Classy and quirky gems heard today:
KCAT (Pine Bluff, AR)
- Born To Lose-Ray Charles (Vocals with feeling and orchestral underscoring suitable for wallowing in a breakup.)
- A Lover's Concerto-The Toys (Memorable vocals and a strong, ascending, singable hook. "A Lover's Concerto" is a perfectly appropriate song title, but as a kid, I wished it had just been called "How Gentle Is The Rain," after the opening lyric. It would have made the tune easier to find in record stores. "Different Drum" by The Stone Poneys features some of Linda Ronstadt's most engaging vocals and would segue well after this.)
KJEM (Pullman, WA)
- Tea For Three-Makoto Ozone Trio (A jaunty, swingin' showcase for piano, bass, and drums.)
- Moonglow-Coleman Hawkins Trio (Elegant tenor sax that's ideal for a ballroom performance. Great rhythmic support, as usual, from guitarist Kenny Burrell and bassist Ron Carter.)
WMKV (Reading, OH)
- Rockin' Chair-Harry James (Trumpet underscoring fit for a documentary about New Orleans.)
- The Typewriter-Leroy Anderson (Brisk orchestral underscoring fit for a workplace sitcom set in the '50s.)
WMVY (Edgartown, MA)
- Smoothie Song-Nickel Creek (If this doesn't inspire a guitarist, mandolin player, or fiddler to pick up their instruments and shred right along, I don't know what tune would. Even after several hundred listens, I never tire of this raucous instrumental. Also recommended: All of Nickel Creek's "This Side" album.)
- Linger-Jonatha Brooke (Strong lyrics about an unhealthy relationship, set to a singable, very of-its-time, i.e. 2001, rhythm.)
- Blue Sky-Patty Griffin (Immediately soaring guitar that pings from speaker to speaker, forthright vocals, and a solid hook...Why wasn't this a huge hit? Sheryl Crow's "My Favorite Mistake" sounds right to me before it.)
- Sing For You-Tracy Chapman (An honest, heartwarming way of expressing appreciation for the people closest to you.)
- Love Reign O'er Me-Bettye LaVette (An effectively bluesy, emotively sung cover of one of The Who's best songs.)
