Every so often it’s cathartic to ratchet down the tunes to something easy on the ears, unchallenging but beautiful. I particularly enjoy softer music while I read, cook, or fall asleep. I often get caught in a rut though, and I make myself rummage through my collection for some dusty gem. If you get in a rut playing the same things, here are some suggestions:
Glen Campbell – Meet Glen Campbell (2008) Campbell returns to his earliest, pre-Rhinestone Cowboy style (hence the tongue-in-cheek title) with a set of sparse, crisp covers. His version of Jackson Browne’s These Days becomes poignantly autobiographical, given his battle with addictions. This album is possibly his best.
Maxwell – Now (2001) Low key, steamy funk, Maxwell’s falsetto is something to behold. Get To Know Ya starts the disc with an open-the-wine sexiness that moves through every song.
Van Morrison – Poetic Champions Compose (1987) Van’s most jazzy effort, and while his voice is at it’s peak on this disc, it also includes three gorgeous saxophone instrumentals. I Forgot That Love Existed is my personal favorite in all of Morrison’s body of work.
Mazzy Star – Seasons Of Your Day (2013) Long time darlings of the indie scene, Mazzy’s most recent work is very creative without any loss of the sultriness Hope Sandoval’s voice that fans have come to expect.
Brian Eno – Thursday Afternoon (2005) The originator and king of ambient music, Eno delivers a single, 60 minute instrumental song just perfect for background music at a dinner party or something to nap to.
Frank Sinatra – Sinatra At The Sands (1966) Recorded at the height of his powers at the coolest club on the planet at that time, Sinatra oozes confidence as he chats with the crowd between delivering definitive versions of classics like One For My Baby and Got A Crush On You.
Boz Scaggs – Memphis (2013) I’m very wary of “comeback” albums, but this is a wonderful set of songs from an artist who’s voice and guitar skills are undiminished. The slow groove is intoxicating, exemplified by Boz’s masterful cover of Steely Dan’s Pearl Of The Quarter.
Keith Jarrett – Six Sonatas For Violin And Piano (2013) The master of live jazz piano improv, Jarrett shows off his classical training with a stunning and fresh look at Bach’s sonatas.
Bryan Ferry – As Time Goes By (1999) Frontman for Roxy Music known for his cool vocal vibrato and for performing in a tux, Ferry sings 15 songs from the golden age of movies, including the title song, The Way You Look Tonight and You Do Something To Me.
The Quintet – Jazz At Massey Hall (1953) The only time these giants of jazz played together, this concert in Toronto is considered by experts to be the greatest recording in jazz. Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus and Max Roach are pure honey on this historic work.
berowne.com 