I'm letting shuffle mode run for a long while in iTunes, so the first of many tracks is...
...1. Star Carol-Simon & Garfunkel
(This track segues smoothly with Charlie Byrd's "The Bells Of Bethlehem" and deserves more radio airplay. Two solo Christmas tracks that I also recommend: Simon's "Under African Skies" and Garfunkel's "O Come All Ye Faithful.")
2. America, The Beautiful-Pete Seeger
(A succinct guitar and harmonica version.)
3. Barrett's Privateers (Live)-Stan Rogers
(Just try not to get into the story here once you start listening. The Irish Descendants recorded the best version of this, but this version is strong in its own right. One edge this version has--the upward swoosh at the end of the lyric, "How I wish I was in Sherbrook now-ow!")
4. Only For A Moment-The Sneetches
(One of my favorite discoveries from my KCOU days. An excellent power pop band that employs jangly guitars and sing-along vocals effectively. Also recommended: "Stranger Things," "...And I'm Thinking," and the band's cover of Nilsson's "Everybody's Talkin'.")
5. Birdcalls-Robin
(See my previous review of "Birdcalls-Cardinal.")
6. Gently Down The Stream-Hem
(As mentioned in my "Favorite trios of segues" post, this is an endearing, dreamy waltz of a song. Well done, Sally Ellyson. This was one of 2013's best tracks.)
7. Children, Go Where I Send Thee-Natalie Merchant
(A WVRV Christmas favorite. Kudos to Merchant for covering an overlooked carol. Odetta's version is the one by which all other renditions should be compared, but this is a strong rendition.)
8. Sha La La-The Boorays
(One of this St. Louis band's strongest recordings that must be a breath of fresh air to sing or play. Also recommended: "Pickup Truck.")
9. O Little Town Of Bethlehem-Nat King Cole
(Although it isn't played on the radio as often as Cole's version of "The Christmas Song," this is one of the most moving, elegant renditions you'll hear.)
10. Wassail, Wassail-Paul Spicer: The Finzi Singers
(A fast choral rendition; it's the type of arrangement that makes me miss "A Classic Christmas" on KFUO, our former Classical station here.)
11. Midnight-Etienne Charles
(From one of 2013's strongest jazz CDs, "Creole Soul." A haunting melody for trumpet, saxophone, and piano. "Memories" is another standout track.)
12. Meditation (Meditacao)-Guitars Unlimited
(About as laid back as easy listening music from its era ever was.)
13. Mister Santa-Sandler & Young
(Baritones make this altered arrangement of "Mister Sandman" work.)
14. Old Days-Chicago
(As mentioned previously, this is one of my favorite songs about nostalgia.)
15. Our Days-Stephen Jacob
(A reflective, uptempo piano instrumental. Those who enjoy George Winston's music will likely enjoy this.)
16. Winter Wonderland-Aimee Mann
(Mann's strongest Christmas cover. Its unhurried arrangement suits the song well.)
17. Call Me Home-Sarah Bollinger
(Reflections on being a nomad who appreciates her home base.)
18. Tickle Toe-Lyle Lovett & His Large Band
(An instrumental that lets Lovett's band show its chops. This could almost be an alternate "Tonight Show" theme from Johnny Carson's era.)
19. Santa Claus Is Coming (It's Almost Day)-The Weavers
(Old school folk music for the holidays.)
20. Medicine Man-Michael Murphey
(A good '70s album rock track that doesn't get much airplay today.)
21. The First Noel-Emily Mitchell
(Strike the harp--and play it quietly for the effect to sink in.)
22. Don't Know Why-Norah Jones
(From her deservedly huge-selling debut; still one of her best efforts.)
23. J.S. Bach: St. John Passion, BWV 245: No.39, Chorus: "Ruht wohl, ihr heiligen Gebeine" (English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner & Monteverdi Choir)
(Coneys the solemnity of Easter, prior to Christ's resurrection.)
24. In Dulci Jubilo-Academy & Chorus Of St. Martin In Field/Neville Marriner, director
(An effective midtempo reading.)
25. Loch Lomond-Dan Zanes & Natalie Merchant
(An unlikely pairing of singers whom I wouldn't have expected to hear sing, "You take the high road, and I'll take the low road," but it works.)
26. Better To Be-Liam Finn
(One of the stronger tracks from Finn's "I'll Be Lightning" CD. The CD features one of the most jarring transitions between tracks, as it segues from Finn's moving tribute to departed Crowded House drummer Paul Hester, "Gather To The Chapel," to the disturbing yet gripping "Lead Balloon.")
27. Now You're Not Here (Taj Calder instrumental)-Swing Out Sister
(A must-add track for any smooth jazz or free-form station.)
28. The Christmas Song-Kenny Burrell
(A thoughtful instrumental take; Burrell's version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" conveys a similar tempered outlook.)
29. Miss The Mississippi And You-Rosanne Cash
(One of Cash's best-chosen and best-sung covers.)
30. Agua De Beber (Live)-Al Jarreau & The Metropole Orkest
(Jarreau's unique scatting sets the stage for an enjoyable take on this standard.)
31. It's Going To Take Some Time-Carole King
(One of my favorite tunes of King's, along with "Been To Canaan." The Carpenters had a deserved hit with this, but King's own version should have had that acclaim, as well. As usual, she sings it from the heart.)
32. Ghost Of Tom Joad-Solas
(I wouldn't expect a Bruce Springsteen song to be a Celtic band's most likely choice for a cover, but the quiet vocals here fit the song's allusions to Dust Bowl times.)
33. Barrett's Privateers-The Irish Descendants
(See my review of track 3.)
34. Iowa-Dar Williams featuring Sara & Sean Watkins, Motherlode & Mary Chapin Carpenter
(If you're not moved by the way Williams and company emote on this track, perhaps it's time to have the ice water extracted from your veins.)
35. Rockin' Radio-Tom Browne
(This could not have come from any decade other than the '80s.)
36. Mummy-Bob McFadden & Dor
(A Halloween novelty track--the only one of its kind in my iTunes library. The mummy's conversation with the beatnik tips you off to the era in which it was recorded.)
37. What Child Is This?-Vanessa Williams
(Williams makes a jazzy arrangement of this carol sound like a natural fit.)
38. The Holly And The Ivy-Jim Infantino & Jonatha Brooke
(Both artists zip through this carol; stations with AAA formats should play this.)
39. Can't Stop Time-Beats
(An interesting mix of influences here--The Sneetches meet Shoes, with a side of Devo, while playing a song in the style of Rush's "New World Man.")
40. Joy To The World-Percy Faith & His Orchestra
(Conveys the joy of this carol more effectively than any other instrumental rendition I've heard.)
