'40s Junction
- April In Paris-Count Basie (Classy, steppin'-out-on-the town big band bliss, with "Pop Goes The Weasel" in the mix, to boot.)
- Beautiful-Gordon Lightfoot (Some of the classiest, most eloquently sung lyrics fit for a Valentine. I've always thought this tune is nearly on par with Lightfoot's most moving hit, "If You Could Read My Mind.")
- Save The Country-Laura Nyro (Nyro had success writing for such groups as Blood, Sweat & Tears and The Fifth Dimension, who had a hit with this tune. Still, she deserved more acclaim for her own performances of her songs, which featured her heartfelt vocals and piano playing. Nyro captured the of-its-time idealism of the era in which she wrote "Save The Country," so it's a treat to hear her sing it. Also recommended: Nyro's take on her own songs, "And When I Die" and "Stoney End.")
- The Homecoming-Hagood Hardy (Conveys the feeling of a forest at dawn through Hardy's piano, the guitar, and orchestra.)
- You Are In My System-The System (An ear-catching synthesized groove that holds up decades later. I remember always letting this play out when I heard it on KMJM and WZEN.)
- Holding On-Gregory Porter featuring Kem (Porter's vocals shine in traditional jazz and gospel arrangements, so it's interesting to hear him in a more contemporary context here.)
- Up Jumped Spring-Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (Engaging drumming from Blakey and impressive trumpet runs from Freddie Hubbard on his own composition.)
- My Foolish Heart-Charlie Watts Quintet featuring Bernard Fowler (Fowler's smooth, elegant vocals carry this rendition. Also recommended: "Bewitched," "My Ship," and really, the whole "Warm & Tender" CD.)
- Cunla-Planxty (An interesting mix of bagpipes and lyrics that skip along, requiring challenging enunciation.)
- Bang Bang-David Sanborn (One of Sanborn's more raucous uptempo tracks, thanks in no small part to the backing vocalists.)
