 We are sorry to announce that due to licensing issues or some other artist-rights conflict, we can no longer publish audio for the majority of the songs from the terrific 2010 Groundhog Day play list of guest blogger and Supply & Demand Music president Tom Weyman. Thus, rather than re-post year after year, as planned, Tom’s brilliant list of songs he could listen to year after year if stranded on a desert island, we chose to remake the list with 12 choices of our own. {We feared even Tom would tire of the measly 2 songs we could still publish, no matter how much he loved them, and perhaps walk off the island into the deep.} Here are our Desert Island Dozen, inspired by Tom, and backed by hopes that the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow. Winter-lovers though we are, all this warm weather of late had made us yearn for Spring. Listen up by clicking the arrow to the right:
1. Woolgathering – Vandaveer
Sweet and simple from local heroes Vandaveer, with a charming video to boot.
2. Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder
Even trapped on a desert island, sometimes you just need to “feel it all over.”
3. Yea Yeah – Matt and Kim
This cheerful, high energy pick-me-up would come in handy the day we realized we’re trapped on a desert island. In retrospect, all the wasted food in the video might get a bit wearing after our food supply ran out.
4. A Well Respected Man – The Kinks
Admittedly, this song was chosen because Complicated Life wasn’t available and we couldn’t go the rest of our lives without hearing another Kinks song.
5. Energy – The Apples in Stereo
Another uplifting song to help us forget we’re stranded on a desert island.
6. Redemption Song – Bob Marley
We would probably replace this classic with another Marley tune if we really were abandoned on the island by actual pirates after they robbed us. No need to relive that event daily.
7. This Too Shall Pass – OK Go
Good advice on the island or back on the mainland.
8. Knockin’ On Heavens Door – Bob Dylan
Hopefully this beautiful .
9. Everything Touches Everything – These United States
For Joe, who wants to write more thank you notes this year.
10. Once In A Lifetime – Talking Heads
To remind us of a time when we weren’t stranded on a desert island.
11. Big Indian – The Dandy Warhols
Dandys rule, OK?
12. Rain – The Beatles
In the hopes The Beatles could inspire Mother Nature to make the desert island less deserty, or at least provide some drinking water.
 We’ve spent the last week sorting through the thousands of new ideas that converge at the semi-annual gift market in New York City. Oh, the crazy energy and onslaught of creativity. We came home full of excitement about new goods we’ll be bringing you in upcoming weeks and months … just you wait! There will be many huddles, lots of head-scratching and a fair amount of agonizing as we narrow down the choices. Oh, the agony and the ecstasy! (Speaking of new ideas and excitment, we’ve been feeling awkward about our drumrolls last fall — “Stay tuned for exciting news about a new Proper Topper spinoff” — followed by … SILENCE. Well, some perfectly wonderful plans turn out to be less-than-perfectly-timed, and so it was for our new venture last fall. BUT, again, we say: just you wait. One day soon .. to the moon!)
 Today would have marked Etta James’ 74th birthday. Sadly, she succumbed to Leukemia and passed away last Friday so instead of celebrating another year of her amazing life. She was born Jamesetta Hawkins to an unwed 14 year old mother in Los Angeles and her early years were rough. Her singing talents were already apparent at the age of five, and she spent her life fine tuning her craft, releasing her final album three months before her death. She had a voice that could handle any style of song, from Jazz standards, pining R&B tunes, Blues ballads, Pop hits, raucous Rock songs or Gospel traditionals, infusing each one with a voice as powerful and pure as any in the business. Here are nine reasons why she will be missed:
1. At Last
While it wasn’t her biggest hit, this classic song is what James is best known for.
2. A Sunday Kind of Love
This Jazz standard was recorded for 1961′s At Last.
3. Misty Blue
From her final album The Dreamer, this classic was written by Bob Montgomery.
4. Hard to Handle
James drops in on the Grateful Dead and covers this Otis Redding classic.
5. I Just Wanna Make Love to You
A cover of a Muddy Waters hit that served as the B-side to the single At Last.
6. Oh Happy Day
James got her start singing in a church choir in Los Angeles.
7. Something’s Got A Hold On Me
From 1963′s Top Ten.
8. My Dearest Darling
Another from her fourth studio album, Top Ten.
9. Welcome to the Jungle
Etta covers Guns and Roses on 2011′s The Dreamer.
 Some inspiration on this rather dark & moody Monday. Dive into these pages when you need a shot of creativity: it never fails to produce.
Just arrived: the newest Quotable card releases! Twelve fresh new quotes, printed on 5″x5″ 100% post-consumer recycled paper cards. Click through to be inspired.
On this day in 1944, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City {then still located at the “old Met” location on Broadway} opened its grand doors to its first ever jazz concert. The performers on tap were jazz luminaries of the time, including Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Billie Holiday. So in an ode to that day in history, we pay tribute to those artists. Have a listen—it’s the perfect winter night to open a bottle of wine, start a fire, and listen to classic smooth stylings.
1. Hey-Ba-Ba-Re-Bop – Lionel Hampton
A 1940s hit, brought to life by Hampton’s vibrant voice and his swinging band.
2. Out of Nowhere – Art Tatum
Mind-boggling ivory-tickling skill, from 1949.
3. There’s a Lull in My Life – Teddy Wilson Orchestra
You don’t hear much of Wilson’s piano solo work here, but it’s still a great track. Brings to mind a room full of GIs and girls with seamed stockings and flowers in their hair, doesn’t it?
4. Caravan – Coleman Hawkins
First made famous by Duke Ellington, Hawkins’s version is the perfect vehicle to show off his tenor sax prowess (the band’s pretty tight, too).
5. Tiger Rag – Benny Goodman Sextet
The incomparable clarinetist from Chicago.
6. Jeepers Creepers – Louis Armstrong
The track from the Decca Records 1939 release of this song (incidentally, also on January 18).
7. Moonglow – Artie Shaw
Another jazz clarinet legend. (Wonder if he and Benny were good pals…)
8. Dark Eyes – Jack Teagarden
Who knew a TROMBONIST could swing like this?
9. After You’ve Gone – Roy Eldridge
Try NOT dancing to this tune, with the legendary Eldridge on trumpet.
10. Crazy Riffin’ – Betti Mays, accompanied by Sidney Catlett and his band
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a little scat and the expert swing drumming of Sidney Catlett.
11. Steps Steps Down – Barney Bigard Trio
ANOTHER clarinetist? They must have had their own club.
12. Blues in the Closet – Oscar Pettiford Jazz Band
For something a little smoother, let’s try Oscar Pettiford and his double bass.
13. Lady Sings the Blues – Billie Holiday
And finally, the legend herself: Billie Holiday. {Can you even IMAGINE this concert?!}
Today, we celebrate the great and heroic Martin Luther King, Jr. We love this introduction to the legendary civil rights activist, which introduces Dr. King to young readers, if only just to remind them that one person can make a difference, and everyone should have a dream.
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