Inflatable Christmas Tree Vol. 1 - 2006

Happy Holidays

Inflatable Christmas Tree has always been meant to set the mood while you and yours have a great time in the coming year. If you end up enjoying a song or an artist enough to listen to more, all the better.

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Trenchtown Rock
Bob Marley & The Wailers | Live! (Remastered)

I struggled to come up with the appropriate song to start the album out with, but I figured this one would put people in the right mood, get your attention. Bob Marley live in concert, Merry Christmas.

Marieta
Ibrahim Ferrer | Ibrahim Ferrer

Wanted to give the record a little Latin spice, and Ibrahim was happy to lend a hand. A great beat, and words that I do not fully understand. It’s served best with an ice cold margarita.

Waltz (Better Than Fine)
Fiona Apple | Extraordinary Machine

I listen to this song in the morning on the commute; it is one of my weekend-to-workweek transitions, not sure if anybody else has this kind of thing. Fiona has a beautiful voice, telling you to sit on the lawn and do nothing, which sometimes is the best thing to do (just not on Mondays).

Salt Dub
The Heptones | Night Food & Rare Black Ark Sessions

Great instrumental song and the beginning of the downshift to more mellow music. This song is catchy, and I bet a few of you will be humming this one.

Sittin on the Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding | The Very Best of Otis Redding

I even like the fake sea sounds and gulls. I have purchased a lot of Mr. Redding’s live music lately and I must say we lost a good one.

Own Man
Lee “Scratch” Perry | Revolution Dub

I love this song, and if you know anything about Lee “Scratch” Perry than you know he is true to the title. Everyone receiving this album is definitely their own individual, so here is a tribute to you.

Here Comes The Sun
George Harrison | Good Bye George Harrison

I heard this song while I was driving in Hawaii a few years back, and realized how fantastic it was and how when it gets dark before 5pm this song can take the mind to better places. Don’t worry it will be summer again soon.

Pueblo Nuevo
Buena Vista Social Club | Buena Vista Social Club

An instrumental number with a few different movements that all rock. I would suspect that this would potentially make great driving music, but then again I do not own a car anymore. Nonetheless, it is a great song if you give it a chance.

Bird Stealing Bread
Iron & Wine | The Creek Drank The Cradle

This song reminds me of last summer and a few weekends that Sara and I spent at the beach. Visions of those weekends still drift through my mind from time to time, and this song helps to conjure them up.

Under a Blanker of Blue
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong | Best of

This song was played at my wedding, and it is just a solid all around tune that makes you want to go outside and enjoy yourself. Depending on where you reside you can do this now, or you can do this a few months from now, either way enjoy Ella & Louie in the meantime.

My Jelly Roll Soul
Charles Mingus | Blues & Roots

This is as Christmas as it’s going to get. The word Jelly reminds me of Santa’s belly, and come to think of it, Charles Mingus kinda of looked like Santa too. Sway to the beat, Ho Ho Ho...

Booty-Butt
Ray Charles | Genius+Soul = My Kind of Jazz

I think of this as a last call song at a great party. People leaving, saying their goodbyes, enjoying the last vapors of kinship for the night. Then grooving their way out the door. Ray Charles is the man, shake it.

Ends of the Earth
Dirty Three | Ocean Songs

This is the last song of the night. I have found myself entranced by this song more than a few times, perhaps you will too.