These are seven of the better Independence Day and Americana-style selections I've heard today:
KING (Seattle, WA)
- John Philip Sousa: Songs Of Grace And Glory (Tacoma Concert Band/Robert Musser, conductor) (As much as I like "The Stars And Stripes Forever," it's refreshing to hear a graceful, heroic-sounding Sousa piece that isn't a march.)
KQAC (Portland, OR)
- Florence Price: Five Folk Songs In Counterpoint (Catalyst Quartet) (Deftly performed string quartet renditions. "Oh, My Darling Clementine" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" are most familiar to many listeners.)
KTSU (Houston, TX)
- God Bless America-Bob Baldwin (The melody translates compellingly into a piano-anchored smooth jazz instrumental.)
KUSC (Los Angeles, CA)
- John Williams: Lincoln: The People's House (Chicago Symphony Orchestra/John Williams, conductor) (Movingly sensitive playing from the strings and winds.)
WBCM (Bristol, VA)
- Let Me Down Easy-Blackberry Smoke featuring Amanda Shires (A tactful lyrical reminder that it's wise to be compassionate when rejecting someone. Shires blends well vocally with this group.)
- Doc's Guitar/Black Mountain Rag-Tommy Emmanuel & Billy Strings (Impressively brisk, synchronized guitar playing.)
WVMO (Monona, WI)
- Georgia On My Mind-Willie Nelson (Ray Charles sings the best version of this, but Nelson's vocals also establish a mood effectively.)
