Winter Soundtrack

Laura Marling from the UK, when I'm hungry for Joni but Joni won't do.



The Flirtations' "Nothing but a Heartache" to toast my frozen toes after another round of shoveling. Thanks for the link, Girl Group!



Brazilian bossa nova from Joao Gilberto plus George and Ira Gershwin equalsmarvelous.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman's "Slow Boat to China"

From "The Master," a perfect scene of longing and regret and uncrossable distance.

So many brilliant performances, so many unforgettable characters, but not enough, never enough. I saw a photo of Hoffman at Sundance last week and felt a familiar thrill at his beautiful expressive face.

"What is his next magic?" I wondered. And now there is no more.