5. 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.)
4. Crime-Real Estate
(One of the best guitar hooks of 2014. I first heard this in February and enjoy it just as much now.)
3. Late Night Grande Hotel (Live)-The Kennedys
(Maura Kennedy's beautiful voice shines on this cover of mentor Nanci Griffith's song. If you like the version on "Songs Of The Open Road," you'll enjoy this one, as well.)
2. 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. One's heart would have to be frozen to be unmoved by this rendition.)
1. Bang Your Drum-Dead Man Fall
(The song's point of view about keeping at what you're doing in pursuit of success, however you define it, represents not only Craig Ferguson's winding path to becoming "The Late Late Show"'s host and the program's sensibility but a commendable attitude to maintain throughout one's life.)
Other noteworthy tracks from this year, listed alphabetically:
- America The Beautiful-Nathan East (Jazz bassist East and the accompanying choir do America proud with this dignified rendition. His self-titled CD contains many solid covers, including Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed," on which Wonder plays harmonica.)
- The Birds Of St. Marks-Jackson Browne (From a strong comeback release, "Standing In The Breach," that's consistent throughout.)
- Bright Side Of Down-John Gorka (The title track of Gorka's latest release offers his typically thoughtful perspective on how to live once you've been around a while.)
- Cautionary Tale-The Mastersons (A strong 2014 release, lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally; Eleanor Whitmore's tremble in the vocals sells it convincingly. A good set of lyrics about someone who's about to self-destruct.)
- Destination-Nickel Creek (It's great to hear this talented ensemble, with its unusual front line of mandolin, violin, and guitar, back together again on this uptempo number.)
- Every Little Bit Of It-Carrie Newcomer (Year after year, Newcomer's captivating alto voice conveys her appreciation for the wonders of life and the lessons learned from its trials. She's truly one of the most consistent singer-songwriters; if you like one of her CDs, you'll like the others.)
- In Love With Useless-A Sunny Day In Glasgow (Presenting the fresher, sunnier side of techno...)
- Monsters-Sarah McLachlan (Seven months after its release, this tune about the dangers of parasites stays with you. If I'd only heard McLachlan's early hits, such as "Possession" or "Adia," I might not have known this was her. It's interesting to hear her music produced with an echo instead of her initially subtler singer-songwriter approach.)
- Poor Man's Son-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 of the strongest standouts.)
- Spring-Ben Watt (A contemplative look at Spring, from the vantage point of Everything But The Girl's lower profile singer, using chords from Survivor's "The Search Is Over.")
- Summer Rain-Liam Bailey (This is from 2014, although it sounds like it's from a much earlier era; raw vocals mesh well with polished instrumentals to create a throwback blend of cool R&B and rock.)
- Swing 42-Andreas Varady (Good swing guitar with a hint of "Istanbul, Not Constantinople." Varady has a bright future.)
- Wake Me Up (acoustic version)-Aloe Blacc ("Wake me up when it's all over," Blacc sings with conviction. Who can't relate to that?)
- What's Broken-David Crosby (From Crosby's strong 2014 release, "Croz." The lyrics ask poignantly if a situation is beyond repair.)
- Wind Sorceress-Incognito (One of this year's best smooth jazz tracks; in some respects, it sounds like an updated version of the Ronnie Laws tune, "Always There.")
