Monday, Dec 1, 2008

Let’s Share Some Holiday Cheer!

Season’s Greetings Bloggers & Readers!

I am very excited to kick off the start of the Holiday Season, today, on December 1st.  In the spirit of the holidays, I’m joining the ranks by posting about some of my most favorite items as suggestions as gifts for the holidays.  None of these gift ideas are endorsements or paid promotions from the artists*…just items that I LOVE LOVE LOVE and thought you might love too!

I will be posting gift ideas for kids, tweens, friends and family… in all price ranges.

Today’s gift suggestion is THE GIFT OF MUSIC.  Simply, there is nothing better!

First off… many or most of these CD’s can be purchased for under $12 at Amazon.com.  So, it fits in great with anybody’s budget.  Secondly, giving music to a friend is a way of sharing a part of yourself with them… like watching a movie together or reading a book together… it gives you a piece of art to discuss and share.  Lastly, music is the landscape of my life… memories are brought intantly to the forefront of my mind when I hear certain songs.  For me, music makes the perfect gift.

As music can be subjective, I am posting about some of my favorites and they are primarily “female oriented,” but I hope you enjoy them!  Oh, and you can click on the album photo.  It will take you to the Amazon.Com page where you can purchase it direct.  The CD price is listed herein.  In the event you are not a CD type… you can also purchase the MP3 version of the album right there on Amazon.Com.  If you’re an iTunes’er… like me… definitely worth the download of the entire album. 

Here we go!

Leona Lewis, Spirit

I love, love, love this CD!  I couldn’t get enough of it in the car and her voice is just remarkable.  Her version of Roberta Flack’s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is beautiful.  She is more known for Bleeding Love and I Will Be, but all the songs on this CD are well worth listening to! ($8.99)

Natasha Bedingfield, Pocketful of Sunshine

When I first heard her sing Soulmate on the latest season of The Bachelorette, I was hypnotized.  Of course, her title track is a hit, especially with the tweens out there!  I can remember mine rockin’ out to it at the Sushi bar!  She has a beautiful voice… really.

Adele, 19

Chasing Pavements is a song that I NEVER get sick of!  Her voice is smoky and smooth.  Love her!

Aretha Franklin, This Christmas

O.K., so it’s not released YET.  But, anything that Aretha sings is like silk wrapped in lush, rich melody.  And, if you’re not the “Christmas Music” type… get some vintage Aretha and listen while you clean house…. R.E.S.P.E.C.T.  I recommend The Best of Aretha Franklin… downloaded it off iTunes… yummy!

Rascal Flatts, Greatest Hits Volume 1

You get My Wish, Bless the Broken Road and Life Is A Highway all in on album!  Can’t go wrong with this one, EVER!

The Pointer Sisters, The Best of the Pointer Sisters

All I can say about this one is that this is all YASMIN’s FAULT!  If you’re a child of the 70′s… GET IT!  Do the Neutron Dance!

Glen Campbell, Meet Glen Campbell

I heard him on Mark & Brian (KLOS 95.5) and couldn’t get over the still heart-warming voice!  This album is him doing covers of all kinds of different songs including Times Like These and All I Want is You.  It’s very good!  Trust me on this one.

Helen Reddy, All-Time Greatest Hits

If you are not a child of the 70′s…. you won’t get it… just pass on by this one.  But, be warned, my kids listened to this album and FELL IN LOVE!  They loved the songs with easy to remember lyrics and sing it SO LOUD!

Pat Benatar, Greatest Hits

This is an oldie, but GOODIE!  Just listening to Wuthering Heightsmade me decide to re-read the book.  I love love love Ms. Benatar… and, it’s a hit with the tweens!

Nelly Furtado, Loose

In God’s Hands is a hauntingly beautiful song.  Of course, you get all the hot hits on here as well.  But, that song… oh… gets me!  AND… All Good Things Come To An End is fantastic!

Mary J. Blige, Growing Pains

Just Fine is worth the album itself!  If you work out… that song is a MUST for the treadmill.

 Tori Amos, The Piano

Since I love every single album just like they were my children… I can’t recommend just one.  So, The Piano offers up everything you need up through 2006!  GO FOR IT! ($59.98 for entire box set)

Stevie Nicks, The Other Side of the Mirror

Like Pat Benatar and Tori Amos, it’s tough to recommend just one…  If you are looking for a good “greatest hits” from her, Timespace is a great album.  Vintage Stevie lovers can reminisce by listening to this one or Bella Donna.  It takes you back and keeps you there! ($10.99)

* = Any items that are purchased via clicking on an album above may result in me receiving a VERY VERY small commission (like $.35-.50).

 More Holiday Cheer to Come!

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