Thanksgiving Spirit, Day 11

Thanksgiving is a time for visitors! Friends, families, neighbors--whoever! This old tune is an open invitation for all those holiday guests. It has been done by about a bazillion people, but I like this version performed by super tenor, Arlie Duff. Y'all Come!

Today's Song:
"Y'all Come"
Arlie Duff


 

Thanksgiving Spirit, Day 10

Another tune that just nails that Thanksgiving vibe—both in title and in sound.

Today's Song:
"Stuffy Turkey"
Thelonious Monk

Thanksgiving Spirit, Day 9

Today's song is an old Fats Waller tune, done by the incomparable duo, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. It's message is most likely a thinly veiled comment about a physically attractive women. However, in the context of Thanksgiving, it is obviously about a troubled couple who prepared only meat for Thanksgiving. Those poor people. Oh, beware, lest you do the same. Make sure someone is assigned those mashed potatoes! For me, I'm assigning my buddy Dallin. He knows his taters.

Today's Song:
"All That Meat and No Potatoes"
Louis Armstrong

Thanksgiving Spirit, Day 8

Recently, this hymn has really resonated with me. As I was driving to work, the sun just peaked perfectly over the mountain, throwing long shadows across the mountains and into the city. The "painted desert" really came alive. This hymn came to mind. This arrangement by John Rutter is one I've known a long time, but recently it's come back to me with fresh gratitude.

Today's Song:
"For the Beauty of the Earth"
Arranged by John Rutter

Thanksgiving Spirit, Day 7

Like I said, a lot of Thanksgiving music is about food. Well, here another perfect food song. James Brown gets it.

Today's Song:
"(Do the) Mashed Potatoes"
James Brown

Thanksgiving Spirit, Day 6

Most Thanksgiving music is about food, obviously. However, not every song NAILS the feeling of digging into that feast with your your loved ones around. This song really gets it.

Today's Song:
"Groovy Gravy"
Quincy Jones

Thanksgiving Spirit, Day 5

This song isn't exactly a Thanksgiving song, but then again "My Favorite Things" isn't exactly a Christmas song. I mean, it's a welcome addition to the Christmas Music Canon, but it's origins aren't really "Christmas."

Whatever. Anyway, this is a Tom Waits song, performed by one of my favorite artists, Norah Jones. It's just got this lovely feel to it. It's feels like the season, you know? Check it out.

Today's Song:
"Long Way Home"
Covered by Norah Jones