1st Wave
- Blood And Roses-The Smithereens (The Smithereens recorded a number of songs, including this one, in the same key and in a similar tempo. It's a formula that serves the listener well.)
- 99-Toto ("99" is played only sporadically on the radio today, but it's one of Toto's best-constructed songs. The piano is the song's glue, and the verses and chorus stay with you after you've heard them.)
- Escapade-Janet Jackson (Similar to another one of Jackson's best hits, "Miss You Much." Either song was a strong template for crafting a hit 25 years ago.)
- Linger-The Cranberries (Still one of the band's most melodic songs, thanks to a delicate arrangement for strings and Dolores O'Riordan's vocals floating above it all. I remember how impressed I was when I played various tracks on KCOU, including "Linger," from the CD, "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?" "Dreams" and "Wanted" hold up, as well. It's difficult to believe that 22 years have passed since this song and CD were new.)
- If You Could Read My Mind-Gordon Lightfoot (One of the best-written and movingly sung soft rock hits of the '70s; one of the best combinations of a singer-songwriter and lyrics ever recorded.)
- Wooden Ships-Crosby, Stills & Nash (If the lyrics don't convince you that nuclear war is best avoided, then...?)
- Love Song-Dawn Landes with Norah Jones (I look forward to hearing more from this effective pairing.)
- Mrs. Cold-Kings Of Convenience (Pleasant backing that brings to mind David Gray's "Babylon." Also recommended: "Misread.")
- Doxy (Part 1 & 2)-Cal Tjader (A cool "Ain't Misbehavin'" vibe.)
- Starmaker-Roy Hargrove (Summer night, wish-on-a-star music, with a warm trumpet sound and piano accompaniment.)
- Only Forever-Nat King Cole (Yet another entry in the richly sung, emotionally moving Nat King Cole canon.)
- Gimme Little Sign-Brenton Wood (Sung with just the right amount of confidence.)
- Soulful Strut-Young-Holt Unlimited (A great midtempo rhythm for piano and saxophone. Swing Out Sister added vocals to it and turned it, effectively, into "Am I The Same Girl?")
