The music in my iTunes library is shuffling, and the song that pours into my headphones first is...
...1. Anywhere-Naomi Wachira
(We're all more alike than we are different; a good reminder in turbulent times. Taj Mahal's "Everybody Is Somebody" and Keb' Mo's "Just Like You" convey similar sentiments effectively.)
2. Twilight-Melody Gardot
(One of my favorite bits of musical noodling; an unexpected end to Gardot's "Worrisome Heart" CD. Gardot's "That was fun" remark at the end makes me smile.)
3. Cold Cold Heart (Live at House Of Blues-New Orleans)-Norah Jones
(A strong cover of the Hank Williams tune, sung with sultry grit; one of her best recordings.)
4. Be Thankful For What You Got-William DeVaughn
(This is another Thanksgiving music recommendation; this slick '70s arrangement brings Curtis Mayfield's music to mind.)
5. Reasons Why ("Live At The World Cafe, Vol. 11" version)-Nickel Creek
(As I mentioned in my Shuffle mode results II post, "Reasons Why" is one of the band's strongest efforts. This version is faithful to the original.)
6. Up On The Roof-The Persuasions
(An impressive a cappella cover of the standout Drifters oldie. It's interesting hearing this in mono, with lead vocals in the right speaker and harmony vocals in the left speaker.)
7. Bodhisattva (Live in Santa Monica)-Steely Dan
(An emcee's 2 1/2-minute, spontaneous intro precedes this extremely energetic version.)
8. Good King Wenceslas-Dawn Weber
(A strong arrangement by a St. Louis trumpeter.)
9. Raglan Road (KGSR "Broadcasts, Vol. 9" version)-The Chieftains with Joan Osborne
(A pairing that works effectively on this well-known Irish song. You can hear the heartbreak coming in the lyrics.)
10. Lift Off-Robert Glasper featuring Shafiq Husayn & Mic Check
(Thanks to my brother for bringing this track to my attention. This is about as smooth of an intro to a CD--or radio show, for that matter--as anyone could have.)
11. Silver Lining-Rilo Kiley
(One of the band's more tuneful offerings. Also recommended: "The Frug.")
12. What You Don't Know-The Hello Strangers featuring Jim Lauderdale
(Alas, life doesn't come with a guidebook.)
13. Triste-Kenny Barron & The Brazilian Knights
(One of last year's best jazz tracks; a memorable piano vamp makes its imprint right away, and the ensemble clicks at the top of its form.)
14. Kari-Bob James & Earl Klugh
(A smooth mesh of keyboards and guitar; I'm surprised I haven't heard it more often on smooth jazz stations. Other James recommendations: "Touchdown" and "Angela (Theme From 'Taxi.')" Klugh is one of my favorite smooth jazz guitarists; favorite tracks include "Dr. Macumba," "Long Ago And Far Away," "Dance With Me," "Moonlight Dancing," and "I Never Thought I'd Leave You.")
15. Driving Me Mad-Neil Finn
(Finn's descent into madness provides an interesting lyrical counterpoint to his son Liam's "Energy Spent.")
16. Quintessence-Quincy Jones & His Orchestra
(Longtime St. Louis jazz authority/DJ Leo Chears used to close his shows with this track. It's easy to hear why, as it brings to mind images of a ballroom closing for the evening.)
17. The Great Pumpkin Waltz-George Winston
(No version could top Vince Guaraldi's original, but this is a fine, somewhat more academic version.)
18. Sitting In Limbo-Thea Gilmore
(Sometimes, a song resonates with you at just the right time. When I first heard it in late 2005, I was on the cusp of moving, but I didn't know where yet. The lyric, "Sitting here in limbo, knowing that I have to go," stayed with me. Gilmore makes this Jimmy Cliff song her own.)
19. The Boy In The Bubble (Live in New York City)-Paul Simon
(My favorite song from the "Graceland" album is in fine form here. Any lyrics that discuss "the days of miracle and wonder" this well should command respect.)
20. Follow Your Dreams-Brett Stamps
(As I mentioned previously, Stamps is a jazz trombonist whose music should be known more widely.)
21. Sweet Thing-Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
(A highlight of Khan's career that deserves more airplay than it usually gets these days.)
22. Wassail Song-Trombones Under The Tree
(A succinct, brassy instrumental rendition of "Here We Come A-Wassailing.")
23. We'll Meet Under The Stars-Sean Jones Quartet
(One of 2014's best jazz tracks; sublime trumpet and piano lines establish a thoughtful mood and maintain it for over seven minutes.)
24. Former Glory-Ron Sexsmith
(Things might be rocky now, but that doesn't mean something positive isn't just around the corner; a nice reminder.)
25. You Can't Change That-Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio
(Another song that deserves more airplay than it usually gets today; a strong hook that stands up to repeated listening.)
