Six standout songs heard today:
KBOO (Portland, OR)
- It's Worth Believin'-Gordon Lightfoot (Lyrically, this is a shrewd reminder to trust one's intuition about a relationship going south.)
- L'enfant Et La Gazelle-Miriam Makeba (Beautifully sung vocals over a strong rhythm section. "Pata Pata" has been my default Makeba tune for years, but this 1971 track deserves just as much attention.)
KZSC (Santa Cruz, CA)
- I'll Come Running Back To You-Sam Cooke (While running back to someone who jilted you isn't always the best idea, hearing this on crackling vinyl underscored the heartache in Cooke's vocals.)
- Oop Bop Sh'Bam-Charlie Parker (I used to play this on WEW, and its catchy chorus still creeps into my mind at unexpected moments.)
WTJU (Charlottesville, VA)
- Lighthouse-Caroline Spence featuring Sarah Jarosz (Vocally, this May release reminds me somewhat of Shawn Colvin and Patty Griffin.)
- Wind The Clock-Alison Brown (After just one listen, I'm convinced that this May release is one of 2023's best instrumentals. If you don't think the banjo is a melodic instrument, perhaps this will change your mind. I'm hard-pressed to name another banjo player besides Bela Fleck who can blend folk and smooth jazz elements so smoothly.)
