KAPY (Duvall, WA)
- When The Morning Comes-Daryl Hall & John Oates (When things aren't quite clicking within a couple, it's sometimes healthy to assume an optimistic yet realistic outlook. Considering Hall's impressive multi-octave vocals, the tune's accessible lyrics, and its memorable melody, it's surprising this wasn't a hit. This is some of the duo's best work.)
- Hey Brother (Do Unto Others)-The Family Daptone (It's a tribute to all of the artists featured here that this sounds like a lost oldie from the early '70s.)
- Blues For Stitt-Bill Easley (A fine tribute to Sonny Stitt, thanks to Easley's warm tenor saxophone tone and the tune's bop feel.)
- Goin' Back To New Orleans-Dr. John (No one can replicate Dr. John's unique mix of grit and authenticity as a vocalist. Songs like this remind me of what the music world lost on June 6 after Dr. John's passing and on July 22, when Art Neville, the keyboardist featured here, as well as a Neville Brothers member and co-founder of The Meters, passed away.)
- Alexander Borodin: String Quartet No. 2 in D major, IV. Finale: Andante--Vivace (Cleveland Quartet) (Compelling alternation between dark, foreboding passages and joyous, spirited ones. Cleverly, the violins ask questions musically, and the viola and cello answer them. At a certain point, however, the tables turn, and they switch roles.)
- I'd Run Away-The Jayhawks (I'm perplexed that I've been writing this blog for nearly five years, yet haven't thought to cite this song. The song's swirling intro catches the ear immediately, and the tune's well-considered, sensitive lyrics live up to its promise. In my view, "I'd Run Away" is as strong as "Blue" and the cover of Grand Funk's "Bad Time," two other standouts from the album, "Tomorrow The Green Grass.")
- Caught By The Rain-Sarah Borges (Borges, as usual, sings this with resolve and confidence; this is especially impressive here, considering the lyrics detail a situation that isn't confidence-inducing. I'd be curious to hear Susan Tedeschi cover this.)
- Wayfaring Stranger-Rhiannon Giddens (Giddens has the perfect voice for this well-covered folk tune. Her soaring vocals highlight the tension and resolve inherent in the lyrics.)
