The Best of 2006 lists are rolling in. I’m looking for trends.

Here’s Newsweek’s list – Full article Here

1. At War with the Mystics – The Flaming Lips

2. Broken Boy Soldiers – The Raconteurs

3. Food & Liquor, Lupe Fiasco

4. Savane, Ali Farka Touré

5. Once Again, John Legend

6. Ta-Dah, Scissor Sisters

7. Kingdom Come, Jay-Z:

8. What it Is! Funky Soul and Rare Grooves!!! Various Artists

9. Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers and Bastards, Tom Waits

My Comments: This is one of those all inclusive types of lists – skimming the cream from a number of genres.  The Tom Waits collection appears to be great, spanning 30 years with rarities outtakes and, of course, the Best of.

THREE of these artists played at the Virgin Festival  – Flaming Lips, Raconteurs and Scissor Sisters. 

All I’ve heard form the Jay-Z record is what’s on the Budweiser commercial…

I keep seeing Lupe Fiasco mentioned, but haven’t heard a note. Must investigate.

Behind the wheel here at Dad’s Car Radio, we love Christmas music. So, Chelsea and I have decided to compile our own personal lists of our favorite Christmas tunes.  We aren’t claiming theses are the best, just our favorites.

Dad’s List

White Christmas – Etta James – She just flat out  owns this song – it swings and shines.

We Three Kings – Rahsaan Roland Kirk – The mysterious mood created by this recording is both spooky and enchanting. Multi-instrumentalism took on a new meaning with Kirk, he would play two or three wind instruments – at the same time! Blind of sight but with powerful visions…

2000 Miles – The Pretenders – Their version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" is now one of th most played songs each holiday season – for good reason – but I love the sweet swing of the Christmastime song of Long distance love and longing.

John and Yoko – Happy Christmas (War is Over, if You Want it) – At least once a season it makes me cry, and every other time it brings me hope and peace.

Brig Crosby and David Bowie – Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth – Recorded for a Bing Crosby TV special in 1977 – this was an historic event, and it is great fun to watch.

Merry Christmas Darling – The Carpenters – Listen to this song and allow yourself to be amazed by Karen Carpenters magnificent talent.  The fullness of that voice, the richness of tone and masterful control are some things that don’t seem to exist in today’s pop music.  The arrangement is lovely and the production is lush – but it is all just a framework to showcase That Voice.

Father Christmas – The Kinks – Many rock bands have written Christmas and holiday tunes and most suck. This one rocks!

Let it Snow – Michael Franks – This guy will never have to have Polyps removed from his vocal cords… No stress there. A cool take on a chilly classic.

And now,

Chelsea’s List

The latest Las Vegas production from Cirque Du Soleil is "Love" featuring the music of the Beatles.  The soundtrack was released last week and it’s a joy. Mixed as a continuous 73 minute mash up of about 100 Beatles songs it flows with style and grace taking a drumbeat here a guitar riff there a vocal flourish here a sound effect there and painting a lovely backdrop for the 21st century circus art of Cirque Du Soliel.  I have not yet seen the live show, but the one that plays in my head is pretty good.