A Friendly Holiday 2011

Here it is in all it's glory. Please Click on the bands to hear more great music.

1. Intro by Davin

2. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm by S.L.F.M.

3. White Christmas by Michael Gross and The Statuettes

4. Jolly Old Saint Nicholas by Purple Mums

5. Light The Candle Spin The Dreidel by Secret Abilities

6. A Winters Carol by Eriksonn & Todd

7. What Are You Doing New Years Eve? by The Dawn and Dew

8. It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas by Dennis Driscoll

9. December Story by B.C. Sterrett

10. The Peace Carol by Jesse & Charley Tucker

11. Burning Latke by The Radioactive Chicken Heads

12. Santa Lost His Sleigh by Butt-Out

13. It's My Mother and my Father and My Sister and the Dog by Barry Louis Polisar

14. Six White Boomers by Danger Button

15. Go Tell it on the Mountain by Loralee Jessen Nicolay

16. Frozen Embers by Morrow Hill

17. Christmas Time by Drunk and Horny

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Thrift Store Finds Vol. 2

here it is, my second mix of songs from random records i've found at thrift stores around where i live. enjoy.

1. Good People Sometimes by Mr. Rogers
2. A Groovy Kind Of Love by Mrs. Miller
3. Sabre Dance by Les Baxter
4. Daydream by The Gunter Kallmann Choir
5. What A Lot Of Flowers by Richard Harris
6. Mmm, Nice! by Bob Thompson, His Chorus and Orchestra
7. Onward Christian Soldiers by Bill & Jean Bradway
8. I Want To Hold Your Ear by Bert
9. Misty by Bill "The Candyman" Kehr
10. My Dad by The Holker Family
11. Dancing In The Kitchen by Rod McKuen
12. Computer Age (Push The Button) by Newcleus
13. Break The Ice by John Farnham
14. A Hard Day's Night by Sandy Nelson
15. El Angle De Mi Amor "Dream Lover" by Los Moonlights
16. Nightmare by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra
17. Besame Mucho by Rene Touzet and his Orchestra
18. Sweet Hour Of Prayer by Dorothy Matar
19. On Temple Square by Jessie Evans Smith
20. Phonemena (for soprano and tape) by Milton Babbitt

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Rockabilly Time!!

I have really been into rockabilly lately. here are few really great albums. enjoy.

The Desperate Rock 'N' Roll Series:
this is a large series of fantastic old unknown bands. There are 19 volumes in all and i've only listened to a few of them but my favorite so far is Vol. 2, which contains a couple of my favorite rockabilly-ish songs so far track #1 (Woman Love by Jimmy Johnson) and track #30 (You Ain't No Good For Me by Jimmy Lee)

Desperate Rock 'N' Roll vol. 2

Kim Lenz and the Jaguars:

a modern rockabilly artist i can't seem to get enough of. raved as the modern rockabilly queen, with rolling stone mag saying "If Elvis had been a woman, he probably would have sounded just like Kim Lenz.” this being her 4th and most recent album with my personal favorite songs including "Touch Me" and "Zombie For Your Love".

Music Video for "Zombie For Your Love":

I guess Christian music can be cool.

The Welcome Wagon is my new favorite band, which is interesting cause i absolutely hate "christian rock". Well i guess The Welcome Wagon isn't really considered christian rock, more like christian indie pop which is a new thing i've been discovering.  You see i really like religious uplifting music, like old blue grass and folk hymns and sometimes even cheesy 80's christian pop like Michael McLean, and some Michael W Smith or even i'll dabble a tiny bit in some Jars Of Clay... maybe, that's a bit pushing it.
Anyhow back to this cool christian indie pop stuff. i believe i discovered it a few years ago when i started listing to Pedro the Lion and Sufjan Stevens, of either not really realizing to be considered "christian" music. but either way it was really great music. Then from studying more about Sufjan i discovered Danielson or The Danielson Famile and Half-Handed Cloud, all of which are also really pleasant bands. But it wasn't until i listened to this husband and wife band called The Welcome Wagon (i'm always a fan of husband and wife bands and hope to have one of my own someday) that i decided that christian music can really be cool and pleasing to listen to.

Up On A Mountain happens to be my favorite song for the time being. You can find it on the album "Welcome To The Welcome Wagon" produced by Sufjan Stevens himself. but my favorite version of the song would be the stripped down demo, it is really a beautiful song.

Up On A Mountain (Demo) by The Welcome Wagon

so now if you know of any "hip" christian bands please let me know about them. thanks!

Thrift Store Finds

I bought this record cause i figured it was old Paul Anka covers done in Portogiese. And i was right.

Not only are they just old Paul Anka covers, they are Really Great songs. Here is one of my favorites.

Hey Mama by Celly Campello 


Bonus video of Celly Campello

Thrift Store Finds

This album is really fantastic.

After i picked this up and listened to it i wanted to know everything i could about Esther Phillips. She was praised by many artists including Aretha Franklin, Kenny Rgers, and The Beatles, she even did the favorite Beatles cover of John and Paul when she covered "And I Love Him (Her)". She constantly struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and she died to soon at age 48 from liver and kidney failure.
My favorite song off the album "Scarred Knees" has a sweet "humm" with a squeak every once in a while.... you'll see.


Scarred Knees - Esther Phillips 

It's a Secret.

I have a band called Secret Abilities.

here is a new song we recorded.

The Creation by Secret Abilities

here is our "myspace"

SECRET ABILITIES

Outsiders

Last night i went CD shopping for the first time in quite a while. I won't pay more than 10$ for a CD so i browsed through the used section and came out with a few gems. I'm always on the look out for "Little Wings" albums which are very hard to come by, especially in the used section. But just my luck some guy traded in a ton of really great CDs while i was there, amongst them were a handful of Little Wings! HURRAY! (more on Little Wings later) But for this blog entry iwanted to touch on the other album i found. The fantastically awful album "The Shaggs Philosophy of the World"

i've always had a hard time listing to any The Shaggs music. but i figure it's sooo bad that i must have it in my collection. So here is a song from the album for all of you to enjoy.

My Pal Foot Foot by The Shaggs

Thrift Store Finds

Now it's about time i share with you my thrift store finds starting with one of my favorites, the self titled "Boss & The Conch Shells".

Boss and the Conch Shells was the in house band for the King's Inn & Golf Club International in Freeport, Grand Bahamas Island in the late 60's early 70's. Performing at the hotel's Bikini Bar poolside and once a week in the Bahama club.

This is a great album, a mellow tropical/reggae style. With great lo-fi quality recordings.

Man Smart - Boss & The Conch Shells

The Man, The Myth, The Legend.

I enjoy Jonny Cohen

Space Butterfly



Catfish & Carp from the Space Butterfly 7"

Gloomy Sunday

Possibly the best Jazz/Vocals song of all time.
Mel Tormé croons this sad, almost eerie song of love lost.

Gloomy Sunday by Me Tormé

Top 6 Albums of 2009

This was a weird year for me. I didn't really get into a whole lot of new music, mostly just listened to vinyl from thrift stores. But out of the new music i did purchase, it has been very difficult to narrow it down to my top 5, hence the 6...  So here now is what i've decided are the best releases of 2009. enjoy.

#6
Horehound by The Dead Weather

You ether love Jack White or loathe him. I have enjoyed most of what he's done, and this band blows The Raconteurs out of the water. Just dirty and wonderful with a twist of 50's garage rock. yum.

I Cut Like A Buffalo

#5

Memoirs At The End Of The World by The Postmarks

                                    

A beautiful retro flavored album. Not only do i love the album, but the cover design wins for my favorite cover of the year. Listing to this album makes me feel like i'm James Bond.

No One Said This Would Be Easy

#4

Hospice by The Antlers

Are you alone and dying in a hospital? Well here is your soundtrack. enjoy.

Thirteen

#3

Wind's Poem by Mount Eerie

I've pretty much loved everything Phil Elverum has created, i aspire to be like him musically. 

This album is epic. It puts me in a peaceful trance and melts my brain... in a good way.

Ancient Question

#2

Oohs & Aahs by Say Hi

So rad. Say Hi yet again blows my mind with awesomeness. The only complaint i have of this album is it's much too short. So i have to listen to it 3 times back to back until i'm completely satisfied.

One, Two...One

#1

Tell It To The Volcano by Miniature Tigers

Another band inspired by early Weezer yet sounding way better than Weezer now a days. This is what pop music is all about, catchy, inspiring, and entirely danceable.

The Wolf

Bonus!!!!!

My favorite comp album of the year goes to:

We're Not Kidding: A Tribute To Barry Louis Polisar

Ok, so i did have a hand in doing the album art for this and contributed a song by my band "Your Little Pony" but thats not the only reason this is such a great album:) Childrens music never sounded better than this 60 song double disc heaping helping of bizarre and beautiful goodness.

All I Want Is You by The Vespers

A Friendly Make Out Christmas.

A few years back for my Christmas mix, i decided to ask a handful of my musician friends to participate by donating one of their own recorded christmas songs for the album. It turned out really nice and we got a lot of good feed back. if you weren't one of the lucky 100 people that got a copy, todays your lucky day. Here are all the songs off the album to listen to or download. Also please check out the other links to listen to more of each artist.

1) Introduction

2) Maybe This Christmas by Code Hero

for more Code Hero go HERE

3) Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing by The Mollies

for more The Mollies go HERE

4) We Three Kings by Trenton Mckean

for more Trenton Mckean go HERE

5) O Holy Night by Jonna

for more Jonna go HERE

6) Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Justin Behling

for more Justin Behling go HERE

7) Rocking in a Winter Wonderland by Ghost in a Jar

for more Ghost in a Jar go HERE

8) Noel Nouvelet by Degu

for more Degu go HERE

9) I'll Be Home Fore Christmas by Davin

for more Davin go HERE

10) Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella by Loralee Jessen Nicolay

for more Loralee Jessen Nicolay go HERE

11) The Christmas Song by Greg Rockwell

for more Greg Rockwell go HERE

Download full mix HERE

enjoy.

My Top 10 Albums of the Decade

I thought this would be really difficult to do, so i wasn't going to do it. Then i thought, i should own my top 10 or they wouldn't or couldn't be in my top 10. I didn't want to worry whether the album was at the top of the "indie charts" or that my favorite music magazine was telling me it was the best, or even one that most of my friends would praise. It was MY top 10. So as i browsed through my nicely sized c.d. collection i thought of the albums that i would listen to for months at a time. I wanted albums carrying huge amounts of nostalgia whether it be from 9 years ago or last week. And lastly an album i could pretty much listen to at any time or any place and be perfectly satisfied.

Well ladies and gentlemen, without further adieu i give you my personal top 10 albums of the decade:

#10

Trouble by Ray Lamontagne (2004)

I bought this album while Rachel and i were enjoying a vacation in Florida with the family. It reminds me of driving down roads lined by a thick forest of trees on ether side and waking up to rainy mornings.
"Burn" is a heart wrenching song about losing love, like standing in a giant empty room in the dark all alone bleeding. I love it!

Burn by Ray Lamontagne





#9

Bring It Back by Mates Of State (2006)

A husband and wife band of which Rachel and i aspire to become like one day. Filled with memories of Rachel and i singing at the top of our lungs while driving through Bountiful feeling on top of the world.
"Punchlines" is our favorite song to sing, especially the awesome two part ascending last half of the song. WAAOOOOHHHHWW!

Punchlines by Mates Of State

#8

Rodeo and Picasso by Recover (2001)

Rounding off of my emo loving past before "emo" became a bad word. I listened to this album ALL THE TIME. Which was interesting cause i was never a big fan of lots of screaming in music, that is besides this album and "The Shape of Punk to Come" by Refused (not of this decade).
Rodeo and Picasso just hit the right spot to fulfill my early 20's angst.
"Sympathetic Sickness" is the best marriage of melody and screams.

Sympathetic Sickness by Recover

#7

We, The Vehicles by Maritime (2006)

The reincarnation of the 90's "emo" band "The Promise Ring", also a band that my own band was lucky enough to perform with. We, The Vehicles is not only a perfect album to jog to, it's also strangely addicting. I would leave this playing in my car over and over and over again... i guess that means it's also a really great driving album... oh, and a great album for dancing of course.
"Don't Say You Don't" could be the catchiest song of all time.

Don't Say You Don't by Maritime



#6

Impeccable Blahs 

by Say Hi To Your Mom (2006)

Speaking of great albums to dance to, you could probably pick any album from Say Hi... and be dancing all night long. Impeccable Blahs was my first album from Say Hi and not at all my last, yet still my favorite. plus every song on this album is about vampires 

(pre-twilight) when vampires were a lot cooler.

"These Fangs" is the first song i ever heard by Say Hi.  From then on i was instantly impressed and amazed. 

These Fangs by Say Hi To Your Mom

#5

Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams (2000)

My first introduction to "alt-country" and what an introduction it was. This album kills and continues to be Ryan Adams greatest. A perfect album for rainy days and a perfect album for sunny days. Bringing back wonderful memories of past girlfriends and times i'll only be able to visit again in memory by sitting alone, listing to this masterpiece of an album.

Whether your from the south or not "Oh My Sweet Carolina" will
make you homesick.

Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams

#4

                  

For Emma, Forever Ago 
by Bon Iver (2007)

Ok, I'm gonna say it... i heard this album before you did:)... maybe not. But it was before all the hype and stories about this album. which was nice cause i was able to form my own opinion before anyone really told me how good it was. I just remember driving home alone late one cold winter night after playing a show listing to this for the first time and just being in a blissful daze as if this was my personal soundtrack at that exact time. 300 listens later, i'm still floored by this spectacular album.

"Skinny Love" is simply brilliant.

Skinny Love by Bon Iver

#3

Sha Sha by Ben Kweller (2002)

Easily comparable to Weezers masterful "Blue Album", Sha Sha was Ben Kwellers first real solo debut. Being the perfect care free album. Bringing back memories of having nothing to fear, young love, hot summer days, and really living life to it's fullest. Superb.

"Lizzy" is like a heartfelt love letter being written by someone hoping to finally come back home.

Lizzy by Ben Kweller

#2

Suicide Medicine 
by Rocky Votolato (2003)

My friends and i were a bit obsessed with Rocky, especially after listing to this perfectly composed album. A great mix of rock, alt-country, even a little oldschool emo, and of course pure awesomeness. I dream that one day my voice can be as cool as his. This is what makes music great.

"Mix Tapes / Cell Mates" is a beautiful song about life.

Mix Tapes / Cell Mates by Rocky Votolato

#1

Advisory Committee 
by Mirah (2002)

Also one of my top 3 albums of all time. This one was with me through the good times and got me through the bad time. Incomparable and absolutely perfect. You must experience this album. It really is a perfect album... really.

"Cold, Cold Water" makes me feel infinite.

Cold Cold Water by Mirah

enjoy.

A Very Rad Christmas 2009

This years christmas mix from me to you:

compiled by davin abegg 2009

1) Silent Night by Priscilla Ahn

2) Exotic Night by Martin Denny

3) It Came Upon A Midnight Clear by Laura Gibson

4) O Come, O Come Emmanuel by Sufjan Stevens

5) Are You Coming Over For Christmas? by Belle & Sebastian

6) The Christmas Song by Catherine Feeny

7) O Come All Ye Faithful by Harry Connick, Jr.

8) Rock of Ages by Ben Kweller

9) I'm Coming Home For Christmas by Squirrel Nut Zippers

10) Frosty the Snowman by Fiona Apple

11) Christmas Time by The Dawn and Dew(aka my band with my wife)

12) Sleigh Ride by Lenny Dee

13) Maybe This Christmas by Ron Sexsmith

14) I Heard the Bells on Christmas by Pedro the Lion

15) It's Snowing by Dennis Driscoll

16) I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause/Jingle Bells Bossa Nova by Eddie Dunstedter

17) Santa Claus Is On His Way by The Three Kadets

18) Let It Snow by A Fine Frenzy

19) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by The Mexicali Brass

20) Le Petit Renne Au Nez Rouge by Danièle et Michèle

21) Christmas Trees Everywhere by Jonny Cohen

22) One More Sleep 'Til Christmas by Kermit The Frog

23) This Christmas by Tiger Baby

24) Jingle Bells by Julian Koster

25) Silent Night / Lord Can You Hear Me by The Flaming Lips

26) Merry Christmas Everybody by Daniel Johnston

DOWNLOAD MIX HERE
enjoy. and Merry Christmas!!!!