It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

While part of the country is getting slammed with a snowstorm, my part of the world is getting ready for 70 degree weather tomorrow. It's absolutely insane. Of course, to put things into perspective, it's also supposed to snow in two days. You never quite know what to expect.

The busyness of the season has kicked in. We have had something going on every single day for the last month. Christmas is my favorite time of the year, but it's wearing me out a little bit. Christmas parties, Christmas plays, Christmas cookies. There's always something to do. My prayer is that in the midst of this busy holiday season, I don't forget the message behind the celebration. God with us. The gift of family and friends. The celebration of the gifts and the Giver.

Twelve days till Christmas. It's hard to believe! It'll be here before we know it.

Norah Jones - "Featuring" CD Review

Norah Jones came out with her first album while I was in college. I loved her voice and style, so I was super excited for the opportunity to review her latest album Featuring. If the name isn't a dead giveaway, this album features a wide assortment of musical collaborations.

 

“A lot of the people on this record are people I've worshiped since I was a kid, and some of them are younger and more my contemporaries,” says Norah. “Even though the musicians are so varied, the vibe of the songs makes sense when we put them all together.”

Here is a quick look at the track listing!

1. Love Me – The Little Willies 
2. Virginia Moon – The Foo Fighters featuring Norah Jones
3. Turn Them – Sean Bones featuring Norah Jones
4. Baby It's Cold Outside – Willie Nelson featuring Norah Jones
5. Bull Rider – Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson
6. Ruler Of My Heart – Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
7. The Best Part – El Madmo 
8. Take Off Your Cool – OutKast featuring Norah Jones
9. Life Is Better – Q-Tip featuring Norah Jones 

10. Soon The New Day – Talib Kweli featuring Norah Jones
11. Little Lou, Prophet Jack, Ugly John – Belle & Sebastian featuring Norah Jones
12. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles featuring Norah Jones
13. Loretta – Norah Jones featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
14. Dear John – Ryan Adams featuring Norah Jones
15. Creepin' In – Norah Jones featuring Dolly Parton
16. Court & Spark – Herbie Hancock featuring Norah Jones
17. More Than This – Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones
18. Blue Bayou – Norah Jones featuring M. Ward  

It's not every day that Dolly Parton, Outkast, and the Foo Fighters appear on the same album. Norah Jones ties it all together. Although the songs are as different as the artists themselves, they do fit together nicely. I think one of my favorites is "More Than This" by Charlie Hunter. I also liked "Court & Spark" by Herbie Hancock.

I thought this was a thoroughly enjoyable album - perfect for a rainy afternoon with a cup of hot tea. For some reason, Norah Jones always makes me feel like I'm in a coffee house, she just has a nice laid back mellow vibe in her music.

I received a complimentary album to facilitate my review as part of the One2One campaign. The opinions expressed are my honest thoughts of the product.