Cool Jazz
- Angela (Theme From "Taxi")-Bob James (With its instantly recognizable opening played on the recorder, this is one of the subtlest, most memorable sitcom themes. It's worth hearing in its entirety, as is the rest of the "Touchdown" album.)
- Crazy-Cassandra Wilson (Wilson sings Willie Nelson's tune with laid back depth against an unusual instrumental arrangement. Norah Jones also recorded a strong cover of it.)
- Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye-John Coltrane (It's difficult to imagine anyone recording a more elegant rendition of this Cole Porter tune on the saxophone.)
- How Great Thou Art-Vince Gill & Amy Grant (An understated guitar instrumental from the Windham Hill compilation, "Sounds Of Wood & Steel.")
- Big Blue Ball Of War-Nanci Griffith (Griffith sings earnestly about the perils of violent conflict.)
- Begin The Beguine-Artie Shaw (One of the strongest interpretations of this Cole Porter standard. Shaw proves it's an ideal number for the clarinet. Les Brown's versions of it are also recommended.)
- Dove Song-Gilad Hekselman (A guitar melody that stays mellow even in its most upbeat moments. I was reminded of Pat Metheny as I listened.)
- There Is No Greater Love-Dizzy Gillespie (Any traditional jazz station should have Gillespie's rendition in heavy rotation. The tune lends itself easily to a trumpeter's interpretation. Isham Jones and Marty Symes crafted a number that's also just as appropriate for the right vocalist, saxophonist, pianist, or guitarist.)
