Current music with a throwback feel

If you read my blogs, you will notice that I will be suggesting music from the sixties, seventies, and possibly a smattering over the next few decades. Recently two artists come to mind that you might find interesting. First, there is Kristina Train, a 27 year old who sounds like Dusty Springfield. Dusty was a singer from the sixties who had a very sultry voice. She was truly fabulous. Kristina has a very similar vibe and has great songs on her debut album. Another great album released recently, which is becoming one of my favorites is by a group called the Avett Brothers. They are a three piece band from North Carolina, I think. They are not new, as they have been making cd's for quite some time, but they hit their stride on their latest cd called "I and Love and You." Produced by recording producer guru Rick Rubins, the production is sparse and very simple, as are their songs and lyrics. However, they acheive a freshness to their sound while at the same time sounding a bit familiar. They also blend instruments together that would be more akin to a bluegrass album. For example, you will have plucked banjo accompanied with acoustic guitar, giving a bluegrass vibe, but not really...this is hard to categorize. They have elements of singer/songwriter material, but occassionally throw in a "punk" groove here and there. It is not punk by any stretch of the imagination. It is more in the way of their song presentation. You would have to listen to hear what I am trying to describe. You can check out bits and pieces on amazon.com or itunes. When I listened to these artists it reminded me of when I was a little kid searching the radio airwaves for the next cool group or artist. I shared a bedroom with my sister in Yonkers, and I remember having a very tiny transistor radio that broadcast am and fm stations. We didn't have stereo headphones back then, so I had a tiny ear phone for one ear. I would sneak it under the covers at night with a flashlight searching for WNEW fm and spent hours listening to their late night shows. This occurred on many a school night, so needless to say, I was not very awake during elementary school. I looked forward to three things back then. First, my nightly radio listen; Second, my weekly guitar lesson and Third, getting my tuna sandwich for lunch from the Roosevelt Deli. My elementary school was set back behind rows of department stores and little restaurants and they used to let us out for lunch, or we could stay at the school. I usually went by myself to indulge in my tuna sandwich. I have been searching for over fourty years for tuna like this...I cannot explain what the hell they did to make it taste so good, but it was all I ate for my duration in elementary school. If my mother felt generous she gave me an extra dollar which entitled me to a side of french fries...they made the kind that Nathan's sells...the crispy and cringly kind...yummy....(was that gay?). Anyway, check those two cd's out. Now, one more thing, just in case I forget. With the holidays coming, if you are having family and friends over, and you want to get away from the usual holiday cd's, check out the Windham Hill cd's. There is one called "Thanksgiving" which is great, and a variety of some called "Winter Solstice". These are mellow and beautiful and add great warmth and feel for background music. Also, another favorite of mine is Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas." This is great too. I have so many cd's I just can't remember all of them, but I believe the Windham Hill Winter Solstice has some sort of compilation bringing the best of their Wintery type music. Windham Hill by the way was a label set up many years ago by a solo guitarist, who recorded beautiful music from a variety of artists through the years. There are many great cd's from them, but start with some of these holiday treats. If you like solo piano, try George Winston's "December". It's Sunday so I have to get my bagels, whitefish salad and lox. I've been doing this since I'm a kid. I think it is a Jewish thing. Being Jewish, a funny thing happened to me the other day. I got a turkey hero and was driving home with it. I felt a little dizzy and had to eat...I have diabetes and I felt my blood sugar dropping. So I pulled into a local synagogue and went to the far end of their parking lot. I ate my sandwich, which took all of ten minutes and then left to head home. As I was pulling out of the temple parking lot, a police car was pulling in. I noticed the cop stare at me as I went along my merry way. A minute later, two cop cars were following me. One pulled out and screached to a hault in front of me, blocking my way, and the cop that saw me in the parking lot was behind me. He got out of his car with a hand on his holster housing his gun. I was like "What the fuck is this all about?" He approached my window and I said "Hey Officer, what's up?" He said, can I see your license and I'll tell you in a minute. So I gave it to him. He then inquired why I was in the temple parking lot. I told him I was eating lunch and didn't want to drive and eat. The other cop got of his car and came over and they both said the temple reported me in their parking lot and that I looked suspicious. One cop, after seeing I was totally innocent, and Jewish to boot (my nose is a dead giveaway), he commented on what a different world it is we live in. They let me go and I didn't know if I should be pissed or thankful that people are vigilant these days. I think I was a little of both. After all it is an insane world. So, fill the insanity with some great music and great food, and you are there!!!