Ten Easy Pieces for Valentine's Day

Back in the mid-50's when this gem of a love song was recorded during the height of stereophonic sound, a rumor circulated that Julie sang out of one speaker and whispered out of the other. You can close your eyes and practically make out her shoulder blades heaving through the microphone.

Chet Baker, Chet Baker Sings: 'My Funny Valentine'

Chet Baker and his trumpet. The two are virtually indistinguishable in this classic Rodgers and Hart song of complimentary adoration single-handedly put Chet's vocals on the map.

Helen Merrill, Dream Of You: 'People Will Say We're In Love'

Another of the cool school of 50's jazz vocalists, Helen Merrill skates over the treble clef like a frozen pond, with an effortlessly husky Lucky-Strike delivery that warms but never breaks the ice.

Al Jarreau, L Is For Lover: 'Across The Midnight Sky'

The imagery of a lover taking a red-eye for a rendezvous with a lover is about as definitive as it gets in summing up Valentine's Day.

Everything But The Girl, Worldwide: 'Driving'

Hands down, my favorite group of all time. Ever. In this song about seducing an old lover with a lyric, mid-90's synths pour over Tracey Thorn's vocal melancholia like syrup.

Cassandra Wilson, Blue Moon Daughter: 'Love Is Blindness'

A smoke-filled cover of the U2 song that almost makes the original obsolete.

Ella Fitzgerald, Whisper Not: 'Whisper Not'

A cute little ditty from a rare Ella album that figuratively puts a finger to the lips and makes you listen. With your heart.

Kurt Elling, Flirting With Twilight: 'Detour Ahead'

I first heard this rendition in a New Orleans Amtrak terminal and couldn't get it out of my head even 400-miles down the track. Chicago jazz legend Kurt Elling navigates the soft shoulders of this standard with nary a brake.

June Christy, Something Cool: 'It Could Happen To You'

Another effortless light-as-air admonition that floats over the Pete Rugolo Orchestra and lands somewhere between you and your stereo speakers.

Frank Sinatra, Sinatra Reprise: The Very Good Years: 'Fly Me To The Moon'

Closing out this lover's day set is the Chairman of the Board with a traditional heart stopper. If you're not on third base by now, nothing will get you there.