Records make great gifts. Here is a list of some recent additions to my collection that might make great holiday gifts:

1. Jim Kweskin & The Jug Band - See Reverse Side For Title (1967)
With all the interest today in so-called roots music, attention to jug bands like Jim Kweskin's is steadily increasing. This 1967 recording - Kweskin's fourth - features Maria Muldaur before she was Muldaur - she was D'Amato - and her future husband Geoff is here as well. Maria's interpretation of Mississippi John Hurt's 'Richland Woman' anticipates her fine work on her solo debut a few years later. Worth a try.

2. Josh White 'Live' (1961)
Recorded in London in 1961, this live and unadorned recording of Josh White performing helps to reveal the source of his immense influence on the development of blues, folk, and rock and roll. His vocals and guitar playing are cited by countless performers. Everyone from George Harrison and Jimmy Page to Elvis and Pete Seeger revered Josh White and performed his songs. Led Zeppelin's 'In My Time of Dying' owes its origins to Josh White, as does Janis Joplin's 1968 recording of White's 'No More Ball and Chain.' This record concludes with Josh White's moving live performance of the timeless classic, 'Strange Fruit.' Born in 1914, white would only live to be 55 years old. This recording, made when he was 47, captures White in his prime as a performer.

3. The Band 'Music From Big Pink' (1968)
Speaking of roots music, The Band's debut, 'Music From Big Pink,' still sounds so fresh today that it is impossible to believe it was recorded more than forty years ago. With its Dylan-painted cover and its unique old timey sound, it represents the evolution  and integration of blues and folk and rock and roll. But the sound of this record is what gets to me - its warmth and honesty ushered in a generation of sincere sounding music, from George Harrison's debut album - see below - to Dylan himself.

4. George Harrison 'All Things Must Pass' (1970)
In the Fall of 1970, in the aftermath of the Beatles' demise, three records of George Harrison's songs burst forth, an instant classic album, 'All Things Must Pass.' Growing up, I went from being a Paul fan, a Ringo fan, a John fan, and finally, a George fan. I never owned this until a week or so ago. It is a revelation. You know many of the songs, 'My Sweet Lord,' 'Wah Wah,' 'What Is Life,' 'Beware of Darkness,' but the 'album cuts' you don't know make this a memorable record. They are so warm and so beautifully performed and produced.
The box - designed by legendary album designer Tom Wilkes - contains three records, each protected by a different colored matte finished paper sleeve, purple, grey and green.

5. The Incredible String Band (1966)
Produced by Joe Boyd, this self titled debut features psychedelic folk music from 1966. Like roots music, freak folk like this continues to have an ever greater influence on contemporary music. Bob Dylan cites the album's 'October Song' as one of his favorite songs of the time, and it was selected as Melody Maker magazine's 'Folk Album of the Year in 1966. ISB continued to create innovative music resulting in the classic 'The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter' album of 1968 and many others. But it all started here, and in Joe Boyd's capable production, never sounded better.

There you have it, five albums that belong in everyone's record collection. IMO. So, if you know someone who doesn't have one of these disks, it would certainly make a fine gift.