2006 Draws to a Close

I want to wish a Happy New Year to all of our friends, family and the extended world at large.

As we close the year, it's important to recall that the music world lost an iconic figure in the legendary person of James Joseph Brown, Jr., The Godfather of Soul on Christmas Day. As an homage and in the best respectful way I can manage, I present the following songs by the legend for your listening pleasure. You should see a small blue arrow to the right of each title that will play the song right here in your browser.

• Christmas In Heaven
• Please Please Please
• I'll Go Crazy (Live @ The Apollo)
• It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World
• Funky Drummer

Most poignant for me was the first one, Christmas in Heaven. Here's my prayer that you really are enjoying Christmas in Heaven, Mr. Brown. And thanks for all the songs.

More Information: James Brown, the 'Godfather of Soul,' dies at 73

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- James Brown, the legendary R&B belter, a singer and songwriter who created a foundation for funk and provided the roots of rap, a man of many nicknames but a talent that can only be described as one of a kind, is dead.