KDHX 88.1 FM
- The Words Of Aaron-The Move (Aaron was either a realist or a jaded cynic...Some of both, perhaps? A good, early effort by ELO's Jeff Lynne.)
- St. Thomas-Ron Carter (A great Sonny Rollins saxophone melody that translates just as well to Carter's bass.)
- A Child Is Born-Joe Williams (A tasteful, understated vocal rendition.)
- Ain't Nobody-Chaka Khan (One of Khan's most powerful hits that doesn't leave your mind easily after you've heard it. "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me" has a similar effect.)
- I Wanna Be Your Lover-Prince (From early in Prince's career; still one of his best hits, vocally and instrumentally.)
- I Believe In Father Christmas-Greg Lake (KEZK flipped over to all Christmas music yesterday morning, and this has been one of the highlights. Yet another explanation for why I was an existentialist from an early age: This is the first Christmas 45 I was ever given. Lake's thoughtful, measured lyrics offer an unusually tempered view of the season. By a slight margin, Lake's original version with a choir's backing is the best one; his version with Emerson, Lake & Palmer in which the piano has the last word is a close second.)
- White Christmas-The Drifters (This is possibly the coolest version of "White Christmas" recorded, thanks, in part, to the group's deft handling of "May your days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright." The only other ensemble that comes close to rivaling this smooth version is The Swingle Singers.)
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing-Amy Grant (One of the most endearing versions of this carol that captures your ear with Grant singing a cappella, at first, and other voices lending support in good measure.)
- Johannes Brahms: Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 120 (Martin Frost, clarinet; Roland Pontinen, piano) (An appealing, unusual synergy between clarinet and piano.)
- Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (Bavarian State Orchestra/Carlos Kleiber, conductor) (I'm pleased that this is the piece I've heard most often on this station. As I raved in a previous post, it contains one of the most dynamic, joyful opening movements in any symphony.)
