1. "Someone Like You"- Van Morrison
Van Morrison is Rock And Roll's spiritual godfather. His music ranges from gritty rock to the spiritually profound. "Someone Like You" is a love song with no pretense. The message is simple-
"Ive been searching a long time
For someone exactly like you
Ive been travelling all around the world
Waiting for you to come through..."
2. "Body And Soul"- Anita Baker
Anita Baker hit it big in the 80s with a string of soulful ballads. Then she all but disappeared. In 1994, she reemerged with a new album, "Rhythm Of Love", featuring the song "Body And Soul". The romantic song may not have received the attention of her earlier hits but Anita's voice has never sounded better.
3. "Your Song (live)"- Elton John
Elton John's "Your Song" is a classic 70s, soft rock anthem. In 1987, Elton performed it live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and captured the magic on tape. The new arrangement featured luscious keyboards, swirling violins, harps, horns and flutes- all complimenting an already great song and actually eclipsing the original version!
4. "I Could Not Ask For More"- Sara Evans
Sara Evans takes Edwin McCain's "I Could Not Ask For More" and makes it her own. Sara's sexy, earthy voice is complimented by a lush violin arrangement and a sweet slide guitar.
5. "Fly Me To The Moon"- Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin turns Sinatra's signature, "Fly Me To The Moon", from a bouncy foxtrot into a devotional ballad. Darin's knack for rearranging songs is uncanny. Listening to his version of "Fly Me..." is like hearing the song for the first time.
6. "Blue Moon"- Elvis Presley
In July of 1954, at Sun Studios in Memphis, a truck driver named Elvis Presley plugged in his guitar and changed the world. A byproduct of the original explosion of Rock and Roll, was a little noticed version of "Blue Moon". It was a B side to the hit, "That's All Right" and never got the exposure of Elvis' monster hits. Hearing "Blue Moon" is like finding a lost gem. It is stripped down- just Elvis, a guitar, percussion and some echo. The result is haunting and even a bit spooky but none the less captivating.
7. "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire"- Ink Spots
This throwback to the golden era of vocals is heartfelt and innocent, which makes it a novelty in today's world of salacious, disposable pop love songs. Like a classic Model T, they just don't make 'em like this anymore!
8. "True Love Ways"- Buddy Holly
This ballad finds rocker, Buddy Holly, in a studio with an orchestra that includes a heavenly saxophone. Holly's arrangement and singing are worlds away from the Rockabilly sound he helped pioneer. He croons along with sweet violins, making a delicate love song that has stood the test of time.
9. "Anyone Else But You"- The Moldy Peaches
This quirky duet was originally featured on the soundtrack to the Academy Award winning movie, "Juno". It's offbeat lyrics are matched only by it's sincere promise to accept a lover simply for who and what they are. Sample: "Here is the church and here is the steeple, we sure are cute for two ugly people!"
10. "All I Want Is You"- U2
These Irish rockers again prove that they have the range to rumble loudly as well as introspect gently. On the live at Sloan Castle version, Bono dedicates the song to his wife and the crowd gleefully sings along.
