On Second Listen: From the Unexpected to the Unforgettable
Episode 7 | Wednesday, 10 a.m.–noon | WMUH 91.7 FM
What do Jim Morrison, Gustav Holst, Eddie Murphy, and Barry Manilow have in common?
Not much, as far as we know. But they’re all part of this week’s On Second Listen.
First, we’re turning the playlist over to our listeners. Their suggestions take us from the Doors to the German theater of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, from a 1970s rock adaptation to a rather grand piece of orchestral music, and from a familiar a cappella song to some decidedly unexpected variations. Keep those suggestions coming!
Then, Gregory Porter takes the spotlight. One of contemporary jazz’s most distinctive voices, Porter has a remarkable ability to make a familiar song sound newly discovered. We’ll hear him interpret a couple of classics before exploring what happens when a DJ gets hold of one of his own compositions.
Our third half-hour asks a slightly ridiculous question: What happens when comedians decide to become recording artists? Eddie Murphy, Rodney Dangerfield, Howie Mandel, Steve Martin, and Steven Wright provide some surprising answers. Some are genuinely musical, some are deliberately absurd, and one might even leave you feeling unexpectedly philosophical.
Finally, we settle into October. Eva Cassidy and Yves Montand kick off the last segment with two very different interpretations of an autumn standard. And we’ll continue to mark the season with artists that are worth a second listen, including two whose first name is Francis!
It’s an episode that travels from the ridiculous to the reflective, with plenty of discoveries along the way.
Join us Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon on WMUH 91.7 FM, Allentown, or listen online. And visit OnSecondListen.com after the broadcast for On Second Thought, our companion notes with additional musical discoveries and links.
On Second Listen — familiar music, heard differently.