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GUITAR VIRTUOSI
This week In Guitar Virtuosi 07/52
Pat Metheny’s reworking of Carly Simon’s "That's The Way I Always Heard It Should Be" transforms its emotional weight into intricate instrumental nuances, highlighted by the unique 42-string Pikasso guitar. Shawn Lane’s "Rice with the Angels" takes a more chaotic yet cohesive approach, blending fusion and jazz elements in a raw, immersive live performance alongside Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe, creating a soundscape that's both intense and intricate.
Rory Gallagher injects lively storytelling into "Secret Agent" from his 1976 album "Calling Card," pairing cheeky themes with energetic slide guitar, while Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck's live duet on "Little Brown Bird" showcases subtle blues interplay over showy technique. Steve Hackett’s "Every Day" balances personal gravity with prog-pop charm, highlighted by shifting guitar tones and thoughtful arrangements, making it a standout on his *Spectral Mornings* album.
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Michel Petrucciani’s take on Miles Davis’ "So What" from a 1998 Stuttgart concert highlights its staying power, with Anthony Jackson’s steady bass and Steve Gadd’s subtle drumming anchoring restrained improvisation. Meanwhile, John Coltrane’s quartet version of "I Want to Talk About You" on *Soultrane* strips an old big-band tune to its emotional core, balancing reverence with hints of the freedom he’d later fully embrace.
Wayne Shorter’s "Starry Night" from *Without a Net* showcases conversational interplay within his quartet, while Chick Corea’s ambitious "Moseb the Executioner" merges diverse traditions despite feeling structurally dense. Dizzy Gillespie’s "A Night in Tunisia" pushes Afro-Cuban rhythms into bebop's restless energy, contrasting with Jimmy Smith’s warmer jazz-organ twist on "Honky Tonk," particularly live. Each track offers glimpses of its artist’s unique touchpoint in jazz history.
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SINGING LADIES
Singing (Ladies only) Ed Sheeran
Rita Ora's "Your Song," co-written with Ed Sheeran, blends her charismatic vocals with a breezy pop style and Caribbean flair, showcasing simplicity with Ed's knack for catchy tunes. Meanwhile, Grace VanderWaal's take on Sheeran's "The A Team" offers raw charm with her unique timbre, capturing a blend of sincerity and evolving artistry. Both stand out in their own right, balancing adaptation with authenticity.
Demi Lovato's live cover of "Give Me Love" strips the production back to spotlight her emotive range, giving Sheeran's lyrics a fresh vulnerability. On a different note, songs like "Photograph" and "Supermarket Flowers" reflect Sheeran's strength in evoking universal emotion, with the latter standing out as a heartfelt tribute. Together, these tracks showcase personal resonance and versatile performances.
? Take our 12-track quiz.This week In Singing Ladies 07/52
Sarah Vaughan’s "Send In The Clowns," from her 1981 album, highlights her vocal depth, turning Sondheim’s poignant lyrics into an intimate experience. Katie Melua’s "Spider’s Web" blends subtle guitar work and orchestral flourishes to examine moral ambiguity, while Brandi Carlile’s "Before It Breaks" presents a raw, restrained emotional journey with contributions from Rick Rubin and the Hanseroth brothers.
Jennifer Rush’s "The Power of Love" stands as a power ballad classic, marked by its global chart-topping success, whereas Heart’s "Magic Man" fuses personal storytelling with 1970s rock drama. The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s "Signs, High Times" opens their 2019 album on a groove-filled, bluesy note, showcasing Derek Trucks’ slide guitar and Susan Tedeschi’s commanding vocals. Each track brings its unique stamp to their respective albums.
? Take our 12-track quiz.This week In Singing Ladies 06/52
From Pink Floyd’s "Comfortably Numb," blending David Gilmour’s guitar brilliance with Roger Waters’ poignant lyrics, to Europe’s "The Final Countdown" and its iconic keyboard riff, these tracks highlight defining musical moments. Gary Moore’s "Empty Rooms" channels heartbreak, while Whitney Houston’s "How Will I Know" delivers ‘80s pop perfection, and Bobby Brown’s "My Prerogative" asserts individuality with slick new jack swing energy.
The Beach Boys’ "Kokomo" offers tropical escapism, Sérgio Mendes’ "Alibis" crafts polished adult contemporary grooves, and Eric Clapton with B.B. King reinterpret blues history in "Worried Life Blues." XTC’s "Senses Working Overtime" leans into eclectic charm, while Roberta Flack’s "Feel Like Makin' Love" balances tender finesse. These standout tracks anchor moments in music history, captivating through distinct moods and timeless appeal.
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MALE BALLADEERS
This week In Male Balladeers 07/52
Robbie Williams’ "Angels," co-written with Guy Chambers, blends sweeping production with karaoke-ready appeal, securing its place in late-'90s pop history despite chart peaks of No. 4 in the UK and No. 41 in the US. Its enduring cultural resonance includes a 2022 AI reboot featuring Beethoven’s "Moonlight Sonata." Similarly introspective, Myles Kennedy’s "Haunted by Design" shifts from Alter Bridge’s rock bombast to stripped-down blues, exploring grief through restrained acoustic textures.
Other highlights bring diverse tones: The Weeknd’s "Sidewalks," from "Starboy," pairs introspective lyrics with Kendrick Lamar’s sharp verses, while Jamie Cullum’s "Gran Torino," tied to Clint Eastwood’s film, opts for smoky jazz intimacy. Ed Sheeran’s "I’m a Mess," blending raw lyrics with pop accessibility, reflects a bittersweet confessional quality. Meanwhile, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ theatrical "Constipation Blues" thrives on eccentricity, showcasing absurdity with unmatched flair during a chaotic 1983 Serge Gainsbourg duet.
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Lenny Kravitz's "Dancin' Til Dawn" leans on his funk and rock roots, carried by his multi-instrumental talents and Lenny Pickett's sultry saxophone, though its mid-tempo groove feels more atmospheric than urgent. Paul Simon’s "Wristband" pairs flamenco rhythms and Clap! Clap!'s electronic touch to craft a witty reflection on exclusivity, offering layered social commentary with subtle humor.
Father John Misty’s "I Love You, Honeybear" blends lush orchestration with ironic lyrics, while Kurt Elling reimagines "Norwegian Wood" through a jazz lens, balancing abstraction and homage. Michael Bublé's polished take on "Moondance" sticks closely to the original’s blueprint, and "My Valentine" by Paul McCartney, featuring Eric Clapton, delivers a refined yet understated personal tribute.? Take our 12-track quiz.
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SINGING WITH & COVERS
Singing With Smokey Robinson
Singing With Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel’s "Washing of the Water" gets an understated touch from Coldplay’s Chris Martin, merging emotional restraint with spiritual depth. Kate Bush and Gabriel’s duet "Another Day" channels post-breakup longing, while "Blood of Eden," featuring Sinéad O'Connor, blends textured instrumentals with themes of human connection. Johnny Clegg’s "Asimbonanga" delivers a rhythmic tribute to Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid, uniting history and melody.
Youssou N'Dour and Neneh Cherry's "7 Seconds" pairs multilingual vocals with minimalism, crafting a poignant take on prejudice, while Yusuf Islam’s "Wild World" quietly reflects human fragility. "The Feeling Begins" centers Jivan Gasparyan’s duduk, evoking timeless emotion. Papa Wemba’s contribution to "In Your Eyes" shifts Peter Gabriel’s live performance into something vivid and communal. Tracks like "Signal to Noise" highlight collaborations that balance tradition and modernity with varying results.
? Take our 12-track quiz.Singing With Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow and Grace Potter’s acoustic “New Kid In Town” honors Glenn Frey with raw, stripped-back harmonies, reflecting the Eagles’ original while staying reverent. Kid Rock and Crow’s “Picture” brings aching regret to life, marrying confessional lyrics with their emotional vocal chemistry. The understated duet became a hit, resonating with heartbreak and sincerity.
Crow and Vince Gill’s take on “Two More Bottles of Wine” during Emmylou Harris’s tribute is polished yet safe, while her duet with Ben Harper on “My Sweet Lord” respects George Harrison’s legacy but feels bound by its solemn cause. Crow’s duet with Pat Benatar on “I Shall Believe” combines grit and grace but plays it too tidy, while her “Don’t Let Me Down” alongside Chris Stapleton adds layered textures but stays shadowed by the Beatles’ original.
? Take our 12-track quiz.Singing With Sheryl Crow OLDIES
Sheryl Crow’s "Everyday Is a Winding Road" captures mid-90s resilience with its road-trip-ready groove and Neil Finn’s subtle backing vocals, making it a standout from her triple-platinum 1996 album. Prince’s 1999 cover gives it a sardonic twist, reframing its sunny tone with sharp guitar work and personal lyric changes. The song’s adaptability highlights its universal appeal, from soundtracks to live performances.
Meanwhile, Crow’s "Strong Enough" shines with raw vulnerability, flipping gender norms in its poignant question, “Are you strong enough to be my man?” Collaborations like “Angel” with Sarah McLachlan or "It Don’t Hurt" featuring Dixie Chicks reflect her knack for blending voices, though live showcases sometimes veer into nostalgia over reinvention. Tracks like “Soak Up the Sun” and her duet with Willie Nelson on “City of New Orleans” embody her crossover charm across decades.
? Take our 12-track quiz.Singing (and Playing) With Phil Collins
Singing With Alicia Keys
Singing With Shirley Bassey
Singing With George Michael
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COLLABORATIONS
This week In One-Off Collaborations 07/52
"California Love" stands as a West Coast anthem blending 2Pac’s urgency and Dr. Dre’s polished production, with Roger Troutman’s talk box adding infectious funk. Its cinematic flair, quick creation, and Grammy nod cement its appeal, though some critique its reliance on atmosphere over depth. Similarly, Chuck Berry’s "Johnny B. Goode," a cornerstone of rock, merges autobiographical nuance with dynamic riffs, its cultural impact spanning decades from "Back to the Future" to the Voyager Golden Record.
Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue’s playful duet "Kids" exudes polished theatricality, with cheeky nods to nostalgia driving its UK chart success. Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling’s spirited take on "Take Five" explores jazz interplay, balancing Jarreau’s unpredictable scatting and Elling’s structured phrasing. Meanwhile, "On My Own" unites Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald’s distinct vocals through slick '80s production, delivering emotional weight despite their physical distance during recording.
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Angélique Kidjo and Buddy Guy's rendition of Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" blends Beninese vocal finesse with emotive guitar riffs, striking a balance between homage and cultural reinterpretation. Buddy's sharp solos and Angélique's intricate delivery occasionally clash, but the performance remains a bold cultural fusion. Meanwhile, Paul Simon's "Wristband" uses playful humor to dissect societal barriers, its live performances featuring acoustic flair merged with Clap Clap!'s electronic touches, adding depth to its restless energy.
Post Malone and the Red Hot Chili Peppers shook up genres at the Grammys, moving from intimate acoustic vibes of "Stay" to the funk-infused "Dark Necessities." Marianne Faithfull's 2013 live take on "Broken English" traded punk grit for melodic introspection, while Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, and Wynton Marsalis reimagined "You Are My Sunshine" with a jazz-country twist. Gregory Porter’s duet "Water Under Bridges" with Laura Mvula leaned into nostalgic elegance, though some spontaneity felt restrained in its polished delivery.
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