The Sunny Side: Louis Armstrong - The Sunny Side of the Street

Some days you just need a little encouragement. Some days you need to be told to look up from all of your troubles and frustrations. So that you can see something better and brighter. This song does that for me. In fact, it did it for me today. And I am telling you things always get better - one way or another.

Pass the Drumsticks: Thanksgiving Jazz - Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis

There is just something about jazz music that makes it perfect for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. And it just so happens that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Not just beacause jazz fits so perfectly into the the family mix and that it comes before I am totally sick of Christmas music, but also because it is not over commercialized. It is a holiday that still retains some of its original authenticity.

Because of this, I have chosen to provide everyone with a little thanksgiving jazz. There are two tracks that I have discovered which I am going to be spinning on Thanksgiving day: The first, "Autumn Leaves" by Miles Davis; the second, the Louis Armstron version of the Fats Waller song "All That Meat and No Potatos." I hope you enjoy both of them. I hope that everyone has a great Thanksgiving Day! Just remember to take a deep breath and don't try to fake it - be real people.

Louis Armstrong - "All That Meat and No Potatoes"



Miles Davis - "Autumn Leaves"

Jaime Cullum: "Blame It On My Youth," "What A Difference a Day Made"

For whatever reason, whenever I drive my little Mazda (which is currently and tragically lacking a radio) I get Jamie Cullum's version of the song "Blame It On My Youth" in my head. I don't know where or why it comes from, but it is always there. I have sung it many shameless times to myself, especially the part were he sings, "If only just for you I did exist, blame it on my youth..."  I just can't shake it.  I haven't even listened to the song recently.  In fact, this is the first time in months that I have actually played the track.  Kinda weird.  There are worse songs to get stuck in your head for years.  It has to count for something if you can't get it out of your head when you haven't even listened to the actual recording in months. 

The track originally appeared on his amazing debut album entitled "Twentysomething."  While I found his second album disappointing, I have high hopes that he will once again come out with such a classic album.  Also, I should tell you that seeing his show at the Roxy here in Atlanta was just perhaps the best show I have ever seen.  The sound quality was amazing.  It was mixed to absolute perfection and the tickets where only 15 bucks.  

I also really love his version of the song "What A Difference A Day Made."  So I posted a video of this song as well.  It's great for the holidays. 

The "Blame It On My Youth" Youtube video may be a candidate for the worst video ever posted on Youtube, except for the fact that it has the best version of the song I could find.  Just try not to watch the video.  It is super cheesy and honestly I can't watch it.  The second video is cool though. 

Jaime Cullum - "Blame It On My Youth" (listen and try not to watch!)

Jaime Cullum - "What A Difference A Day Makes"

Fats Waller: Ain't Misbehavin'

There is nothing like the warmth of an old vinyl record and records by Fats Waller are some of my favorites.  Few people record music like they did back then.  While modern recording studies no doubt have their benefits, the nostalgia found in the sound of a vinyl record is astounding.  Heavy as they may be, vinyl records have a special place in my music collection.  Much of the music from the early 1930's and 1940's just hasn't been reproduced into modern formats yet.  

The following clip is taken from a old film in which Fats Waller plays his classic song "Ain't Misbehavin."  It shows all the great elements of Fats.  He is simply one of the greatest entertainers to ever have lived and a simply brilliant musican.  Enjoy. 

Fats Waller - Ain't Misbehavin'