PW Picks

And These are a Few of Our Favorite Things...

Each month, the PW team brings you our old standbys, best-in-shows and current obsessions of products and services for your body, home, wellbeing and more.

Denise Grusin – PW Account Manager
Good Rockin’ Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records – Various Artists
As a young child, I remember the epic voices of Elvis, Jerry Lewis and other Sun Records legends coming from the radio, but it wasn’t until much later that I fully appreciated their contributions to the evolution of music.

Good Rockin’ Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records features second and third generation rock ‘n rollers reprising the early hits of the legends of Sun Studios. Some of them sound uncannily like the originals – Paul McCartney’s rendition of Elvis’s hit “That’s All Right Mama” or Elton John’s reprise of Jerry Lee’s “A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” for example – but the ones that really move me are interpretations of Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” by LIVE, and Matchbox Twenty singing “Lonely Weekend.” The CD reminds me of my days growing up in Memphis, where I was exposed to this soulful, pioneering music from the cradle.

Elizabeth Kaplan – PW Account Manager
Proud – Heather Small
One of my favorite CDs is a recent one I picked up... Proud by Heather Small. Heather is a UK product with a strong voice and meaningful lyrics. I was surprised to find that I like each and every song on the CD (a rarity for me). It’s one of those CDs I’ll be sure to keep on permanent rotation in my car.

Kristine Hedlund – PW Publisher
Lie To Me – Johnny Lang
Johnny Lang, or as I knew him, Kid Johnny Lang, started playing in select bars and clubs in Fargo, ND, when he was just 12 years old. He had the voice of a 50-year-old blues singer, played barefoot, and knocked the socks off of everyone who listened.

Johnny has opened for the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, BB King, Sting and many others in his long/short career. This CD was his second, and my favorite song on it is "Lie to Me." Johnny most recently released Turn Around, which has more of a gospel sound to it.

This singer is a definite add to your iPod.

Marrissa Meyer – PW Associate Editor
Pieces – Jimmy K
I have a few albums in my collection that I love for their ability to transport me to another time or place. Jimmy K’s debut album, Pieces, is one of those albums. It reminds me of sunny afternoons spent in boardwalk cafes by the ocean. My favorite song on the album is “Bug Me;” it epitomizes Jimmy K’s Indie-funk, acoustic rock style. When I listen to Pieces, I can’t help but sit back, relax and kick off my shoes.

Trif Kupanoff – President
It’s Time – Michael Buble

It’s Time by Michael Buble is one of my favorite albums to relax with; it’s upbeat and calming at the same time. Michael has an uncanny ability to resurrect the Sinatra-esque big band, swing sound better than any other contemporary singer. It’s Time is also filled with some of my favorite standards and seems to be the perfect album for almost any occasion.