Every year, WGUC Host/Producer Mark Perzel creates one of the warmest and most elegant sounding Thanksgiving music programs.

I've heard this show for years -- while running the board for it on Thanksgiving day at Station V, W, X, Y and Z -- and occasionally hearing it at home channeling my mother's concerns whether the turkey was fully cooked.

Two hours of Copeland, Schumann, Billings, Ives, Thomson, Mark O'Connor, Vivaldi, Grainger and short riffs of American Thanksgiving history.

The easy-to-access "Feast for the Ears" playlist is also something to be thankful for. A worthy fit and tone for your listener's Thanksgiving -- and yours too if you're working the board.

Answers the "who he was" and "what was the big deal" questions. I have always trusted the true Zappa fans and devotees in their acclaim for their hero, but was never able myself to answer either of these questions myself. So, I was greatly encouraged, and maybe had a breakthrough, after hearing two of the host lines at the beginning.

Zappa and his music could be a "poke in the eye at the same time you're being charmed."

And, "If you get lost occasionally, don't worry we'll be somewhere else in a minute."

With those guideposts in place we're all equipped to let the story begin...and care. This show about musical irreverence and independence -- poking and pointing at absurdities in contemporary society -- is a pleasant poke in the eye for Zappa devotees and those who have always heard the name and wondered.

Aside from a few off-mike voice moments, and an intro with odd filtering, this is Well Done Radio, nicely assembled, produced and delivered from the CBC. It's clearly in the foreground listening category...and Zappa's music is, in fact, a big musical deal.

If you like part 1, parts 2 and 3 are available for your consideration.

The show's producer has granted permission to fade out the CBC forward promo in the show's last 5-6 seconds.

The West African roots of American Blues get the treatment in this edition of the House of
Blues Radio Hour.

Elwood Blues (a.k.a. Dan Aykroyd) takes listeners through the West African roots of American Blues and what the Americans gave back. That give and take is highlighted by performances and conversation with Markus James, who recorded his album "Snakeskin Violin" using musicians in Mali, Memphis, and Malibu.

Smooth sounds here -- that 3-M blend appears to put forward a less gritty, more pretty Blues sound. Markus James, "I Won't Let It" is a highpoint.

Not just for Blues fans and the even hardcore devotees: this specific program exposes the shortcomings of music labels and categories. Will fit all day-parts on many music and news-
music stations.

Fun times, strong script, and the hosting duo of Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant (Reno 911) neatly unveil and realign the apparent wackiness surrounding the life and times of Weird Al Yankovic.

There is a method to the madness to this genuine musician, entertainment world innovator and "King" of the music parody.

When you take a comedian and parodist seriously, you often find a serious creative
gift at the heart of his/her craft. And that's what this show -- where everything we know is, in fact, wrong -- does well with the help of the hosts' own shtick, writing and comedic timing.

There's also nice work behind the scenes, where the producers' understanding of radio best practices make this show funny, interesting and seriously good listening.

Scheduling this for evenings and weekend afternoons should be a kick and a programming surprise for your listeners.