Alt Country-Americana
- The Road To Ensenada-Lyle Lovett (Some of Lovett's most effective melancholy lyrics.)
- Land Of The Sea And Sun-Lord Jellicoe (A worthy cover version. If you know this tune, you probably think of Harry Belafonte's version first; it's similar to such other standouts of his as "Don't Ever Love Me" and "Jamaica Farewell.")
- Tell Me A Bedtime Story-Robert Glasper Experiment (Yet another good version of the Herbie Hancock tune; it's interesting to hear it with vocals that would have been at home on the R&B charts in the early '80s. There's plenty of room in this incarnation for imaginative keyboard runs. "Rhapsody And Blues" by The Crusaders would work well in front of any version I've heard of this.)
- Long Way From Home-The Waifs (Plaintive lyrics remind listeners that the past is always with us. Other highlights from the band's "Ironbark" CD, released in March: "Higher Ground" and "Something's Coming.")
- Cat's In The Cradle-Harry Chapin (One of the best-written songs about missed opportunities and the need to make time for one's family.)
- I Hope You Dance-Lee Ann Womack (In a palatable blend of adult contemporary and country styles, Womack sings lyrics fit for a commencement address about not losing one's sense of wonder and making the most of opportunities.)
- A Better Love-Londonbeat ("I've Been Thinking About You," the group's big hit, stands up as a pop and dance hit, but this subtler tune of theirs deserves its due.)
- Flight Of The Ancients-The Shaolin Afronauts (Despite its discordant ending, this is an interesting, brassy instrumental, with an early '70s movie soundtrack vibe.)
