OK. So here we sit in 2016. But there's still one final piece of business to attend to before we can tie a bow on 2015 and toss it in the closet with the rest of the Christmas decorations...our list of our favorite Christmas album releases this year. And, when I say "our", I of course mean "my".
You know how this works. I won't call them the "best" releases because 1) that's subjective and 2) I don't get to listen to all the new releases in a given year. For example, I really wanted to check out Kylie Minogue's Christmas album, but haven't even gotten around to buying it yet (or, for that matter, even playing the samples). Stuff like that happens to me all the time. I require that albums on the list be albums that I actually listened to all the way through (at least once, though, if its a favorite, it likely got repeated spins). Digital-only releases are fine, much as I love hard copy. Neither re-issues nor albums available for free download are eligible. I used to exclude compilations of previously released material because this is mainly about what was new, but I see that I haven't been firm on that and, this year, there's at least one I'd want to include. Which brings to mind another of my rules, which is that these are my rules, after all, so I get to break them. Yeah, I'm a little stinker like that.
I usually say something like "these are in no particular order, but the ones nearer the top probably rank higher with me". But I can't say that this year because everything on this list is so good, I'm tempted to call it a 10 way tie. Yes, there were fewer releases this year and an awful lot of crap. But there was some mighty fine cream, as well. Album art will take you to a point of purchase and we'll link up our reviews or other content on the site as well.
Special mention goes out to the Christmas CD from the Galleons, "Not Another Christmas Album". It was easily a fit for our list--a truly beautiful Christmas record. But, technically, it was one of the incentives and not an official release. Still...damn glad I bought it. And to Astrocolor's "Lit Up" which hasn't arrived yet (probably stuck in some Post Office Christmas mail bottleneck).
Feel free to tell me your favorites of 2015 in the comments, especially if I missed one that you thought should be here.
You know how this works. I won't call them the "best" releases because 1) that's subjective and 2) I don't get to listen to all the new releases in a given year. For example, I really wanted to check out Kylie Minogue's Christmas album, but haven't even gotten around to buying it yet (or, for that matter, even playing the samples). Stuff like that happens to me all the time. I require that albums on the list be albums that I actually listened to all the way through (at least once, though, if its a favorite, it likely got repeated spins). Digital-only releases are fine, much as I love hard copy. Neither re-issues nor albums available for free download are eligible. I used to exclude compilations of previously released material because this is mainly about what was new, but I see that I haven't been firm on that and, this year, there's at least one I'd want to include. Which brings to mind another of my rules, which is that these are my rules, after all, so I get to break them. Yeah, I'm a little stinker like that.
I usually say something like "these are in no particular order, but the ones nearer the top probably rank higher with me". But I can't say that this year because everything on this list is so good, I'm tempted to call it a 10 way tie. Yes, there were fewer releases this year and an awful lot of crap. But there was some mighty fine cream, as well. Album art will take you to a point of purchase and we'll link up our reviews or other content on the site as well.
Special mention goes out to the Christmas CD from the Galleons, "Not Another Christmas Album". It was easily a fit for our list--a truly beautiful Christmas record. But, technically, it was one of the incentives and not an official release. Still...damn glad I bought it. And to Astrocolor's "Lit Up" which hasn't arrived yet (probably stuck in some Post Office Christmas mail bottleneck).
Feel free to tell me your favorites of 2015 in the comments, especially if I missed one that you thought should be here.
SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS - IT'S A HOLIDAY SOUL PARTY (overview here)
Certainly, this first album will surprise no one. I'd be shocked to not see it on a year end list of the best Christmas albums. I've been writing to Santa for years to get a Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Christmas album under my tree. I guess we were all super good this year because "It's A Holiday Soul Party" not only arrived but was everything I had hoped it would be. It's a fair point to say that the album contained several previously released singles. But, really, would you have preferred a Sharon Jones Christmas album that didn't include "Ain't No Chimneys In The Projects"? I didn't think so. Sharon showed her full range on the album--from Funky Soul to Blues to Gospel--and Binky Griptite and the Dap-Kings got to shine, as well. The colored vinyl of both the LP and single sold out too quickly, but then Sharon went and autographed a bunch for Amazon, which is quite the nifty consolation prize for those who missed out on the color vinyl. And, just to make sure everybody had a funky and soulful holiday, the album included an original Hanukkah tune that, even the biggest Scrooge would have to admit, doesn't suck. In fact, "8 Days of Hanukkah" may be the most universally loved Hanukkah song since Adam Sandler's original SNL ditty. They even breathed new life into a song a lot of folks are tired of by making that little drummer boy funky. All in all, a nearly perfect Christmas album that will no doubt stand along side James Brown and the original "Soul Christmas" as holiday staples for decades to come.
VARIOUS - SANTA'S FUNK & SOUL CHRISTMAS PARTY, VOL. 3 (overview here)
Yes, it was that kind of year. Seems everybody was gettin' down to a Funk & Soul party. And there ain't nothing wrong with that. One reason I have trouble putting compilations of previously released material on the year end favorites list is because I rarely listen to them all the way through. They're like resource material for former DJs like myself. Of course "Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party, Vol. 3" contained an awful lot of music that even those of us who collect obsessively had never heard before. The folks at Tramp records know what they're doing and they show the tremendous love and respect they have for the music by their attention to every single aspect of the record...right down to label scans and gatefold covers. Of course, that wouldn't matter so much if the music weren't so splendidly cool and funky hot. If you collect, you've probably come across "Santa Soul" by Rocki Lane & The Gross Group before. And I doubt I'd find much disagreement if I opined that "Just A Sad Xmas" is one of the greatest soul Christmas records ever waxed. But, dear Lord, this collection would be an essential for your collection if only for Sam Sweetsinger Bell's "Happy Birthday Jesus" or, my pick for the album's sleeper star, "Holiday For Drums" by The Individuals. And, for the life of me, I can't figure out why Syng McGowan's "Dear Santa" isn't in heavy rotation on the Carolina Beach Music programs; that song is basically the essence of Carolina Beach Music. Shout out to everyone involved with "Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party, Vol. 3" and a slight nudge and wink to start working on Vol. 4.
Kerry Pastine & The Crime Scene - A Crime Scene Christmas (review here)
If you put a gun to my head (it's just an expression, people) and made me choose my MOST favorite Christmas album of 2015, I think it would be "A Crime Scene Christmas" from Kerry Pastine & The Crime Scene. Some of that has to do with expectations. You know, you expect Sharon Jones to make a great Christmas record, so you're not really surprised when she does. I had no expectations about Kerry & company going in and, consequently, they blew me away. Their sound is Rock & Roll with Soul and Blues seasoning. They are simultaneously completely retro and completely fresh. Call it Retro Fresh. No, no, don't call it that. That's just stupid. But they amazed me just the same. Every song on "A Crime Scene Christmas" is amazing, perfectly played, and there's not a cover song in the lot. And Kerry Pastine is fantastic--as I said in our original write-up, "Wanda Jackson, Patsy Cline, Grace Slick and Ann Wilson all rolled into one." The record holds up to repeated plays (believe me, I've logged enough time with this one that I can say that with great confidence) and it's as great a listen, today--well after New Years--as it was leading up to Christmas. It's a great Christmas album, sure, but it's also a great Roots Rock album. If you like Brian Setzer's Christmas exploits, you'll love Kerry Pastine & The Crime Scene's "Crime Scene Christmas". I can't even pick out a favorite track because they're all so good, but "Dream Of Christmas Day" is the one I used on my own mix this year. At the time of our earlier write-up, hard copy CDs weren't available. But they are now and it's definitely worth having in your library. Already, I can't imagine not having this record.
LEE HAWKINS - SONGS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS (full review here)
If you were to hit the "Reviews" button on our sidebar menu right now, the first album you'd see would be "Songs About The Birth of Jesus" from Lee Hawkins. And I'm happy about that. Believe me, I've had people complain that I'm some heathen devil for featuring all kinds of Christmas music, and I take the slings and arrows without a bit of remorse. I love music. Always have. And, from the time that I truly opened my ears to it, I've loved almost every kind of music (still can't get down with the Opera; sorry, it just doesn't do it for me). Who knows? Maybe I am some heathen devil after all (always thought that was Lawrence Welk, but....I keed, I keed). But I can still fall in love with an album of traditional Gospel music that's beautifully done and so obviously full of the artists' soul. The one thing that's been so obvious to me from the start is that, if you care about the music you are making, other people will, too. And, if you don't, they won't.
Stick with me for a truly tortured analogy here. Growing up, in our house, there were two kinds of soup. There was Campbells and there was the soup my mother made which was just so delicious and nourishing and wonderful and thick enough that you could stand your spoon up in it. We called it "eatin' soup". "Songs About The Birth of Jesus" is "eatin' soup". It's the kind of Christmas album that warms you from the inside out and fills you with the spirit of love and joy you used to have before you got old and the world started getting you down. I think its human to lose your faith somewhere along the way. But it doesn't take much more than a bit of your Mom's home cooking to bring it all back. Dang, now I'm hungry. Anyway...
Lee Hawkins' Christmas record was one of the year's big surprises for me. It was released late without a lot of fanfare and its truly a record from the spiritual side of the street. And I loved it. Traditional Gospel records like this--records that are just purely food for the spirit and soul--just aren't being made these days. Gospel records, these days, are full of nods to Funk and Hip Hop (even Disco, for cryin' out loud). And, mind you, I can get with that, too. But "Songs About The Birth of Jesus" is a true joy and a rare gift. And I hope at least one or two people who might not ordinarily take a chance on such a record will do so. It's just beautiful and I think you'll feel well rewarded if you do.
Stick with me for a truly tortured analogy here. Growing up, in our house, there were two kinds of soup. There was Campbells and there was the soup my mother made which was just so delicious and nourishing and wonderful and thick enough that you could stand your spoon up in it. We called it "eatin' soup". "Songs About The Birth of Jesus" is "eatin' soup". It's the kind of Christmas album that warms you from the inside out and fills you with the spirit of love and joy you used to have before you got old and the world started getting you down. I think its human to lose your faith somewhere along the way. But it doesn't take much more than a bit of your Mom's home cooking to bring it all back. Dang, now I'm hungry. Anyway...
Lee Hawkins' Christmas record was one of the year's big surprises for me. It was released late without a lot of fanfare and its truly a record from the spiritual side of the street. And I loved it. Traditional Gospel records like this--records that are just purely food for the spirit and soul--just aren't being made these days. Gospel records, these days, are full of nods to Funk and Hip Hop (even Disco, for cryin' out loud). And, mind you, I can get with that, too. But "Songs About The Birth of Jesus" is a true joy and a rare gift. And I hope at least one or two people who might not ordinarily take a chance on such a record will do so. It's just beautiful and I think you'll feel well rewarded if you do.
THE HIGH 48s - HOLIDAYS WITH THE HIGH 48s (overview here)
Another nice surprise for me among the holiday releases in 2015 was "Holidays With The High 48s". I totally stumbled upon this one; I don't even remember how.
I shouldn't do my writing at night; I'm too easily distracted. So here we go on another tangent. When I was working the radio format that required you to play everything, I got hip to the Jazz and Blues right away. Bluegrass was a bit of a tougher sell for me. But one of the guys who worked there was also a member of a local Bluegrass group, The Late Nite Garage, and I liked their album and he schooled me a bit on the subject. We used to have some disagreements over Bluegrass versus Newgrass, but at least he taught me the difference. What I didn't realize at the time was that nothing goes out of print faster than Bluegrass. There are probably more Bluegrass records on my wishlist than Christmas records. Word. Heck, they don't even turn up on eBay. Anyway...
So the High 48s are a Bluegrass group from Minnesota, which you wouldn't generally think of as Bluegrass country. What I like about the High 48s is that they're willing to take chances, but they do it with the utmost respect for the genre. And yet, they are readily accessible to people who wouldn't ordinarily listen to Bluegrass music. I can't think of another Bluegrass cover of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch", can you? And, on the same record, they cover Vince Guaraldi's "Skating" and handle "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" in a way that both Bluegrass and Roots Rock enthusiasts can get with. That's range, right there.
Like the rest of the albums on our list, "Holidays With The High 48s" is a superb listen from start to finish and easily stands up to repeated listens. Though every song on the album is truly brilliant, I especially love "Christmas Every Day".
I shouldn't do my writing at night; I'm too easily distracted. So here we go on another tangent. When I was working the radio format that required you to play everything, I got hip to the Jazz and Blues right away. Bluegrass was a bit of a tougher sell for me. But one of the guys who worked there was also a member of a local Bluegrass group, The Late Nite Garage, and I liked their album and he schooled me a bit on the subject. We used to have some disagreements over Bluegrass versus Newgrass, but at least he taught me the difference. What I didn't realize at the time was that nothing goes out of print faster than Bluegrass. There are probably more Bluegrass records on my wishlist than Christmas records. Word. Heck, they don't even turn up on eBay. Anyway...
So the High 48s are a Bluegrass group from Minnesota, which you wouldn't generally think of as Bluegrass country. What I like about the High 48s is that they're willing to take chances, but they do it with the utmost respect for the genre. And yet, they are readily accessible to people who wouldn't ordinarily listen to Bluegrass music. I can't think of another Bluegrass cover of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch", can you? And, on the same record, they cover Vince Guaraldi's "Skating" and handle "Santa Claus Is Back In Town" in a way that both Bluegrass and Roots Rock enthusiasts can get with. That's range, right there.
Like the rest of the albums on our list, "Holidays With The High 48s" is a superb listen from start to finish and easily stands up to repeated listens. Though every song on the album is truly brilliant, I especially love "Christmas Every Day".
FOUND WANDERING - ON A CHRISTMAS NIGHT (full review here)
I forget when I stumbled across Found Wandering. "On A Christmas Night" was in the pre-order stage and, if there was any audio, it was probably just one song or a sample. What I remember was seeing "Christ Was Born On Christmas Morn" on the playlist. Alright, you've got my full attention. The 1929 jubilant Gospel tune from the Cotton Top Sanctified Singers and Half-Pint Jaxon is one of those songs Christmas music collectors found and fell in love with. It's one of the most joyous sounds the season has ever inspired and almost no one dares cover it.
To say I was intrigued would be an understatement. Still, I tried to temper expectations; nothing kills a good record quicker than unrealistically high expectations. On the other hand, the track list also included "The Rebel Jesus"--another personal favorite of mine which is also rarely covered.
Amazingly, the record arrived and exceeded any expectations I could have conjured, no matter how high. On a scale of 1-10, this one goes to eleven. "On A Christmas Night" is a delightful listen featuring a group that weaves through assorted genres with the ease of chameleons. From Folk to Rock to Jazz, Found Wandering covers the waterfront. I was a little concerned when I saw that the closing number was "Joy To The World"--far too often a song that just lays there when people do it. But Found Wandering made that song alive and fresh and just splendiferous. In our review, I described it as Bluegrass Marching Band music, but, upon further review, I may have been wrong about that. Now, I'd describe it as Bluegrass Marching Band music with an Ambient open and a Cajun twist. See? I can admit when I'm wrong. "On A Christmas Night" wasn't Found Wandering's first Christmas album and, God willing, it won't be their last. The important thing to remember is that, whatever Christmas music Found Wandering records, you need to own it.
To say I was intrigued would be an understatement. Still, I tried to temper expectations; nothing kills a good record quicker than unrealistically high expectations. On the other hand, the track list also included "The Rebel Jesus"--another personal favorite of mine which is also rarely covered.
Amazingly, the record arrived and exceeded any expectations I could have conjured, no matter how high. On a scale of 1-10, this one goes to eleven. "On A Christmas Night" is a delightful listen featuring a group that weaves through assorted genres with the ease of chameleons. From Folk to Rock to Jazz, Found Wandering covers the waterfront. I was a little concerned when I saw that the closing number was "Joy To The World"--far too often a song that just lays there when people do it. But Found Wandering made that song alive and fresh and just splendiferous. In our review, I described it as Bluegrass Marching Band music, but, upon further review, I may have been wrong about that. Now, I'd describe it as Bluegrass Marching Band music with an Ambient open and a Cajun twist. See? I can admit when I'm wrong. "On A Christmas Night" wasn't Found Wandering's first Christmas album and, God willing, it won't be their last. The important thing to remember is that, whatever Christmas music Found Wandering records, you need to own it.
THISBE VOS - A JAZZY CHRISTMAS (full review here)
As a contributor to Thisbe's crowd funding effort for "A Jazzy Christmas", I've had the joy of listening to this album for over a year. But I purposely refrained from including it in last year's list since it's official release was in 2015.
It would be sufficiently impressive and satisfying if Thisbe Vos just sang the old standards in the style in which they were originally presented back in the day. But the fact that she also writes brand new songs that sound like they were written in the 40s and 50s and then whisked to the present in some kind of DeLorean time machine thing...that's above and beyond. And, on "A Jazzy Christmas", you get both.
This was really an excellent "listening" record--meaning it's the kind of record you can enjoy thoroughly as either background or foreground. Put it on at a holiday gathering and your guests will almost certainly think Thisbe is a contemporary of Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee. Listen for yourself without distraction and you'll just marvel at the whole thing: Thisbe's satin voice, the wonderful arrangements, the audio perfection (really, music aside, this album just sounds amazing; not sure how that happened, but you can practically reach out and touch the band), and original songs that don't just hold their own with the standards, they may even overshadow them. And the record is paced perfectly, I think, for maximum enjoyment.
Right now, my favorite song on the record is "It's Beginning To Snow", a beautiful winter waltz, but my mind changes on that subject quite frequently. Doesn't matter which song you choose because they're all great. Can't wait to hear what Thisbe Vos does next.
It would be sufficiently impressive and satisfying if Thisbe Vos just sang the old standards in the style in which they were originally presented back in the day. But the fact that she also writes brand new songs that sound like they were written in the 40s and 50s and then whisked to the present in some kind of DeLorean time machine thing...that's above and beyond. And, on "A Jazzy Christmas", you get both.
This was really an excellent "listening" record--meaning it's the kind of record you can enjoy thoroughly as either background or foreground. Put it on at a holiday gathering and your guests will almost certainly think Thisbe is a contemporary of Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee. Listen for yourself without distraction and you'll just marvel at the whole thing: Thisbe's satin voice, the wonderful arrangements, the audio perfection (really, music aside, this album just sounds amazing; not sure how that happened, but you can practically reach out and touch the band), and original songs that don't just hold their own with the standards, they may even overshadow them. And the record is paced perfectly, I think, for maximum enjoyment.
Right now, my favorite song on the record is "It's Beginning To Snow", a beautiful winter waltz, but my mind changes on that subject quite frequently. Doesn't matter which song you choose because they're all great. Can't wait to hear what Thisbe Vos does next.
ACE ENDERS - SILVER AND GOLD (overview here)
This eight-song EP from the voice and guitar of I Can Make A Mess and The Early November is just a complete Indie Pop charmer. Ace Enders gives us his unique take on a half dozen Christmas classics and adds two originals to make for quite the neat little gifty. He proves again that he is one of the top talents of the Indie generation. He can craft a tune that is both progressive and thoroughly Pop. And he can find whole new songs lying beneath the surface of tunes you've otherwise known your entire life. How does he do that? I've been listening to "Christmas Time Is Here" since Charlie Brown first graced our televisions and I never knew that there was so much more there. Ask not how or why. The man's just a freaking genius. And that's all I have to say about that.
the drabs - HERE COMES THE JOY (full review here)
Holy Rock N Roll, Batman, it's the drabs! I'm still trying to get fully comfortable with the band's name, but I don't think I could ever forget it. And it makes me smile. So...two thumbs up on the band name.
This is another instance where I had no expectations going in and they totally blew me away. It's just a 4 song EP, but it packed quite the punch. "Here Comes The Joy" is the equivalent of "Scotch on the rocks...hold the ice." No sir, they aren't watering down their Christmas record with wasted covers of "Last Christmas" or "Santa Baby"; "Here Comes The Joy" is a double shot of Rock. And it's put together just perfectly. They lead with the consensus favorite track "Santa's Got Toys". Good. That's the song you should lead with. And they close it with the awesome "pub crawl". Good again. That's a brilliant closing tune. It's the kind of song you can see as a twenty-minute concert jam. And the two songs in the middle are right where they're supposed to be, too.
I just love "Here Comes The Joy". Every time I put it on, I just let it repeat four or five times. Dang, I really love "Here Come The Joy". And I dig what the drabs are doing, too, whether you call it "slack rock" or "clandestine pop". Heck, call it a peanut butter sandwich or Marvin Tulley. I don't care what you call it, it just has me and it's not about to let go (and I'm just fine with that, by the way). It's not just the Lou Reed-ish vocals, either; the drabs have a sound that is uniquely their own. They're tight. Jeez, this is a great record. I can't help it; I just tossed it on while I was writing this and its got me again. Listen to the guitars, listen to the bass and drums; these guys sound effing fantastic! Your mileage may vary, but, damn, I love this record.
(For a more coherent evaluation of "Here Comes The Joy"--if only slightly so--kindly check the original review. God, I love this record.)
This is another instance where I had no expectations going in and they totally blew me away. It's just a 4 song EP, but it packed quite the punch. "Here Comes The Joy" is the equivalent of "Scotch on the rocks...hold the ice." No sir, they aren't watering down their Christmas record with wasted covers of "Last Christmas" or "Santa Baby"; "Here Comes The Joy" is a double shot of Rock. And it's put together just perfectly. They lead with the consensus favorite track "Santa's Got Toys". Good. That's the song you should lead with. And they close it with the awesome "pub crawl". Good again. That's a brilliant closing tune. It's the kind of song you can see as a twenty-minute concert jam. And the two songs in the middle are right where they're supposed to be, too.
I just love "Here Comes The Joy". Every time I put it on, I just let it repeat four or five times. Dang, I really love "Here Come The Joy". And I dig what the drabs are doing, too, whether you call it "slack rock" or "clandestine pop". Heck, call it a peanut butter sandwich or Marvin Tulley. I don't care what you call it, it just has me and it's not about to let go (and I'm just fine with that, by the way). It's not just the Lou Reed-ish vocals, either; the drabs have a sound that is uniquely their own. They're tight. Jeez, this is a great record. I can't help it; I just tossed it on while I was writing this and its got me again. Listen to the guitars, listen to the bass and drums; these guys sound effing fantastic! Your mileage may vary, but, damn, I love this record.
(For a more coherent evaluation of "Here Comes The Joy"--if only slightly so--kindly check the original review. God, I love this record.)
VARIOUS - A COLORFUL CHRISTMAS (full review here)
No doubt, you figured this one would be on the list. "A Colorful Christmas" from Fetal Records is a winter wonderland of discovery. It's amazing to have, at last, Christmas music from Charlie Sayles and, Lord knows, Scott Taylor is a revelation on his contributions. But what I find most amazing about "A Colorful Christmas" is that--even with Charlie and Scott providing so much Soul and Blues--the track that was at once my favorite is the opening tune, "Reindeer Romp N Roll", which is ostensibly a Kids tune, albeit a Kids tune with a New Wave edge. And what makes that even more amazing is that "Reindeer Romp N Roll" was written by 6 year old Jet Watling, who is also the vocalist. That kid's gonna be alright, you know?
We've talked at length about "A Colorful Christmas"--here, here, and here, for starters--and I really want to get this post up today, so I'll leave it there. But I can't resist sharing this live track of Charlie Sayles singing "A Christmas Blues". That's a real nice way to say goodbye to the Christmas music year that was 2015. 2016 has a lot to live up to.
We've talked at length about "A Colorful Christmas"--here, here, and here, for starters--and I really want to get this post up today, so I'll leave it there. But I can't resist sharing this live track of Charlie Sayles singing "A Christmas Blues". That's a real nice way to say goodbye to the Christmas music year that was 2015. 2016 has a lot to live up to.
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