Christmas oldies

Every new Christmas feels less and less like Christmas.

It Could Happen to You is an exerpt from Chet Baker's gorgeous "Chet Baker Sings It Could Happen to You" lp. Martha is from Tom Waits' astounding debut lp "Closing Time" and that Edith Piaf song is just magic.

chet_baker_-_it_could_happen_to_you.mp3

tom_waits_-_martha.mp3

edith_piaf_-_lovers_for_a_day.mp3

Zapp Branigan - Joyeux Noel

you'll need to understand French for this one.

zapp_branigan_-_joyeux_noel.mp3

Elliott Smith - Stickman

Here's another recording (studio quality this time) of a song that could have been on "From a Basement on the Hill". More here and here.

elliott_smith_-_stickman.mp3

Phosphorescent - Pretty pt. 1 & 2

Phosphorescent is one guy playing songs with friends, and most of them (especially those filling his debut album "A Hundred Time or More") are brilliant. This two parter is the album's beautiful closer.

phosphorescent_-_pretty_pt1.mp3
phosphorescent_-_pretty_pt2.mp3

Rufus Wainwright - Foolish Love

I love Rufus Wainwright's debut album. I just do. Foolish Love is a gorgeous song that makes me think of Christmas and foolish love.

rufus_wainwright_-_foolish_love.mp3

Boris - Bomb Hiroshima Once More

It's not the real title, but it's the final track of "Pink", Boris' latest record, released in Japan in November, to be released worldwide in March via Southern Lord. It's 10 minutes long and the most impressive rock piece I've heard in a LOOOOOONG time.

boris_-_bomb_hiroshima_once_more.mp3

Islands - Volcanoes

The Unicorns released a great album, disbanded and formed a new band named Islands. "Return to the Sea" will be released sometime next year, and "Volcanoes" (along with that track with Subtle and Busdriver) is the album's best piece. It's about volcanoes popping out of nowhere (or, more accurately, from below) and burying the world under lava. yeah.

islands_-_volcanoes.mp3

Cat Power - Love & Communication

Easily the best track on "The Greatest", Love & Communication blends Cat Power's usual guitar driven approach with the album's sleek r&b production. Impressive.

cat_power_-_love_and_communication.mp3