Results of the most recent shuffling of my iTunes music library:
1. Mary Anne-Marshall Crenshaw
(Yet another strong example of Crenshaw's easy way with a hook.)
2. Spanish Song Bird-Keren Ann
(A quiet charmer with understated vocals.)
3. Jitterbug Waltz-Renee Rosnes with string orchestra
(Fats Waller covered in the classiest way; a beautiful, elegant piano-and-strings rendition.)
4. Razamataz-Bruce Becvar
(A memorable, uptempo guitar hook that would fit in a smooth jazz playlist.)
5. The Lark In The Clear Air-Fionnuala Sherry
(An atmospheric instrumental that features a captivating violin part.)
6. Balloon-Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon
(Spritely guitar, goofy lyrics, and it all works great.)
7. Cast Your Fate To The Wind-Earl Klugh
(A great Vince Guaraldi piano standard; Klugh gives it its due on the guitar.)
8. This Tornado Loves You-Neko Case
(A quirky point of view, sung with absolute conviction.)
9. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring-Pete Kennedy
(An enjoyable guitar rendition, with a compelling prelude.)
10. Lovely One-The Jacksons
(One of Michael Jackson's catchier efforts from the pre-"Thriller" days.)
11. Incumbent Waltz-Vince Guaraldi
(An example of why Guaraldi was the perfect choice to provide music for the "Peanuts" specials.)
12. Lord Of The Dance-The Launton Handbell Ringers
(A melody similar to "Simple Gifts" that stays with you.)
13. Sea Breeze-David Grisman & Sam Bush
(New age bluegrass? Two genres mesh effectively in this instrumental.)
14. Aye Waukin-O-Eddi Reader
(Reflections on walking alone, sung movingly by this Scottish talent. Also recommended: "Kiteflyer's Hill," which is a natural follow-up.)
15. Cab Driver-The Mills Brothers
(One of my favorites from my WEW days; smooth, consistent harmonies, with catchy lead and backup harmony vocals.)
16. Just Walking In The Rain-Johnnie Ray
(Another oldie I used to play on WEW; the journalism adviser who frowned on Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog" in a previous post used to sing the chorus of this in class occasionally.)
17. Peanut Butter Karma-Monsterland
(Energetic '90s indie rock; life has its great moments and its irritating ones that require us to adjust.)
18. Mr. Cab Driver-Lenny Kravitz
(Consequences of having unfair biases are detailed effectively.)
19. In The Bleak Midwinter-Erin Bode
(Bode sings this carol with moving reverence against an unusual, effective instrumental backdrop.)
20. Hope Springs Eternally-Helen Sung
(Good piano jazz that swings; I imagine this tune goes over well live.)
