Alt Country-Americana
- My Love Follows You Where You Go-Lori McKenna (McKenna co-wrote this tune. It's easy to feel the protagonist's heartache as you listen, which speaks to the effectiveness of the lyrics and McKenna's vocals. Alison Krauss also covers it effectively.)
- Earth Song-Mary Hopkin (I hear elements of Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins in Hopkin's vocals; I can imagine either of those artists interpreting this ode to the planet similarly.)
- I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight (acoustic version)-Richard Thompson (Richard and Linda Thompson's original version of this is unusually buoyant, at least on the surface, so it's interesting to hear Richard Thompson tackle it as a solo acoustic tune.)
- Porch Light-Aoife O'Donovan (This tune, like many others on O'Donovan's new release, "In The Magic Hour," tackles the subject of loss and carrying on under less than ideal circumstances, gracefully. I've come to view a new release by O'Donovan the same way I view a new one by Mary Chapin Carpenter; I know there will be a high level of grace, sensitivity, and thoughtfulness in her vocals and lyrics.)
- I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance-Clifford Brown (Brown's rendering of the tune on trumpet is moving and expansive. Richie Powell's piano playing underscores the song's elegance.)
- Janice-Michael Kaeshammer (A good bluesy piano riff, with a suggestion of the Miles Davis tune, "Freddie Freeloader," in its melody.)
- It's Your Thing-The Isley Brothers (How many of you, upon reading that song title, involuntarily heard the group sing, "Do what you want to do," in your mind? Talk about a powerful hook...)
- Mary's Prayer-Danny Wilson (It was a pleasure to be reminded of this tune that was played on adult contemporary stations in 1987. I'd forgotten how the chorus, "So, if I say, 'Save me, Save me...,'" lodges itself in my mind so quickly.)
