Inflatable Christmas Tree Vol. 3 - 2008
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.
Donde Esta Santa Claus?
Guster | Donde Esta Santa Claus? – Single
Found this tune somewhat unexpectantly in February 2008, and was singing it uncontrollably for a few days. Hopefully, Santa and his companions will leave you some treats this year, but the most important thing is to have fun with those around you.
Stomping at the Savoy
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong | Best of…
A lively duet with lots of back and forth, between two great masters.
My Conversation
The Uniques | The Story of Jamaican Music Vol. 2
This song has all of the best of early Motown and Kingston intertwined, and makes an impression on most people that hear it.
Lights Out
Santogold |Santogold
This artist has really nailed it with this one. Combining a lot of different genres into a classic, catchy pop song, hopefully you will agree. I have my sister-in-law, Lauren, to thank for bringing Santogold to my attention.
Cool Down the Pace
Gregory Isaacs | Night Nurse
My aunt Margaret, who is a bit of a Reggae connoisseur, burned a copy of this CD for me, and I listened to it on my grandmother’s porch on a wonderful summer evening. This one stuck with me.
Greenselves
John Coltrane | The Complete Africa Brass Sessions
My parents, who are celebrating their 40th year of marriage this year, played a version of this song at their wedding. John Coltrane is an undisputed genius, so I thought that his version would be appropriate.
Loving Spirit
Toots & The Maytals | Monkey Man
I have always enjoyed this group, and I think that their energy really encapsulates the season.
Such Great Heights
Iron & Wine | Such Great Heights – EP
Slower take on a song that some people either know or have heard in a commercial on TV. I have always been drawn to it, and perhaps you will be too.
I Should Have Known Better
She & Him | She & Him Volume 1
The Beatles celebrated the 30th year of the release of the White Album, and while this cut was not on that album, it is one of my favorites from this very talented duo. Sara and I saw them live in concert this year before we left the big city, and it has played at our dinner table ever since.
This Must Be the Place
Talking Heads | The Best of Talking Heads
Heard this one night while watching the movie Wall St., and given my recent venture at Confluence, it grew on me. Being that David Burn is a Pittsburgh native, and the song means to me enjoying where you are and the people around you it seemed to fit.
Still Calling
Soul Defenders | Studio One Scorcher
The influence of reggae music on the track selection is no secret (to the regret of some). I guess, I figure it is the perfect antidote to the cold weather associated with this time of year, and indicative of the main idea of the album’s title, a blow-up Christmas tree floating around a pool in a place that has never seen the white stuff.
Merry Christmas, I Love You
James Brown | James Brown's Funky Christmas
James Brown has always held a special place in my musical heart/ear, and his passing two years ago at Christmas time means that he always earns a spot on my list of holiday tunes.
Fishen
Scott Tuma | Not For Nobody
Heard this on a NPR All Songs Considered Podcast and could not get it out of my head. Its classification on iTunes is labeled as unclassified, and that is fitting. I think that it sums up the magic of waking up to a snow-covered landscape untouched by footprints.