Merry Christmas!
Every year, this is how I celebrate Christmas.
Merry Christmas, friends! May you always remember the best moments of life and love today.
Friends are like bras; a good one never lets you down
Every year, this is how I celebrate Christmas.
Merry Christmas, friends! May you always remember the best moments of life and love today.
One of my favorite songs for this time of year.
It’s pretty much the same for me every Christmas Eve. Well, musically. Mostly.
Here’s Justin Hines.
It’s been a minute since I did a proper Two-fer. Actually, I’m going with a four-pack. Please forgive me.
I’m going to share a couple of his songs I truly love — one or two most people aren’t so familiar with, but songs that I enjoy for a variety of reasons. I do hope you like them as much as I do.
This only happens once a year and we should all get as excited as these guys!
Happy 21st of September, y’all!
And because I’m all peppy now, here’s a bonus song from roughly the same era.
Oh, Lord. I love Foy Vance. Soulful, expressive, and just generally excellent all around. But then again, what do you expect from an Irishman?
For once, I actually stuck to two videos. I encourage you to dig deeper, though, because there’s a plethora of great music to be heard. Foy Vance.
Between goosebumps and tears, I watched every video I could of Joni Mitchell performing at the Newport Folk Festival this year. She hadn’t performed a full set anywhere for 22 years due to a life-threatening aneurysm, but boy did she make up for lost time!
Here are some of the highlights. (Special shout out to Brandi Carlile — God, I love her — for making this happen!)
Bonus tracks!
I hope this helps create a good mood for your Tuesday and maybe even your entire week.
I know I posted more than two videos — how could I not? This is just so good! Please head over to the Tubes of You for more Joni and even more great music. You’ll be glad you did#
This first song is my favorite Flatlanders song ever. It’s just…perfection.
The second song reminds me of my time in the mid-late 80s when I was dancing every weekend and spending a lot of time getting to know some very interesting and amazing people.
I missed this week’s Twofer Tuesday. And Threefer Thursday. It’s been a WEEK.
So here are some songs for absolutely no other reason than I just happen to really like them, have time to share, and the ability to share them.
Another find from here in Texas: Charlie Stout.
I originally started following him on the Tweety because of his photography (oh my God! It’s gorgeous
, y’all. Gorgeous.) and was surprised to run into him at the first night of the singer-songwriter competition here. It took a second for me to make the connection, but there it was. So, yeah, he’s a talented photographer AND a talented musician.
Please check out Charlie’s bandcamp page for more great music. I heartily recommend “The Windmill Song” from Five Years Ago Tonight, “West Texas in My Eye” from Oklahoma (live bootleg), and “The Hanging” and “Set Your Eyes on Things Below” from Dust and Wind.
Once again, I urge you to buy his albums because they’re worth every penny. And if you’re looking for some stunning art
, head on over to Charlie’s website.
I feel like a total heel for not sharing any of this music at some point during the past 7-8 months. I’m very sorry.
Next up in the local musicians category is Jerry Serrano. Jerry’s incredibly nice, plays multiple instruments, and is just one of those people who draws you in.
He runs the open mic night at the Blue Light on Mondays and also hosted the singer-songwriter competition last fall. The best part about his hosting duties (aside from getting to hear a lot of performers) is when Jerry gets up to play.
The first song here is one I felt like I’d heard before and by the end, I could swear it was one I was super familiar with. Good songs are like that. They’re old friends you’ve only just met. (That would be a great title for a song and an album: Old Friend I Just Met™®. Anyone interested, email me at dagoddess@gmail.com. We can work out a deal.)
Okay, confession time: I’ve been holding out on you. Bob Simpson is probably my favorite local performer and I find his songs, songwriting, and voice to be just what the doctor ordered nine times out of ten.
I’m sorry I haven’t shared his music sooner. I hope you’ll forgive me.
I was tempted to post all of his songs because I dig each and every one of them. Instead here’s Bob’s Bandcamp page, have a listen, and then buy the album. I promise, it’s absolutely worth the purchase.
You know how much I love music, so when I say it’s worth plunkin’ down some money, you know I believe it’s worthy of your permanent collection.
It’s been ages since I’ve done a Two-fer Tuesday post, so let’s get to it, shall we?
First up is a song I really dig by American Aquarium. They have a bunch of great music (including a very good album of covers), but this is probably my favorite…at least it is at the moment.
Next up is Sarah Shook. I was so looking forward to seeing her last month. However, as you know, I’ve been too poorly to travel and I missed out on the opportunity to catch her live and in person. Oh well, another time, yes? Anyway, here’s the song I picked for today.
Hope you liked the songs I’ve shared and are curious enough to check out more from both artists. H has turned me on to some fantastic performers and I look forward to sharing more in the coming weeks.
I have a new song I listen to frequently when I’m in one of those moods. It helps me wash away the cobwebs and sadness.
And there you have it: the sweetest mind and heart cleanser.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, a song from John Berry. That voice. This song. Every year. Every. Year.
It’s simply THE SONG I have to hear on Christmas day.
Merry Christmas, friends! May you always remember the best moments of life and love today.