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