Albert introduces Clare to Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis, but also Freddie Hubbard, Mary Lou Williams, and Cecil McBee; the female forces of Etta James (and the lesser known Etta Jones), Sarah Vaughn, Shirley Horn, Carmen McRae; and the free jazz of Ornette Coleman—all music not to passively listen to and enjoy, but rather “to experience and to live”—as Albert puts it.
Clare’s least favorite author, Jay Geoffrey Stacks (aka Jivraj Syed) has a tryst with a Bollywood pop star who lip-synchs Falguni Pathak.
Mad Season’s “River of Deceit” plays on the boombox the first time Clare and Lance make love.
A 16-year-old Albert is singing Sarah Vaughn’s “Perdido” when he’s arrested by a Bergen County police officer.
Albert saw Vaughn perform in person with his parents when Vaughn opened for Ella Fitzgerald at the Apollo in New York City.
Woodstock had just ended when draft-dodger Craven Hawtry shows up on Albert and Emily’s porch.
Clare hears Cee-Cee singing “Iko-Iko” to herself (made famous by Cyndi Lauper in the 80s) the first time they meet.
Jared Wilson Croker is listening to Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” while stalking Clare in the street outside her house.
Lenny, the mailman, has his cell phone ringer set to play Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”
Alice Lyndsay’s unknown lover read Richard Wright novels and was a fan of Phil Ochs.
One of Clare’s psychologists Clare plays Johann Strauss’ “Vienna Waltz” during their session.
Clare is listening to Eva Cassidy’s Live at Blues Alley in her car when she spots Albert in his yellow slicker, moving through the woods.
Alice Lyndsay hums along to The Doors’ Waiting for the Sun during an all-night cooking spree.
