Ten of the better tunes I've heard today:
'60s/'70s
- Everlasting Love-Carl Carlton (Robert Knight's original 1967 version is perfectly respectable. Carlton, however, upped the tempo and energy level just enough to make this into an even more infectious hit seven years later.)
North Americana
- You Never Know-Iron & Wine (Good lyrics about a world full of possibilities and the inevitability of not always following the wisest paths. This is yet another strong acoustic number from Iron & Wine.)
SiriusXMU Discovery
- Enything-quickly, quickly (No, that song title isn't a typo. This is some strangely compelling new indie rock. The lyrics suggest disturbing eagerness to shapeshift into the person the subject's beloved desires, but the contrast in vocal styles and surprising instrumental transitions kept me listening. Thirty-seven seconds from the end, I thought a new song was starting. Surprisingly, it was an unconventional fadeout.)
St. Paddy's Day Radio
- Granny Quinn's/The Lilac Reel/Sporting Pat-Solas (Solas excels in spirited reels like these and boisterous fiddling like this. This medley is one example of why it's fun to hear St. Paddy's Day Radio take over The Spectrum, i.e. Channel 28, every St. Patrick's Day.)
- The Musical Priest-Cora Smyth (Natalie MacMaster's "In My Hands" or "Man Of Arran" by Niamh Parsons would sound right to me after this round of catchy fiddle playing.)
- Danny Boy-The Irish Tenors (What ensemble is more qualified to sing this standard with orchestral backing?)
- The Rocky Road To Dublin-The Chieftains (What ensemble is more qualified to play and sing this rousing, much-covered uptempo number? The High Kings and The Irish Descendants also recorded strong renditions.)
- The High Reel-Horslips (An interesting blend of traditional fiddling, hard rock guitar, and prog rock organ.)
Yacht Rock 311
- You Can't Change That-Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio (Another way of conveying the sentiments about which Billy Joel sings in "Just The Way You Are." The pleasantly sung hook has stood up to repeated listening since its 1979 heyday.)
Yacht Soul
- Remind Me-Patrice Rushen (Lyrics and a vibe fit for late night dedication shows.)
