Holiday CD 2005 > 2006

* Buy the whole CD or download select songs from iTunes.
** Definitely buy the whole CD.

Volume 4 / Disc 1 – Holiday CD 2005/2006

1) Paul Pena – “Gonna Move” from NEW TRAIN (1973 / 2000)
Paul Pena was a blind, San Fran-based blues artist from Mass who played in the 70s bands of BB King and Bonnie Raitt, and opened for Zappa, Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. His 2nd album, New Train, is a classic. Supposed to be released in 1973, it got hung up in legal issues until 2000. Paul made a living off the royalties from his song “Jet Airliner”, which became a 1977 hit thanks to the Steve Miller Band. In 1999, Paul starred in a documentary on Tuvan throat singing called “Genghis Blues”. He died this October. **

2) Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – “How Long Do I Have To Wait” from NATURALLY (2005)
Like James Brown, Sharon is from Augusta, GA. After honing her chops in church, she moved to Brooklyn as a teenager in the 70s and became a session singer for gospel, soul, disco and blues. In the 80s, she had to work as a corrections officer at Rykers Island Jail. In 1996 she hooked up with a label in NY that led to her singing for others and by 2002, a solo career.

3) Ben Lee – “Catch My Disease” from AWAKE IS THE NEW SLEEP (2005)
From Sydney, Australia, Ben Lee first became known at the start of his teens when leading the band Noise Addict. Thanks to Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Beastie Boy Mike D released their music in the US on the Beastie’s then-new label. By age 18, Ben went solo. I caught his live show that year and predicted big things. 8 years later it’s just his second hit but we’ll see more…

4) Josh Rouse – “Winter In the Hamptons” from NASHVILLE (2005)
Josh is one of my favorite artists. He is touring in January so do NOT miss him – excellent live show with a top-notch band. Josh is from Nebraska but lived in many places before settling in Nashville for years. Written and recorded before getting divorced and moving to Valencia, Spain, this CD is a goodbye to Nashville and his wife. **

5) Willie Nelson w/Toots Hibbert – “I’m A Worried Man” from COUNTRYMAN (2005)
Still going strong at 70, Willie just released an all reggae CD. Here he duets with Toots again on a Johnny Cash classic.

6) The White Stripes – “The Denial Twist” from GET BEHIND ME SATAN (2005)
The White Stripes are back, still the real deal and continuing to grow. I think this CD is overrated but there are some solid tunes. *

7) Beck – “Girl” from GUERO (2005)
Beck’s depression is gone after marrying Giovanni Ribisi’s twin sister. Back are the fun tunes and the Dust Brothers as producers. *

8) The Killers – “All These Things That I’ve Done” from HOT FUSS (2004)
This band from Vegas writes great British-influenced 80s pop-rock songs. Their Live 8 performance of this tune sold me. *

9) The Arcade Fire – “Rebellion (Lies)” from FUNERAL (2004)
From Montreal, Canada and loved by legends like Davids Byrne and Bowie, this experimental band has a great CD and live show. The title “Funeral” comes from the handful of tragedies that struck the band’s families during the recording process. **

10) Ben Folds – “Landed” from SONGS FOR SILVERMAN (2005)
From N. Carolina and on the edge of 40, Ben Folds Five’s leader is still writing great songs and piano parts. Amazing live show. *

11) Chris Pierce – “Are You Beautiful” from STATIC TRAMPOLINE (2005)
From Los Angeles and with a degree in jazz studies from USC, Chris has been playing around LA since he was a little kid. This catchy tune was featured in the film “Crash” and comes from his debut CD, released by Jimmy Buffett’s label.

12) Common – “Be” from BE (2005)
Lonnie Rashied Lynn from the South Side of Chicago has been around since the early 90s as Common Sense and then Common, sticking with his intelligent jazz-rap despite the popularity of gangsta. “Be” was produced by now-superstar Kanye West. *

13) Bright Eyes w/Emmylou Harris– “We Are Nowhere and It’s Now” from I’M WIDE AWAKE IT’S MORNING (2005)
Definitely one of my favorite artists. Connor Oberst, a/k/a Bright Eyes, is a great lyricist from Omaha with his heart in the right place. The real deal and only 25, I think he’ll be around forever. This CD is definitely worth buying as is a ticket to each of his concerts. Each of his songs take on a new sound, so don’t think each song or CD sounds like this one. **

14) M. Ward – “Radio Campaign” from TRANSISTOR RADIO (2005)
My favorite CD of 2005. I saw Matt “M.” Ward open for Bright Eyes at the end of 04. He was great. His tunes range from folk and bluegrass to blues and trippy rock. They’re short, catchy, melodic and produced like they’re coming from a random basement from yesterday, tomorrow or 100 years ago. He’s 30, from Portland, Oregon and 4 CDs into what I expect to be a long career. **

15) Neil Diamond– “We” from 12 SONGS (2005)
The Jewish Elvis returns. Like Johnny Cash, 64 year-old Neil turned to music guru Rick Rubin to make a raw, schmaltz-free album and bring some hip to his career. Smart move. I expect this tune will be showing up in countless wedding montage videos. *

16) Fiona Apple – “Extraordinary Machine” from EXTRAORDINARY MACHINE (2005)
Back from a 6 year hiatus and several public meltdowns, 28 year-old Fiona first recorded this CD with local hero Jon Brion. She scrapped all but 2 songs (including this) despite a leak via the internet, and brought in Dr. Dre’s guy, Mike Elizondo, to produce.

17) Van Morrison – “Stranded” from MAGIC TIME (2005)
Ireland’s own Van the Man just turned 60 and is still cranking out beautiful tunes.

18) Neil Young – “When God Made Me” from PRAIRIE WIND (2005)
Lennon and Jerry G may be gone, but this rock god keeps going strong at 60. While jamming at the Hall of Fame ceremony this year, Neil’s vision went blurry. He learned he had an aneurysm and needed brain surgery. Between getting the bad news and having the surgery, Neil went to Nashville to make a new CD. This tune presents some great questions for those who use religion to divide us. *

19) Sia – “Breathe Me” from COLOUR THE SMALL ONE (2004)
Sia, from Adelaide, Australia, is the female singer in Zero 7. This song was featured in the closing minutes of the “Six Feet Under” series finale during a montage that showed us what happened to all of the characters over the next 80 years.

20) Sigur Ros – “Hoppipolla” from TAKK… (2005)
The trippy band from Iceland returns with a great new CD. This time they’re actually singing in their native language, rather than the made up gibberish of past CDs (not that we would know the difference). Their live show is definitely worth checking out. *


Volume 4 / Disc 2 – Holiday CD 2005/2006

1) Rolling Stones– “Rough Justice” from BIGGER BANG (2005)
This year the Stones released their best album since 1981’s TATTOO YOU. Apparently it took the fear of losing drummer Charlie Watts to cancer to get Mick and Keith to finally collaborate like old times and create a CD worth discussing. *

2) Oasis – “Lyla” from DON’T BELIEVE THE TRUTH (2005)
Manchester, England’s Gallagher brothers, a bit older and humbler, return with yet another catchy rock tune.

3) My Morning Jacket – “What A Wonderful Man” from Z (2005)
This will be one of the most talked about CDs of the next year. 26 year-old Jim James of Kentucky has found a new sound and finally composed some great songs that will really put him on the map. With a great live show to match, this is a band to keep an eye on. **

4) The Dead 60s – “Riot Radio (2005)” from THE DEAD 60s (2005)
This band from Liverpool clearly wears their love for the Clash on their sleeves. This was often on the radio during my drive to work.

5) Nine Inch Nails - “The Hand That Feeds” from WITH TEETH (2005)
After a 6-year drug and depression-induced hiatus, Trent Reznor returns at age 40 with a great CD featuring the amazing drumming of Nirvana drummer/Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl. Amazing live show, filled with the energy and passion of the Nirvana era. *

6) Foo Fighters - “No Way Back” from IN YOUR HONOR (2005)
This is one of those great, rocking tunes that makes you want to leap off your desk while playing air guitar. Dave Grohl & Friends are back with another solid batch of songs. Would have been a great single CD but they stretched it to a double (1 acoustic, 1 electric). *

7) Doves – “Black and White Town” from SOME CITIES (2005)
This trio from Manchester, England makes solid, catchy British pop-rock.

8) Robert Plant - “Tin Pan Valley” from MIGHTY REARRANGER (2005)
Never shy to exploring new territory, Led Zeppelin’s front man begins this tune as light electronica and then half way through rocks it like Zeppelin at its wildest. His voice may not soar like it used to, but he’s still got it.

9) Audioslave - “Doesn’t Remind Me” from OUT OF EXILE (2005)
If this track sounds like a mix of Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine, it’s because you’re hearing the singer from the former with the musicians from the latter. On their second album, I think they finally found their own sound on this great track.

10) Coldplay - “Talk” from X&Y (2005)
You had to be living in a spider hole to avoid this band in 2005 as their success reached around the globe. Despite some undeniably great songs, I’m still not sold on this U2-Radiohead-Dave Matthews hybrid of a band. *

11) Mars Volta - “The Widow” from FRANCES THE MUTE (2005)
With a great singer, great musicianship, and an amazing live show featuring great stage presence and serious rock, Mars Volta has all the elements of a rock legend except the songs. They claim they don’t want to write conventional songs but I claim that’s a cop-out. If they can get over their Cobain-like fear of being stars and write more songs like this, there will be no stopping them.


TRACKS 12-20 ARE DEDICATED TO THE VICTIMS OF KATRINA AND THE PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED THE STORM

12) Pink Floyd – “Wish You Were Here” (live) from LIVE 8 in 2005
When pigs fly….that’s when people thought Roger Waters would return to his old bandmates. Finally, after 22 years, one of the best bands in rock history (the band that invented the flying pig) reunited this summer for a great 4-song reunion that brought chills to viewers around the world. Roger dedicates this song to its original subject, former band leader/acid casualty Syd Barrett.

13) Randy Newman – “Louisana 1927” from SONGBOOK VOL. 1 (2003)
Mr. “I Love L.A.” was born in that city 62 years ago but spent much of his childhood in New Orleans. He wrote this song about a previous flood, released it in 1974 and released this version in 2003 in a collection of bare bones versions of his best songs. Covered by Aaron Neville, this tune practically became the Katrina theme song. New Orleans is one of the most vibrant towns and best music cities in America. May the city be reborn….and may the political awakening caused by the storm bring good to the country.

14) John Mayer Trio – “Gravity” (live) from MTV/VH1 KATRINA BENFIT in 2005
Tired of the pop charts, John formed a blues trio with major session players Pino Palladino and Steve Jordan. Good move. After watching the Katrina benefit, I couldn’t get this Steve Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix-like tune out of my head for days.

15) BB King w/Mark Knopfler – “All Over Again” from 80 (2005)
Blues god BB King is still rocking and sounding great at 80. Incredible. Joined here by Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler on guitar.

16) Wilco – “One By One” from KICKING TELEVISION (LIVE IN CHICAGO) (2005)
On top of my list since 1991, Jeff Tweedy finally has the ultimate live line-up. This song features Woody Guthrie’s lyrics. **

17) The Refugee All Stars – “Living Like A Refugee” from LIVING LIKE A REFUGEE (2005)
The guy who ultimately filled my gig with the Rolling Stones Ticket Queen recently completed a powerful documentary film called The Refugee All Stars about a group of civil war refugees in Africa who formed a band to keep their sanity. Financed by the Ticket Queen, Paul McCartney, Keith Richards and Steve Bing, this WILL make news in 2006-2007. www.refugeeallstars.org **

18) Paul McCartney – “Too Much Rain” from CHAOS AND CREATION IN THE BACKYARD (2005)
Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich helped Sir Paul create his best CD since 1989’s FLOWERS IN THE DIRT. *

19) The Meters – “Mardi Gras Mambo” from FIRE ON THE BAYOU (1975)
Key to the heart and soul of New Orleans is the Neville family…so here they are. Before the Neville Brothers came The Meters, which featured Art & Cyril Neville. The Meters opened for the Stones on tour after releasing this album. 2 years later they broke up.

20) USA For Africa – “We Are the World” from WE ARE THE WORLD (1985)
It’s still so simultaneously beautiful and ridiculous. Due to the MJ trial, Live 8, the state of the world and 20 years flying by, I’m including this piece of the 80s. In order of appearance: Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram (“Somewhere Out There”), Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau (“Moonlighting” theme), Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry (Journey), Daryl Hall (Hall & Oates), MJ, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes (“Betty Davis Eyes”), Chorus, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Stevie & Springsteen, Chorus, Ingram & Ray.


Tracks I wanted to include (and recommend) but did not have room for:

Spoon - "I Turn My Camera On" from GIMME FICTION
The Redwalls - "Thank You" from DE NOVA
Habib Koite & Bamada - "Wassiye" (live) from FOLY! LIVE AROUND THE WORLD
Jackie Greene - "Honey I Been Thinking About You" from SWEET SOMEWHERE BOUND
Breakestra - "Family Rap" from HIT THE FLOOR
John Legend - "Ordinary People" from GET LIFTED
Sufjan Stevens - "Chicago" from ILLINOIS
Rob Thomas - "Lonely No More" from SOMETHING TO BE
Stereophonics - "Dakota" from LANGUAGE. SEX. VIOLENCE. OTHER?
Supergrass - "Tales of Endurance (Parts 4, 5 & 6) from ROAD TO ROUEN
Ash - "Meltdown" from MELTDOWN
Louis XIV - "Finding Out True Love Is Blind" from THE BEST LITTLE SECRETS ARE KEPT
Mia Doi Todd - "The Last Night Of Winter" from MANZANITA
Queens of the Stone Age - "Little Sister" from LULLABIES TO PARALYZE
The Raveonettes - "Love In A Trashcan" from PRETTY IN BLACK