Hello, hi, how r u?
I hope youāre well and feeling suitably festive! Things have been a bit warp-speed over here, but in a goooood way. And as I say to you at this time every year; I am very excited about Christmas.
ITāS NEARLY CHRISTMAS!
Now, usually this time of year I roll out the same Christmas themed playlist, and just hope you donāt notice (you probably do, but youāre always too polite to mention it). This year thoughā¦ I HAVE SOMETHING NEW FOR YOU!
Now, it might only be the 10th of December, but Iām guessing youāve heard a lot of the same songs a few times, and while thatās not a mood-killer, itās also nice to hear some other stuff thatās still festive and magic. So thatās what Iāve tried to bring you this week - Iām sure youāll recognise a lot, but hopefully theyāll not be too tired, and hopefully thereāll be some new gems for you too.
So, this weekās mixtape has a very itās-christmas-letās-turn-the-news-off-and-just-be-merry-and-dance-around-in-our-pyjamas vibe. So, shall we?
See you on the dancefloor,
Jed x
PS. If you're new here thenĀ this is howĀ it works.Ā Hereās what youāve missed so far.Ā
TL;DR Section šŖ
Stuff to hear
Green-House - Music For Living Spaces. Yes, this is the second time Iām mentioning it, but just listen, please. Itās a tonic for the world right now
The wonderful Harold Heath collects together some of the best music to listen to at the wrong speed
I got some post from On The Corner this week, so Iāve been mainly listening to Words and Endings by Uffe, Petwo Evansā Double Drop, and Birds of Paradise by The Diabolical Liberties
Stuff to read
Will Hodgkinsonās interview with Lady Blackbird (and the paywall seems to be down for it)
Anne Helen Peterson asks; is there too much stuff?
This series of charts on the (re)rise and (re)rise of vinyl (the environmental impact stuff is particularly sobering)
Stuff to watch
Get Back. Yes, I know everyone is going on about it, but thatās because itās really, really good. Then read this from ideas fountain, Steven Johnson
Spend the festive break watching back through the VF Live archives
Stuff to do
Pour through Complexās 2021 highlights from music journalism
Tell a friend about Love Will Save The Day ā¤ļø
Old notes home š
ā¦on culture
Rebuilding culture: fixing the asymmetry of art, culture, and commerceĀ
A response to the argument that culture is boring these days
ā¦on music
ā¦on mental health
The tracklist š¶
Ella Fitzgerald - Sleigh Ride
The Enchanters - Mambo Santa Mambo
Augie Rios - Donde Esta Santa Claus
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Skating
Charlie Parker - White Christmas
Lou Rawls - Christmas Will Really Be Christmas
William Bell - Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday
The Mamas & The Papas - Snowqueen of Texas
Vulfpeck - Santa Baby
PJ Morton - All I Want For Christmas Is You
Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime
Aloe Blacc - I Canāt Wait For Christmas
The Poets Of Rhythm - Santaās Got A Bag Of Soul
The Rebirth - Fat Santa
Donny Hathway - This Christmas
Rotary Connection - Christmas Love
Diana Ross & The Supremes - It Wonāt Be Long āTil Christmas
The Impressions - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
The Staple Singers - Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas
Kid Creole And The Coconuts - Christmas On Riverside Drive
Elton John - Step Into Christmas
Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad
Squirrel Nut Zippers - Hot Christmas
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Christmas All Over Again
Canned Heat - Christmas Blues
Wendy & Bonnie - The Winter Is Cold
The Flaming Lips - A Change at Christmas
Khruangbin - Christmas Time Is Here
Tom Waits - Christmas Card From A Hooker
Scott Walker - Winter Night