soundtrack O; "Strangely Drawn", Echobelly; "Super Powers", the Dismembermen; "C'mere", Interpol; "You Are My Bird", the Lovethugs; "The Valleys of N", The Veils; "Music Makes the", the Incredible M; "We're Not Gonna", Longwave; "Imagine", Blend Crafters; "Closet (Look Out)", Matt Pond PA; "C.M.E.M.", Service Group; "Vonal Declosion", Stereolab; "Mummy", Poor Rich Ones; "A to B", the Futureheads; "Marvelous Error", the Faraway Place; "No Damage Noctur", Q and Not U.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Suite 62, urban adult, XM 62

the Village

I'm not a folk music fan, but I think the Village will make a decent background channel. It plays soft and interesting music that doesn't put me to sleep in ten minutes.

the Village, folk, XM 15
My previous experience with channel: very little.

Heard on the Village:
"Connaughtman Ram", Karen Ashbrook; "Come Back Paddy", Foster & Allen; "Goodnight Moon", Erica Wheeler; "The Winter Sun", Diane Ziegler at XM; "Glory Glory", Odetta; "912 Greens", Ramblin Jack Elliot; "My Father", Judy Collins; "Starman", John Stewart; "Do You Know Him", Robin & Linda; "Jesse James"; Kingston Trio; "Mobile Serenade", Tim Ericson; "Harry Truman", Dana Cooper; "Take A Giant Step", Taj Mahal; "In the Evening", Roger McGuinn; "Matty Groves", Joan Baez; "Mary Black", Mary Black; "Sleeping On Road", Neil Halstead at XM; "Word Game", Stephen Stills.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: XMU, new music, XM 43

Caliente

Another fun Spanish music channel. It almost makes me want to learn the language.

Caliente, tropical, XM 94
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on Caliente:
"Si En Una Palabr", N'Klabe; "Ni Como Amiga", Grupo Niche; "Hoy Daria Yo La", Alex; "La Paga", Tony Tun Tun; "Pobre Diabla", Don Omar; "Algo Imposible", NG2; "No Me Tortures", Daniel Rene; "Se Nos Fue El Am", Ruby Perez; "Yo No Queda Nada", Tito Nieves; "Rie Y Llora", Celia Cruz; "Vivi", Yoskar Sarante; "Sabroso Violin", Havana NRG; "Nadie Mejor Que", Eddie Santiago; "Cuado Yo Me", Jose Pena Suazo.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: the Village, folk, XM 15

Reflection and Projection

I rate last week's channels this way:
1. Unsigned
2. Top Tracks
3. Bone Yard
4. the Blend
5. Beyond Jazz
6. Alegria

Channels next week:
Mon. Caliente, tropical, XM 94
Tue. the Village, folk, XM 15
Wed. XMU, new music, XM 43
Thu. Suite 62, urban adult, XM 62
Fri. Watercolors, contemporary jazz, XM 71
Sat. XM Pops, popular classical, XM 113

This is the last full week of Bootcamp. The only pre-set of mine is XMU. I've listened to all of them but Caliente and the Village. This should be an enjoyable week for me.

Sunday Spotlight
Sonic Theater (XM 163) & Radio Classics (XM 164)
Sonic Theater carries the label "Books & Drama", however I've never heard any books on tape here. You will find contemporary radio plays. Look for the Twilight Zone series it was well done with actors you'll recognize. Radio Classics plays old time radio programs. Keep an ear out for The Shadow (especially with Orson Wells), Jack Benny (still funny after all these years), Gunsmoke (a western for grown-ups), and Fibber McGee & Molly (a family sit-com).