'50s On 5
- It's All In The Game-Tommy Edwards (A smoothly crooned doo-wop favorite that I enjoyed playing on WEW; its arrangement is heavily of its time, but its lyrics hold up in any era.)
- A Summer Song-Chad & Jeremy (A subtle, appealing breeze of a tune; radio stations with music-of-your-life formats still play it. They should, as it's one of the most palatable folk-rock oldies.)
- Was A Sunny Day-Paul Simon (An enjoyable soft rock/reggae blend in this highlight from the album, "There Goes Rhymin' Simon." Also recommended: "American Tune" and "Learn How To Fall.")
- Slide (Instrumental)-Calvin Harris (A subtle, laid back dance groove that works as a prelude to Ray Parker, Jr.'s "For Those Who Like To Groove.")
- Lies-The Knickerbockers (How do you craft a catchy garage band tune with a heavy early Beatles influence and an infectious hook? Like this...)
- Red Rubber Ball-The Cyrkle (One of the bounciest oldies with the right attitude about overcoming rejection. Seek out Simon & Garfunkel's early live performance of this Simon-penned tune, not only for the song but for Garfunkel's humorous intro.)
- In A Big Country-Big Country (I'd be curious to hear Men At Work cover this drum-propelled one-hit wonder from 1983. Check avclub.com's archives for a spirited cover of this, complete with audience participation, by The Cheatahs.)
- My Little Town-Simon & Garfunkel (Outlaw Country isn't the right category for this 1975 Simon & Garfunkel hit about childhood memories and the decay of one's hometown. Its bittersweet feel keeps it from being played on oldies radio stations today; that's unfortunate, as it's an appealing, well-constructed tune.)
- Georgia On My Mind-Louis Armstrong (There's no topping the way Ray Charles sings this, but Armstrong and his band deserve attention for the more upbeat way they pull this off...)
- They Can't Take That Away From Me-Margaret Whiting (...and Whiting's jaunty optimism in the vocals here make this a solid cover version, as well. Good segue, SiriusXM...If I had known of this version during my WEW days, I would have played it on the air.)
- Good Morning Heartache-Diana Ross (I've praised Laura Fygi's breathy version of this before; that's the rendition that stays with me most often. Ross, however, recorded a nice take on it that was a minor hit in 1973.)
- City-Sara Bareilles (A strong voice paired with effectively used strings and electric guitar.)
