Sometimes I just need to relax. Put my feet up. Strap on the headphones. Get a nice cold diet cola and enjoy the warm weather with some smooth sounds.
Sounds like these. Right here on the Capital District’s favorite radio-blog, K-Chuck Radio.
THE STYLE COUNCIL WITH TRACEY THORN
The Paris Match
Paul Weller of the Style Council recorded this song several different times – once with the Style Council, and once with his wife Cee D. Bee, but this third version – with Tracey Thorn of Everything But The Girl – is my absolute favorite rendition.
MANHATTAN TRANSFER
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
There were three or four different a cappella Manhattan Transfer tracks I wanted to include for this version of K-Chuck Radio; I chose this one, it’s absolutely magnificent.
THE FOUR FRESHMEN
Old Cape Cod
Yes, it’s the song made famous by Pattie Page. However, this is not the arrangement Ms. Page created; this is a version by the harmony quartet The Four Freshmen, and it sounds like an homage to the Beach Boys.
BIRTLES SHORROCK GOBLE
Cool Change
In case you’re wondering, these are the original vocalists for Little River Band. Due to copyright and trademark issues, they can no longer call themselves “Little River Band,” but they sure sound like the classic 70’s harmony group, don’t they? Yes they do.
AMBROSIA
Holding On to Yesterday
Probably one of my all-time favorite Ambrosia songs. I can’t remember if this is one they recorded with Alan Parsons as producer, I know that Alan Parsons worked on some of the group’s biggest hits. Whether or not he was part of this one, it’s still a great track nonetheless.
LINDA RONSTADT WITH THE NELSON RIDDLE ORCHESTRA
I’ve Got a Crush On You
Sometimes I feel like my life needs a soundtrack from the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. And if I don’t want to have Frank Sinatra on lead vocals, let me at least enjoy the smoky singing of Linda Ronstadt.
THE MILES DAVIS QUINTET
It Never Entered My Mind
I could have listed Linda Ronstadt’s big band version of this song, but I already played a song by her earlier. And really – how can I not include Miles Davis in this mix? Every note he plays in this song is designed to relax your mind and soothe your soul.
THE VINCE GUARALDI TRIO
Cast Your Fate To The Wind
This was from his seminal album, “Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus,” and it’s still a beautiful, bouncy track. For all the wonderful music he made with the Charlie Brown TV specials, this song is still one of my favorites from this artist.
THE BILL EVANS TRIO WITH TOOTS THIELEMANS
Body and Soul
If you’ve never experienced the beauty of Toots Thielemans’ harmonica, take a listen to this track and be amazed. What Toots Thielemans can do with a harmonica is nothing short of fantastic.
THE SWINGLE SINGERS
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Yes, it’s the Green Day song. Yes, you’ve heard these guys as the interstital music on Glee – in other words, these are the singers who DON’T need Auto-Tune to make music. And did you know that in 1963, the Swingle Singers were awarded a Grammy for Best New Artist? Yes they were. And you can hear why by clicking the YouTube clip below.
Hope these songs helped you relax, unwind and mellow out. All provided just for you, on your station for the best music ever made, K-Chuck Radio!!
Chuck The Writer 
If the playlist is expanded, how about something by Alexander O’Neal? I wasn’t familiar with him until I heard “Turn Off the Light” played on a Southern California lite-rock station. That was years ago, and I still can remember taking immediate notice of him.
Honorable mentions: “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” by Gerry and the Pacemakers, and “I Go Crazy” by Paul Davis.
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