The iTunes tracks spin around, and the first song of the batch is...
...1. Alton Air-Darrell Scott
(A short, compelling guitar prelude.)
2. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear-Michael B. Nelson
(A great big band arrangement of one of the best carols, fronted by a strong saxophone.)
3. Moon Song-Norah Jones
(Yet another captivating, breathy vocal from the "Deep Cuts" EP.)
4. Parting Glass-Rita Hosking
(A tale of loss, sung with sincere lament.)
5. Children Say-Level 42
(Mark King sings well-crafted lyrics, accompanied by his own thumping bass. How was this not a hit?)
6. Life Is Just Like That-Nikki Meets The Hibachi
(For times when there's no other explanation...)
7. So Nice (Summer Samba)-Bebel Gilberto
(A pleasantly sung cover.)
8. Chorale-The Free Design
(Practice your vocal warm-ups today?)
9. Seven Days In Sunny June-Jamiroquai
(Similar in feel to one of Jamiroquai's strongest tracks, "When You Gonna Learn?")
10. Head In The Sand Stan-The Sun Sawed In 1/2
(Catchy, vocally and instrumentally; one of this St. Louis band's highlights. Also recommended: "Bed Of Roses," "The Carnival Ride," and "Life.")
11. There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (Live)-Neil Finn
(Finn improves this track by The Smiths by lowering its key. In less capable hands, the lyrics would sound like a parody of teen angst songs, but Finn gives them his all, making them shine in this impressive live performance.)
12. King Of The Road-The London Fox Players
(A respectable instrumental cover.)
13. Ride-Wild Nothing
(A hypnotic aural collage.)
14. Somebody To Shove-Soul Asylum
(One reason why I miss the early '90s: Bottled-up rage rarely sounds this tuneful.)
15. Hang On In There-The Intruders
(An overlooked R&B gem with good advice.)
16. Belfast-Neil Jacobs
(The best instrumental on the "12 String Guitar" CD, in my opinion. It gallops along and stays with you after you've heard it.)
17. Red Guitar-Cassandra Wilson
(One of my two favorite vocals from Wilson's "Another Country" CD. "Almost Twelve" is the other.)
18. Rapaz De Bem-Kenny Barron & The Brazilian Knights
(Great piano and saxophone interplay on this strong 2013 jazz release.)
19. Jack Gets Up ("Live At The World Cafe, Vol. 11" version)-Leo Kottke
(As on "Balloon," Kottke recites cryptic lyrics against a memorable guitar melody, and it works.)
20. New Year-Pat Metheny
(Metheny lets the saxophone dominate this track.)
21. Snowy Morning Blues-Butch Thompson
(A greet-the-day piano instrumental.)
22. Nil Na La (Live)-Solas
(A spirited Celtic romp, with excellent lead vocals from Karan Casey. The group feeds off of the audience's warm reception.)
