Here's what came up for me in iTunes shuffle mode today:
1. Not Going Anywhere-Keren Ann
(The protagonist accepts a life full of regrets with a certain understandable wistfulness.)
2. Purdy's Ride-Kohala
(A pleasant midtempo, smooth jazz guitar groove that holds up well on repeated listens.)
3. No Room In Your Bag-GrooveLily
(A well-written account of a woman making tough decisions about her life but not regretting them, even when they don't turn out well. It contains one of my favorite choruses: "You make a choice. You make a call. You may rise. You may fall. You will pay for what you get. You got no room in your bag for regret.")
4. Hide Me-Erin Bode
(Bode always sings this, and Adam Maness always plays keyboards on this, in concert with as much or more energy than on the studio version. A hidden bonus track that's worth seeking out.)
5. Time Will Reveal-DeBarge
(As I mentioned in a previous post, this is one of the better '80s slow jams. El DeBarge doesn't hold back on emoting here, especially in the last verse.)
6. Gabriel's Message-Sting
(Have yourself a solemn little Christmas?)
7. Double Rainbow-Oscar Castro-Neves
(The approach to the guitar is similar to that of Kohala's "Purdy's Ride." More instruments have their say here, with especially effective violin usage.)
8. The First Cut Is The Deepest-Sheryl Crow
(Crow turns in a well-sung cover of a Cat Stevens tune here, making it her own. Its lyrics express what it's like to start bouncing back from rejection eventually. To my ears, it segues well with Clive Gregson and Christine Collister's "It's All Just Talk.")
9. Keep Your Heart Right-Terry Callier
(These lyrics could advise the rejected person in "The First Cut Is The Deepest." Callier's strongest vocal performance, in my opinion.)
10. Simple Visions-Strawbs
(A core piece of "Amazing Grace" transformed into a song with poppier sensibilities. This is my favorite track from the "Deep Cuts" album; "Charmer" and "Wasting My Time (Thinking Of You)" are also highlights.)
11. When I Write The Book-Rockpile
(iTunes must be feeling contemplative today, because a lot of songs about regrets are coming up. The protagonist turns his tale of woe into a great hook.)
12. Lust For Life-Sonny Rollins
(The stairstep-style trumpet intro, and the way it sets the stage for Rollins' saxophone, made me hear, at an early age, what sets jazz apart from all other forms of music.)
13. Heaven (KGSR "Broadcasts" version)-Los Lonely Boys
(As strong acoustically as the studio version. The harmonies hold up here.)
14. Gold Mine-Take 6
(One of the strongest a cappella tracks from the group's outstanding self-titled debut, and an especially impressive leadoff track. Gospel for listeners who wouldn't necessarily consider themselves gospel listeners.)
15. Ela-Charlie Byrd
(There's a level of quality musicianship you'll get from any of Byrd's releases, and this uptempo, Spanish-flavored track doesn't disappoint.)
16. Welcome Christmas-"How The Grinch Stole Christmas" soundtrack
(The Whos down in Whoville are admirably resilient. Good for them.)
17. Stranger In A Strange Land-Buddy Mondlock
(Lyrically and vocally, Mondlock channels Paul Simon to strong effect here.)
18. El Nino-The Sound Stylistics
(A great, fast showcase for all instruments featured. Any band that can play this well deserves its audience's undivided attention.)
19. Les Fleur-Ramsey Lewis
(If you haven't been loving life, this song might just turn you around.)
