by Julia Schrenkler
Member since:
August 31, 2005

Listener's Lounge: Radio Free Current! May 1

May 01, 2007 09:18 AM EDT (Updated: May 01, 2007 09:28 AM EDT)
views: 163 | rating: 10/10 (4 votes) | comments: 126

Hey, you, yeah you. Don't just listen to The Current...you're the DJ today. The Radio Free Current action runs from 09:00 a.m. CT to 11:00 p.m. CT and this is our space to talk about it...

The Current has over 16,000 songs for you to choose from, so if you haven't already made your requests and created your three-song set, GET BUSY. Register now and make your requests! Everyone who signs up will also be entered for a chance to win a $400 gift certificate from Erik's Bike Shop. (See the Official rules, natch)

You're listening, right? Tune in or stream it, you'll hear station IDs submitted from people just like you (or maybe even yours...) and we'll try to work in as much backstory & comments about the requests as time allows. During the day we'll also have hourly polls so visit the homepage and vote early...notice I didn't recommend voting often - one per, please.

Everybody ready? [deep breath]

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Julia Schrenkler
Minnesota Public Radio Interactive Producer
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Comments: 126

Michael Wells May 1, 2007, 9:19am EDT
Breathe in.....Breathe out....Breathe in....
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 9:28am EDT
Is that Yoga or Lamaze, Michael? This is going to be good.
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 10:08am EDT
First poll is Johnnnnnnnnnnnny Cash. Which song? This is tough.
I picked Hurt, although A Boy Named Sue is one of my favorites. Johnny nails that song.

This is excitin'

(patiently waits for his station ID to be played) :)
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 10:17am EDT
This is fun!

Patience is a virtuuuuue. Of course folks can hear some station id samples (look here) whenever the mood strikes.

And

*cough* http://twitter.com/TheCurrent *cough*
Say, that was a great station ID! Whoda thunk of doing Beat Poetry? I thought the guy who said "Deville" was spot on! hee hee!

This rocks!
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 10:29am EDT
*snapping fingers*
skiddely-doo wahhh...
Steviewest ;-) May 1, 2007, 10:34am EDT
Wow, what great bongos!!!!!!

My Cash vote would be "If I Was a Carpenter" w/ June Carter but it wasn't available. So, I picked "Ring of Fire" then.
Melinda: Go to: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/

Click on "Listen" and you can stream.

Congrats to Stevie who just had his singing promo played at 9:44am!

Go Tarts!
Steviewest ;-) May 1, 2007, 10:52am EDT
Really, I could of sworn it was Lou Reed. Are you sure Frick?
Er.. yeah..it was..uh.. Lou Reed.. sure... yeah..
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 10:54am EDT
And there was a little cowbell...
Auntie adn Onie's Cowbell promo

MY Request for Feed the Tree! yyyeaah Boy!!!

This is the best day ever!!

Woot!
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 10:58am EDT
Can I quote ya on that?
Steviewest ;-) May 1, 2007, 10:59am EDT
Alright! "Ring of Fire". Should I quit while I'm ahead?
quote away, Julia!

Seriously, I'm all giddy right now. And it ain't the coffee.

This rawks!
melinda: It's Barb Abney the 9-Noon Host. She rules. As do all the DJs/Hosts.
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 11:03am EDT
You can learn more about Barb or even nab her feature RSS feed here.

She's also super active on the blog.

As far as I'm concerned, y'all rule today.
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 11:04am EDT
@ Stevie

No, don't quit - "The Incarnations of Dan Wilson" happens to be up.

Pixies @ 11 ;-)
I wish Dan Wilson would just put out his album, I love all the songs they've been playing by him lately.
That wasn't me, Melinda. One of mine has a gong/bell sound through the whole thing.
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 11:16am EDT
Melinda, what time was it?

Hey you all - you realize you can STILL vote, right? Hop aboard and make a request.
I made my 10 already and got 1 in, I'm a happy camper.

Altough, I'd love to her my 3 song set. Tasty Pop Filled Donuts all.

Stevie got a request in too! Jenny Lewis.
I like this cover of Pete Townshend's "Let My Love Open the Door" I've never heard it before.
yay! my wakey wakey promo! 10:46!
I don't think they have that one, Mark.

Go to the http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/

and find the "Radio Free Current", click on it, register and send in your request. You can search the 16K+ song list and pick up to 10.

Go for it, this just ain't for Minnesotans. If ya'll listen streaming or on the radio, go for it!
not a sweat. no need to apologize.
Steviewest ;-) May 1, 2007, 12:29pm EDT
Stevie got a request in too! Jenny Lewis

I think my request was for Lenard Cohen's "Famous Blue Raincoat", but who's counting.
ISR: Lily Allen "Friday Night" is a fun fun fun song.

sorry, stevie, I might have misheard.
Steviewest ;-) May 1, 2007, 1:11pm EDT
No problem Frick.
Hey, that promo was fun with the accordion and heavy breathing and all.....
yeah it was cool.
Julia Schrenkler May 1, 2007, 1:40pm EDT
Y'all listening over lunch?

It just keeps on rolling...





Next hour's poll should be slammin'
Haven't missed a tune yet!

Yeah, Westerberg/Replacements up next for the poll. That's going to be a tough one.

ISR: DeVotchKa: Queen of the Surface Streets!!! Hundredola! it's the in-studio one too!
Deen C May 1, 2007, 1:52pm EDT
I'm brave, I'm back, living the cube life, where everyone can see what I do. First time in over a week that I have been able to listen to the current. I cannot play your clips though. Did they air any of the post tarts yet?
Steviewest ;-) May 1, 2007, 1:58pm EDT
Deen, I think you need to have Real Player installed in your computer to hear the clips. I've heard at least 4 or 5 of the PT clips.
Deen C May 1, 2007, 2:01pm EDT
I have real player, but maybe not the most recent version. They have really locked down our computers so we can't download any programs. Hopefully I will hear them on air again, and play them later at home.

They played Devotcka on the morning show too. I was really happy to hear Bill get his props in the city pages, the more he subs in, the better the morning show playlist gets.
Hey Deen!

Yeah, they played about 4-5 PT clips on Barb's show this morning. Still haven't heard Zelda yet though.

You can hear them on the RFC page at home. Even then, RP won't let me play my own promo. something went wonky

And definitely, props to Mr. DeVille for being voted Best FM Radio Personality in City Pages. The man knows his stuff!
Onan The Barbarian May 1, 2007, 3:11pm EDT
And definitely, props to Mr. DeVille for being voted Best FM Radio Personality in City Pages.

I thought Mary got that again??

Oh...and I can't stream the Current from work...this sucks.

I see they played my "Cowbell" spot...did they play my "Food and Beer" spot??

And one of my requests was played..."Toolmaster of Brainerd"...oh yes.

I guess my collection of Trip Shakespeare on my iTunes will have to sufffice.
No food and beer spot, Onie.

Mary was the Reader's Choice for CP Poll, DeVille was the CP choice.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:16pm EDT
Gosh, I hate it when everyone is partying in da Lounge without me!

(54 min. left)
Deen C May 1, 2007, 3:19pm EDT
Toolmaster was my vote, but I definitely have to listen to lyrics more. I never really heard it as toolmaster of Brainerd, but toolmaster persuasion.

Thankfully they haven't taken away radio, we are moving to alot of web based training where we need a video player. I just have someone walking by my cube about once every minute, and people drop by constantly. I got more done in my own office surfing the web 20 times as much as I get done in a cube of continual noise and interruptions. They keep saying they are putting in filtering software, but IT is so overloaded that they must not be getting around to it.
Hey Auntie!

I haven't hit the picks yet on the song polls yet today. Good thing I'm not trying for the PowerBall
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:22pm EDT
Major congrats to DeVille. He certainly deserves it, and I think it's great that they chose someone with a lower profile. Everybody knows the exuberant Lucia & Wheat; Deville's wonderful sets deserve a wider audience!
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:25pm EDT
Oh wow! I just realized that Bowie is the next poll artist. [crossing fingers] Oh, I sure hope it's something classic and glam, from Ziggy Stardust/Diamond Dogs era...
Deen C May 1, 2007, 3:25pm EDT
Auntie, this is the first time I have been at the party in a long time! I was just so glad to see someone was here!

The only poll I got right was toolmaster. Thankfully people weren't voting for the overplayed hits like Closing time (though those lyrics are so dead on).
I still can't listen to Closing Time. It was sooo overplayed.

Auntie; They have plenty from Bowie's glam era, if you ever looked at the playlist. "Suffragette City" Starman, Ziggy... I'm going to vote for Heroes if it's on there because it's my favorite, even though they only play the edited single version.

I voted for I"m so Bored with the USA for the Clash.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:30pm EDT
Hi Deen! Toolmaster was a great choice, but I would have been happy with any of the songs offered. I especially like the new one that you can't get unless you buy the New Orleans relief CD. I can't remember the name of it for the life of me.

For the Replacements I chose Toolmaster. For Johnny Cash I chose "The Boy Named Sue".

I just voted for my Clash choice, and I made it in honor of my hubby, FFCG. I chose "I Fought The Law" becuz that's what chose to sing at Karoake at Elsie's when we went bowling last year.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:32pm EDT
[Melting at the very mention of "Heroes"] Gosh, Frick, that's my very bestest favoritest Bowie tune. Still brings tears to my eyes to hear it, and it's so amazing live.
It even sounds good in German.
I also like that new Dan wilson tune you mentioned. I have no idea what it's called either.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:36pm EDT
Hi Melinda, I'm actually at the Library, on my lunch break. My employer, in its infinite wisdom, blocked Gather back in January. I just couldn't resist jumping on for an hour, though, with all the Radio Free Current programming going on!

If you go to the Current's web site you can hear several promos we did.

Count up 12 from the bottom, and you'll hear me & Onie, just like we were there in your cubicle with you!
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:38pm EDT
Frick, it's called "I Can't Hold You". As far as I know it's not available as a single (on itunes or whatever). You have to buy the entire benefit CD.
Deen C May 1, 2007, 3:38pm EDT
All I can think of is accuradio.com's brit rock station where all they play is I'm so bored with the USA every 5 minutes. I had to vote for This is Radio Clash, because it resonates as a very happy time in my life. Nebraska may have been hicksville, but with a great college radio station, I finally got to hear something other than the crap they played the 15 months I spent in Memphis.

Bowie will be hard in some ways as there are several that speak to me, but I hope Space Oddity will be there.
Thanks..I don't think I'll be making the purchase just for that one song. Unless there are other great ones on there.

Of Montreal - Tenola!
Steviewest ;-) May 1, 2007, 3:41pm EDT
Thankfully people weren't voting for the overplayed hits like Closing time...

Ah.....ya.....boy....... thankfully.............

My Clash vote went to Janie Jones (but I wanted "Julie's in the Drug Squad)
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:43pm EDT
You know, Frick, I'm not a big "Of Montreal" fan, but I liked that tune.

Bowie is gonna be hard... I love so much of his old catalog. I hope it's a deeper track than "Space Oddity", much as I like that song.
Onan The Barbarian May 1, 2007, 3:46pm EDT
[Melting at the very mention of "Heroes"] Gosh, Frick, that's my very bestest favoritest Bowie tune. Still brings tears to my eyes to hear it, and it's so amazing live.

Bowie's 2004 "Reality" tour - Best. Concert. Evar.

"I'm afraid of Americans"...GREAT song...followed by "Heroes"...

He opened with "Rebel, Rebel"...it was amazing...
Yay! Glad you enjoyed the promos, Melinda. they were fun to make!
Deen C May 1, 2007, 3:47pm EDT
Bowling, my fave! Dave and I went to NYC on a last minute trip for his work and we bowled on the first Sunday when it was like 70+ here, and a monsoon in NYC. Bowling sounds like a good idea when it gets up to 90.
Onan The Barbarian May 1, 2007, 3:47pm EDT
[Melting at the very mention of "Heroes"] Gosh, Frick, that's my very bestest favoritest Bowie tune. Still brings tears to my eyes to hear it, and it's so amazing live.

Bowie's 2004 "Reality" tour - Best. Concert. Evar.

"I'm afraid of Americans"...GREAT song...followed by "Heroes"...

He opened with "Rebel, Rebel"...it was amazing...
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:48pm EDT
Melinda, dear, you are easy to please! It's too bad you don't live closer, you'd probably have a lot of fun at our Post Tart get togethers.

Frick, here's the album on Amazon: For New Orleans. I don't know many of the other artists on it. I figure if I wait a bit some used copies will turn up.

(23 minutes left)
I saw Bowie on his "Glass Spider" tour. Touring behind a crappy album, but still did all the hits. Peter Frampton was his guitar player on that tour. It was awesome. Originally it was supposed to be at the Metrodome, but they had to move it to the Civic Center because of lack of ticket sales.
Here's what TC has for Bowie in their playlist file:

David Bowie | 5.15 The Angels Have Gone
David Bowie | Ashes To Ashes
David Bowie | Blue Jean
David Bowie | China Girl
David Bowie | Dancing In The Street W, Mick Jagger
David Bowie | Days
David Bowie | Fame
David Bowie | Fashion
David Bowie | Golden Years
David Bowie | Hang Onto Yourself (Rele
David Bowie | Heroes
David Bowie | Let's Dance
David Bowie | Life On Mars
David Bowie | Modern Love
David Bowie | Moonage Daydream
David Bowie | New Killer Star (Morgan Page Remix)
David Bowie | Rebel Rebel
David Bowie | Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
David Bowie | Space Oddity
David Bowie | Star
David Bowie | Suffragette City
David Bowie | Sunday (Moby Remix)
David Bowie | The Jean Genie
David Bowie | The Man Who Sold The World
David Bowie | Young Americans
David Bowie w/ Queen | Under Pressure
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:50pm EDT
Frick, I was at that Bowie concert, too!!! Loved seeing Frampton play, but it seemed odd for him not to be headlining, considering what a superstar he was in the late 70s.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:51pm EDT
"Under Pressure" also rates very high on my list of all time favorite songs, but I think of it more as a Queen song, for some reason.
Deen C May 1, 2007, 3:54pm EDT
Sniff sniff, never saw Bowie. I have really come to dislike concerts in anything larger than an Orpheum type venue. Plus they are usually too spendy once you get used to First Ave ticket prices, even though they have increased too.
it is a Queen song. Should be Queen w/ David Bowie. whatev.
Onan The Barbarian May 1, 2007, 3:58pm EDT
"Under Pressure" also rates very high on my list of all time favorite songs, but I think of it more as a Queen song, for some reason.

'Cuz of Freddy Mercury, of course...
Steviewest ;-) May 1, 2007, 3:58pm EDT
Wierd "Sorrow" is not on that list, I know I've heard it on the Current. I guess I'm going to vote for "Golden Years" but anyone of those songs would be fine by me.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:58pm EDT
London Calling - good song, but a bit predictable, no?

Deen, I agree on ticket prices. There aren't many "big" artists I will shell out $100 bucks to see. I have more important priorities for my discretionary income!
Deen C May 1, 2007, 3:59pm EDT
Pop Bands for $200 Alex.

Queen.

Who is a band that I sing along to but would be embarrased to admit because of their mainstream popularity?
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 3:59pm EDT
(11 minutes left. Post FAST, people!]
Deen C May 1, 2007, 4:00pm EDT
I had Sandanista on 8 track.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 4:01pm EDT
Speaking of different media formats, You know what I just found in our garage (which is too full of FFCG's crap to house an actual vehicle)??

Yup, you got it. A huge box of 8-tracks. Know anyone who still has an 8-track player?
Deen C May 1, 2007, 4:03pm EDT
Wow, I don't even know where my 8-tracks are, but my Mom has all my 45's. I just toured a house where they used 45's as a wainscoting.
Deen C May 1, 2007, 4:04pm EDT
Melinda, hopefully you will be up here the weekend of the art car parade. I don't know the date but they have a website.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 4:04pm EDT
Bowie's up! Here are th choices:

Ashes To Ashes


Andy Warhol

Blue Jean

Boys Keep Swinging

Days

Fame

Golden Years

Hang Onto Yourself

Heroes

The Jean Genie

Life On Mars

Rebel Rebel

Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)

Space Oddity

Sound and Vision

Star Man


Suffragette City


TVC15


Young Americans
Onan The Barbarian May 1, 2007, 4:04pm EDT
That Bowie concert was $60...and in honor of today's Radio Free Current, I am changing my avatar to DJ Jazzy Ouchy...
Deen C May 1, 2007, 4:05pm EDT
Death Cab for Cutie is next. I love Postal Service, and Death Cab, but after seeing them in concert, many of their songs sounded the same.
100 w00t!
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 4:06pm EDT
(4 minutes left)

I know what you mean, Deen, but some of their songs are sooooo beautiful! I think I'll have to go for "Marching Bands of Manhattan". Or maybe "Crooked Teeth"...
Deen C May 1, 2007, 4:07pm EDT
I forgot all about TVC15, oh my TVC15, oh oh , TVC15.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 4:07pm EDT
[Sidling up to Frick] Frick, you're gonna share that w00t with your friend Auntie, right??
Deen C May 1, 2007, 4:08pm EDT
Only 4 minutes left, but at least the end of the day is getting nearer.

Anybody see wedding crashers the TV show last night? It was pretty funny.
I will have to abstain from Death Cab For Cutie.. I'm not knowledgeable enough about their music.

Just voted for Heroes even though Mary plays it a lot already.
I guess I could share the woot. Here, everyone take a piece.....
Deen C May 1, 2007, 4:11pm EDT
Whats the flavor?
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 4:11pm EDT
Nope, Deen, only 4 minutes before my time on the Liberry 'puter runs out. Except that they automatically extended it 15 minutes since there are open PCs.

I really should go back to the office, but this is so much more fun... (Which is probably why Gather was blocked in the first place)

Blech... forget it, Frick. I don't like ketchup flavoured w00ts. You can keep my piece.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 4:12pm EDT
(From the wrapper it looked like raspberry)
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 4:16pm EDT
ISR - Jesus and Mary Chain "Just Like Honey" ~ Tenola™!!

And it's Auntie-Over-And-Out. Please don't have too much fun without me, Tarts, while I toil for my paltry paycheck.
;-)
I should go shower and get things ready for dinner.

Toodles all!
Deen C May 1, 2007, 4:23pm EDT
Boo Hoo, if everyone leaves I'll have to work.
Onan The Barbarian May 1, 2007, 4:35pm EDT
Ugh...Gather is SO slow for me...

Anyway - I HAD to pick "Rebel, Rebel" 'cuz of the catchy geetar licks...and it MUST be played at ELEVEN!

Bummed that "I'm Afraid of Americans" wasn't a choice...

And I got blogged about a few minuted ago about cowbells...heh...
Deen C May 1, 2007, 4:42pm EDT
Hi Ouchy!! Nice album. I love I'm afraid of Americans.

I'm concentrating on the clock ticking.
It's been a lot of fun, I hope they do it again some time.
Auntie Smedley May 1, 2007, 10:08pm EDT
Melinda, haven't you ever seen Will Ferrell's More Cowbell sketch from Saturday Night Live? It's gotta be the best music sketch ever, and will explain it all for you. It's become something of an anthem for a certain segment of the Current listener population, and quite the internet meme. You should be able to find it on YouTube.
Julia Schrenkler May 2, 2007, 9:30am EDT
Radio Free Current
has left the building!

Missed it? View the Playlist or
listen to the Station IDs

Whew, that was fun. Thanks to everyone who shared their song picks, voted in the hourly polls, and recorded their own station id!

Psst: Radio Free Current might be over, but year round you can always request your favorite music or create a three-song set.