My shuffle mode feature is turned on in iTunes. It's spinning, and the first track it lands on is...
...1. Blow My Mind-The Ocean Blue
(Laid back indie rock that segues well with Prefab Sprout's "We Let The Stars Go.")
2. Keeping The Dream Alive-Freiheit
(Although this track is from the UK compilation, "The Best Christmas Ever," its lyrics are even better suited for New Year's Eve. Realizations such as "The hopes we had were much too high, way out of reach, but we have to try," are rarely sung so optimistically.)
3. I Wonder Why-Louis Bellson
(The freewheeling nature of this instrumental makes me think it could have been used in a Little Caesars commercial. The mascot's slogan, "Pizza, pizza," works with this backdrop.)
4. Here We Come A-Wassailing-The King's Singers/Richard Hickox, City Of London Symphonia
(One of the strongest renditions of the many carols on the CD, "A Little Christmas Music." Second, perhaps, only to "The Gift (Simple Gifts.)"
5. Red Rover-Rosie Thomas
(Poignantly sung lyrics about wanting the best for one's kids.)
6. Adriatic-Lanterna
(A contemplative instrumental that falls somewhere between new age and folk.)
7. Do You Hear What I Hear?-Bing Crosby
(One of the best renditions of this carol; Crosby's deep baritone suits this carol well.)
8. Carrie-Cliff Richard
(Ominous lyrics conveyed with appropriate concern.)
9. Fixed-Stars
(Fit for a rave, this track brings to mind New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle.")
10. Frosty The Snowman-Hampton Quartet
(A stately, impressive, Mozart-influenced rendition.)
11. I'll Always Be Waiting For You-Sierra Hull
(There are definite shades of Alison Krauss in Sierra Hull's singing and playing. Hull is an artist to watch.)
12. Shiny Objects-The Sun Sawed In 1/2
(An unexpected approximation of calliope sound effects by this St. Louis band.)
13. Glad Girls-Guided By Voices
(If you watched "How I Met Your Mother," you might remember this jubilant song that plays as Ted runs through the streets, rejoicing in the chain of events that led up to meeting his wife.)
14. 1 2 3 4-Feist
(One of Feist's most memorable hooks, as its "Sesame Street" adaptability proves. Her other two most memorable hooks are "One Evening" and "Mushaboom.")
15. For Unto Us A Child Is Born-The Roches
(A trio of voices replicates a choir admirably well against an unexpectedly synthesized background.)
16. That's On Me-Wavves
(One of 2013's harder rocking tracks that segues with Soul Asylum's "99%.")
17. In The Sweet Bye And Bye-The Mills Brothers
(One of many appropriately reverent arrangements on the album, "Hymns We Love." Those who like this arrangement will probably also appreciate the group's similar approach on "Rock Of Ages.")
18. A Voice In The Dark-Elvis Costello
(A bit of a departure for Costello, as this track has more of a lounge music style than his usual defiant rocker or introspective balladeer approach.)
19. Wise Man-Erin Bode
(A recipe for a relationship that was meant to be. Bode's song asks how someone can get along without his or her beloved.)
20. Secret O' Life (KCRW "Morning Becomes Eclectic" version)-James Taylor
("The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time," Taylor sings. Who can argue?)
21. Plow To The End Of The Row-Adrienne Young & Little Sadie
(I've never worked on a farm, but I'm guessing that life on a farm must be something like this.)
22. Never To Be Forgotten-Marshall Crenshaw
(Crenshaw has always been adept at elevating everyday lyrics and singing them as though he's living them.)
23. Dimming Of The Day-Alison Krauss & Union Station
(A thoughtful arrangement. The Geyer Street Sheiks recorded an equally captivating version.)
24. Waves At Turtle Bay-Stevan Pasero
(One of Pasero's many relaxing, pastoral guitar instrumentals.)
25. La Vie En Rose-Cristin Milioti
(Thank goodness "How I Met Your Mother" had a ninth season; it allowed the audience to see Milioti's endearing acting and compelling singing.)
26. Morning Song-Kelley McRae
(This used to come up on KDHX's "Backroads." McRae sings convincingly about the benefits of morning solitude.)
27. Sleigh Ride-BBC Concert Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin, conductor
(Shows potential...Just kidding. It's "Sleigh Ride." You already know what you think of "Sleigh Ride." If you like the Boston Pops rendition that radio stations play most often, it's unlikely that this similar version will disappoint you.)
28. I'll Fly Away-Kim Collingsworth
(A spirited piano romp; if I didn't know otherwise, I would have thought this came from "A Prairie Home Companion.")
29. Transcendance-Santana
(Sparse vocals, used as needed, in a mostly instrumental space jam that reminds me of Chick Corea and Return To Forever.)
30. Wishes And Stars-Harper Simon
(Paul Simon's son sounds a lot like his famous father on this well-written, wistful gem. "There are more wishes than stars." It does seem that way sometimes.)
31. The Christmas Song-Nat King Cole
(The most-played rendition on the radio every Christmas season; a perfect mix of elegance and gravity.)
32. Little Town-Cliff Richard
(Too few radio stations play Richard's confident take on "O Little Town Of Bethlehem." In my opinion, it trumps the tentative, toy piano-style renditions that others have recorded.)
33. Here Comes Santa Claus-The Mills Brothers
(Kids and adults should appreciate the musicianship on this cut-above rendition.)
34. Calypso Noel-Johnny Mathis
(Four Christmas tunes in a row...Hmmm...Apparently, the iTunes shuffle mode, much like most retailers, is getting a jump on the season. That's a good thing in this case, because this is the best Mathis Christmas track. It could just as easily have been titled "Sing We Noel," and says all it needs to in 2:11.)
35. Save That Time-Karrin Allyson
("Days go by so fast, it seems to me," Allyson sings. The lyrics and vocal phrasings are similar to Erin Bode's.)
36. Black Coffee-Ray Charles
(A piano instrumental that radiates class from the first note.)
37. Winter Wonderland (instrumental)-Harry Connick, Jr.
(Connick's best Christmas cover, hands down; an imaginative, saloon-style piano arrangement.)
38. Break It Down Again-Tears For Fears
(I never cared for the band's monster hit, "Shout." I wish Tears For Fears had recorded more songs like "Last Days On Earth" and this one. INXS would likely have done a credible job with this track.)
39. I Decided-Solange
(A breath-of-fresh-air outlook on having a bright future with someone. Solange's optimistic perspective reminds me of Natalie Cole's outlook in "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love.")
40. Even A Child-Crowded House
(One of the band's most radio-friendly hooks.)
41. Home For The Holidays-Jack Jezzro featuring Beegie Adair
(A smooth, inviting bossa nova instrumental for Christmas.)
