Listening Booth: 1970

If you were ever wondering what a rich year 1970 was for pop music, just scan the titles of the songs on this collection of covers from that blessed year. John Lennon’s “Look At Me,” Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” Paul Simon’s “The Only Living Boy In New York,” Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic,” the list is long and impressive. Not a clunker in the bunch. India.Arie adds extra spice to Bread’s “Make It With You.” Aimee Mann charges up Badfinger’s “No Matter What.” Kristina Train throws her support behind Smokey Robinson’s “The Tears of a Clown” and Jim Lauderdale unleashes his inner hippie for a sparked-up rendition of the Grateful Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie.” While all of these tunes were perfect in their original renditions, it’s always pleasant to hear someone with chops put his own spin on things. The bonus cut of Stevie Wonder’s “Signed Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” could never replace Wonder’s charismatic original, but it’s a definite curiosity and a gutsy move all around.