Category: Folk Pop

BETH FORD - SILENT NIGHT

12/6/2015

For some time, now, we've had Beth Ford in our listings for "possible" Christmas albums (or, in her case, an EP). Beth Ford just turned 15 in October and she's a young singer-songwriter who brings elements from Folk, Pop, and Classical music together in a way that usually belies her age. We had read that the youngster was working on a Christmas EP. But she's always working on something (not to mention the usual obligations of going to school and whatnot). So we're not surprised that a full Christmas EP might yet be a year or more off. But Beth did have time to send out a virtual Christmas card of sorts--her recording of "Silent Night".

In the video above, you'll see a chance to click on a box in the upper right which, ultimately, will lead you to Beth's website where you can request a free download of "Silent Night" by Beth Ford in exchange for your email. By the way, the video is just an abbreviated version--the download is the full song.

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COURT YARD HOUNDS - BOM BOM BOM

12/5/2015

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"Bom Bom Bom" from the Court Yard Hounds was a 2013 holiday single. If you recall, I pretty much missed everything in 2013. I don't know if the other Christmas sites missed it or not. Even if they didn't, might be you would appreciate a reminder of how great this song is.

I've no doubt some people avoided the tune on purpose as Court Yard Hounds are two-thirds of the Dixie Chicks. Now, through time and distance, only the complete ideologues still harbor a grudge against the Dixie Chicks (and most of them left Stubbys as soon as I added a link to my Labor Quotes repository). My guess is only the complete ideologues ever held a grudge in the first place (funny how politics was supposed to stop at the water's edge for Bush, but not for Obama. And, with that, the rest of the ideologues just left. Their loss.). The Chicks will be playing and touring together again, this coming year, including a bunch of US dates, if you're interested.

The music of Court Yard Hounds was never the music of the Dixie Chicks, though. The sisterly harmonies are fully intact, but the sound is Indie Alt Folk Pop. And this song, "Bom Bom Bom" is not just a great song, but a great Christmas song. It should be a part of everyone's annual holiday playlist. If the name on the label was Low or Over The Rhine, it already would be. I was actually surprised that the song could still be had for free from a two year old post on the Court Yard Hounds website. But it is. It will cost you your email but, hey, what doesn't these days?

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MARTHA'S TROUBLE - RIVER/WHITE CHRISTMAS

12/2/2015

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These two Christmas songs came out in mid-October, and I spotted them straight away. But it was one of those cases where the other Christmas sites were on it and so I thought I'd let them marinate for a while, come back around and remind you.

Martha's Trouble is the husband and wife team of Jen and Rob Slocum. Jen was from Canada, Rob from Nashville. Roughly 20 years ago, they met quite by chance in a Texas coffee shop where Jen booked bands. Rob was a musician whose latest music venture had just crashed and burned. They bonded over music, fell in love, got married. And, oh yeah, they started writing and singing together.

Now, maybe I just hang with a specific kind of people (Christmas music fanatics), but my recollection is that Martha's Trouble really first made their name with Christmas music. Timing is everything, of course, and the duo recorded their album "Christmas Lights" in 2002. At that same time, online Indie music was really becoming a thing. And it was also around that time that Christmas music fanatics started finding each other over the Internets. As I recall it, it really took a year or two for word of Martha's Trouble's brilliant Indie Alt Folk Christmas album to circulate completely through the Christmas music community (the 'Nets were slower then). But notes were being exchanged. "Dude, you have to hear this record; it's freaking gorgeous". It's now considered one of those "essential" albums Christmas music lovers have to own (even if only mp3s). And, dang, I just realized I could have put it on the Essentials page (where nothing has been done in ages).

Martha's Trouble did another Christmas album in 2008, "This Christmas". And I know that, in some circles, it was less enthusiastically received, which I chalk up to "the Mom factor". "The Mom factor" is that feeling you get when, for example, your Mom gets a Facebook page. Nothing changed about Facebook, really, but it just somehow seems less cool. Nonetheless, while there was less "you gotta hear this" chatter, it still sold extremely well. And, artistically, it was every bit as gorgeous. Just listen to what they do with an old warhorse like "Jingle Bells".

It's been 7 years since "This Christmas". Rob and Jen are still together (and they said it wouldn't last). Martha's Trouble gets their music on TV shows frequently, and it must be time for some new Christmas music. And, indeed, we have TWO new singles from the duo--both available free from Noisetrade. "White Christmas" features the more unique arrangement, but I just love Jen's voice on "River". There's no need to choose between them, though--just get 'em both. Free.

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BETA RADIO - THE SONGS THE SEASON BRINGS, VOL. 4

11/27/2015

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So here it is, the final installment of Beta Radio's seasonal quadrilogy. Thankfully, as in years past, this installment of "The Songs The Seasons Bring" is being offered up free (via Noisetrade). Even if you ordered up the CD and/or LP release of the full record (as I did), it's still nice to open this little present early and listen to it as a self-contained gifty. Knowing the series is ending, I can't help but listen with some sadness and that probably colors my thinking. Whether for that reason or another, this installment has the sound of finality to it. "I Heard The Bells" is typical of Beta Radio at their best--the arrangement, the harmonies, the acoustic harmony of the instruments. Still, it sounds like an ending, and a sad one at that. This year's original, "Orange Rind", is more upbeat and forward looking. And Volume 4 closes, appropriately, with "Silent Night".

Beta Radio's slices of Christmas pie don't last forever. I'd grab this one quick, if I were you. Fare thee well, Beta Radio. We at Stubbys are going to miss our annual get-togethers. I feel like we've grown-up together. And, now, here we are. Maybe its a new beginning for you guys; it's an ending for me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I have some dust or something in my eyes. Crying? No. There's no crying in Christmas music (Tom Hanks told me so).

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REINDEER TRIBE - GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS

11/25/2015

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1. Ghosts of Christmas
2. Mystery of Christmas Eve
3. Star of Bethleham
4. Christmas In Paradise
5. Sweet Expectations
6. Bring A Song of Joy
7. Wake Up Jacob
8. Wish You Were Here
9. She's All I Need
10. He Found Himself There
11. Twilight Christmas Morn
12. Coal Miner's Christmas
13. Tiny Tim (God Bless Us Everyone)

REINDEER TRIBE WEBSITE
DOWNLOAD VIA BANDCAMP

The blog Largehearted Boy (with Santas Working Overtime playing middle man via the Twitters) found this digital Christmas themed album from Reindeer Tribe, an Alt Rock/Alt-Folk Indie collective from Southern California who, as the name would imply, are a seasonal band of fluid membership. Every year, they collaborate and manage to come up with a full album of Christmas music which they then share via Bandcamp, usually as a free or name-your-price download.

I find it hard to believe I haven't featured them here before but, if I have, I can't find anything. So shame on me.

Reindeer Tribe released their first set of holiday tunes back in 2009, so "Ghosts of Christmas" marks the release of their SEVENTH such collection. "Lucy, you got a lot of listenin' to do." A couple of the sets do have a price tag on them (notably lat year's "A Great Light") but the price tags, when there are any, are small and most of the collections are free. While the earlier albums were a little more raw and weighted toward covers, the production values and original material is as solid now as an awful lot of stuff you'd lay down $20 for. And, as a collective, there's a lot of variety here, yet with a consistency that serves the project well.

Personal favorites include the soulful "Star of Bethleham" featuring Rachel Chadwick on vocals, "Christmas In Paradise" which sounds like it came straight off late 50s Teen Idol radio (Bernard Chadwick and Lauren Hillman on vocals), and "Wish You Were Here" which sounds very Stevie Nicks/"Rumours" era Fleetwood Mac. If you happen to crave something more Folk oriented or you love that Southern California Country Rock sound, there's plenty here to satisfy those cravings as well. But, really, this is a very satisfying listen all the way through and you should just drop the virtual needle and enjoy the record the way God intended. You'll find "Ghosts of Christmas" here and all the previous holiday collection of Reindeer Tribe here. And, if you've got a hankerin' for some video action, you'll find a bunch of 'em at Reindeer Tribe's web site.

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THE CASTROS - PUMPKIN PIE

11/22/2015

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Jumping the line to Thanksgiving... The Castros sing a song about "Pumpkin Pie". But its not just a song about "Pumpkin Pie". It's a song about love. Love of "Pumpkin Pie". No, wait, that's not it. It's a song about unrequited love (sort of). And, maybe, as you're staring into the eyes of the object of your affection, maybe, maybe you're thinking, "Hey, I bet she'd like me if I was a Pumpkin Pie. She couldn't resist me, then. She'd realize how delicious I am." Only your inner voice doesn't sound quite so stalkery. It's more of an Indie Folk/Sunshine Pop inner voice. Yeah, that's the ticket. I keed, I keed. But this song from The Castros is irresistible. As irresistible as "Pumpkin Pie" (do you ever feel you're caught up in an Abbott & Costello mind loop?).

"Pumpkin Pie" is a track from the latest Castros EP, "My Dear", which you can find on Bandcamp (in CD or digital formats) and pretty much everywhere else. And, as it turns out, all of their music seems to be equally as irresistible as "Pumpkin Pie". Have a slice. Go on. MMmmm. Good, isn't it? It's free from Noisetrade. Enjoy. You'll be back for more soon enough.

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BRETT WELLER & THE CONGREGATION - CHRISTMAS TIME IN NEW ORLEANS

11/20/2015

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I think I'm gonna call this "Indie Jazz", 'cuz it's Jazzy, but mixed with an Indie Folk Rock kinda thing.

Brett Weller & The Congregation are a New Orleans band and they just love to cook up a gumbo with all the sounds, spices, and culture of the Big Easy. And, like any fine gumbo, it is a recipe all their own. The closest thing I could compare it to is probably the Rend Collective. And they're nothing like the Rend Collective. So there.

The group's Christmas single is "Christmas Time In New Orleans". It's new! And the only place you can find it (they tell me) is on Noisetrade. Ain't that some stuff?

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TANYA GODSEY - IN ONE

11/20/2015

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Born in Texas, Tanya Godsey is currently based in Nashville. "In One" was her Christmas single last year and it's currently available on Noisetrade as a free download (though it should be noted that all of her Noisetrade tips from the single will be donated to Doctors Without Borders). Tanya has that Indie Singer/Songwriter sound that lies somewhere between Ingrid Michaelson and Norah Jones.

"In One" is sung from Mary's point of view as she sees the perfection of God's work and love in this one beautiful child. I expect that feeling is fairly universal among new mothers. How could you hold and look at a newborn child and not ponder the miracle and perfection of it all? It, naturally, has a larger meaning when you're holding and looking at the Christ child.

If you're digging "In One", you might be interested to know that Tanya Godsey also has a sampler EP on Noisetrade. Same terms apply, with all tips going to Doctors Without Borders. And she has a 2013 Christmas single--"O Holy Night"--available through Bandcamp (that one will cost you a dollar). Look for a new album from Tanya in 2016 and stay up to date on that via Facebook.

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JETTY RAE - MORE THAN DECEMBER

11/8/2015

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1. Little Drummer Boy
2. O Holy Night
3. Christmas Kiss
4. More Than December
5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

JETTY RAE WEBSITE
DOWNLOAD FROM NOISETRADE

Jetty Rae is a young singer/songwriter whose current musical direction is in the tradition of some of the best modern Folk Pop and Alt Folk artists--Ingrid Michaelson, Brandi Carlyle, and Priscilla Ahn to name a few. She first picked up the guitar while spending a few years in Hawaii and I picked up the subtle island influence right away (the same way people adept at accents can pick apart my life history--which featured a couple of years in Boston, more in New York and New Jersey, and, I'm told, I've had a smidge of the southern from my earlier stay here back in 1979 and 1980). Interestingly enough, Jetty Rae worked with an island Rap/Hip Hop band--Soul Chronicle--early on. And that influence I'm not hearing (there's a soulful quality, but that's a ways removed from Hip Hop). These days, she's working hard at balancing her music and career with motherhood and the demands of everyday life.

The "More Than December" EP was released in 2014. It's nice to hear "Little Drummer Boy" without any drum and the other holiday standards are impressively delivered. The title track, which Jetty wrote, is probably the most interesting and energetic of the five, but "Christmas Kiss" (which she wrote with Eric Sproull) is one of those gorgeous love songs that grows out of a single moment frozen in time (no pun intended) and was instantly my favorite.

You can get this fine little present as a free download from Noisetrade (tips gratefully accepted). And you can follow Jetty Rae on Facebook and via her website.

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TRISTIN ROBERTS - COME ADORE

11/2/2015

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1. Joy To The World/Come Alive
2. Angels We Have Heard On High
3. Little Drummer Boy
4. Come Adore Him
5. Lord, Jesus I Love Thee (Be Praised)
6. O Come O Come Emmanuel
7. Auld Lang Syne/Noel

ARTIST WEBSITE
DOWNLOAD AT NOISETRADE

I'm on more mailing lists than I care to think about and I'm not always sure how I got there but its usually from having purchased or downloaded Christmas music (and my memory isn't good enough to recall all of that, because I really can be quite excessive about it). But its never really a bad thing. So I'm not sure, exactly, when or how I got on Tristin Roberts' mailing list, but he's sent out a few music alerts through the year and I generally check his stuff out. Some of it I really like, and some not so much.

This selection of Christmas music, however, I really REALLY like.

Tristin is a CCM artist and a worship leader for his church in Sherwood, Oregon. His sound leans toward Alt Folk, though he slides easily into Indie Rock when he's a mind to, and he obviously has a good ear for winning pop melodies. Often, CCM is either more Christian than Contemporary or more Contemporary than Christian, but Tristin's music on "Come Adore" maintains an equitable balance of the two.

"Come Adore" is a collection of Christmas songs, a few of which I recognize as earlier recordings and (I'm guessing) a few are likely newly recorded. The EP is available via Noise Trade as a free download (tips gratefully accepted). Preserving the original beauty of these mostly ancient carols, Tristin nonetheless makes them his own--sometimes with new lyrics, sometimes through combination with other songs or through fresh arrangements, and sometimes just through sheer presence and ability.

"Come Adore" opens strong with uptempo Indie Pop Rock takes on "Joy To The World" and "Angels We Have Heard On High"--the latter quite awesome and perfect for most any holiday playlist. A lot of people don't like "Little Drummer Boy" much, but there's a quality to this Alt Folkish version that makes it sound fresh and uplifting. "Come Adore Him"--a re-working of "O Come All Ye Faithful"--was written for last year's Crossridge Music EP, "Spirit of Christmas" and is filled with quiet beauty and grace. "Lord, Jesus I Love Thee" is a pretty straight forward worship song, delivered as a Folk Pop ballad. Not my personal cup of tea, but there's no denying its very pretty. The tempo picks up again for "O Come O Come Emmanuel". And the set closes with "Auld Lang Syne" wherein (intentionally or not) Tristin's vocals remind me of some of Art Garfunkle's best. It leaves you wanting more and that says as much as anything else I could say.

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Forward>>

BETH FORD - SILENT NIGHT

COURT YARD HOUNDS - BOM BOM BOM

MARTHA'S TROUBLE - RIVER/WHITE CHRISTMAS

BETA RADIO - THE SONGS THE SEASON BRINGS, VOL. 4

REINDEER TRIBE - GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS

THE CASTROS - PUMPKIN PIE

BRETT WELLER & THE CONGREGATION - CHRISTMAS TIME IN NEW ORLEANS

TANYA GODSEY - IN ONE

JETTY RAE - MORE THAN DECEMBER

TRISTIN ROBERTS - COME ADORE

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