Today's iTunes shuffle mode results:
1. Klimbim-Don Ross
(One of the most tuneful, upbeat guitar instrumentals I've heard, with a great hook and a ringing tone.)
2. 1,000 Times-Terri Hendrix
(Hendrix conveys emotional honesty, lyrically and vocally; this is possibly her most endearing song.)
3. Verdi Cries-10,000 Maniacs
(One of Natalie Merchant's most heartfelt performances; strings add to the song's poignancy.)
4. Take Me Out To The Ballgame-Sam Bush
(It's not customary instrumentation for this tune, but it actually works well on the mandolin.)
5. Charmed Life-The Orange Peels
(Who wouldn't want to play guitar or drums on this track? Not the most encouraging lyrics, but they're sung with clarity and conviction.)
6. Give It Another Day-Edie Brickell
(A good hook and a throwback of piano line draw the listener in.)
7. Valley Of The Archer-Stevan Pasero
(One of Pasero's most memorable guitar pieces in a minor key. Also recommended: "Waves At Turtle Bay" and his "Christmas Classics For Guitar" CD.)
8. Always There-Ronnie Laws
(Sports a cool, of-its-time, jazzy sax riff from '75.)
9. Wild Mountain Thyme-10,000 Maniacs
(Mary Ramsey sings this Celtic standard effectively.)
10. Olympic Reel-Natalie MacMaster
(A fiddler's spirited romp.)
11. Thaw Out-Albert Collins
(Good interplay between organ, guitar, and drums.)
12. Caminho-Jazzamor
(A natural segue with any version of "Mas Que Nada.")
13. Silent City-Matthew Sweet
(Sweet has had a long career, but with radio-friendly fare like this, it's surprising he hasn't had hits. "I've Been Waiting," "Sick Of Myself," "Time Capsule," and "Silent City," among others, should have been mainstream hits.)
14. Too Kool For School-Theo Bishop & Brian Hughes
(A smooth, uptempo sax/keyboard/bass groove.)
15. Elegant Soul-Gene Harris & The Three Sounds
(An apt title for this lush, moving slow dance instrumental.)
16. Fortune Teller-Troubadours Of Divine Bliss
(Have you put your hands to good use by helping others? That's the theme of these compelling lyrics, set to a captivating backdrop and featuring endearing vocal harmonies.)
17. Git Fiddler (Live)-Amanda Shaw
(It has to be a blast to play fiddle or guitar on this, especially live.)
18. Don't Ever Love Me-Harry Belafonte
(Things don't pan out for the couple in this song, but what a song.)
19. Ring Them Bells-Sarah Jarosz
(A well-sung, well-played version of a Bob Dylan tune.)
20. The Sea Is My Soil-Herb Alpert
(An overlooked Alpert album track that features some of his best horn playing and appealing strings; it pulls off its transitions from slow, contemplative number to mariachi-infused celebration and vice versa.)
21. Reality Used To Be A Friend Of Mine-P.M. Dawn
(From "Of The Heart, Of The Soul, And Of The Cross: The Utopian Experience," an accessible rap album that's as compelling now as it was in the '90s. Also recommended: "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss," "To Serenade A Rainbow," and "A Watcher's Point Of View.")
22. No Man's Land-Garrison Starr
(Effective, emotionally honest vocals.)
