Category: Folk

Stubbys House of Christmas

JEFFREY PHILLIP NELSON - CHRISTMAS PLEASE

12/16/2014

1. Joy To The World
2. We Three Kings
3. Oh Christmas Tree
4. Oh Holy Night
5. Go Tell It On The Mountain
6. The First Noel
7. Auld Lang Syne
8. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. Holy Holy Holy
11. Angels We Have Heard On High
12. Away In A Manger
13. What Child Is This
14. Silent Night

When your ears get tired of the seasonal bombast--Walls of Sound, Big Bands, echo drenched Indie Rock, and more sleigh bells than one should really have to endure in a lifetime of Decembers--"Christmas Please" from Jeffrey Phillip Nelson makes for a nice change of pace. Keeping it simple and acoustic, Nelson reels off 14 holiday favorites done up in an easygoing Folk style. On the uptempo numbers, he sometimes sounds like Nick Lowe unplugged. On the slower numbers, it's more like Jimmy Rodgers stripped down. My favorite from this collection is "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" which, after the first verse, gets a bit of a Spaghetti Western makeover. He gets extra points for pausing where the comma is between Merry and Gentleman. They aren't Merry Gentlemen, kids, and never were. They are Gentleman whom the singer wishes to Rest Merry. Glad we could clear that up for you.

THE SEVERN UKES - (DON'T BUY A) UKELELE FOR CHRISTMAS

12/15/2014

"(Don't Buy A) Ukelele For Christmas" is a cautionary tale from the Severn Ukes. Sure, it seems like a good idea at the time, but all those sleepless nights while the gift getter practices, practices, practices will have you regretting it.

The Severn Ukes are an eight-piece UK Uke band. Their delightful Christmas song can be downloaded from their website for free. All the band asks is that you "Like" them on Facebook and maybe leave a comment letting them know how you like the song. Fair enough.

And, in fairness, don't blame the band for the "cover art" which was my own concoction, using their logo and a picture of "Truman" from their Facebook site (Truman looks like a distant relative of Mrs. Katz...not her real name).

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.

JESS MORGAN - CHRISTMAS EVE

12/13/2014

A rising star on the British Indie Folk scene, Jess Morgan's full-length "Langa Langa" was released this year and, by all accounts, was very well received. I gather her Christmas song, "Christmas Eve", was around last year. But, if so, its fair to bring it back around because she's got a lot of fresh ears listening now. Some people are just born with a gift and its clear Jess has it. I mean, just take one line from the song: "You shouldn't count your French hens, you shouldn't count 'em yet." Gorgeous. And so is the whole song (well, I'm not sure about whoever is playing the harmonica, but...). Anyway, it's free at Bandcamp and Soundcloud and, if you have any affinity for Folk music, I think Jess Morgan is a name you're going to want to remember.

JOSH BRIGGS - YOUR CHRISTMAS SONG

12/11/2014

The Indie Folk guy from England, not the band from Massachu, Josh Briggs wrote this little song which is a list of Christmas things--sort of the "We Didn't Start The Fire" of Christmas Folk tunes. I like it. In its way, it conveys the holiday hectic. "Your Christmas Song" is a quick song, at under two minutes, and free at Soundcloud. Here's Josh's Facebook page to learn more.

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.

BRIDE & GROOM - A VERY MERRY BRIDE & GROOM CHRISTMAS

12/10/2014

Those of us who contributed to the Indiegogo campaign will be getting hard copy CDs shortly. But you needn't feel left out. "A Very Merry Bride & Groom Christmas" can be yours for the low low price of whatever the heck you want to pay at Bandcamp.

Bride & Groom are Jesse Daniel Smith and Kaitlyn Raitz, an Indie Folk duo from Montreal. There's an honest simplicity to their sound and, on this Christmas EP, there are definitely sounds of resounding joy. And I do love a good cello. My personal favorite from the set is the medley of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" / "Jingle Bells". But feel free to find a favorite of your own.

And, by all means, explore the other recordings of Bride & Groom on Bandcamp...all free. You're welcome.

PADDY NASH & THE HAPPY ENCHILADAS - IT BEING CHRISTMAS / A PLACE AT THE TABLE

12/9/2014

Well, I've found a Christmas song (2 actually), from an Irish band, that hasn't been featured on Ceol Collective (formerly 2 U I Bestow) yet. That's nigh on impossible to do.

Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas are from Derry, to be specific, and they'll happily flavor their Folk with whatever other genre a song may call for. "It Being Christmas And All" has a great Folk Rock flavor and there's even a really nice crying guitar break and what sounds like a bit of synth brass. The song tells the tale of a (supposedly) reformed miserable sod trying to beg his way back into the life of the lady he lost.

"I've done all my gambling, I've done all my drinking
I don't even smoke anymore.
Would you take me back, take me back
It being Christmas and all."

The virtual flip is a Folk-ish ballad, "A Place At The Table". And it sounds like the other half of the story. She sings of the heartache and tears her man has caused her. And, while she's not really ready to forgive and forget, she misses him...and more so at Christmas. She hates that she misses him...but she does. So, "if you find the courage...there'll be a place at the table for you". Great stuff. Grab these two Christmas songs from Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas. Use the widgets above or head on over to Soundcloud. And don't forget to stop by Facebook and let Paddy and the band know we're listening over here.

ROGER McGUINN - THE CHERRY TREE CAROL

12/8/2014

Haven't seen anyone online mention the annual Christmas song from Roger McGuinn, this year. Of course, McGuinn made his name with the Byrds and his Christmas songs are ancient folk carols. And there's the issue that you can't embed them, which is (these days) frustrating for a blogger of music. But here's something to think about. Roger McGuinn has been posting an annual Christmas song, free for the download, since 1995. That's got to be the longest string out there. Heck, in 1995, I still had dial-up modem and a dot matrix printer. He has other spiritual tracks scattered throughout his Folk Den. So, in theory at least, you could spend quite the afternoon listening to Roger sing Christmas and spiritual songs.

This year's song is "The Cherry Tree Carol", wherein Joseph gets a bit testy about not being the father of Mary's child. You'll find the lyrics at the site, as always. Do your right click shuffle at Roger McGuinn's Folk Den. Thanks again, Roger. And here's to many more.

THE WINTER FAILURE - CHRISTMAS EVE / CHRISTMAS MORNING

12/8/2014

We first wrote about The Winter Failure in 2010. They're a Florida Indie Christian Alt Folk band that formed, originally, to make Christmas music. Back then, they were almost as new as we were. Their holiday debut "Advent? Sure!" was raw and uneven, but it had its moments, I thought.

The Winter Failure has released a Christmas record every year since and its kind of amazing to witness their musical growth since that first record. Back then, it wasn't easy to stick with them through the bad bits to get to the good. "Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning", on the other hand, is mostly a very enjoyable listen with just the occasional misstep (maybe it's me, but I was tired of the Christopher Walken Winter Wonderland jokes before they started).

Best thing about The Winter Failure is that they clearly enjoy making this music and, as Joe Biden would say, that's a pretty BFD. Still a little on the Lo-Fi side; haven't yet decided if that's a bug or a feature. But, overall, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Best tracks, for me, were "Breath Of Heaven" (that's bloody gorgeous, that is) and the originals "You Came To Save" and "Christmas Kinkade". Kudos for covering Five Iron Frenzy's "You Gotta Get Up". Me, I'd toss the superfluous opening and the last two tracks but, otherwise, I think The Winter Failure has hit their stride. Looking forward to next year's set. You'll find this at Noisetrade.