2007 Favorite Albums

Music for me isn't just sound waves. As a musician and music lover, music truly is an experience. So, my favorite albums of 2007 aren't just works of great creativity, genius and musical talent. Each one speaks to me also because of it's innovation, message, fun factor or the story behind it's creation.

This list really gets to the essence of what music is about for me (and I'm really going to go fully "Almost Famous" with this)...

it's about the dream.

It's about the dream of playing some music that other people digg. It's about inspiring, educating, or just moving someone's finger or foot. It's about the smile that occurs on a person's face, in some town you've never been to, at the precise moment of the chord change you played or note you sang. It's about the small but perceptible difference the smile makes in that person's day, week, life. It's about communication on a level attainable only through music. It's about beauty... so sorely needed in our world.

#1
Album: In Rainbows
Artist: Radiohead



#2
Album: Belle et Fou
Artist: Jazzanova

#3
Album: Food In The Belly
Artist: Xavier Rudd

#4
Album: The Reminder
Artist: Feist

#5
Album: The Mix-Up
Artist: Beastie Boys

#6
Album: Cassadaga
Artist: Bright Eyes

#7
Album: What Happened To Television
Artist: The Greyboy Allstars

Holiday (Mostly Christmas) Music

These are some of my favorite songs for the holidays:

Song: The Christians and the Pagans
Album: Mortal City
Artist: Dar Williams

Since my family is a mix of agnostics, atheists and other non-christians, and my sister's family is of the Christian persuasion, we laughed out loud at this song over the holidays last year. If you have a similar mix among your loved ones, this is a great song to break any related tension.

Song: Skating
Album: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Artist: Vince Guaraldi Trio

To me, this song (and the album) represents the holiday season better than any other. It instantly conjures images of Snoopy skating deftly across the ice and giant snow flakes falling slowly.

Song: White Christmas
Album: All Time Christmas Favorites Vol. 1
Artist: Bing Crosby

Song: Santa Baby
Album: Platinum & Gold Collection: Eartha Kitt
Artist: Eartha Kitt & Henri René

Many have tried to imitate Eartha Kitt; Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Miss Piggy.

Song: Oh Hanukkah Groove
Album: Festival of Light 2
Artist: The Frank London Big Band

Song: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Album: Christmas With Dino
Artist: Dean Martin

Song: The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)
Album: The Christmas Song
Artist: Nat King Cole

Song: Cool Yule
Album: 20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection: The Best of Louis Armstrong
Artist: Louis Armstrong & The Commanders

Song: Sleigh Ride
Album: Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
Artist: Ella Fitzgerald

Song: Feliz Navidad
Album: Feliz Navidad
Artist: José Feliciano

Song: Unto Us A Child Is Born
Album: Handel's Messiah
Artist: The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir & Walter Susskind

Song: I Have A Little Dreidel/Hanukkah
Album: Hanukkah... And All That Jazz
Artist: Jon Simon

Song: Ma O'Tzur
Album: Y2Klezmer
Artist: The Alexandria Kleztet

Song: You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch
Album: Celebrate The Season
Artist: Boris Karloff

Song: Jingle Bells
Album: James Taylor At Christmas
Artist: James Taylor

This is my favorite version of Jingle Bells-- very funky. Unfortunately, iTunes sells it with the album only.

If you have suggestions for this post, please leave a comment. I would love to have some more songs from other traditions. Peace.