Here are my latest iTunes shuffle mode results:
1. Drifting Along With The Tumbling Tumbleweeds-"Buck" Pizzarelli & Andy Levas
(A good cover, fit for singing on the range or around the campfire.)
2. I'm Coming Home-The Spinners
(If you like "The Rubberband Man," you'll probably like this tune, as well; its melody is a prototype of that song.)
3. Sailing/Ships Are Sailing-Grace Griffith
(Sparse lyrics, sung impeccably...The song turns into a jig, unexpectedly, near the end.)
4. Time Will Show The Wiser-The Merry-Go-Round
(Which decision will the conflicted protagonist make? Fairport Convention recorded a good cover of this.)
5. The Ballad Of Slip Stump Mudfist-Five Of These
(One of this St. Louis band's strongest tracks, with an atypical country vibe. Contains the memorable refrain, "They want their money; oh, they want their money.")
6. I Saw Three Ships-Dan Fogelberg
(One of the best versions of this carol; Fogelberg sings it with easy confidence.)
7. Lay My Burden Down-Alison Krauss & Union Station
(Krauss sings Aoife O'Donovan's moving lyrics about being separated from someone close; the lyrics are a natural fit for Krauss's style. Be sure to check out O'Donovan's own excellent version.)
8. Up Cherry Street-Jerry Cherry
(St. Louis bassist Cherry anchors this energetic, seemingly Vince Guaraldi-inspired workout for the rhythm section.)
9. This Land Is Your Land-Peter, Paul & Mary
(Few ensembles can match Peter, Paul & Mary's sincerity here.)
10. Tiger Rag-The Mills Brothers
(Try to listen without breaking into a smile; it's nearly impossible.)
11. Runaway-Laurence Juber
(Del Shannon's hit is transformed into an instrumental workout for the guitar.)
12. Alexander's Ragtime Band-Ray Charles
(One track, among many, that proves that Charles could sing in any style with ease.)
13. Lay My Burden Down-Aoife O'Donovan
(See my review of track 7; O'Donovan's faster version is just as captivating.)
14. Sitting On Top Of The World-The Spinners
(An overlooked album track by a consistently talented band.)
15. I Saw Three Ships-Emily Mitchell
(An understated rendition played on the harp.)
16. Breathing Underwater-Metric
(Acknowledging what it feels like when your life isn't going quite the way you'd like...)
17. Really Want To Know You-Gary Wright
(Universal sentiments in a hit that doesn't get much radio airplay today.)
18. Holy, Holy, Holy-The Mills Brothers
(A respectfully sung version of this hymn.)
19. Masters In This Hall-Seth Austen
(A good guitar instrumental rendition of this lesser-played carol.)
20. A Lot Of Livin' To Do-Lee Morgan
(An excellent, propulsive trumpet line.)
21. Jogging Along With My Reindeer-John Kirkpatrick
(The only track of its kind in my iTunes library. A Christmas novelty song fit for sing-alongs at the pub, perhaps...)
22. We'll Understand It Better Bye And Bye-Sweet Honey In The Rock
(Beautifully sung, and an excellent starting point for getting to know this group's music.)
23. What's Broken-David Crosby
(From Crosby's strong 2014 release, "Croz." The lyrics ask poignantly if a situation is beyond repair.)
24. Politan-Nellie McKay with Bob Dorough
(A surprising pairing of singer-songwriter McKay and "Schoolhouse Rock" singer-songwriter Dorough; a quirky Brazilian/lounge-influenced number.)
