Wednesday and Thursday standouts:
KCHI (Chillicothe, MO)
- Take It Away-Paul McCartney (This rhythm pulls me in every time, and McCartney warming up his voice in the intro is an unusual touch. Also, as my brother says, the brassy outro sounds like an of-its-time, i.e. 1982, TV newscast theme. This is one of my most-played 45s and, in my opinion, it's one of McCartney's best solo hits. This almost never gets played on the radio today, so it was a blast to hear it unexpectedly.)
- Can't Get You Out Of My Head-Kylie Minogue (When you're in the mood for a dance tune, this isn't a bad earworm to have stuck in your mind.)
KFMG (Des Moines, IA)
- I Got Six-Grady Tate (I doubt there's a funkier way to learn how to multiply by six. This is one of many fun, catchy "Schoolhouse Rock" tunes.)
KHNS (Haines, AK)
- And Relax!-The Cinematic Orchestra (This aptly titled instrumental features a clarinet fluttering over an appealing call-and-response routine between the piano and bass.)
KMNR (Rolla, MO)
- I Knew I Could Fly-Our Native Daughters (Appealing acoustic instruments underscore heartfelt lyrics about not letting hateful naysayers prevent you from pursuing your dreams.)
WJAB (Huntsville, AL)
- That Girl-Bob Baldwin (Smooth synergy between the piano and guitar in this instrumental cover of the Stevie Wonder hit.)
WKCO (Gambier, OH)
- New World Romance-Voxtrot (Lyrically, this is a pleasant reminder that as long as you're still in the world, positive experiences are there for the taking. This would have made my year-end countdown if I'd known of its release last November.)
WREK (Atlanta, GA)
- Simmer Down-Bob Marley & The Wailers (When someone or something irritated me during college, these lyrics came to mind frequently.)
WRTI-HD2 (Philadelphia, PA)
- There Will Never Be Another You-Marian McPartland (As with Dave Brubeck and Bill Evans, there's a dependable consistency to McPartland's tasteful piano interpretations.)
- No Strangers Here-Ben Wolfe (Excellent, elegant ambience.)
