Liz’s Annual Post-Holiday Music Round-Up
I didn’t get as much music for Christmas this year as I did last year, but what I got was really, really good, and I have enough Christmas money to buy what was on my list that I didn’t get. So today, as I did this time last year, I’m going to do a big overview of what I got, and what I wish I’d gotten, and what I’m gonna go get.
In my stocking, I found the soundtrack for the movie “A Good Year,” which has a wonderful, eclectic assortment of music, everything from an old samba by Edmundo Ros to a trio of tunes by Harry Nilsson. There are songs by Josephine Baker and Patti Page, the sixties classic, “Never Ending Song of Love” by Delaney & Bonnie and some great French pop.
And speaking of French Pop, the other CD I found in my stocking is “Attraction” from Paris Combo, which in spite of being only five years old has this fabulous retro ‘60s feel to it. I can’t listen to it without smiling. I love it.
My son also gifted me with “Straight Ahead” by punk band Pennywise, who I discovered totally by accident on iTunes. I haven’t given it a listen yet, but if it’s anything like what I’ve downloaded from this band already, I’m going to have to watch my speed if it’s in the car CD player.
Now then. I’ll be heading out after the first of the year armed with my Christmas money and an Ear X-Tacy gift card, along with a New Year’s resolution to listen to more female artists this year. Best of all, I’ve heard great buzz on a number of potentials, so I already have my list made out. Here’s what I’m going to buy:
“Corinne Bailey Rae” by, um, Corinne Bailey Rae. (It’s self-titled, but not a debut.) She’s been compared to both Billie Holiday and Macy Gray, but after sampling her on iTunes, she sort of reminds me of Ricki Lee Jones, too. In any event, this promises to be a sultry collection that’s the epitome of cool.
“Blue Alert” by Anjani, a jazz pianist whose been around for decades, and whose smoky voice rivals any torch singer anywhere, ever. And according to iTunes, she was mentored by Leonard Cohen, so I can’t imagine I’ll be disappointed. It’s lovely, mellow stuff.
“The Greatest” by Cat Power, which sounds kind of bluesy and edgy and twangy. Her voice is one of those seasoned, rough ones that conveys more life experienced than probably any of us wants, but somehow it just makes the music that much more beautiful. This CD is evidently a compilation of previously released tracks, but since she’s been recording for years (who knew?), there’s a lot to choose from.
Regina Spektor’s “Begin to Hope.” Spektor is another artist I stumbled onto by accident by wading around iTunes (and this is a GREAT way to procrastinate, people). She’s kind of hard to peg, description-wise. There’s some truly ethereal piano on some of the tracks, but there’s some euro-pop stuff on other songs, and a definite rock bent on others.
There. I think that’s a pretty good start. Have a happy, musical new year, everybody!
How about you? Anyone get any great music for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa? What music are you looking forward to in the coming year?