U-verse served up a compelling, eclectic array of tunes this afternoon. Among the highlights:
Big Band
- Blues For Daddy-O-Count Basie (Fine call-and-response exchanges from the brass players, along with Basie's always tasteful piano stylings. It's impressive to sustain this sort of a groove for nearly nine minutes, as this ensemble does.)
Bluegrass
- Keep The River On Your Right-Kristen Grainger & True North (Pleasant, endearing vocals, good lyrics about not letting your blues overwhelm you, and pickin' not unlike that of Nickel Creek.)
Cocktail Lounge
- Sportsday-Brian Bennett (There's a Herb Alpert vibe here.)
Cool Jazz
- Lazy Afternoon-Hank Jones (Various versions of "My Funny Valentine" would segue well into this piano instrumental.)
Folk Roots
- Meet Me On The Corner-Lindisfarne (Lyrical proof that late '60s idealism was still alive and well in 1971.)
- Take The Journey-Molly Tuttle (Embarking on a turbulent quest with an uncertain outcome? Let these vocals and instruments be your accompaniment.)
Indie Classics
- Unfinished Sympathy-Massive Attack (The symphonic accompaniment complements the intensity of the vocals.)
Jazz Now
- Shake It-Omer Klein (An infectious minor key piano rhythm propels this instrumental.)
Soul Storm
- Softly-Arlo Parks (Appealing piano and vocals that build effectively.)
