Alt Country-Americana
- Green Lights-Sarah Jarosz (It's interesting hearing Jarosz singing and playing mandolin in this context, with airy, more commercial-sounding production. This is one of the highlights from her latest release, "Undercurrent.")
- Honest Life-Courtney Marie Andrews (An honest, sincerely sung confessional.)
- I'll Always Be Waiting For You-Sierra Hull (A standout vocal from Hull's "Daybreak" release. Hull's vocals and mandolin playing bring Alison Krauss to mind. I also recommend "Daybreak"'s title track for its thoughtful lyrics and vocals and "Bombshell" and "Chasin' Skies," which illustrate Hull's dexterity on the mandolin.)
- Giant Steps-John Coltrane (Regarded as one of Coltrane's most impressive saxophone pieces. McCoy Tyner transfers Coltrane's blistering barrage of notes effectively to the piano on his rendition, so I recommend it, as well.)
- Days Of Blue-Patrick Naylor with Sara Mitra (A classy uptempo number; Mitra's vocals remind me of Norah Jones and Astrud Gilberto. If traditional jazz stations used Top 40 airplay classifications, this track ought to qualify for heavy rotation easily.)
- My Funny Friend And Me-Sting (The lyrics about how fortunate we are to have sources of kindness and support are easy to take in--and appreciate.)
- My Song-Pat Metheny (One of many strong, subtle guitar instrumentals on one of Metheny's best CDs, "One Quiet Night." Also recommended: "Over On 4th Street" and his cover of the Norah Jones standout, "Don't Know Why.")
