December 24, 2008

The 2008 BoysenClaes Christmas CD - Liner Notes

Merry Christmas Everyone

The 2008 BoysenClaes Christmas liner notes are here!

For those who don't know, my wife and I have been putting together a Christmas CD for 10 years. The 2008 version is special for a few reasons. One, since in 2008 we bought INsite Magazine, BoysenClaes Productions, Inc. is an OFFICIAL name. Neat. Also, it's the 10th annual Christmas CD we've done.

Now.. this isn't an actual "marketable" CD, it's just a mix CD we have put together each year to give to friends and family as gifts, and to tip folks off to some of the really, really good music they may not have heard before. We only make about 40-60 copies.

You'll notice this CD is very Austin-heavy in the artists (all of our mixCDs are)...because we believe greatly in the local scene. I invite you to click the band names... visit their sites, and check out their stuff. You're only cheating yourself if you don't.

Hope you enjoy. If I know you and you'd like a copy of the CD, shoot me an e-mail - seanclaes@seanclaes.com.


1. Bad Sushi For Santa ............ The Biscuit Brothers
The Biscuit Brothers are a family favorite. Tiny Scarecrow (who sings this track) is awesome. A little fun to start out the CD. (biscuitbrothers.com)

2. Change The World .............................. Ben Harper
Two reasons this one made the CD. Number 1 – this has an amazing message. YOU can change the world with your own 2 hands. What are you doing to make it so? Number 2 – My youngest daughter’s name is Harper (1) and my oldest daughter, Marlee (4), once tripped Ben Harper at Austin City Limits Music Fest. (benharper.net)

3. Live for Today....................................Natalie Grant
Jodie (my wife)chose this one. I have to admit I hadn't heard it before, but it’s a very cool song… plus I believe she’s going to end up getting a tattoo in 2009 that says “Live For Today.” (nataliegrant.com)

4. Naked Fool.................................Michael Fracasso
“She’s got dancer’s feet and her mother’s smile.” I was honored to be able to see Michael Fracasso live in 2008. You should check him out too. (michaelfracasso.com)

5. Something So Much............................ Drew Smith
Drew Smith reminds me of a Wilson Pickett-style performer. So passionate and timeless. (drewsmithmusic.com)

6. Good Love......................................... Steve Liddell
In 2008 I helped put on a music festival outside of Tulsa Oklahoma called the Backwoods Bash with my childhood friend Trevor Lane and Matt Jostes. Steve Liddell was one of the performers who impressed the heck out of me. Oh, we’re doing a 2009 Backwoods Bash… FYI. (myspace.com/steveliddell)

7. I’m Yours.............................................. Jason Mraz
Mr. A-Z. This guy just has a way with words. He went on a Jack Johnson vibe on this one. (jasonmraz.com)

8. Handlebars ................................................. Flobots
“Me and my friends saw a platapus.” I dig this song.. but it made the album because Marlee fell in love with the track. We went to Batfest in Austin this year and heard it live. Great live show too. (flobots.com)

9. Brother Lee........................................ Citizen Cope
So, I got this CD a few years ago and never played it. A few months ago I popped it in the CD player and got hooked on this song. Also,Jodie’s got a brother Lee and they have similar features. (citizencope.com)

10. A Very Good Way .......................... Naked Empire
Naked Empire is a new-ish band out of Austin. Great stuff. If you noticed this CD is getting more rocking as the songs go on. I think this one is the heaviest of the bunch… in a very good way. (nakedempiremusic.com)

11. Remember When That Train Wrecked Our Lifestyle ......................Driver F
Driver F is a band Sal Silva from CD Fuse turned me on to. Really glad he did. These guys should be much much more famous than they are. (driverf.com)

12. Live............................................................ Vallejo
Vallejo is one of my favorite Austin bands. They’ve been around for a long time.. this one has a little funky Santana-esque beat. Dig it. (vallejomusic.com)

13. Posey Road Stomp ......................... Terri Hendrix
This is off Terri’s newest, called Left Over-alls. It’s a look back at songs she didn’t include on other albums. Love the first line. (terrihendrix.com)

14. Blueglass Lake.................................. Full Service
You never know what you’ll get when you pop a Full Service CD in. Well.. all you know is it’s going to be good. This song has a 60s folk feel. (fullservicemusic.com)

15. Sam’s Place ................................... The Derailers
Time for some Pure Honky Tonk – off their Under The Influence of Buck. The Derailers are a family favorite, great folks and great musicians. (derailers.com)

16. I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink ........................ Merle Haggard
Some classic Haggard. Seemed to fit right in after the Derailers song. Oh.. and it’s from the recently released Greatest Hits 2. (merlehaggard.com)

17. Everyman .................................. Southpaw Jones
Southpaw Jones has a way with words. You’ve got to listen closely to this one to get some great laughs. (southpawjones.net)

18. Rain Down................................................Autumn
This little ditty leaves a smile on my face every time I hear it. “Everything’s going to be all right.” (autumnonline.com)

19. The Last Waltz ...................................... Abi Tapia
This is another one of those singers that amazes me that she isn’t on every country station in the land. Really solid songs. (abitapia.com)

20. O Come, All Ye Faithful .................. George Strait
A classic song sung by a legend. Did you know his middle name is Harvey? (georgestrait.com)

21. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer...................... Adam Donmoyer/ David Love
Adam Donmoyer is a really interesting dude. He’s a friend, co-worker, and comes up with some of the oddest (in a good way) songs in the world. This is his cover of a Christmas Classic. David Love is his guitarist/producer and a cool dude in his own right. Heck, his studio is named Love Monkey Studios. You gotta love that. (myspace.com/adamdonmoyer)

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