KAFM (Grand Junction, CO)
- Your Word-Eleanor Friedberger (Effectively sung lyrics about an unhealthy relationship.)
- You're Leaving-Parlet (A 1979 tune that I hadn't heard in years. I'd forgotten how well these Parliament-Funkadelic singers keep the groove going. The tune would flow well after Rufus and Chaka Khan's "Tell Me Something Good.")
- Praise You-Fatboy Slim (I don't usually listen to Fatboy Slim's music, but his well-placed piano sampling and use of Camille Yarbrough's "Take Yo' Praise" as the tune's springboard deserve their due.)
- But Not For Me-John Hicks (Hicks leads this excellent trio on piano, making this Gershwin tune swing.)
- A Shot In The Arm-Wilco (The Wilco tune I've listened to most; the piano intro and the opening lyric, "The ashtray says you were up all night," draw me in every time. It's no wonder fans sing along with it so enthusiastically during the band's concerts.)
- Cassidy-Holly Bowling (Bowling's Classical piano training shines in this great instrumental cover a Grateful Dead tune. It's a poignant, forceful, new age-style rendering of the tune that works extremely well. If you like the way Rachel Z covers disparate tunes, ranging from Sade's "Kiss Of Life" to Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire" on the piano, Bowling's interpretations of jam band tunes will likely appeal to you, as well. Also recommended: Bowling's cover of "Franklin's Tower.")
