Giving the gift of music is as easy as it sounds. On one hand, it's always good to give a gift that you would like to receive yourself. But on the other hand, musical tastes vary from person to person and generation to generation. I remember as a teenager, receiving a Donny Osmond LP from an older relative who was trying to be cool when I probably would have preferred the most recent Black Sabbath record.
These days, I'm easy to buy music for. So many years in the business have broadened my taste and I like just about everything. But everyone isn't like that. So I'll try to throw out some tips to help with your last minute Christmas shopping.
For jazz lovers on your list, guitarist Al Di Meola is always a safe bet. New Jersey born and Berkeley School of Music trained, this artist has been challenging and breaking all boundaries in contemporary experimental jazz for well over 25 years. I first heard him in 1976 when he played in keyboardist great Chick Corea's band, Return To Forever along with lengedary bassist, Stanely Clarke. If I had to choose one of his 21 CDs in print it would probably be his 2006 Consequence of Chaos. This would make any experimental jazz fan happy (as well as any progressive guitar enthusiast).www.aldimeola.com
Sometimes it's just easier to get a gift card. People often give me Barnes & Noble cards which is great as, on the off chance that nothing in the music section strikes my fancy (unlikely, but possible), I can use the card to buy a book. Most large retailers offer gift cards in varying denominations. And there is always iTunes gift cards that you can pick up in just about any CVS or Rite Aid Pharmacy. This way takes the pressure off as you don't have to try and figure out what they'll like.
As a lifelong Charleston area resident, I feel it is my duty to urge you to buy local. Fortunately for us, we have a large and diverse music scene and quite a few local releases.
For blues enthusiast there is Shrimp City Slim's Dark Road Piano live on an old grand piano at the Circular Congregational Church in Downtown Charleston. Legend has it that they built the church in the round so there wouldn't be any corners for the devil to hide in. Well, I don't know about that but I do know that it was a great room to record this 15 song collection that showcases a more intimate side of this great blues artist.
For the rock fan on your list, the Rebel Souls ep is not only a great recording but very affordable. Sadler Vaden, Jonathan Carmen and Jason Fox pound out great thunderous rock that is both current and timeless. www.myspace.com/leslierocks
As far as actual Christmas music goes, Saxophonist Robert Williams has released a Christmas CD, Christmas Time. It features including: local bass wiz Wayne Mitchum, vocalists Jean Radekopf and Martin Chalk, pianist Tommy Gill, and late keyboardist Taras Kovayl (who the CD is in memory of). It was recorded on Dec. 16, 2007 at the Seacoast Chapel. I have been listening to it as I write this column and it is a wonderful collection of Christmas songs.
The folks at Seacoast Church have a program called Instruments of Hope. Instruments of Hope is a nonprofit program dedicated to collecting, repairing and donating musical instruments for students in school music programs who otherwise might have difficulty in obtaining them.
Donated instruments can be dropped off at Seacoast Church at 750 Long Point Road in Mt. Pleasant. To learn more about how to receive instruments for your class or learn more, contact Robert Williams at robertwilliams@seacoast.org.
Deb, Ozzie and myself wish all of our friends, family and neighbors here in the East Cooper Area a Merry Christmas!
Until next week, support live music and be nice to each other.


(Contact Stu at : allnightjohnson@gmail.com.)