Holiday CD 2003 > 2004

Volume 2 / Disc 1 – Holiday CD 2003/2004

1) Michael Franti & Spearhead – “Everyone Deserves Music” from EVERYONE DESERVES MUSIC (2003)
I discovered this song thanks to Harry Shearer’s NPR program, “Le Show”. I knew right away I had to own the album.

2) Van Morrison – “Once In A Blue Moon” from WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE (2003)
Still going…….another classic from Van.

3) Spoon – “The Way We Get By” from KILL THE MOONLIGHT (2002)
Spoon is an Austin, Texas band revolving around Britt Daniel. They’ve been around for a while but things started happening this year – especially after Wilco’s manager took over business.

4) Justin Timberlake – “Rock Your Body” from JUSTIFIED (2002)
In 2002, Justin released a great Michael Jackson record…..and in 2003 he gained credibility (largely thanks to the excellent production/co-writing duo, The Neptunes).

5) Ibrahim Ferrer – “Oye El Consejo” from BUNEOS HERMANOS (2003)
Born in Santiago in 1929, Ferrer has been an established artist since the `50’s during which time he moved to Havana, Cuba. He was getting by on a state pension ($15/month) and supplementing it by shining shoes when 70’s guitar legend Ry Cooder discovered him in the 90’s and brought him into the Buena Vista Social Club. At age 74, he’s going strong.

6) Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell – “Beautiful” from PAID THA COST TO BE DA BOSS (2002)
Gotta love Snoop. Here’s another tune produced by The Neptunes, featuring Pharrell of the Neptunes on vocals.

7) Johnny Cash – “Hurt” from AMERICAN IV: THE MAN COMES AROUND (2002)
One of the biggest music stories this year was the recent loss of Johnny Cash. He had been releasing records since 1957….some of his best were in the past decade. This Nine Inch Nails cover from his final album kicks ass…the video was a true piece of art, juxtaposing the ill, frail Johnny of late with clips spanning his entire life. It garnered many deserved award nominations. A full Johnny tribute is on Disc 2.

8) White Stripes – “Seven Nation Army” from ELEPHANT (2003)
Second year in a row to make the Holiday CD. They’re the real deal.

9) REM – “Bad Day” from IN TIME: THE BEST OF REM 1988-2003 (2003)
REM recently released their best song in years. OK, so it’s a leftover track from the 80’s and sounds like an 80’s hit….

10) Warren Zevon – “Numb As A Statue” from THE WIND (2003)
Last year’s Holiday CD paid tribute to Warren Zevon, who was expected to die before `03 of lung cancer. Not only did he miraculously make it through this summer, but he spent his final year recording a great album of new songs about life in the shadow of death. Springsteen, Tom Petty, The Eagles and other major talent supported their friend on his last musical statement. If this song reminds you of that old Jackson Browne sound, it’s because that’s David Lindley playing the lapsteel guitar.

11) The Darkness – “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” from PERMISSION TO LAND (2003)
This British band has taken over England…..and I think we could be next. This is pure late-70’s-early-80’s stadium rock. Think Queen, Boston and many ridiculous metal bands…..quality stuff.

12) Interpol – “PDA” from TURN ON THE BRIGHT LIGHTS (2002)
Before “alternative rock” in the 90’s, there was “underground rock” in the 80’s. This young New York band captures the sound of several of those “underground rock” bands.

13) Ludicris – “Stand Up” from CHICKEN AND BEER (2003)
Yeeah, yeeah, yeeah. Word.

14) Uncle Tupelo – “Truck Drivin’ Man” from ANODYNE (1993/2003)
This year saw the reissue of the 4 amazing Uncle Tupelo records. This incredible x-band spawned Wilco (my favorite band) and Son Volt. This live, country-punk song was added on for ANODYNE’S reissue and features Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) on harmony vocals. Although there was no more room on the Holiday CD, this year’s even bigger old music story was the release of the lost Led Zeppelin concerts on CD and DVD. These are must-owns.

15) My Morning Jacket – “Dancefloors” from IT STILL MOVES (2003)
This Lousiville band has a good sound and a great live show…if they had more songs of this caliber, they’d be a great band. They’re good enough for Dave Matthews to sign to his label, ATO (home of David Gray, North MS Allstars, Gov’t Mule). This track starts off like .38 Special and ends like a Stones track from Exile.

16) Kings of Leon – “California Waiting” from YOUTH AND YOUNG MANHOOD (2003)
Here’s another Southern rock band…this one is from Memphis. Think Tom Petty meets The Strokes.

17) Queens of the Stone Age – “Go With the Flow” from SONGS FOR THE DEAF (2002)
Featuring the drums of Nirvana’s drummer and Foo Fighters’ leader Dave Grohl. This tune reminds me of the 80’s…like if The Cars rocked harder.

18) Jane’s Addiction – “Just Because” from STRAYS (2003)
Good to hear them back together again….solid song.

19) Jet – “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” from GET BORN (2003)
This song caught my attention in a TV commercial for iTunes or something. Jet is an Australian band that tastefully mixes the classic sounds of Iggy Pop with the Stones and Beatles.

20) Mars Volta – “This Apparatus Must Be Unearthed” from DELOUSED IN THE COMATORIUM (2003)
Crazy, crazy band. They got a ton of hype within the music biz community this year. Think progressive rock meets drug-induced metal. I put them last on the CD b/c I don’t think most people will make it through to the crazy end of this song. Amazing singer with a Freddie Mercury voice, great live performers…but they really need more songs at least as catchy as this one….and I don’t know if that’s saying much.


Volume 2 / Disc 2 – Holiday CD 2003/2004

1) Ben Harper – “With My Own Two Hands” from DIAMONDS ON THE INSIDE (2003)
Another great tune from Ben Harper. He’s channeling Bob Marley.

2) George Harrison – “Any Road” from BRAINWASHED (2002)
Last year’s Holiday CD featured a tribute to George Harrison, who we lost to lung cancer in late `01. I feel a special connection to George since he was at the end of his battle as my mom was at the beginning of hers. He worked on this album, which was released at the tail end of last year, both before and after getting sick. This is the opening track.

3) Neil Young – “Devil’s Sidewalk” from GREENDALE (2003)
Amazing…almost 40 years into a music career and Neil is still writing great songs and trying new things. GREENDALE is a quirky concept album that revolves around the Green family and a town called Greendale. In Neil’s typically bizarre style, the album explores the challenge of holding on to hippie ideals in today’s tough and ever-changing world. The album was supported by a rock opera tour that performed the entire Greendale story with actors, background singers, stage props, a video backdrop and Crazy Horse. I saw the show before hearing the album…and couldn’t decide if it was brilliant or crazy. Now that I love the songs, I lean towards brilliant. Neil is bringing Greendale (and the hits) back on the road this winter to a small theater near you…don’t miss it.

4) Josh Rouse – “Comeback” from 1972 (2003)
I recently caught a double bill at the Troubadour of Josh Rouse and Leona Ness, two artists I had never heard before. It’s rare to enjoy both bands on a double bill – it’s even more rare when you don’t know any of the songs. I was blown away. Both artists were great. Both sound better live than on CD, but I recommend both albums.

5) The Neptunes featuring Jay-Z – “Frontin” from THE NEPTUNES PRESENTS CLONES (2003)
The Neptunes are everywhere on the Holiday CD…but that’s no different from radio. They released a CD of tracks produced by them featuring stars from the rap and hip-hop world. This track features Pharrell of the Neptunes singing as Jay-Z raps.

6) Johnny Cash - “Folsom Prison Blues” from JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON (1968)
Johnny Cash, 1932-2003, died this year, just months after June Carter Cash, his wife of 35 years. He was a true American institution. This great song from the classic live album is often cited as a major inspiration for gangsta rap. As he started all of his live appearances, Johnny begins this one with “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash”.

7) Johnny Cash – “Long Black Veil” from JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON (1968)
Great song….it’s often covered by Dave Matthews.

8) Johnny Cash – “I Walk the Line” from I WALK THE LINE (1964)
Arguably Johnny’s most famous song.

9) Johnny Cash w/Willie Nelson – “I Still Miss Someone” from VH1 STORYTELLERS (1998)
Great version of this tune with just the 2 guys on guitar. That’s Willie with the tasty guitar work.

10) Johnny Cash w/Tom Petty – “Sea of Heartbreak” from UNCHAINED (1996)
Great tune with Tom Petty on harmonies and musical support from the Heartbreakers, Mick Fleetwood and Lyndsey Buckingham.

11) Polyphonic Spree – “Reach For the Sun” from THE BEGINNING STAGES OF THE POLYPHONIC SPREE (2003)
Picture about 30 hippie freaks from Texas in flowing white choir robes singing free-spirited tunes and you can imagine what PS is all about. Led by Tim DeLaughter, they are often referred to as Teletubbies for adults. I’ve seen them live….they’re WEIRD.

12) George Harrison – “Stuck Inside A Cloud” from BRAINWASHED (2002)
Another nice one from the final Harrison album.

13) Damien Rice – “Cannonball” from O (2003)
Good tune from an up-and-coming Irish singer-songwriter.

14) Leona Naess – “Don’t Use My Broken Heart” from LEONA NAESS (2003)
Leona is the second half of the double bill story. She’s got a great voice, amazing stage presence, is hot and writes great songs. She sounds something like Edie Brickell but better…and used to date Ryan Adams, whom I think this song is about.

15) Elliott Smith – “Miss Misery” from GOOD WILL HUNTING SOUNDTRACK (1997)
Elliott Smith, 1969-2003, committed suicide this October. A talented singer-songwriter from Portland, OR, he rose to fame when the movie Good Will Hunting and the accompanying soundtrack exposed his songs to the masses. He battled severe depression along with drugs and alcohol…but left some good songs behind.

16) Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban – “Patricia” from MAMBO SINUENDO (2003)
70’s star and Buena Vista Social Club founder Ry Cooder teamed up with this 50’s Cuban guitar star to make a unique, mostly instrumental album that mixes rhythmic, vibrant Cuban soul with funky-bluesy guitar.

17) Radiohead – “Go To Sleep” from HAIL TO THE THIEF (2003)
As if Oxford, England wasn’t already cool enough….Although I think this was a sub-par album, this is an interesting song.

18) Stereophonics – “I Miss You Now” from YOU GOTTA GO THERE TO COME BACK (2003)
I like the sound of this Welsh trio…especially this song, which has a 1960’s smoky bar feel…I picture Ron Wood and a young Rod Stewart in a drugged-out haze performing this one.

19) Neil Young – “Bandit” from GREENDALE (2003)
Another solid song from GREENDALE… this one shows Neil’s softer side.

20) Warren Zevon – “Keep Me In Your Heart” from THE WIND (2003)
After what I went through with my mom last year, this song hits VERY close to home…the lyrics are perfect. In fact, I’ve yet to make it through the song without needing a break. I think it’s a brilliant song, especially when you consider it’s the last thing he recorded before dying. This song is nominated for a Grammy – I’ll be hoping it wins this winter.