DECK THE MALLS ... : SOME IDEAS TO HELP WELL-INTENTIONED GIFT-GIVERS HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.Byline: Fred Shuster Daily News Staff Writer You can't find your car keys and it's the busiest shopping day of the year. How can you be expected to come up with the perfect music-oriented gift this holiday season? With that in mind, we've taken some of the agony out of shopping. For example, we've checked out some electronics stores to discover what some of the hot buys are this year. And there are CD box sets that you'll keep returning to long after the mistletoe mistletoe, common name for the Loranthaceae, a family of chiefly tropical hemiparasitic herbs and shrubs with leathery evergreen leaves and waxy white berries. They have green leaves, but they manufacture only part of the nutrients they require. has wilted and eggnog is merely a fond memory. Of course, you'll still have some trudging to do down Ventura Boulevard Ventura Boulevard is one of the primary east-west thouroughfares in the San Fernando Valley; as it was originally a part of the El Camino Real (the trail between Spanish missions), Ventura Boulevard is the oldest route in the San Fernando Valley. It was also U.S. or through the mall. Not everything can be downloaded from the World Wide Web. Yet. Speaking of the computer age, those Internet browsers ($449) designed to transform an ordinary TV set into a Web-friendly terminal are among the biggies this year. No word on when the portable automated teller machine automated teller machine (ATM), device used by bank customers to process account transactions. Typically, a user inserts into the ATM a special plastic card that is encoded with information on a magnetic strip. and microwave oven combo is due. Television holds sway in many homes, and as satellite systems ($100 and up) become more affordable, digital TV is increasing in popularity, said Morgan Stewart, spokesman for the Richmond, Va.-based Circuit City chain, which has more than 400 stores across the country. ``Technology is becoming easier to produce, so things like digital satellite service and the new Web-TV browsers have become cheaper,'' he said. ``They're some of our biggest sellers this year.'' But you don't have to short-circuit your bank account in order to sample the hot new electronic gadgets. Some winners this season include Grundig's Yacht Boy short-wave radio ($189), Seiko's always-popular Message Watches ($49 to $219) and Sony's sleek CD player and clock-radio ($150). And to keep track of official channels, Uniden makes a snazzy snaz·zy adj. snaz·zi·er, snaz·zi·est Slang Fashionable or flashy. [Origin unknown.] snaz line of scanners that pick up everything from police and fire calls to your neighbor's cellular phone conversations ($129 to $329). Another goodie good·ie n. Variant of goody1. for musicians and folks in the music business is Sony's DAT (1) (Dynamic Address Translator) A hardware circuit that converts a virtual memory address into a real address. See also DAT file. (2) (Digital Audio Tape) A magnetic tape technology used for backing up data. Walkman ($699.99), a tasty little recorder using digital audio tape See DAT. (storage, music) Digital Audio Tape - (DAT) A format for storing music on magnetic tape, developed in the mid-1980s by Sony and Philips. As digital music was popularized by compact discs, the need for a digital recording format for the consumer existed. for crystal clear, CD-quality sound. ``It's the recording quality,'' explained Les Fields, manager of Affordable Portables in Woodland Hills. ``People in the music industry love it. They make their demo tapes on DAT.'' In the shiny little world of CDs ($12 to $17), some of the biggest stars have new albums - and films - out. Madonna offers her soundtrack to ``Evita,'' Barbra Streisand Noun 1. Barbra Streisand - United States singer and actress (born in 1942) Barbra Joan Streisand, Streisand insists that ``The Mirror Has Two Faces,'' and Whitney Houston makes ``The Preacher's Wife'' soundtrack a must-have for fans due to its mix of gospel and pop hits written by Babyface and Annie Lennox Annie Lennox (born Ann Lennox on 25 December 1954) is a Scottish musician and vocalist. She is both a solo artist and the lead singer of the duo Eurythmics, called "The Greatest White Soul Singer Alive" on the VH1 show 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll 1999. . Also recommended: the ``Sling Blade'' soundtrack with music by experimental producer-musician Daniel Lanois; Prince's triple-CD ``Emancipation''; ``The Best of Kris Kross''; ``Refugee Camp'' by the Fugees; and ``Death Row's Greatest Hits,'' which includes smash hits from rappers Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre. We're willing to bet music fans of any stripe will get a kick out of any of the following box sets ($25 to $157): ``Gravikords, Whirlies & Pyrophones: Experimental Musical Instruments''; ``The Complete Atlantic Recordings,'' John Coltrane “Coltrane” redirects here. For other uses, see Coltrane (disambiguation). John William Coltrane (September 23 1926 – July 17 1967), nicknamed Trane, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. ; ``The Mercury R&B Story''; ``People Get Ready! The Curtis Mayfield Story''; ``The Doo Wop Box II''; ``The Aeroplane Flies High,'' Smashing Pumpkins; and ``Billie Holiday Billie Holiday (April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959), born Eleanora Fagan and later nicknamed Lady Day (see "Jazz royalty" regarding similar nicknames), was an American jazz singer, a seminal influence on jazz and pop singers, and generally regarded as one of the : The Complete Verve Recordings 1945-59.'' We keep hearing that vinyl records (remember them?) are making a comeback. In fact, many record stores are selling records again ($14 to $20). The latest on virgin vinyl: ``Coming Up,'' Suede; ``New Adventures in Hi-Fi,'' R.E.M.; ``Aenima,'' Tool; ``Pre-Millennium Tension,'' Tricky. As for musicians themselves, their neighbors will thank you for giving any model Pocket Rock-It ($40 to $120), an ultra-cool device with a built-in two-channel mixer that allows guitarists to practice along with a favorite CD while listening on headphones Head-mounted speakers. Headphones have a strap that rests on top of the head, positioning a pair of speakers over both ears. For listening to music or monitoring live performances and audio tracks, both left and right channels are required. . Silent nights, indeed. Of course, you can go all out and give a Fender American Standard Stratocaster ($529) electric guitar in an array of delicious colors. On the other end of the price scale, Hohner's famous blues harmonicas ($16.99) are still great value for the money. Guitarists also will delight in Jim Dunlop's new ``Jimi Hendrix'' line of special effects special effects, in motion pictures, cinematographic techniques that create illusions in the audience's minds as well as the illusions created using these techniques. ($80 to $199), including the Uni-vibe, various wah-wah pedals and fuzz boxes. Aspiring singers can't go far wrong with the Leadsinger ($219), a karaoke-type contraption that resembles a microphone, contains a variety of built-in instrumental tracks and broadcasts the singer's voice through any nearby radio. You don't have to be a singer or a musician to appreciate this year's display of new-age electronics. Cell phones (price depends upon activation) are growing in popularity daily while it's not hard to imagine a future where every home boasts a jukebox that stores and plays 200 CDs ($350). Already, ``people are buying VCRs for every room,'' Circuit City's Stewart said. ``The new TV-VCR combos are going in kitchens and bathrooms.'' Prices are dropping in Dropping in is a skateboarding trick with which a skateboarder can start skating a half-pipe by dropping into it from the coping instead of starting from the bottom and pumping gradually for more speed. other areas, too. For example, high-quality camcorders that once sold for more than $1,000 are now around $750, Stewart added. The future's so bright, in fact, you probably need sunglasses. Time for a quick trip to one of the many upscale boutiques specializing in eyewear. Trendy models for both sexes by Donna Karan Donna Karan is the fashion designer and the creator of the DKNY (Donna Karan New York) clothing label. She was born Donna Ivy Faske on October 9, 1948 in Forest Hills, New York. , Red Rose and Persol ($100 to $300) won't leave you squinting squint v. squint·ed, squint·ing, squints v.intr. 1. To look with the eyes partly closed, as in bright sunlight. 2. a. To look or glance sideways. b. . But just because your neighbors have VCRs in every room, a TV set wired to the fabulous world of the Internet, Message Watches on their wrists, and spend their weekends listening to your phone conversations on their portable scanner doesn't mean all is lost. Despite all that glittery gear, they probably can't read. That's why you're going to the bookstore this year to pick up a couple of fine new books to give as gifts: ``Blues All Around Me: The Autobiography of B.B. King'' by B.B. King with David Ritz (Avon Books; $23) and ``Noise From the Underground: A Secret History of Alternative Rock'' with photos by Michael Lavine Michael Lavine ( born October 13, 1963 San Francisco, CA) grew up in Denver, Colorado, graduating from Denver's South High School in 1981. During his formative years a camera was never far from Michael's hand. and text by Pat Blashill (Fireside Books; $25). It's enough to make you crave a strong cup of java. Luckily, Starbucks is at it again with a seasonal six-pack of various ground coffees ($14.95), colorful assortments of mugs ($7.95) and a gift box that includes mug, coffee beans, notebook and pen ($29.95). Plus, of course, Starbucks offers a series of blues and jazz compilation CDs. Since humans are ultimately hunters-gatherers, and trudging through stores is still necessary this time of year, the need for comfortable shoes can't be overestimated. That's why Dr. Martens Dr. Martens is a footwear, clothing and accessories brand, and the footwear products are often known as Doc Martens, Docs or DMs. The footwear is distinct because of its air-cushioned sole (dubbed Bouncing Soles), developed by Dr. , the former British police boot embraced by rock fans the world over, can be such a great gift for all ($99 to $129). Or just get one for yourself and get shopping. Gift of music event strikes the right chord Tickets to various musical events make welcome gifts any time of year. Here's a list of shows to look forward to in the coming months. ``Show Boat'' continuing through Feb. 23. Dec. 4: David Sanborn For other persons named David Sanborn, see David Sanborn (disambiguation). David Sanborn (born July 30, 1945) is an American alto saxophonist, most commonly associated with radio-friendly smooth jazz and pop-jazz fusion. , Joe Sample (Wiltern Theatre The Wiltern Theatre and adjacent 12-story Pellissier Building are an Art Deco landmark located on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue in Los Angeles, California. The entire complex is commonly referred to as simply the Wiltern. ). Dec. 7: L.A. Philharmonic ``Symphonies for Youth'' (10:15 a.m. Music Center). Dec. 10: Mavericks, Junior Brown (Pantages Theatre). Dec. 10-15: ``A Christmas Carol'' (Alex Theatre). Dec. 12: Solomon Burke (Billboard Live). Dec. 12-24: San Francisco Ballet's ``Nutcracker'' (Pasadena Civic). Dec. 13: Black Crowes, Govn't Mule (Pantages). Dec. 15: Morris Day and the Time (Ventura Theatre). Dec. 16: Chalk Farm (Troubadour troubadour One of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians, often of knightly rank, that flourished from the 11th through the 13th century, chiefly in Provence and other regions of southern France, northern Spain, and northern Italy. ). Dec. 17-18 and 20-21: Counting Crows, Posies (Wiltern). Dec. 21: Metallica, Korn (Forum). Dec. 22: Melissa Etheridge (Sports Arena). Dec. 23: Bette Midler (Universal Amphitheatre). Dec. 26: Little Feat (House of Blues House of Blues (HOB) is a chain of music halls and restaurants founded in 1992 by Hard Rock Cafe founder Isaac Tigrett and his friend and investor Dan Aykroyd. It is a home for live music and southern-inspired cuisine, whose clubs celebrate African-American culture, specifically ). Dec. 26-28: Mandy Patinkin (Music Center). Dec. 30: Cypress Hill (House of Blues). Jan. 9: Joe Henderson, Charlie Haden (House of Blues). Jan. 10-12: L.A. Philharmonic, Bartok and Brahms (Music Center). Jan. 11: ``Basically Baroque'' (Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is a performing arts and administrative center located in Thousand Oaks, California. It was built in 1994 on the former site of "Jungleland" at a cost of $63.8 million. ). Jan. 16-17, 19: L.A. Philharmonic, Debussy and Stravinsky (Music Center). Jan. 23: Carol Vaness (Alex Theatre). Jan. 24: Kronos Quartet (Alex Theatre). Jan. 29: L.A. Opera's ``Tosca'' reopens (Music Center). Feb. 21: L.A. Opera's ``Tristan und Isolde'' opens (Music Center). Feb. 28: Marilyn Horne (Alex Theatre). Tickets and prices available by calling the venues or through Ticketmaster, (213) 480-3232. CAPTION(S): Drawing, 9 Photos, Box Drawing: (Cover--Color) Do you hear what I hear? Tune out the shopping static and into our shopping guide James Hames/Daily News Photo: (1) In the shiny little world of CDs, some of the biggest stars have new albums out, including ``Death Row's Greatest Hits'' and ``Sling Blade'' and ``The Preacher's Wife'' soundtracks. Hans Gutknecht/Daily News (2) Sony's $150 clock-radio and CD player needn't short-circuit your finances. (3) Seiko's always-popular Message Watches ($49 to $219) offer timely savings. (4) Uniden's line of scanners ($129 to $329) includes the Twin Turbo Sportcat. (5) Cellular phones, including Motorola's Star Tac model are growing in popularity daily. (6) Box sets ($25 to $157) include ``Gravikords, Whirlies & Pyrophones.'' (7) Pocket Rock-It models offer a quiet alternative for practicing musicians. (8) Sony's DAT Walkman ($699.99), uses digital audio tape for crystal clear, CD-quality sound. (9) Included in the gifts-that-keep-on-giving category are tickets to events such as ``Show Boat,'' continuing through Feb. 23. Box: Gift of music event strikes the right chord (See Text) |
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