If you need an idea for someone on your gift list here are some “Stilson Tested” items to consider.
Books
Doc: A Novel / Mary Doria Russell
A wonderfully textured historical novel about the Old West icon Doc Holiday. Richly detailed and beautifully written, Doc transports you to the post-Civil War years where the West was changing everyday. You will not walk with Doc to the OK Corral but you will know this enigmatic man before he became legend. This is a great book.
The Lost Beatles Photographs: The Bob Bonis Archive, 1964-1966
A pictorial history of The Fabs first three US Tours in 1964, 1965 and 1966. These photographs capture the innocence, the camaraderie and the exhaustion of those years on the Fabs. The unblinking camera finds candid moments that will fill you with joy and break your heart at the same time.
Fire and Rain: The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, CSNY, and the Lost Story of 1970 / David Browne
It was the year that music’s powerful and influential force broke apart, the year that America’s beloved vocal duo began fraying at the seams, the year a tall lanky North Carolina singer-songwriter began capturing our hearts and the year where America’s true supergroup could have dominated the music world, but due to diverse personalities only broke into pieces. This is a fascinating look into one of the most tumultuous years ever witnessed in popular music, and you’re in the front row.
Music
The King Is Dead / The Decemberists
I admit this band can be an acquired taste, their work can be pretentious, dispassionate and cloaked in metaphor. The King Is Dead is all those things but it’s wrapped in a sweet sugar coating of hooks and harmonies, it also helps that unlike most of their songs, these are tightly arranged and structured in a time conscious manner. Highly recommended.
Nothing Is Wrong / Dawes
This is the sophomore effort from this LA based folk- rock band and it’s a stunner. Strong songwriting and stronger musicianship makes this work worm its way into your head and plant little melody seeds that will pop up when you least expect them. Just preview “Time Spent In Los Angeles” and “How Far We’ve Come”, if they don’t hit you in a sweet spot then move along. For extra street cred, Dawes is Robbie Robertson’s backing band when he sporadically plays live.
Ghost On The Canvas / Glen Campbell
A farewell album by one of the great Artists of our time. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s early this year, Glen Campbell looks back on a career of ups and downs with brutal honesty and tons of bravery. The songs here hold up against his best and hopefully will re- establish his overwhelming talent. A few years from now THE Wichita Lineman may not remember his legacy but with his previous work and now Ghost, that legacy is assured.
Miscellaneous
Remember the old plastic chain purses with the little chain that banks and other businesses gave away years ago, well I bought myself one. It was not easy to find but you can get them online, since then I’ve bought 7 more for friends who saw mine and thought the same damn thing I did, it’s cool and it’s functional.
Merry Christmas!
