Happy Thanksgiving

For those outside North America who are unfamiliar... the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow is probably the purest and heartfelt of all we celebrate. A holiday devoid of outside commercialism and solely intent on serving as a day for us to pause and reflect on the blessings we have in the company of those we love, all the while stuffing ourselves with our traditional Thanksgiving feasts. I on the other hand have got to work again, for the 11th year in a row, but that's another issue that we won't get into today.

I sincerely recognize the blessings in my life and I thank God on a daily basis for what he has given me - a roof over my head, food, a wife and two fantastic kids... I couldn't ask for more, though I sometimes have to stop myself from lusting for things that are out of my reach. I'm working on that.

Outside of gorging on turkey and sweet potato or pumpkin pie... (I prefer the latter though there are those who can actually make a clear distinction between the similar flavors. They will also proclaim their yam based desert as the champion of holiday confections and are perfectly willing to put their lives on the line to defend its honor, but that too is another issue)... Thanksgiving is also the time of year that a lot of good hearted people recognize those who are less fortunate and for me the cyclone in Bangladesh is what's weighing heavily on my mind this year. Now I'm not one to get political or outwardly vocal about social causes but, for Thanksgiving this year I've made a donation to UNICEF because as news headlines have reported, nearly half of those affected by this natural disaster are children with an estimated 400,000 under the age of 5. I have a weak spot for children because of their understandable inability to fend for themselves and their sadly unfortunate vulnerabilities in times of need.

But enough about that... I know you don't stop by here to listen to me plug humanitarian organizations or listen to my preaching, you come here for Jamaican music and that's what you're gonna get today. A mix of songs that recognize the need to give thanks... something we should all take time to do every now and then, no matter where we're from or what we believe.

Here's the simple tracklisting...

1. Jimmy London - Thank The Lord
2. The Skatalites - Give Thanks
3. Little John - Thanks & Praise
4. Jackie Mittoo - Be Thankful
5. The Wailers - Thanks You Lord
6. Brigadier Jerry - Give Thanks And Praise
7. Tony Curtis - Jah I Thank You
8. Delroy Butler - Give Thanks
9. Leroy Smart - Give Thanks & Praise
10. The Silvertones - Be Thankful
11. Barry Brown - Give Thanks And Praise
12. Johnnie Clarke - Give Thanks
13. Prince Buster - Thanksgiving
14. Sylford Walker - Give Thanks And Praise To Jah
15. Gregory Isaacs - Thank You
16. Michael Prophet - Give Thanks
17. Horace Andy - Thank You Lord
18. Rod Taylor - Give Thanks And Praise
19. Garnett Silk - Thank You, Jah
20. Israel Vibration - Give Thanks And Praise

...perfect mellow listening for the 3 to 12 hours in the car, waiting for the holiday traffic to move, on your way to dinner at Grandmother's house.

Happy Thanksgiving