Six of the better tunes I've heard this morning:
KGKG (Salida, CO)
- Shattered Dreams-Johnny Hates Jazz (This earworm of a hit received considerable radio airplay in the Spring of 1988. After not hearing it for some time, it still stands up a solidly constructed song with a sing-along chorus.)
KSCW (Sun City West, AZ)
- Don't Go To Strangers-Rita Coolidge (When I hear Coolidge's name, I think reflexively of her smash hit, "(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher." "Don't Go To Strangers" made me realize how ideal her low-pitched voice is for standards.)
- Lonely Avenue-Ray Charles (Wallowing in one's sorrow seldom sounds classier than this.)
KWEM (West Memphis, AR)
- Texas Flood-Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble (As a guitarist and vocalist, Vaughan was always convincingly emotive. Also recommended: "Lenny," an appealing, somewhat overlooked instrumental.)
WRTI (Philadelphia, PA)
- Pure Imagination-Richard Baratta (Baratta anchors this laid-back instrumental rendering of the "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" favorite tastefully on drums. Paul Bollenback's guitar playing, Bill O'Connell's piano playing, and Baratta's drumming show how well this tune works at a slower pace.)
- Sentimental Journey-Beegie Adair (Sublime jazz piano playing, as usual, from Adair at just the right tempo.)
