The calendar is turning, it's time to turn the page. Another year, my friends. Ups, downs, and in-betweens. But so much to be grateful for. So take a cup of kindness, for auld lang syne. Bless you all.
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December 2012
December 31, 2012
December 30, 2012
RIP, Fontella Bass
When Fontella Bass died last week at the age of 72, every obit started by mentioning her biggest hit, "Rescue Me." She was a one-hit wonder of sorts, but she had a rich and varied career. The St. Louis native was the daughter of the prominent gospel singer, Martha Bass. She recorded with her mother and with her late husband, Lester Bowie—the great jazz trumpeter who was a founder of the Art Ensemble of Chicago. Here's her lovely version of a Hal David-Burt Bacharach classic.
December 24, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Day 12
Missing my Texas girls this Christmas, so this one goes out to Brianna and my little Tejanita, Isabella. Hope she'll come to love this song as much as her mom and I do. (performed by Rick Treviño.)
And to all my Sublime friends: Merry Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful New Year.
Download 02 Christmas Time is Here
December 23, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Day 11
Everyone's favorite pseudo-Republican, Stephen Colbert, has a big heart and a pretty decent voice. He recently paired up on his show with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Stipe for a nice version of "Good King Wenceslas." It's available at the iTunes store and all proceeds go to Hurricane Sandy relief. Come on, you can shell out one more buck this holiday season.
December 22, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Day 10
Let's stay on the country tip for one more day with this classic, written in 1948 and recorded one year later by Ernest Tubb. He was born in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but according to Wikipedia: At age 19, he took a job as a singer on the San Antonio radio station KONO-AM. The pay was low so Tubb also dug ditches for the Works Progress Administration and then clerked at a drug store. Take it away, Ernest.
December 21, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Day 9
It's payday. Weekend before Christmas. Daddy needs his juice. Here's the seminal country-rock band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.
Download 25 Daddy's Drinking Up Our Christmas
December 20, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Day 8
Let's take a trip down to N'awlins with our tour guide Allen Toussaint. Ice skating on Lake Ponchartrain? Why not? See you at midnight mass at St. Louis Cathedral.
Download 03 The Day It Snows On Christmas
December 19, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Day 7
Recently came across this Annie Lennox album that was released a couple of years ago. It's mostly traditional holiday songs, though some are not so familiar. And on this track she's joined by The African Children's Choir. Lovely song, lovely voice.
December 18, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Days 5&6
Sorry for yesterday's blip on the countdown. Making it up today with a double-play from two piano greats, first Marcus Roberts, and then the recently-deceased Dave Brubeck.
December 16, 2012
Christmas Countdown: Day 4
This is a lovely album, beginning to end, with a nice mix of Christmas standards, Hanukkah songs, and this original written by band members China Forbes (vocalist) and Thomas Lauderdale (piano).