Five of the better Thanksgiving-themed selections I've heard today:
KSKO (McGrath, AK)
- Thanksgiving Theme-Vince Guaraldi Trio (This version focuses primarily on Guaraldi's piano playing, which sounds great, as always. Also seek out the 2nd Reprise version by The Vince Guaraldi Quintet, which includes horns.)
WCLV (Cleveland, OH)
- Claudio Monteverdi: Mass Of Thanksgiving (Taverner Consort & Players/Andrew Parrott, conductor) (Regal brass and strings underscore the vocals in this Baroque piece.)
- Frederic Hand: A Psalm Of Thanksgiving (Jayna Nelson, flute; Frederic Hand, guitar) (A placid guitar intro turns into hops and skips when the flute enters. The piece then returns to its initial subtlety.)
WPFW (Washington, D.C.)
- I Give Thanks-Jerry Johnson (This May release is a compelling blend of rhythmic reggae, jazz saxophone, and vocals.)
- Fried Pies-Wes Montgomery (Melvin Rhyne's organ playing makes this sound like a Jimmy Smith track. The organ, guitar, and drums give this jazz instrumental a bluesy flavor.)
