Holiday CD 2008 > 2009

Volume 7 / Disc 1

1)Stevie Wonder–“Signed Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” SIGNED SEALED DELIVERED (1970)
Hallelujah!! For so many reasons, the Presidential election of Barack Obama makes me proud to be an American. I wish my mom, who taught elementary school in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing projects and kept the faith, could have lived to see this day. I hope this election finally puts an end to national fear politics and the ugly political cycle that has repeated itself too many times…

2) The Dave Clark Five – “Glad All Over” from GLAD ALL OVER (1963)
After becoming the first band to follow The Beatles to America, the DC5 bumped them out of the #1 spot on the charts in early 1964 with this song. Lead singer and keyboard player Mike Smith (1943-2008) died in February of pneumonia. RIP.

3) Vampire Weekend – “A-Punk” from VAMPIRE WEEKEND (2008)
In 2005, 23 year-old Ezra Koenig formed Vampire Weekend with his friends while they were all students at Columbia University. After graduation, he became an 8th grade English teacher in Brooklyn. By 2007, his band had a record deal!

4) Coldplay – “Viva La Vida” from VIVA LA VIDA OR DEATH AND ALL HIS FRIENDS (2008)
Coldplay’s star keeps rising…Brilliant producer Brian Eno takes the band’s music to a new level on this album. Meanwhile, they’re being sued by solo-guitarist Joe Satriani for allegedly stealing this melody from him. They definitely sound alike to me!

5) The Killers – “Human” from DAY AND AGE (2008)
The Las Vegas band returns with another great song. I haven’t heard the album yet but I’m psyched they’re back!

6) Lindsey Buckingham – “Love Runs Deeper” from GIFT OF SCREWS (2008)
Fleetwood Mac’s genius proves he’s still got it with this new collection of songs. This track fits right in with the Mac sound.

7) Bo Diddley – “Hey! Bo Diddley” released as a SINGLE (1957)
The Originator (1928-2008) died of heart failure this summer. One of the founders of rock music, the unique beat and guitar sound Bo created influenced everyone including Buddy Holly and the Rolling Stones (“Not Fade Away”), The Who (“Magic Bus”), Bruce Springsteen (“She’s the One”), U2 (“Desire”) and George Michael (“Faith”). Bo also influenced rap music by regularly announcing his name in his songs. Born Ellas Otha Bates in Mississippi, Bo built his career in Chicago, where he had moved as a kid. RIP.

8) Kings of Leon - “Use Somebody’” from ONLY BY THE NIGHT (2008)
From Tennessee and Oklahoma, these three brothers and a cousin (all Followills) range in age from 21 to 28 and named their band after their father and grandfather. Now based in Nashville, their sound continues to grow on their 4th and latest album.

9) Mudcrutch – “Lover of the Bayou” from MUDCRUTCH (2008)
Before forming the Heartbreakers in 1976, Tom Petty co-fronted this Gainesville, Florida band from 1970-75 with some of the same musicians. They reunited for an album and tour this year. This Byrds cover is one of my all-time favorite classic rock songs.

10) Ray LaMontagne – “You Are the Best Thing” from GOSSIP IN THE GRAIN (2008)
This 35 year-old, who has lived in Maine since high school, was inspired to become a musician after hearing Stephen Stills on the radio while working at a shoe factory in his late teens. Now on his 3rd album, Ray uniquely continues to reflect the classics.

11) Brett Dennen – “Make You Go Crazy” w/Femi Kuti from HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS (2008)
The 29 year-old, 6 foot 5 redhead from the CA cowboy town of Oakdale returns with another great song and his own sound.

12) Isaac Hayes – “Theme from Shaft” from SHAFT SOUNDTRACK (1971)
A songwriter for others (“Soul Man”, “Hold On, I’m Comin’”), a hugely successful recording artist and producer, a film composer and ultimately Chef on South Park, Isaac Hayes died of a stroke this summer (1942-2008). He grew up picking cotton in Tennessee until he was able to start a career as a session musician and songwriter. Hayes won an Oscar for this classic song. RIP.

13) The Four Tops – “Reach Out I’ll Be There” released as a SINGLE (1966)
They helped define the Motown sound. Lead singer Levi Stubbs (1936-2008) died this fall after cancer and a stroke. RIP.

14) The Airborne Toxic Event–"Sometime Around Midnight” AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT (2008)
25 year-old front man Mikel Jollet was working on a novel in 2006 when a break-up, his mom’s cancer diagnosis, and his own health issues inspired him to write songs and form a band. Based in LA’s Los Feliz hood, his band is off to a good start internationally.

15) Adele – “Best For Last” from 19 (2008)
Only 20 years old, this soulful singer from London built a following on My Space before landing a record deal and critical acclaim.

16) Jackson Browne – “Off Of Wonderland” from TIME THE CONQUEROR (2008)
At 60, Jackson Browne returns with a great new batch of songs including this tune about living in Laurel Canyon in its golden era.

17) She & Him – “Black Hole” from VOLUME ONE (2008)
M. Ward remains at the top of my list as he produces and plays guitar on this collection of songs by actress Zooey Deschanel.

18) Jaymay – “Gray or Blue” from AUTUMN FALLIN’ (2007)
New artist Jamie Seerman is a 27 year-old New Yorker who got an initial career push in 2006 on iTunes’ Indie Spotlight.

20) Jenny Lewis – “Acid Tongue” from ACID TONGUE (2008)
On the edge of 33, this Rilo Kiley frontwoman and former child TV actress captures today’s rebirth of Laurel Canyon’s golden era on her second solo album. Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes leads the background choir on this beautiful song.

21) Dan Fogelberg – “Leader of the Band” from THE INNOCENT AGE (1981)
Dan left U of Illinois to move to LA with Irving Azoff (now a mogul whom I work for who got Dan signed by Clive Davis), and then became a star. This beautiful tribute to his bandleader father was everywhere in 1981. I got to see Dan play some of his hits at a benefit show in 2000 with Joe Walsh and Graham Nash. Dan died of prostate cancer at the tail end of last year (1951-2007). RIP.

22) Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – “Djarimirri” from GURRUMUL (2008)
What a voice! Gurrumul is a blind, 38 year-old indigenous Australian who sings in Yolngu and plays several instruments.

23) Pink Floyd – “The Great Gig in the Sky” from THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON (1973)
The Reunion can never happen now. Founder and keyboard player Rick Wright (1943-2008) died of cancer in September. RIP.


Volume 7 / Disc 2

1) Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band – “The Rising” from THE RISING (2002)
Yes we can! The Obama campaign made great use of this song. Look for Bruce at Superbowl 2009! This one’s for Bruce fan Tim Russert, the best political newsman of our era and E Street organ/accordian player Danny Federici (both 1950-2008). RIP.

2) R.E.M. – “Supernatural Superserious” from ACCELERATE (2008)
This year saw R.E.M. return to rock and prove they’ve still got it.

3)The Raconteurs – “Many Shades of Black” from CONSOLERS OF THE LONELY (2008)
Jack White teamed up with Brendan Benson for another good album of rock. Amazing lead vocal here from Brendan.

4) Low vs Diamond – “Don’t Forget Sister” from LOW VS DIAMOND (2008)
The members of this band met in 2001 while students at U of Colorado. Originally a jamband, they moved to LA, changed their sound and got discovered by the same guy who discovered The Killers. This is their first full-length album.

5) Newton Faulkner - “Dream Catch Me” from HAND BUILT BY ROBOTS (2008)
This 23 year-old from Surrey, England, started his career in a Green Day cover band. He hit #1 in England and is working on the US.

6) MGMT – “Electric Feel” from ORACULAR SPECTACULAR (2008)
Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden formed this unique-sounding band in 2002 while students at Wesleyan U and started touring when they graduated in 2005. Based in Brooklyn, they’ve released 2 full-length albums and opened for Beck & Radiohead.

7) Miriam Makeba – “Kwazulu” from AN EVENING WITH BELAFONTE/MAKEBA (1965)
One of the biggest names in world music, Makeba (1932-2008) helped bring African music to a global audience in the 1960s. Born in Johannesburg, she started recording in the early 1950s. Harry Belafante helped bring her to the US and boost her recognition by attaching his name to this album, which won a Grammy for Best Folk Recording. Makeba was exiled for 3 decades from South Africa for singing against apartheid and testifying before the UN. She was briefly married to Hugh Masekela, performed at the legendary Ali-Foreman fight in Zaire, was part of Paul Simon’s Graceland tour, and returned to South Africa in 1990 after Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Makeba dropped dead of a heart attack right after her November performance in Italy. RIP.

8)Sigur Ros – “Via Spilum Endalaust” MEO SUA I EYRUM VIA SPILUM ENDALAUST (2008)
This intricate, melodic band from Iceland returns with their strongest album yet and continues to sing in their own, made-up language.

9)Duffy – “Warwick Avenue” from ROCKFERRY (2008)
Aimee Duffy is a pop-soul singer from North Wales who started singing at age 6 and spent years playing jazz and blues clubs while working odd jobs. At 24, she’s one of this year’s top selling artists worldwide. She was great at Lollapalooza this summer.

10) The Black Keys–“Things Ain’t Like They Used To Be” from ATTACK & RELEASE (2008)
Now in their late 20s, blues-rock duo Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of Akron, Ohio, released album #7. Is this classic Zep?!

11) Blitzen Trapper – “Furr” from FURR (2008)
After 3 self-released albums, this Portland, Oregon band led by Eric Earley signed with the historic Sub Pop label for Furr.

12) Conor Oberst – “Get-Well-Cards” from CONOR OBERST (2008)
The Omaha-based leader of Bright Eyes steps out for his first solo album in 12 years. Recorded in Mexico, the album shows that Conor continues to be a singer-songwriter worth keeping a close eye on.

13) Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal” from FLEET FOXES (2008)
Definitely one of the top bands of 2008, Fleet Foxes released 2 great albums on the historic Sub Pop label (this and the Sun Giant EP). Their timeless sound mixes folk, choral and rock music. Founding members guitarist Skyler Skjelset and singer-songwriter Robin Pecknold grew up in Seattle, the children of hippie parents whose record collections inspired their sound. It’s great to hear a band of early 20-somethings so heavily influenced by Crosby Stills and Nash and The Beach Boys.

14) The Kingston Trio – “Tom Dooley” from THE KINGSTON TRIO (1958)
Just a year after the Trio formed in Palo Alto, they scored their first gold hit with this traditional folk song, which also won the first-ever Grammy for Best Country & Western Performance. In the early 60s, the Trio had 4 albums in the Top 10 simultaneously. They influenced a young Bob Dylan and ruled the music scene until The Beatles came along. Singer-songwriter-musicians Nick Reynolds (1933-2008) and John Stewart (1939-2008) died this year. RIP.

15) Ike Turner/Jackie Brenston&His Delta Cats–“Rocket 88” released as SINGLE (1951)
Considered the first-ever rock song, Ike Turner wrote and played piano on this track despite creating a fake band name and giving the credit to his singer-saxophonist. Ike went on to be a talent scout that discovered and played as a sideman with major blues legends. He is most famous for discovering, marrying, rising to fame with and beating Tina Turner. Ike died late last year (1931-2007).


16) Death Cab For Cutie – “Cath…” from NARROW STAIRS (2008)
Now on their 6th album and 11th year, 32 year-old Ben Gibbard’s Washington-based band continues to blossom.

17) Radar Bros. – “Happy Spirits” from AUDITORIUM (2008)
One of my favorite albums of the year, this LA band’s 5th release is a collection of well-crafted, ultra-laid-back, stoney rock songs.

18) Vetiver – “Roll On Babe” from THING OF THE PAST (2008)
A great recent discovery, this San Fran band led by Andy Cabic has a soothing, folk-influenced sound. This is a beautiful folk cover.

19) My Morning Jacket – “Thank You Too!” from EVIL URGES (2008)
Jim James continues to lead Louisville’s finest in great new directions on their 5th album. Is this classic Eagles and Bee Gees?!

20) Dave Matthews Band – “#34” from UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING (1994)
Saxophonist LeRoi Moore (1961-2008) died from complications from an ATV accident on his farm. He co-wrote this track. RIP.

21) Merle Saunders & Friends – “Imagine” from FIRE UP! (1973)
Organ/piano player Merle Saunders collaborated often and was close friends with Jerry Garcia. I met him at the Fillmore in the mid-90s - real nice guy. Garcia and his bass player John Kahn play on this track. Merle died from stroke complications. (1934-2008) RIP.


IF ONLY I'D HAD ROOM I WOULD HAVE INCLUDED:
1) Al Green – “Lay It Down” from LAY IT DOWN (2008)
2) Alejandro Escovedo – “Always A Friend” from REAL ANIMAL (2008)
3) Alex Cuba – “Agua del Poso” from AGUA DEL POSO (2008)
4) Amos Lee – “What’s Been Going On” from LAST DAYS AT THE LODGE (2008)
5) Atmosphere–“You”/WHEN LIFE GIVE YOU LEMONS, YOU PAINT THAT SHIT GOLD(2008)
6) B-52’s – “Funplex” from FUNPLEX (2008)
7) Be Your Own Pet – “The Kelly Affair” from GET AWKWARD (2008)
8) Ben Lee – “Love Me Like The World Is Ending” from RIPE (2007)
9) Benji Hughes – “All You’ve Got To Do Is Fall In Love” A LOVE EXTREME(2008)
10) Black Kids – “Look At Me When I Rock Wichoo” from PARTIE TRAUMATIC (2008)
11) Black Tide – “Shockwave” from LIGHT FROM ABOVE (2008)
12) Bob Mould – “The Silence Between Us” from DISTRICT LINE (2008)
13) Bon Iver – “Skinny Love” from FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO (2008)
14) Chris Stills – “Sweet California” from CHRIS STILLS (2007)
15) Crystal Castles – “Untrust Us” from CRYSTAL CASTLES (2008)
16) Daniel Lanois – “Duo Glide” from HERE IS WHAT IS (2008)
17) David Cook – “The Time of My Life” from DAVID COOK (2008)
18) Does It Offend You, Yeah?–“We Are Rockstars”/YOU HAVE NO IDEA....2008)
19) Dusty Rhodes & the River Band – “Leaving Tennessee” FIRST YOU LIVE (2007)
20) Eagles of Death Metal – “WannaBe in L.A.” from HEART ON (2008)
21) Endless Boogie – “Coming Down the Stairs” from FOCUS LEVEL (2008)
22) Eric Hutchinson – “Rock & Roll” from SOUNDS LIKE THIS (2008)
23) The Faint – “The Geeks Were Right” from FASCINATION (2008)
24) Gnarls Barkley – “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul” from THE ODD COUPLE (2008)
25) Habib Koite – “Fimani” from AFRIKI (2007)