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SHANTIH SHANTIH - CHRISTMAS DAY

8/31/2017

Here's one I missed last year. And a preliminary glance at some of our friends seems to show they might have missed it, too.

"Christmas Day" by Shantih Shantih was available on a 7" vinyl single last year (there may even have been some color vinyl) issued by Italy's Wild Honey Records. Wild Honey, who also released a Rubinoos collection last year, only just (and I mean "just") got a distributor that allowed them access to the larger digital platforms we're familiar with--Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, etc. That explains why I'm just finding it now. So--sad emoji--no 7" currently available; but--smiley face--you can purchase the digital version from Amazon and Bandcamp. (Wild Honey Records are also available from Europe's Striped Records). Man, I love that record sleeve. Reminds me of the old Buddah record sleeves. It's just as well I didn't know about this last year, cuz I'd have definitely bought a handful (that I can't afford). I mean, the sleeve alone is so frickin' cool. Yeah, I could order one of their other singles and get the sleeve. But, you know, if it ain't Christmas...

Technically, "Christmas Day" appears to be the B-side of Miss Chain & The Broken Heels' "Flow", which has a nice retro sound, even if I'm not hearing any holiday references in the lyrics. Shantih Shantih is an all-female band and they're actually from Atlanta (Georgia, not Italy). And, aside from the song itself, my favorite thing about it is that they designated it "Reggae" on Soundcloud. You can follow the band via Facebook.

Just for the heck of it, let's listen to the title track from Shantih Shantih's latest album, "Winter In September".

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HOW GREEN ARE MY HILLS?

8/29/2017

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A warning, up top. I'm a bit grouchy (or Grinchy) this evening. I've been dealing with an extremely painful and debilitating bout of arthritis, lately (kids, lesson one: old age SUCKS!). So one thing you try to do is make dietary changes. Specifically, it's advised that you avoid sugar, starches, and processed food. Of course, EVERYTHING is processed. I've been mostly eating assorted fruits and vegetables and that really isn't doing it for me. I'd feel better about it if it seemed to be helping at all. Now I'm in pain AND hungry. There's a bag of Doritos in the cupboard that's been mocking me for days and its really starting to tick me off. So, yeah, I'm a bit grumpy (which is not groovy...too bad it isn't gravy), and the artists below may not be getting my fairest shake. Take that into account.

Green Hill Music have been providing recordings that fall within the walls of New Age and Smooth Jazz for quite some time and their holiday output has been particularly impressive, in both volume and variety. The musicianship is always superb and the quality is consistently excellent. That said...I'm not a huge fan of Green Hill. It's all so very....smooooooth. Green Hill will rarely surprise you. And I like surprises. Especially at Christmas. So take my words with at least a grain of salt and sample for yourself and make up your own mind.

Leading off another season of Green Hill holiday releases is "Christmas Jazz 2", a follow up to "Christmas Jazz". That 2011 set was credited to "Beegie Adair & Friends" while "Christmas Jazz 2" is credited to "Jack Jezzro & Friends", but both are really showcases for much of the label's roster. Near as I can tell, these are new recordings (not recycled from earlier holiday sets from the artists and label) but, admittedly, I didn't drill down too hard.

For my money, Green Hill succeeds best when the emphasis is less on "Smooth" and more on "Jazz". So my favorite tracks on "Christmas Jazz 2" are "Sleigh Ride" by the Mason Embry Trio and "A Christmas Love Song" by Lori Mechem. Mind you, those two are plenty smooth.

Like all of the releases in this post, "Christmas Jazz 2" arrives on CD on October 20, but this one is already available in digital form, if you want to give it a spin.

Frosty the Snowman (Denis Solee with The Beegie Adair Trio)
Blue Christmas (Jack Jezzro)
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Beegie Adair)
Christmas Time Is Here (Leif Shires)
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Sam Levine)
Christmas Waltz (Jack Jezzro)
A Christmas Love Song (Lori Mechem)
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Denis Solee with The Beegie Adair Trio)
I Wonder As I Wander (Leif Shires)
Here Comes Santa Claus (Beegie Adair)
Toyland (Lori Mechem)
Jolly Old St. Nicolas (Jack Jezzro)
Sleigh Ride (Mason Embry Trio)
We Three Kings (Denis Solee)
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Beegie Adair)

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When I saw Charlie McCoy on the holiday release schedule, I had to check to see if this was a re-issue of his 1974 album or a collection of more recent Christmas recordings he's had floating out there. It isn't.

Charlie McCoy is a Country artist of long standing, a Grammy winner, and an inductee of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was also the Music Director for TV's "Hee Haw" for 19 years. While the public is probably most familiar with his proficiency on the harmonica, Charlie's a wizard with almost any instrument and Nashville artists know this well. Charlie has been a fine singer, as well, but you mostly hear him in instrumental settings or backing other vocalists, for whatever reason. And, for that reason, Green Hill actually suits his sound very well.

Frankly, I wasn't much of a fan of Charlie's 1974 album and, while some Country fans might not find "Classic Country Christmas" to be rustic enough, I thought it was the better of the two discs, all things considered. Charlie gives the tunes a gentle Country boot, but the album works well within the Green Hill sound. The biggest dose of Country comes via "Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem" and "Go Tell It On The Mountain", but I'm partial to "Christmas Time Is Here" which has a bit of the mournful quality of the "Theme from Midnight Cowboy". And, just so you know, Charlie plays the harmonica on the album, sure. But he also plays fiddle, dobro, guitar, mandolin, piano, and accordion, here.

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The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Silver Bells
Winter Wonderland
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Tender Tennessee Christmas
Christmas Time Is Here
Feliz Navidad
Christmas In Killarney
Mary, Did You Know?
O Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
Ave Maria
Go Tell It On The Mountain/Silent Night
O Holy Night

When I went through my New Age phase, one of the artists I immediately loved was David Arkenstone. Oh, there were easily a dozen or so, but David was in the mix. David has mastered more instruments than I could even name and has been prolific, creating music in many diverse sounds. And being both prolific and adventurous, David has gifted us with many many Christmas albums over the years. His latest is "Native Christmas" and, as the title suggests, this is David's exploration of Native American sounds applied to Christmas music. He's done a number of Native American albums in the past and, much as I love David, I've yet to listen to any of those.

And that's the thing. See, I'm a big fan of Native American music. And there are lots of Native American artists out there making Native American music...including Christmas music. R. Carlos Nakai, John Two-Hawks, Jana Mashonee, Douglas Blue Feather, etc. Been there, done that. So, to me, listening to David tackle this form sounds a bit like Pat Boone singing "Tutti Frutti". If you've never delved into Native American Christmas music before, "Native Christmas" may offer you a suitable gateway and that isn't a bad thing. FWIW, my favorite tracks were "Snow On The Mesa" and "Spirit of the Season", both of which I adored. But opening with "Little Drummer Boy" was a mood killer from the git-go. And it's hard for me to recover from that. Just sayin'.

The Little Drummer Boy
We Three Kings
Angels We Have Heard On High
Away In A Manger
I Saw Three Ships
Snow On The Mesa
What Child Is This
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
O Holy Night
O Christmas Tree
Spirit Of The Season
Silent Night

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One non-Green Hills album to mention, before we go. Info on new holiday releases is still a mere dribble as we close in on September. But we have learned that the Country Rock group Herrick is just wrapping the recording of their first full-length Christmas album. Herrick describes their own sound as being what Led Zeppelin might sound like had they "been Country and fronted by 'a chick'." So that could be awesome. Keep tabs on the release by following Herrick on Facebook. I believe you can get a free download if you join the mailing list.

It's worth mentioning the Herrick Christmas album, even without any details, because Herrick made an appearance in the inaugural season at Stubby's. Yes, back in 2010, Herrick released a Christmas single--a sweet Country ballad--"One Little Boy". And, me, I was absolutely in love with the cover art. The group re-released "One Little Boy" with different cover art a few years back. But I'm bringing back the original. So check out "One Little Boy" and shut the door on your way out and I'll spend some quality time with this here cover art. Maybe it'll take my mind off those Doritos in the cupboard.

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TERRORTRON - ORGY OF THE VAMPIRES

8/27/2017

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Before Christmas, there is Halloween. Lots of good new Halloween collections coming out this year and, if I ever get around to it, I'll tell you about them. But, tonight, I just want to mention this one (which isn't a collection) because it's unlikely anyone else will. And the digital version is FREE (well, name-your-price) at Bandcamp. There's a very limited vinyl pressing, as well. More on that in a sec. The group is Terrortron and the album is "Orgy of the Vampires", offered as an "original soundtrack" (faux, I presume). And what's a faux soundtrack without a faux trailer.

Terrortron haunts the alleys, asylums and other night spots of North Carolina, turning out their horror-ific blood-soaked 80s synthwave "soundtracks" with the skill of Dr. Frankenstein. "Orgy of the Vampires" is their latest creation and its a monster that's been built to perfection.

Personally, I never thought the 80s would be the stuff of fond nostalgia but, of late, I find myself enjoying the movies from that decade more than any other. And the horror soundtracks in the 80s were usually top-notch. Terrortron will put you right into the middle of an 80s horror flick without any need for the visuals; they are just that good. Combining the feel of a classic horror movie with the energy and musicality of Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein", every moment and mood of "Orgy of the Vampires" is celebrated and exalted with a theme worthy of the immortality of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" or John Carpenter's "Halloween". And, if you happen to love vinyl, you can pre-order one of the (only) 300 copies being pressed via Bandcamp. Those will ship in the first week of October and the music on those LPs has been mastered especially for vinyl.

If your Halloween mix just happens to be missing something that is both frightening and frighteningly good, something both blood fresh and 80s familiar, Terrortron's "Orgy of the Vampires" may just provide the bite you've been missing.

Just about every track on this album is an instant classic, so let me give you a taste of the one with the coolest title--"If The Coffin's Rockin', Don't Come Knockin' ".

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UPCOMING AND OFF THE BEATEN PATH

8/20/2017

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Before we get started on the off-the-beaten-path releases, we have another major artist to mention. Patti LaBelle. Yes, Patti LaBelle. Can't promise this one will land this year, but a Christmas album is one of two projects she's currently working on. So I'm saying there's a chance.

Anyway, it's worth mentioning Patti to get you to check out the lady's most recent release--"Bel Hommage". It's a Jazz album and it's killer, front to back. Patti is 73 years old, now, and, like a fine wine, she just keeps getting better and better. Don't believe me? Hit that play button.

Tops on the list of coming Christmas releases I'm super looking forward to is the forthcoming set from World Music masters Sultans of String, "Christmas Caravan". Honestly, I had sort of lost my fire for this one as it was initially promoted 2 years ago as scheduled for release last year. That's a long time to carry a torch. But, boy, did I get the fire back when I heard the samples in their video for their crowd funding campaign through Kapipal (you can pre-order the record there, or step up for show tickets, through November 1). My familiarity with the Sultans of String was largely limited to their work in Gypsy Jazz. But they are much more than that, as you'll hear. Expect "Christmas Caravan" in early December, but I believe you'll get it before the official release date if you're part of the crowd funding effort (don't quote me on that).

What this post sorely needs right now is some Rock N Roll, yeah? Power Pop work for you? Works for me. Loved Somerdale's Christmas song last year and who among us didn't go Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs over the Grip Weeds Christmas album? Coming out of the same New Jersey studio as those acts are The Weeklings. Heavily influenced by The Beatles, but I'd hardly call that a bad thing. The Weeklings are very popular on Little Steven's Underground Garage and their itinerary for 2017 includes promoting their latest album release, a bunch of singles, and a Christmas album. I thought we'd have to mention their planned holiday set without a Christmas video but, as it happens, The Weeklings are Glen Burtnik's latest band. And, as most hard core Christmas music collectors are aware, Glen puts on a charity Christmas concert every year--featuring lots of legendary artists and bands--which, as a former Garden State resident, I can confirm is the highlight of the year in Jersey. And you didn't think Glen would show up with his own band to his own shindig unprepared, did you? The band took two of their most popular tunes and dressed them up in Christmas lights and, hey, there's this thing called YouTube, ya know. It was a tough call for me, though. Although both songs are great, I'd say "Little Elvis" is a slightly more righteous beat than "Mona Lisa", but it sounded to me like "Mona Lisa" made the better transition to a Christmas song, so I'm going with "Daddy Santa". But feel free to check out "Little Santa" and make up your own mind. Though we've got no idea what The Weeklings have planned for the Christmas album, I wouldn't be surprised if both make-overs make it over. Cross your fingers and hope they get the record finished in time for the hoped for December release.

I've said, many times, that Christmas music is where I discover new artists. CCM artist Hannah Kerr has only been putting out music since 2015 (so I ain't too late to the party) and what I've sampled is mostly Nashville flavored singer/songwriter Folk--heavy on the middle "C" in CCM. So I'm glad that the first thing I heard from her was her Christmas single from last year, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Hannah's releasing a full Christmas album this fall. "Emmanuel" is slated to arrive on October 20. It's probably too much to hope for but, if the rest of the record sounds as good as the single, I'll happily swoon while she croons the tunes. We don't have a full track list, yet, but the album is expected to include "White Christmas", "Breath Of Heaven", "O Come O Come, Emmanuel" and "Christmas Eve In Bethlehem" (which I presume is the Gospel number; I don't see Hannah covering David Rovics). And, of course, Hannah's a singer/songwriter, so you have to expect an original or two...possibly the title track (yes, it's still legal to have Emmanuel in the title of more than one song on an album). Whatever, man. Just give me more of this and you'll have my complete attention.

I really dig this next group. Well, less of a group and more of a brother act. Twins, to be precise. And, as twins, the Del Zorros have those harmonies that are nigh on telepathic. Heavily influenced by music of the 60s, I can't decide whether they're more Everly Brothers or more Peter & Gordon. Either way, their sound should appeal to fans of Americana and those nostalgic for the softer hits of the British Invasion. The Del Zorros have been walking their own path for decades and they've always got time to do a Christmas song at the end of the year, so there's plenty on YouTube. Even so, I think they are at their best when properly produced and recorded, so a full-length Christmas album (under such conditions) would almost definitely pull me in. You'll find the music of the Del Zorros at Bandcamp and Reverb Nation, and that includes a couple of Christmas songs, "Mrs. Santa Claus" (which is more of a Kids song) and a raw demo of "Holiday Blues" (Reverb Nation only), for which we're posting a 2014 video. Yeah, there's a bit of a goof factor with the outfits and whatnot, but don't get hung up on that. Just listen to what an awesome tune this is and imagine what it will sound like properly produced, likely with electric instruments (yes, the brothers Del Zorro can play electric instruments, and very well at that) and a band.

It has to be mentioned, here, that The Del Zorros do have a couple of Christmas albums you can check out and purchase, if you're so inclined. "Christmas At Theater Now" and "You Make Me Feel Like Christmas" are live sets recorded at a Wilmington, NC senior center with the boys just singing and playing their ukes. You can find those at most digital platforms. But they aren't studio tracks, professionally recorded, which is what I was given to believe they're doing, now.

Hope Griffin is a Folk/Americana singer/songwriter currently based in North Carolina (though she was born in Alaska and is a newer resident of the Tar Heel State than I am). This past week, she's been live streaming some of her process as she work's on putting together a Christmas EP. I'd love to post some of those streams, but they're a bit longer than we would post, here, and very raw. If you're interested, you can find a video of her finding the proper tempo for "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" on Facebook and catch the very beginnings of her Christmas original (plus her search for a whip crack SFX for "Jingle Bells"), while Hope has noodles and chips from a nearby gas station. "Mr. Grinch" and "The Christmas Song" are two more Hope confirms will be on the record. Hope routinely plays with Jamie Leigh O'Neil and you can bet she'll be on the Christmas record as well (that's her on the cello in the video below, and I loves me some cello).

Back in 1987, before there were quite so many new Christmas releases every year, I bought me a CD called "Celtic Christmas" by Kim Robertson. And it was very much one of my favorites for the next 20 years or so (though I haven't listened to it in a few years, now; there's just been too much new stuff). Kim Robertson is a master of the harp and, in particular, Celtic harp music. I'd consider her work a nice fit in the New Age category, though I think you'd enjoy it unless you limit your musical horizons to head banging music. Kim's got a new Christmas album out--her fourth (that I know of). "Christmas Lullaby II" has been available, digitally, for about a week with hard copy CDs expected in October. What I love about Kim's music is that she understands, as few others do, the importance of the silence between the notes. Listen to how she handles "See Amid The Winter's Snow" on the new album. It's not just like you're hearing it for the first time, but like you're living inside it...wrapping the notes around you like a warm snuggie. If you're looking for something a bit more spritely, try that old chestnut "Cold Frosty Morning". Or just pick a track at random...every ticket's a winner. It's all good and any of Kim's albums make for good contemplative 4 a.m. listening. You know...if you're into that sort of thing (which I happen to be). Pay Kim Robertson a visit at her official web site.

1. On That Night in Bethlehem
2. El Noi De La Mare
3. Blessed Be That Maid Mairie
4. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence / Angels We Have Heard
5. See Amid the Winter's Snow
6. Snow on the Hills
7. Hymn of St. Patrick
8. Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
9. Cold Frosty Morning
10. What Strangers Are These
11. Still, Still, Still
12. The Sheep Under the Snow

KIM ROBERTSON WEB SITE
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WHAT'S COOKIN' FOR CHRISTMAS?

8/14/2017

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Videos presented in this post are from previous releases, unless otherwise specified.

As an old man, now, it's taken me days to write this post. Days, I tellz ya. You kids and your fancy fast typing! Get off my lawn, will ya? So, anyway, sorry I'm not as quick as I once was. BTW, we've greatly updated The List but some of the stuff we've learned about doesn't have a purchase site, yet. You may click on something and go nowhere. A little like life, in that respect. Updating The List is one reason this has taken me so long. It really is a rabbit hole, you know. Sure, dip in a toe and you'll hit 98 Degrees. Put your whole foot in, and there's Sia. But you don't get to the fun stuff until you dive in and swim to the bottom. And then you're afraid to stop, lest you miss something. So, today, we'll give you some major artist stuff and, in a few days, I'll tell you about a few things I'm far more intrigued by. Deal? Oh, and we even got a new Preview up (like the Free List, gonna have to continue on last year's page, now that Weebly limits "pages" in their free package). Onward...

One holiday feast I know many have been looking forward to is the new one from Herb Alpert. Herb hasn't done a full Christmas album since 1968's "Christmas Album". My recollection is that "Christmas Album" had a welcome release but drifted quickly into the discount bins. A few of the tracks hung around, but the album...not so much. Then, after the full scale explosion of Christmas music in the late 80's, Herb's gem was re-discovered and soon became iconic (Herb, himself, has always been iconic).

Tuff to see how Herb tops himself, but he's pulling out all the stops. "The Christmas Wish" arrives September 29 and features a 45 piece orchestra, 10 piece rhythm section and 32 member choir. Oh, and Richard Carpenter is supposed to be putting in an appearance on "Merry Christmas, Darling". Yeah, it's a long way from the Tijuana Brass. But Herb knows how to make a song sing, if you know what I'm saying. "The Christmas Wish" will be available on CD and 2-LP vinyl, the latter coming in a gatefold cover.

1. Joy To The World & Silver Bells - Medley
2. Let It Snow & Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Medley
3. Santa Baby
4. Carol Of The Bells & We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Medley
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas
6. Silent Night
7. Winter Wonderland
8. Merry Christmas, Darling
9. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
10. The Christmas Wish
11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
12. The Christmas Song
13. White Christmas HERB ALPERT WEB SITE
14. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? CD from AMAZON
15. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring 2-LP from AMAZON

'Twas not so long ago, we told you that Alabama would be back with Christmas album number three this year. And now we know that "American Christmas" will drop on October 6. The cover art is pretty cool and I gotta say the group came up with what promises to be an excellent tracklist. There look to be some great originals, and covering Johnny Preston's "(I Wanna) Rock N Roll Guitar" is pure genius. I'm curious to hear the new version of "Christmas In Dixie" and "Ain't Santa Cool" can't help but be awesome.

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1. Ain't Santa Cool
2. Go Tell It On The Mountain
3. Silent Night
4. Why Can't Christmas Day Last All Year Long
5. Away In A Manger
6. Christmas Joy
7. First Christmas Without Daddy
8. Winter Wonderland
9. Greatest Gift
10. Jingle Bells
11. Remember Me
12. (I Wanna) Rock N Roll Guitar
13. Christmas In Dixie
14. Sure Could Use Some Christmas Around Here
15. Auld Lang Syne

Now, here's one presented as a bit of a public service. If you go to just about any of the Big Box internet outlets, you're going to get the impression that this one is a re-issue. But it's not. It is, in fact, the long awaited follow-up to David Ian's "Vintage Christmas". To begin with, everyone's got the title wrong (or, hey, maybe I do); I believe the title of the new set is "Vintage Christmas Trio". Ah, see? Looks totally different, now, doesn't it? And we should credit the other members of the David Ian Trio, both of whom get a chance to stretch and solo on the coming record--bassist Jon Estes and drummer Josh Hunt.

Ian (born David Ghazarian), you likely recall, was the lead guitarist from the Pop Punk band Superchick. Prior to picking up the guitar, David had been classically trained on the piano and, attracted to the Jazzy feel of the old time Christmas records, he originally threw together a digital Christmas EP as a side project. 2011's full-length "Vintage Christmas" seemed, at the time, to be the culmination of the concept, but it turned into more of a new beginning and David's been trading in the standards ever since.

"Vintage Christmas Trio" is entirely instrumental and leans a little heavier to the Jazz and a little less to the crooner style of "Vintage Christmas". "Joy To The World", for example, is said to be done up in Blues. Yeah, I perk up when I hear stuff like that. The record is said to bear David's "signature sound" throughout.

While I don't have a proper tracklist, I do know that the album contains the following songs (at least):
Deck The Halls
Joy To The World
White Christmas
We Three Kings
Silver Bells
O Come, All Ye Faithful

Look for "Vintage Christmas Trio" to land in your holiday stocking on November 3 (and don't click on "mp3" at Amazon; right now, it links to the old one).

One of the worst kept secrets in music has been that Gwen Stefani has been working on a Christmas album, with the assistance of fellow Voice judge Blake Shelton. No one has really committed to the fact of it, but everyone knows its coming. Even the folks at the record label are saying it's true, but only on the downlow and not for attribution.

Personally, I'd dig an album that harkens back to Gwen's No Doubt days...a little "I'm Just A Girl", a little "Don't Speak", a little "Hollaback Girl", but that probably isn't in the cards (sadly). But Gwen seems to be in a good space, these days, so we can probably count on an album that's full of Christmas joy. And her voice is simply dripping in awesome, no matter what she's singing, so I'll take it.

What we do know is that a handful of holiday titles, written or co-written by Gwen, have been registered with the song publisher people. "Christmas Eve", "My Gift Is You", "Under The Christmas Lights", "When I Was A Little Girl", and "You Make It Feel Like Christmas". Hmm. Not really sensing an "Oi To The World" in there. (Hey, wouldn't it be awesome if Gwen got ahold of djbc and cut "Challahback Girl" as a Hanukkah track for real?) You can see Blake Shelton's co-writing credit on the last one (possible duet alert?). I'm sure we'll be hearing more about this in the weeks and months to come.

Australian singer/songwriter Sia has announced that her first album for Atlantic, her new label, will be a Christmas album. I know she's had other hits, but "Chandelier" is the one that always stuck with me. And, of course, she has all those weird face-hiding wigs and outfits. Anyway, I think we all know what a strong songwriter she is and Sia promises that every song on her album will be an original.

Now that's about all I have to say about that, until we get some details...cover art, song samples...but Sia's announcement did result in one of the season's first of many articles putting down new Christmas music. This one is from The Debrief, written by Jazmin Kopotsha. The title is "SIA IS MAKING A CHRISTMAS ALBUM, BUT IS THERE A PLACE FOR IT IN 2017?" The concept, here, seems to be that Sia is a very talented artist and those talents are wasted on Christmas music because, really, who cares? Ms. Kopotsha writes that Christmas music--at least that which can be enjoyed--is of "another time". It's about the classics, you see. Why would anyone write and sing a new Christmas song when there hasn't been a true classic added to the canon since Wham and Mariah Carey? Oh, the 80's, 90's and the aughts were such a different time, doncha know. "Anyone remember," she says, "what was on Justin Beiber’s 2011 Christmas album? How about the Taylor Swift Holiday Collection? Didn’t think so."

What a load of poop! I have been listening to Christmas music--strike that--seeking out NEW Christmas music to experience for nearly half a century. For the past ten years, I've listened to almost nothing BUT Christmas music. Year round. It is how I discover new artists. It is MUSIC. Just like any other kind of MUSIC. There is good, there is bad, there is indispensable and highly forgettable...just like any other form of music. No one is forcing you to listen to Sia's Christmas album anymore than anyone is forcing me to listen to Opera (thank God). That doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with Opera or that that last album from the latest supreme tenor was a waste of his talents. And there's a hell of a lot more to Christmas music than what you hear in the department store every year. And, furthermore, do you understand what makes a Christmas song a classic? Time. I can pretty much guarantee you that no one living through the 80's or 90's ever imagined people would be nostalgic for those decades (or any other, for that matter). The great thing about Christmas music is that it connects us to an earlier time, a more innocent time, before our lives got so busy and complicated. I wouldn't be at all surprised if there are some kids and younger adults who will indeed be nostalgic for The Beeb's Christmas album...20 or so years from now. It won't be you. I get that. Won't be me, either. But I doubt your grandparents are really into Mariah all that much, either. Don't like it? Don't listen. And I happen to love Taylor Swift's Christmas EP and keep hoping she'll do some more holiday tunes. And the two originals on the set, "Christmas When You Were Mine" and "Christmas Must Be Something More" are both stellar. They are genuine sentiments of the season, delivered honestly. And one last thing. Does anybody remember reading anything ever from Jazmin Kopotsha? Didn't think so. End rant.

Phew! Sorry about that. Christmas music became a passion of mine about 1971. And EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR., there are a bushel full of writers who think that they are the first to put the oh so unique spin on Christmas music that it sucks, that it's passe, that it is without value, that it is not worth the talent of the artist or the time of those who listen to and enjoy it. And I've had my fill of that crap. Shoot, these people whose entire exposure to Christmas music is what they hear in department stores should fall down on their knees and thank God when someone writes a new Christmas song that might break into that rotation. Better yet, find a Christmas music fanatic and have them make a mixtape for you. You'll never think of Christmas music the same way again.

Time to wrap this one up. Got something I hope you'll like to close out with. Not a coming Christmas album, but a track (one of 2) off a recent album release. The album is the soundtrack for the new film "Feed" and the artist is Michael Shuman. Michael is the bass player for Queens of the Stone Age and also a vocalist and drummer with Mini Mansions. The movie sounds exactly like the last film on Earth I'd ever want to see (a horror movie about twins and anorexia), but this Christmas song is great. Check out "My Christmas Babe".

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LAWRENCE - HANUKKAH, OH HANUKKAH (BUT FUNKY)

8/9/2017

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As I mentioned earlier, I'm enjoying the freedom of listening to non-holiday music these days. Thing is, today's internet has a memory. So I was checking out some Blues and Funk on YouTube and, because of my browsing history over there, some holiday music always turns up in the recommendations on the right hand side. And, when this one turned up, I had to give it a listen.

Lawrence, based in New York City, features two individuals sharing that last name (siblings)--Gracie and Clyde--and Jordan Cohen. At least that's the lineup on "Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah (But Funky)", which was posted to YouTube in 2014 and, sadly, doesn't seem to be available anywhere for download or purchase. Normally, I don't post music you can't acquire. But there are exceptions and Lawrence is one.

The group released their major label debut, "Breakfast", last year. And the rest of the members are Jonny Koh, Sam Askin, Michael Karsh, Sumner Becker and Marc Langer. Clyde Lawrence has been writing music for a while, now (some of which was used in the film Miss Congeniality...worth mentioning because he was 6 years old at the time), while Gracie has an affinity for acting (on Broadway and on both the small and big screen).

Maybe y'all are way ahead of me and already groove to Lawrence. But, if not, the reason Lawrence is an exception to my "no streams" rule is because the non-holiday song "Alibi" from "Breakfast" grabbed ahold of my soul and pulled me to heaven. Got the hair on the back of my neck standing up straight away and dancing like Groot. And that song, you can buy. So check out the cool Hanukkah video, by all means. But give a good listen to "Alibi" (immediately below), too. And, if the funk fits, follow Lawrence on Facebook, Soundcloud and via their official website.

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SHANTIH SHANTIH - CHRISTMAS DAY

HOW GREEN ARE MY HILLS?

TERRORTRON - ORGY OF THE VAMPIRES

UPCOMING AND OFF THE BEATEN PATH

WHAT'S COOKIN' FOR CHRISTMAS?

LAWRENCE - HANUKKAH, OH HANUKKAH (BUT FUNKY)

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