Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I'm baaack! Two seasons have passed since my last podcast, but I'm so hap-happy to come back at the most wonderful time of the year! This one is for Christmas Music lovers -- I count myself proudly among them -- I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do!

Playlist:

Oscar Peterson - "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

Donny Hathaway - "This Christmas"

Thurl Ravenscroft - "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch"

Aretha Franklin - "Winter Wonderland"

Frank Sinatra - "Jingle Bells"

James Brown - "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto"

The Carpenters - "Merry Christmas Darling"

Mickey Rooney and Keenan Wynn - "Put One Foot In Front Of The Other"

Dance Hall Crashers - "I Did It For The Toys"

Paul McCartney - "A Wonderful Christmas Time"

Stevie Wonder and India Arie - "The Christmas Song"

Vince Guaraldi Trio - "Christmas Time Is Here (vocal)"

Nancy Wilson - "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"

The Pretenders - "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

If you want to download an mp3 of this podcast, click below:

Download "Christmas 2009 Podcast," baby!

Dear Michael

I had a different podcast planned for this week and spent many days in resistance to a Michael Jackson tribute, as I feel we're already inundated with MJ news and footage 24/7 and will be for some time to come. But as my numbness to his death wore off, it suddenly became imperative to spend an hour celebrating the musical contributions of one of the most spectacular talents we will ever see in our lifetime. Of course there's no way to be comprehensive in one hour, so I just went for songs that are representative of Michael's entire career or that, doggone it, just felt right. I will be back with my regular format next time, but this time, it's all about The King Of Pop.

Playlist:

"This Place Hotel"

"Never Can Say Goodbye"

"I'll Be There"

"Dancing Machine"

"Enjoy Yourself"

"Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)"

"Ben"

"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"

"Billie Jean"

"Human Nature"

"Remember The Time"

"Butterflies"

"Man In The Mirror"

If you want to download an mp3 of this podcast (and get better quality sound), click below:

Download "Dear Michael," Baby!

Bring On The Brits!

In honor of absolutely nothing other than good, fun music, this week's podcast focusses on artists from across the pond.  So break out your tea, your Trilby hats and your Doc Maartens -- it's all about the U.K. today!

Playlist:

New Order - "Dreams Never End" (partial)

The Clash - "London Calling"

Pet Shop Boys - "West End Girls"

Billy Idol - "Hot In The City"

The Verve - "Bitter Sweet Symphony"

The Cranberries - "Linger"

Soul II Soul feat. Caron Wheeler - "Back To Life" (Single Remix)

Swing Out Sister - "Closer Than The Sun"

Elton John - "Bennie And The Jets"

U2 - "Sweetest Thing"

Squeeze - "Tempted"

Elvis Costello - "Everyday I Write The Book"

If you want to download an mp3 of this podcast, click below:

Download "Bring On The Brits!" Baby!

Skip's "Femmes" Podcast

Last time, Skip threw down with his favorite male singers.  This time, he brings it with the ladies.  Click below to hear some of the sexiest, sassiest, strongest, and smoothest distaff singers to ever step in front of the mic!

Download Skip's "Femmes" Podcast, Baby!

Playlist:

Barbara Pittman - "I Need A Man"

Carole Simpson - "Bell, Book, And Candle"

Jackie DeShannon - "When You Walk In The Room"

Hazel Dickens - "You'll Get No More Of Me"

Lisa Christian w/The Skip Heller Trio - "6:00 Train And A Girl With Green Eyes"

Barbara Mason - "Yes, I'm Ready"

Bertha Tillman - "Oh My Angel"

Dolly Parton - "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"

Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley - "Save Your Love For Me"

Timi Yuro - "Whatsa Matter Baby"

Loretta Lynn - "The Pill"

Father's Day 2009: Songs From My Father

Above is a photo of me and my dad, Thomas Lakin, from 1969 -- the year I was born.  Ever since then, he has been a major musical influence on me, particularly in my teens and 20s, when he did so purposefully.  Unfortunately he passed away in 1994, but his spirit and guidance live on with me always, particularly through the music he loved and shared so enthusiastically.  In honor of Father's Day, I'm podcasting a smattering of the music my father gave to me one way or the other -- I hope you enjoy and have a terrific Father's Day!

Playlist:

Horace Silver - "Song For My Father" (partial)

Captain & Tennille - "Love Will Keep Us Together"

Steely Dan - "Deacon Blues"

Phoebe Snow - "Either Or Both"

The Doobie Brothers - "Minute By Minute"

Brenda Russell - "In The Thick Of It"

Tuck & Patti - "Time After Time"

Billie Holiday - "Don't Worry 'Bout Me"

Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley - "Happy Talk"

Gino Vanelli - "I Just Wanna Stop"

Snoop Doggy Dogg - "Gin And Juice"

Commodores - "Easy"

If you want to download an mp3 of this podcast, click below:

Download "Father's Day 2009," Baby!

Skip's "Favorite Male Singers" Podcast

Who are Skip Heller's musical man crushes?  Click below to find out but let your ears and heart beware -- you'll be sure to fall in love, too!

Download Skip's "Favorite Male Singers" Podcast, Baby!

Playlist:

Theme:  "Katrina, Mon Amor" by Skip Heller

Roger Miller - "England Swings"

Johnny Cash - "Without Love"

Merle Haggard - "California Cottonfields"

Johnny "Guitar" Watson - "When Did You Leave Heaven"

Steely Dan - "What A Shame About Me"

Major Lance - "Monkey Time"

Johnny Mercer - "A Gal In Calico"

King Cole Trio - "My Sugar Is So Refined"

Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington - "Azalea"

Teen Dreams, Pt. 2: The Collective

They're back!  As promised in my "Teen Dreams" podcast, if I got enough requests, I'd do a follow-up show on Teen Idols.   Happily, my wonderful listeners did not disappoint, so here's "Teen Dreams, Pt. 2: The Collective" -- entitled such because, to paraphrase "High School Musical," we were all in this together.  It was as much fun as Part One for me, and I hope you feel the same.  And as a "Teen Dreams" video bonus, you can click right here to link to Janet's still-incredible "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" video  or Madonna's iconic "Lucky Star" video!  Enjoy!

Playlist:

Justin Timberlake - "Sexy Back" (partial)

Madonna - "Lucky Star"

Duran Duran - "Girls On Film"

Styx - "Too Much Time On My Hands"

Frankie Avalon - "Venus"

The Supremes - "You Keep Me Hangin' On"

Shaun Cassidy - "Hey Deanie"

Spice Girls - "Wannabe"

Wham! feat. George Michael - "Careless Whisper"

The Police - "Can't Stand Losing You"

Sparks - "I Wish I Looked A Little Better"

Lady GaGa - "Starstruck"

Janet Jackson - "Love Will Never Do (Without You)"

If you want to download an mp3 of this podcast, click below:

Download "Teen Dreams, Pt. 2: The Collective," Baby!