Jumpin' At The Woodside

This week's Five4Friday... a New Year's Eve theme starting off with Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra live from the Sands on "Where Or When". Next Joel Alme, a very soulful Swede, with 2010's "If You Got Somebody Waiting." We lost a great voice recently in Joe Cocker, who had a one-of-a-kind style and will be sorely missed. Here he is on the classic "Feeling Alright". Couldn't be New Year's without a good ol'-style drinking song, The Lumineers with "Ain't Nobody's Problem". Closing this week out is The Black Crowes and Tedeschi Trucks Band with a live performance of "Turn On Your Lovelight" from Alpharetta, GA, on 7/20/2013. Happy New Year and... Salud!

This week's Five4Friday ... some of my favorites from Woodside Christmas I and II . For me, the all-time greatest Christmas song is Nat King Cole's rendition of "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)". Next up Ray Charles' signature take on "Winter Wonderland", which was also used in the film "When Harry Met Sally". Harry Connick, Jr.'s "Sleigh Ride" puts the BIG in big band with a rousing version of Leroy Anderson's orchestral piece composed in the 1940s. Billy Squier's 1980s MTV-era classic "Christmas Is the Time To Say 'I Love You'" never goes out of style. And bringing it home, Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home". Good tidings, good cheer and Merry Christmas to one and all - Salud!

This week's Five4Friday... Christmas songs that aren't really Christmas songs. The first track has a great spirit of love and joy, and it's his birthday, Frank Sinatra's live performance of "Fly Me To The Moon". While I could have included George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" from the same album "All Things Must Pass", I like the life and love quality of "What Is Life". It has a "George Bailey" simple every-man tone. Lenny Kravitz "Let Love Rule" an obvious choice for the season. "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys from the film "Love Actually" has become almost synonymous with the holiday, and includes jingling sleigh bells in the opening. Wrapping things up is Elvis Costello & The Attractions' "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding". It's Christmas, so a gift of a bonus track is in order. Three Dog Night's "Joy To The Worl...

This painting (above) was found tucked away in a closet in my grandparents' home a number of years ago. While it looks like it could be one of my great grandfather Thomspon Alexander Foster's paintings, it's unsigned and there is no identifiable information on the back. I liked the painting and decided to hang it in my home along with other works by my great grandfather. It was rumored that my grandmother, on my Dad's side, had once asked my Mom's grandfather Thompson to paint something for her. Could this be that rumored painting? If it was, why was it unsigned? While it's believed that Thompson signed all his works with his own unique signature, he sometimes included the year and sometimes did not. So in my mind there was a chance this was one of his, but there was no way of knowing for sure. For many years I wondered who painted this fall scene that hung on my bedroom wall. From time to time I'd give the painting a closer examination to see if m...

This week's Five4Friday begins with JJ Grey And Mofro reminding us to preserve our natural resources with this live version of "Lochloosa" from JJ's live effort "Brighter Days". In memory of Faces and Small Faces keyboardist Ian McLagan , who passed away this week, 1967's "Itchycoo Park" is next. In 1969 when lead singer/guitarist Steve Marriott left to form Humble Pie, the remaining members changed their name to the Faces when Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood joined the group. Grace Potter and The Nocturnals give a rocking beat to Beyonce's "Why Don't You Love Me" ... Beyonce' never sounded so good. Also this week, we lost saxophonist Bobby Keys , who played on classic sessions with The Rolling Stones, Faces, Humble Pie, John Lennon, George Harrison and many more. The Rolling Stones "All Down The Line" from their landmark recording "Exile on Main St." is this week's 4th track. Finally, David...

This week's Five4Friday is the conclusion of my two-part Thanksgiving/family/home/love theme. Sappy I know, but hey it's the holidays. Frank Sinatra's take on the classic "Swinging On a Star" kicks things off. Bob Dylan's "The Man In Me" and its ties to "The Big Lebowski" film seem to fit right in. Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You" has been a staple on my run playlist, and is in my list of all-time top 20 songs. Some old-school Philly love up next with The O'Jays' 1972 track "Love Train". Joe Alterman closes things out with "The First Night Home" that inspires visions of fireplace gatherings on chilly eves. - Salud!