merry christmas and shabbat shalom, y'all.

So I haven't posted in a looooooong time. Once we get to summer 2012, I will explain all of that to you.

But the important thing is this: IT'S ALMOST CHRISTMAS. Usually I do a countdown to Christmas with various soul songs that honor the season. I blew that off this year to drink wine, get a sinus infection, and eat entire bags of Skittles at one in the morning.

But I do have something fun for you. First of all, it's Friday. Christmas is in two days. We are also in the midst of Hanukkah. I have a festive Friday song for all of us.



Don't play with this song. Big shout out to M & D for turning me on to this amazing jam. Also, thanks to Austin radio since apparently that's where it came from. Big ups to Mel Waiters - a southern soul man who is still doing this thang. I can't handle this song. Let's all fry some fish tonight wherever we are.

doris troy - he's qualified

I just love Doris Troy. You might know her from the popular song "Just One Look." Her voice is amazing and she was discovered by James Brown at the Apollo and has an album produced by George Harrison so I mean COME ON.

SHERO CITY.

Also, shouldn't all women say that their men are qualified to be with them? I'm into this, ladies!

de la soul + fela = FELA SOUL

I have been listening to this non stop. Two things I really like.

De La Soul + Fela Kuti = FELA SOUL.

This goes so hard! The Internet giveth.

I can't really say much more than you should DOWNLOAD THIS!

tight people of the day: the casinos

Lately, I've been down in the dumps a little. I'm not going to lie. I miss summer and swimming every day whenever I wanted. I miss drinking my iced coffee and listening to records and reading on the couch in my Old Navy shorts from 1999 that no one ever sees.

Basically, I'm trying to tell you that I really miss not having to go to work. #firstworldproblems

Here's the thing though: When I'm down in the dumps - even a little - I usually want sad, dumpy music to accompany that. I was listening to a crazy mix I have called "Malt Shop Memories." (I know right - LOLZ.) Well, this song is on there. It's got a sad tone and at first, I was settling into it. But then, something happened. I was transformed. This is actually a sweet little love song. It seems to me like the couple in the song really want to work it out. They want to give it a shot. Well, hell, I thought, if they can give it a shot, I can give lifting MY spirits a go. So, here we are, posting on the blog and ordering caftans on Etsy (real thing I'm also doing).

I think this song is what most people, or any people, know The Casinos for. They were made up of ten members - nine bros and a Hammond organ. Joking! But seriously, the Hammond organ is like a person to me. Very special. I think what's amazing about this song is that it charted in 1967. People were pretty much over this type of music by then. But it just goes to show that everyone loves a good love song. Especially one with hope! Even me.

Video and download below for your pleasure.



The Casinos - Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye

Also, I STRONGLY SUGGEST that you check out the New Casinos. You're welcome.

darling baby

I just listened to this while sifting through Google Reader. I was numbing my mind but my heart stayed warm due to the sweet, sweet soul of The Elgins.

Please to enjoy this wonderful Motown hit from 1965, "Darling Baby." I can't confirm this, but I'm pretty sure this was their first single, released as a B-side.

Obvi, I love The Elgins because they have already been tight people of the day.

throwback sunday

Wow. Today's a tough one for a lot of folks out there. I hope that you told someone - anyone - that you loved him or her today. Respect.

I'm spending this lazy Sunday with some of my favorite oldies. Enjoy a little Iceman.

May your day be filled with peace.

pure jamaican soul

I really can't say enough about this song. It's so pure and sweet and speaks to me so clearly that I feel like I had some part in its creation.

This is a wonderful song called "I'm Still Waiting." You'll recognize The Wailers, who you may know because they later became the backing band for a dude named BOB MARLEY. Well, this is just Bob, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer performing way back in 1965 as the Wailing Wailers with back-up singers. This was before Bob met Rita, before he turned to the Rastafari movement, before the reggae sound developed that we are probably most familiar with. They are just bebes here and you can really hear the R&B influence.


If you ever find the Greatest Hits of Studio One album, I highly suggest you buy it immediately. These early Wailers songs are truly priceless.

The tenderness of Bob's voice here is really too much to handle. It's Jamaican me crazy. (Sorry.)

summer disco track

ANNA FACT: I am into some disco songs. I feel like they are the perfect background for a summer day around the house. For example, today I listened to the 45 I have of this song OVER AND OVER while I swept, dusted, and made iced coffee. Sound good? Well, join me in a little listen of this tight tune and we can be disco dynamos together today.

Can you handle this sweet groove? The singing duo of Bo and Ruth will take you to dance town. Bo Kirkland and Ruth Davis were both recording independently until they were put together by their label do an album. It was released in 1976 and this song was quite a smash. Unfortunately, the label folded shortly after that. I recommend this single but also looking for any Bo and Ruth that you can find.


FUN FACT: The B side of this 45 is a song called "Stay Out My Kitchen (If You Can't Stand The Heat)." Laugh out loud.

recent digging adventures

How fun is record shopping? You can always turn up something unexpected and that's why I like it. I found some recent gems at several stores in Austin during a busy day of digging. Please enjoy them!

The Wallace Brothers - I'll Step Aside/Hold My Hurt For A While

Young Southern soul coming at you! How cute are those guys? Apparently they were really teeny tiny when they recorded this. Like, 16 years old. I was wearing gross shorts that showed my ass, drinking Mocha Frappuccinos, and getting speeding tickets when I was 16, so these guys obviously knew what was fresh.

This single was released in 1965 on Sims and I have to say I fell for it immediately because of that sweet piano. Also the way the singer (not sure which "Brother" that is) pronounces "hurt." This song is a blanket that I can use during my sweet afternoon nap. So much good information about the Wallace Brothers can be found here.

Robert Parker - Barefootin'/Let's Go Baby (Where The Action Is)

CONFESSION: I already owned the 45 of "Barefootin'" and it's one of my personal faves. Love me some Nawlins soul. I also loved the B side but I hadn't listened to it as much. HUGE MISTAKE. This song is super tight. Also, can you even DEAL with that picture of Robert showing his bare foot to those ladies. I mean, seriously, you guys. The Internet giveth. These songs were released in 1966 on NOLA. As with most Robert Parker, it's sure to get you on the dance floor. His voice is incredibly smooth.

The Lamp Sisters - Sweet Daddy Soul/Today Will Be Yesterday Tomorrow

I'm having trouble finding information on this group. Although this single appears to be from 1969, released on Duke out of Houston. I'm so into this song. Who doesn't need a good oooohhh weeee to keep you going? The B side is also really pretty. I plan to use the title for my future Sci-Fi movie that I'm going to write.

If you find any Lamp Sisters data out there, send it my way, por favor.

this is me today.

samuel belay - aynotchesh yererfu

Some decent information about this baller can be found here.

I can't stop listening to this song! THE JAM OF SUMMER 2k11 IS HERE.

fancy pants

In Los Angeles recently, I got to do a number of fun things. LA is a great place. One thing I did was chill in a room at the Village Studios. There was some kind of mix playing that had an interesting selection of tunes. One in particular caught my ear and I used my favorite audiophile app, Shazam, to discover what it was.

I'm no scientist who's made an exciting discovery. I've never felt the joy (ugh) of giving birth. I've never seen a baby deer take its first steps or worked with animals covered in oil and then cleaned them and released them back into the ocean. These people experiencing these things have felt great satisfaction and pleasure that is certainly unequaled.

Well, I have felt greater pleasure.

When I Shazamed this song, my heart opened. Turns out, the song is called "Fancy Pants" and it's by a Mr. Al Hirt, a trumpet player from Nawlins.


Would you just look at him? Squeezable.

This guy is pretty tight. The more I read about him, the more amazing facts I learned. For example, did you know Al Hirt wrote the theme song for the Green Hornet television show? Fact. Also, did you know Al Hirt is a classically trained musician? Fact. And that Al Hirt recorded an album with Ann-Margret called Beauty and the Beard? Fact. (And probably my favorite.) AL HIRT.

This song was the hilarious theme for the rest of my trip in Los Angeles, and is now the official theme song of Anna Roch Enterprises ©. When I hear it, my heart soars but I also want to scramble to the nearest thrift store, buy a pair of overalls, get a piece of grass between my teeth, and dance down South Congress letting the world know that I am wearing my FANCY PANTS. Please pay special attention to the horns in this song. They are not only fancy, but extremely hilarious. ALSO THE LYRICS ARE REALLY EASY TO LEARN.