Friday morning highlights:
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
- Kyoto-Aleko Nunez (This Phoebe Bridgers tune with such a strong hook translates gracefully into a more placid, new age-style arrangement.)
The Coffee House
- For All You Give-The Paper Kites featuring Lucy Rose (Sensitive, tasteful vocals and acoustic guitar convey thoughtful lyrics that say, in essence, "We make a great couple, and I'm thankful for you.")
Escape
- Something's Gotta Give-Beegie Adair (Although I didn't dislike the vocal renditions of this that I played on WEW, I think the tune works even better in this context--as a steady, midtempo piano melody.)
Radio Margaritaville
- No More Darkness, No More Light-Amos Lee (A ray of hope when resilience is needed.)
Real Jazz
- Pannonica-McCoy Tyner (Thelonious Monk's original version has a monsters-dancing-at-a-costume-ball feel that I've always liked. In Tyner's rendition, Bobby Hutcherson transfers the saxophone-driven melody of the original incarnation to the vibraphone, smoothing it out in a way that's just as compelling.)
Spa
- The Happy Couple-Michael Hedges (The title of this guitar piece surprised me. I suppose it could apply to a particularly serious, intense couple, though. This melody strikes me as appropriate for an interesting science documentary.)
Watercolors
- Ready Or Not-Paula Atherton (A fast, easy-on-the-ears smooth jazz, saxophone-propelled instrumental that's ideal for a drive or a brisk walk.)
- This Masquerade-George Benson (It speaks well of the record-buying public that in 1976, these melancholy lyrics, guitar, and piano struck such a chord and resulted in a deservedly big hit for Benson.)
Yacht Rock Deep Cuts
- Hydra-Toto (I hear a Peter Gabriel, "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" influence here. It's interesting hearing the more grandiose, album rock side of this band.)
- "Cannonball Run" Theme-Chuck Mangione (A sunny, accessible flugelhorn melody; most listeners who like Mangione's smash hit, "Feels So Good," would enjoy this.)
