KHUM (Ferndale, CA)
- A Little Crazy-Nicole Atkins (Compelling vocals that fall at the unusual intersection of indie rock and torch music.)
- Black Hole-Bishop Allen (Relatively subtle but engaging midtempo vocals. The protagonist's attitude, "It's not love; Oh, well," serves the song well.)
- Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Sonata in D major, Op. 77, "Homage To Boccherini" (Irina Kulikova, guitar) (Kulikova brings out the warmth and pensiveness of the piece with equal ease. If you enjoy Castelnuovo-Tedesco's compositions, I also recommend the "Guitar Solo Works" CD by Susanne Mebes.)
- Bernhard Henrik Crusell: Clarinet Quartet No. 3 in D major, Op. 7; IV. Finale. Allegro (Members of the Allegri String Quartet; Thea King, clarinet) (A pleasant, well-balanced, spirited conclusion to an easily accessible piece. The key of D major, in my opinion, is second only to C major in its accessibility.)
- Anthony Holborne: Five Pieces (Empire Brass) (Appropriately regal and solemn, as required.)
- This Is For The Lover In You-Shalamar (Instant atmosphere, from the first two notes. I remember KMJM playing this frequently in the early '80s.)
- Time (Live at WTMD)-Dirty Grass Players (I'd never imagined this Pink Floyd tune as a brisk bluegrass piece, but it works better than you might expect. The band's version of the Allman Brothers Band tune, "Blue Sky," is also impressive.)
- Blues For Muse-Clifford Jordan (Some impressive up-and-down-the-scales runs in this showcase for Jordan's flute and saxophone.)
