Posted by Chau Tu

For Marketplace, Monday, November 29, 2010

On today’s show, Amy Sedaris kicked off the official holiday season by giving us a peek at her new book, “Simple Times: Crafting for Poor People.” Also in the holiday spirit was Marshall Cohen, chief retail analyst for the NPD Group, who spoke to Kai about his in-the-field research: braving the crowds and asking questions directly to the Black Friday consumers. The U.N. is meeting for another climate change summit, and this time it’s making sure that everyone is keeping on track with its global warming-reducing initiatives. As Ireland tries to figure out its economic woes, private investors are taking a hit. Federal workers in the U.S. may have to take a hit too, by not taking raises for two years. Some credit unions are facing a strange problem — too much cash — but that also might be bad too. And Sarah Gardner took a look at how investing in science could mean a big payoff. Here are the songs we played:

• Sweet Surrender – Sarah McLachlanBuy

• R U Listening? – Illa JBuy

• Diagonals – StereolabBuy

• Bring on the Dancing Horses – Echo & The BunnymenBuy

• Rockit – Herbie HancockBuy