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.
 | 1. Let It Snow 2. Christmas Kisses 3. White Christmas 4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 5. Blue Christmas 6. I’ll Be Home For Christmas 7. Jingle Bell Rock 8. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 9. Santa Baby 10. Christmas Song |
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".
| 1. Merry Xmas, Baby (I Hope You Get What You Deserve) 2. December's Children 3. Snowballs and Snow Angels 4. Ho Ho Ho 5. 2000 Miles 6. Two Snowbirds 7. Blue Christmas 8. Merry Christmas, Baby 9. Cheers To Another Year |  |
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.
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.
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.
| 1. Away In A Manger 2. Holidaze 3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 4. Love Is Christmas 5. Mary Did You Know 6. O Holy Night 7. Bonus Track (Walker Family Traditions) |  |
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".
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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