Before going to sleep, I set my iTunes library to shuffle mode. Here's what came up:
1. National Anthem-101 Strings
(Sam, The American Eagle would approve of this leadoff track, I imagine. This is as dignified of a way as any to begin a shuffle mode. Sidebar: Someone pocket dialed me once from a baseball game. The call went to voicemail, and the message began right on the downbeat of a brass band's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Naturally, I stood up and put my hand on my heart. Strangely, the message lasted for exactly the duration of the anthem.)
2. Hot 'n' Cold-Albert Collins
(From one of the most consistent albums of blues instrumentals, "Truckin' With Albert Collins." This uptempo track could work with Chuck Berry vocals on it, but it's already strong as it is.)
3. The Clearing-David Crosby
(A good reminder from a rock veteran about not living in fear. From "Croz," one of 2014's best releases.)
4. Perfectly-Judd & Maggie
(KCLC is the only station on which I've ever heard this song. Its endearing vocal harmonies convey a couple's synchronicity convincingly.)
5. Enter This Deserted House-Shel Silverstein
(Shel Silverstein reads his poetry, with appropriately ghoulish sound effects. At the 45-second mark, Silverstein lets loose, possibly making some listeners nervous in his increasingly manic warning about the bats, owls, gnomes, and goblins that populate the deserted house. I could have included this track easily in my Halloween recommendation post, "Thinking beyond 'Monster Mash.'")
6. Sometimes-Jazzamor
(Vocally and instrumentally, this track would be at home on the Sirius Chill channel. Sultry female vocals elevate fairly minimalist lyrics.)
7. Celtic Wedding-Al Petteway & Amy White
(A pleasant guitar number that hops, skips, and jumps.)
8. Theme From "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"-Nerf Herder
(Still one of the coolest TV show theme songs, which is fitting for such an imaginative program.)
9. No More Words-Berlin
(Berlin's best hit single; a prototypical '80s hit.)
10. Will The Wolf Survive?-Los Lobos
(A track that works on more than one level. An interesting subject for a song: How do you adapt to a new culture while respecting your heritage?)
11. This Is Not A Test-She & Him
(A fun pick-me-up, thanks to Zooey Deschanel.)
12. Turn Me On (Live in Chicago)-Norah Jones
(This live version features a smooth, soulful edge that's characteristic of her best work. "Don't Know Why" and "Come Away With Me" received much-deserved airplay and acclaim, but her version of "Cold Cold Heart" is also excellent. Also, although it's not the most obvious pairing, Foo Fighters teamed up with Jones to produce a smooth, late-evening charmer, "Virginia Moon.")
13. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot-She & Him
(Proof that this is a truly random selection: Two tracks by the same group came up with just one track between them. The lo-fi, recorded-on-cassette feel of this rendition was a smart choice, as it brings out the intimacy of Zooey Deschanel's vocals.)
14. Something Like This-Louise Taylor
("I will always leave the light on for you," Taylor sings, and I'm convinced she's sincere. Captivating, low-key guitar and vocals.)
15. Blackbird (Live at The Blue Note)-Dave Valentin
(For nearly seven minutes, Valentin and company make good on their promise to put some "rice and beans" on this Beatles classic. It's a cool, jazzy, expanded romp, with Valentin's flute leading the way.)
16. Silly-Deniece Williams
(A woman singing about a guy she wants who is out of reach. KMJM played this a lot in the early '80s. Williams sings it with a convincing sense of resignation and longing.)
17. Blue Chair-Elvis Costello & The Attractions
(Lyrically, Costello's rather frank here, and it works. Instrumentally, this track has a feel that's oddly similar to "Manic Monday" by The Bangles.)
18. Dizzy Heights-Neil Finn
(The title track from Finn's latest release and one of the stronger tracks on it. Lyrically and vocally, you just expect a certain level of quality from someone who turns out such impressive solo work as "She Will Have Her Way" and "Sinner," as well as such excellent Crowded House gems as "Walking On The Spot," "Distant Sun," "Weather With You," "Tall Trees," and "How Will You Go.")
19. Penny For Your Thoughts-Peter Frampton
(A guitar instrumental that, to my ears, has a Beatles-influenced, "Blackbird"-style arrangement which holds up better than Frampton's frequently played '70s hits.)
20. Too Late, But Not Forgotten-Joy Of Cooking
(I referred to this track in my previous post, "An ideal ringtone." It's very 1970, in a positive way. A gliding piano with touches of harmonica suits the song well, giving it an accessible, homey feel.)
21. The Border-America
(An overlooked minor hit from 1983 that holds its own with the group's '70s hits. It's easy to feel the singer's urgency "to make it to the border" in his quest to "be in the arms of the girl I love the most.")
22. Cigarettes-Noah Gundersen
(One of many tracks from Gundersen's early 2014 release, "Ledges," that features captivating family harmonies. The title track and "Poor Man's Son" are two other standouts.)
