The latest lineup of tunes played in my iTunes library shuffle mode:
1. Mas Que Nada-Walter Wanderley
(A brisk, uptempo whirling dervish of an instrumental.)
2. Patio Swing-Hot Club Of Detroit
(Saxophone, guitar, and accordion conjure up the feel of a Summer night in the patio swing; a pleasant instrumental.)
3. Just A Chance-Badfinger
(Badfinger has had garnered a lot of positive press for being a standout power pop group. The tight, guitar-heavy feel of this track shows the band's way with a catchy hook.)
4. Satin Doll (Live)-Chicago
(A bonus track of a great jazz standard on the reissued version of "Chicago VIII." The horn section shows its commendable jazz/lounge chops.)
5. Born At The Right Time-Erin Bode
(A movingly sung cover of the Paul Simon tune.)
6. Sting Ray And The Beginning Of Time (Pt. 4)-Exploding Star Orchestra
(Atmospheric, spacy, and true to its title.)
7. The "In" Crowd-Gregory Porter
(Ramsey Lewis shows how cool this melody is, instrumentally. Gregory Porter shows how cool it is, vocally. Also recommended: Marshall Crenshaw's interesting midtempo cover.)
8. Why Does The Wind?-Tracey Thorn
(If you like the wistful feeling of Everything But The Girl's "Missing," you might also like EBTG singer Thorn's singing here against a synthesized backing.)
9. Bozajte me-Brina
(This Slovenian singer caught my ear on a BBC program about a decade ago. Her voice, and the track's spirited fiddling, got my attention.)
10. On Eagle's Wings-Thomas Jones
(A tasteful piano rendition of a hymn that the congregation at my former church used to sing over 30 years ago.)
11. Shiver And Shake-Albert Collins
(Ear-catching blues guitar and saxophone convey a '50s rock/'60s surf music feel.)
12. El-Ray Blues-Ellis Marsalis
(One of the slickest numbers by any Marsalis; piano and bass are in fine form here. The entire "Heart Of Gold" CD, from which this emanates, is well worth the money.)
13. Horses-Artie Traum
(A relaxing, uptempo piano, guitar, and flute piece that brings The Rippingtons to mind.)
14. I Found A Road-The Kennedys
(Maura and Pete deliver the optimistic, uplifting goods once again.)
15. It Ain't Easy-Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet
(For fans of The Be Good Tanyas...)
16. Feel-Big Star
(It's amazing, with songs this tuneful, that this band didn't have the commercial success it deserved in the '70s.)
17. Dance Away-Roxy Music
(The band's most accessible uptempo track; I'm surprised this wasn't played on the radio more often.)
18. August Day Song-Bebel Gilberto
(A hypnotic vocal that might draw you in...)
19. Waltzing Matilda-Dan Zanes & Debbie Harry
(An unexpected vocal collaboration that clicks; it's difficult not to smile as you listen.)
20. Energy Spent-Liam Finn
(Presenting a lyrical defense of Nietzsche's expression, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger...")
21. Red Red Robin (WNEW "Easter Tapes" version)-Steve Goodman
(It's great to hear Goodman's voice and vigorous guitar come to life on possibly the best version of this tune I've heard.)
