Music of the Month

November 29, 2005 · 3 comments

John Mayer Trio, Try!: It is no secret that I love/worship John Mayer. If you haven't yet heard the John Mayer Trio, give 'em a listen. They will blow all of your preconceived notions of typical John Mayer music right out of the water. I just spent the last thirty minutes playing the beginning riff to "Who Did You Think I Was" over and over and faking my way through the rest because let's be honest, I'm no Mayer. But it's just so fun. Favorite tracks: Good Love Is On the Way, Vultures

Jamie Cullum, Catching Tales: If you like Norah Jones, Michael Buble, and/or Gavin DeGraw, you'll probably like Jamie Cullum. He's a jazz/pop/funk artist from the UK who captured my heart with his last CD, Twentysomething. Jamie's sophomore release is a little bit familiar and a little bit different, and both are welcome. You can't help but nod your head in approval the second that you pop in the CD and you hear his first single, "Get Your Way." The album is very refreshing. Favorite tracks: Get Your Way, London Skies, 21st Century Kid

Martin Sexton, Camp Holiday: Martin Sexton has one of the most unique voices in the industry, and sometimes I wonder why I enjoy it so much. Camp Holiday is his first Christmas album and it's one of the most relaxing Christmas albums I have ever heard. I think I read a review somewhere (probably on Amazon) that said it is a perfect CD to have playing while sitting next to a fire during the holidays. That sounds just right. Now all I need is a fire. Favorite tracks: I'll Be Home for Christmas, Blue Christmas, Little Drummer Boy

The Blenders, Most Wonderful Time: The Blenders more or less define my Christmas music experience. I can't conceive going through the month of December without Nog and When It Snows on repeat. I was completely taken by surprise when I saw that they were releasing another Christmas album. I'll be honest, I don't think it's as solid as the previous two Christmas albums, but that doesn't mean it sucks. Track 2, "Go Tell It On the Mountain" has quickly become one of my favorite Blenders songs, but as a whole I just think something is lacking. I'll still listen to it a million times, though, because I love their music. Favorite tracks: Go Tell It On the Mountain, Frosty the Snowman/Here Comes Santa Claus

Pride & Prejudice, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: You're probably wondering what the heck this album is doing on this list. Hear me out. I saw the movie with my mom during Thanksgiving break and it was awesome. Even Roger Ebert gave it a perfect score. After I saw the movie I decided I need to read the book, which I hope to do over Christmas break. Anyway, every good movie must be accompanied by a solid score and this movie is no exception. I was amazed to see that at the time of this writing, the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack was #42 in sales rank at Amazon.com in the music category, and has a 5-star customer review rating. It's a very mellow album that is a great companion to relaxing, homework, reading, etc.

Travis Cottrell, Alive Forever: This album is on the list solely because it has the most amazing rendition of In Christ Alone I have ever heard.

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  • Kelly

    You posted at my favorite time. 12:34!!!!! But sir, I would suggest that the next time that this number on the clock rolls around you should be in your lovely bed with your hotel blanket instead.

  • http://polyspline.com/blog/ Ryan Tow

    I concur, “Try!” is an amazing recording. Very, very tight. Steve Jordan rocks the drums. People who have the pre-conceived john mayer notions haven’t heard much of him live. I caught a blues fest on PBS last year where he was just up there jamming … incredible. This quote from a review on Amazon.com sums that up ..

    john mayer is a smart man. throw together a couple of pop records…make some bread…get some chicks…score a couple grammies…and then, when the future looks protected, make a cd of music he is passionate about.

    My wife is the proud owner of what literary nuts would consider the “real” Pride and Prejudice movie – the 6+ hour A&E miniseries. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, etc. Feel free to borrow it over the holidays, Jake.

  • http://www.xanga.com/comfortablewithyou Lyndsey

    those are two of my favorite tracks on Try! too, but i also love “another kind of green”.

    i think i’m finally convinced i should go see pride and prejudice. i have watched the aforementioned A&E miniseries and hated every minute of it! although the storyline intrigued me…thanks for the recommendation :)