Ickmusic’s Friday Five: December 26, 2008

Welcome to the final week of our “Holiday Edition” of the Friday Five!

As we wind down to the New Year the last four editions of the Friday Five will be shuffled from my vast collection of Holiday music. I encourage everyone to play along and spin up some holiday cheer. With the holiday season being short and the duress of the current economic climate being ever present we could all use a little lift in spirits.

For those who have not joined in the Five, here’s how it works: … I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five with a bit of insight for each track.

Then it’s your turn! Just share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments and see what your fellow readers are listening to as well.

Here are this week’s tracks:

1. The Pogues – Fairytale of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl) (from The Best Christmas Album in the World… Ever!)

As I mentioned in last weeks post, this stands as my favorite modern era non-traditional Chirstmas song period. The gritty tale of two junkies sleeping it off in the drunk tank on Christmas Eve somehow manages to be uplifting and is in all regards timeless.

2. Hall & Oates – Jingle Bell Rock (mp3) (from Classic Soft Rock Christmas)

This kitschy reading of the Bobby Helms classic is on the verge of crossing over into Mellowmas territory but manages to stay the course just enough to be a true holiday classic.

3. Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschannel – Baby It’s Cold Outside (mp3) (from Elf)

From the best Christmas movie since Miracle on 34th Street, this was (for me) the first time I heard the lovely voice of Zooey Deschannel. Paired here with the enigmatic Leon Redbone, the pair put a jazz-ed up spin on the Frank Loesser classic. It’s not a holiday season until I sit and watch this movie with my family.

4. Jimmy Eat World – Last Christmas (from Last Christmas)

A bright and breezy take on the 80’s classic.

5. Dean Martin – Winter Wonderland (from Christmas With Dino)

And to play us out of the holiday season in the last Friday Five of the year it’s out favorite Rat Pack member here to croon us out into 2009.

Thanks to all the Fivers out there for playing along this year. For the last time this year, what’s coming up on your shuffle?