My memories of Janis–the interview, the kiss, and the TV performance where she brought plastic Tom to meltdown.

Why did Miles Davis, a belligerent black ex-junkie, choose to reboot his career with white music of a rare, tender sweetness? Who cares?

Even though they misrecorded it.

A hopelessly happy jaunt into the 1970s– the sappy grin on the face of lead guitarist, the come-on smile of the backup chick singer gives Michael McDonald, the ‘Oh, I really am cool and hot and couldn’t be enjoying myself more’ look he returns; the illogical, off-the-beat smash of the cymbal on ‘Anybody else would sure-LY know’, the loopy little calliope adornment – every element perfectly enmeshing to form a tapestry of fun-k. And a painfully familiar, seldom-told story. And a crazily cool Italian a cappella version you’ve never heard. Whooo!

2’58” of heaven

Spiritual blue-eyed Celtic soul acid acoustic jazz-rock, gorgeous and sumptuous and moving and transcendent. Desert Island music.

The greatest band no one’s ever heard of.

Anita O’Day at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival–so cool, so hip, so talented. Take a gander. She’ll knock you out of your chair.