Noteworthy selections heard today:
Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
- Two Ships-Sam Blakelock (This would segue well after Patty Griffin's "Rain.")
Alt R&B
- Calm & Patient-Jhene Aiko (Vocally and lyrically uplifting. This is a comforting reminder about a higher power looking out for us when we're struggling.)
HBCU
- Because Of You-Collaboration (A thoughtful saxophone-driven smooth jazz instrumental.)
The Loft
- Michelangelo-Cassandra Jenkins (Effectively quiet vocals and good lyrics about making the best of an imperfect situation.)
North Americana
- You And Me-Charlotte Cornfield (Endearingly optimistic yet realistic lyrics. This is an honest way to acknowledge, "Yes, we've had our troubles, but the future still looks encouraging.")
SiriusXM Pops
- Gustav Holst: The Planets; "Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity" (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra/Walter Susskind, conductor) (An appropriately mighty rendering, especially in the strings and brass, of a mighty planet. I also noticed the tambourine more than I have in any other rendition.)
SiriusXMU
- Default-Django Django (Catchy vocals augmented by steady rhythm players.)
Tom Petty's Buried Treasure
- What'd
I Say-Jimmy Smith (With Smith at the keys, I'm not surprised that this
Ray Charles classic translated so smoothly to the organ.)
Yacht Rock Radio
- Year Of The Cat-Al Stewart (Consider such Stewart hits as "Time Passages," "Song On The Radio," and "Year Of The Cat." There's a level of literacy, appreciation for people and places, and well-crafted musicianship that the pop charts could use more of today.)
