Stingray Music highlights XX

Some of the better selections heard Tuesday and Wednesday:

Adult Alternative

• Crazy Love-Van Morrison (Some of Morrison's best, most restrained vocals.  It's not surprising that Aaron Neville covered it; the lyrics and key are ideal for his voice.)

Cool Jazz 

• Quiet Fire-Melody Gardot (Smooth, sultry vocals; Gardot is exceptionally consistent from song to song.)

Folk Roots

• Down To Zero-Joan Armatrading (Powerful lyrics and vocals; if you enjoy the heart and depth of Tracy Chapman's lyrics, you'll likely enjoy "Down To Zero."  Also recommended: "Cool Blue Stole My Heart" and "Show Some Emotion.") 

Jazz Latino

• Something For Carol-Marlon Simon And The Nagual Spirits (An appealing calypso-based number from this percussionist.) 

Jazz Now

• You Go To My Head-Cassandra Wilson (Wilson conveys the depth of the lyrics, with elegant orchestral backing.)

Pop Classics 

• Camille Saint-Saens: Piano Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 4 (Fine Arts Quintet/Cristina Ortiz, piano) (A moving, lyrical piece not only for piano but violin, as well.  Also recommended: Pascal Roge's performances of Saint-Saens' first through fifth piano concertos.)

Rewind--'80s & '90s

• Groove Is In The Heart-Deee-Lite (One of the most memorable grooves of 1990; everything clicks, vocally and instrumentally.)

Soul Storm

• Uh Oh Feeling-Brian McKnight (McKnight's vocals and the sunny instrumental accompaniment make universal sentiments sound fresh.)