Last-Minute Gift Suggestions

Are you still looking for a cool, special gift for someone?

I have some ideas, provided courtesy of some really talented people I'm lucky to know.

MUSIC:
All India Radio, one of the really interesting new international bands on the local Minty Fresh label, are an incredibly cool two-piece group from Britain. I love their CD Echo Other; it's a combination of ambient chill music, twangy Duane Eddy guitar, atmospheric echoes and drones that remind me of Seefeel, and some simple funky beats. What a wonderful and unique-sounding record.

I heartily enjoy and recommend Lou Carlozo's new Stick Figure Soul CD, released just a couple of weeks ago. Full of gutsy, chunky but jangly pop-rock songs with terrific melodies, it's a special record conceived and made right here in Chicago. Listening to these songs I remember why "mainstream pop" hasn't always been a bad word. The Who, Tom Petty, and REM used to do great records that got on the radio. The way to get Lou's record is from him--he'll send it immediately. Email him at feedbacker@aol.com.

Marty McCormack and Brian Fitzgerald are Switchback. They've released a decade's worth of CDs, in different folk-informed styles (country, gospel, conceptual political folk/pop, straight Celtic) working in their bluegrass and rockabilly influences. They travel all over the world, doing around 200 shows a year, and their ability to write songs both to please audiences and express what's really in their hearts, has buoyed their artistry. Falling Water River, which concerns the war in Iraq from the viewpoint of Soldier William Henry--is an empathetic, beautiful, loving record that has made me cry.

Florence Yoo I've written about before. She makes the most charming, witty, way non-cornball girl-folk-pop you could ever ask for. She has two CDs, both of which I really love to listen to. Further exposition from ME is unnecessary--she can beguile you herself.


BOOKS
James Finn Garner , with whom I collaborate on the Bardball website, s one of the funniest people I have ever met, and his newest book Recut Madness: Favorite Movies Retold for Your Partisan Pleasure, re-imagines the great films as if they were being done either a "blue" or "red" audience. Tis a hoot. Or you could always go for his fab best seller Politically Incorrect Bedtime Stories. All his work makes me laugh--and think.

And may I humbly offer a suggestion of Rob Rodriguez and my collaboration, Fab Four FAQ? It's the perfect gift for the Beatles fan--new or seasoned--in your life.


LOVELY THINGS

Our friends Gigi and Clar at Wonderwall Emporium run the most psychedelic, welcoming store in the Chicago area. They offer Indian instruments, jewelry, music lessons, hand-painted tambourines, CDs, incense, Beatles music and memorabilia, and ukeleles, to name not everything, and they are two sweet people with an ultra-good vibe. Please visit them if you're in the area...or online.

Celia Greiner is an artist who works with wood. She does lovely, funny, vibrant, sensual work. Cecilia and I are proud to have her work in our house, and she's a great person who is as much a total artist as anyone we've ever met.

Everyone above and I appreciate your interest...for being so fab, I'll leave you with music. This is a lovely winter song by The Cyrkle called "I Wish You Could Be Here." And for those of you I haven't seen in way too long, I do.

Peace, love, and thanks.