Five noteworthy tunes heard today:
KJHK (Lawrence, KS)
- Anxiety Feels-Goat Girl (Breathy, melancholy vocals coalesce compellingly with psychedelic-sounding instrumental backing. There's nothing like a catchy "Na-na, na-na, na, na" hook to keep me listening.)
WUMB (Boston, MA)
- Blue-The Jayhawks (It's difficult to tire of the band's close, sincere vocal harmonies on this tune, even after a few hundred listens.)
- Free-Deniece Williams (The tune's appealingly spacey intro would segue swimmingly after Flora Purim's "Dindi." Williams had her first hit with this in 1977, and her warm vocals reminded me that radio stations should play "Free" more often.)
- By The Time I Get To Phoenix-Herbie Mann (I've written previously about the appeal of disparate versions by Glen Campbell and Isaac Hayes. Add this to the list. This rendition's blend of flute and vibraphone gives the tune a musty feel, in the best sense.)
- Desafinado (Slightly Out Of Tune)-Karrin Allyson (This cover of an Antonio Carlos Jobim tune sports inviting vocals and vibraphone underscoring.)
