Favorite Songs of 2012

Another year, and another great year for new music. With a Top 10 favorite albums list to come soon, I thought I would make a post of the top five songs that rocked my world in 2012. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did this year!

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A Love Song for Christmas.....

Merry Xmas from Bob Dylan

In what is now a yearly ritual to get me in the spirit, listening to Bob Dylan's excellent Xmas show (from Season 1 of his sadly missed Theme Time Radio Hour) is a must. Besides playing everything from early Bob Seger to Celia Cruz; you must hear Dylan's 4 minute reading of Clement Moore's "The Night Before Christmas". If this does not get you into the holiday spirit, then you are a true Grinch!

Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward all!
Disc One:
Swinging for Christmas (Boppin’ for Santa) - Tom Archia
Christmas is a-comin’ - Leadbelly
A party ror Santa Claus - Lord Nelson
Sock it to me Santa - Bob Seger & The Last Heard
Who took the merry out of Christmas? - The Staple Singers
Please come home for Christmas - Charles Brown
Jingle Bells - Johnny Paycheck
It must be Christmas - Gerry Mulligan & Judy Holiday
Christmas morning - Titus Turner
Poor old Rudolph - The Bellrays
Blue Xmas - Bob Dorough & Miles Davis
Far away Christmas Blues - Little Esther & Johnny Otis Orchestra
Beatniks wish - Patsy Raye & The Beatniks
Don’t believe in Christmas - The Sonics
Christmas tree - King Stitt
Silent night - Huey “Piano” Smith and the Clowns

Disc Two:

Must be Santa - Brave Combo
Mambo Santa Mambo - The Enchanters
Fiesta de Navidad - Celia Cruz & La Senora Matancera
Merry Christmas Darling - Hop Wilson & His Buddies
Merry Merry Christmas - Alton Davis & The Lipsticks
The Merriest - June Christy
Truckin’ trees for Christmas - Red Simpson
Christmas in jail - The Youngsters
I want a casting couch for Christmas - Kay Martin & Her Body Guards
Santa Claus - Sonny Boy Williamson II
Hello Mr. New Year - Cool Breezers
Happy Christmas, Happy New Year - Mabel Mafuya
Christmas to New Year’s - The Larks
What are you doing New Year’s Eve - Nancy Wilson

New Yo La Tengo!

The most interesting, consistent, and downright best band of the last 20+ years has to be New Jersey's own Yo La Tengo. In February 2013 they will release their latest masterpiece titled "Fade" and with it embark on a massive U.S. tour. See them live if you want to have your life changed for the better. Below is the opening track from the new album and further proof why Yo La Tengo rock my world!

The Boss with The Stones

With The Rolling Stones setting down in New York for a big pay-per-view special last Saturday Night, the band invited some awesome and diverse guests to join them. The Black Keys, Bruce Springsteen, and Lady Gaga (?!) all came to the party. Check out this great clip of Bruce playing with his heroes and looking every bit like a kid in a candy store!

Save Travels to Ravi Shankar

The master of the sitar, Ravi Shankar passed away this week at the age of 92. I remember being about 6 years old when I first heard his music. My parents had a copy of "The Concert for Bangladesh" album and I eagerly put it on to hear some "Beatles" rock and roll; which I already loved. What I heard on Side One was the strangest, most captivating music I had ever heard and it rocked my little brain wide open. Up until I heard Ravi as a kid, I had loved music but I don't think I had ever really HEARD music. His was music you had to open up your entire heart and mind to really hear. He was my gateway into more "challenging" music; jazz, classical, and the Grateful Dead. After hearing Ravi Sharkar, the AM Radio hits of the 70's just wouldn't do! As I sit here today at 42 years old listening to Ravi's epic "Raga Asa Bhairav", I still feel the same awe that I did at 6 years old. There is no other artist who can transport me musically the way Ravi did and will continue to do. Safe and peaceful travels Ravi.....and thank you.

R.I.P. Dave Brubeck

Jazz pioneer and pianist extraordinaire Dave Brubeck passed away today at the age of 91. While he may not be considered "cool" in the hipster jazz world due to his huge crossover success, his talent and innovation cannot be denied. He left so many wonderful recordings that he will never really be gone. Here is just one of the greats!

Songs for a Sunday by Lord Huron

A strong contender for top 10 album of the year has to be this debut folk-rock beauty by Lord Huron called "Lonesome Dreams". It's one of those albums that sounds nice on first listen but the more you play it, it begins to really sink in and take you over. Think Fleet Foxes jamming with My Morning Jacket in the woods during Autumn after a bad breakup and you kind of get the idea. Every song on the album is amazing, but these are a couple of my personal favorites. Enjoy!