Weekend Listening: Holiday Playlist from Jillian

It's been a while since we did a Weekend Listening post, so I'm gonna start it up again. Holiday tunes are on the docket this weekend, and I can think of no one better than my very music-savvy friend Jillian to tell us about the best holiday songs we should be listening to while we sip eggnog and trim trees. Jillian... take it away!

Weekend Listening

I don't know about you, but this week went by fast. I hope the opposite is true for the weekend! Tomorrow I'm planning to take Edith with me to an antiques festival (I'm searching for new nightstands for my bedroom) and if the weather holds out, yard work is in order. How about you?

This edition of weekend listening features one of my all-time favorites, Josh Rouse. I just love him, and I really want to see him in concert. The Best of the Rykodisc Years compiles some of my favorite Josh Rouse songs onto one album. "Under Cold Blue Stars" reminds me of a boy I used to date. "Nothing Gives Me Pleasure" is the song I wish was written about me (so romantic!). And I always find myself doing the subconscious catchy-song headbob/sway/toetap when "Love Vibration," "Come Back," or "It's the Night Time" come on. If you're ever looking for a good Pandora station, type in Josh Rouse. Check out this album if you get the chance!

Have a sunny weekend, friends!

What I'm Listening To: June

I've fallen behind on my Weekend Listening posts (like most other posts on here... blimey!). I'll try to get back on that. In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you what I'm listening to for the month of June. My best friend Kelly started sending me her monthly playlists many moons ago, and since then we've be exchanging playlists each turn of the calendar. Braden has gotten in on the action a little bit, too. So I thought I'd share my June list with you! I hope you enjoy it.

What are you listening to this month? Any favorite musicians or bands you can't stop listening to? I'd love your recommendations!

PS - Some more tunes if you're in the mood to boogie.

Weekend Listening

Happy Friday friends! This week has been another whirlwind, and I don't see things slowing down anytime soon (in my book, however, busy is good). The good news is that it's a holiday weekend here in the States, and I can't wait for a little break. In fact, Dave, the kids and I are taking a little road trip to visit my folks. While back home, Dave and I will be slipping away for a few days to visit this fabulous inn and do a little wine tasting.

Anyone else taking a road trip this long weekend? No good road trip is complete without good music. My playlist for this weekend will include myriad musicians, but will not neglect one of my favorite bands, Gomez. The band's latest album, A New Tide, is so fun, fabulous and moody all at the same time. From the kitchy, upbeat "Airstream Driver," to the melodic and laidback "Mix," the album is one of my favorites by Gomez and makes the perfect soundtrack for driving through falling leaves.

I hope everyone finds time to relax this weekend, and I'll see you back here next week (with my final installation of our Rockport trip and pictures from our weekend jaunt!). Until then, my friends...

Weekend Listening

Happy weekend everybody! What are your plans for the next few days? I've had a general feeling of ennui the past week or so, and need some perking up - I'm thinking I might try to grab drinks with friends (did you know it's really hard to find a Pimm's Cup in the US?) and go see "The King's Speech." Anyone care to join me?

One thing that is definitely on the agenda for the weekend is finishing up a few projects and jamming out to some good music. My current obsession is Fitz and the Tantrums. The band's album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, is perfect for grooving and getting motivated to tackle a task. I could listen to "Moneygrabber"  or "Rich Girls" on repeat for an hour! Head over to the band's website for a free download of "Moneygrabber."

By the way, how AWESOME is this band's name? One of the best I've heard of in a while. I found Fitz and the Tantrums through our local independent radio station, WEXT. If you are a lover of great music (or news), please support independent radio.

Have a good weekend!

Weekend Listening



Woot Woot! It's Friday! Another week in the books. Got any plans for the weekend? I took most of today off, and made biscuits for breakfast. Edie and I picked about 15 pounds of strawberries this morning, and the rest of the day has been spent working on expanding my veggie and cutting garden. We had planned on having a bonfire to burn some remnant wood from the old barn we removed, but I think those plans have gone amok. Instead, Dave and I are going to hang out in the yard tonight and watch fireworks, I'll be doing more gardening tomorrow and making strawberry jam, and Sunday we'll have a nice family day to celebrate Father's Day.

So, a busy weekend, no doubt. I'll need some music I can jam-out to and keep me motivated. I think Passion Pit fits the bill, especially the songs "Little Secrets" and "To Kingdom Come." Both are on the album Manners, which is also a great driving album for those long summer road trips. Do you have any suggestions for other bands that help maintain productivity?

I hope you have a great weekend, hug your dads, and see you on the flip side!

Weekend Listening

Happy weekend everybody! I'm currently holed-up in a hotel room in Rochester, NY for a conference for one of my clients, and watching Jeff Bridges on Larry King Live. It hasn't been too bad, but I would certainly rather be cozied up at Silly Goose Farm and snuggling up my kids. And I miss them. While getting a good night's sleep is welcomed, I really miss those little buggers. Nothing a little music can't fix...

Especially if that music is from some of their favorite movies! I love a good Pixar movie, and I especially like the soundtracks. I so vividly remember going with my mom to see the first Toy Story when it came out (I was 9) and marveling at how cool the animation was. It is such a neat memory, and this music makes it even more vivid. I hope my kids will hear this music and think of the movies they love. How nice, then, that the lovely folks at Pixar compiled some of the most memorable songs into one album. Voila: Disney Pixar Greatest Hits. The best thing about it is that the entire album is family friendly, but still something mom and pop can get behind. Besides, who doesn't love a little Randy Newman every now and again?

So, what are you up to this weekend? If you live in the Northeast, I hope you are staying dry (this rainy Nor'Easter has been hitting us hard, eh? At least it's not snow... yet). I'd love to hear your plans!

A Little Weekend Listening

As I (begrudgingly) try to do some work this sun-shiny morning, I've truly enjoyed listening to the new tunes from Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Have you heard of them? If not, get familiar. I highly recommend them. I think you could easily play this entire album at a easy-breezy summer party instead of trying to create the perfect playlist.

Any new albums (or old, for that matter) that you can listen to from beginning-to-end? I'm always looking for new tunes. Leave me a comment and let me know what you're jamming out to lately.

Weekend Listening

 

I L-O-V-E Johnny Cash. I know he can be a bit polarizing in certain circles (kind of like Bob Dylan - people tend to love it or hate it. I tend to fall on the favorable side in either case). The recently released Bootleg, Volume 2: From Memphis to Hollywood is exactly how I like to hear the Man in Black - raw, gritty, and gripping. So many great songs that I find myself signing when I'm cleaning, cooking, or doing "everyman's" work - songs like "Get Rhythym" and "Big River." This album is great because it features so many forgotten Cash songs, while not being so obscure that the listener can't immediate be drawn to it. If you're in a foot-stompin' mood this weekend, definitely check it out!

Weekend Listenting - Holiday Edition

Today, I am prepping for Edie's birthday party tomorrow. Even though I'm in "birthday mode," "holiday mode" isn't far from my mind. Over the next few weeks, I thought I'd share some of my favorite holiday music to help us all get through that final seasonal push!

First up, James Taylor. The original "JT." The album At Christmas is timeless, and I could listen to his ethereal voice any time of year. I especially love his duet with Natalie Cole on "Baby, It's Cold Outside," (why can't JT try to convince me to spend the night with him? Such a cutie), as well as his version of "In the Bleak Midwinter," one of my favorite holiday songs ever.

Next, is a compilation of some jazz favorites, Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas. I like to dance around to these tunes, and Billie Holiday's "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" makes me want to throw on my best party dress and heels and head out to a fancy Christmas party.

Happy Listening!