What new music did you get for Christmas?

Pehare - Thanks for the Jesse Sykes heads-up (and for the second Fujindemon). I just happened to have a copy of "Oh Girl" that a friend had given me (probably for the very reason you'd recomended her) that was sitting in my small stack of things to listen to. It's on right now and indeed I do like it very much.

Kevyo - Kate Bush's "Aerial" is among the Xmas booty I have yet to listen to. I'll make sure I do it when I'm not tired, though I can't imagine falling asleep to her dramatic voice.

Enjoyed a new (to me) Townes Van Zandt album, "Rear View Mirror", but the recording/acoustics of that live album aren't that great. Can anyone recommend a good introductory CD to his music that is a better recording. Also enjoyed John Prine's "Fair&Square". I guess I had a country theme going this Xmas.

Marco

Got a Billi Holiday box set.

Cool beans Slappy! Didn't peg you for a fan. Do you like Nina Simone as well? If you haven't heard her stuff, check her out too. here's a good introductory collection of her stuff.

Marco

Some nice recommendations in here. Having listened through my stack a few times now, I'll stick with a strong recommendation for Mary Gauthier's "Mercy Now" as well as Rickie Lee Jones "Naked Songs" (if you are a fan of her music). The latter is a great live acoustic recording of Rickie jamming with just one instrument (guitar or piano). I have to say that as much as I like her earlier work, Kate Bush's new double CD "Aerial" did not grab me. Gone are the theatrical extremes and though I didn't think I might miss them, I do. I can understand why Kevyo fell asleep twice. I've been digging on some old John Denver stuff too. It's like Chris Rock says..."Whatever you were listening to when you first got laid is going to stay with you forever". I got a soft spot in my soul for John Denver. There I said it.

Marco

I'll pick up that Jack Johnson Albert. I like his stuff, and haven't heard the new one. Thanks.

Marco

PS I saw Ernestine Anderson play Jazz Alley about eight years ago. Damn, what a voice!

I just received Kate Bush "Aerial" from England on LP. The artwork is stunning and this double album worth the price for side B alone, (as far as I've listened while writing this).

I'm gonna' need to listen a few more times to that one. Just didn't move me at all, especially with expectations built by the likes of "The Dreaming" and "Hounds of Love". I really found Aerial quite boring on first listen...nothing really grabbed me as it did you. I'll take another few listens. Thanks for the input Albert.

Marco

One thing I will say about Aerial, even on the CD, the recording/mixing is excellent and her voice does sound great. I just prefer her more dramatic range from the albums I mentioned. This stuff all sounds pretty similar, cut-to-cut, and is very low-key and silky in comparison to her earlier stuff which reached out and grabbed you and didn't let go. With all the nature sampling in Aerial it kind of reminds me of watching grass grow. Even the mixes that start to hint at the old Kate, like "Sunset" go back to slow and even. Still, I've often find giving an album many plays I sometimes become more engaged by it...sometimes not. I think I just need to drop my expectations....We'll see.

Marco