Category: Americana

Stubbys House of Christmas

LINDLEY RUTH & HER TIPSY STRING BAND (feat. JORDAN HULL)

1/13/2011

Never too late to come across a freebie as tasty as this one. Lindley Ruth and Her Tipsy String Band specialize in Alt Country Americana and likely no song fits that bill any better than Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas From The Family". The band calls on Indie Folk and Soul-ster Jordan Hull to lend a hand (or a voice). Lindley and Jordan blend together well, as do this song and "Blue Christmas". You'll understand when you listen. Weighing in at 6 minutes, you definitely get your money's worth on this one. And did I mention it's free? Pick it up at Bandcamp or on Lindley Ruth's facebook site. Trust me, you want this one.

AULD LANG SYNE - CHRISTMAS EVE (WRITHING DAYS)

12/29/2010

Auld Lang Syne / Christmas Eve (Writhing Days) from Kitchen Sessions on Vimeo.

This is pretty cool. A band named Auld Lang Syne with an original Christmas song. And it's no Holly Jolly exercise, either. This 10 minute epic from the Rochester Roots Rock band is pretty much a holiday dirge. At first listen, it appears to be a song about celebrating in the face of endless misery. Perhaps a song about survival and soldiering onward. That's just my initial take, for what it's worth. "Christmas Eve (Writhing Days)" was recorded for the Vimeo Kitchen Sessions and Auld Lang Syne has made it available as a free download through Soundcloud. Just use the widget below.

Christmas Eve (Writhing Days) by Auld Lang Syne

SCI-FI ROMANCE - AULD LANG SYNE

12/29/2010

The project of LA based Vance Kotrla, Sci-Fi Romance specializes in Indie Alt Folk with just a hint of punk--enough to classify this one as "steampunk" or "steamfolk". This version of "Auld Lang Syne" starts out in the traditional tempo before, pardon me, picking up steam. The song then chugs it's way to an uptempo finish as a punkish folk number. As the artist notes, "Auld Lang Syne" is pretty much an inevitable holiday tune and there are no shortage of versions available. Given the explosion of folk and Americana this year, this one is certainly worth a listen. And the download is free through Bandcamp.

LONGSTAY - COME ON! LET'S BOOGEY TO THE ELF DANCE!

12/28/2010

Come On! Let's Boogey To The Elf Dance! (2007)
Blue Christmas (2008)
Pregnant Bride (2009)

Inspired by the prolific Sufjan Stevens, San Diego's Longstay began recording EP's of Christmas music for family and friends beginning in 2007. This year, they shared a track from each through their web site, posting one a day with "Pregnant Bride" being shared on Christmas Day with the promise "More gifts to come still..." From the 2010 edition, you can listen to (but apparently not download) "Come Thy Fount Of Every Blessing". Perhaps that's what's still to come. You'll find that one here. The rest, you'll find here. Just click on the artwork to download the songs.

THE GIVING TREE BAND (featuring NELLIE McKAY) - THE CHRISTMAS WALTZ

12/23/2010

I'm telling you, this has been the best year for Americana Christmas music of any I can remember. Here we have the extraordinary Giving Tree Band teaming up with the lovely Nellie McKay, who has successfully tried her hand and just about every musical genre in existence, not to mention the acting (I told you not to mention the acting). The result is a pair of eclectic, relaxed, down home, beautiful Christmas tunes. It's as if they're just hangin' with y'all on the front porch. Oh, good, you brought your accordion. It's especially nice to hear someone cover "The Christmas Waltz", which you rarely see covered either by indie artists or by folk artists. Just use the widget above to claim your free music.

JOSHUA JAMES - CHRISTMAS IN PRISON

12/23/2010

Neo-Folk artist Joshua James has dropped a big ol' Christmas present under your tree, allowing, for a limited time, free download of his holiday single "Christmas In Prison". Says Joshua, "Hark! The season is upon us. I am overwhelmed by the sights and the cold of this year's winter. I want you to TAKE this! It is a song written by John Prine. One of the greatest songwriters our world has known. I hope that this season will treat you with love and kindness." Click here for instant download. If you'd like more free Christmas music from Joshua, pay a visit to Northplatte Records, where a few holiday treats are available for free download, including Joshua's rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". And while it isn't free and it isn't his latest, I personally recommend "Fields And Floods", Joshua's seasonal recording from 2007.

VARIOUS - HO HO HO DEUX

12/19/2010

1. By Divine Right: ‘Mall Santa’*
2. Paper Lions: ‘Jingle Bells’
3. The Mountains and The Trees: ‘My Favourite Sweater (Happy Holidays)’ *
4. Great Lake Swimmers: ‘Gonna Make It Through The Year’
5. Ox: ‘Xmas In the Jailhouse’
6. The Zolas: ‘Snow’
7. Baby Eagle: ‘Fearfully and Wonderfully’ *
8. Boxer The Horse: ‘Material Xmas’
9. Adaline & Frederick: ‘Let’s Stay Inside’
10. Sean Nicholas Savage: ‘Snowflake’
11. The Russian Futurists: ’100 Shopping Days Till Christmas’
12. Kashka (Kat Burns of Forest City Lovers): ‘Picture Books In Winter’ *
13. Nat Jay: ‘Green Trees, Red Hearts’
14. Hooded Fang: ‘Tundra Nights’ *
15. Teen Daze: ‘Medley In D (Holy Holy Holy/ Christmas at Sea/ Goodnight, Sleep Tight)’ *
DOWNLOAD AT TLOBF
1. Leif Vollebekk: ‘I’m Be Home For Christmas’ *
2. woodpigeon / Laura Leif: ‘Winter Song’ *
3. Snailhouse: ‘Believer’ *
4. Evening Hymns: ‘Just Like Christmas’ *
5. Ruth Minnikin: ‘Fur Elise’
6. Superfantastics: ‘Northern Lights’
7. Steve McKay: ‘Sounds Like Christmas’
8. The Weather Station: ‘In The Bleak Midwinter’ *
9. The Wilderness of Manitoba: ‘We Three Kings’ *
10. The Details: ‘Strings and Ribbons’
11. Artur Dyjecinski: ‘Christmas’ *
12. Basia Bulat: ‘You Are A Gift’
13. The Provincial Archive: ‘Coventry Carol’ *
14. Kris Ellestad: ‘Jeg Er Så Glad Hver Julekveld’ *
15. In-Flight Safety: ‘Fairytale of New York’
*Recorded especially for this collection

Alright, I'm officially throwing in the towel on this one. I really wanted to give it a thorough listening to, maybe guide you through the good, the bad, and the ugly (if any). But I haven't been able to find the time and, a week out from Christmas, I don't want you should miss out just because I don't prioritize my time well. Maybe by next year, I'll have a complete run-down for you. 30 tracks of very diverse stuff, here, is about the best I can say. I can say "Ho Ho Ho Deux" has been highly recommended to me by others. That's got to count for something, right? And, at the very least, you're going to want that Ox track, if you don't already have it. Great Lake Swimmers and The Details are two bands I know and can certainly recommend. And--holy crap, will you look at that. Volume One is still up and available for free download. 25 more tracks on that one. I ain't never gettin' outta here. On that set, I recognize the Pointed Sticks track; you'll want to have that one, for sure. Get the whole lot and listen when you can. That's all I can say.

CALEB AND THE CAROLING CARAVAN - A CHRISTMAS ALBUM

12/18/2010

1. Christmas Is The Best
2. Toyland
3. Don't You Know Where Christmas Comes From?
4. Angels We Have Heard On High
5. Malady
6. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
7. Tinsel Vision
8. Auld Lang Syne
9. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

DOWNLOAD AT BANDCAMP

1. Christmas Don't Be Late
2. Hearthsong
3. O Holy Night
4. O! Mistletoe
5. Little Drummer Boy
6. Joy To The World
7. Scarves Of Wool
8. As The Deer
9. Feliz Navidad

DOWNLOAD AT BANDCAMP

I can't even tell you how long I've had the bottom album--the one from 2009--on my bookmark list. Probably since early November. In the meantime, the group released a new set for 2010--the top album. The group has a certain undeniable charm, I won't deny it. How could I? It's undeniable. But I definitely preferred the first of these, the 2009 collection. In any case, here's 18 free Indie Folk Christmas tunes for you from Caleb And The Caroling Caravan. I'm sure you'll find your own favorites. (My cat hates it, though, for whatever that's worth.)

VARIOUS - A CIGAR BOX CHRISTMAS 2010

12/14/2010

1. Santa Man by Ice Bob, Samster and Rosie
2. Red Snow by Music Gov
3. Santa’s Got the Blues by the Doomtown Jug Sluggers
4. Candy Cane by Caspar Babypants
5. A Christmas Morning by Doctor Steve
6. Linus and Lucy by The Easy Rollers
7. Christmas Card by Olds Sleeper
8. A Christmas CBG by Soulcatcher and his DooFa Diddley
9. Run Run Rudolph by the Shane Speals
10. Rydin’ Thru The Snow by StumbleCol
11. A Santa Request by NoiseMaker
12. Carol of the Bells by Dan Greene
13. Foxy Carol by Skeesix
14. Not so Merry by Anthony Forder
15. Opting Out by LaurieLeeC
16. The Reason for the Season by Kalmario
17. Winter Wonderland by Marshall Stapleton
18. Blue Christmas by Ben Kepler
19. CBG by Juan Sebastian Verta CIGAR BOX NATION WEBSITE
20. Holly and the Ivy by Knotlenny DOWNLOAD CIGAR BOX CHRISTMAS
21. O Holy Night by Sweetlife
22. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers by BenBob
23. VivaVodka by Burnus
24. Canjo Christmas by Bemuzic
25. Lookin’ Out at the Weather by Uncle John Bolton
26. Santa Claus Blues by The One Man Blues Collective
27. We Three Kings by Henry H Lowman III
28. Carol of the Bells by Les Titford
29. Cigar Box Guitar Star by John Wendell
30. Merry Christmas by Teddy Berwald
31. Old Man on the Roof by Music Gov
32. Santa Has the Blues by Hobostubs
33. White Christmas by Uncle Crow
34. O Tannenbaum by Henry H. Lowman III
35. Stranger in the Manger by Albert Guilliot
36. Snow Falling!!! by Patrick Breton
37. Silent Night by Yellowbelly Flatt
38. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Doctor Steve and Family
39. Every Song at Christmas by beStillroy
40. Santa The Ripper by John “Reddog” McNair

Whooeeee! That's a lotta music. Cigar Box Nation is the home of this little holiday treat. Cigar Box Nation is a community of Cigar Box Guitar (and banjo) enthusiasts who meet and greet to share notes and to share (musical) notes. And the community of folks who love building their own guitars (and banjos--technically, I think, called canjos) out of old cigar boxes almost as much (or maybe more) as they love making music on them is a lot bigger than you might think. And you might think such devices would, of course, be acoustic and that the musicians would all be playing some very rudimentary, rural, lo-fi music. HA! HA, I say! The cigar box guitar is only limited by the abilities of its builder and the musician who plays it (usually one and the same). The music on this collection of tracks submitted by the members of the Cigar Box Nation covers almost every genre imaginable--blues, folk, grunge, hard rock, new age, punk, bluegrass, metal, pop, indie pop, old-timey, I think I even heard some shoegaze in there, and there's a lot less lo-fi than you'd think. And the lo-fi that is here is extremely effective. There's far too much here for me to cover comprehensively. But the first two songs, alone, will disabuse you of any misconceptions you may hold about the cigar box guitar. I predict that "Santa Man" by Ice Bob, Samster & Rosie is destined to be among the most frequently used cuts on next year's selection of Xmas mixtapes across the country. "Red Snow" is just incredible. And, really, throughout, the musicianship and creativity of these folks is nothing short of spectacular. I really look forward to spending some time with this one--likely after the holidays--but my favorite so far has to be the Country Blues version of "Linus And Lucy" by The Easy Rollers. I love that. I really do. "Candy Cane" (by Casper Babypants) was a pretty good pop number, too. And I'd also recommend "Opting Out" by LaurieLeeC. There's a little more lo-fi on the back half but, again, everything is great, here. With 40 tracks, you're bound to find something you like on "A Cigar Box Christmas 2010". This, by the way, is the second year of "A Cigar Box Christmas". Last year's collection can still be downloaded free as well, though that one features a "measley" 23 tracks. Get both Cigar Box Nation Christmas collections here. Then, if you're as fascinated as I am, start reading about the music and the people and the cigar boxes they love to build and play. You might even want to join them.

VARIOUS - ALTERNATE ROOT 2nd ANNUAL HOLIDAY SAMPLER

12/8/2010

1. Duke Robillard - Duke's Christmas
2. Sara Petite - Souvenirs
3. Scott Miller - Yes, Virginia
4. Jeff Talmadge - In The Quiet Of Christmas
5. Nu Blu - Christmas In Dixie
6. The Wild Rumpus - Silent Night In The Bar
7. Ian Tyson - Silver Bell
8. Jack Tempchin - Christmas Calling
9. Ox - Xmas In The Jailhouse
10. Boca Chica - Not On Christmas Eve
11. Shane Cooley - Window Shopping For A Long Lost Love
12. The Bengsons - Bells
13. Adam Mackintosh and The Last Dancers - It's Christmas
14. Brittany Allyn - Santa Claus Boogie
15. Gretchen Peters - Northern Lights
16. Jaimi Shuey - Christmastime Blues
17. The Porch Song Anthology - Christmas Is Cold DOWNLOAD IT HERE
18. Lisa Redford - New Years Day (scroll to the bottom of the Alternate Root page)
19. KAL - Jukebox Christmas
20. Dick Philpot - Jesus Lights
21. Brian Ashley Jones - Let's Get Blazed For The Holidays
22. George's Breakfast - Paper Airplane
23. Rich McCulley - Looks Like Christmas
24. Sarah Stanley - Happy New Year
25. Les Kerr (with The Jordinaires) - Christmas On The Coast
26. Robert Marr - Under The Mistletoe
27. Pat Bacon - Ho Ho Ho (No Dough)
28. Laetoli Steps - Christmas Tree
29. Little Green - Bells Are Ringing Their Last Call
30. Garrett Wall - How Christmas Was Meant To Be
31. Harlem Parlour Music Club - We Three Kings
32. The Irreconcilables - See Ya Santa
33. Patterson Barrett - Santa Claus On The Loose
34. Mike McGuire - The Streets Are Quiet On Christmas
35. Blues Guy Schwartz - Christmas On The Hiway
36. The Dave Edwards Band - It's Christmastime

Well, for whatever reason, Alternate Root ended the voting early and basically packaged up all 36 tunes for your holiday listening pleasure. And, believe me, pleasure is the appropriate word. This might be the best stuff you hear all holiday season. And its free from Alternate Root. Just go to this page, scroll down to the bottom, and click on the download link. Or listen to the tracks in the player provided, if you prefer. You'll see a few of the freebies we've already featured and a ton more that we haven't. Alternate Root is all about the best in Roots music, Alt Folk, Alt Country, Alt Rock, Folk, Blues, Americana. It's all in there. Go to it!