This week In Male Balladeers 04/52
D’Angelo’s “Devil’s Pie,” a gritty DJ Premier collaboration, critiques materialism through stripped-back funk, while José James’ “Trouble” channels Bill Withers and Sly Stone with swagger and emotional depth. Aaron Neville softens Leonard Cohen’s “Bird on the Wire” with smooth harmonies, and INXS’s “Beautiful Girl” conveys heartfelt simplicity. Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready” remains a Civil Rights anthem of optimism, and Little Feat’s jazzy “Dixie Chicken” revels in playful storytelling and timeless charm. Dean Martin’s serene take on “It’s Easy to Remember” pairs elegant restraint with nostalgia, while Robert Wyatt’s surreal “Sea Song” from *Rock Bottom* balances tender minimalism with dreamlike ambiguity. Neil Finn’s “Fall at Your Feet” from Crowded House centers on quiet vulnerability and enduring sincerity.
