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 some of their favorite songs through a themed mix. And if there’s one thing that’s always true, it’s that I can never keep it to just 12 days…
MP3: Pierre de Reeder - That’s The Way That It Was
I finally got to see Rilo Kiley in 2008 when they performed at Bonnaroo. At the time I snapped this photo of Pierre, I had no idea I’d be putting it to good use just two months later when I posted about his new solo album. It’s a fun pop record that will appease fans of Ben Kweller’s first two records. Also, Pierre, my girlfriend received Under the Blacklight for Christmas from her brother — I’m just as anxious as you no doubt are to see what she thinks.
“Best Songs in a Steve Martin Movie” by Pierre de Reeder of Rilo Kiley
I don’t really know why I chose this theme… maybe because I was thinking about great movie song moments in general, and one thing that popped in my head is the first one on this list, that ukulele duet between Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters in The Jerk. Just one of those sincere, yet comically straight faced moments, while at the same time legitimately musically endearing (to me, anyway).
MP3: Nancy Sinatra - Tonight You Belong To Me from The Jerk
(YANP note: the original is by Patience and Prudence, but I can’t seem to find it on my computer. Enjoy the Nancy cover)
MP3: The Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie
Well few songs resonate like the ones that you were fascinated by as a kid. Thankfully, Steve Martin had a small scene serving up some Champagne to Kermit and Miss Piggy, so I get to include this amazing crafted song. It’s by songwriter Paul Williams who has worked with the likes of Three Dog Night, The Carpenters, all the way up to the Scissor Sisters! But another movie that you might have seen right along side The Muppet MovIe is Bugsy Malone, which featured Williams both writing and singing.
“MY LITTLE BUTTERCUP” from The Three Amigos
Ok, If you know the movie, you know the song. Pretty ridiculous. But poignant enough.
Bing Crosby - “DID YOU EVER SEE A DREAM WALKING” from Pennies from Heaven
So, I’m a sucker for the old crooners. And Bing Crosby is arguably the de facto croon master.
MP3: Louis Prima & Keely Smith - That Old Black Magic from The Out-Of-Towners
Apparently I’m also a sucker for Louis Prima. Luckily I’m pretty loose with my theme here, so am including this.
