Cast of Glee – "Don't Stop Believin'"

Cheeseball 80s power ballad? Glorious excess? Both? It's almost impossible to go too "big" with this song. But after years of playing rhythm police, diva wrangler and coaxing shy kids out of their shells, I found that the pilot episode of Glee provoked both warm memories and cringe-inducing moments approaching PTSD. I'm hoping the series turns out well – and like some other viewers, hope it goes the Freaks and Geeks route for feel. Here's an interesting Fresh Air interview with show creator Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck).

"There's nothing ironic about show choir!" – Rachel Berry

Theresa Andersson – "Na Na Na"

Here's the ridiculously talented and creative Ms. Andersson at KCRW.

The Noisettes – "Never Forget You"

Koko Taylor – "Ernestine (Live)"

RIP. Check this one out, too.

Philip Glass – "Knee 1" from Einstein on the Beach

Just the music, but if you're a Glass fan, who needs more?

Metric - "Sick Muse"

Just the music, although I hear there's an official video coming out at some point.

Vampire Weekend - "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"

Vampire Weekend name-checks Peter Gabriel in this song, and he responded by recording a great cover with Hot Chip. Now that's one helluva compliment:

Ennio Morricone - Music from The Mission

As the YouTube poster relates, this is Morricone conducting the Roma Sinfonietta in 2007 at the United Nations. Carlo Romano is on oboe. The music is adapted from three pieces from The Mission score: Gabriel's Oboe, The Falls, and On Earth as It is in Heaven. I'll just add that Morricone is one of my favorite film composers, and "Gabriel's Oboe" is one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard.

Sarah Vaughan - "Bye Bye Blackbird" (Live)

This is one of my favorite tracks from "Sassy" Sarah Vaughan, but odds are you haven't heard it. It's an audience request number from a Live in Tokyo album that seems to be out of print, but luckily, iTunes has it. Enjoy.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour - "Around the Bend"

Here's their March 2009 session at KCRW.