Nine gems heard today:
KAFM (Grand Junction, CO)
- All Day Music-The Mana'O Company (A pleasant, laid-back cover of the hit by War; the flute, guitar, organ, and vocals coalesce smoothly.)
KPTZ (Port Townsend, WA)
- Last One Standing-Monophonics (Wow! This is from 2020, but I would have sworn it's a '70s track. I hear a captivating blend of Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, and "I'd Wait A Million Years" by The Grass Roots in the vocals and instrumentation.)
- Wonder ("Paradise Is There: The New Tigerlily Recordings" version)-Natalie Merchant (Hearing this song in this acoustic arrangement without the hit version's commercial gloss made me appreciate it in a way I hadn't before. Merchant's vocals are looser and more free-spirited, and the guitar sounds more prominent in this configuration.)
KVSF (Santa Fe, NM)
- A Tune For The Tutor-Clark Terry (As soon as I heard the opening piano riff, I knew I'd like this. It's a strong, sly melody with Coleman Hawkins on tenor sax, Terry on trumpet, a solid walking bass line, and engaging piano support. Dizzy Gillespie's "Birks' Works" would sound great after this.)
- Forca da Imaginacao-Alexandra Jackson (Welcoming Brazilian-style vocals and guitar. Jackson's voice is equally compelling in solo and group settings.)
WCBN (Ann Arbor, MI)
- Mangos-Henri Rene and his orchestra (I'm getting an "It Takes Two To Tango" vibe from this decadent easy listening number.)
- Giovanna-Henry Mancini (A brisk, peppy melody for organ.)
- Quiet Village-Les Baxter (Martin Denny's novelty version, with its human imitations of jungle animals, is the one I've heard most often. Baxter's original version also deserves its due, however, for establishing the tune's haunted house feel.)
WORT (Madison, WI)
- Emily-The Don Friedman VIP Trio (I've praised Nika Rejto's flute-centered version before for its birdlike grace. Friedman carries the melody on the piano well, making the interesting choice with his combo to segue from a waltz-like flavor to a more assertive arrangement.)
