XM Radio Bootcamp 3

Bootcamp Directory

2005-06-14T11:24:00.000-04:00

XM Radio Bootcamp 3 ran from September thru November 2004. Each day a different channel was featured. Here's a quick little directory of my Bootcamp posts. Please forgive me, I missed a few channels.

Decades
the 40's the 50's the 60's the 70's the 80's the 90's

Country
Nashville Hank's Place Bluegrass Junction X Country America the Village Highway 16

Pop & Hits
Kiss top 20 on 20 U Pop Cinemagic Sunny Mix the Blend the Heart On Broadway

Christian
Torch the Fish Spirit

Rock
Lucy Ethel Fred XM Cafe Squizz Deep Tracks the Loft Music Lab Fungus Bone Yard Unsigned Top Tracks XM Liquid Metal XMU

Hip-Hop & Urban
Soul Street Raw the Flow the City Suite 62 the Groove

Jazz & Blues
Real Jazz Bluesville Frank's Place Beyond Jazz Watercolors

Lifestyle
Hear Music Audio Visions Fine Tuning

Dance
the Move Chrome the System B P M

Latin
Aguila Luna Alegria Caliente

World
the Joint Ngoma

Classical
XM Classics Vox

Watercolors

2004-11-20T01:22:00.000-05:00

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

2004-11-18T23:45:00.000-05:00

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

2004-11-18T22:19:00.000-05:00

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

2004-11-16T23:39:00.000-05:00

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

2004-11-16T19:55:00.000-05:00

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

2004-11-14T22:49:00.000-05:00

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).

the Blend

2004-11-13T22:55:00.000-05:00

This is a good channel for what it is, an adult contemporary channel. It mixes in artists from several genres of music. If you're stuck in an office situation then you could do worse than this channel. I'm not a big fan of the Blend but I put it on every now and then.

the Blend, adult contemporary, XM 25
My previous experience with channel: it's not a preset but I have listened to the Blend on occasion.

Heard on the Blend:
"Spirit in the Sky", Norman Greenm; "Brilliant Disguise", Bruce Springsteen; "If I Ain't Got You", Alicia Keys; "Instant Karma", John Lennon; "Have I Told You", Rod Stewart; "Talk to Me", Stevie Nicks; "Landslide", Dixie Chicks; "You'll Never Find", Lou Rawls; "A Beautiful Morning", the Rascals; "Mercy Mercy Me", Robert Palmer; "8th World Wonder", Kimberly Locke; "Everybody Plays", Main Ingredient; "That Don't Impress Me", Shania Twain; "All By Myself", Eric Carmen; "That's the Way", Janet Jackson; "Always on My Mind", Willie Nelson; "Everyday People", Sly & the Family Stone; "Shower the People", James Taylor; "Drift Away", Uncle Kracker; "Sad Songs", Elton John; "Narrow Daylight", Diana Krall.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow:
No channel is scheduled for Sunday. I will review the past week and look forward to next week. Also Sunday Spot Light.

Alegria

2004-11-12T23:55:00.000-05:00

I didn't hate Alegria and I may have even liked it if I understood Spanish.

Alegria, latin hits, XM 90
My previous experience with channel: never listened before.

Heard on Alegria:
"Se Me Pego Tu No", Amaury Gutierrez; "Salida", Alex Ubago; "Si Tu Me Faltas", Area 305; "Superf---er", Amigos Invisible; "Fuente De Energi", Estopa; "Instinto Y Deseo", Victor Manuelle; "Superficial", Ha-Ash; "Voy Hacia A Ti", Noelia; "La Llamada", Carlos Vives; "Mujer Con Pantal", Carlos Ponce; "Evolucion", Aleks Syntek; "Try to Save Your", Alejandro Sanz; "Adios", La Oreja De Van; "Asi Soy Yo", Bustamante; "Lleva", Fito Paez; "Tan Solo Son Pal", Ana Cristina; "Esa Es La Verdad", La Ley.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: the Blend, adult contemporary, XM 25

Bone Yard

2004-11-11T23:09:00.000-05:00

With all due respect to the many Bone Yard fans out there, this channel reminds me of Spinal Tap with dwarves threatening to trample on a miniature model of Stonehenge. Grown men shouldn't be wearing tight spandex pants and they shouldn't buy their hair spray by the case. Musically the songs are fun, amusing, uninteresting and almost instantly forgettable.

Bone Yard, hard rock, XM 41
My previous experience with channel: I've never listened to it before for any length of time. But I grew up with this music around me so I'm all too familiar with it.

Heard on Bone Yard:
"Stone Cold", Rainbow; "Bad Guy", Dangerous Toys; "Beggars and Hangers", Slash's Snakepit; "To Live By the Sword", Saxon; "Rock You", Helix; "Don't Thread on Me", Damn Yankees; "Lord of the Thig", Aerosmith; "Attila", Iced Earth; "Animal", Def Leppard; "Flight of Icarus", Iron Maiden; "Cum On Feel the Noise", Quiet Riot; "It's All Up to Me", Wild Hearts; "Over the Mountain", Ozzy Ozbourne; "Love Don't Come Easy", White Lion; "The Lumber Jack", Jacky; "Blood on the Moon", Lillian Axe; "Raging Fire", Seventh Key; "Blind Revolution", Winger; "Wild Hearted Son" the Cult; "You're Invited", Vince Neil; "Mr. Soul", Rush; "Blind in Texas", W.A.S.P.

What, no Ratt? No Dokken? No Twisted Sister?

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Alegria, latin hits, XM 90

Unsigned

2004-11-11T00:42:00.000-05:00

When I first got XM I thought a channel for unsigned artists was a good idea but I had one reservation. As anyone who's been to an open mike night or two at a local bar knows, sometimes there's a good reason that some musicians are left unsigned. However after one listening of Unsigned I was relieved to hear that few if any real clunkers get on the air. For the most part the songs are polished and interesting. I try to catch the Radar report on Friday nights. It's a 'best of' show that's usually pretty good.

I like to listen to Unsigned while online. That way if a song especially interests me then I can check out the group/artist on the internet. Tonight for instance, "Butterfly Collection" by Sour Deluxe sounded catchy so I visited their web page ( Sour Deluxe ) and downloaded a few more of their songs. Also Unsigned's web page links to a lot of the artists' web pages.

To me Unsigned is what XM is all about, introducing me to new music that I would have trouble hearing anywhere else. Unsigned plays a wide spectrum of musical styles and sometimes it jumps around a bit much (a singer/songwriter followed by a punk band), which is my only problem with the channel. However if you like variety in music and you can form your own opinions about songs then give Unsigned a listen. If you're a teenage lemming that just likes the 'hits' then Unsigned may be too scary for you, in which case you should avoid it and go to top 20 on 20 or the City.

Unsigned, unsigned artists, XM 52
My previous experience with channel: it's a preset, I usually check out the Radar Report.

Heard on Unsigned:
"Pretty People", Dexter Freebish; "Boomerang", Nectarphonic; "Holy One", Bittersweet Mani; "Daylight", Getaway Car; "Raining Peace", ANC; "Best Friend", King Street; "Sunspot", God's Little Joke; "A New Taste", Gooser; "Stay with Me", Celldweller; "Butterfly Collection", Sour Deluxe; "Beautiful Lunatic", Trevor Hall; "Outside the Lines", Dani; "Choking on the F", Mantis; "Red Mist", Nurotica; "Jezebel", Alicia Grant; "Conversion", Christia Mantzke; "Radiant", Early May; "Upside Down", Steve McWilliams; "Ice Cream Van", the Shivers; "Fire That Burns", Switchback.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Boneyard, hard rock, XM 41

Top Tracks

2004-11-10T22:06:00.000-05:00

If you're a classic rock fan, then you'll probably recognize just about every song played on Top Tracks. This is a channel that I can put on with few complaints from my friends, since we all grew up listening to this type of music.

Top Tracks, classic rock, XM 46
My previous experience with channel: it's a preset that I listen to often.

Heard on Top Tracks:
"Every Picture Tells A Story", Rod Stewart; "Even It Up", Heart; "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", Pat Benatar; "Welcome to the Jungle", Guns and Roses; "TNT", AC/DC; "Roll with the Changes", REO Speedwagon; "The Letter", Joe Cocker; "Dirty Water", Standells; "Don't Stop", Fleetwood Mac; "Mississippi Queen", Mountain; "Call Me the Breeze", Lynyrd Skynyrd; "Ramblin' Man", Allman Brothers; "Life in the Fast Lane", the Eagles; "Instant Karma", John Lennon; "Horizontal Bop", Bob Seger; "Summertime Blues", the Who; "Hey Hey My My", Neil Young; "Still You Turn Me", Emerson Lake & Palmer; "L.A. Woman", the Doors; "Lay Down Sally", Eric Clapton.

Time spent listening: an hour or so.

Tomorrow: Unsigned, unsigned artists, XM 52

Beyond Jazz

2004-11-10T01:25:00.000-05:00

Beyond Jazz is XM's modern, cutting edge jazz channel. It's jazz fusion and beyond. Also if there's a genre of music that you can meld with jazz then it's on Beyond Jazz. I prefer the traditional jazz on Real Jazz but sometimes I tune into Beyond Jazz.

Beyond Jazz, modern jazz, XM 72
My previous experience with channel: Very little. I prefer Real Jazz, but sometimes tune into BJ.

Heard on Beyond Jazz:
"10 Mile Jog", George Duke; "The Joker", Lars Horntveth; "Timeline", Michael Brecker; "How Long Has This", Carmen McRae; "Up There a One", Acid Jazz Test; "Creepin'", Crusaders; "On the Record", Ronny Jordan; "Hindi Gumbo", Garaj Mahal; "School Days", Stanley Clarke; "Flor de Venganza", Jean-Pierre Mas; "Sketches Part 6", Vince Mendoza; "I Want More (live), Cassandra Wilson; "City to the Sea", Mighty Truth; "Monk's Dream", Andy Summers; "Barbarians", George Colligan; "A Deep Motion", Va-this Is Acid; "Ozark", Pat Methany / L Mays.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Top Tracks, classic rock, XM 46

Audio Visions

2004-11-09T22:48:00.000-05:00

Listening to Audio Visions right after XM Liquid Metal was quite a shock to my system. The two channels are polar opposites. Audio Visions is so light and smooth it quietly fades into the background. Are you having trouble sleeping? If you are, then give this channel a try. It'll knock you right out.

Audio Visions, new age, XM 77
My previous experience with channel: I listen every so often, usually to fall asleep to.

Heard on Audio Visions
"Angels in the Snow", David Arkenstone; Current; "Rapture of the Hear", Iasos; "Field of View", Torch Song; "Rameau's Nephew", Philippe Saisse; "Silene", Biosphere; "Cyflo", Les Jumeaux; "Sol", Carter/Entwistle; "Et Miscericordia", Paul Schwartz; "Duskfire", James Asher; "Unfolding Sky", R Carlos Nakai; "Dance of Angels", Oysein Sevag; "Beauty", Lucial Hwong; "Having A Good Time", Samite; "Journey of the W", Steve McDonald; "Diana", Troka; "Computer Incantation", Jean-Luc; "Gypsy Behind the", Evenson & Barabas; "One I Love", Meav; "Prayer Garden", Stephen Rhodes; "Remember This", Prem Joshua.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Beyond Jazz, modern jazz, XM 72

XM Liquid Metal

2004-11-09T20:49:00.000-05:00

I got a little behind in my Bootcamp listening, so let me catch up now.

XMLM is not for me. The music is too fast, too loud and, most importantly, too monotonous. Additionally the lyrics are focused too much on death and destruction. Just look at the names of some of the songs I heard: "Symphony of Destruction", "Pass Out of Existence", "Time to Die", and "Suicide Soundtrack". The names of the groups aren't much better. If this is your thing then fine, but I'll listen to other XM channels.

XM Liquid Metal, heavy rock, XM 42
My previous experience with channel: never really listened in before.

Heard on XM Liquid Metal
Poison the Well 12/23/93, "Symphony of Destruction", Arch Enemy; "Gozor", Frightening; "Pass Out of Existence", Chimaira; "Simple Solution", All Else Failed; "Seabeast", Mastodon; "Time to Die", Death Before Dishonor; "Reform Reason", Scar Culture; "The Perfect Enemy", Dry Kill Logic; "Suicide Soundtrack", Scarlet; "Torn From Within", Diecast; "Paralyzing", Obituary; "Ten Ton Hammer", Machine Head.

Time spent listening: a little less than an hour.

Tomorrow: Audio Visions, new age, XM 77

Fungus

2004-11-04T23:03:00.000-05:00

Music about no future now has a future. Oh, the irony.

Fungus is one of my very favorite channels and Lou Brutus does a wonderful job with it. You'll hear old and new punk along with some industrial and ska thrown in. If you're not a big punk fan then you may be surprised at how varied it can be, so give it a try.

Fungus, punk/hardcore/ska, XM 53
My previous experience with channel: it's been a preset since XM added it to the line-up.

Heard on Fungus: Skanorreha (thursdays noon and 9:00 pm ET)
"Oh Canada!", Five Iron Frenzy; "Johnny Quest Thing", Less Than Jake; "She's Mine", English Beat; "Bangin'", Bim Skala Bim; "Alcoholic", Fishbone; "I'm Cool", Reel Big Fish; "Pollution", Hippos; "Out All Night", Pietasters; "Providence Is", Mighty Bosstones; "The City with Tw", Goldfinger; "28th Teeth", Buck O Nine; "Tears of a Clown", Beat; "Leaving", Catch 22; "Martian Girl", Aquabats; "Ebin", Sublime; "Acceleration 5000", Blue Meanies.

Time spent listening: an hour or so.

Tomorrow: XM Liquid Metal, heavy rock, XM 42

BPM

2004-11-03T23:48:00.000-05:00

Didn't like it one bit. Please make it stop.

BPM, dance hits, XM 81
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on BPM:
"Massive Mix 69", Barry Harris; "Free Falling", Kat People; "If I Close My Eyes", Reina; "Fine Day", Kristy Hawkshaw; "You Won't Forget", Dannii Minogue; "I See You Baby", Groove Armada; "Feels Good", Dolce; "Just A Lil' More", David Guetta; "Connected", Paul Van Dyke; "Sand In My Shoes", Dido.

Time spent listening: eternity (well, it seemed that long)

Tomorrow: Fungus, punk/hardcore/ska, XM 53

America

2004-11-02T20:08:00.000-05:00

I'm sure to some people it don't mean a thang if it don't have that twang, but I'm not one of those people. I will admit that I prefer America and Hank's Place to Nashville and Highway 16. So what's the difference between America (classic country) and Hank's Place (traditional country)?

My untrained country ear will take a stab. The songs on America sound to be more polished than the songs on Hank's Place. Also America plays newer artists than Hank's Place. Nashville and Highway 16 just play pop music dressed up in country clothes.

America, classic country, XM 10
My previous experience with channel: none really.

Heard on America:
"Spring", Tanya Tucker; "Hey Good Lookin'", Hank Williams; "Last Cheater's Waltz", T.G. Sheppard; "Drinkin' My Baby", Charlie Daniels; "John Deere Tractor", the Judds; "Friend Lover Wife", Johnny Paycheck; "Mama's Don't Let Your Babies", Ed Bruce; "Texas Me and You", Asleep at the Wheel; "Willy Jones", Susan Raye; "Choices", George Jones; "Don't Worry", Marty Robbins; "Little Ways", Dwight Yoakum; "Teach Me to Cheat", Kendalls; "I'm No Stranger", Keith Whitley; "What's Happened", Jessi Colter; "She Used to Love Me A Lot", David Allan Coe; "Corpus Christi Bay", Johnny Rodriguez.

Time spent listening: an hour or so.

Tomorrow: BPM, dance hits, XM 81

Frank's Place

2004-11-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

When I first got XM a few years ago I listened to Frank's Place every now and then when I wanted something other than my usual channels (rock, classical or jazz). However I haven't listened to it for about a year now. I'm glad that Bootcamp brought me back to Frank's Place, it's a channel that I can leave on for hours at a time, although it just missed earning a preset.

Give Frank and friends a chance if you haven't tuned in yet.

Frank's Place, American standards, XM 73
My previous experience with channel: I used to listen to it frequently.

Heard on Frank's Place:
"Let the Good Times Roll", Ray Charles; "Goody Goody", Julie London; "All or Nothing", Bill Henderson; "Where's the Rain", Barbara Streisand; "River, Stay 'way", Frank Sinatra; "Falling in Love", Helen Merrill; "This Can't Be Love", Art Tatum; "It's All Yours", Lynn Taylor; "Ain't No Use", Arthur Prysock; "Blues in the Night", Johnny Mercer; "Be Kind to Your Parents", Michael Feinstein; "Why Shouldn't I", Rosemary Clooney; "With Every Breath", Frank Sinatra; "Imagination", Ella Fitzgerald; "Try a Little Tenderness", Jimmy Durante; "It Might As Well", Singers Unlimited; "Moonlight Becomes You", Johnny Mathis.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: America, classic country, XM 10

Reflection and Projection

2004-10-31T19:47:00.000-05:00

I was unimpressed with this past week. The only channel I like is Luna. On the other hand, the only channel I really dislike is Sunny. The others I could have ranked any where in between.

I rate the week's channels this way:
1. Luna
2. the 90's
3. Music Lab
4. Mix
5. The City
6. Sunny

Channels next week:
Mon. Frank's Place, American standards, XM 73
Tue. America, classic country, XM 10
Wed. BPM, dance hits, XM 81
Thu. Fungus, punk/hardcore/ska, XM 53
Fri. XM Liquid Metal, heavy rock, XM 42
Sat. Audio Visions, new age, XM 77

This week jumps around even more than last week. At least Fungus is included, it's one of my favorite XM channels.

Sunday Spotlight
XM Public Radio (XM 133)
This is a very new addition to XM Radio. Also Bob Edwards, formally of NPR's Morning Edition, joined XMPR this month. Throw in shows from Public Radio International, American Public Radio and WBUR radio in Boston and you have a very respectable public radio channel on XM. The Connection is also a very good interview show and it follows Bob Edward's show in the mornings. Also try to catch Only a Game on weekends. It covers the world of sports.

Sunny

2004-10-30T18:11:00.000-04:00

"My loathings are simple: stupidity,
oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music."
Vladimir Nabokov

Do you yearn to hear music that's most often found in a dentist's office? Then Sunny is just the channel for you. When you want to listen to something then tune into almost any other XM channel, for nothing lock the dial onto Sunny. This is as close to musak as XM gets. One light inconsequential song slowly merges into another (several times today I didn't even notice that the song had changed). Every so often, a serene voice reminds you that you're having a Sunny day (or some such nonsense). Sunny, inoffensive yet uninspiring.

Sunny, beautiful music, XM 24
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on Sunny:
"This Train Adapt", Percy Faith; "I Can See Clearly Now" (musak version), Norm Geller; "Even Now", Nana Mouskouri; "A Song for You", John Fox; "Paradise", Skitch Henderson; "Blue Tango", Michel Le Grand; "Any Dream Will Do", Michael Crawford; "Love After Midnight", Herbert Rehbein; "Key Largo", Ronnie Aldrich; "If I Loved You", Johnny Douglas; "How Deep is the", Bert Kaempfert; "All I Ever Need", Chet Atkins.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow:
No channel is scheduled for Sunday. I will review the past week and look forward to next week. Also Sunday Spot Light.

Luna

2004-10-29T22:23:00.000-04:00

I'll listen to Luna when I want a light jazz channel that can hold my interest (Watercolors puts me to sleep). I like Luna but not enough to earn a pre-set.

Luna, Latin jazz, XM 95
My previous experience with channel: very little.

Heard on Luna:
"Every Time We Say Goodbye", Rumba Club; "From This Moment", Giovanni Hidalgo; "Hot Barbecue", Pucho & Latin So; "Canta Bajo", Mongo Santamaria; "Agua de Beber", Antonio C. Jobim; "Miranda's Smile", Paquito D'rivera; "How Insensitive", Charlie Byrd; "8 Timbales", Tito Puente; "El Ministro", Humberto Ramirez; "Take Sarava", Silvia Torres; "Black Orchid", Tjader/palmieri; "Afro Blue" Dave Valentin; "Samba Triste", Eliane Elias; "Manteca", Big Band of Shor.

Time spent listening: a little over an hour.

Tomorrow: Sunny, beautiful music, XM 24

Mix

2004-10-28T22:17:00.000-04:00

What's your mood: Heart, Blend, Mix. That's what the channel promo asks. The Heart is sappy love songs, the Blend is very soft adult contemporary music and the Mix rocks out a little every now and then.

Of the three, I like the Mix the best. But that's like saying the Mix is the tallest jockey at the stable. If you listen to XM Radio in an office and they listen to the Heart or the Blend all of the time, suggest the Mix to them. Otherwise your only choice is to change jobs.

Mix, contemporary hits, XM 22
My previous experience with channel: not much.

Heard on Mix:
"On the Way Down", Ryan Cabrera; "I Gotta Girl", Tripping Daisy; "Sand in My Shoes", Dido; "Plush", Stone Temple Pilots; "Breakaway", Kelly Clarkson; "Fast as You Can", Fiona Apple; "Stupid", Sarah McLachlan; "1985", Bowling for Soup; "Save Me", Dave Matthews; "Let Her Cry", Hootie & the Blowfish; "Pain", Jimmy Eat World; "Underneath It All", No Doubt; "Run", Collective Soul; "The Devils In the Wi", Five for Fighting; "Eighth World Wonder", Kimberly Locke; "Bigger Than My E", John Mayer; "Linger", the Cranberries; "Ocean Avenue", Yellowcard; "What You Waiting For", Gwen Stefani; "Stuck In A Moment", U2.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Luna, Latin jazz, XM 95

The 90's

2004-10-27T21:20:00.000-04:00

In general I don't care for the decade channels and the 90's is no exception. The 90's plays the hits from the decade. Pop hits in addition to being boring and forgettable most of the time also come from many styles of music. Take a look at what I heard in my short time listening today (see below). Journey, Concrete Blonde, Salt-N-Pepper and Ice Cube were just a few of the artists that I was subjected to. It's this jumping from style to style that I really don't like. Finally the DJ seemed to be trying too hard to be wild and crazy. (RIP John Peel)

The 90's, nineties hits, XM 9
My previous experience with channel: very little.

Heard on The 90's:
"I'll Be", Edwin McCain; "Mr. Jones", Counting Crows; "No More Lies", Michel'le; "Coco Jamboo", Mr President; "Ghetto Cowboy", Mo Thugs; "Bad of the Heart", George Lamond; "The Way", Fastball; "You Gotta Be", Des'ree; "When You Love A Woman", Journey; "Bog Gun", Ice Cube/feat. G; "Someday", Mariah Carey; "Joey", Concrete Blonde; "Whatta Man", Salt-N-Pepper; "Where Do You Go", No Mercy; "Back to Good", Matchbox 20; "Come Baby Come", K7; "Rosa Parks", Outkast; "Warm It Up", Kris Kross.

Time spent listening: roughly an hour.

Tomorrow: Mix, contemporary hits, XM 22

The City

2004-10-26T23:12:00.000-04:00

The channel description (urban top 40) is fair and accurate. It's not as bad as I thought it would be, but it's still not for me.

The City, urban top 40, XM 67
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on The City:
"Charlene", Anthony Hamilton; "Confessions Rmx", JD; "Breath", Fabolous; "Let Me Blow Ya Mind", Eve F/Gwen Stefani; "I Try", Talib Kweli/Mary; "U Should've", Monica; "Head Bussa", Lil Scrappy; "Breath, Stretch", Ma$e; "If I Ain't Got U", Alicia Keys; "Wonderful", Ja Rule ft Ashan; "Where Da Hood", DMX; "Flap Your Wings", Nelly; "Bang Bang", Kardinal Offishl; "Freek A Leek", Petey Pablo; "Drop It Like", Snoop Dog; "Turn Da Lights", Tweet; "My Neck My Back", Khia.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: The 90's, nineties hits, XM 9

Music Lab

2004-10-25T23:01:00.000-04:00

Did you ever wonder what set off the punks? Well, it was pretentious self-absorbed music like this. By the early to mid-seventies a lot of rock music ceased to be fun and many thought it should be serious art. Gone were the three chords and simple song form (verse, chorus, verse chorus - instrumental break - verse, chorus), they were replaced with esoteric chords, key changes and music forms only a true professional musician or an intellectual rock fan could appreciate. No more three minute enjoyable songs about girls and cars, now we had plodding twenty minute epics about space travel and mythology. No thanks. I didn't like it then and I don't like it today.

Initially punk was about getting back to the basics. Thank you punks. Who knows what type of music I would have resorted to if Jonathan Richman, Patti Smith, or the Ramones hadn't come along.

Music Lab, jam bands/progressive rock, XM 51
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on Music Lab:
"Pictures of a C", King Crimson; "Xanadu", Rush; "Snap Crackle Pop", John Scofield; "De Anza Jig", Primus; "Silent Scream", Gov't. Mule; "The Gates of del", Yes; "Little Green Men", Steve Vai; "Gotta Jibboo", Phish; "Hunch", Stanton Moore.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: The City, urban top 40, XM 67

Spirit

2004-10-24T22:00:00.000-04:00

This channel is not for me, but it did surprise me in how modern it sounded. Although it's still all about that old time religion, it does update the sound somewhat for the new millennium. Some of the songs utilize drum machines and synthesizers (very lightly) and others sound almost like light rap or hip-hop songs. Of the three Christian channels, this one was the most interesting to me. So if your a regular listener to the Torch or the Fish then certainly try out the Spirit, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Spirit, Gospel, XM 33
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on Spirit:
"Consecrate Me", Corletta Vaugh; "Oh Peter", Donald Lawrence; "I Still Love You", Texas Boys; "He's Alright", Fortitude; "Cry No More", Cross Movement; "Taste 'N' See", Tye Tribbett; "Everybody Ought", Nancy Wilson; "He'll Make A Way", Calvin Suggs; "Jesus You Are", His Voice; "In Your Presence", La. Mass Choir; "Your Word", Tonex; "Walk With Me", Pamela Rankin.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Next Up:
Mon. Music Lab, jam bands/progressive rock, XM 51
Tue. The City, urban top 40, XM 67
Wed. The 90's, nineties hits, XM 9
Thu. Mix, contemporary hits, XM 22
Fri. Luna, Latin jazz, XM 95
Sat. Sunny, beautiful music, XM 24

The Fish

2004-10-23T22:11:00.001-04:00

Boring, boring, boring. Blah, blah, blah . . . the lyrics are lost on this non-Christian. If the music was interesting then maybe I could get into this channel. Hey, I like reggae and I'm not rastafarian. The Fish plays softer music than the Torch.

The Fish, Christian Pop, XM 32
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on The Fish:
"That's What Love is For", Amy Grant; "Great Light of T", Bebo Norman; "Shake Me to Wake Me", Steve Camp; "Ocean Floor", Audio Adrenaline; "Majesty", Delirious; "Here With Me", Mercy Me; "Amazing Love", Passion; "This Is My Prayer to You", Sadler/Becker; "Soldiers", Out of Eden; "If We Are the Body", Casting Crowns; "Nothing to Say", Andrew Peterson; "This I Know", Margaret Becker; "With A Little Faith", Stacie Orrico; "Right Here", Jeremy Camp; "I Am Sure", Michael W Smith; "Presence", Newsboys; "Love Song for A", Jars of Clay; "Can't Get Past the", 4 Him; "Everyday People", Nicole C Mullen; "Matter of Time", Sarah Kelly; "Should I Tell Them", Shaun Groves; "Smile", Chris Rice.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Spirit, gospel, XM 33

X Country

2004-10-22T21:58:00.000-04:00

This channel is often described as country music for people who don't like country music. This is pretty much on the mark. It's also described as "progressive" country. I think that it's regressive country and that's a compliment. X Country plays music that blends rock 'n' roll, the blues and early R&B with country, kind of like Johnny Cash meets Buddy Holly. I can appreciate a roots channel like this, but for some reason it doesn't excite me that much. I'll tune in again, maybe I just hit a rough patch.

X Country, Progressive Country, XM 12
My previous experience with channel: not much.

Heard on X Country:
"Too Far to Fall", Uncle Walt's Ban; "Waiting on a Train", Steve Forbert; "Goin' Down in Style", Robert Earl Keen; "Mr. Dependability", Duane Jarvis; "Something to Look", Jon Dee Graham; "Yama Yama Pretty Mama", Big Sandy; "Everybody Went Low", John Hiatt; "Monkey in the Middle", Chuck Prophet; "Lovers Vacation", Paul Thorn; "Back Into Your W", Son Volt; "Cry", Danny Click; "Shut Up", Kieran Kane; "Not Enough of You", Rhodes Tavern T; "Back to You", Jason Boland; "What Do You Know", Dwight Yoakam.

Time spent listening: a little under an hour.

Tomorrow: The Fish, Christian Pop, XM 32

Ngoma

2004-10-21T17:25:00.000-04:00

What a pleasant surprise! At first I thought "this sounds kinda strange", then I thought "this will make a good background channel" and finally I just plain like this channel. The vocals are wonderful (even when not sung in English) with nice harmonies and the rhythms are catchy without being overbearing. In addition to being informative, the DJs are also warm and inviting. Overall a well done channel that I intend to listen to more.

Ngoma, African, XM 102
My previous experience with channel: very little.

Heard on Ngoma:
"Sandruma", Sacramento; "Ko Ko Ko Ko", Koffi Olomide; "Femme de Feu", Gadji Celi; "Siyobonana", Brenda Fassie; "Pitbull Chien Me", Benz Petrole; "Toman Tehti Mbak", Soukous Stars; "Iwai Nesu", Chiwoniso; "Ambiance Soukour", Aurlus Mabele; "Hima", Nawal; "Batoumambe", Habib Kotie; "Dia Le Mi", Angele Assele; "Allah", Youssou N'dour; "I'm Gonna Fly", Mercy Myra; "So Doce So Ei", Boy Mendes Ge; "Welcome Mbilia", Mbilia Bel; "Nsati", Jeff Maluleke.

Time spent listening: about three hours and I'll be back.

Tomorrow: X Country, Progressive Country, XM 12

The System

2004-10-20T17:58:00.000-04:00

Trance music to use in hosting your own rave at home (Ecstasy not included). If you like drum machines and synthesizer loops with or without nonsensical lyrics ("Step right up, step right up"), then The System is right up your alley. I know my alleys and this isn't one of them.

The System, Electronica, XM 82
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on The System:
"Air Batucada", Thievery Corpora; "The Beat Goes On", E-Craig; "Blank and Jones", the Hardest Heat; "Pulse", Ecosphere; "Cowgirl", Underworld; "Sweetest Dreams", Corderoy; "One 4 da Head", Buzz Fiend; "Offshore", Chicane; "Sonic", Cramer Rouse; "Step Right Up", Hooked; "Bloodlock", Sasha; "Renegade", Christopher Lawr.

Time spent listening: a little under an hour.

Tomorrow: Ngoma, African, XM 102

The Loft

2004-10-19T19:15:00.000-04:00

I like the Loft but it's not a pre-set. Why? I only have a limited amount of pre-sets and I prefer XM Cafe slightly over the Loft. "Acoustic Rock" is a bit of a misnomer in describing the Loft; "soft rock" is more like it. This isn't exactly an unplugged channel, every song isn't acoustic.

If you like XM Cafe then you'll probably like the Loft.

The Loft, Acoustic Rock, XM 50
My previous experience with channel: prior pre-set.

Heard on The Loft:
"Days Like This", Van Morrison; "Call Me Mellow", Tears for Fears; "Feelin' the Same", Norah Jones; "Motel Blues", Big Star; "I am the Cosmos", Chris Bell; "Live 'til You Die", Emitt Rhodes; "Late Night Radio", Greg Brown; "I'd Rather Have You", Thad Cockrell; "She's So Tough", Walter Egan; "This Is How It Goes", Aimee Mann; "Rock and Roll Ghost", the Replacements; " Sound of Silence", Simon and Garfunkel; "Love Throws A Line", Patty Griffin; "Bartering Lines", Ryan Adams; "Goodbye Look", Donald Fagen; "Los Angelenos", Billy Joel; "Can't Stop the Sun", Tom Petty; "At Sea", Pushstars; "Change the World", Eric Clapton; "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror", Elvis Costello; "Believe in Something", Posies; "Sails", Orleans.

Time spent listening: 60 to 90 minutes.

Tomorrow: The System, Electronica, XM 82

The Flow

2004-10-18T20:38:00.000-04:00

The Flow plays the "next generation of soul." The singers sing in the same style as classic soul with the music updated for the new millennium (drum machines and synthesizers). I like this channel but not enough to make it a pre-set. In the future I'll listen to the Flow when I want to break out of my usual routine for a little bit. Be sure to check it out especially if you like Soul Street (classic soul) or Suite 62 (urban adult).

The Flow, Neo Soul, XM 61
My previous experience with channel: I've never tuned in before.

Heard on The Flow:
"Hello, Goodbye", Van Hunt; "Far Away", Kindred; "Crush", Zhane; "Whatever You Want", N'dea Davenport; "Rider", St. Juste; "Aphrodisiac", Frayne; "Let's Do It Again", Jaguar Wright; "Sweetest Thing", Lathun; "Everyday", Jamroquaid; "Make It Alright", Carl Thomas; "Mississippi", Andreus; "The Life", Mystic; "My Petition. Jill Scott; "Right Back at You", Eric Roberson; "Paradise", Hil St. Soul; "On and On", Erykah Badu.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: The Loft, Acoustic Rock, XM 50

Reflection and Projection

2004-10-17T20:32:00.000-04:00

Last week featured Fred, one of my favorite channels, along with a few channels that I sampled for the first time. However On Broadway (Show Tunes) and The Heart (Love Songs) aren't appealing to me.

I rate last week's channels this way:
1. Fred
2. The Groove
3. Fine Tuning
4. The Heart
5. On Broadway
6. Highway 16

Channels next week:
Mon. The Flow, Neo Soul, XM 61
Tue. The Loft, Acoustic Rock, XM 50
Wed. The System, Electronica, XM 82
Thu. Ngoma, African, XM 102
Fri. X Country, Progressive Country, XM 12
Sat. The Fish, Christian Pop, XM 32

Of the six featured channels next week, I've only listened to The Loft with any regularity. However I have listened to Ngoma and X Country for short periods of time. This is a nice mix of channels and I look forward to checking out some channels I've neglected in the past.

Sunday Spotlight
MTV Radio and VH1 Radio (XM 155, XM 156)
These two channels largely play music, but they're in the Talk & Variety neighborhood because they also play commercials.

MTV Radio plays a lot of current hits and some of MTV television's shows. Real World on the radio, anyone? MTV Radio will also occasionally simulcast MTV television's programming, such as award shows (like the Video Music Awards). At five minutes to the hour there's usually an MTV News break. If you like the music videos on MTV2, then you'll like MTV Radio.

VH1 mixes in some classic rock with current music (it kind of reminds me of Virgin Radio UK) and has Sit and Spin, where a celebrity is interviewed and plays some of his/her favorite songs. Behind the Music and Legends aren't too bad on the radio either.

Unfortunately there isn't really a regular schedule for these two decent channels, so things are hit-and-miss.

The Heart

2004-10-16T20:49:00.000-04:00

Very soft music with sappy, lovie-dovie lyrics, that just about sums up the Heart. It's not my cup of tea.

The Heart, Love Songs, XM 23
My previous experience with channel: little to none.

Heard on The Heart:
"Power of Love", Jennifer Rush; "Time in a Bottle", Jim Croce; "Practice What You Preach", Barry White; "Next Time I Fall in Love", Peter Cetera; "Answer in the Sky", Elton John; "Biggest Part of", Ambrosia; "All Out of Love", Air Supply; "I've Got Love", Natalie Cole; "So Much in Love", All-4-One; "Baby, Come to Me", Patti Austin; "You", Neil Sedaks; "Got to Be There", Jackson 5; "She's Got A Way", Billy Joel; "One Sweet Day", Boyz II Men; "White Flag", Dido; "Wind Beneath My Wings", Bette Midler; "Three Times A Lady", the Commodores; "Giving You the Best", Anita Baker; "Heaven Help Me", Deon Estus & G.M.; "The First Time Ever", Roberta Flack; "Your Love is Kind", Sade; "Just When I Needed You Most", Randy Vanwarmer; "Adia", Sarah McLachlan.

Time spent listening: a little over an hour.

Tomorrow:
No channels are scheduled for Sundays. I will review the past week and look forward to next week. Also Sunday Spot Light.

On Broadway

2004-10-15T21:20:00.000-04:00

Simply put, On Broadway plays show tunes. If you like show tunes, then it's a safe bet that you'll like this channel. However it's not for me. The music is too light and inconsequential to be interesting. Additionally it's not a good background channel since every so often in a song there's a thunderclap of noise that's very distracting.

On Broadway, Show Tunes, XM 28
My previous experience with channel: I've never really listen to this channel.

Heard on On Broadway:
"Prelude", Apple Tree; "In My Own Little", Cinderella; "Boom-boom", Little Me; "Me and My Baby", Chicago; "It's a Pig", By Jeeves; "You Don't Know Paris", 50 Million French; "Your Just in L", Call Me Madam; "The Big Time", Will Rogers Follies; "I Wonder How It", Henry Sweet Henry; "Overture", Fine and Dandy; "There Is Life Out There", Avenue Q; "That was Nearly", By Jeeves; "We're in the Money", Ginger Rogers; "Muquin", Thoroughly Modern Millie; Interview: Sam Wolfson and Bryan Fogal.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: The Heart, Love Songs, XM 23

Fine Tuning

2004-10-14T19:51:00.000-04:00

Fine Tuning plays a wide variety music regardless of genre. It plays classical, jazz and rock, just to name some of the music that can be heard on the channel. So how does this differ from Hear Music? Hear music plays sets of music from a genre while Fine Tuning seems to vary more from song to song. Also Fine Tuning's playlist is bigger, at least for now (HM is still very new). Consequentially I hear more repeats on Hear Music than on Fine Tuning. Hopefully Hear Music's playlist will broaden as time goes by. If you like a lot of different types of music then give Fine Tuning a listen.

Fine Tuning, Eclectic, XM 76
My previous experience with channel: it's a former pre-set - replaced with Hear Music (XM 75), now I just channel up for Fine Tuning.

Heard on Fine Tuning:
"An Fharraige", Maire Brennan; "Symphony No. 40" (one movement of), Mozart; "Morning Glory", Blood Sweat and Tears; "Twilight", Vangelis; "Ronell's Reel", Kathryn Tickell; "Canyon Song", Oregon; "Little Wing", Jimi Hendrix; "Revelation", Iona; "Presence of the Lord", String Quartet; "Darling Be Home", Lovin' Spoonful; "Chinatown", Joe Jackson; "Simplify", Sarah Ban Breath.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: On Broadway, Show Tunes, XM 28

Fred

2004-10-13T20:46:00.000-04:00

I see Fred people. I hear Television.

Fred has been one of my favorite XM channels ever since I got XM almost two years ago. Fred plays the history of alternative music (as the channel promos remind us). It is essentially the alternative equivalent of Deep Tracks. You won't hear the 'hits' so much as other songs by recording artists. For instance today I heard "Down in the Park" by Gary Newman and not his hit "Cars". You'll also hear groups that never really had a hit, like Television (a group I like a lot), but influenced later musicians.

If you like any of the other alternative channels on XM then be sure to check out my friend Fred.

Fred, Deep Classic Alternative, XM 44
My previous experience with channel: it's one of my very favorite XM channels.

Heard on Fred:
"Hello Sandy Allen", Split Enz; "King of Emotion", Big Country; "Big Shot", English Beat; "Jealous of Youth", The The; "All I Need Is Everything", Aztec Camera; "Caution", Chameleons UK; "Down in the Park", Gary Newman; "I Want to Touch", Catherine Wheel; "Peek-A-Boo", Siouxsie and the Banshees; "Prove It", Television; "Is She Wierd", the Pixies; "88 Line About", the Nails; "All Day", Ministry; "

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Fine Tuning, Eclectic, XM 76

The Groove

2004-10-12T19:14:00.000-04:00

Grooovy man! Can you dig it? I knew that you could. What cat wouldn't be hip to this channel? OK, every channel isn't for everyone, but most people should like the old R&B songs that are played on the Grove. The songs, especially the rhythmic hooks, are real catchy.

Try it out if you haven't already.

The Groove, Old School R&B, XM 64
My previous experience with channel: I very seldom listen to it.

Heard on The Grove:
"A Lover's Holiday", Change; "He's Friend of Mine", Eddie Kendricks; "Running Away", Maze W/ Frankie B; "Master Blaster", Stevie Wonder; "Nothin' You Can Do", Average White Band; "Back to Life", Soul II Soul; "Night (Feel Like Getting Down)", Billy Ocean; "Computer Love", Zapp; "Fantasy", Earth Wind and Fire; "Upside Down", Diana Ross; "Ghetto Child", Spinners; "A Lonely Man", Chi-Lites; "She's Strange", Cameo; "This House", Tracie Spencer; "Affection", Lisa Stansfield; "Keep On Loving Me", Whispers; "Fencewalk", Mandrill; "Le Freak", Chic.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Fred, Deep Classic Alternative, XM 44

Highway 16

2004-10-11T19:59:00.000-04:00

Highway 16 (Top Country Hits) is very similar to Nashville (XM 11, 90's and Today's Country). I guess the difference is Highway 16 sticks to the current hits while Nashville mixes in some hits from the 1990's along with today's country. This subtle difference is lost on me. They both sound like pop channels to me, albeit with country trim to set it apart from the usual top forty pop. This channel is very bland and boring to me.

Highway 16, Top Country Hits
My previous experience with channel: very little. I tuned in to see what it was like when the channel launched, but I haven't listened since.

Heard on Highway 16:
"Don't Break My Heart Again", Pat Green; "Suds in the Bucket",Sara Evans; "Dixie Rose Delux", Trent Willmon; "Some Days You Go", Dixie Chicks; "Feels Like Today", Rascal Flats; "Bless the Broken", Rascal Flatts; "Where You Are", Rascal Flatts; "Then I Did", Rascal Flatts; "Break Away", Rascal Flatts; "When the Sand Runs Out", Rascal Flatts; "The Day Before You", Rascal Flatts; "Holes", Rascal Flatts; "Skin", Rascal Flatts; "Oklahoma Texas Line", Rascal Flatts.

Note: at 6:00 pm ET, I ran into a show called Short Cuts that featured Rascal Flatts. The show was your basic interview/song type program. The DJ interviewed the band in between playing cuts from their new CD.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: The Groove, Old School R&B

Reflection and Projection

2004-10-10T23:08:00.000-04:00

This past week was an interesting one for me. I was pleasantly surprised that I liked Aguila (Mexican music), and Hear Music (The Voice of Music at Starbucks) is a nice addition to XM's channel line-up. Hear Music needs a deeper playlist (Elvis Costello and Ray Charles are played a lot), but hopefully it will deepen as the new channel evolves.

I rate the week's channels this way:
1. The Joint
2. Bluesville
3. Vox
4. Hear Music
5. Bluegrass Junction
6. Aguila

Channels next week:
Mon. Highway 16, Top Country Hits
Tue. The Groove, Old School R&B
Wed. Fred, Deep Classic Alternative
Thu. Fine Tuning, Eclectic
Fri. On Broadway, Show Tunes
Sat, The Heart, Love Songs

I'm not a real big country or rap fan, but I can handle these two channels. Fred is one of my most frequently listened to channels and Fine Tuning is a pre-set. I've never listened to On Broadway or The Heart for very long, so it will be nice to check them out.

Sunday Spotlight

XM Comedy (XM 150)
When you want to have a few laughs tune into XM Comedy. You'll hear some very funny people, such as Lewis Black, Ron White, George Carlin and Brian Regen. There is a comedy show Friday nights at 10:00 pm ET that features a comedian. It's usually either a recored stand-up performance or an interview interspersed with recorded bits. Note: this is an XL channel (extreme language), so you will occasionally hear a naughty word or two.

Vox

2004-10-09T20:14:00.000-04:00

I like classical music, so why don't I listen to Vox more than I do? Vox plays a lot of opera and I would rather watch opera. Also most operas tend to be long and when I sit down to listen to a piece of music I want to listen to the entire selection. Often I don't have the time for a full opera.

Take me to the lieder!
I would really like a chamber music channel added to the Classical neighborhood. A channel that plays a variety of instrumental chamber music in addition to vocal chamber music would be fantastic.

Vox, opera / classical voices
My previous experience with channel: little to none.

Heard on Vox:
Mass No. 4 in C, Shubert; Six Hymns for Two, Rheinberger; Orchestral Intro, M. Bruch; Die Schoene Mullerin, Schubert; Tribute to Foste, P. Grainger; Neue Liebesliebe, Brahms; Le Reveil De La, Maurice Ravel; Call of the Cham, John Williams; America the Beautiful, Daniel Rodriguez; Bring Him Home, Daniel Rodriguez; Battle Hymn of the Republic, Howe; Der Corregidor, Wolf; Spanish Songbook, Hugo Wolf; Wayfarer Songs, Gustav Mahler; Rienzi, Richard Wagner.

Time spent listening: several hours.

Tomorrow:
No channels are scheduled for Sunday's. I will review the past week and look forward to next week. Also Sunday Spot Light.

The Joint

2004-10-08T22:38:00.000-04:00

"Me only have one ambition, y' know. I only have one thing
I really like to see happen. I like to see mankind live together
- black, white, Chinese, everyone - that's all." Bob Marley

I like this channel a lot. Reggae is a nice mellow style of music to relax to. However dancehall and dub, which the Joint occasionally plays, is not my mug of Red Stripe. Overall though, a wonderful channel.

The Joint, reggae, XM 101
My previous experience with channel: it's a preset that I listen too often.

Heard on The Joint:
"Bandits", Luciano; "Sweet Freedom", Culture; "Politruc", Alpha Blondy; "Global Talk", Apache Indian; "Fatty Fatty", Heptones; "Revolution", Bob Marley; "Ratsaman Chant", Ernst Ranglin; "Botanical Roots", Black Uhuru; "To The Foundatin", Dennis Brown; "Western Region", Jah Cure; "Girlie Girlie", Sophia George; "They Can't Stop Me", Johnny Clark; "Row Jimmy", Judy Mowatt; "Murder Dem", Ninja Man; "Come Back Darling", Johnny Osbourne; "I'd Die Without You", Wayne Wonder; "(Here Comes the) Rain Again", Crissy D; "More Than I Can Say", Ras Shiloh; "Saturday Night", Christine; "Not About Romance", Inner Circle; "My Heart is Gone", Horace Andy; "Dreams Come True", Elan.

Time spent listening: about 90 minutes, evening.

Related link: Official Bob Marley web site

Tomorrow: Vox, opera / classical voices

Bluegrass Junction

2004-10-07T21:22:00.000-04:00

A little bluegrass goes a long way with me. The monotonous arpeggios just get to me after awhile, especially if there are two or more going on at the same time. At that point it becomes sound and fury signifying nothing, kind of like fugues. And you know how I feel about fugues (I don't like them).

Bluegrass Junction, From Bluegrass to Newgrass, XM 14
My previous experience with channel: I tune in now and then (mostly then).

Heard on Bluegrass Junction:
"Avocado Shakedown", Strungover!; "Two Highways", Alison Krauss; "The Whup of Love", Andy Statman; "Thank God", Doyle Lawson; "Little Maggie", Ralph Stanley; "Wreck on the Highway", Tennessee Mafia; "The Ground is Le", Blue Highway; "Bluegrass Special", Third Time Out; "Freeborn Man", Jimmy Martin; "Mystery Train", the Rarely Herd; "I Feel Fine", Charles River Va; "I Know Where Love", Kenny & Amanda; "When You Come Back", Nickel Creek at XM; "Early Morning Rain", Tony Rice; "Left Over Biscuit", Lost & Found; "Heartbreak Insurance", Doyle Lawson; "Life or Love", Jimmy Bowen; "Shuckin' the Cor", Flatt & Scruggs; "Black River", Steep Caynon Ran.

Time spent listening: a little over an hour.

Tomorrow: The Joint, reggae, XM 101

Aguila

2004-10-06T20:21:00.000-04:00

To my untrained ear much of this music sounded like polka music with Spanish singing - not that there's anything wrong with that. This channel is fun and lively despite not being able to understand the lyrics. However, unfortunately the language barrier will probably keep me from listening in the future.

Aguila, Regional Mexican, XM 92
My previous experience with channel: none.

Heard on Aguila:
"Techno Cumbia", Selena; "Los Ahijados Del", Banda Movil; "No Quiere Comigo", Banda Arkangel; "Pacas De a Mil", La Revolucion D; "Prietita Nomas N", Ruben Ramos; "I Like the Live", El Gran Silencio; "Te Vas Amor", El Coyote; "Como Piedras", El Cartel De Nue; "Me dicen el tira", Ezequiel Pena; "Greitenme Piedra", Cuco Sanchez; "Que Triste Es Mi", Mazz; "Mi Premer Amor", Emilio; "Ni La Vida Es Mi", Los Tiranos Del; "El Final de Mi V", Los Pumas de Jal; "Que Amarren A", Joan Sebastian; "El Descalzo", Chris Sandoval; "Valentin De La S", Ana Babriel; "Rosas de Amor", Industria del Am; "Cantarle A Ella", Bobby Pulido.

Time spent listening: about an hour.

Tomorrow: Bluegrass Junction, From Bluegrass to Newgrass, XM 14

Bluesville

2004-10-05T23:03:00.000-04:00

"All God's children get the blues."

Bluesville (Exit 74 on the XM Highway) is a weekend standard for me. Friday afternoon is the request show, Saturday night is the hard blues show and Sunday morning is the acoustic show. I don't listen to all three shows every weekend but I usually listen to at least one of them (usually the Sunday morning show).

Bluesville plays all shades of the blues: old, new, Mississippi delta and Chicago. Just about every form of popular music today can trace part of it's roots back to the blues. So whether you like rock, jazz, soul, country or rhythm & blues you should check out Bluesville; you'll probably like what you hear.

Bluesville, blues, XM 74
My previous experience with channel: it's been a preset since I got XM in January 2003.

Heard on Bluesville:
"I'm In the Mood", John Lee Hooker; "At Last", Etta James; "Blame It on the Devil", Frank Morey; "Suffering with the Blues", Tad Robinson; "Trouble Blues", Charles Brown; "Right Time", Nappy Brown; "Bye Bye Baby", Lil' Buck Sinega; "Keep On Loving Me", Otis Rush; "Take My Chances", David Jacobs-Str; "Tom Rushen Blues", Alvin Youngblood; "Lovin' My Baby", Eric Bibb; "He's a Jelly Roll", Lonnie Johnson; "Ninety Nine", Bobby Rush; "Ain't That Cold", Joe Louis Walker; "Mystery Train", Parker/cotton/ha; "I Just Want to Make Love", Muddy Waters; "Drinking Gourd", Bill Sheffield; "Wasn't that Enough", Janiva Magness; "I Cover the Water", John Lee Hooker; "I Saw It Coming", Smokin' Joe Kube; "Dog Days of August", Cephas/ Wiggins; "Such A Much", Dr. John/Nelson.

Time spent listening: 1 to 2 hours

Tomorrow: Aguila, Regional Mexican, XM 92

Hear Music

2004-10-04T21:11:00.000-04:00

This is the very first day for this channel, so I wasn't sure what to expect. All I knew about Hear Music was that it's from Starbucks (yes, the coffee company). I started listening shortly after midnight and I'm impressed with it. By noon, Hear Music had earned itself a preset on my SkyFi. It has a lot of potential.

Hear Music plays a mellow mix of rock, jazz, rhythem & blues and soul. I like that it plays blocks of the varoius styles of music and even has song sets chosen by artists. Today I heard songs selected by Elvis Costello and Tony Bennet, to name but a few.

On the downside, Hear Music needs more variety. In one ninty minute stretch today, I heard four Elvis Costello songs. Ray Charles gets a lot of air play too. And I must have heard R.E.M.'s new song "Leaving New York" at least three times. I like all of these artists but if I'm going to listen to Hear Music regularly then the playlist must be deeper than this.

Hear Music, the Voice of Music at Starbucks, XM 75
My previous experience with channel: today's its first day! I've already made it a preset.

Heard on Hear Music:
"Just One More", George Jones; "Solitude", Duke Ellington; "How Insensitive", Frank Sinatra; "Here We Go Again", Charles/Jones; "You Make It Look", Flatlanders; "I've Been Loving You", Otis Redding; "Get Yourself Another", Sam Cooke; "Front Line", Stevie Wonder; "Who Discovered America", Ozomatli; "Crazy", Javier; "Desire", Talk Talk; "Unchained Melody", Willie Nelson; "If I Laugh", Cat Stevens; "Hello Stranger", Queen Latifah; "Over the Rainbow", Charles/Mathis; "Jigsaw", Amelia; "Tony & Maria", Los Lobos; "Part of the Proc", Moorcheeba; "Metal Firecracker", Lucinda Williams; "Leaving New York", R.E.M.

Time spent listening: 3 to 4 hours.

Tomorrow: Bluesville, blues, XM 74

Reflection and Projection

2004-10-03T23:41:00.000-04:00

This past week's channels I rank as follows:
1. Deep Tracks
2. Real Jazz
3. Hank's Place
4. Chrome
5. the Torch
6. the Move

Sunday Spotlight is canceled this week. It will return next week.

Next Week:
Mon., Hear Music, the Voice of Music at Starbucks, XM 75
Tue., Bluesville, blues, XM 74
Wed., Aguila, Regional Mexican, XM 92
Thu., Bluegrass Junction, From Bluegrass to Newgrass, XM 14
Fri., The Joint, reggae, XM 101
Sat., Vox, opera & the Magic of the Human Voice, XM 112

This week looks interesting. I'm looking forward to it.

The Torch

2004-10-02T13:29:00.000-04:00

"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

2004-10-01T23:23:00.000-04:00

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

2004-09-30T22:19:00.000-04:00

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

2004-09-29T22:43:00.000-04:00

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

2004-09-28T20:18:00.000-04:00

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

2004-09-27T19:05:00.000-04:00

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

2004-09-26T23:50:00.000-04:00

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.

XM Classics

2004-09-25T22:13:00.000-04:00

XM Classics is one reason I got XM to begin with. Several years ago I started to listen to classical music and Philadelphia doesn't have a 24/7 classical radio station anymore. WFLN closed up shop years ago. I have not been disappointed with the classical music on XM. It's wonderful, XM Classics in particular. The DJs, Martin Goldsmith and Paul Bachmann, are great. They have a nice relaxed conversational style and don't talk down to the listeners.

Furthermore XM Classics plays complete works of a wide variety of composers. For example in several hours of listening this afternoon I heard Tchaikovsky and JS Bach in addition to two composers I've never listened to before, Westhoff and Kozeluch. This isn't a background channel for me. It plays fabulous music that's a joy to experience.

XM Classics, traditional classical, XM 110
My previous experience with channel: preset, listen a few times a week.

Heard on XM Classics:
Sleeping Beauty, Tchaikovsky; Suite in A Major, Johan Westhoff; Violin & Oboe Concerto, JS Bach; Sinofina Concertante, Leopold Kozeluch.

Time spent listening: several hours.

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

RAW

2004-09-24T23:25:00.000-04:00

"Only sick music makes money today."
Friedrich Nietzsche

It's been a long time since I heard the 'N' word, 'F' word and the dreaded 'MF' curse word used so frequently. Is this some sort of artistic expression that I don't get? Do any of these "artists" know how to play an instrument? To my untrained ears this stuff is nothing more than repetitious noise with a whole lot of nonsensical cursing going on at the same time. Maybe junior high school kids get a kick out of hearing all of this cursing, but to me it's so over used it becomes meaningless. I mean if someone is always using the 'F' Bomb, then how do you know when he is really pissed? Furthermore Misters Baby D and Lil Flip don't even mention what they are checking the Ho for - sexually transmitted diseases I hope! I guess that I'm just too old to fully appreciate this channel.

"Rap music, more like crap music."
Bill O'Neil, WNYX News Radio

RAW, uncut hip-hop XM 66
My previous experience with channel: slim to none.

Heard on RAW:
"Ooh Nuthin", Project Pat; "Hot Sauce to Go", Jada/Pharrell; "I Ain't Heard o' That", Slim Thug; "Aquemini", Outkast; "Ms Kra-Z", Kra-Z; "Who Dat", JT Money-Feat; "99 Problems", T.I.; "Ho Check", Baby D/ Lil Flip; "Straight Cadillac", 8 Ball & MJG.

Time spent listening: about 30 minutes

Tomorrow: XM Classics, traditional classical, XM 110

Squizz

2004-09-24T02:40:00.000-04:00

Thanks Bootcamp! I almost forgot about this channel. Squizz used to be a preset of mine, but Fungus took it's spot. I may have to review my presets after Bootcamp is over.

Squizz, hard alternative, XM 48

My previous experience with channel: it's a former preset.

Heard on Squizz:
"Like a Stone", Audioslave; "Monster Magnet", Powertrip; "Monsters", V Shape Mind ; "Make a Move", Lost Prophets; "My Michelle", Afi; "Vitamin R", Chevelle; "In the Mood", To My Surprise; "Step Into the Light", Dust for Life; "Redemption", Third Strike; "Far Away", 12 Stones.

Time spent listening: about half an hour (I'm already familiar with this channel), evening

Tomorrow: RAW, uncut hip-hop XM 66

U-Pop

2004-09-23T01:42:00.000-04:00

Despite my earlier entries, I don't hate all pop music. I don't like pop channels that play pop songs that all sound the same, such as top 20 on 20, Kiss and Nashville. Impossible you say? "All pop music sounds the same!" you retort. Well, check out U-Pop.

This evening while listening to a Global Hits show on U-Pop, I heard music as diverse as R.E.M., Franz Ferdinand, and the Libertines. Not to mention an acoustic song by Damien Rice. It was all handled nicely by the DJ. My only minor problem with the show is that the DJ didn't state where any of the songs was particularly popular. Give U-Pop a chance and you may be pleasantly surprised.

U-Pop, Euro & global hits, XM 29
A Worldspace channel carried by XM.

My previous experience with channel: I used to listen every weekend to a weekly top 20-like show that I've somehow gotten away from recently. I've gotta start listening again.

Heard on U-Pop:
"The Joker", Fatboy Slim/Boot; "Take Me Out", Franz Ferdinand; "Dragostea Din Te", O-Zone; "Spin the Wheel", Bellefire; "Push Up", Freestylers; "Melt", Melanie C.; "Hey Papi", Alex Cartana; "Crickets Sing", Emma Bunton; "Girls", The Prodigy; "Leaving New York", R.E.M.; "Can't Stand Me", The Libertines; "In the Shadows", Rasmus; Cannonball Live, Damien Rice at XM; "Good Times Gonna Come", Aqualung; "No Ordinary Morning", Chicane; "Can You Feel It", V.

Time spent listening: about an hour, evening

Related web page: U-Pop at Worldspace

Tomorrow: Squizz, hard alternative, XM 48

Nashville

2004-09-22T01:42:00.000-04:00

Contemporary country music is nothing more than pop music with some country window dressing. Its singers strive to project a wholesome image and add some twang to the guitars, sometimes a little fiddle to the hooks, or maybe some banjo to the instrumental breaks; but to me it's still boring banal pop music. This is what Nashville plays and I don't care for it.

Nashville, 90's & today's country, XM 11
My previous experience with channel: never really listend to it before.

Heard on Nashville:
"Give A Little Love", Judds; "Somebody New", Billy Ray Cyrus; "Days Go By", Keith Urban; "Friends in Low Places", Garth Brooks; "Girls Lie Too", Terri Clark; "Prop Me Up Beside the Juke Box", Joe Diffie; "Don't Go Near the Water", Sammy Kershaw; "Burn One Down", Clint Black; "I Feel Lucky", Mary Chapin Carpenter; "My Second Home", Tracy Lawrence; "I Can't Sleep", Clay Walker; "Jukebox in My Mind", Alabama; "I Miss You A Little", John Montgomery; "Blame It On Your Lying", Patty Loveless; "Lesson IN Leaving", Jo Messina Dee; "Some Girls Do", Sawyer Brown; "Heart Full of Love", Holly Dunn; "Standing Outside", Garth Brooks; "John J Blanchard", Anthony Smith; "To Have You Back", Patty Loveless; "Past the Point", Hal Ketchum; "In A Real Love", Phil Vassar; "A Little Past Little Rock", Lee Ann Womack; "Blue", Leann Rimes; "Every Light in the House", Trace Adkins; "I Ain't Goin' Nowhere", Martina McBride; "Riding with Private Malone", David Ball.

Time spent listening: about 1 hour, evening

Tomorrow: U-Pop, Euro & global hits, XM 29

Cinemagic

2004-09-20T23:45:00.000-04:00

This is one of those channels that really is unique. You won't hear anything like this on traditional radio. Cinemagic plays movie sound tracks interspersed with audio snippets from the movies. You may be surprised at how many movies you recognize just from the music. Certainly be sure to check it out if you remotely like movies. For me it's a good break from my usual background channels.

Cinemagic, XM 27
My previous experience with channel: I tune in every so often

Heard on Cinemagic:
(note: Cinemagic Moments are audio clips from the movies)
"Main Title", the Godfather; "The New Godfather", the Godfather; "Cinemagic Moment - Strictly Business", the Godfather; "The Pickup", the Godfather; "Road to Perdition", Thomas Newman; "Cinemagic Moment", Road to Perdition; "Road to Perdition", Thomas Newman; "Shawshank Redemption", Thomas Newman; "Cinemagic Moment - Only Guilty Man in Shawshank", Shawshank Redemption; "Shawshank Redemption", Thomas Newman; "Cinemagic Moment - File Under Educational Too", Shawshank Redemption; "Shawshank Redemption", Thomas Newman; "Empire Strikes Back", John Williams; Cinemagic Moment - Leia & Han, "Empire Strikes Back", John Williams; Cinemagic Moment - Vader: 'Luke, I am your father.'; "Empire Strikes Back", John Williams; "Iron Giant", Michael Kamen; Cinemagic Moment - Iron Giant; "Iron Giant", Michael Kamen.

Time spent listening: about 1 hour

Tomorrow: Nashville, 90's & today's country

Reflection and Projection

2004-09-19T13:03:00.000-04:00

The second week of bootcamp is in the books. The only channel that I really didn't like this past week was top 20 on 20. I rate the week in this order: 1. XM Cafe, 2. Soul Street, 3. the 60's, 4. the 50's, 5. the 40's, 6. top 20 on 20.

Next Week:
Mon Cinemagic, movie sound tracks, XM 27
Tue Nashville, 90's & today's country
Wed U-Pop, Euro & global hits, XM 29
Thu Squizz, hard alternative, XM 48
Fri RAW, uncut hip-hop, XM 66
Sat XM Classics, traditional classical, XM 110

This week is a real uneven week for me. Cinemagic is usually a decent background channel. It's nice how it often mixes in dialogue from movies too. Country and hip-hop aren't my favorite types of music, so those days could be tough. I look forward to Squizz and XM Classics because they are presets of mine.

Sunday Spotlight

BBC World Service, XM 131
A very good source for world news. Be sure to check out Newshour 8 am - 9 am ET, News, analysis and commentary from around the world. Also at 4 pm ET. The BBC isn't just news. John Peel has had a rock show on the BBC for decades. He's on Fridays 10:30 am, 3:30 pm and 8:30 pm ET. Other non-news shows are aired too. BBC's schedule is online at: BBC World Service.

top 20 on 20

2004-09-18T19:00:00.000-04:00

If you like monotonous drum machines and senseless lyrics repeated over and over again ("I like that, I like that, I like that, I like that . . ."), then you'll love top 20 on 20. I would rather puncture my eardrum with an ice pick than listen to this channel.

For the record, top 20 on 20 plays the top twenty songs as voted on by listeners. You can vote at the channel's web page at XMradio.com or call their toll free request phone line.

top 20 on 20, XM 20
My previous experience with channel: I avoid it like the plague.

Heard on 20 0n 20:
"Goodies", Ciara/P. Pablo; "Ocean Avenue", Yellowcard; "One Night Stand", Misteeq; "My Happy Ending", Avril Lavigne; "Car Wash", Christina/Missy; "The Reason", Hoobastank; "Rumors", Lindsay Lohan; "Yeah", Usher/Ludacris; "One Thing" (the #1 song), Finger 11, "Let's Get It Started", Black Eyed Peas; "Headsprung", LL Cool J; "Move Ya Body", Nina Sky; "Breaking the Habit", Linkin Park; "Slow Motion", Juvenile; "Lose My Breath", Destiny's Child; "She Will Be Loved", Maroon 5; "I Like That", Houston f/Chingy; "Dare You To Move", Switchfoot; "My Place", Nelly; "Broken", Seether/Amy Lee; "Sunshine", Lil Flip; "Breakaway", Kelly Clarkson; "Turn Me On", Kevin Lyttle; "Nasty Girl", Nitty.

Time spent listening: one cycle, about 1 hour

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

XM Cafe

2004-09-17T18:40:00.000-04:00

Several years ago when I first read the channel name 'XM Cafe' I thought to myself that XM is copying the World Cafe. And I was right. A little background: David Dye started World Cafe at the University of Pennsylvania's college radio station (WXPN) in 1991. It's currently syndicated by Public Radio International (and is available on that other satellite radio service).

XM Cafe is a good background channel. The music is soft and interesting but doesn't put me to sleep. While I was listening this afternoon, I stumbled on Artist Confidential, Bonnie Raitt at XM. I missed this show Sunday night because I was watching the NFL. The Bonnie Raitt show was mostly an interview with her without much of her playing music. She only played two songs in the first 40 minutes of the show. Although she was a good interview, I was expecting more music.

XM Cafe, XM 45
My previous experience with channel: listen to often, it's a preset

Heard on XM Cafe:
"Days Like This", Van Morrison; "Boom, Like That", Mark Knopfler; "They're On to Me", Ari Hest; "Mr. Jones", Counting Crows; Artist Confidential, Bonnie Raitt at XM (an hour long); "I Did"; Louque; "Sleeping Satellite", Tasmin Archer; "Mama's Trippin'", Ben Harper; "At It Again", Pat McGee Band; "Stumble and Fall", Blues Traveler; "Ok", Ani Difranco; "What A Good Boy", Barenaked Ladies; "Lost in Space", Glenn Tilbrook; "Questionably Red", John Price; "I Want It Back", Shawn Colvin; "I Got the News", Steely Dan.

Time spent listening: about 2 hours

Related web sites: WXPN, World Cafe

Tomorrow: 20 on 20, top 20 hits

Soul Street

2004-09-16T22:42:00.000-04:00

I started to listen to Soul Street a little after midnight. Shortly after I began my listening, I got the sad news that Johnny Ramone passed away. After a sound night's sleep, I spent the afternoon listening to the Johnny Ramone tribute on Fungus. This evening I got back to listening to Soul Street and it really has picked up my mood. The music is bright and lively (it's got soul!) and the DJs are upbeat and positive. It will probably be a preset when I get the new SkyFi 2 (ten more presets than my SkyFi 1).

Soul Street, XM 60
My previous experience with channel: occasional listen

Heard on Soul Street:
"Since I Lost My Baby", the Temptations; "Hello Stranger", Four Tops & the Supremes; "Reggae Woman", Stevie Wonder; "Good Timin'", Jimmy Jones; "Feel Like Makin' Love", Roberta Flack; "Hit the Road", Ray Charles; "Dancin' Machine", Jackson Five; "A Groovy Thing", People's Choice; "Games People Play", the Spinners; "The Watusi", the Vibrations; "Get Out My Life", Lee Dorsey, "Funny", Joe Hinton; "Quicksand", Martha & the Vandelas; "Baby Don't Do It", Marvin Gaye; "Back Up Train", Al Green; "Wang Dang Doodle", Koko Taylor; "Sunshine", the O'Jays; "Clapping Song", Shirley Ellis; "Ain't That a Groove", James Brown; "Found a Girl", Eddie Floyd; "All Laughing", the Spaniels; "Easier Said Than Done", Essex; "Get Down Get Down", Joe Simon.

Time spent listening: about 2 hours, late night, early evening

Tomorrow: XM Cafe, modern/soft alternative

the 60's

2004-09-15T20:08:00.000-04:00

I started listening at 4:00 pm because I wanted to listen to Terry "Motormouth" Young. In the early 1980's he was a DJ in Philadelphia at the old WCAU (98.1 FM). The station at the time had a "hot hits" format (or such) and played the top 20 pop songs over and over (and over) again. I didn't listen to him a lot back then, but he had an entertaining show and I would check in a few times a week to see what was popular. His voice sounds a little deeper now, but his style is still the same.

Like the other decades channels, the 60's has some real good songs mixed in with the fluff, also known as boring pop hits. Like the 50's channel, the 60's is a nice break for me. I may listen in the future when I want to listen to something different for a change. Motormouth repeatedly talked over the music, which bothers me. Yes, I know it's part of setting the mood for the 1960's, but it still bugged me.

the 60's on 6, XM 6

Heard on the 60's:
"Let's Lock the Lock", Jay & the Americans; "Good Vibrations", Beach Boys; "Sweet Talkin Guy", Chiffons; "A Must to Avoid", Herman's Hermits; "Bossa Nova Baby", Elvis Presley; "Bad Moon Rising", Credence Clearwater Revival; "Not Me", Orlons; "You've Made Me So Very Happy", Blood Sweat & Tears; "Eli's Coming", Three Dog Night; "Hang'em High", Booker T & the MGs; News Reel 9/17/62; "You Keep Me Hanging On", Vanilla Fudge; "Baby I Love You", Ronettes; "She's Not There", the Zombies; "Walk on By", Dionne Warwick; "Take Good Care of My Baby", Bobby Vee; "Just Like Romeo and Juliet", the Reflections; "I Go to Pieces", Peter & Gordon; "Mr. Tambourine Man", the Byrds; Top 6 9/19/64; "The House of the Rising Sun", the Animals; "A Hard Days Night", the Beatles.

Time spent listening: 1 to 2 hours, afternoon and evening

Tomorrow: Soul Street, classic soul

the 50's

2004-09-14T22:12:00.000-04:00

It's still Rock 'n Roll to me.

The 50's is a nice break to my usual XM routine (sports talk and alt music). The music is still interesting after all these years, especially the well known stand-outs: Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc. It doesn't rate a preset, but I'll try to listen every now and then.

the 50's on 5, XM 5

Heard on the 50's:
"The Time", Baby Washington; "I Don't Know", Willie Mabon; "Sad Movies", Sue Thomas; "Peanut Butter", Marathons; "Trouble Blues", Charles Brown; "I'm a Man", Bo Diddley; "Mary Lou"; Ronnie Hawkins; "That'll Be the Day", Buddy Holly & the Crickets; "Stand By Me", Ben E. King; "Break Your Heart", Jerry Butler; "Butcher Pete", Roy Brown; "You Must Have Been", Bobby Darin; "White Port Lemon Juice", Belaires; "Sweet Little 16", Chuck Berry; "Sister Sookey", Turbans; "Everybody's Somebody", Heartbeats; "Robbin' the Cradel", Tony Bellus; "That's Enough", Ray Charles; "My Dad", Paul Petersen; "Whole Lot of Shaken Goin' On", Jerry Lee Lewis.

Time spent listening: 1 hour plus, evening

Tomorrow: the 60's

the 40's

2004-09-13T19:24:00.000-04:00

"It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.", Louis Armstrong.

This is XM's 1940's decade channel and I expected some serious swing music however I was diapponted. Maybe I just caught a bad hour or so, but very little of what I heard really swung. It was mostly melancoly big band music with uninspired singers - too white toast and milk. The 40's was very bland and boring this afternoon. Maybe I will use it as a falling-asleep channel, but I doubt it. Definately not a preset.

On the plus side, the 40's does a lot to set the mood of the 1940's. The Savoy Express railroad channel theme is catchy and the time-period news pieces are a really nice touch. This past summer's weekend long D-Day broadcast was well done. However ultimatelty it's the music that matters and I find it lacking based on my listeninmg today.

the 40's on 4, XM 4

Heard on the 40's:
"Play a Simple Melody", Bing and Gary Crosby; "I Cover the Water", Harry James; "Travelin' Light", Whiteman/Holiday; "Bei Mir Bist Du", Andrews Sisters; "Beg Your Pardon", Francis Craig; "Woodman, Spare That Tree", Phil Harris; "Do Nothin' Til You Hear from Me", Woody Herman; "Night Must Fall", Xavier Cugat; "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree", Glenn Miller; "The Gypsy", Sammy Kaye; "Merry-Go-Round Broke Down", Russ Morgan; "You Can't Be True", K Griffin/ J Wayne; "Tangerine", Jimmy Dorsey; "My Baby Just Cares for Me", Mel Torme; 9/13/1940 News; "I'll Never Smile Again", T Dorsey/Sinatra; "Six Flats Unfurn", Benny Goodman; "Love Letters", Dick Haymes; "I Cried for You", Glen Gray.

Time spent listening: 1 to 2 hours, afternoon

Tomorrow: the 50's

Reflection and Projection

2004-09-12T13:56:00.000-04:00

The first week of Bootcamp was well chosen. The decades channels are generally easy listening while Lucy and Ethel aren't offensive even if you don't like alternative music. Kiss is what it is - a top 40 pop music channel - you like it or not. My rankings of the week's channels: 1. Ethel, 2. Lucy, 3. the 80's, 4. the 70's, 5. Kiss.

Next Week:

Mon. the 40's, big band/swing
Tue. the 50's
Wed. the 60's
Thu. Soul Street, classic soul
Fri. XM Cafe, modern/soft alternative
Sat. Top 20 on 20, top 20 hits

This should be an easy week for me. The decades channels are fun to listen to every now and then, Soul Street I often listen to and XM Cafe is a preset already.

Sunday Spotlight

Sporting News Radio
With the recent start of football, I thought that I would feature what I feel is the best overall sports talk on XM - Sporting News Radio, XM 143. Just avoid the horrible morning show (listen to Tony Bruno on Fox Sports instead) and you can't go wrong. Real sports talk for real fans.

Check out: James Brown (especially good for NFL talk), 10:00 am to Noon ET weekdays; Rick Ballou (especially good for college football talk), 10:00 pm to 2:00 am ET, weekdays; Chet Coppock, 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, weekends.

for more info: Sporting News Radio web site

Lucy

2004-09-11T21:48:00.000-04:00

Lucy, classic alternative hits, is a relatively new addition to XM and I might add, a welcomed one. It's the Top Tracks of alternative music (Fred is the Deep Tracks of alternative). If you're into alternative music, then you'll recognize just about every song played on Lucy. At times it's just what I want, good familiar tunes albeit without a DJ. That's right, there are no DJs on Lucy, but I like the music so much it doesn't bother me. I can leave Lucy on for hours and I do severl times a week. Did I mention that Lucy is a preset of mine?

Lucy XM 54, classic alternative hits

Heard on Lucy:
"Jumper", Third Eye Blind; "Sweet Surrender", Sarah Mclachlen; "Island in the Sun", Weezer; "Corduroy", Pearl Jam; "I Alone", Live; "Flavor of the Week", American Hi-Fi; "Not Sleeping Around", Ned's Atomic Dustbin; "Somebody to Shove", Soul Asylum; "Never Let Me Down", Depeche Mode; "Chains of Love", Erasure; "Los Angeles", Frank Black; "There There", Radiohead; "Where It's At", Beck; "Cuts You Up", Peter Murphy; "My City was Gone", the Pretenders; "Save It for Later", English Beat.

Time spent listening: 1 to 2 hours, evening

Tomorrow: no channels are scheduled for Sundays. I'll reflect on the past week and look ahead to the upcoming week. Also I review a non-music channel that I frequently listen too.

Kiss

2004-09-10T22:01:00.000-04:00

Kiss is XM's pop hits channel. I'm not a real big pop music fan and Kiss isn't well done at all, so I rarely listen to it and it certainly isn't a preset. So what's wrong with Kiss? It's biggest problem is that it has no personality of its own. This is largely due to the fact that there are no DJs on Kiss. A pop channel has to have DJs that can hold my interest when there are a few songs that are "duds", otherwise I'm not listening for very long. I'd like to see XM get rid of Clear Channels's influence on Kiss and create their own pop channel (and drop the stupid 'Kiss' name), but I'm not going to hold my breath. It's been like this since I first subscribed to XM almost two years ago and I don't see it improving any time soon.

A good pop channel could be one of XM's flagship channels; a channel that everyone talks about and makes a point of listening to at least a little bit. Kiss is most definately not that channel.

Kiss XM 21, pop hits

Heard on Kiss:
"Ocean Avenue", Yellowcard; "Come Clean", Hilary Duff; "Seven Days", Craig David; "She Will Be Loved", Maroon 5; "Goodies", Ciara/P. Pablo; "Naughty Girl", Beyonce; "One Thing", Finger 11; "I Wanna Be Bad", Willa Ford; "My Happy Ending", Avril Lavigne; "Work It", Missy Elliot; "Toxic", Britney Spears; "Breaking the Habit", Linkin Park; "Give Me Just One", 98 Degrees; "Leave (Get Out)", JoJo; "Slow Motion", Juvenile.

Time spent listening: 1 hour (I couldn't take it any more), evening

Tomorrow: Lucy, classic alternative hits

Ethel

2004-09-10T01:38:00.000-04:00

Ahhh, the first preset of the Bootcamp! Ethel does a decent job of playing a nice mix of current alternative rock and I tune in several times a week. In other words, I like Ethel. The borrowing of Fred's DJs is a plus for me; jukebox-mode is not radio to me. Stabwalt was DJing while I listened tonight and he, like most of XM's DJ's, is personable, conveys a bit of information and doesn't talk over the music.

Ethel XM 47, 90's and today's alternative.

Heard on Ethel:
"Cish Cash", Basement Jaxx; "Transistor", 311; "Always", Blink 182; "Stacked Actors", Foo Fighters; "Pain", Jimmy Eat World; "Fell in Love with a Girl", the White Stripes; "Heart-shaped Box", Nirvana; "Black Betty", Spiderbait; "No Surprises", Radiohead; "Chain", the Fire Theft; "Jumper", Third Eye Blind; "Sgt. Baker", Primus; "Bam Thwok", the Pixies; "You Get What You Give", the New Radicals; "Run", Snow Patrol.

Amount of time spent listening: 1 to 2 hours

"Basically, I was trying to rip off the Pixies."
Kurt Cobain, talking about "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Tomorrow: Kiss (Pop hits)

the 80's

2004-09-08T22:10:00.000-04:00

I graduated high school and attended college in the 1980s so you would think that this channel was made for me. Wrong, I spent the eighties listening to mostly punk/alternative music and this channel plays mostly pop hits. However a greater variety of music is played on the 80's than is played on the 70's. I recognized and remembered just about every song played and in many cases it's video (remember when MTV played videos?). So there is a nostaglia factor for me that makes me like this channel slightly more than the 70's channel, but it still doesn't rate a preset.

Amount of time spent listening: 3 to 4 hours

Heard on the 80's:
"Waiting on a Thin Line", Huey Lewis & the News; "Jesse's Girl", Rick Springfield; "Karma Chameleon", Culture Club; "I'm So Excited", Pointer Sisters; "Super Freak", Rick James; "Let's Groove", Earth Wind & Fire; "Brilliant Disguise", Bruce Springsteen; "9 to 5", Dolly Parton; "Don't Forget Me", Glass Tiger; "Pride", U2; "Bad Boy", Gloria Estefan; "Take My Breath Away", Berlin; "All This Time", Tiffany; "Heart Beat", Don Johnson; "Cum On Feel the Noise", Quiet Riot; "Mexican Radio", Wall of Voodoo; "New Sensation", INXS; "Lick It Up", KISS, "Turning Japanese", the Vapors.

Tomorrow: Ethel, 90's and today's alternative

the 70's

2004-09-07T19:12:00.000-04:00

I've never listened that much to any of the decades channels. They largely play pop hits and I'm just not into that. Today I did listen to the 70's for two to three hours. Just after mid-night I caught some of a Chicago special that was well done. Also there were a few suprises that I didn't expect, like Bob Dylan, Patti Smith and Lou Reed. The audio montages of 70's sounds and the theme to WKRP in Cincinnati help to distinguish this channel.

Overall it is a good background channel, but not good enough to make it a preset. There was a rich diversity of music in the 1970's - glam rock, heavy metal, punk, disco, singer/songwriter, progressive (to name a few) - it's a shame that so little of it is played on the 70's channel.

Heard on the 70's:
"Take Me Home", Cher; "Deja Vu", Dionne Warwick; "Gotta Serve Somebody", Bob Dylan; "You've Got A Friend", James Taylor; "Peace Train", Cat Stevens; "Thank God I'm A Country Boy", John Denver; "Low Rider", War; "Shining Star", Earth Wind & Fire; "I'd Love You to Want Me", Lobo; "Never Been Spain", Three Dog Night; "Anticipation", Carly Simon; "Because the Night", Patti Smith; "Walk on the Wild Side", Lou Reed.

Random web site: SuperSeventies.com

Tomorrow: the 80's

Starting Tomorrow

2004-09-06T16:32:00.000-04:00

XM Radio Bootcamp 3 starts tomorrow!

I plan to listen to the featured channel for at least an hour each day. However if I can find the time, I'll listen for three to four hours before blogging my thoughts and comments.

This week's schedule:

Tue, The 70's (1970's decade channel)
Wed, The 80's (1980's decade channel)
Thu, Ethel (90's and today's alternative)
Fri, KISS (Pop hits)
Sat, Lucy (classic alternative hits)
Sun, no channel scheduled

"Mini" Bootcamp

2004-09-03T14:25:00.000-04:00

XM Bootcamp 3 will be a "Mini" Bootcamp and will feature only the music channels.

This suits me just fine. I'm already very familiar with the non-music channels (I regularly listen to many of them.) and I'm interested in sampling the full spectrum of music available on XM.

Check out my XM web page: Mydree | XM Radio
It features Daily and Weekly Highlights and a RSS Feed
Syndic8 Feed ID: 139221

XM Bootcamp 3 Starts September 7, 2004

2004-09-02T16:13:00.000-04:00

The third XM Bootcamp starts September 7. Bootcamp is when the listeners of XM Satellite Radio listen to a different channel each day. I will listen and then post my thoughts regarding the featured channel right here for all of the world to read.

Bootcamp 3 is scheduled to end November 24, 2004.

Links:

XM Bootcamp Schedule

XM Radio