Thanksgiving.  The year is in the wind down as of today, though it doesn’t seem possible that 2011 is almost over. Today is a day of introspection and overeating, for counting blessings and consuming calories.  This year, I want to take a moment to give thanks while I question what comes next, personally and for this society and the world. There is so much discord, so much strife. So many hungry, homeless, war torn, out of work, out of money and out of luck. So while I am thankful for what I have, I can’t take for granted the rest. I don’t want to get used to the discord as the new normal. No one says it better than Darrell Scott, Poet Laureate of Americana.  Our condolences go out to Darrell and his family, for the loss of his father, Wayne Scott, a musician and guiding light. Among other projects, Darrell produced Wayne's 2005 album, This Weary Way, and you can read more about it on his site.

Darrell Scott's seventh studio album, Long Ride Home, will be released this coming January.  The new CD pays tribute to the country music of his youth, and many of its songs were written a long time ago; two are from when he was just 16. He is renowned for more than just his prodigious songwriting chops, to wit, for being a member of Robert Plant’s Band of Joy, which solidifies his stature as one of the finest all-around musicians in the world. Not to mention the three Grammy nominations and an Americana Music Association Honor. Today’s offering is the Music Fog recording of “The Day Before Thanksgiving,” originally found on the album A Crooked Road.  For a limited time, you can download a copy of the song on Darrell's site.   And of course, you can see the Music Fog version right here.

- Jessie Scott