'40s Junction
- C Jam Blues-Duke Ellington (The 1942 version that SiriusXM played emphasized what a toe-tappin' jam this is, particularly for a clarinetist.)
- Bend Me, Shape Me-The American Breed (I imagine, in late 1967 and early '68, that a lot of teen and twentysomething listeners turned up the radio when this came on. There must have been a lot of involuntary singing and clapping along with this one. This catchy, tightly constructed oldie is still a favorite of mine.)
- Nobody-Sylvia (Despite almost never hearing this song on the radio, it has stayed with me since 1982. Thanks to "American Top 40," I got to know this tune about keeping a rival for one's significant other at bay through surveillance. I have to admire the protagonist's resolve and how she summarizes it with a catchy hook.)
- You Don't Want Me Anymore-Steel Breeze (It's deceptively difficult to convey universal sentiments in a fresh, original-for-the-time way. Steel Breeze pulled it off here and caught the listener's ear from the first five memorable notes.)
- Back Water Blues-Ally Venable Band (Venable sings and plays guitar with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. If this doesn't suggest a bright future--and a bright present, for that matter--I'm not sure what would.)
- Just As I Am-Chet Atkins (Tasteful, understated guitar playing; par for the course with Atkins.)
- More Love-Kim Carnes (The rasp in Carnes's voice suits this Smokey Robinson tune well. "Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters would segue smoothly after it.)
- If I Were A Bell-Jimmy Smith (This much-covered tune works well at an unhurried tempo, played with a bounce, on the organ.)
- Island Cathedral-Pam Asberry (An appropriate title for a solemn piano piece.)
