Don't you just love going out to your neigh-borhood farmers market to purchase local goods and produce? Not only is everything fresh and delicious, you know your picks were lovingly made or harvested by people in your community.
Even though it is wintertime and the fields are frozen until the big thaw, you can still pick a local crop for Christmas -- a musical one.
This year, a veritable cornucopia of styles, with boutique-produced discs and major-label releases to choose from, is available on CD. Talent includes sparkling newcomers and polished journeymen players who have long been honing their craft.
We've rounded up 10 gift suggestions for the music lovers on your list. Happy shopping and listening!
"Positivity." Codi Jordan -- Eden's Jordan has been building an easygoing dub/reggae sound with his band for a number of years now, winning fans over with crowd-friendly appearances in Utah and beyond. This is Jordan's second album, one with more texture and instrumentation than his impressive 2008 debut, "Vacation."
Recorded at Ogden's DK Studios with Derek Keith at the helm as producer (Keith is also part of the band), the CD features all-original music. Highlights include the flowing groove of "Misery" and the Latin-beat-tinged instrumental "Sin Nombre."
For those who love the fun side of reggae and dub, this one is a good fit. www.myspace.com/codijordan
"My Life's Crossroads." Scotty Haze -- Haze is a lifelong Ogden resident who comes from the same lineage that produced local rock/blues stalwarts The Kap Brothers Band.
Haze made his mark first as a guitarist in various outfits, and his chops on that instrument are strong indeed, and on display here. But this disc demonstrates skillful songwriting as well on this, his debut. Haze drew studio support from roughly a dozen talented area musicians. The hopeful country-rock-tinged "We Might Change It Anyway" and guitar-crunchy bragger "Rock Star" are especially good.
This one is a nice choice for those who like their rock with a touch of twang as well as reflection. www.scottyhaze.com
"Go Lightly." Marny Proudfit -- An Ogden singer/songwriter who is relatively new on the scene, Proudfit released this, her first CD, earlier this month.
The CD includes all-original material, with standouts including the gentle, hopeful and cleverly titled "Lions, Tigers & Bear Lake Monsters" and "Love Me, to You," a song that well displays Proudfit's ethereal vocals.
For those fond of female singer/songwriters, Proudfit will likely be a happy discovery. www.facebook.com/marnyproudfit
"Pleasure Junkies." Fox Van Cleef -- These Ogden-based rockers have described their oeuvre as what it would sound like if Tom Waits and Nina Simone had a love child they then abandoned at an empty truck stop bathroom to fend for himself. There is some truth in this silliness -- the vocals are soulful and sometimes gritty. The licks are ripping and funk-laced.
"Pleasure Junkies" is the band's second album, and shows a group that is tightening up and maturing in the studio. Standouts are the moody and expressive "Dizzy" and the 2/4 beat get-down of "Dance of the Dead."
For those on your list who like soulful vocals and groovin' solid rock, this one will please. www.foxvancleef.com
"Singin' on the Job." Doug Wintch -- This is something of a concept album for the beloved Salt Lake City-based singer/songwriter, revealed by its subtitle, "Songs for Carpenters, Handymen, and the Not-So-Handy!" Wintch is a carpenter himself, so he knows the territory well.
These songs range from humorous to tear-jerking -- the first represented cleverly by his homage to a certain national home-remodeling chain, "T.H. D'peau" (sound it out), to the touching salute to the Greatest Generation, "Frank the Fighting Seebee."
Got a loved one who is a home-improvement guru who also appreciates a dose of humor and strong storytelling? This is the one. www.dougwintch.net
"Brand New Shoes." Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand -- Ogden-born Shupe and his boys have built a big following not only in Utah, but beyond, with a unique sound that marries neo-bluegrass, jam band, rock and world music.
As per usual with Shupe, the CD features his original work, and his longtime band seems to know just what the boss needs to make the material jump. Standouts include the sunny and romantic opener, "Meant To Be," and "Baldy," a funny and touching homage to a beloved family pet.
You likely already have a Shupe fan on your list, but if not, choose this for one who appreciates family-friendly songs of various styles, played with imagination and style on traditional bluegrass instruments. www.shupe.net
"The Other Side of Down." David Archuleta -- Murray's "American Idol" darling is back with his long-awaited follow-up to his Christmas CD of last year.
No doubt, the winsome young pop star who wowed and stole hearts with his lovely tenor is still at the fore, but the record also shows a lot of growth. Archuleta penned the bulk of these songs with a little guidance from some heavy-hitting pop songwriters. His vocal agility is well-displayed on the up-tempo pop tune "Stomping the Roses" and also on the first-rush-of-love romantic tune "Parachutes and Airplanes."
If you know someone who likes crisp arrangements and beautiful tenor vocals, this fresh pop offering is likely to bring a smile on Christmas morning. www.davidarchuleta.com
"Equine." Brenn Hill -- Hill, who has made his mark regionally and nationally with his engaging brand of cowboy-flavored country, released his seventh CD.
Hill, a prolific songwriter, delivers a vast single CD, including 16 original songs. The Hooper resident had to take somewhat of a hiatus from his career while his young son, Briggs, fought a brain tumor, but kept right on writing during that horrific battle.
As you might guess from the title, Hill's love of horses is real and deep, and much of the album celebrates that aspect of his life.
Standout cuts include a song directed at a stubborn horse called "Monster on Your Back," and the truly moving piece about dealing with the possibility of losing a child in "The Power of Prayer."
For your cowboys who enjoy taking in Utah's wide-open spaces from a saddle's perch, and really, for anyone who loves a well-crafted song, this is a fine choice. www.brennhill.com
"Bridges I Can't Burn." Shaney McCoy -- Ogden's McCoy has said she has been writing songs all of her life. She spent a number of years playing in Arizona with a five-piece country band, and that training served her well, as is evident in the new CD. This is her debut CD.
She currently plays solo and acoustic, with a fine mix of blues and folk flavors. Two tracks on the CD got her picked as a finalist in the prestigious Susanne Millsaps Performing Songwriter Showcase for 2010.
"Right As Rain" and "Scars" are both strong and engaging pieces of introspection and discovered inner strength.
If you know a fan of well-written, relatable songs, this relative newcomer's CD will probably get a lot of spin into the New Year. www.ShaneyMcCoy.com
"Anchor." Mindy Gledhill -- This third release by Provo-based Gledhill is an upbeat and sunny affair. She recorded it in Los Angeles under the helm of producer Stuart Brawley, known for his work with such artists as Michael Jackson, Lenka and Brandy. Songs were written or co-written by Gledhill.
The album's focus is mostly on lighthearted and frothy pop, sung with verve in Gledhill's sweet soprano. The love song "All About Your Heart," with its gentle instrumentation and slow build, and the beat-driven "Whole Wide World" are infectious.
This is a perfect selection for someone on your list who likes sweet-natured pop music with a positive message. www.mindygledhill.com.
"Positivity." Codi Jordan
"My Life's Crossroads." Scotty Haze
"Go Lightly." Marny Proudfit
"Pleasure Junkies." Fox Van Cleef
"Singin' on the Job." Doug Wintch
"Brand New Shoes." Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand
"Equine." Brenn Hill
"Anchor." Mindy Gledhill
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