Category: Americana

Stubbys House of Christmas

VARIOUS - HO HO HO CANADA VI

12/24/2014

DOWNLOAD AT LINE OF BEST FIT

1. Michael Feuerstack - Blue Light II *
2. Kristian Noel Pedersen - Christmas Birthday
3. Charlotte Cornfield - Last Winter (Featuring Chris Shannon) *
4. Good Lovelies - Under The Tree
5. Jim Guthrie - I’m Coming Home (This Christmas)
6. Fresh Snow - Snow’s Victory *
7. Dracula Legs - Party At Ed’s *
8. Good Winter - Rah Rah
9. Machu Picchu - All I Want For Christmas Is A Hoverboard
10. Monomyth - Candleholder
11. Colin Cowan & The Elastic Stars - Tale Of The Eye Of Winter
12. Kim Gray - Santa Knows (I’ve Been Bad)
13. Chic Gamine - Noel (Au Coin De Portage Et Main)
14. Kashka - In The Snow *
15. Tony Dekker Sings The Burning Hell - Last Winter
16. Find The Others - Christmas Is Just Another Day *
17. Jim Bryson - Half Price (Featuring Amanda Rheaume) *
18. Felicity Williams - This Is What I Want
19. The Once - By The Glow Of The Kerosene Light (Pinball Sessions)
20. The Acorn - Sleepwalking *
21. Ryan Driver and Friends - Where Do Kings Come From?

*= Exclusive to Best Fit

One of these years, I'm going to get to listen to this before Christmas. But obviously not this year. "Ho Ho Ho Canada" is in it's sixth year, now, and Line of Best Fit continue to show that they are the true masters of putting together a large Christmas compilation. I love The Burning Hell (Did you know they had a Hanukkah song a few years back? They did.) and Tony Dekker of Great Lake Swimmers does a great job with "Last Winter". And I have the Good Lovelies Christmas CD and "Under The Tree" is not on it, so that's cool. And I only just learned that that CD, "Under The Mistletoe" was released on vinyl a couple of weeks ago. You can find it at Six Shooter Records.

You can download "Ho Ho Ho Canada VI" at Soundcloud, but I recommend you get it at the Line Of Best Fit website where you'll find a one-click zip file under the playlist.

VARIOUS - THE 2014 PASTE HOLIDAY SAMPLER

12/24/2014

1. Swear and Shake – Santa, My First Love
2. Sinclair – This Christmas
3. River Whyless – Jingle Bells
4. Powerkompany – I’m Sorry About Last Christmas
5. Over the Rhine – Blood Oranges In the Snow
6. The Oh Hellos – Every Bell on Earth Will Ring
7. Odessa – Silent Night
8. Dwayne Shivers – Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
9. James Apollo – Trim Another Tree
10. Field Report – On Christmas Eve

READ ABOUT IT AT PASTE MAGAZINE
DOWNLOAD AT NOISETRADE

So Paste decided to put out a Christmas collection this year after all. Normally, the "Paste Holiday Sampler" comes out the tail end of November. And it's normally got a lot more music on it. But I can't complain. It's free. How can you complain about free?

Let's see. I already bought the excellent Swear and Shake single, "Santa, My First Love". If you didn't, get it here because it's excellent. Over The Rhine has a sampler of their own on Noisetrade (and I'd already bought the CD). You should have read about that one on Lie In The Sound. They also filled you in on The Oh Hellos and James Apollo, as did Christmas A-Go-Go (and we were going to mention Apollo ourselves and likely still will). Mistletunes featured Field Report recently, although, at the time, it was only a stream. And Sinclair's "This Christmas" was part of that mammoth Amazon "All Is Bright" playlist.

That leaves four that I haven't seen written about. "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" is a devout Indie acoustic hymn from Dwayne Shivers. River Whyless pretties up "Jingle Bells" about as much as anyone can. Odessa's "Silent Night" is pretty straight forward Indie Folk/Americana. And Powerkompany's Indie Pop Rock "I'm Sorry About Last Christmas" sounds sincere enough but is full of snarky lyrics.

I'm tired, so I'm not really giving this my best effort. But, make no mistake, this is all good stuff. My highlights would be the tracks from Swear and Shake, Sinclair, James Apollo and Powerkompany, if that means anything to you.

VARIOUS - NO SLEEP TILL CHRISTMAS 6

12/21/2014

1. Alcoa - Blue Christmas
2. Daisyhead - Silent Night
3. Kill Wealthy Dowager - Christmas at Ground Zero
4. Lee Corey Oswald - A Chill Time to All and to All a Chill Time
5. Seasons Change - Holidays

NO SLEEP WEBSITE
DOWNLOAD FROM BANDCAMP

Indie Alternative label No Sleep Records don't release a new Christmas set every year, but, when they do, it's choice. "No Sleep Till Christmas 6" is their sixth holiday offering (duh) and features artists from their stable and a few friends. The highlight for most is likely going to be Kill Wealthy Dowager's cover of Weird Al's "Christmas At Ground Zero". In addition, you get Alcoa with an Americana "Blue Christmas" (which was good enough that I didn't automatically hate it just because its "Blue Christmas", which I hate). Daisyhead offers up a highly enjoyable Electronica rendition of "Silent Night". Lee Corey Oswald performs an excellent Indie Rock original that might give Kill Wealthy Dowager's track a run for its money, "A Chill Time To All And To All A Chill Time". And the EP closes with Pop Punkers Seasons Change performing "Holidays". Only 6 songs, but every one a killer. You can get the set direct from No Sleep or theough Bandcamp.

KIM LENZ - THE CHRISTMAS SONG

12/20/2014

Kim Lenz (with her group The Jaguars) is a real Rockabilly rebel and recording artist. Some have said that, had Elvis been born a woman, he'd have sounded like Kim Lenz. She fell in love with the Roots movement back when it was just getting started and has since released several albums (including her most recent, "Follow Me") and has toured the world.

Kim has a Christmas present for you--a sweet and simple recording of "The Christmas Song". It's not a rocker--just Kim and her guitar serenading you. A little sump'n sump'n is all. You can download "The Christmas Song" free here.

Do you have a gift to give Kim? She'll tell you want she'd like. Kim's been nominated for Best Female Rockabilly artist in the 2015 Ameripolitan Music Awards. It's a fan driven award, so your vote counts. Go here to vote for your favorites. It's what Kim wants for Christmas.

(Thanks to Ernie of Ernie (Not Bert) for the tip!)

PONY BOY - (PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ON) CHRISTMAS EVE

12/20/2014

Pony Boy is actually a woman--singer/songwriter Marchelle Bradanini. She calls her music "Junkyard Country", but it's a very raw and rootsy blend of Country, Blues and Rock. There's certainly more to it than that, even, but let's not get bogged down on the labels.

Earlier this year, Marchelle released the EP "The Devil In Me", which met with tremendous critical praise and is showing up on lots of end-of-the-year Best lists.

"(Please Don't Leave On) Christmas Eve" is the tonic for those weary of Holly Jolly Christmas songs. Marchelle says she was somewhat inspired by the Phil Spector album, and there's definitely a Wall-of-Sound aspect to this holiday tearjerker. There are guitars twanging, bells jingling, and soulful background singers. But what makes this one of the supreme Christmas tracks of 2014 is Marchelle--channeling Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, and The Chantels simultaneously (and, yes, Elvis is in the mix somewhere, too).

I've already said it. "(Please Don't Leave On) Christmas Eve" is one of the best you'll hear this year. I'm sorry I can't embed this one for you. But, if you act fast (as I would advise you to do), you can download the song free from Elmore Magazine (just look for the arrow thingy, upper right on the player). Move too slow and you'll have to get it from Amazon or iTunes. But get it.

LOREN RADIS - ...CHRISTMAS

12/18/2014

1. White Christmas
2. Blue Christmas
3. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
4. Last Christmas
5. The First Noel

DOWNLOAD FROM LOREN'S WEBSITE
VISIT LOREN RADIS ON FACEBOOK

"Christmas" is the fourth in a series of almost annual holiday EPs from California singer/songwriter Loren Radis. An acoustic performer--ostensibly Indie Folk--Loren's Christmas sets are always offered free (donations gratefully accepted).

Loren's got a great voice--reminds me a bit of Bob Lind. And here's the thing: Loren's a hell of a songwriter, as you can hear on his non-holiday albums. So its a bit of a bummer that most of the Christmas songs on the four albums are the ones we all know. There's one song on his 2011 EP, "It's Christmas Time", that I don't know (so I'm thinking original)--the title track--and it just shines above and beyond the rest. On that same set, he covers the Smiths "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" and he does so superbly. I'd like to hear more lesser-known or original songs. Of course, if he spent all his time writing new Christmas songs, he'd probably have little time to write anything else. Then he'd have to start charging for the Christmas sets and....you know. It's a thing.

That said, he does well with the old carols and pop Christmas songs. There's some variety in the textures of the albums, themselves. For example, on 2012's "Because It's Christmas", we get more backing vocals, which gives us a fuller, richer sound. He does layer in some vocals on "Christmas", but I miss a female tone a bit.

Overall, "Christmas" is a nice stand alone. "Last Christmas" gives the EP some Pop energy, while Loren really does an exquisite job on the slower numbers. "O Come O Come Emmanuel" is my personal favorite on "Christmas" (your mileage may vary). And my favorite from all four was "The Christmas Song" from "Because It's Christmas"--beautiful arrangement and execution on that one. Download one or download all four, Loren Radis has the holiday spirit and his Christmas music is there for you to be had.

VARIOUS - MERRY CHRISTMAS, GOOD NIGHT 4

12/16/2014

1. Love Is Here - Elizabeth Hunnicutt
2. Christ As Light - Ryan Flanigan
3. Your Story - Kris MacQueen
4. Kaire - Inman
5. The Light - Von Strantz
6. Upside Down (Silent Night) - Sarah Brusco
7. Might Feel Like Christmas - JackRabbit
8. One Star - J Law

DOWNLOAD ON NOISETRADE
ARTISTS WEBSITE

When you're talking Christmas Indie Folk, they don't come any better than the "Merry Christmas, Good Night" series. The fourth in the series is, as are the earlier collections, available as a free download on Noisetrade.

All 8 songs on "Merry Christmas, Good Night 4" are original. And they're all great. Ny favorites include JackRabbit's "Might Feel Like Christmas" and "Love Is Here" from Elizabeth Hunnicutt. But my absolute favorite by miles is the instrumental "Kaire" by Inman. Without the benefit of vocals, "Kaire" conveys the spiritual side of Christmas completely. I can't really explain it well but, as the track goes through its many changes, I felt completely uplifted in the wonder and awe of the season. Your mileage may vary, of course. But, to me, this was yet another triumphant collection from the Morning and Night people.

FREDRIK MAGNUSSON - NO CHRISTMAS

12/15/2014

As usual, I've been sifting through piles of crap Christmas tunes, tonight, figuring there's got to be a pony in there somewhere. Dig long enough, you'll find something worth sharing.

I love the Alt Country/Indie Pop sound on "No Christmas (Until You're Coming Home)". Sounds like something that would have been cut in the early 60s. Very cool. The lyrics feel a bit clunky at times, but the sound is so tremendous the song easily overcomes that. Couldn't find out anything about Fredrik Magnusson, except that he's Swedish (I'm starting to think Magnusson is in Sweden what Smith and Jones are in America). Don't care. Love it.

"No Christmas (Until You're Coming Home)" is a free download on Soundcloud. There's an earlier Fredrik Magnusson Christmas song at the bottom of his Soundcloud feed. "First Christmas" is from 2012, but you can still download it free if you're so inclined.

COMMON UNION 59 - YOU & ME / THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

12/15/2014

CommonUnion59 is the San Francisco duo of Steve McKenzie and Laura Malasig. A chance meeting spurred an avalanche of musical inspiration. They began writing music, drawing on influences as diverse as Indie Rock and Delta Blues, their Indie Folk performances are only matched by their songwriting. Their 2012 debut, "Magnolia Waltz", featured the enchanting Americana of the title track, the political power of "Too Big To Fail Blues", the Sunshine Pop of "Tonight" and so much more, offering promise as bright as the spring. As the pair work on a new album, CommonUnion59 have gifted us with not one but two Christmas tracks. "The Spirit Of Christmas" is written as the more traditional holiday song featuring a bigger sound and a sing-a-long chorus. I favor "You And I", which is a bit more intimate Indie Folk Pop. But there's no need to choose between them as both are available for free download at their web site or via Soundcloud.

SMALL TOWN JONES - A NIGHT FULL OF GHOSTS

12/10/2014

Learn how to place music on itunes at ReverbNation.com

Not sure how long this will last as a free download but, while it does, I'd suggest you download "A Night Full Of Ghosts" from Small town Jones. Small town Jones is Jim Jones, a UK Indie Folk artist. "A Night Full Of Ghosts" isn't your normal Christmas song. You won't hear any jolly fat men or talk of sleigh rides and presents under the tree. What it is, though, is probably the best song ever written based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Oh my God, I can't even tell you how bloody brilliant this (pardon the pun) haunting winter tune is. Take it as analogy or take it straight up, this song is amazing. Powerful. Evocative. I do not have the words. But Small town Jones does. For as long as this free spot lasts, "A Night Full of Ghosts" will cost you a link on Facebook. But, even if you have to buy it, its well worth it.