Combine Dry Ingredients, Mix Well

Each year, my Christmas CD compilation finds its way to a handpicked audience. The selection of its songs is guided by some loose principles. It should say something about my year by way of musical review. It must contain at least one track featuring Jerry Garcia, either with the Dead or from some obscure, esoteric recording. I’m an alto player so homage to a significant saxophonist will be given somewhere. There must be some New Zealand music. The collection should take people somewhere new and strange. I have (and want to be seen to have) a slightly edgy taste. But the CD should not alienate the audience. I want to engage, invite, and make my audience comfortable. There must be enough songs the rest of my family like enough for it to be played regularly, at least well into February.