Session notes from the booth.

Thank You Friends by Big Star lands here because keeps the emotional pressure steady after Rock 'n' Roll With Me (Live) by David Bowie and turns the color from 2020s into 1960s. The Beatles is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences, so the pick already reads like a real hand.. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. The Prophet Returns can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On Sounds Of The Seventies - Punk And New Wave (1993), Thank You Friends shows Big Star working in a 1990s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for The Prophet Returns to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

The Prophet Returns answers Thank You Friends by Big Star with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The jazz edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Here Comes the Sun can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On Prophet (2022), The Prophet Returns shows The Sun Ra Arkestra working in a 2020s pocket with jazz in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

This one is airing as a clipped passage, so listen for the section Mr Rassy chose to stand in for the whole piece. The choice was deliberate: The Prophet Returns is an album-side suite that benefits from a clipped opening to maintain the listener's interest without overwhelming the set.. Here Comes the Sun is waiting on the far side of that seam.

Here Comes the Sun answers The Prophet Returns by The Sun Ra Arkestra with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

On Abbey Road (1969), Here Comes the Sun shows The Beatles working in a 1960s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers The Prophet Returns without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy by Bad Company lands here because Roll Over Beethoven (2023 Mix) by The Beatles and Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo by Rick Derringer provide a sharp two-step emotional arc, maintaining the station's mood while offering fresh turns.. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Roll Over Beethoven (2023 Mix) can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On Sounds Of The Seventies - 1979 (1990), Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy shows Bad Company working in a 1990s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Roll Over Beethoven (2023 Mix) to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

Roll Over Beethoven (2023 Mix) answers Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy by Bad Company with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On The Beatles 1962 – 1966 (2023 Edition) (2023), Roll Over Beethoven (2023 Mix) shows The Beatles working in a 2020s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo answers Roll Over Beethoven (2023 Mix) by The Beatles with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

On Sounds Of The Seventies - 1974: Take Two (1991), Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo shows Rick Derringer working in a 1990s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a candlelit drift, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Roll Over Beethoven (2023 Mix) without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Electron Blue by R.E.M. lands here because Moonlight Drive by The Doors and A Clean Break (Let's Work) (Live; 2004 Remaster) by Talking Heads keep the emotional pressure steady after Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy by Bad Company and maintain a sharp, two-step feel.. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Honey Pie can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On Around The Sun (2004), Electron Blue shows R.E.M. working in a 2000s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Honey Pie to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

Honey Pie answers Electron Blue by R.E.M. with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. A Clean Break (Let's Work) (Live; 2004 Remaster) can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On The Beatles (1968), Honey Pie shows The Beatles working in a 1960s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Electron Blue without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for A Clean Break (Let's Work) (Live; 2004 Remaster) to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

A Clean Break (Let's Work) (Live; 2004 Remaster) answers Honey Pie by The Beatles with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The alternative / indie rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

On The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads (Expanded 2004 Remaster) (2004), A Clean Break (Let's Work) (Live; 2004 Remaster) shows Talking Heads working in a 2000s pocket with alternative / indie rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the alternative / indie rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Honey Pie without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Honey Pie by The Beatles lands here because A Warm Place by Nine Inch Nails keeps the emotional pressure steady after Gold by John Stewart and changes the palette without cutting the thread. It aligns well with the hour's appetite for surprise.. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. A Warm Place can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On The Beatles (1968), Honey Pie shows The Beatles working in a 1960s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a candlelit drift, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for A Warm Place to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

A Warm Place answers Honey Pie by The Beatles with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The industrial rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. This Velvet Glove can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On The Downward Spiral (1994), A Warm Place shows Nine Inch Nails working in a 1990s pocket with industrial rock in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the industrial rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Honey Pie without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for This Velvet Glove to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

This Velvet Glove answers A Warm Place by Nine Inch Nails with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

On Californication (1999), This Velvet Glove shows Red Hot Chili Peppers working in a 1990s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers A Warm Place without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Eternal Flame by Bangles lands here because Roll Out The Barrel (Live) by Neil Young & The Santa Monica Flyers keeps the emotional pressure steady after After The Gold Rush (Live) by Neil Young & Crazy Horse and keeps country/folk/rock in the grain.. The pop/rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Roll Out The Barrel (Live) can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On Gold (2) (2020), Eternal Flame shows Bangles working in a 2020s pocket with pop/rock in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the pop/rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Roll Out The Barrel (Live) to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

Roll Out The Barrel (Live) answers Eternal Flame by Bangles with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The country/folk/rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Honey Pie can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

On Archives, Vol. II: 1972–1976 (4) (2021), Roll Out The Barrel (Live) shows Neil Young & The Santa Monica Flyers working in a 2020s pocket with country/folk/rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the country/folk/rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Eternal Flame without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Honey Pie to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

Honey Pie answers Roll Out The Barrel (Live) by Neil Young & The Santa Monica Flyers with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

On The Beatles (1968), Honey Pie shows The Beatles working in a 1960s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Roll Out The Barrel (Live) without borrowing the same emotional weight.