Six Friday morning highlights:
KBYU (Provo, UT)
- John Dowland: Almande (Paul O'Dette, lute) (Lutes are frequently associated with festive, lighthearted music, but this is a serious, downcast piece, played with appropriate subtlety.)
KILR (Estherville, IA)
- Smoky Mountain Rain-Ronnie Milsap (As I've aged, I've started to appreciate some country crossover tracks such as this. It helps that there's a bit of a Glen Campbell quality in Milsap's music that ages well. Also recommended: "Any Day Now.")
KUVO (Denver, CO)
- Tea For Two-Erroll Garner (In the wrong hands, this melody runs the risk of sounding too precious. Luckily, this version is in the right hands; Garner and his combo give this tune more of a kick on piano, guitar, and percussion than I'm used to hearing.)
WCBY (Cheboygan, MI)
- Daydream Believer-Anne Murray (Murray's voice suits this cover of the much-played Monkees hit well, striking the right balance between confidence and starry-eyed idealism.)
WJCU (University Heights, OH)
- Feeling Like Myself Again-Lowland Hum (Cautiously encouraging lyrics for someone snapping out of a deep blue funk.)
WLXR (La Crosse, WI)
- Walk Away Renee-The Left Banke (One of the best-written, best-sung, and best-structured songs about a relationship falling apart. For many listeners, however, it eclipses the group's other quality tunes, such as "She May Call You Up Tonight," "I've Got Something On My Mind," and "Barterers And Their Wives.")
