Results of my latest iTunes music library random play:
1. Learn To Say No-Lydia Loveless
(Good, self-aware lyrics, sung with conviction.)
2. Hannah-Erik Voeks
(Propulsive power pop; a highlight of the "Sandbox" CD.)
3. Don't Talk-10,000 Maniacs
(One of the band's best sets of lyrics from perhaps its best album, "In My Tribe.")
4. An Olde Irish Aire (Danny Boy)-Tony Rice Unit
(A pleasant guitar rendition.)
5. Stay On The Ride-Patty Griffin
(Griffin sells a story with every ounce of conviction.)
6. The World Is Waiting-Frank Popp Ensemble
(Lyrically, vocally, and instrumentally strong; why wasn't this an American hit?)
7. I Don't Know You-New Riders Of The Purple Sage
(For fans of The Byrds; the vocal harmonies are similar.)
8. Black Bear's Picnic-Al Petteway & Amy White
(It's impressive when an instrumental with such a specific title conveys its exact image musically.)
9. Tempted (KFOG "Live From The Archives, Volume 7" version)-Squeeze
(The slightly faster tempo in this version works just as well for this song, which is one of the band's best.)
10. Quiet Village-Martin Denny
(With its exotic animal sounds and spooky lounge music piano arrangement, this track is suitable for Halloween.)
11. You'll Never Get To Heaven-The Stylistics
(From a group that knows its way around ballads.)
12. Solar-Renee Rosnes Trio with string orchestra
(A strong, lush reading of a Miles Davis tune.)
13. One Light Shining-Ruth Moody
(Moving lyrics and vocals by one-third of The Wailin' Jennys.)
14. Singing The Blues-Guy Mitchell
(A 1956 hit that I used to play on WEW; the whistling helps sell the tune.)
15. Only Fools Are Positive ("Live At KDHX, Volume 5" version)-Swing DeVille
(One smooth tango.)
16. Jacaranda Bougainvillea (Live)-Al Jarreau & The Metropole Orkest
(Jarreau sings encouragingly about trees and flowers as metaphors for hope; the orchestra enhances the song's optimistic vibe.)
