Have you seen the cover for Jackie Evancho's "Heavenly Christmas" yet? No? Ok, then. "Heavenly Christmas" will be turning up at Wal-Mart stores across the country beginning November 1. Or you can pre-order direct from Wal-Mart.com. If you'd rather not deal with Wal-Mart, for whatever reason, the album is also available through Amazon (Canada) beginning November 8, though I'm not sure how (or even if) Amazon works over-the-border sales. But it's good to know.
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Our first full-length review of the season is up on the REviews page. For our first outing, we've tackled Jigsaw Seen's upcoming concept album "Winterland", due in Vinyl, CD, Digital Download, and special CD/Vinyl LP combo on November 15. Still more pre-release build-up from Michael Buble. This time, a behind the scenes look at the recording of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and, in this clip, we get to see Mrs. Buble, Luisana, watch her husband work. Yes, she's the pretty blonde. DECK THE HALLS/ROGER WILLIAMS (Christmas Time) One of the legendary artists of instrumental Christmas music passed away Saturday, October 8. Roger Williams was 87. Born Louis Weertz in Omaha, Nebraska, Roger Williams was the son of a Lutheran minister and a music teacher. Williams was something of a prodigy, first playing piano at the age of 3 and learning to play several other instruments proficiently by the age of 9. By the time he reached high school, Williams could play 13 different instruments and could play almost anything by ear. "I settled for what I liked best," Williams said, "the piano." Williams served in the Navy during World War II and, afterward, attended Julliard in New York City. While there, Williams studied piano under Teddy Wilson. It was Wilson who urged Williams to compete on Arthur Godfrey's talent show in 1952, which Williams won. The founder of Kapp records, David Kapp, heard Williams play and, signing him to his label in 1954, was determined to help the young pianist become a star. First up, Kapp insisted Louis Weertz change his name to Roger Williams. Roger Williams' first records for Kapp were not the big sellers David Kapp had hoped for. Frankly, they didn't sell very well at all. But then came "Autumn Leaves". "Autumn Leaves" stormed up the charts in 1955--holding the number one position for a solid month. It remains the best selling piano record of all time. After that, Williams was a star. His easy style and dynamic stage presence endeared his music to millions and inspired the careers of Richard Clayderman, Ronnie Aldrich, and many others. Williams recorded well over 100 albums during his career, and hit the charts several more times, reaching the Top Ten for a second time with "Born Free" in 1966. In March of this year, Williams announced on his web site that he'd been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and vowed to fight it. He performed his final concert a few days later. On Saturday, October 8, Williams lost his battle with the disease and died at his Los Angeles home. Roger Williams took his first stab at Christmas music in 1956. The album "Roger Williams Plays Christmas Songs" was dedicated to his father and featured over 20 traditional Christmas songs and carols in solo piano or duet arrangements. The album failed to chart and, in spite of the festive cover art, is very rarely talked about in Christmas music collectors' circles. Williams tried again in 1959 and, this time, struck the right Christmas note. "Christmas Time" became a classic of the season and an annual seller, reissued no fewer than 5 times by Kapp through the 60s and at least twice more by MCA in the seventies. "Christmas Time" was issued on CD in 1995, but is currently out-of-print. Williams recorded one more Christmas album in 1981, "Golden Christmas". "Golden Christmas" is still in print (having been issued on CD as recently as 2006) and does feature the string accompaniment that made "Christmas Time" such a hit, but is generally considered inferior to its 1959 predecessor. MIKEY WELSH (1971 - 2011) A former bassist for the rock group Weezer, Mikey Welsh was found dead in a Chicago hotel room Saturday, October 8. Welsh was only 40 years old. Born in Syracuse, New York, Welsh was a bassist for several local Boston bands, playing with Weezer's Rivers Cuomo in Cuomo's side project Homie. When original bassist Matt Sharp officially left Weezer in 1998, Welsh was given the position. This was during one of Weezer's least productive periods so, although Welsh wrote a number of songs for Weezer and recorded a number of tracks with the band in 1998 and 1999, the songs he wrote were never used and the tracks recorded went largely unreleased. Weezer's "Green Album" is the one and only album featuring Mikey Welsh on bass. But Welsh also was the bass player on the fan-club issued Christmas EP (released on iTunes 5 years later as "Winter Weezerland"). Following the tour in support of the "Green Album", Welsh left Weezer in 2001. It was later disclosed that Welsh had suffered a mental breakdown culminating in a suicide attempt. Welsh ultimately turned to art though, on rare occasions, he would join Weezer on stage to jam on the song "Hash Pipe" or some other track from the "Green Album". On September 26, Welsh had tweeted "dreamt i died in chicago next weekend (heart attack in my sleep). need to write my will today" causing many to suspect Mikey's death was a suicide. Police were awaiting autopsy and toxicology results. Foul play is not suspected. Well, whether or not I seem to think "Funny Looking Angels" from Smith and Burrows is a Christmas album, it appears that THEY think it's a Christmas album. Not just an album being released around Christmas time--as I had earlier alleged--but an honest-to-goodness unapologetic Christmas album. It appears Andy Burrows and Tom Smith were sharing their fondness for the ghosts of Christmas records past one day and decided upon this collaboration of friends.
Now what I take as non-holiday songs--such as the title track and "Colours Of My Dreams"--are songs that remind Smith and Burrows of the holidays...even if only obliquely. Alright then. I'm not sure I understand how a song about explosives reminds Smith and Burrows of Christmas. I'm not sure I want to know. But, as if sensing my feelings that their Christmas project is not a Christmas project, Smith and Burrows have released the name of another of the songs they intend to cover--Black's "Wonderful Life"--which has long been one of my own personal favorite Christmas songs, even though its not really a Christmas song. And its not because of the title, either, but because the radio station I listened to at the time played the song (and its a really great song) just about every hour one mid 80s December and it became inseparable from my memories of snow covered streets and pine trees and Christmas lights. The pair further promises the album will feature Christmas style backing vocals, strings, and jingle bells. Well, I'm a big enough man to admit when I was wrong. Messers Smith and Burrows, I stand corrected. "Funny Looking Angels" will be released on November 28 in the UK and I'll be there with jingle bells on. Well, this is a nice surprise and an early Christmas present. Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, alias She & Him, have posted "The Christmas Waltz" as a free download over at their web site (see that arrow pointing down on the right? That's your download button). Ordinarily, I'd post this on the Free Page, but She & Him are always front page material around here. The posting comes with the reminder that "A Very She & Him Christmas" is only two weeks away and, if you order through the She & Him web site, you'll receive exclusive She & Him wrapping paper (while supplies last). The pair also have exclusive She & Him mittens and winter caps available to bundle with your CD or record purchase. There's an odd little item on the web today about a pair of artists in the UK collaborating on a Christmas album--only its not a Christmas album, really...just an album that will be coming out around Christmas time. But, in this case, it's worth mentioning because the non-Christmas Christmas album will contain a Christmas song. "THE Christmas Song", in fact. Tom Smith, frontman for The Editors, and Andy Burrows, formerly of Razorlight, are the collaborators. Together, they call themselves Smith and Burrows and the project is called "Funny Looking Angels" and release is set for November 28. The title track (which you can download free by clicking on the picture above) and "The Colours Of My Dreams" (below) make it clear that this isn't a holiday album. But the two will be roasting some chestnuts on an open fire, with the help of Danish vocalist Agnes Obel. The album will also contain covers of Yazoo's "Only You" and "On And On", a song by the Longpigs. Smith and Burrows have already set up a web site and Facebook page for the album, if you want to watch the project as it progresses. If you're tired of every Country Christmas collection using the same ten songs, including Kellie Pickler's "Santa Baby" over and over again, Target stores can put a stop to that this Tuesday (October 11). Kellie's brand new recording of "Rockin Around The Christmas Tree"--and a host of other new stuff--is included on the Target Exclusive CD "A Very Country Christmas". Other new recordings on the collection include Brad Paisley singing "What Child Is This", Ronnie Dunn offering "Silent Night", Chris Young's "O Holy Night", Jake Owen's version of "Mele Kalikimaka", and the Lunabelles tackle "The Christmas Song". "A Very Country Christmas" also contains previously released selections from Carrie Underwood ("Do You Hear What I Hear") and Sara Evans ("O Come All Ye Faithful"). Target averages 3 or more exclusive seasonal sets each year. We know Jim Brickman has a set slated to be a Target exclusive come November. But that only makes 2. Hmmm. Country is also the theme of the annual Kohl's For Kids CD. And though the tracks on the Kohl's Exclusive "Have Yourself A Merry Little Country Christmas" are previously released, the CD costs a mere $5 and 100% of the net profits support kids education and health initiatives via Kohl's Cares. I generally pick one up for the cause--or at least I have since Tim Neely (author of The Goldmine Christmas Record Price Guide) first brought these to my attention a few years back (and I certainly thank him for the tip this year, as well). You can pick this one up at Kohl's stores or order it online. Here's the track list: A Holly Jolly Christmas by Alan Jackson Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Martina McBride Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Lonestar Santa Baby by Kellie Pickler The First Noël by Carrie Underwood O Little Town Of Bethlehem by Kenny Chesney I'll Be Home For Christmas by Sara Evans Frosty The Snowman by Willie Nelson O Holy Night by Danny Gokey Silent Night by Brad Paisley The Christmas Song by Brooks & Dunn Joy To The World by Dolly Parton Barnes & Noble booksellers are usually good for an Exclusive track or two each holiday season, if not a full album. So far this year, the only record carrying the Barnes & Noble Exclusive tag is The Jimmies' "Mama Says Nog You Out"--which, you've got to admit, may be one of the best titles for a holiday album ever. The Jimmies make joyous rocking Children's music and last year offered a 5 track EP by this same name as a free download. Until Barnes & Noble posts a track list, we won't know whether they've rounded that into a full album or not. But the 5 tracks from last year were pretty good, as Kids Music goes--including "Oh Hanukkah" performed with a rockin' ska beat. You might not think of Lowe's Home Improvement stores as a source of seasonal cheer, but they've made it a near annual tradition to carry an exclusive collection of Mannheim Steamroller music. This year's Lowe's Exclusive is entitled "Hometown" and it debuted this past Tuesday (October 4). Once again, a thank you to Tim Neely for bringing this one to our attention via Imwan. The music on the Lowe's Exclusive Mannheim Steamroller holiday sets is generally previously released material and they carry a regular new CD price tag ($13.98), but the CDs tend to be very popular and your local Lowes may already be sold out. Here's the track list for this one. 1. My Little Christmas Tree 2. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear 3. Hallelujah 4. Something You Should Know (vocals) 5. Still, Still, Still (vocals) 6. Good King Wenceslas 7. White Christmas 8. Traditions of Christmas Music Box 9. Greensleeves 10. Above the Northern Lights (vocals) 11. Catching Snowflakes on Your Tongue (vocals) 12. Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night) 13. Angels We Have Heard on High 14. Jingle Bells We previously mentioned that Wal-Mart has the exclusive on the upcoming Jackie Evancho Christmas album, and a few artists--like Michael Buble and Jigsaw Seen--are offering exclusive versions or configurations of their holiday sets through their own web stores. For the most part, you'll find exclusives such as these in POWDER BLUE on The List. We did make an exception on Justin Bieber's digital drop on iTunes on October 18th--that's really more of a head start than an exclusive. ;-) We'll keep you updated as things develop this season.
Saw this on the Sounds of Christmas Facebook page and thought it deserved a spotlight here. 1. Overture 2. Christmastown 3. World's Greatest Dad 4. In The Way 5. Sparklejollytwinklejingley 6. I'll Believe In You 7. In The Way - Reprise 8. Just Like Him 9. A Christmas Song 10. World's Greatest Dad - Reprise 11. Nobody Cares About Santa 12. Never Fall In Love (With An Elf) 13. There Is A Santa Claus 14. The Story Of Buddy The Elf 15. Nobody Cares About Santa - Reprise 16. A Christmas Song - Reprise 17. Finale The Broadway Musical "Elf" had a premier run late in 2010 through January 2, 2011 and, as a seasonal production, "Elf" will return later this year to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. George Wendt (Norm from Cheers) plays Santa, so they got that going for them...which is nice. The Original Cast album arrives November 1 and you can pre-order through Amazon or from Sh-K-Boom Records, where you can stream a few of the tracks as well. I'm not much on Original Cast albums, myself, and I prefer my Elf to contain Zooey Deschanel, but I will say "Never Fall In Love (With An Elf)" is a great song title. Photo by Sarah Lee for the UK Guardian You may never have heard of Bert Jansch, but that would just make him the greatest guitar player you never heard. If you ever played guitar, you not only knew who Bert Jansch was, you studied him and hoped to learn from him, maybe even idolized him. Bert Jansch was one of the most influential guitarists of the modern age, having inspired everyone from Paul Simon to Neil Young to Jimmy Page. Young, in fact, has called Jansch the acoustic equivalent of Jimi Hendrix. Bert's guitar fell silent Wednesday when he finally succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 67. Scottish born Herbert Jansch taught himself to play guitar as a young teen, listening to the records of Woody Guthrie and Blues masters like Big Bill Broonzy and Brownie McGhee. By the time he was proficient, his music was a fairly unique blend of British folk, Celtic, blues, jazz and classical. He played the local clubs in Edinburgh for a while before making his way to London. Jansch recorded his eponymous debut album on a reel-to-reel tape deck. Released in 1965, "Bert Jansch", according to Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, "completely reinvented guitar playing and set a standard that is still unequaled today." Folk music was in vogue in the mid-60s and the album sold well. Donovan Leetch covered "Do You Hear Me Now?" and a young Jimmy Page listened with rapt attention. Jansch quickly followed with "It Don't Bother Me" and, in 1966, "Jack Orion", the latter album containing "Blackwaterside", which Jimmy Page was to turn into "Black Mountain Side" for the first Led Zeppelin album. Along the way, Jansch met up with and began playing with John Renbourn and, together, the two would found the UK's seminal Folk Rock band Pentangle--a staple of FM radio playlists throughout the 70s and 80s. Pentangle's fusion of rock, folk, jazz and classical elements was unique and innovative in its time and its like had only ever been seen then in Jansch's own solo work and that of Davey Graham, one of Jansch's influences. In the 90s, Jansch was reclusive, performing in smaller clubs off and on. He occasionally toured when his health permitted, but Jansch, who was often seen playing in earlier decades with a cigarette dangling from his lips and who was known for hard drinking, was beset by a number of ailments. In particular, Bert spent most of 2009 in hospitals being treated for cancer. In 2010, Bert shined in the spotlight again, opening for Neil Young on a tour of the US and Canada. And, earlier this year, there was a one-off Pentangle reunion at London's Royal Albert Hall. More recently, Bert Jansch was living in hospice care in north London, where he died early Wednesday morning. Bert's seasonal output, surprisingly, includes only a few tracks scattered among his extensive catalog. There are Bert's recordings of "In The Bleak Midwinter", one of which was released as a single in 1974. You'll find versions included on several of his albums, including "LA Turnaround" and "The River Sessions". And Bert's own composition, "Mary And Joseph" from "Santa Barbara Honeymoon", is an interesting piece transporting the nativity scene to the space age. Pentangle, on the other hand, recorded several carols and winter themed folk songs, most notably "The Cherry Tree Carol" and (a personal favorite) "Watch The Stars". MARV TARPLIN (1941 - 2011) Marvelous Marv Tarplin, an original member of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and the co-author of such hits as "The Tracks Of My Tears" and "Going To A Go-Go" as well as Robinson solo records "Cruisin'" and "Being With You", passed away September 30 at the age of 70. Cause of death was not immediately determined. Tarplin was born in Atlanta and raised in Detroit where he picked up the guitar. Two members of The Primettes (later The Supremes), Mary Wilson and Flo Ballard, had attended high school with Tarplin and persuaded him to play guitar for them at their Motown audition. Tarplin hooked up with Smokey Robinson at Motown and became an original member of The Miracles. As the guitar player for the group, Tarplin was frequently out of the spotlight and was only included in pictures of the group on some of their early albums. But Tarplin was known around Motown as The Miracles "Secret Weapon". Tarplin stayed with the group until 1973 when he left to work with departed front man Smokey Robinson on his solo career. Tarplin remained with Smokey and toured with him until 2008 when he retired from the road. Needless to say, Tarplin appeared on the Miracles 1963 Christmas album "Christmas With The Miracles" as well as 1970's "The Season For Miracles". |
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