I shuffled the tracks in my iTunes library and landed first on:
1. Better Than Nothing-Jennifer Trynin
(This doesn't get played on the radio anymore, and that's a shame; its hook is as infectious now as it was in 1994. Trynin's book about her experiences in the music business, Everything I'm Cracked Up To Be, is also recommended for its honesty and amusing stories.)
2. Virginia Moon-Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
(An unlikely pairing that produces a sublime result.)
3. I Saw God-Victor Wooten
(From one of 2008's stronger releases; an enjoyable spoken and sung track.)
4. Christmas Time Is Here (alternate vocal take)-Vince Guaraldi
(The voice actors from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" sing without lyrics; the mood is established almost as effectively as it is in the original version.)
5. I Will Rise Up/Ain't No More Cane-Lyle Lovett & His Large Band
(A strong effort; strong lead and backup singing carries off powerful lyrics about standing tall when faced with adversity.)
6. The Paris Match-The Style Council featuring Tracey Thorn
(It's always a pleasure to hear Everything But The Girl's lead singer; this song could have been an EBTG track.)
7. The Game-Lemon Grass
(One side of a strong indie rock single; the flip side, "Cathy's Song," deserves just as much notice.)
8. Blue Cafe-The Style Council
(Proof that this is a random selection; two tracks from the same album turn up with just one track between them. This is a classy instrumental.)
9. I'd Be Lying-Mary Karlzen
(A catchy way of saying, "Hey, I miss you." The guitar line keeps you hooked.)
10. Gloria-Michael W. Smith
(KEZK has played this often in previous Decembers. Essentially, this is "Angels We Have Heard On High" reworked into a life-affirming aerobics number.)
11. Too Blue-7 Worlds Collide
(Neil Finn and company's strongest track from "The Sun Came Out." Existentialism rarely sounds this catchy.)
12. We Let The Stars Go-Prefab Sprout
(As mentioned in a previous post, this is a good waltzing-off-into-the-night song.)
13. Places & Spaces-Donald Byrd
("Places and spaces out there" is a naturally promotable slogan; it's no wonder this song was used in various radio station promos in the '70s and '80s. Does anyone remember this being used in KSLQ's "St. Louis After Dark" promos in the early '80s?)
14. Mary's Boy Child-Harry Belafonte
(Belafonte's rich voice delivers the definitive version of this Christmas standard.)
15. American Tune ("The Concert In Central Park" version)-Simon & Garfunkel
(July 4 is incomplete without Simon's original version or this live recording. Some of Simon's most stirring lyrics, which is saying a lot.)
16. There's No Place Like Home-Glen Campbell
(Christmas Eve sentiments with which most people can identify.)
17. You Know That (Is Nothing New)-Vigilantes Of Love
(The lead singer uses a Tom Petty vocal affectation in delivering the "Summershine" CD's leadoff track. "Stand Beside Me" is another highlight.)
18. Shenandoah/The Water Is Wide-Castlebay
(Echoing vocals in this good version of "Shenandoah" and an endearing flute arrangement of "The Water Is Wide." Also recommended: Ferrante & Teicher's version of "Shenandoah" and Mary Black's rendition of "The Water Is Wide.")
19. I'm A Little Teapot-Sy Oliver
(I did a double take upon seeing there was a big band arrangement of this. It's a credible arrangement of an unlikely song.)
20. Papa George-Tommy Emmanuel
(One of Emmanuel's most memorable, sunny, uptempo guitar pieces.)
21. Caravan-The Carpenters
(Did you know The Carpenters started out as a jazz trio? Here's proof.)
22. Joy Spring-Ron McCroby
(A cool whistled jazz instrumental. The Manhattan Transfer's version, "Sing Joy Spring," should also be checked out.)
23. Love Is All Gone-Dog Society
(This song about growing older and more cynical still makes me smile. "I just wanted to grow up and be something," indeed.)
24. Peace In The Water-Five Of These
(Lead singer Robynn Ragland also recorded this as a solo artist. It's one of the highlights of this St. Louis band's CD, "I Married My Head." Other standouts: "Read About It" and "The Ballad Of Slip Stump Mudfist.")
25. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy-Henri-Pierre Noel
(A great piano-based take on a classic tune, made famous by Cannonball Adderley and, later, The Buckinghams.)
26. Catch A Falling Star-Perry Como
(I used to play this on WEW. To put it mildly, tunes that made the pop charts were considerably different when this was a hit.)
27. St. Louis Blues-Papa John Creach
(Creach's violin carries this version.)
28. There Was A Time-Dee Felice Trio
(Good piano-based funk.)
29. Slipping Slowly-Ben Watt
(Everything But The Girl's other vocalist proves to be a thoughtful singer in his own right. Watt's song, "Spring," is one of 2014's better ones.)
