I always find myself craving a certain kind of music in January: one that evokes firelight and starlight, crisp blue twilights, soft snow. I’m always a little sad to let go of Christmas music and I’m not ready for anything revved-up or summer-carefree. So here are a few albums and songs I’m playing over and over, to ease me into this year that is both about comfort and bravery.
1. Sarah McLachlan’s Wintersong is technically a Christmas album, but includes several “winter songs,” and oh, they are gorgeous. And so is her voice. I adore her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “River” and her soft version of “In the Bleak Midwinter.”
2. Oren Lavie’s “Her Morning Elegance” seems like the perfect song to start a new year – inspiring, elusive and fun. (The rest of the CD tends to make me sad, though…so melancholy.)
3. Grace Pettis’ self-titled album is a favorite all year long, but these days I’m reaching for the quiet, meditative songs – “Turning Too,” “Speak Tenderly,” “Long Sleep.”
4. I love Nichole Nordeman all year long, but I especially love “Every Season” in the dead of winter. It celebrates each season and gives me hope for spring.
5. The Pride and Prejudice (2005) soundtrack is perfect for quiet afternoons at home, working or tidying or writing or just being.
6. Dave Madden‘s songs make me want to be a better person. (I’ve always been a sucker for guitar players with rough-edged voices and dark, soulful eyes.) Favorites include “Dirty Feet,” “The New New Testament” and “This is Love.”
What are you listening to lately?
cakes, tea and dreams 
oh wow, I love music suggestions! I’m going to be exploring these in iTunes this evening- thanks for sharing,
xoxo
I have a love for Sarah McLachlan’s Wintersong too! Thanks for these suggestions, I’m always willing to try new music, even if it’s just new to me.
I often find myself pulling out the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack at this time of year, as well as Jars of Clay’s “Who We Are Instead” album – from 2003, I think? – and a mix of “French cafe” music that is mellow enough for January, but still bright enough to remind me of sunshine. (Although I live in southern California, so the sunshine is kind of a constant.) Also, I just wanted to share that I recently read “Winter Solstice” and loved it! I picked it up because you’d mentioned it several times leading up to Christmas, and since I love most of the other books that you reference a lot, I thought I’d give it a try. I loved it so much that it’s going to be one of my regular Christmas reads, so thank you! 🙂
I’m listening to the Amazon samples of the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack right now and it is wonderful. Ordering pronto.
I also love Wintersong. Something in a similar vein that Joy Tanksley recommended is Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Come Darkness, Come Light – truly lovely, and doesn’t feel overtly Christmas-y, if that makes sense.
Another favourite soundtrack for me is the Hans Zimmer score for King Arthur – powerful and poignant, all at once.
Pink Martini is my go-to pick-me-up music anytime of year. The mix of music on any one release balances upbeat and quieter music, and it doesn’t tie to any one season.
Okay, Some of King Arthur may be too dark for January’s already dark days. Just saying.
I can’t get enough of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. Go listen to “Home”. For real. I think you will like it.
Hi- This is grace pettis. My husband googles me periodically and found your nice shout-out in this entry.
Thanks for pointing folks in my direction! I appreciate the kind words.
(And hey, I like your blog!)
grace