Baroque
- Francesco Maria Veracini: Concerto a otto in D major (Accademia I Filarmonici/Alberto Martini, conductor) (An invigorating steeplechase of a melody.)
- Natural High-Bloodstone (A vocal harmony throwback; The Stylistics would have done a great job with this tune, as well.)
- Down The Road-George Duke (An appealing walking keyboard groove and scatting.)
- Samba saravah-Stacey Kent (The guitar, piano, saxophone, and vocals all click in this pleasant rendition.)
- Maisha-Gloria Muliro (Uplifting, ear-catching vocals.)
- Last Train To Clarksville-The Grascals (I'd never thought of this hit by The Monkees as suitable for a bluegrass arrangement, but The Grascals prove that it's a natural fit.)
- Lines In The Land-The Levins (A well-written, beautifully sung and played tune of hope for the new year.)
- The Road To Ensenada-Lyle Lovett (Some of Lovett's most effective lyrics; it's easy to feel the protagonist's angst.)
- Things Are Getting Better-Cannonball Adderley & Milt Jackson (A great, straight ahead number for vibes and saxophone.)
- All The Pretty Little Horses-Chemayne Del Mastro (Soft, sensitive instrumentation that's ideal for a children's lullaby. The cover art of the album, "Nighty Night, World," matches the music's sensitivity, as it shows different species of animals getting along peacefully.)
- Superstition-Stevie Wonder (Still one of Wonder's best hits; considering how high the benchmark is there, that's saying a lot. Lyrically, it holds up well as a reminder to not think irrationally. James Corden had a great "Carpool Karaoke" segment with Wonder on "The Late Late Show" recently, in which they both sang along with "Superstition" and many of Wonder's other hits. "For Once In My Life" was particularly impressive in that format.)
- Time Is Tight-Booker T. & The MGs (One of the band's best instrumentals; it's catchy and concise.)
- Ou Kaas-Themba (A cool, neo-jazzy tune with a bounce and effective use of the flute.)
