If it’s Christmas at You Ain’t No Picasso, that means it’s Mixmas! These twelve days give me a chance to turn You Ain’t No Picasso over to the musicians I cover and allow them to showcase and talk about some of their favorite songs through a themed mix. This is the fourth year of Mixmas; here’s hoping for many more.

MP3: Henry Clay People – Something in the Water

I fond out about Henry Clay People through Aquarium Drunkard who put out their record on his label. Though I dislike lots of the bands I’d compare them to (Hold Steady), HCP completely and totally rock out like Big Star and make me smile like few others. Joey from the band was kind enough to write up this Mixmas submission…

“Songs I really like about girls named Mary or Marie or Marianne” by Joey of Henry Clay People

My Grandma’s name was Marie. I’ve met a few Marys lately but not too many, all things considered. The name has a nice musical ring to it. Here are “Mary” songs by some of my favorite songwriters. Of course the ultimate Mary song is Thunder Road by Springsteen BUT it’s already been used in a Mixmas mix I think and I might as a well restrict myself to songs with “Mary” in the title. Nothing new here, just timeless songs for a timeless name.

MP3: Bob Dylan- Absolutely Sweet Marie
“I got the fever down in my pocket…I can take you to your house but I can’t unlock it.” Bob wants it badly.

MP3: Nick Lowe – Marie Provost
Clearly the best song ever about flesh eating dogs.

MP3: Sonic Youth- Mary-Christ
I love the guitar string “church-bells” at the beginning.

MP3: Leonard Cohen- So Long Marianne
I was in Montreal a few years ago and a friend showed me where Leonard Cohen’s house was. He said that he saw Leonard sitting up on his balcony once late at night with two women. One sitting on each knee. Maybe one was named Marianne?

MP3: Jimi Hendrix- The Wind Cries Mary
Can’t say much about this one. Pretty perfect.

You Ain’t No Picasso Mixmas 2008
Day 1: Ivana XL