We all know that it’s a man’s man’s man’s man’s world. But it would be a much less enjoyable place without the voices of women.

Cat Power “New York New York” (Frank Sinatra)
Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) is another of the darlings of the Pitchfork Media crowd. Her music has always had a pleasant languor, but all her songs have sounded very similar to me. On her latest CD she worked with a bunch of Memphis studio pros and came out with some music that reminds me of Joan Osborne.

Joan Osborne “Smiling Faces Sometimes” (The Undisputed Truth)
Speaking of Joan Osborne, here’s a slinky version of the Motown classic.

Anna Fermin’s Trigger Gospel “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” (Doris Day)
I’ve always thought of Doris Day as the white bread woman’s answer to Pat Boone. Anna Fermin shows how her music can swing.

Sallly Timms “Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You” (Dolly Parton)
This is a great song to play for your jealous boyfriend or girlfriend.

P.J. Harvey and Eric Drew Feldman “Zaz Turned Blue” (Was (Not Was))
The original version of this song featured Mel Torme as a guest vocalist and is a classic example of twisted postmodern lounge music. P.J. Harvey wrings every last bit of emotion out of this weird story about what happened to a kid after his friend strangled him.