Happy New Year!

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

The most direct translation of the Scots phrase 'auld lang syne' is 'old long since'. Singing the song at the stroke of midnight has been a New Year's tradition the whole world around for many years. The song has been around since the late 1700's. More on 'Auld Lang Syne'

The recording by Guy Lombardo can be heard when the ball comes down at midnight every year in Times Square.

Guy Lombardo :: Auld Lang Syne

Have a happy and safe New Year's celebration!

Wrapping up the Christmas season

Wow! December 22 already! Hope the shopping's done and the stockings are hung!

I truly, truly love Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong's reading of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas"! It is another treasure from a man who himself was a beloved treasure. This one's gonna make you smile and feel warm all over!

Louis Armstrong :: 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

So pour yourself a tall glass of milk, curl under a blankie and enjoy this one before going to bed on Christmas Eve.

As timeless as A Charlie Brown Christmas, the soundtrack to the annual television classic contains music that will be weaved into Christmas memories for generations to come.

O Tannenbaum

Linus And Lucy

Christmas Time Is Here

Skating

So many great Christmas songs; it's hard to pick just a few more to share with you...

Run D.M.C. :: Christmas In Hollis

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band :: Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

David Bowie and Bing Crosby :: Peace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy

Finally, let me share some Beatles / Lennon / McCartney with you.

The Beatles :: Christmas Time Is Here Again

John Lennon :: Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Paul McCartney :: Wonderful Christmastime

Bob Rivers :: Jesus's Birthday

I've heard of tugging on Santa's beard, but...

In Danbury, Connecticut... Woman Accused of Groping Santa (link to news story)

Eartha Kitt :: Santa Baby

Mae West :: Put The Loot In The Boot, Santa

John Mellencamp :: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Jackson 5 :: I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

"I believe you've just discovered the South Pole."

Christmas With The Crooners

Just a few more classics that hardly need introducing...

Bing Crosby :: White Christmas

Nat King Cole :: The Christmas Song

Frank Sinatra :: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Gene Autry :: Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane)

Nat and Frank, 1957.

Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings

Tucked away among my string of Christmas posts, I had to finally write about Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings. Their third album, 100 Days, 100 Nights was released October 2, 2007 and broke Billboard's Top 25 Independent Albums Charts. The album has been getting very good reviews around the music blogs and would make a great "I-never-heard-of-them-before" stocking stuffer.

You know the Dap-Kings from their work with Amy Winehouse, tapped by producer Mark Ronson to supply that 1960's R&B flow on her album Back To Black.

Once again they bring the funk and infuse Sharon Jones' bold, soulful voice with a swing reminicent of classic Motown/Stax records. This is The Daptone Sound! Daptone Records

From 100 Days, 100 Nights:

100 Days, 100 Nights

Nobody's Baby

And Daptones limited release single:

Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)

>>>This is HOT! d/l now!!!

When life dumps a foot of snow on you...

... Make a snowman!

Leon Redbone with Dr. John :: Frosty The Snowman

Jimmy Durante :: Frosty The Snowman

Fats Domino :: Frosty The Snowman

More Christmas favorites...

Darlene Love :: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Burl Ives :: Have A Holly Jolly Christmas

Dean Martin :: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Songs of the Season

A couple of "Rocking" Christmas classics to share...

Bobby Helms :: Jingle Bell Rock

Brenda Lee :: Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

... and a couple Christmas classics that really rock!

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers :: Christmas All Over Again

The Ramones :: Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)

Michael Jackson :: Thriller

Today, December 1, 2007 marks the 25-year anniversary of the landmark album Thriller. As good a time as any to revisit the #1 selling album of all time, an album that was #1 on the charts for a record 37 weeks and has sold over 27 million copies in the United States.

If you're old enough to remember 1983, it goes without saying that Michael Jackson was HUGE. Musically and culturally speaking. (Man, I wanted one of those 'Beat It' Jackets!) While times have indeed changed; the first copy of Thriller I listened to was my cousin's vinyl LP; every music artist today stands meekly in the shadow cast by Michael Jackson. The 2007 Hannah Montana wouldn't hold up next to a lock of singed Jheri curl of 1983 Michael Jackson. (The infamous Pepsi commercial)

To give you an appreciation, the total album sales of the top ten albums of 2006 (all ten COMBINED) fall short of Thriller's total sales. And to decry that I'm comparing 25 years of sales would only reinforce my point. The impact on album sales for today's music artists in the Digital Age of Music notwithstanding, Michael Jackson went from superstar to global icon upon the unleashing of Thriller.

The 25th anniversary will be commemorated with a special re-release on February 12, 2008. A Special Edition will feature a DVD along with some unreleased tracks and remixes, including 'Billie Jean 2008 - featuring Kanye West'. The remix of 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' featuring Akon has leaked and is available below.

Did I mention that I always wanted a "Beat It" Jacket so bad?!

Thriller

Beat It

Billie Jean

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (Remix featuring Akon)