The end of the year is populated with "Best Of" lists. Doesn't matter where you go and what the topic. Best commercials, best sports plays, best movies, best albums. So my question always is how would you know what the best movie is unless you've seen them all? Pretty doggone arrogant, if you ask me.
That's why I always call these "favorites" lists. To me, its at least a fraction less arrogant. There's no particular order to my favorites presented here (though, in general, I liked the ones I present at the top half better than those further down). Re-issues are not included in my lists, nor are free downloads. Digital releases are fine, as are compilations (so long as they aren't just recycling the usual suspects). The cover art will link to a purchase site.
We have a couple of anomalies this year. Jazz artist Thisbe Vos recorded a Christmas album which was available to those who helped fund the project this year, but to the rest of the world next year. I actually kind of like that idea but I think it would be unfair to include her "A Jazzy Christmas" in this year's list when you can't officially purchase it until November 2015.
The other anomaly is "Jingle Bell Rocks!", which is not a record of any kind, but was certainly my favorite new holiday release of the year. I have, I believe, included DVDs on this list before. But that's always kind of weird. Let's just say right up top, the "Jingle Bell Rocks!" DVD WAS my favorite release of the year. It exceeded even my own unrealistically high expectations. I wept like a baby over the closing credits--the film was that beautiful. And I highly recommend you see and/or buy the film at your earliest convenience. I may do up a full review for next Christmas season. But, just in case I don't, know that I thought "Jingle Bell Rocks!" was entertaining, enthralling, magical, and pure genius. Just for the record, I purchased my copy of "Jingle Bell Rocks!" from Bullmoose; it was not a freebie provided for promotional consideration.
That's why I always call these "favorites" lists. To me, its at least a fraction less arrogant. There's no particular order to my favorites presented here (though, in general, I liked the ones I present at the top half better than those further down). Re-issues are not included in my lists, nor are free downloads. Digital releases are fine, as are compilations (so long as they aren't just recycling the usual suspects). The cover art will link to a purchase site.
We have a couple of anomalies this year. Jazz artist Thisbe Vos recorded a Christmas album which was available to those who helped fund the project this year, but to the rest of the world next year. I actually kind of like that idea but I think it would be unfair to include her "A Jazzy Christmas" in this year's list when you can't officially purchase it until November 2015.
The other anomaly is "Jingle Bell Rocks!", which is not a record of any kind, but was certainly my favorite new holiday release of the year. I have, I believe, included DVDs on this list before. But that's always kind of weird. Let's just say right up top, the "Jingle Bell Rocks!" DVD WAS my favorite release of the year. It exceeded even my own unrealistically high expectations. I wept like a baby over the closing credits--the film was that beautiful. And I highly recommend you see and/or buy the film at your earliest convenience. I may do up a full review for next Christmas season. But, just in case I don't, know that I thought "Jingle Bell Rocks!" was entertaining, enthralling, magical, and pure genius. Just for the record, I purchased my copy of "Jingle Bell Rocks!" from Bullmoose; it was not a freebie provided for promotional consideration.
ROUGH SHOP - LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE (full review here)
It's hard for me to think of a better Christmas album in recent years than "Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree" from Rough Shop. "Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree" has everything you'd want from a Christmas album. Covering the entire seasonal pallet, from loneliness to wonder and awe, the album is mostly celebratory and fun. It's also mostly original (with a handful of "uncommon covers"). And Rough Shop makes the most of their particular skill--purely American vignettes that are unique and yet completely relatable to the human being in all of us. Musically, the Indie Folk Rock band brings everything to the table--from the Americana Pop of "Christmas Isn't Like Any Day" to the Novelty fun of "Gimme That Twine" to the Soulful sweetness of "Purple Snowflakes" to the heartland Rock of "Christmas At The Super 8" to the Jazzy Steely Dan Pop of "Soul Of Christmas". The St. Louis area band clearly loves Christmas, in all its facets, and that comes through in every spin of the grooves. "Lit Up Like A Christmas Tree" is available in digital, CD, and limited edition vinyl formats and I fully expect it will become an annual favorite at the Stubby household.
CARLO PODDIGHE - MOLTO GROOVY CHRISTMAS (full review here)
"Molto Groovy Christmas" from Roman Coppola, Alessandro Casella and Carlo Poddighe is an album for all occasions. It's an excellent soundtrack for the coolest of Yuletide get-togethers, a highly entertaining disc to listen to on your own--at home or driving down the highway. For mixtapers and Christmas music collectors, it's a dream come true. And, should you be a radio station production director, "Molto Groovy Christmas" is the best Christmas music bed music since the original Mannheim Steamroller Christmas album arrived 30 years ago. Clearly a loving tribute to the Italian movie soundtracks that inspired it, and yet it surpasses those in every detail. The musicianship and arrangements are impeccable. The whimsy is there, as it would be in any vintage Italian soundtrack, but it's never heavy handed or overbearing. Psych and Soul, Exotica and Now Sound. This is EXACTLY the kind of record Christmas music collectors are always looking for. And here it is. No holiday library should be without "Molto Groovy Christmas".
KAT TINGEY - RING OUT WILD BELLS (small write-up here)
Kat Tingey is a rising star on the Indie season. A musical chameleon, she seems equally at home on a soft folksy ballad, a hard edged Rock song, or a raucous Blues. Her original music is especially beautiful. And her pure and natural voice is a rarity in the modern scene which, as often as not, rewards affectation over depth. I had high expectations for "Ring Out Wild Bells" and, to be honest, I'd hoped for a bit more of Kat's edgy rock persona. While the record is not without such moments, it leans toward folkier arrangements and instrumentation. But, as the actual morning of Christmas came closer and closer, I found myself much more in tune with what Kat had recorded. The sweetness, sincerity, reverence, and "rural-ness" (if you will) were much more appealing to me as the spirit of the season gradually welled up in me. In short, Kat was right and I was wrong (not that that's unusual). There's plenty of variety on "Ring Out Wild Bells". Along side such tender spiritual ballads as "What Child Is This" and "Breath Of Heaven", there's her Bluesy take on "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch", the fantastic genre-busting title track, and a fairly raucous mash-up of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "We Three Kings". Kat pirouettes nicely from beautiful originals to holiday favorites dressed up in fresh and unexpected arrangements. And there's a flow to the album that makes it a cohesive piece, and enough spirit in the grooves to sustain you on the trip and beyond. I enjoy "Ring Out Wild Bells" more with each listen and I'm excited to see what she does next; and that right there tells me all I need to know. Favorite tracks are the title track, "Grinch", "Sleep Now, Little Baby", and "The Little Shepherd Boy".
THE SMOKE FAIRIES - WILD WINTER
As exciting as it was having Smoke Fairies recording one of the inaugural Snowflakes Singles last year, the excitement multiplied 100 fold when I learned they were releasing a full Christmas/Winter set this year. This is a group on the musical cutting edge, willing to embrace everything from Folk Pop to Fuzzy Psych to Shoegaze. And, with their Dream Pop honey-sweet harmony vocals, it all goes down so well. Smoke Fairies say they have a love/hate relationship with the season. That certainly comes through on "Wild Winter" as they alternately sing of the season's bleakness and of its celebrations. And yet it all fits together like the season itself. "Wild Winter" is as original as the Smoke Fairies themselves. The few cover songs are ones very few would be familiar with--Captain Beefheart's "Steal Softly Through Snow" and the Handsome Family's "So Much Wine". This album would sound every bit as fine any time of year (and you know how tough that is for a Christmas set). I suspect "Wild Winter" isn't going to get a fair shake from mainstreamers, but it's destined to go down as one of the greatest Christmas albums of its era, much as the Phil Spector album is that era's representative piece. I wanted to pick out a few favorite tracks, but they're all so good. So I'll say this to potential mixtapers: if you're looking for the most Rock and most Christmas-themed tracks, I'd suggest "3 Kings" or "Bad Good". But, really, you can't go wrong with any of these.
VARIOUS - CHRISTMAS ON MACK AVENUE (review here)
There were plenty of what I suspect will turn out to be excellent Jazz Christmas releases this year. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten around to listening to most of them. But, enticed by a Christian McBride led jaunt through "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto", I did listen to "Christmas On Mack Avenue" and enjoyed it immensely. The album parries back and forth between the contemplative and the rousing, but does so in such a way that there's a natural flow to the proceedings (not unlike a thrilling toboggan ride). personal favorites of mine include Cyrille Aimee's "Let It Snow" (crossing Exotica with Latin Jazz), Warren Wolf's virtuoso vibe performance on "Carol Of The Bells", the Bluesy "Winter Wonderland" featuring vocals from Sachal Vasandani, an incredibly beautiful "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" featuring star in the making Cecile McLorin Salvant, and the two tracks credited to Christian McBride. Christian absolutely owns the tender "Silent Night" as his bass finds all the hidden music in the silence. And "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto" becomes a group project with everyone in the studio telling Santa which poor streets in their towns need a visit from the fat man. If only for that James Brown cover, "Christmas On Mack Avenue" would be worth the trip. But, as it turns out, there's plenty more to enjoy, here.
MAYSA - A VERY MAYSA CHRISTMAS
Lead vocalist for the group Incognito, Maysa Leak has an amazing voice and an even more amazing style. She blends Smooth Soul with Funk, Gospel and Jazz as though genres were completely irrelevant. No wonder I love her. "A Very Maysa Christmas" surprised me. Soul Christmas albums, these days, have become so predictable. But not Maysa's. From the opening number, "Joy To The World" (which even features some rockin' guitar from Rhon Lawrence), I was hooked. Her voice can turn from silky smooth to gospel shout in a heartbeat. Featuring mostly familiar fare, Maysa gives every song an arrangement designed to have you tingling with seasonal joy and warming from the inside out. It's enough to almost make me wish she'd covered "Blue Christmas" (almost). There's one original--"It's The Holidays"--which is soulful Smooth Jazz with a samba beat. And "A Very Maysa Christmas" closes with her cover of Edwin Hawkins' "Pray For Peace". This is the kind of Christmas album that will make your home sound and feel like Christmas, whether you're decorating your tree or just relaxing in your traditional ugly sweater in the comfy chair.
DTCV - NOEL INTERDIT
We didn't mention this one at all at Stubbys, but pretty much everybody else did. The cover art is fetching enough, but the 5-song EP is a true delight for those who value unique and original holiday visions. In spite of the "Noel Interdit" title, DTCV (pronounced "detective") are an L.A. based Post Punk band. Many of our Festive Friends were wowed by the title track, a cover of a 1973 song from French Pop artist Johnny Hallyday. And the rest jumped on board when the band released the audio for "Sabbath Santa" (a Black Sabbath inspired Mash-Up of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" and "Last Christmas"). But I confess I was a hold out until I streamed the entire EP at Bandcamp and heard DTCV's cover of Roger Miller's "Old Toy Trains". In a way, that tells you this digital record has something for everybody. Rounding out the EP are "X-Water", a non-holiday track from the band's forthcoming album, and a cover of the Who's "Can't Explain". So, really, it's like a Christmas single, rather than an EP or album. But I don't care. Those three holiday songs are so fresh and powerful that "Noel Interdit" has the impact of a full album. And, by the way, in the spirit of the season, DTCV are giving away their earlier releases "The Early Year" and "Hilarious Heaven" on a name-your-price basis at Bandcamp. Chances are that only lasts until New Years, so stop over today and grab 'em while you can.
CLAIRE LYNCH BAND - HOLIDAY (preview here)
It's rare that a Bluegrass Christmas album can be both beautiful and adventurous, but "Holiday!" from the Claire Lynch Band is both. Claire has been making music for a long time, now--long enough to have been one of the first female artists accepted into the generally conservative Bluegrass field. Clearly, she's at a point in her career where she's confident about the sound she wants and how to get it. From the reverent and gorgeous original, "Heaven's Light", to the extended Jazz jamming on "We Three Kings", Claire and Co. have produced a miracle of a Christmas album. Claire lends her wonderful voice to some seldom covered holiday songs, including "Scarlet Ribbons" and "Snow Day". "Jingle Bells" sounds as though it was always intended as a Bluegrass number. And you'll always get bonus points from me by including a song for Hanukkah--in this case the traditional yet all too seldom covered "In The Window". "Holiday!" should have broad appeal beyond the Bluegrass and Americana markets. It's too gorgeous not to.
DAVID LANZ & KRISTIN AMARIE - FOREVER CHRISTMAS (brief write-up here)
It's been quite a while since there was a new New Age Christmas album I could endorse without reservation. "Forever Christmas" from David Lanz and Kristin Amarie is that album. A proper New Age record needs to be like a gentle snow fall--quiet, beautiful, and glistening. A proper New Age record needs to understand that the space between the notes is as important as the notes themselves. Unfortunately, over time, everybody who could play an instrument decided they could be New Age artists resulting in hundreds of albums with as much flavor as cardboard (an insult to cardboard, I'm sure). Then the genre splintered, with one group moving towards Smooth Jazz, another group moving toward Ambient, and a third group heading for Pop, leaving actual New Age music without much of a home. David Lanz was always one of the best of the true New Age artists and, on "Forever Christmas", he proves he still is. Kristin Amarie may be a relative newcomer to the genre, but she was born for it. "Forever Christmas" is not only mostly original and beautiful throughout, but the couple did a fantastic job of pacing the album--balanced between instrumental tracks, vocal tracks, and tracks like "Winter Star", here, where Kristin's ethereal vocals give us the sense that we are flying and viewing the beauty of Christmas from above. It's truly heavenly.
DAVID MYLES - IT'S CHRISTMAS
Canadian Folk artist David Myles turned in a stellar effort with "It's Christmas". The album is crisp as a winter's morning. When it needs to be joyous, it's joyous. And when it needs to be reflective, it's reflective. And Myles, like others on our list, here, smartly chose "uncommon covers" to blend with originals and the more familiar songs of the season. Highlights include the title track and "The Gift", an original take on the Dickens theme, where a future version of himself explains how he had it all and lost it because he was too focused on fame and fortune and not focused enough on friends and family. And good luck getting "Santa Never Brings Me A Banjo" out of your head, once you've heard it.
I do want to mention a couple of other albums I really liked, at least in passing.
I absolutely loved the Spartan Records digital compilation. By all rights, "Homesick" ought to be on this list (full write-up here). The reason its not is because I wonder if I'll love it as much after I've lived with it for awhile. I think I will. I know there are individual tracks I will. But I feel I want to spend a little more time with it before I declare it a favorite.
The other album I want to mention is Felix Cavaliere's "Christmas Joy". Let's face it, Christmas albums from the oldies circuit are usually a disappointment. You want them to be at their peak, when that was then and this is now. You want that sound that they had, but you also want something fresh, not a familiar song rearranged to sound like their big hit (although sometimes that works really well as with "Takin' Care Of Christmas" or Earth Wind & Fire's "December"). It's a lot to ask, frankly. Well, Felix, I think, pulled it off really well. His voice may not be 100% of what it was with the Rascals, but it's a solid 92% or more. And many of the arrangements are in a classic '60s Blue-Eyed Soul groove without being the least bit derivative of the Rascals' big hits. Worth checking out. Gonna be big on the Beach Music circuit for sure. Favorite tracks: "White Christmas", "Christmas Is Coming Soon", "Christmas In New Orleans", and "The Bells Of St. Marys".
If you don't see your favorite on the list, here, let us know what it is and why in the comments. I'd truly be interested in hearing what Christmas album excited you this year.
I absolutely loved the Spartan Records digital compilation. By all rights, "Homesick" ought to be on this list (full write-up here). The reason its not is because I wonder if I'll love it as much after I've lived with it for awhile. I think I will. I know there are individual tracks I will. But I feel I want to spend a little more time with it before I declare it a favorite.
The other album I want to mention is Felix Cavaliere's "Christmas Joy". Let's face it, Christmas albums from the oldies circuit are usually a disappointment. You want them to be at their peak, when that was then and this is now. You want that sound that they had, but you also want something fresh, not a familiar song rearranged to sound like their big hit (although sometimes that works really well as with "Takin' Care Of Christmas" or Earth Wind & Fire's "December"). It's a lot to ask, frankly. Well, Felix, I think, pulled it off really well. His voice may not be 100% of what it was with the Rascals, but it's a solid 92% or more. And many of the arrangements are in a classic '60s Blue-Eyed Soul groove without being the least bit derivative of the Rascals' big hits. Worth checking out. Gonna be big on the Beach Music circuit for sure. Favorite tracks: "White Christmas", "Christmas Is Coming Soon", "Christmas In New Orleans", and "The Bells Of St. Marys".
If you don't see your favorite on the list, here, let us know what it is and why in the comments. I'd truly be interested in hearing what Christmas album excited you this year.
RSS Feed
