Thursday highlights:
Alt Country-Americana
- The Rain-Little Quirks (Vocally, this is a captivating blend of folk, rock, and Celtic styles.)
- Thorn In My Heart-Kim Richey (Honest lyrics about how exasperating it is to be with someone who drives you crazy. Also recommended: "I Know" and "Whistle On Occasion.")
The Blues
- Jumpin' The Blues-Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (Ample pep from the guitar and horns. This could segue with Lyle Lovett's instrumental, "The Blues Walk.")
Caribbean Vintage Vibes
- La Ri Z'abymes-Al Livrat featuring Eobwer Mavounzy (The piano and horns evoke a fun carnival atmosphere.)
The Chill Lounge
- Outside-Surf Mesa featuring subtoll (This track has a quiet, appealing intensity, particularly from the piano.)
- Road To Benares-Thunderball (A flute glides over the driving, bass-heavy beat at strategic times.)
Classic Masters
- Franz Joseph Haydn: Violin Concerto No. 1 in C major (Northern Sinfonia/Heinrich Schiff, conductor; Christian Tetzlaff, violin) (The first and third movements are challenging romps, requiring a violinist to be nimble, to say the least. I also recommend Aubree Oliverson's performance of it with Cappella Istropolitana.)
- Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 (Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Fritz Reiner, conductor) (I've raved previously about this symphony. The requisite sorrow is there in the second movement, but I'm especially pleased that the Chicago Symphony nailed the call and response between the flute and the strings in the first movement; that's essential for conveying that movement's joyfulness. For decades, my default recording of this symphony has been the London Symphony Orchestra's performance under conductor Edouard Van Remoortel. It's high praise from me that I like the Chicago Symphony's performance just as much.)
Cool Jazz
- Two For The Road-Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden (An airy and subtle piece for guitar and bass. It's consistent with the rest of this duo's "Beyond The Missouri Sky" CD.)
New Age
- Perpetuum Mobile-Penguin Cafe Orchestra (An effective way for stringed instruments to convey perpetual motion.)
- Contentment-Calm Radio (This soft, reflective piano piece is titled appropriately.)
