There are always new Christmas songs that reflect the times in which they're written. "Do You Hear What I Hear?" was written in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. "I'm Gonna Spend My Christmas With A Dalek" was written...well, you know why that one was written. With the current state of Fake News and Cyber Bullying and a President totally lacking in self-restraint, we get "No Mean Tweet Christmas" from Jazz vocalist Rhio.
Rhio's mother was Cuban, her father Hungarian, and she grew up with a desire to sing. In high school, the head of the music department told her she couldn't sing (What an a-hole. Seriously, what a horrible thing to tell a kid. Deep breath. No mean tweet, no mean tweet...). Thankfully, Rhio did not listen. I, one way or another, write. A wise teacher once told me, "If you can be discouraged from writing, you should be." In other words, if it's within you and it's your passion, no mean words (or tweets) will dissuade you from doing what you must (still...what an a-hole).
Long story short, Rhio's been singing and recording music for at least the last decade (her debut album "Mas Amor" appearing in 2009). She's been heard on commercials and in films and continues to record. While Rhio loves music of all kinds, she's been hooked on Jazz for the last few years and it suits her.
Since I rarely listen to anything other than Christmas music, these days, or music from artists I discover through their Christmas music, I'd say Rhio is one of those artists whose non-Christmas music appeals to me far more than her Christmas single.
"No Mean Tweet Christmas" is fine. Nothing wrong with it. The sentiment is certainly appropriate. It's Christmas. Let's stop being mean to each other. And, after Christmas, let's continue with that. It's not political, not directed at the White House. It's directed to all of us. You want to point at someone else and how horrible they are...but have you been a good boy or girl all year? (Santa knows when you've been bad or good, you know). But it's not the next "White Christmas" (then again, what is?).
But, I gotta say, checking out Rhio's latest full-length, "A Rhio Good Thing"...that I like. That I really like. As a Jazz singer, Rhio's a throwback. She's the "canary" in a film noir night club. Songs like "I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl" or "I'm Done With Cryin'"...I could listen to those all night. And "I'm A Jazz Radio Junkie" really swings.
So use "No Mean Tweet Christmas" as an introduction and a jumping off point and check out Rhio's other Jazz records, "A Rhio Good Thing" and "Sunshine Girl". And don't ever let anybody tell you not to do the thing you love doing. Ever.
You can download "No Mean Tweet Christmas" free from Soundcloud. And, while you're there, grab the virtual flip, as well--"Santa Baby".
Rhio's mother was Cuban, her father Hungarian, and she grew up with a desire to sing. In high school, the head of the music department told her she couldn't sing (What an a-hole. Seriously, what a horrible thing to tell a kid. Deep breath. No mean tweet, no mean tweet...). Thankfully, Rhio did not listen. I, one way or another, write. A wise teacher once told me, "If you can be discouraged from writing, you should be." In other words, if it's within you and it's your passion, no mean words (or tweets) will dissuade you from doing what you must (still...what an a-hole).
Long story short, Rhio's been singing and recording music for at least the last decade (her debut album "Mas Amor" appearing in 2009). She's been heard on commercials and in films and continues to record. While Rhio loves music of all kinds, she's been hooked on Jazz for the last few years and it suits her.
Since I rarely listen to anything other than Christmas music, these days, or music from artists I discover through their Christmas music, I'd say Rhio is one of those artists whose non-Christmas music appeals to me far more than her Christmas single.
"No Mean Tweet Christmas" is fine. Nothing wrong with it. The sentiment is certainly appropriate. It's Christmas. Let's stop being mean to each other. And, after Christmas, let's continue with that. It's not political, not directed at the White House. It's directed to all of us. You want to point at someone else and how horrible they are...but have you been a good boy or girl all year? (Santa knows when you've been bad or good, you know). But it's not the next "White Christmas" (then again, what is?).
But, I gotta say, checking out Rhio's latest full-length, "A Rhio Good Thing"...that I like. That I really like. As a Jazz singer, Rhio's a throwback. She's the "canary" in a film noir night club. Songs like "I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl" or "I'm Done With Cryin'"...I could listen to those all night. And "I'm A Jazz Radio Junkie" really swings.
So use "No Mean Tweet Christmas" as an introduction and a jumping off point and check out Rhio's other Jazz records, "A Rhio Good Thing" and "Sunshine Girl". And don't ever let anybody tell you not to do the thing you love doing. Ever.
You can download "No Mean Tweet Christmas" free from Soundcloud. And, while you're there, grab the virtual flip, as well--"Santa Baby".
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