(In My) Solitude

 Just gearing up for New Year's Eve with this old Duke Ellington/Billie Holiday tune, performed here with understated beauty by Katie Martucci and Josh Dunn.

And the Devil Knows What

 A snippet of a new polka (or "polska" as they say) by the Danish folk trio, "Dreamers' Circus," whom I love.  The entire song is posted below this preview.  Meanwhile, enjoy both this clip of the guys at work on the song, and the full and completed version below it.

Rainbow Connection

 I don't know how I stumbled upon this one.  A Kermit the Frog song originally written by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher, played here by real people -- Katie Martucci and Josh Dunn -- at what looks like somebody's unassuming dining room table.  There you go -- real music by real people.  Lyrics below the video.

Why are there so many songs about rainbows?
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see

Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it
Look what it's done so far
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing?
And what do we think we might see?

Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me

All of us under its spell
We know that it's probably magic

Have you been half asleep?
And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one in the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be

Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La-da-da, dee-da-da, doo
Ba-da-da-da, da-dee-da, doo

What Changes When Nothing Changes

A moody, ambient piece by Kazuma Okabayashi.

 

Arabesque

Roxane Elfasci again, from her 2021 album, "Hommage a Debussy."