Holiday CD 2006 > 2007

Additional song selections at the bottom.
* Buy the whole CD or download select songs from iTunes.
** Definitely buy the whole CD.

Volume 5 / Disc 1

1) Kraak & Smaak – “Money In The Bag” (remix) from BOOGIE ANGST (2006)
The hottest band in Holland, K&S formed in 2003 when 2 DJ friends from Leiden, Holland hooked up with a keyboard player. 4 of the top Dutch musicians supplement their live act, which debuted in May of 2005 and is taking over Europe. Word is they do a great show. The original version of this song is what landed them their record deal. **

2) Bob Sinclar Featuring Gary Pine – “Love Generation” from LOVE GENERATION (EP) (2005)
38 year-old Bob Sinclar is a French DJ who produces dance music in a variety of genres. This song was a huge hit throughout Europe and Australia at the end of 05, running into 06. That’s Jamaican singer Gary Pine providing the happy vocals.

3) Billy Preston – “Will It Go Round In Circles” from EVERYBODY LIKES SOME KIND OF MUSIC (1973)
The guy known as the 5th Beatle died of hypertension this summer, just months shy of his 60th birthday. In addition to this #1 hit from 1973, Preston leaves behind an amazing history including being the first musical guest on SNL, the keyboard player in the last Beatles live performance (the legendary London rooftop show), a session player on the best Rolling Stones albums, multiple Beatles solo records and music by Ray Charles, Little Richard, Aretha, Dylan, Jackson 5 and more, plus the Beatles’ LET IT BE album, including the great keyboard solo on “Get Back”. His most recent work includes STADIUM ARCADIUM tracks for the RHCP and the brand new Clapton-JJ Cale CD. I saw Billy perform with a partly reunited version of The Band in 1991. RIP.

4) Gnarls Barkley – “Crazy” from ST. ELSEWHERE (2006)
Definitely the 2006 Wacky Song of the Year. You had to live under a rock to miss this one. Almost every act at Lollapalooza played their own version of “Crazy” this summer in Chicago. Gnarls Barkley is DJ-producer Danger Mouse with rapper/singer Cee-Lo.

5) Sergio Mendes Featuring John Legend – “Please Baby Don’t” from TIMELESS (2006)
Brazilian Sergio Mendes found major success on A&M Records with his group Brasil `66 starting in the mid-60’s. A keyboard player who performs pop songs bossa nova-style, Mendes’ sound helped define lounge music. From his recent will.i.am-produced comeback album, he performs this song with its writer, up-and-comer/Grammy winner John Legend, an incredibly talented Ohio native who graduated high school Salutatorian and was an English major at Penn before becoming a pop star. Sounds like a classic.

6) Loose Fur – “The Ruling Class” from BORN AGAIN IN THE USA (2006)
I couldn’t let a year go by without Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy being on the Holiday CD. Here is a catchy and goofy little ditty from Tweedy’s side project with multi-instrumentalist/producer Jim O’Rourke and Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche.*

7) Sufjan Stevens – “Chicago” from COME ON FEEL THE ILLINOISE! (2005)
I ran out of space last year, so this year’s re-release of this amazing song got me to include it here. This critically acclaimed, 31 year-old singer-songwriter from Michigan claims he will make an album for each of the 50 United States. He has done MI and IL so far. *

8) M. Ward – “Chinese Translation” from POST-WAR (2006)
One of my favorite artists out there, 31 year-old Matt “M” Ward is from Portland, Oregon and puts on a great live show with a Dylan vibe. Last year’s TRANSISTOR RADIO was a superior album, but this one is good too. Definitely check this guy out. *

9) Midlake – “It Covers The Hillside” from THE TRIALS OF VAN OCCUPANTHER (2006)
My first discovery via Sirius satellite radio, Midlake is a band made up of former University of North Texas jazz students from Denton, TX. Their second album, TRIALS has a 1970’s pop-rock sound a la Lindsey Buckingham-era Fleetwood Mac. **

10) The Killers – “Read My Mind” from SAM’S TOWN (2006)
This great, Vegas-based pop-rock band returned with their sophomore release and a new sound. Jury’s still out but I love this song.

11) Keane – “Is It Any Wonder” from UNDER THE IRON SEA (2006)
This English trio found huge success across Europe with this, their 2nd album. Here’s a catchy song that did well around the world.

12) Death Cab For Cutie – “Crooked Teeth” from PLANS (2005)
30-year old Ben Gibbard’s Washington-based band released this CD in 05 and continued to build on its success through 06.

13) Jerry Lee Lewis w/B.B. King – “Before The Night Is Over” from LAST MAN STANDING (2006)
The Killer (who happens to share my birthday) is now 71 and still going strong. Famous for his crazy, piano-thumping style, his 1957 hits “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls Of Fire” and his 3rd marriage at age 23 to his 13 year-old cousin, Jerry Lee has never stopped touring. After years away from recording, he has released a comeback CD with 22 great duets. *

14) Bruce Springsteen–“Pay Me My Money Down” from WE SHALL OVERCOME:THE SEEGER SESSIONS(2006)
One of the year’s best CDs, Springsteen formed a new, rootsy, 12-member band to record classic folk songs popularized by Pete Seeger. This album feels like one big, inspirational party as they sing songs about war and poverty in celebratory fashion.**

15) Ruth Brown – “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’ from ROCKIN’ WITH RUTH (1958)
Atlantic Records was known as The House That Ruth Built thanks to her popularizing of R&B in the 50s. She died in Nov at 78. RIP.

16) Bob Seger – “No More” from FACE THE PROMISE (2006)
Back from an 11 year hiatus, Detroit’s classic rock voice returns an octave deeper at 61, but still going strong. Great anti-war song.

17) The Who – “Mirror Door” from ENDLESS WIRE (2006)
24 years since their last record, the 2 surviving Who members return with new material. This strong song captures their classic sound.

18) The Secret Machines – “All At Once (It’s Not Important)” from TEN SILVER DROPS (2006)
From Dallas, these 2 brothers and a drummer released a strong second album that they call space rock. This song will grow on you. *

19) Neil Young – “Lookin’ For A Leader” from LIVING WITH WAR (2006)
Neil never stops! Now he’s ripping Bush & Friends a new one…and doing it well. His summer tour with CSN was the year’s best.**

20) Johnny Cash – “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” from AMERICAN V: A HUNDRED HIGHWAYS (2006)
Gone but not forgotten, The Man In Black returns from the grave with an amazing CD of songs he recorded on his death bed. **

21) Josh Ritter – “Here At The Right Time” from THE ANIMAL YEARS (2006)
Idaho’s Josh Ritter is a 30 year-old singer-songwriter who built a following in Ireland before a major label released his music here at home. His second major label release continues to show his Springsteen-Dylan-Leonard Cohen influences. Check out his live show.

Volume 5 / Disc 2

1) Lindsey Buckingham – “To Try For The Sun” from UNDER THE SKIN (2006)
The front man and producer for Fleetwood Mac’s most successful work returns with his first solo record in 14 years. The same solo artist who brought us the “Holiday Road” theme from the movie VACATION still sounds young and creative at 57. *

2) Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabeté – “Sombou Ya Ya” from IN THE HEART OF THE MOON (2005)
From Mali, singer-guitarist Touré was one of Africa’s most internationally celebrated musicians. Known as “the African John Lee Hooker” because of the way his music mixed traditional Malian music with American blues, he generated a lot of attention in the Western world via a great 1994 album with Ry Cooder, TALKING TIMBUKTU. This beautiful 2005 album, his second to last, is a collaboration with Malian kora player Toumani Diabeté (considered the world’s best) and led to a Grammy award this year for Best Traditional World Music Album. Touré died of bone cancer in March of this year at 67. RIP. **

3) Josh Rouse – “Quiet Town” from SUBTITULO (2006)
Currently living in Spain, 34 year-old Josh remains one of my favorite artists, even though this CD doesn’t compare to NASHVILLE or 1972. Be sure to give his stuff a listen and see him in concert whenever he passes though your town. *

4) John Mayer – “The Heart Of Life” from CONTINUUM (2006)
He’s one of those guys you want to hate but can’t. He’s 29, has it all, and ventured down the cheesy, pop music path…but then he shook things up and seems to have found himself musically. This is a really great song from an album that has a handful of `em. *

5) Tom Petty – “Square One” from HIGHWAY COMPANION (2006)
Approaching American Treasure-status after close to 30 years as a rock star, Petty at 56 keeps keeping on. Fair album, great song.

6) Alexi Murdoch – “All Of My Days” from TIME WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE (2006)
Born in Scottland, raised in London, 33 year-old Murdoch attended Duke University and moved to LA. A 2002 self-released 4 song EP gained him attention when TV shows and movies like GARDEN STATE used his songs. 4 years later, he released this first album.

7) Paolo Nutini – “Last Request” from THESE STREETS (2006)
Here’s a great song by another up-and-coming Scottish singer-songwriter. Hard to believe, but he’ll just be turning 20 in January.

8) David Gilmour – “Smile” from ON AN ISLAND (2006)
1 year after the huge Pink Floyd reunion at Live 8, Floyd’s co-front man/guitarist released his 3rd solo album (his 1st in 22 years; 12 years since his version of Floyd’s last album). Excellent tour – the 2 set show featured the entire new album and lots of Floyd classics.

9) José González – “Heartbeats” from VENEER (2006/2003)
From Sweden, yes I said Sweden, this 28 year-old singer-songwriter first released his debut album in 2003. As interest built after one of his songs was featured on the season finale of T.V.’s THE O.C., he re-released the album in 2006. His melodic, solo classical guitar sound is compelling. The live show is just like the album. Oh, and his parents are from Argentina…hence, the name. *

10) Bob Dylan – “When The Deal Goes Down” from MODERN TIMES (2006)
Bobby Z, now 65, took 5 years to release his latest studio effort. It’s another good one. Featuring his current touring band, the CD sounds exactly like Dylan’s current live shows. No new direction here, he’s basically continuing down the LOVE & THEFT path. *

11) Band Of Horses – “The Funeral” from EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME (2006)
From South Carolina, 28 year-old singer-songwriter Ben Bridwell formed this band in Seattle. Vocally he reminds me of My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. On Bridwell’s list of heroes is the next band, Built To Spill. Brace yourself, this song takes it up a notch.

12) Built To Spill – “Conventional Wisdom” from YOU IN REVERSE (2006)
From Boise, Idaho, guitarist-singer-songwriter Doug Martsch founded Built To Spill in 1993. Influenced by Neil Young, J. Mascis and Steven Malkmus, Martsch has gone on to influence scores of indie bands. Martsch, who at 38 looks more like a homeless computer geek than a rock star, plays a mean guitar. This catchy song features the only extended jam of the 2006 Holiday CD. *

13) Wolfmother – “Woman” from WOLFMOTHER (2006)
This Australian trio rocks. Period. Sure, their psychedelic metal is derivative of the 70s, but they manage to make it sound fresh and fun. With one of the best albums of the year and one of the best live shows out there, Wolfmother is a band to check out. **

14) Arctic Monkeys – “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” from WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM… (2006)
This indie rock-punk quartet from Sheffield, England took the UK and indie rock by storm this year, but I expect 1-hit wonder status.

15) The Hellacopters – “Everything’s On T.V.” from ROCK & ROLL IS DEAD (2006)
Formed in 1994, this Swedish rock band released a great tune in 06 that shot through my car radio and caught my attention.

16) Pearl Jam – “Life Wasted” from PEARL JAM (2006)
I’m not the die-hard fan I once was, but I give PJ credit for becoming smart road warriors and for pulling together a decent CD in 06.

17) Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Torture Me” from STADIUM ARCADIUM (2006)
Still around & going strong, RHCP are true Survivors. Their 9th studio album is a great double-CD with strong songs and superior musical interplay. Their closing set for 75,000 fans at Chicago’s Lollapalooza this summer was a triumphant musical moment. **

18) The Raconteurs – “Broken Boy Soldier” from BROKEN BOY SOLDIERS (2006)
Detroit friends Jack White of White Stripes and singer-songwriter Brendan Benson blended their sounds for this side project. Thanks to Jack, their live set at Lollapalooza was outstanding. *

19) Pink Floyd – “See Emily Play” from THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN (1967)
Founding member Syd Barrett died at 60 this summer from pancreatic cancer. He was Floyd’s singer-songwriter-guitarist from 1965 to 1968, when LSD-triggered mental illness left him unable to perform. (Lucky for Gilmour). This song is one of Syd’s best. RIP.

20) Starsailor – “In The Crossfire” from ON THE OUTSIDE (2006)
Inspired by Jeff Buckley, this English band (the last to work with Phil Spector) took their name from a 1970 album by Jeff’s dad, Tim.

21) Golden Smog – “Corvette” from ANOTHER FINE DAY (2006)
An ongoing side project with members of The Jayhawks, Soul Asylum & Jeff Tweedy, this gem belongs to Jayhawk Marc Perlman.

Songs I wanted to include (and recommend) but did not have room for:
Amadou & Mariam - "Coulibaly" from DIMANCHE A BAMAKO (2005)
Art Brut - "Good Weekend" from BANG BANG ROCK & ROLL (2006)
Beck - "Cellphone's Dead" from THE INFORMATION (2006)
Beth Orton - "Conceived" from COMFORT OF STRANGERS (2006)
Cheb i Sabbah - "Toura Toura" (The Nav Deep Remix) from LA GHRIBA (2006)
The Guggenheim Grotto - "Philosophia" from WALTZING ALONE (2006)
James Hunter - "People Gonna Talk" from PEOPLE GONNA TALK (2006)
Justin Timberlake - "Losing My Way" from FUTURESEX/LOVESOUNDS (2006)
Lily Allen - "Smile" from SMILE EP (2006)
Lou Rawls - "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" from ALL THINGS IN TIME (1976) [RIP]
The Mars Volta - "Vermicide" from AMPUTECHTURE (2006)
The Mountain Goats - "Sail Babylon Springs" from BABYLON SPRINGS - EP (2006)
Prince - "Fury" from 3121 (2006)
Ray LaMontagne - "Empty" from TIL THE SUN TURNS BLACK (2006)
Richard Hawley - "Room With A View" from JUST LIKE THE RAIN - EP (2006)
Silversun Pickups - "Lazy Eye" from CARNAVAS (2006)
Sonic Youth - "Incinerate" from RATHER RIPPED (2006)
Tapes `n Tapes - "Insistor" from THE LOON (2006)
Taylor Hicks - "Do I Make You Proud" (single) (2006)
Thom Yorke - "The Clock" from THE ERASER (2006)
TV On the Radio - "Wolf Life Me" from RETURN TO COOKIE MOUNTAIN (2006)
The Walkmen - "Lost In Boston" from A HUNDRED MILES OFF (2006)
Wilson Pickett - "In the Midnight Hour" from IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (1965) [RIP]
Yo La Tengo - "Beanbag Chair" from I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU... (2006)
Zero 7 - "Futures" from THE GARDEN (2006)