Online radio sampler highlights LXIV (Halloween edition)

With all due respect to Sting, you haven't heard the most gripping incarnation of "Moon Over Bourbon Street" until you've heard these three witch cats sing it.  Their balalaika accompaniment is also a key ingredient.

Six selections heard today whose titles, at least, relate to Halloween:

KWMU-3 (St. Louis, MO)

• William Bolcom: "Graceful Ghost" Rag (Paul Jacobs, piano) (Although ragtime classifies the piece's genre accurately, midtempo contemplative swing is just as accurate.  The production is appropriately airy for a ghost-themed composition.)
• Rudolf Friml: The Devil's Joke (Stephanie Chase, violin) (This piece demands considerable dexterity and precision from a violinist.  I'm no fan of the devil, but if he wanted to defeat Johnny in that Charlie Daniels-narrated "Devil Went Down To Georgia" fiddle playoff, he should have mastered this piece.)

WUMB (Boston, MA)

• Ghost Town-Dispatch (In case you were wondering, this isn't a cover of the Halloween-appropriate tune by The Specials.  It is, however, an effective, matter-of-fact look at a town whose businesses are mostly shuttered.)

WXPN (Philadelphia, PA)

• Ghost Writer-Garland Jeffreys (Not just any artist could sing about this profession and make it sound this appealing.  The organ intro gives the tune instant atmosphere.)
• Bury My Lovely-October Project (Weighty lyrics demand an epic vocalist, and Mary Fahl's grandiose alto is perfect here.)
• Haunt You-Mesa Jane (When wondering if you're on the right path in life, who doesn't feel like this, at least part of the time?  A steady dance groove underpins compelling vocals and accessible lyrics about second-guessing yourself.)