Okay, Thanksgiving is here in just a few days. It’s time for the annual communion with the New Jersey turnpike as I head south to see family. But I’ve got some interesting presents in the ol’ stash bag:

For the kids, and for the eclectic folks, there is a wonderful compilation of (mostly) Washington, DC musicians, doing everything from kiddy-sing to hip hop to honky tonk called “A Chanukah Feast”

For those who want something a bit edgier, my favorite Latino-Jewish hip hop band, the Hip Hop Hoodíos have promised a Hanukah-timed limited release of their new album, “Agua pa’ la gente”. I’ve heard some tracks recorded since their initial EP, and if included here, this is going to be a smokin’ disk. The CD even comes with a money-back guarantee For those, like me, who would rather not wait until March for the official release, you can order the album now and they say that it will arrive in time for the holidays. (Use special “HHH” promo code for the special $11.98 discount price – a discount and it arrives in time for Hanukah!)

Finally, Lorin Sklamberg, of the Klezmatics, has announced a limited edition of the new ‘matics Woody Guthrie Hanukah material: The Klezmatics: Woody Guthrie’s Happy Joyous Hanuka (Klezmatics Records, 2004)

In 1942, Woody Guthrie moved to Brooklyn and soon, through his mother-in-law, the renowned Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblat, he became involved with the Coney Island Jewish community. He wrote songs about Hanuka, about Jewish history and spiritual life and about World War II and the antifascist cause. After his death in 1967, these songs sat forgotten in archives. Lost for almost thirty years, Guthrie’s Jewish lyrics were discovered in 1998 by Woody’s daughter, Nora Guthrie. She was so inspired by what she found, she asked the Klezmatics to write new music for the lyrics. “Woody Guthrie’s Happy Joyous Hanuka” is the first recorded release of this amazing material. Deftly intermingling klezmer with American folk and bluegrass, “Woody Guthrie’s Happy Joyous Hunaka” is destined to become a holiday classic for generations to come. This delightful collection of songs, “Hanuka’s Flame”, “Hanuka Gelt”, “The Many and the Few” and others, is among the best of Guthrie’s work, and the Klezmatics’ playful renditions cast a new light on the Hanuka tradition.

This limited edition collectors release comes in a jacket, hand printed at the Chicago Print Museum, that folds into a dreidel! Available only via the internet.

May as well order these now and avoid the rush on Friday after Thanksgiving. Enjoy.