The possibility exists that we'll go silent for awhile. This computer is on it's last legs and, when it goes, it'll likely take me some time to get a new set-up. Lots of reasons for that potential lag time, which I don't care to get into. Just be aware of the possibility and light a candle, don't curse the darkness....or something.
"Navidad" by Frank Johnson is one of my favorite Christmas singles of the, as yet, young season. The sound is as fresh as any modern Indie Rock, yet a throwback to the Psych sounds of the late 60s. I wish I could tell you more about Frank Johnson. I spent a good deal of time looking and a good deal of time typing into google translate and, still, I know next to nothing. We do know that Frank Johnson is from Spain. We are told that Frank Johnson has played in other bands and that this is Frank Johnson's solo debut...the lead track from the album "Garman" (and that either the single or the album or both will eventually be available on vinyl, or so Frank Johnson says). And we know that Frank Johnson was influenced by the group Love and by the guitars of Eddy Hazel. And I keep repeating the name in full because I don't even know if Frank Johnson is a man or a woman. Several of the pronouns in a less than helpful PR piece translate as "she" and "her" (and, in at least one picture on Facebook, the beard being worn by Frank Johnson appears to be fake). But the vocals sound masculine, so let's go with that.
I did translate the lyrics, though. So here's what the song is about. Basically, "Navidad" is about how the year is long and December is dark and cold. But, if you find that you're getting down, Christmas is the reward at the end of it all. And it isn't because of expensive presents...spending money and getting presents is not going to make you happy. Don't look down, look up. That's where you'll find the peace and happiness that will sustain you through the next year. What the video of two people in reindeer suits running towards each other has to do with that, I have no idea. But I love the song, whoever Frank Johnson turns out to be. You can find "Navidad" at Amazon or Bandcamp or CD Baby or wherever you get your downloads. 
One of the people on my personal holiday disc-swapping list has confessed to me, in the past, that he is fascinated by sea shanties and will seek, high and low, for any song that connects the sea shanty with Christmas. As he lives in Canada, and as the group Celtic Rant is also from Canada, he likely spotted this one before I did and already added it to his collection. But, just in case... and, of course, for the rest of us...
As noted, Celtic Rant is from Nova Scotia in Canada. And, as the band name would suggest, they play a folksy blend of Irish and Scottish tunes, sea shanties, and original tunes, and have done since 2006. This year, Celtic Rant recorded a Christmas album, "Ornaments". "Ornaments" has been nominated for Best Traditional/Roots Recording of the Year by Music Nova Scotia (the winners to be announced in a couple of weeks). As yet, I haven't been able to find a purchase link for "Ornaments". It's possible it hasn't been officially released yet (maybe the CDs are still pressing or whatever), but you can stream it on Soundcloud. "Christmas Day Back Home" is the latest of three holiday singles from "Ornaments", joining "Christmas In The Trenches" and "Auld Lang Syne". Rob Wigle, the vocalist for Celtic Rant, was curious about a tradition he'd read about where sailors reportedly would collect their Christmas gifts, port to port, throughout the year. He looked for a sea shanty that told the tale but, finding none, he wrote his own. You can get your copy of Celtic Rant's "Christmas Day Back Home" from CD Baby.
How many times have you heard someone say, "They just don't make 'em like that anymore." Well, truth be told, some do. You just have to know where to look.
"I'm Gettin' Into The Swing of Christmas" may sound like a song from the classic crooner age of Frank and Bing and Mel Torme, but it's brand new (just releasing today, in fact) written and sung by Todd Murray. Say all you want about the modern artists who try to recreate the old magic, Todd Murray is the real deal and the authenticity shows. First of all, there's that amazing voice; you really can't do crooner right without a voice like that. And Todd's done the work, singing a wide variety of music in a wide variety of settings since he was a child--Gospel, Pop, Country, Jazz, Folk, and Cabaret in churches, at fairs, at VA hospitals, in concerts, on cruise lines, and in musical theater. Even before he was in college, he was doing 300 shows a year. And of course you need a full, live orchestra to back you up. Let's face it, Todd's an expert baker with the perfect recipe for a show-stopping Christmas cookie. "I'm Gettin' Into The Swing of Christmas" is complimented by Todd's other new Christmas song, "Let's Hear It For Santa Claus". The latter enchanted me as it comes from the child mind we're always trying to recapture as we grow older. And "Let's Hear It For Santa Claus" sounds to me like a tune that will invite covers in other genres down the line as it so readily appeals to children of all ages. Todd has three full albums under his belt, worth checking out if you're into the old standards. It only seems a shame he waited so long to try his hand at Christmas music. You'll find "I'm Gettin' Into The Swing of Christmas" at Amazon and iTunes and the other usual digital platforms, "Let's Hear It For Santa Claus" here and here and likewise. You'll also find both songs and his albums at Todd Murray's web site.
They love Christmas and Christmas music in the Philippines. Every year, when I go searching for new and forthcoming Christmas music, I always come across a bunch from the Philippines. I don't often go chasing those down, but sometimes I do. I loved discovering The Bloomfields, for example, whose regular sound is more Beatles-like but whose Christmas album is pure Beach Boys.
TJ Monterde is relatively new on the Filipino music scene, but he's dominated their charts in the last few years. TJ left his job as a radio announcer back around the turn of the decade looking for a label to sign him, but, after knocking on a lot of doors, found no takers. So he began uploading his music to YouTube in 2011 and generated the kind of following we associate with Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes. He currently has over a million and a half followers on social media and over 56,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. Needless to say, a record label did eventually sign him and, at one point in 2017, he had four songs in the Philippine Top 20. A balladeer with a soulful voice, TJ Monterde's Christmas single is "Litrato Ngayong Pasko" ("This Christmas Photograph"). I don't have lyrics to plug into google translate, but I believe it's a song about missing someone who is far away. Maybe it's because I've always loved the holiday songs from faraway lands, but it sounds like Christmas to me and I wouldn't hesitate to include it in my Yuletide playlist, not even a little bit. If you're game for the foreign language stuff, you'll find "Litrato Ngayong Pasko" at Amazon. 
There's something undeniably fun about Cajun Christmas music...whether it comes from the Blues side of the gumbo or the Country side. "Louisiana Christmas" from Trevor Bohannon is one of the latter. I can still remember the first time I saw Doug Kershaw on the TV and, while this isn't Doug, neither did Doug give us a true Doug Kershaw Christmas song either (the best we got was a non-fiddling "Dominic The Donkey" from late in his career).
Trevor Bohannon is a Louisiana Country artist who, already a musician, started writing songs in 1997. He was hoping to have others sing his songs (and still hopes for that, I'm sure). But, at some point, it became one of those, "If you want something done, best do it yourself" kinda situations. Aside from the festive feel and fiddle, I thought the description of Santa doing his work as "in and out like a hurricane" was both original and evocative (neither he nor I intending any disrespect to victims of Florence and Michael). "Louisiana Christmas" by Trevor Bohannon is available at Amazon and CD Baby. 
Born Roland Yearwood, RemBunction is no music newcomer. He was winning talent contests in Trinidad and Tobago at the age of 11. In high school, he toured the world as part of Trinity College's Steel Drum ensemble. As an adult, Roland has found success as an actor, director, playwright, videographer, cartoonist, animator, singer and songwriter.
Among RemBunction's musical work, he seems to have a particular affinity for Christmas songs, including the ever popular "Mr. Santa Claus (Socks And Drawz)". That and many other classics appear on his 2013 album , "A Merry Remy Christmas". RemBunction's 2018 Christmas single is a Groovy Soca original, "The Christmas Spirit", something Remy brings every year. Pick it up from Amazon.
I suppose you've been looking for this one..."We All Need Christmas" by Def Leppard. It's fine, nice even. Gonna sound great on the radio. I just don't have anything to say about it, really. I'm sure others do. Plus, I'm really, really tired right now. That's the problem with these singles posts. By the time I get through 5 or 6 singles, these days, I run out of gas. Bad luck that Def Leppard was number 7. Written by Rick Savage. You can grab it at Amazon.
We get a ton of goofy records every Christmas and, you know me, I'm not a big fan of the goof. But there are a few reasons why I'm including "Fly Possum Fly" on our singles rundown. For one thing, there's a Bluegrass version (though the Country version appears to be more popular). But another is that, no matter what Christmas search terms you might employ, you likely would never find it on your own. Nothing about "Fly Possum Fly" is going to trigger a result if you're searching for "Christmas" or "Holiday" or anything else (anything but "possum" anyway).
The tale isn't all that different from a hundred other novelty records. Rudolph gets a cold or the flu (get your shots, everybody) and can't complete his holiday duties. The song doesn't really explain why the other 8 reindeer can't manage without him, but whatever. Being as Santa is in Appalachia when Rudolph collapses, the good mountain folk tell the fat man that the local possum passel can git-r-done. I do think they could have come up with better names for the possums than Jack, Jill and Joey, but, again, whatever. The other interesting thing about "Fly Possum Fly" is the female vocalist. Grant Maloy Smith gets top billing as he appears to be the writer of the song (it's also a children's book, yo), but the star is clearly EmiSunshine. This is the first time I've encountered EmiSunshine, but she's quite the sensation in the Country music world. A bit of an Old School (Mountain Music) Country artist, Emi released her first full-length album in 2014...at the age of 9. Do I have to talk about my macaroni art again? She has four full albums to her name, now, at the advanced age of 14. Yeesh. "Fly Possum Fly" is a goofy Christmas novelty record. But listen to some of EmiSunshine's other records and you'll be mighty impressed (and not just because she's as young as she is). And she doesn't just sing, she writes songs and plays the uke and the guitar. Of course, we're about the Christmas stuff here. You can get "Fly Possum Fly" at Amazon. 
Maybe it's much too early in the game, but we have a New Year's single already. "Happy New Year" is the lead single from O.S.L.U.'s forthcoming sophomore effort "Chasing The Kings" (tentatively expected in January). O.S.L.U. is shorthand for Our Secret Little Underground, a project led by Andy Lewis from the North West of England. The group and it's label, Best Side Records, offer the mission statement that they exist to keep the Blues alive...even if that be through modern interpretation. O.S.L.U.'s debut effort, "Stone Broke: Five New Sessions For Robert Johnson", certainly fit the bill. And the other songs previewed from "Chasing The Kings" (including a really cool Blues cover of Paul McCartney's "That Would Be Something") do as well. But the original "Happy New Year" seems a bit of an anomaly. They describe it as an "offshoot" of the Blues and, to my ears at least, it sounds like a 50s Rock record hop tune. "Albert", the virtual flip, by the way, is a nice instrumental piano Boogie Woogie number. We'll leave it you you to decide if "Happy New Year" by O.S.L.U. fits your personal holiday playlist. You can pick it up at Amazon. And, what the heck, even though there's nothing holiday about it, we'll leave you today with "Albert".
The fire is roaring, the chestnuts are roasting, the children are laughing – and it’s time to tell Ghost Stories for Christmas. These are the ghosts of love, haunting happy homes and fairy-lit bars; these are the ghosts of memory, of haunted mirrors, pagan festivities, and unforgettable friends.
It was going to be a Christmas single, "A Ghost Story For Christmas". They quickly had enough material for an EP. Ah, what the hell. Let's just do a whole album. "There’s something pleasantly perverse about recording Christmas songs in summer clothes," says Aidan Moffat, one half of the duo behind "Ghost Stories For Christmas", "so we just kept going.” Rounding out a set of otherwise original material, the pair included a cover of Mud's classic "Lonely This Christmas" and "Only You", a song that was already a popular favorite from their live shows.  Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert are longtime staples of the UK's Post Punk/Indie Folk scene. Moffat is known for his lyrical magic and affecting vocals while Hubbert is known for his flamenco style guitar playing. The two Scotsmen are longtime friends and have supported each other in live performance and collaborated with each other from time to time through the years. Their 2012 single "Car Song" was critically praised. They formally joined forces to release the full-length album, "Here Lies The Body", earlier this year and have been touring in support ever since.
The eight originals on the album draw inspiration from literary figures such as Hans Christian Anderson and Charles Dickens. Joining Aidan Moffat and RM Hubbert on the album are violinist and vocalist Jenny Reeve, vocalist Emma Pollock, John Burgess on clarinet and flute, and drummer David Jeans. "Ghost Stories For Christmas" officially drops December 7 on both CD and limited edition heavyweight white vinyl. The vinyl version comes with a download card which doubles as a Christmas card, signed by both Moffat and Hubbert. Pre-orders include an instant download of "Only You". 
As I write this, YouTube has been crashing or crashed much of the night. Which sent me into a panic because 1) this site pretty much runs on YouTube these days and 2) I thought it was just me. My computer is, apparently, ancient. When I bought it just 8 years ago, it was top of the line. But, now, it's old enough that the browsers can no longer be updated and I'm losing Internet compatibility and functionality by the day. Personally, I don't get it. I watch American Pickers and those guys are digging out stuff that's 100 years old and, but for a few dents and some paint loss, still work. Really? We can't build electronics to work for at least ten years anymore? WTF? I guess, to be fair, the computer still works; it's the programs (specifically the browsers) that don't. Still, c'mon. I shouldn't have to buy a new computer when this one still works. I shouldn't have to buy a new computer every couple of years. That's effing ridiculous. Fortunately, this post requires no YouTube. Anyway...
I am so proud of my little web site, right now, because, back in 2016, we introduced you to a fabulous Dutch Americana band and their fabulous Christmas album. And now they're back for their second sip from the cup of Christmas cheer and, thanks to us, you already know who they are, right? (Stubby, who are they?) They are Hidden Agenda Deluxe. And their 2016 holiday album with Oklahoma's Carter Sampson was "Christmas From Amsterdam to Oklahoma". Their forthcoming seasonal set is "Angels In The Snow". This time, they're teaming up with Canadian singer-songwriter Oh Susanna. And this cover of The Band's "Christmas Must Be Tonight" from the forthcoming album can be yours for the low low price of FREE via Bandcamp. 
"Christmas From Amsterdam To Oklahoma" was pretty much an impromptu holiday outing. Hidden Agenda Deluxe and Carter Sampson were touring Europe and had a break in the tour with more dates scheduled for December. It happened that Eric Davies, one of the great songwriters in Hidden Agenda Deluxe, was working on a Christmas song about that time--"Christmas Eve In Amsterdam". And a trans-Atlantic Christmas album was born.
Since then, it seems that touring with accomplished female artists at Christmas time has become a tradition for Hidden Agenda Deluxe. Though there was no album to celebrate last year's holiday tour with UK Indie Folk artist Danni Nicholls, it was decided to head back into the studio this year with Oh Susanna in advance of their December dates. "Angels In The Snow" has a bit more Americana Blues flavor than it's predecessor, IMO. In addition to "Christmas Must Be Tonight", the album includes covers of two Lyle Lovett songs, Joni Mitchell's "River" and Steve Earle's "Christmas Time In Washington" (Oh Susanna handles vocals on the latter two). And, of course, some fantastic originals. And here's some more good news. While we don't yet have a release date, you can currently stream "Angels In The Snow" at Bandcamp. My favorite track? I'm torn between "Angels In The Snow" and "After The Holidays". Want another little gifty from Hidden Agenda Deluxe and CRS Records? Head over to our Free Page and pick up your very special Christmas present while you can.
I think a lot of us probably had that moment in high school or college where you're kicking back with a small group of friends and somebody says, "Hey, we should start a band". Then, the next day, you realize what a stupid idea it was...especially since none of you play an instrument. Best I can say is that I did do the lead vocals on an a capella version of "Sh-Boom" at our college Gong Show (and we were gonged in record time). Of course, the story goes a little differently when the friends in question are actually in the music industry. So Jon Hornyak, sound engineer Matt Ross-Sprang, and Jason Freeman are kicking back at Sun Studios one day (yes, that Sun Studios) and Jason suggests they ought to put together a ukulele band. Except, being in the music business already, they didn't dismiss the idea the next day. Instead, they recruited singer-songwriter Mark Edward Stuart, Logan Hanna, and the young but extremely talented Kyndle McMahan. The group all had their regular things going on, but their little ukulele band was a nice escape, something fun to do on the side. They played some house concerts and coffee houses and, the next thing you know, they're opening for Jake Shimabukuro (who is pretty much the hottest thing going in uke). After that, the record companies came calling. And, in 2016, the Memphis Ukulele Band released their eponymous debut album. On November 16, they'll release their follow-up, a Christmas EP entitled "Holidays Ain't The Same". I know you've heard a ton of Indie artists playing Indie Uke tunes. But this is Memphis, y'all. If you're going to make it as a ukulele band in Memphis, you'd better be bringing a little bit of Blues and some hot buttered Soul. And MUB do exactly that. "Holidays Ain't The Same" includes covers of Carla Thomas and Charles Brown, as well as a pair of originals--"Merry Christmas Broken Hearts" and "Holidays Ain't The Same (Without You)". Their sound is known as "Ukulele Soul". While you can't really get the feel of that from "Mele Kalikimaka" (which, c'mon, you're a uke band doing a Christmas album; that's sort of required), you can from the video below--The Memphis Ukulele Band's take on Ann People's "(You Keep Me) Hangin' On".
You got your William Shatner and your Monkees. But "Winter With Juanita" by The Kens might be as fun an album as you're likely to hear this year.
For what does it profit a man's mixtape to have all the big name artist Christmas releases and lose the whole soul of doing the thing in the first place? A lot of big name artists this year. Clapton's "Happy Xmas" is fantastic. And it's only October. But albums like "Winter With Juanita" are the kinds of records that make a Christmas mixtape sing (pardon the expression, as this is largely an instrumental album).
"Winter With Juanita" is just one of those digital selections buried in a sea of seasonal releases that no one ever finds and no one else is going to tell you about. That's why we're here. The music is clearly created digitally. Much of it sounds as though it were produced using one of those Lowrey home organs like my Dad used to have, some of it sounds like it was created on a vintage moog machine. But those sounds combined with the feel and sound of a Mexicali Spaghetti Western, and both Indie and Hip Hop sensibilities make this the kind of record that will set a mixtape apart. People will sit up and take notice. They'll say, "Now that was cool." "Winter With Juanita" is credited to The Kens. After extensive searching, and many dead ends, I can't say definitively who The Kens are (or is). The leading candidate is the gentleman to the right. He is from South Africa, creates his music electronically, had a single ("Baphi") earlier this year, and goes by The Kens. But I can't say it's actually him with even moderate certainty. Don't even have a verifiable name for the dude. Heck, it could just be production music with The Kens name slapped on (though that wouldn't really explain "Sexy Santa"). That mystery aside, what I can tell you is this. I listened to "Winter With Juanita" straight through, multiple times, never once feeling the urge to lift the virtual needle. There's not a track on here I don't love. And it's the kind of record I would gleefully listen to in August, just for my own head. Bossa Nova fans will dig "Jingle Bossa". If you need something instantly recognizable, but still super cool, there's the one cover, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". The song with the most speaking is "Sexy Santa".(which includes a shout out postal workers everywhere will enjoy). And, for those requiring some sleigh bells, there's always the very festive "Hora de Navidad". Give "Winter With Juanita" by The Kens a chance and I think you'll dig it as much as I do. Pick it up from Amazon.
Not long ago, we gave you a heads-up about the British label devoted to unsigned bands (mostly, but not exclusively, of the Metal variety) and their hopes of issuing a charity Christmas CD this year featuring such bands. Dr Johns Surgery Records has announced that the record has officially been compiled and is ready to rock and roll...to the manufacturer, anyway. They settled on a single CD (after toying with the idea of a double disc release). "Dr Johns Ultimate Rock Christmas Album" officially drops November 2. All profits will go to Exeter Hospiscare. Pre-orders are currently being accepted via Paypal to [email protected]; make sure your address is included and mark it "Christmas album"). The CDs, themselves, are £8.00 each (that's about $10.50 US), but I'm not clear on the postage outside of the UK, so you might want to email to ask, first. Postage within the UK is £2.00 per CD. They give a £3.50 postage as well, but don't really say where that's good for (that's about $4.60 US, fwiw). As I say, best ask first. Send an email to the same address or leave a comment on their Facebook page. UPDATE: It's been clarified. £3.50 postage per CD should get it to the states.
Some of these tunes are brand new, some are not (though most date to 2017), but all are making their hard copy debut. "Dr Johns Ultimate Rock Christmas" figures to be worth the cost of admission, though--especially for Headbangers--for such brilliant tracks as "The Silver Wheel" by Tyranny of Hours, Conspires To's "We Three Kings", and Joe Feloni's "Merry Christmas Collage". But there's also Country Rock from The Southern Raiders Band, Ambient Rock from Strawkites, and Indie Rock from Stillroom. "Christmas Blues" by Uncle Illmo's Band makes an appearance, today, on our Free page. And we previously played the Dean Farnell track for you. But I know some of you will want the most outrageous track included and that is probably this one. Heavy Metal Flatulence Rock from Sacred Wind, "Windy Christmas".
Since there's some fun to be had in this post, The Dollyrots would seem to be a fitting close. Luvz me some Dollyrots. The LA Pop Punk band is always good for a free Christmas single and often good for a free single for other holidays. And, Friday, they dropped a tune for Halloween. Busy little worker bees that they are, The Dollyrots have also just released an EP, "Resting Happy Face", that's the beginning of their next full length record and exclusively available to their Patreon supporters. And, back to Halloween, they've got an upcoming live streaming StageIt show on October 27, where they'll be performing a bunch of their spookiest fare. Now back to the free Halloween single. You know it rocks, you know it's fun. So hands up, fangs out, and head straight to Bandcamp to download The Dollyrots take on "The Monster Mash". No trick, it's a treat for sure.
 Tomorrow, Elizabeth Chan's 7th annual Christmas record will arrive. "Best Gift Ever" officially drops October 12. Liz has shared her journey with us and we have shared that journey with her. And because we here at Stubby's are such huge fans, and because she likes us a little bit, too, she has granted us the Exclusive Premiere of one of the songs from "Best Gift Ever". She gave me the choice of any song on the record and I chose "O Holy Night". I felt a little bad about it, too. I mean, here's a woman attempting to write a timeless standard...and I choose a cover of an ancient carol. But let me ask you this. If your favorite food in the whole wide world were macaroni and cheese (hey, it could happen) and you go to a five star restaurant, and they have an exquisite macaroni and cheese on the menu, are you gonna pass on the M&C and order duck? No. You're diving right into that mac and cheese. Don't put a musical buffet before me that includes "O Holy Night" and expect me to pick something else. P.S.--Liz knew I'd pick that one. Well, my slight feeling of guilt at choosing "O Holy Night" disappeared as soon as I heard it. Elizabeth Chan has made the song entirely her own. The song is 171 years old--almost as old as I am (I keed, I keed; I'm only 160); you'd think that there is nothing you could do that hasn't already been done. Liz says she doesn't want to do covers unless she can make them her own and, on "O Holy Night", she has succeeded. The concept is entirely her's and reflects her feelings about the season. There's the anticipation (Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming), an explosion of glorious splendor, and then...it's over. And, when it's over, you aren't disappointed--you're utterly satisfied--yet you still would like some more. (She also said something about an avocado, but that zipped right over my head.) The arrangement is her's (with a little help from a friend named Dave; cheers, Dave). And it's awesome! Contemporary, reverent, fresh, and awesome! I knew Liz had the voice for this, but I was not expecting such a wonderful arrangement. Enough, already, Stubby. Where's the song? OK, OK. I understand your impatience. Think of my rambling as being like Christmas; you have to listen to your grandfather talk about walking 5 miles in the snow to get to school (for the hundredth time) before you get to open your presents (it's the cost of admission, so to speak). Below, you'll find the track list for Elizabeth Chan's "Best Gift Ever". Click on the gift box cover art and you'll be quickly transported to the Land of Christmas where you'll find a private spot reserved for readers of Stubby's House of Christmas, and you'll feast on an exclusive and exquisite serving of macaroni and--I mean "O Holy Night". I'm under the impression this is a limited time only Premiere, so don't dawdle. This is one Christmas gift you should open immediately. And don't forget to say "Thank You". No, not to me. To Liz. She does have a Facebook page, you know; they're good for that sort of thing. And look for "Best Gift Ever" tomorrow (10/12), wherever you get your download on. Update: The Preview link os no longer active, the album having been released. But we wouldn't want your Christmas stocking to be empty. Listen to "O Holy Night" below.
 The Black Friday edition of Record Store Day is still over a month away (November 23), but there's at least one item we want to give you a heads up on, even though it's an RSD "First", rather than an RSD exclusive. Record Store Day is designed as a way of supporting local record stores and so items are provided to those stores which will either be completely unavailable from online or big box store retailers or won't be available from online or big box store retailers until later. They're usually limited, making them desirable to collectors and, these days, vinyl is all the rage. Sadly, my local record stores do not participate in the November RSD because, to quote the store owner, "nobody buys music before Christmas." Yes, I asked. "What about Christmas music?" "Nobody buys Christmas music." I guess I'm nobody. Everybody's pretty excited for the release this Friday of Eric Clapton's first ever Christmas album, "Happy Xmas". On RSD, your local record store, depending upon how these things get allocated, may have a special die-cut 12" vinyl single from Clapton featuring two songs NOT on the album. The "A" side is "A Little Bit of Christmas Love", written by the late Blues/R&B singer and songwriter Rosco Gordon. The "B" side is "You Always Hurt The One You Love". The single is limited to 5000 copies.  1992 ALBUM OK, Jazz fans. Back in 1992, Prestige released a collection of Jazz Christmas tunes entitled "The Christmas Collection". Craft Recordings (the "legacy" imprint for Concord) is contributing a collection called "The Christmas Collection" on translucent red vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive. But it's not the same record. Not exactly. I believe 7 of the tracks from the original are here; 3 have been replaced. Gone is Gene Ammons with the third version of "The Christmas Song" on the original, replaced by Red Garland's "Winter Wonderland". But Bobby Timmons' version of "Winter Wonderland" was on the original so, instead, we get Bobby doing "You're All I Want For Christmas". Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis had two tracks on the original, but both of his songs were also done by other artists on the collection. So they kept Eddie's version of "The Christmas Song" and cut his version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". Taking it's place is another cut from Don Patterson, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" If you've been collecting as long as I have, you likely have all of these selections somewhere in your library. But I'll tell you what, if you just wanted to sit back in the comfy chair and enjoy a Jazz album for Christmas, it was always annoying that there were three versions of "The Christmas Song" and two versions of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" on "The Christmas Collection". I mean really annoying. Maddening. Looks like this will be a much nicer ride. All of the music on this new "The Christmas Collection" has been remastered from the original tapes (and, if there's one thing Craft is really good at, it's remastering). This Record Store Day Exclusive is limited to 2000 units.
 Interestingly, we told you about the Sub Pop Christmas single a few days ago, featuring Green River and the U-Men. I say interestingly because it's listed on and we linked to Amazon (though as yet "unavailable"), but the RSD site has it down as a Record Store Day Exclusive, limited to 1700 units. Somebody will figure that out...eventually. Cool picture sleeve, though. What else we got here? Let's see. There's a Lindsey Sterling 7" picture disc featuring "Warmer In The Winter" backed with "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies". That RSD exclusive is limited to 2350 units. There's also an RSD exclusive vinyl version of the "Kidz Bop Christmas" album, which does nothing for my head, but I know a lot of people who love that album. "Kidz Bop Christmas" is 25 songs on 2 LP's (one red, one green) and is limited to 2000 copies. There's a "first time on vinyl" RSD First edition of the 2006 Big Star tribute album, "Big Star Small World" which features Teenage Fanclub doing "Jesus Christ" (that one limited to 1800 copies). And Adam Sandler's "What The Hell Happened To Me?" comes to vinyl in an RSD First release limited to 3000 units. That, of course, contains "The Chanukah Song". Among the non-holiday releases that caught my eye, there are a couple of Blues 10" I'd love to get my hands on. And then there's the single that calls to me with a heavenly glow and choirs of angels singing--a new 7" from Garbage featuring "Destroying Angels" on the "A" side and Bowie's "Starman" (recorded for the Howard Stern Show) on the flip. That one's an RSD exclusive limited to 3000.
 Did you know it's been 10 years since Rosie Thomas released her indispensable "A Very Rosie Christmas"? I did not know that. Did you know that "A Very Rosie Christmas" has never been on vinyl? Well, yeah, that I knew. For it's 10th anniversary, this fabulous record finally comes to vinyl as an RSD First release, limited to 1000 units (perhaps it should have been said earlier but I believe these limits on RSD First releases apply only to the number of copies available for RSD unless otherwise stated; I could be wrong--and I usually am--but seems to me Rosie could sell a LOT more than 1000 of these). The description says the album is "expanded", but the track list shows that, although Rosie's 2011 single "Remember When It Snowed" is included, "Sheila's Christmas Miracle" is not. So is that expanded or just a substitution? Regardless, always love listening to Rosie Thomas, so we'll let her close us out, today. As noted, it's still early October, so it's possible some more RSD exclusives and firsts will be added to the list. You can check out all of the titles, holiday and non-holiday alike, at the Record Store Day web site. I'll admit, I was skeptical. Very, very skeptical. But, what the heck, I'll try anything once. And so I did. And, you know what? Jodie Whittaker is gonna make a helluva Doctor. I know everybody has their favorites, but I think we can all admit that David Tennant was the best Doctor. I know, I know, Matt Smith has his fans (and I kinda liked Christopher Eccleston, myself). And poor Peter Capaldi was better than he gets credit for, because he was saddled with Jenna Coleman who was pretty much universally despised. But I like this new Doctor. She's got a bit of the old Tennant mania about her. Now, if the writing holds up, it should be an excellent season. That said.... And the hits just keep on coming. Here are another couple of artists we've discovered have plans to release Christmas albums this year.  The Hound + The Fox are a husband and wife Alt Folk duo from Oregon, Reilly and McKenzie Zamber. They've taken their own path in the music field. 100% independent, you don't see physical products at the usual outlets (you'll find them here, while available); they mostly drop videos and singles at random intervals like snowflakes scattering across the landscape. Did I mention videos? Yes, Both Reilly and McKenzie are independent film producers, and much of their popularity and following is built upon their videos. They are funded, to some degree, through Patreon. Unlike some of the other crowdfunding platforms, Patreon is a subscription service. I'm not exactly sure how it works and I'm afraid to find out, considering my current pile of unpaid medical bills. But, for a dollar, you can see the track list for the coming Christmas album. Then you'll know more than I do. And, for three dollars, you can listen to their version of "We Three Kings" from the album (and there are free MP3s involved but, again, I don't know how it works). We also know that "O Holy Night" was the fan selected track to the album. The Hound + The Fox have released a number of Christmas songs in the past. In 2014, they released a pair of covers, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (yes, it's still creepy, even when done by two people so clearly in love...please, all artists, STOP COVERING THIS SONG; it makes my skin crawl). Those were iTunes exclusives, so far as I can tell. They did "A Baby Just Like You" in 2016 (that one was only available to Patrons). And, in 2017, they released four Christmas singles, "Every Year", "Breath of Heaven", "What Child Is This/Child of the Poor", and "Mary Did You Know?" Their coming Christmas album will include 6 of those (I'm guessing "A Baby Just Like You" will be the odd song out, as that one was more impromptu and not professionally done). The album will include 7 newly recorded tracks--for a total of 13--and there will be guest stars helping out, including Tim Foust of the a capella group Home Free. As noted, you can get all the details before anyone else by becoming a supporter through Patreon. I'll wait for the record to turn up at Amazon. But The Hound + The Fox make music beautiful and I do want to hear this one. And, if it doesn't turn up on Amazon, I guess I'll just be crying in my eggnog. One more from The Hound + The Fox?  We The Kings are a Florida based Pop Punk/Power Pop 5-piece formed in 2005. They reached the Top 40 repeatedly from 2009 to 2011, though their chart run pretty much evaporated following their 2013 album "Somewhere Somehow", which reached #5 on the Alternative charts. That's not to say the band has faded away. Indeed, their popularity seems to have increased, at least in terms of selling out concert venues. I'm an old dude, but I'm wondering if this isn't another sign of the changing paradigm of the music industry. Streaming and YouTube have rendered actual record sales insignificant in determining a band's popularity. Then again, my generation had the Grateful Dead, whose record sales never reflected the group's popularity. Something for historians to ponder. We The Kings released their seventh album earlier this year--oddly entitled "Six"--so no one was really expecting the group to put out anything else in 2018. But Travis Clark, lead singer for the group posted to Twitter, Monday, "New @WeTheKings Christmas album is almost done!!!!" You have to go all the way back to 2012 to find We The King's lone Christmas single, a "Last Christmas" cover (iTunes only, if I recall correctly). And here it is. We're getting a bit of a Canadian invasion for Christmas this year as some popular artists who are huge in Canada and at least known in this country have all decided to do Christmas albums in the same calendar year. We've already spoken of Jess Moskaluke and, here, we've got a few more for you. Beginning with Serena Ryder. The following video is not from the coming Serena Ryder album, "Christmas Kisses", and is likely not the least bit reflective of the coming album. But her 2007 single "Calling To Say" is about the only Christmas audio we have for her.
Juno Award winning Serena Ryder is known as a Folk Rock artist, but in interviews with Canadian television outlets, she describes the record as more of a Jazz outing. Serena says she's always been crazy about Jazz and has wanted to do a Jazz album for many years. But, she adds, she really had very little interest in doing a Christmas album, though she likes the old Christmas songs because they are great songs. One day, it occurred to her that she could do them both in one project. The album contains one original, "Christmas Kisses", the title track. The bit of it I've heard sounds more like a "Jingle Bell Rock" era tune than Jazz, but I haven't heard much. My computer hates Spotify, but you can check out "Christmas Kisses" here. The rest of the album is comprised of secular standards of the season. the arrangement of "Blue Christmas" is supposed to be particularly hot. We'll see about that. "Christmas Kisses" releases October 19 in Canada, but Amazon U.S. will have it the following week. I also see that there's supposed to be vinyl for this one, currently also listed for October 19 in Canada. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see that delayed to some time in November and I have no idea whether it will be offered in this country. Another Canadian Folk Rock group is Whitehorse. We don't have any Christmas audio from Whitehorse, but here's a tune that could easily slide into a Halloween mix. "Nighthawks".
The husband and wife team of Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland (married in 2006) were both accomplished artists on their own when they decided to put their solo careers on hold and form Whitehorse in 2010. Though the primary instrument for both of them id guitar, they each play a number of other instruments to round out the sound. When they tour, they tour as a duo and make extensive use of looped percussion tracks. I mention all of this as a way of explaining that the full sound you hear in "Nighthawks" is really just the two of them, for the most part. Much like the video, they appear to be everywhere all at once. Pretty cool. And, although they're identified as Folk Rock, you can hear that their sound is very contemporary (you can even hear some Hip Hop influence). I dig 'em. Whitehorse won a Juno Award for their 2015 album "Leave No Bridge Unburned". "Whitehorse Winter Classic" is largely original and Whitehorse chose to emphasize the more melancholy aspects of the holiday--loneliness, regret, etc,--making for a slighter darker holiday. They even coined a word for their vision of Christmas, "melancholiday". Among the few covers on the record are the Pretenders' "2000 Miles" and "Blue Christmas" (why is everybody doing that crappy song this year?). For "Whitehorse Winter Classic", they've included a children's choir and string arrangements. I'm actually pretty excited to hear this one, though we'll have to wait until November 2.  I'm not familiar with Don Amero, but with the brief listens I gave his music, I'd characterize him as a Country singer and songewriter. Don does an annual Christmas show and kind of figured it was time to have a Christmas CD so that those attending the shows can get one, if they'd like a keepsake, and others could get one if they can't attend the shows. The album is "Amero Little Christmas" (cute), and he's funding the album through Pledge Music and there are about 9 days left in the campaign (though it isn't like Kickstarter, so I'm guessing he can continue to sell the CD after the clock expires). Among the many "support levels", there's a limited edition and autographed vinyl version for you collectors and gift givers out there. As I say, Don Amero is new to me, but I do like that song above, "Don't Let Christmas Pass You By". It was his Christmas single from a few years back, dedicated to his father who had passed that year. I don't know if "Don't Let Christmas Pass You By" will be on the album (I suspect it might be), but it's a darn fine Christmas song.
OK, so they aren't Canadian. But the sisters who make up Redhead Express did originally come from Alaska, so that's close enough for our purposes. Besides, I really love listening to them. I think we've already talked about Redhead Express a couple of times, here. So, hopefully, you remember they are sisters who all received different instruments one Christmas and started an Alt Country/Americana group. Then, after they'd about exhausted venues in Alaska, they moved down to the Lower 48 where they honed their skills and perfected their sound. You should certainly recall that they've been issuing great sounding holiday singles over the last few years, and those are included in their forthcoming EP "Christmastime". In addition to the old favorites, "Christmastime" includes two newly covered carols--"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "O Holy Night", a new original--"Holidaze", and a Bonus Track that is subtitled "Walker Family Traditions". "Christmastime" is available in hard copy CD form (pre-orders are now being accepted) and will be available from digital merchants sometime in November. As I say, I really love listening to Redhead Express (can't wait to hear them do "O Holy Night"), so let's close with their cover of Sara Bareilles' "Love Is Christmas". |
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