Holiday Mix

Here is the annual Holiday mix:

Charlie Brown and Linus - The Christmas Story (mp3)

The Beatles - Christmas Time (mp3)

James Brown - Let's Make Christmas Mean Something This Year (mp3)

Aretha Franklin - Joy To The World (mp3)

Tom Principato - Funky Rudolph (mp3)

Lou Rawls  - Good Time Christmas (mp3)         

Marah - Holly Jolly Christmas (mp3)          

My Morning Jacket  - Christmas Time Is Here Again (mp3)

Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone - Baby, It's Cold Outside (mp3)

Fats Domino - Frosty The Snowman (mp3)

Lisa Loeb - Jingle Bells (mp3)

Amos Milburn with Charles Brown - Christmas Comes But Once a Year (mp3)

Bonnie Raitt and Charles Brown - Merry Christmas Baby (mp3)

The Blind Boys Of Alabama with Mavis Staple - Born in Bethlehen (mp3)

John Prine - Silver Bells (mp3)

Dr. John - Silent Night (mp3)

Luther Vandross - May Christmas Bring You Hapiness (mp3)

Bebo Norman - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (mp3)

Martin Sexton - Auld Lang Syne (mp3)

It's A Wonderful Life

Robert Shaw Chorale - Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing (mp3)

Holiday Guests

Asleep At The Wheel - Santa Loves To Boogie (mp3)

Barenaked Ladies - Elf's Lament (mp3)

Chuck Berry - Run Rudolph Run (mp3)

Clarence Carter - Backdoor Santa (mp3)

Grinch

Aimee Mann - You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch (mp3)

Asylum Street Spankers - You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch (mp3)

Holiday Shopping

Annie Lennox and Al Green - Put A Little Love In Your Heart (mp3)

Mark Anthony - Mama's Twistin' Santa (mp3)

The Staple Singers - Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas (mp3)

Bad Santa

Shemekia Copeland - Stay A Little Longer Santa (mp3)

Fountains of Wayne - The Man In The Santa Suit (mp3)

The Moonglows - Hey, Santa Claus (mp3)

It's Sunday

The Very Most - Away in a Manager (mp3)
Todd Agnew - No Room (mp3)

Holiday

My kids want it to snow so bad.  We have 2 more weeks to wish for snow.

Bing Crosby - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (mp3)

Ella Fitzgerald - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (mp3)

Strawberry Fair - Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (mp3)

Wynton Marsalis - Let It Snow! (mp3)

It's A Wonderful Life

James Brown - Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto (mp3)

Buck Owens - Blue Christmas Lights (mp3)

Elvis Presley - If I Get Home On Christmas (mp3)

Christmas In Da Club

Under the Covers

"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" was writtem by Tommie Connor and originally recorded by Jimmy Boyd in 1952. The reached number one on the Billboard charts that year.

Jackson 5 - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (mp3)
The Ronettes - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (mp3)
John Cougar Mellencamp - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (mp3)
Jessica Simpson - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (mp3)

Holiday

Ed "Kookie" Byrnes - Yulesville (mp3)

Eddie Cochran and the Holly Twins - I Want Elvis for Christmas (mp3)

Marvin Gaye - I Want To Come Home For Christmas (mp3)

It's Sunday

Blind Boys of Alabama - Last Month of the Year (mp3)

Holiday

Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours - Christmas at the Trailer Park (mp3)

Albert King - Santa Claus Wants Some Loving (mp3)

Holiday

Aimee Mann - Calling on Mary (mp3)

Luna - Egg Nog (mp3)

Under the Covers

The original version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer written by Johnny Marks and was first sung in 1948 by Harry Brannon.  Then, Gene Autry recorded the song in 1949.

Gene Autry - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (mp3)
Ray Charles - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (mp3)
Dean Martin - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (mp3)
Jack Johnson - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (mp3)

The Holiday Season is Here!

I will attempt to post a holiday song everyday until Christmas or New Years.  Enjoy!

Andy Williams - It's The Most Time Wonderful Time of the Year (mp3)

It's Sunday

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and you were able to spend time with family and friends.  Here is something from G. Love as you recover from Thanksgiving and prepare for the upcoming Holidays.

G. Love featuring Jasper - Thanks and Praise (mp3)

Neko Case Concert Review

As I mentioned earlier in the week, Ann and I went to the Neko Case concert at the Granada on Monday.  The Granada is a great venue and it was full for the show.  The tickets were free from the folks at Subservient Experiment from one of the giveaways on their blog.  It was a great show and Neko's voice sounded just as powerful live along with her band.

Neko Case - Hold On, Hold On (mp3)

Under the Covers

Since we went to the Neko Case show last night (I will post later on the concert), I am posting Neko Case covering Loretta Lynn's 'Rated X'.  Enjoy!

Loretta Lynn - Rated X (mp3)
Neko Case and the Sadies - Rated X (mp3)

Here are the White Stripes covering 'Rated X':

Going to Neko Case Tonight

Ann and I are heading to the Granada Theatre to see Neko Case.  Amazon picks Neko Case's Middle Cyclone as Best Album of 2009.   I will give you a review of the show later this week.

Neko Case - Star Witness (mp3)

Here is Neko Case performing 'Red Tide' on Jimmy Fallon last week.

It's Sunday

Here is one from the Fleet Foxes.  Enjoy!

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal (mp3)

Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend has a new album, Contra, coming out on January 12th.  Here is the video for the single 'Cousins'.  Also, give a listen to the track, 'Horchata'.  I am looking forward to the new album because what I have heard so far sounds pretty good.

Vampire Weekend - Horchata (mp3)

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Charlotte Gainsbourg is a French singer-songwriter and actress who has a a new album, IRM, coming out. The album was produced by Beck.  Here is the video for 'Heaven Can Wait' that is pretty incredible.  Good stuff!

Charlotte Gainbourg - IRM (mp3)

Under the Covers

This week I thought I would post a cover of a more recent song.  Here is a cover of The Strokes' "Last Nite" by Adele.

The Strokes - Last Nite (mp3)
Adele - Last Nite (mp3)

The Band of Heathens

My friend Mike just told me about The Band of Heathens out of Austin, TX.  They were recently on Austin City Limits and they sounded great.  Go check them out.

The Band of Heathens - L.A. County Blues (mp3)

It's Sunday

For those of you that did not see the game yesterday, DePauw lost to Wasbash 32-19.  The bell now moves up to Crawfordsville, IN.   Have a restful Sunday!

Warren Zevon - Ring Them Bells (mp3)

Monon Bell Game

This weekend is the Monon Bell game between DePauw and Wabash.  The Monon Bell Game is the longest standing rivalry west of the Allegheny Mountains.  Go Tigers!

Under the Covers

There's a little black spot on the sun today, it's the same old thing as yesterday.  This week's cover is a version of the Police's 'King Of Pain' by Alanis Morissette.

The Police - King Of Pain (mp3)
Alanis Morissette - King Of Pain (mp3)

The Low Anthem

I really like the Providence, RI based band The Low Anthem.  They have a great mellow sound that is worth a listen.

The Low Anthem - To Ohio (mp3)
The Low Anthem - Yellowed By The Sun (mp3)
The Low Anthem - Dignity (Bob Dylan cover) (mp3)

"Charlie Darwin" - The Low Anthem (Official Video) from The Low Anthem on Vimeo.

It's Sunday

Sometimes you just have to be glad with the things you have even though you might want more.  Here is one from Alison Krauss.

Alison Krauss and Union Station - The Lucky One (mp3)

Composting

I have not mentioned it here on the blog yet but I have started working for a small green company, Green Smart Food Services, a couple months ago.  The company sells a line of compostable products along with a commerical composter (ORCA Green).  I went to Atlanta to see one of the composters in action yesterday and it is very impressive technology.  It speeds up the whole composting process into 24 hours and produces a clear liquid compost that can either be put down the drain or used as a soil enhancer.  Cool stuff!  If you know any place of business that creates a lot of organic waste then send them over to me.  I guess I am now the trash man and it goes back to the many nights I spent hanging out with Rex 'the can man'.

I apologize for the selfish plug but, hey, these are tough times.  Here is some trash related music:

The Coasters - Yakety Yak (mp3)
Brendan Benson - Garbage Day (mp3)
They Might Be Giants - Take Out The Trash (mp3)

Pints for Prostates

Last month was pink month for breast cancer awareness and here is an organization that uses beer to talk to men about the importance of prostate cancer.

Under the Covers

Does everyone remember the super hit of the seventies 'Come And Get Your Love' by Redbone.  Here is a cover by the Bottle Rockets.

Redbone - Come And Get Your Love (mp3)

Here are the Bottle Rockets:

Drive-By Truckers Concert Review

The Drive-By Truckers show last Thursday at the Dallas House of Blues was awesome.  As you can see from the pictures below these guys are old school rock and rollers.  Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley were great and you just have to love their lyrics.  They even had Brent Best from Slobberbone join them for the encore.  Here is the song list from the show:

Guitar Man Upstairs
Play It All Night Long (Warren Zevon cover)
Self Destructive Zones
Feb 14
Checkout Time In Vegas
I'm Sorry Huston
George Jones Talkin' Cell Phone Blues
The Great Car Dealer War
Ghost To Most
Righteous Path
Zip City
Daddy Learned To Fly
Ronnie & Neil
New Shonna song
Hell No I Ain't Happy
3 Dimes Down
Home Field Advantage
Opening Act
Carl Perkins' Cadillac
Sinkhole

Encore Break

Marry Me
Let There Be Rock
People Who Died (Jim Carroll cover)

Here are more pictures from the show:

For some reason, James McMurtry did not open for DBT.  Instead, Telegraph Canyon was the opening act.  They were pretty good.

Telegraph Canyon - Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth 2/14/09 from You and Yours on Vimeo.

It's Sunday

photo by Ann West

Here is a little Sunday feel good music from Linda Ronstadt.

Linda Ronstadt - We Need A Whole Lot More Of Jesus (And a Lot Less Rock & Roll) (mp3)

Halloween

Tomorrow is Halloween.  The picture above is the Jack-o-Lantern my daughter did last year.  Bad news at our house yesterday, our 10 year old cannot go trick or treating this year because he has the flu so he is very bummed.

Here are some spooky songs for the Halloween parties:

Ray Parker Jr - Ghostbusters
Apollo Sunshine - Ghost
Dusty Springfield - Spooky
Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost
Fanfarlo - Ghosts
White Stripes - Walking With A Ghost

Here are some pictures of previous Halloweens:

Warpaint

I recently heard a new band called Warpaint.  Their haunting sound reminds me of a lot of bands of the late eighties.  The video for the song Stars is really cool.

Warpaint - Stars from Adam Harding on Vimeo.

Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers is also a fan.

Drive-By Truckers Tonight at House of Blues

I am going to see Drive-By Truckers tonight at Dallas House of Blues.  James McMurtry is opening.  I am looking forward to the show.

Drive-By Truckers - Ronnie And Neil
James McMurtry - 60 Acres

Under the Covers

This week's cover is the Bob Dylan song "Like A Rolling Stone".  I have included covers by the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen and the Drive-By Truckers along with a parody by The Replacements.

Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone (mp3)
The Rolling Stones - Like A Rolling Stone (mp3)
Jimi Hendrix - Like A Rolling Stone (mp3)
Bruce Springsteen - Like A Rolling Stone (mp3)
Drive-By Truckers - Like A Rolling Stone (mp3)
The Replacements - Like A Rolling Pin (mp3)

It's Sunday

photo by Ann West

Everyone is recovering from last night so I thought this was an appropriate song for a lazy Sunday.

Johnny Cash - Sunday Morning Coming Down (mp3)

Johnny Cash & Kris Kristofferson

Peter's Party

Photo by Ann West

Tonight is the party for Peter.  Music is always a big party of our parties and tonight will be no different.  Here is a partial playlist of what might be heard tonight:

Apollo Sunshine - Today Is The Day
Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy
The Black Crowes - Good Morning Captain
Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines
The Rolling Stones - Hand Of Fate
The Long Winters - The Commander Thinks Aloud
Dr. Dog - Hang On
Monsters Of Folk - The Right Place
The Raconteurs - Steady, As She Goes
Neko Case - People Got A Lotta Nerve
Blitzen Trapper - Furr
Roadside Graves - Far And Wide
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Easy Does It
Modest Mouse - People As Places As People
Drive-By Truckers - Gravity's Gone

Roadside Graves

I have been listening to Roadside Graves a lot lately.  This alt country band is out of New Jersey and with this name you would think they are some type of speed metal band.  I really enjoy their latest album My Son's Home.

Roadside Graves - My Father Sat Me Down
Roadside Graves - Valley

Exercise

Here is a way to get more people to exercise as part of an experiment in Stockholm, Sweden.

Under the Covers

Money (That's What I Want) was a 1959 hit single by Barrett Strong.  This song has been covered by a bunch of artists and here are a few of the cover versions along with the original.

Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want) (mp3)

The Beatles - Money (That's What I Want) (mp3)

The Rolling Stones - Money (That's What I Want) (mp3)

Sonics - Money (That's What I Want) (mp3)

Flying Lizards - Money (That's What I Want) (mp3)

Here is an interesting version by the Bee Gees and Jerry Lee Lewis:

Wanda Jackson

If you have not heard of Wanda Jackson before, then you need to check her out.  She is the 'Queen of Rockabilly' and has been playing since the mid-fifties.  She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year.

Wanda Jackson - Fujiyama Mama (mp3)
Wanda Jackson - Riot in Cell Block #9 (mp3)

Wanda is still on the road today:

Classic Wanda - Hard Headed Woman

It's Sunday

The kids have a long weekend from school so we are trying to take it easy but not much luck.  Here is a track from David Byrne and Brian Eno's great album from last year, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today.

David Byrne and Brian Eno - One Fine Day (mp3)

Bon Iver Announces Indefinite Hiatus

Justin Vernon announced that Bon Iver was going on indefinite hiatus or at least until next year.  It is too bad but I am sure Justin will have a new project sometime soon.  Check out Bon Iver's two albums:  For Emma, Forever Ago and Blood Bank.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love (mp3)

Bon Iver - Flume (mp3)

Bon Iver - Beach Baby (mp3)

Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips new album Embryonic hit stores this past Monday.  It is good stuff!  They were on The Tonight Show last night and I am sure they freaked the audience out.  I love the guy playing the gong.

The Flaming Lips - Silver Trembling Hands (mp3)

Under the Covers

Well, U2 played the new cowboy stadium last night and I thought it would only make sense to post a U2 song.  It was a great show and the boys still have it.  A big percentage of the world's wealth was in town yesterday with not only U2 but Oprah was at the fair and Tiger Woods was at the concert.  Here is a picture of the stage that the band is hauling around for the 360 tour.

Here are a couple cover versions of U2's One:

Cowboy Junkies - One

Johnny Cash - One

It's Sunday

Here is a song from A.C. Newman who you may know better as a member of the New Pornographers.

A.C. Newman - Prophets (mp3)

Dirk Nowitzki's Hairdo

NBA basketball preseason has started.  The Mavericks opened up against the Orlando Magic and Dirk was sporting long locks.  He usually cuts it all off before the start of the season but the announcer, Skin, recommends he keep the long hair.  What do you think?

Mojo Nixon - Don't Want No Foo-Foo Haircut on My Head

Pavement - Cut Your Hair

BTW - Amazon is offering almost all of Mojo Nixon's songs for free.

Here is Pavement live.

Best Celebrity Beer and Alcohol Commercials

Paste Magazine put a list of the 10 best celebrity beer and alcohol commercials.  It is pretty funny stuff.  I have posted a couple and added a few more.  I forgot how many sports celebrities were in the old Miler Lite commercials.

The Mountain Goats

The Mountain Goats were on the Colbert Report last night.  Stephen Colbert did a brief interview with John Darnielle on why he chose to name the band after a mountain goat.  Every song on their new album, The Life of the World to Come, is named after a bible verse.  Check them out.

The Mountain Goats - Genesis 3:23 (mp3)

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
John Darnielle
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Michael Moore

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Mountain Goats - Psalms 40:2
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Michael Moore

Under the Covers

This week's cover is John Lennon's Jealous Guy.  There are supposedly 92 recorded versions of this song, but here are a few.

John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band - Jealous Guy

Donny Hathaway - Jealous Guy

Roxy Music - Jealous Guy

Elliott Smith - Jealous Guy

Jealous Guy by Gavin DeGraw

Taco Joint

(compliments of Good Records - http://twitpic.com/kdbxa)

This sign was in front of the Taco Joint in Dallas.  Since it has some regional humor with the reference to Big Tex, I thought I would post some Texas music today.   There are a lot of great musicians from Texas.

Pat Green - I Like Texas

Lyle Lovett - Long Tall Texan

Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson - Luckenbach, Texas

Waylon - Luckenbach, Texas (Live)

It's Sunday

(photo by Ann West)

Here is Xavier Rudd all the way from Australia.

Xavier Rudd - Better People

The Olympic Fiasco

(photo by Ann West)

How did Chicago lose the Olympics?  What a drag!

Duran Duran - Rio

The Blues Brothers - Sweet Home Chicago