Christmas is Coming...

The time is drawing near for the completion and distribution of the Northam family Christmas card (apologies to all who detest Xmas coming before Thanksgiving, I used to walk among you -  but I have been eating, sleeping, breathing holiday cheer for the last month getting ready for holiday events downtown and if I don't have my music selection completed before Thanksgiving, I'm sunk!) - Ben Jammin' 2008.  Ben Jammin' is the Christmas carol mixtape I have created for friends and family since 1998, our first holiday season with Benjamin (get it?).  My search for new interpretations of old classics and joyous new holiday music goes on all year long, but hits fever pitch around the first of October.  Are currently 22 songs on this year's edition, still needing a bit of rearranging - but it's close.  My favorite?  Winter Song, by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson.  If you've read any of the previous entries, you know that these two women are all over my mixtapes for the past year plus, and Christmas music with them singing together?  That's about as close to perfection as I'll get this season!  In any case, it's an auspicious beginning to the 2008 edition.

In other news - I've grown tired of dark hair, so have adopted a festive new look, appropriate for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Loses a little something with the iPhone camera, but you'll get the idea.

Prop 8 from a new angle

Came across this on Jezebel.com - I find more thought provoking commentary on this site than any other on a regular basis - and it made me like Keith Olbermann again.  In the olden days, before there was instant access online to any sports score or team update, my husband and the members of the fantasy football league to which he belongs used to watch SportsCenter religiously, and Keith was a snarky, smart, funny anchor at ESPN.  I am not a news junkie, and I and my short attention span really don't enjoy MSNBC, so I see Mr. Olbermann far less frequently these days.  This could get me tuning in.  It's over 6 minutes long, but it's worth it.

http://jezebel.com/5083047/keith-olbermann-eloquently-breaks-down-prop-8-hate

Some are Sinners, Some are Saints

You know fall is really here with the arrival of the fog bank.  Now is the time when we will go for days at a time without a glimpse of the sky.  But under the mist, the fall colors seem brighter - the remaining leaves surge with reds and deep oranges and sharp yellows, as if to make up for the lack of blue sky and sunshine.  Spring is my favorite season, but fall has its charms.

Another year older and a fun and laid-back celebration with good friends.  If you need a really good laugh, go see Role Models, the funniest movie we've seen in ages.  I don't think I've laughed so hard in a theater since seeing 40-year Old Virgin.  Absolutely not for kids, but we 6 adults enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.  Also, I give the burgers and onion rings at Fast Eddy's Drive In my highest rating for fast food in southeastern Washington. 

Another month, another mix of songs with which I am obsessed.  Sources include Paste Magazine Sampler, iTunes iMixes, a Target commercial, a few movie soundtracks, and other random delights.

Some are Sinners, Some are Saints

1.  OK, It's Alright With Me, Eric Hutchinson - the first I heard of this young artist was on Live from Daryl's House  (which I highly recommend); I listened to a few songs on his MySpace page and was sold on his 'acoustic green-eyed soul' and 'intelligent pop.'

2.  Move You, Anya Marina - a little whispery vocal with a beat you can dance to...very seductive.

3.  Little Romance, Ingrid Michaelson - featured on the 2nd soundtrack from the Sex and the City movie, and I am incapable of resisting a new song by this woman.  However, if she keeps this approach of contributing new songs to a tv soundtrack here and a movie soundtrack there, when will she ever have time to record a new album of originals?

4.  All Would Envy, Shawn Colvin & Chris Botti - my sister called, listening to big-city radio  during a road trip, as soon as this song was over to tell me about it.  A sweet little ditty about a somewhat creepy May-December romance written by Sting.  What's not to love?

5.  Lose You, Sandra McCracken - her vocals remind me of early Sheryl Crow, and I really like the plink of banjo standing in for the bass line.

6.  Mockingbird, Allison Moorer - this was on a Paste sampler a few months ago, then turned up on SATC 2nd soundtrack.  The pain in her voice when she's really wailing - I get chills every time.

7.  I Am So Ordinary, Paula Cole - this is the first Paula Cole song I heard years ago, with clever lyrics (She is your holy Mary, I am so ordinary) and unique phrasing.  Still really good.

8.  We Got Love, Ryan Shaw - listening to this, you simply must smile and do a little dance.

9.  Lover, Devendra Banhart - from the soundtrack to Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist, also a movie I highly recommend...the New York City scene depicted within could almost make me wish I was 18 again, not that I was ever that adventurous at 18.  Maybe 18 with my 41 year old brain.

10.  Hallelujah, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors - this could so easily be a Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers song, about going to a concert (the drummer smiles and shouts out, 'Hallelujah!')  This month's title comes from the verse - 'Some are sinners, some are saints/Singing songs out loud/They all come for different reasons/And are strangers in this crowd'

11.  Honey Let Me Sing You A Song, Matt Hires - I love any song about a man singing his love to a woman, and this one is a keeper.

12.  Fallen, Lauren Wood - there is an '80s homage on nearly every playlist I've ever created.  I was channel surfing one Sunday afternoon, and there was the deeply twisted fairy tale that is 'Pretty Woman.'  So wrong on so many levels, but this is the song playing on their way to see the opera, and I've always loved it.  Just can't help myself.

13.  Little Tornado, Aimee Mann - I admit that I don't whole-heartedly love Aimee Mann, but this song speaks to me.  And it was featured on Grey's Anatomy during a touching scene.  Sucked in, just like that.

14.  Baby You're My Light, Richard Hawley - Just a sweet song, very heartfelt.

15.  (I'm A) Road Runner, James Taylor - the best concert I've ever been to, JT at the Gorge, sun setting behind the band on a perfect July day.  And I am enjoying this new album of covers.

16.  Imperfect, Keri Noble - If I was the girl they all wanted to be/I wonder would I still be me?  An affirmation in lilting melody.

17.  Brand New Day, Tim Meyers f/Lindsey Ray - the current Target commercial, and even better than the 30-second snippet.  If you need a wake up song, this is the one.

18.  Everything I've Got, Blossom Dearie - it's a thin line between love and hate...

In case you missed it this week, here's a link to Garrison Keillor's post-election advice to Barack Obama. Sweet and sound.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/keillor/2008/11/05/happy_couple/

Melon-Collie

Ben told a joke this evening - what do you get when you cross a cantelope and a puppy?  A Melon Collie.  The he said, "There is an air of melancholoy over this house tonight."  He's right - this afternoon we said goodbye to our best first 'child,' our 17-year old mutt Zoey.  We adopted her as a puppy from the Blue Mountain Humane Society in October 1992; she went with us to Boise and Bozeman and back, and my kids have never known a day without her.

It was certainly time - her quality of life had declined rapidly over the last month.  We debated - do we let the kids know what's coming or do we take her to the vet's while they are at school and let them know after it's over?  We both felt pretty strongly that the kids should have a chance to say goodbye.  I picked them up from school, brought them home and told them what was going to happen, and then we spent some time saying goodbye.  Many tears shed, many stories told and memories shared, even some laughs.

My lovely sister took the kids while Jeff and I took Zoey.  It was incredibly painful and sad despite being the right thing to do.  We will miss you, old friend.

O. M. P. and other random happiness

O. M. G. - Obama's My President.

Check this out.

http://jezebel.com/5077253/maya-angelou-on-barack-obama-we-all-rise

Annalise on her 6th birthday - veterinarian party

Then there's this.

http://www.livefromdarylshouse.com/index.php

Saw a  lovely acquaintance this evening who shared her new blog - try it, you'll like it!

http://sweetteasunshine.blogspot.com/

Benjamin in the fall light carving jack o'lanterns with the men's tennis team

New music to post before the end of the weekend.  Promise.

I turn 41 on Saturday.  What a good year it's been.  

Suddenly I am filled with hope and pride and I have happily cried on and off for the last 24 hours.  

Falling

Here it is, nearly the end of October, and I haven't said anything about September music - so lame.  It's been a busy month - Annalise turned 6 last weekend.  The downtown foundation hosted our annual meeting. Jeff ran a three-day tournament. My youngest sister got married, Jeff took his #1 & 2 players to Alabama for a week. But the real problem is that I'm too easily distracted by all the entertainment available in the world - like the new TV season.  So happy that Life, Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies, Grey's Anatomy and all the rest are back.  And I cannot look away from the news  - cnn.com, Jezebel.com and planetmoney.com and constant low- level anxiety.  A music discussion will be a great distraction:

The Proof I Use to Measure What is True

1. Be OK - Ingrid Michaelson:  bouncy and good-natured, this goes down easy

2. Love Love Love - Tristan Prettyman:  Madly was a free single of the week last spring, featured on the Heart Wide Open mix in May; found this searching around iTunes

3. Brandy Alexander - Ron Sexsmith:  I like this version more than the Feist recording, apparently inspired by John Lennon's favorite drink

4. It's Alright - Dar Williams: I love the jangly guitars and sunny feel

5. Hide From You - Angela Desveaux: again with the jangly guitars

6. Sweeter Than the Rest - Joan Osborne: since 1995, when I wore out the Relish CD (no lie, I wore that puppy out driving back and forth between Bozeman and...well, anywhere) I have loved her soulful sound.  Her Christmas album is one of my faves.  And you know I'm already planning Ben Jammin' 2008.

7. It's You - Pictures and Sound:  It's you I love and not the thought of you; you're the proof I use to measure what is true.  Simply sublime pop.

8. Stuck to You - Nikka Costa: a series of couplets about how she will complete her love.  My favorite?  "If you're a bride, I'll be your wedding; if you're the soul, I'll be your Otis Redding; If you're the verse, I'll be your song; if you're the King, I'll be your Kong."

9. Another Day - Jamie Lidell: completely impossible to stay in a blue mood with this song

10. How Am I to Be? - The Watson Twins: previously known for Rabbit Fur Coat, the record with Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley - Jeff created a Pandora station using these lovelies.  It's one of our favorites!

11. Pieces - The Bridges: I read about this family group - a brother, two sisters and a cousin - in Paste, and there they were on the next month's sampler.  Great harmonies, among other virtues...

12. The Show - Lenka: frothy and fun, loving this new voice

13. The New Love Song - Joshua James: this song cracks me up!  Great lyrics.

14. So What - Pink:  I dedicated this to a strong woman going through a messy divorce, transitioning from stay at home mom to single working mom.  A delightful kiss-off.

15. Violet Stars Happy Hunting! - Janelle Monae:  what Prince might be like if he was a girl. 

16. Black & Gold - Sam Sparro: Micah introduced me to this one day on YouTube - the video is rather trippy

17. Come Over Here - Sarah Bettens:  Heard this on one of the earlier seasons of L Word and again on a summer show called In Plain Sight - mesmerising! 

18. Gone - Matt Nathanson:  I really just need to hit the Complete my album button on this.

19. You Are Goodbye - Holly Conlan:  Things were pretty cheerful until this, but I really like her - funnily, I created this mix and then friend Amy invited me to join her in Portland for the Hotel Cafe tour, featuring Lenka and Holly Conlan, among other familiar faces.

20. Leave Me in the Dark - Keri Noble: heard her on Pandora, found her EP, couldn't possibly just get one song.

It's your Birthday...

Two of my favorite people in the world have birthdays in September, Jill and sister Katie, and I made this for them.

1. Mushaboom - Feist: that iPod commercial (1,2,3,4) opened up a whole new world for me

2. Cigarettes & Chocolate Milk - Rufus Wainwright:  a lovely, lilting melody detailing all the things he craves that are terribly bad for him.  Sounds familiar.

3. Temptation - Diana Krall: Torchy

4. In the Sun - Joseph Arthur: this was on one of the first Starbucks Hear Music mixes I ever bought (2000? Earlier?), and I've loved it ever since.  The rawness of his voice, the emotion, really move me.

5. Give a Little Love - Rilo Kiley: Jenny Lewis, et al, can do no wrong - they performed this on Austin City Limits and it made me love her even more.

6. Musicbox - Regina Specktor: a little piece of this song was featured on a whimsical JC Penney commercial last thanksgiving.

7. Moon Over Bourbon Street - Sting: having recently finished the Twighlight series (yes, fiction for young adults written by a mormon housewife - you try putting it down once you start) I had this ode to vampires in my head.

8. Long Ride Home - Patty Griffin: from the Elizabethtown soundtrack (unredeemable movie, outstanding soundtrack - c'mon Cameron, bring us something worthy of you) and what led me to her.

9. Morningside - Sarah Bareilles:  I can't wait to hear her sophomore album - I love nearly every cut from Little Voice and sing along with her lead, then replay so I can sing along with the backing track.  Genius.

10. Sara Smile - Joan Osborne: you know how I said above about loving Joan since the what if god was one of us era?  My very favorite songs are her covers - and Joan covering Hall and Oates?  How could I resist?

11. I Can See Clearly Now - Holly Cole Trio: this one was really for Katie, jazz chanteuse that she is.  I love how Ms. Cole plays with the tempo and phrasing in this familiar song.

12. Everyday - Erasure: Because I really can't make a mix without some reference to the 80's.  Just can't do it.

13. I'll Be Around - Tierney Sutton: This woman's rich and gorgeous voice spoke to me (sang, I guess) during a pedicure and I had to recall and search the lyrics to find it.  A 1958 hit for the Mills Brothers, apparently.

14. All This Love - Leigh Jones: Did I mention that I'm a sucker for a cover?  Especially a lovely blonde white woman who sounds like she could be front and center in a gospel choir?

15. Don't Let Me Fall - Lenka: The orchestration, at the intro, at the bridge - it's just wonderful.

16. Uninvited - Bostonian of Boston U: friends Tony and Megan found a fabulous compilation of college a cappella groups.  If only the Sirens of Swank or Schwa had been around when I was a student at Whitman.

17. Lovely Tonight - Joshua Radin: I alternate between loving and being annoyed by his breathy style.  This one I love.

18. Love is Love - Minnie Driver:  Yes, that Minnie Driver.  She's sweet and lovely and a little raspy and I enjoy her latest cd very much.

Singing itself.

I thought I should update this blog at least once in the month of July - just scooting in under the wire! Summer has been fun and frustrating in Wally World. Events really crank up for downtown, which means I'm working strange and long hours. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the family is off doing things without me, or waiting for me to get home. I love my job, and love putting these events on, but I miss being with my kids; when I'm home, I feel as though I should spend every waking hour with the kids and don't really spend enough grown-up time with hubby; and once again I feel as though I'm doing too much and not any of it well. Such is the dilemma of the working mother. Full-time, part-time, self-employed, stay-at-home - it's never perfect.

But enough whining! We've had many trips to the pool, the annual 4th of July Frankland Street Parade - featured on the front page of the local paper, no less, lots of tennis for Ben, some great kid-sitter experiences for Annalise with daily trips to the park and additions to her animal menagerie, a couple of thrilling camping adventures, two girl's night out at the movies (Sex and the City with 6 girlfriends, Mamma Mia with 11) a trip to Port Townsend (that's two ferry rides, thank you very much) and our big family reunion trip still to come.

And music - our lives are lived always with a soundtrack here. Two new mixes, from the usual sources: Paste, EW.com, Micah and Megan C., a few soundtracks (Veronica Mars, baby; Sex and the City), the iTunes "Listeners also purchased" list, etc. Cross-country distribution to the mail this weekend (I promise, Jill!).

In summer, the song sings itself. What a great quote by poet/author William Carlos Williams - no surprise that I'm not the first one to use it as a playlist title (entertaining Google search). Maybe not entirely original, but still a keeper!

Let It Out – Starrfadu (from that Kleenex commercial where people cry on the couch in the middle of the city)
My Only Offer – Mates of State
5:19 – Matt Wertz
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
Why Do You Let Me Stay Here? - She & Him (actress Zooey Deschanel - remember her from Elf? with one-man-band M. Ward)
Bonafied Lovin’ - Chromeo
You Wreck Me – Tom Petty
Coming Home – The 88
(I’ve Got to) Stop Thinkin’ ‘Bout That – Edwin McCain
Little Toy Gun – Honeyhoney
Mystery – Ashleigh Flynn
Late Last Night – Robby Hecht
Falling In Love in a Coffee Shop – Landon Pigg
I Want You to Be My Love – Over the Rhine
I Know I Know I Know – Tegan and Sarah
Greatest Hit – Annie (with a sample from my first Madonna crush, 'Everybody')
Lost & Found – Adrienne Pierce
I Hear the Bells – Mike Doughty
Giving Up – Ingrid Michaelson
Clementine – Raining Jane (this sounds even better live - see them if you can!)

Talking Like Trash, Shakin' Her Ass

Sing Again – Chris Walla
This Girl – Jordan Zevon
Fancy Footwork – Chromeo
Mamma Mia – ABBA (in honor of the sing-along experience!)
Stop and Stare – OneRepublic
I Don’t Think So – Priscilla Ahn
I Idolize You – Lizz Wright
Message of Love – The Pretenders (some songs are just too good to leave in the past - consider it my token 80's homage; you know there's at least one on every mix)
Dirty Laundry – Bitter:Sweet
Lolita – Prince
Bottle It Up – Sara Bareilles
February Air – Lights
Explode – Uh Huh Her
Open Fire – Sarah Mac Band (like these folks a whole bunch - I'm such a sucker for girls with guitars)
It’s Amazing – Jem
Birthday – The Bird and the Bee
You Picked Me – A Fine Frenzy
Baby Wait – Jonatha Brooke (the title comes from these lyrics)
Steer – Missy Higgins

New music to fall for: The Watson Twins full-length album, Priscilla Ahn's A Good Day, and I just heard a sweet pop/r&b groove by Brit Nikka Costa, Stuck to You. Sweet summer confection!