I got a “care package” last week! Some of the folks from the office were in NYC for a conference, so my lovely wife met up with them and handed over a parcel of goodies. This parcel traveled from New Jersey to New York to Boston to Vermont and then Kuwait (not bad for a parcel). It contained: my application for an absentee ballot; the last DVD in my set of Firefly; some white and red wine yeast for my homebrew; a jar of cherry preserves and bourbon peaches home made by said lovely wife (and going right into the homebrew); and the latest issue of Global Rhythm and accompanying CD of new world music. This issue focused on music from Argentina and introduced me to a bunch of new artists, including….

Bajofondo – “Mar Dulce” This is the latest album by a collective created by Gustavo Santaolalia (Oscars for Brokeback Mountain and Babel) and Juan Campodónico. They began a sort of techno-tango fusion that has branched out to include funk, hip hop and more traditional sounds, all while maintaining the groove. Guest vocalists include Elvis Costello and Nelly Furtado. Good sounds.
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – “Raising Sand” Is that really Plant singing?
Thievery Corporation – “Radio Retaliation”
Jenny Lewis – “Acid Tongue” That she has. A must for Rilo Kiley fans.
Southside Johnny & La Bamba’s Big Band – “Grapefruit Moon” This is a lot of fun! Southside tackles Tom Waits’ tunes with the ghost of Duke Ellington over his shoulder. The song selection is great and La Bamba’s charts are near perfection. Tom even shows up on one of the songs. It is a tribute to an artist like Tom that his songs can be covered in so many fashions. Rod Stewart gave him a pop hit, Holly Cole made them jazz, Scarlett Johanssen gave them a lo-fi alternative take and now the big band. And Southside voice fits exactly. Get it.

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