Category:

BUILDING A LEGACY

9/1/2015

Every year, the major labels drop a slew of "Greatest Christmas Hits" albums, repackaging that artist's holiday catalog. Time was, you'd have to have two or three Christmas albums under your belt to get the "Greatest Christmas Hits" treatment. But that's not the case anymore. Years ago, I gave up paying attention to these. A lot of times, they don't even make it to our List. The way I think of it, the people coming here are Christmas music fanatics. An album mixing up tracks from two CD-era albums that you already have doesn't strike me as the best use of limited resources. Anyway, you'll see them in the stores. A lot of the things I'm interested in you won't see anywhere.

One part of the slew comes from Sony's Legacy imprint. They call their line "The Classic Christmas Album". Lately, the Sony Legacy collections have been a bit more interesting than your average bear, for one reason or another. And they may merit greater publicity and consideration.

I confess I was most curious to see the playlist for "The Classic Christmas Album By Earth, Wind & Fire". The group only ever recorded one Christmas album. Though, granted, that was way, way, way back in the forgotten days of....2014. I wonder if that means that it didn't sell or that it sold incredibly well. Regardless, since these "Classic" sets are generally budget priced, here's your chance to get all of "Holiday", PLUS some other stuff, at a significant discount (assuming you didn't already buy it, which of course we all did). As you might suspect, in addition to all of "Holiday", this collection includes both "Gather Round" (a Target exclusive and fairly awesome Christmas commercial from 2005) and "Get Your Hump On This Christmas" (the novelty funk song recorded--with Cleveland--for the animated "A Cleveland Brown Christmas" in 2009). The other three tracks aren't really Christmas tracks, though "One World" (recorded for "Music Speaks Louder Than Words" in 1989) is one of those songs that people have been slipping into their holiday playlists for years, now. All in all, not a bad one to pick up if only to have the other two Christmas tracks.

Sarah McLachlan, too, has only one official Christmas album..."Wintersong" from 2006. But she's been a bit more active in the holiday music genre than EWF, not least because of her recent string of Christmas singles to promote her School of Music. For those who weren't aware, Sarah started the School of Music when she saw schools terminating programs in music and art (this is in Canada, btw, but the same thing is happening in this country). The school offers both group and individual music lessons to underserved youth at no cost. That does put the school at the mercy of donations from the general public to operate. The annual Christmas songs are generally offered as free downloads to draw attention to the school, but I don't know if many or any of them have gotten a hard copy release. Until now. I haven't seen the full track list but "The Classic Christmas Album by Sarah McLachlan" includes all of "Wintersong" plus Sarah's School of Music tracks from 2011, 2012 and 2013. Additionally, the album includes Sarah's unforgettable duet with Barenaked Ladies on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and her cover of "Song For A Winter's Night", both tunes recorded for a 1994 Nettwerk album, "Christmas Songs".

Gotta be honest, Celtic Thunder hasn't really resonated with me all that much. But the Celtic/Classical Crossover group has legions of fans and no doubt they'll want to hear all about "The Classic Christmas Album by Celtic Thunder". As Celtic Thunder has two Christmas full-lengths, you might expect the standard 2-album mix. But all I see in Legacy's promotional materials is the playlist for "Holiday Symphony". That might be because "Christmas" is being reissued this year, too. But I'm gonna wait and see how that one all shakes out in the end. At least this one has cover art.

There's one more "Classic Christmas Album" among Legacy's October 2 releases. "The Classic Christmas '80s Album" features your favorite holiday anthems from that decade, like "Christmas Wrapping" from the Waitresses and Billy Squier's "Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You". Now, again, we obsessive Christmas music hunters aren't likely to find anything here we haven't heard before. But I like these little theme collections, and most of the decade's Christmas essentials are here--Wham and Run DMC, sure, but also Dave Edmunds, Buster Poindexter, Fishbone, and the brothers McKenzie--Bob and Doug--with their 80s classic "12 Days of Christmas" (the unofficial Canadian national anthem...well, to me at least). The Single Version, I feel compelled to mention--so not the full version. As yet, this one hasn't turned up in a retail listing, but we'll add these to the List and link it up when it does. Now, take off, eh?

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ONCE AGAIN, IT'S CHRISTMAS - KENNY ROGERS

8/26/2015

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We've been waiting for cover art for the coming Kenny Rogers Christmas album, "Once Again, It's Christmas". Other details came out some time ago. Thankfully, the Gambler posted cover art on his Facebook page yesterday. Kenny's sixth studio Christmas album and the first in 17 years, "Once Again, It's Christmas" features guest appearances from vocal group Home Free, Jim Brickman, Alison Krauss, Winifred's Locket, and the prettier half of Sugarland, Ms. Jennifer Nettles. "This Silent Night" from Brickman and Rogers was included on last year's "On A Winter's Night" by Brickman (getting the wide release treatment this year).

KENNY & JENNIFER

Last year, her label at the time let loose the news that Jennifer Nettles would release a Christmas album, but nothing came of it and she's now with a new label. Had she done one for Universal, I'm sure they'd have been hyping it months ago. My guess is she kicked the idea around and decided against it. It's a music industry cliche, really. An artist is one album away from completing their label deal. Rather than "waste" fresh material on your ex-label, save the sweet stuff for your new lover...er, label...and record a Christmas album for the ex. Well, Jennifer strikes me as the kind of person who doesn't do anything as a throw away and she, instead, recorded new music for her old label. Also, the Christmas music buyers are a much bigger share of the market than they used to be. That's not just (nor mainly) because there are more of us. But there are a lot fewer people buying physical copies of any music (and we still reliably do). So maybe that's the sugar your new honey wants most. Anyway, I'm leaving Jennifer in the "possible" portion of releases on our List to remind her and the rest of us what a wonderful idea that would be. And its not like she takes the season off. It always seems to me she's everywhere at Christmas--certainly all over the CMA special (and she is about as perfect a "host" for these shindigs as you could hope for). Always singing different Christmas songs at these things. And Jennifer's done guest turns on several holiday albums in the last couple of years. So this year it's "Here It Is Christmas/"Baby It's Cold Outside" with Kenny Rogers. And I'll take that. Alison Krauss is also an angel, but she's also been a little more generous with full holiday albums.

"Once Again It's Christmas" arrives September 2.

1. Once Again It’s Christmas
2. There’s a New Kid in Town (feat. Winfield’s Locket)
3. Here It Is Christmas/Baby, It’s Cold Outside (feat. Jennifer Nettles)
4. Little Drummer Boy
5. Back to Bethlehem
6. Winter Wonderland
7. Some Children See Him (feat. Alison Krauss)
8. I’ll Be Home for Christmas
9. Children, Go Where I Send Thee (feat. Home Free)
10. That Silent Night (feat. Jim Brickman)
11. The Light

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RED AND GREEN AND MAYBE THROW SOME BLUE IN, TOO

8/24/2015

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If we were doing a "singles" post, this would be the first one we'd talk about. We're doing an album post, though, so.... this will be the first one we're talking about.

The reigning "Queen of Christmas", Elizabeth Chan, is returning from her annual trip to the North Pole where she and Santa kick around a few Christmas song ideas (when the reindeer stat swooning or swinging, they know they're onto something). All Liz wants for Christmas is to write and record a timeless Christmas classic that will still be played alongside "White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song" 50 years from now. Is that too much to ask? I don't think so. While the search goes on, we all benefit greatly from both Ms. Chan's seemingly endless well of great original Christmas songs and from her journey, which has been inspiring and fun. It's a holiday twofer, so far as I'm concerned.

"Red & Green" is her latest volume of potential perennials and it is slated for a release October 2. But Liz decided to beat the holiday traffic and launched the title track and lead single at the end of July. Now who but an honestly dedicated and devoted Christmas music fanatic would understand the genre's unique tradition of "Christmas In July"? Isn't that the coolest thing ever? And I dig the song, too. I don't know if it's a future standard of the holiday canon, but "Red & Green" is pretty cool just as a song. Anyway, that's my opinion. You can check it out and make your own determination. But I'm voting "aye" on this one.

And now for something completely different.... Have we mentioned that Midnight Syndicate is doing a Christmas album? Well, if we haven't, we certainly should. Now, as a Christmas music person, you might not know Midnight Syndicate. But, if you're also a fan of Halloween music, you almost certainly do. Sounds for the Spooky Season are what the group is known for. Their forte is cine-music--gothic horror soundtracks to imaginary movies, ambient dark wave stuff. Dark, dramatic, atmospheric (and often twisted and whimsical) soundscapes. The music of Midnight Syndicate is frequently heard at Halloween parties and Haunted Houses (also at various shops in October) and, as life imitates art, some of their imaginary soundtrack pieces have made their way into actual soundtracks of actual horror films.

Well, can you imagine how excited we were to hear that Midnight Syndicate would be coming down with a Christmas album this fall? Can't let Tim Burton and Danny Elfman have all the fun. The group says fans have been asking for a Christmas record from them pretty much since the beginning nearly 20 years ago.

"Christmas: A Ghostly Gathering" will feature both Christmas classics and originals. To stay true to their vision, the covers of familiar holiday favorites have been "re-invented". Afterall, you wouldn't expect a Holly Jolly, chipper and cheerful Christmas record from these guys (maybe a woodchipper one, but decidedly not cheerful). They've taken some interesting twists and turns, walking on the dark side, that they believe will delight long-time fans. And they've had fun creating originals for the project, too. As they near completion of the album, they describe it as "deliciously dark while, at times, hauntingly beautiful". Midnight Syndicate hopes the disc will evoke both Yuletide spirits and Yuletide spirits, if you catch our drift.

The plan is to have the first copies of "Christmas: A Ghostly Gathering" available at DragonCon, being held in Atlanta over the Labor Day weekend in this, it's 28th year. Then we should see the full retail release (hopefully) before the end of September. A vinyl version may follow (they're thinking about it), but that would come later still.

Stone Water Creek is a three piece Roots band from Australia. And that's about all I know of them, because they really don't explain a thing on either their web site or Facebook page. But what they WILL and DO tell you about on those pages is their upcoming Christmas album "We Three Kings". And they sum it up quite nicely.

"This album is more than just a Christmas album; it’s a celebration of blues, roots and bluegrass music, bringing a timeless story and the words of traditional carols to life in our contemporary world.
It’s re-telling the story in song, an attempt to bring back the wonder and the excitement of what the nativity story is all about.
We have worked hard to record an album that sounds as though the band is in your living room. There is warmth, vibrancy and a joy that you can feel as you listen. It’s for a Christmas celebration, renewing and rekindling love for traditional carols.
‘We Three Kings’ imagines Christmas Eve with family and friends gathered around in the evening. With a three-piece band set up in the corner of the lounge room; live, bright and playing into the night."

You had me at "blues". Well, truthfully, you had me at "Christmas album", but then I'm pretty much a sucker for Christmas albums (duh). But "blues, roots and bluegrass music" is an excellent way to get my full attention.

Sadly, I'm guessing this is likely going to be an Import for us Americanos and, chances are, we won't see it released domestically til next summer or something, if at all. Then again, maybe they'll do a Bandcamp page and make it easy. It could happen. Worst case scenario, I've got something to write about on the International page.

So now we have a coming together of a bunch of my favorite things, right? Christmas, album, Blues, Bluegrass, Roots, Australia, "family and friends gathered around in the evening." No cover art, yet, which always bothers me (cover art is very important to me; my view is "a crappy cover says its a crappy album"). No cats, either (but they aren't mandatory). Track list? Yesssssss.

1. Angels From The Realms Of Glory
2. Sing We Noel
3. We Three Kings
4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
5. O Come Immanuel
6. O Holy Night
7. Carol Of The Bells
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. While Shepherds Watched
10. On This Night (Bonus Track)

But here's the final nudge for anyone who needs another. Listen to Stone Water Creek absolutely knocking it out of the park on "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear", giving you a chance to actually HEAR a song that you know so well, it usually just goes by you without any contemplation on the meaning. And the video is gorgeous, too! And I actually get it! And I'm not that bright! (And I want her phone number, damn it!) While I pull myself together, watch the video...and listen. Every year, I try to buy at least one hard copy Import CD. And I think we may have this year's winner. Stone Water Creek "We Three Kings". Write it down and, whatever the extra effort, remember to look for it later this year.

Country star Jessie James Decker (who is also the wife of the NFL's Eric Decker, a mother, and a reality TV show "star") is revving up her music career. Then single, James released her eponymous debut in 2009. After that, she and her record label had...let's say a difference of opinion about Jessie's musical direction. A few more singles were released, but they were only minor Country hits.

Then, like a lightning bolt, Jessie struck this spring with the single "Clint Eastwood". And the single "Lights Down Low" followed earlier this month, striking a strong chord with Country listeners right out of the box. Jessie seems poised to take Country and the country by storm and she has a one-two punch on the way. A new full-length is coming in the spring of 2016. But, before that, JJD is promising a Christmas album for early November. And I just now remembered Jessie's Christmas single from last year--"Baby, It's Christmas"--which I loved to death. Can't wait for the album!

We previously mentioned the coming Christmas set from Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and now we know more. "A Big Phat Christmas: Wrap This!" will be making its way to virtual store shelves on November 6. Cover art and track list below.

1. Carol of the Bells
2. Do You Hear What I Hear?
3. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow
4. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
5. The Little Drummer Boy
6. A Christmas Carol
7. I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
8. Somewhere in my Memory
9. Santa Baby
10. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Speaking of Big Bands, when they get big enough, they call them Orchestras (that is almost certainly not true, but just go with me on this cuz I needed a segue). And this coming release from the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra looks like its going to be a good one. And right at the top of the reasons why "Joyful Jazz" figures to be great is that it features, as a special guest, the immortal Freddy Cole.

The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, formed in 2010, celebrates the rich Jazz history of the Pittsburgh area and, perhaps more importantly, gives young aspiring Jazz musicians high quality music education and experience. Freddy Cole is a legendary Bop, Swing and Jazz singer, composer, and pianist--still going strong well into his eighties. He's one from the old school that understands the importance of the notes and the silence between them and he's not prone to fancy flourishes that impress a few but tend to detract from the whole. You'll note another appearance of "Jingles, The Christmas Cat" (which we mentioned in our look at the new one from Russ Lorenson). That's because Freddy wrote that one and a performance of his was part of the inspiration for Russ wanting to make the kind of Christmas record he made. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mentioned Freddy's 1975 holiday album, "Christmas Dreams" and his 1995 seasonal CD, "I Want A Smile For Christmas".

"Joyful Jazz" arrives October 23 and no samples are out there just yet, but we've got the cover art and track list. I'm especially looking forward to "Merry Christmas, John Coltrane", a PJO tribute to the late Jazz genius.

1. Jingle Bells
2. Jingles, The Christmas Cat
3. Carol Of The Bells
4. Blue Christmas
5. A Cradle In Bethlehem
6. Do You Hear What I Hear?
7. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
8. White Christmas (In The Sahara)
9. Merry Christmas, John Coltrane
10. Snowfall
11. Sleigh Ride
12. The Christmas Song
13. Joy To The World

The "Rock By The Sea" charity unit from the Sunshine State will return with Volume 6 in their annual Christmas album series on October 16. Rock By The Sea, you may recall, were inspired by and given a bit of a blueprint from Atlanta's "Twelve Bands of Christmas". Like 12 Bands, money raised by Rock By The Sea goes to charity. While 12 Bands was devoted to pediatric cancer research, Rock By The Sea benefit a number of local charities and causes (with an overall focus on children's health issues).

You know me. Local Artists? That's my thing. And who can pass up a chance to score some great holiday music, that won't get the exposure of Train or Setzer or Jessie James Decker, at a great price, the buying of which actually contributes something positive to the universe? Hopefully that sentence was coherent but, if not, you know what I meant, right? The samples for "Rock By The Sea, Volume Six" haven't been posted yet, but its always a good mix of genres and artists and other stuff (haven't been disappointed yet). I do see Martha's Trouble on the playlist, so they'll already have the attention of the slightly more seasoned Christmas music connoisseur.

12 Bands ended their 12 Bands Christmas series, but began a new tradition last Christmas with "Instant Christmas Classics, Volume 1". As the title might imply, you can expect "Instant Christmas Classics, Vol. 2" this November. Details when we get them. Meantime, here's the cover and content of "Rock By The Sea, Volume Six" (there's an "Explicit" label; usually, in this kind of project, that means there's ONE song with some possibly questionable lyrics, not every song). At the moment, Amazon only has a listing for the digital version, but you can always get CDs direct from Rock By The Sea.

1. When The Fire Goes Out Tonight - Sara Rachele
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - The Electric Sons
3. Cozy Tranquility - Von Grey
4. The Christmas Song - Charlie Oxford
5. This Christmas - Martha's Trouble
6. A Southern Christmas - Eric Durrance
7. Jolly Old St. Nicholas - The Galvanaters
8. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Michael Logen
9. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Amy Gerhartz
10. It's Finally X-Mas Day - Mark Bliesener

We're still not quite sure what's up with Mariah Carey. Every time her Christmas music exploits break through with a message, its always something different. Originally, we heard she was interested in doing a third Christmas album--completing the trilogy, as it were. Then it was something about duets with...cartoon characters and dead people? Or something. Then we heard that she didn't want to do another Christmas record at all...that her label wanted it. Then she really did want to do a Christmas album. And, back in the spring, we've heard Mariah's doing a Christmas movie in which she has a "major role" (of course, that could be like "A Christmas Story"s "major award"). There will be a soundtrack album at some point, but Mariah will be one of many artists on it....we're told.

But the industry moves on and, if you hadn't noticed, just about anybody who is anybody is releasing their catalog on vinyl. It's the labels, not the artists, doing this--trying to make everything they can before the paradigm changes squeeze them out altogether. We did get word, back in the spring, that Mariah's platinum selling "Merry Christmas" was being re-released. But no one specifically said vinyl, and we aren't sure, anymore, which rumors to believe. Well, the elves have sent word that "Merry Christmas" will be re-issued on vinyl this fall, in a "Deluxe Anniversary Edition". Early word has the release set for October 23 (just remember that, sometimes, vinyl release dates get delayed). The listing is at Amazon UK, but they wouldn't just release "Merry Christmas" vinyl in England, would they? I think not.

Disc: 1
1. Silent Night
2. All I Want for Christmas Is You
3. O Holy Night
4. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
5. Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)
Disc: 2
1. Joy to the World
2. Jesus Born on This Day
3. Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)
5. Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child
6. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

A quick thanks to the residents of the Steve Hoffman Music Forums for the mention and link. And they only had nice things to say. Warms the gingerbread of my heart.

One of the forum-goers was asking about Trans-Siberian Orchestra's release plans. Well, as our friend Mr. Kessler of the fine, fine Sounds of Music Internet radio station let us know last week, TSO has got three studio albums in progress. The scheduled release date for "Letters From The Labyrinth" is October 30 (but this is TSO, so I am cautiously not saying this October 30). I don't get the impression that its in any way a Christmas record. The band has been singing "Night Conceives", a song from that album, on tour for almost a year. It's a great Blues Metal tune, but not a Christmas tune (near as I can tell; of course context means something). The Christmas show goes on, of course. Follow the SOC link for tour dates.

Oh, and "Christmas Attic" is coming out on vinyl (double LP pressed in collector's grade 180 gm vinyl) this Friday. Almost forgot to mention that.

A cappella's been all the rage for the past several years and Christmas music seems to be a perfect fit for the genre (it's like a cappella and Christmas come together in perfect harmony.....sorry, couldn't resist). A lot of these groups have achieved worldwide acclaim in recent times. And a few were already acclaimed before the TV shows turned a spotlight on the art form. When you're with BYU Vocal Point, you've got both. Founded in 1991, BYU Vocal Point was impressing audiences early on, touring within the first year, recording within the second, and world champions in 2006. Then they competed on NBC's The Sing Off in that shows third season in 2011, finishing in the top five. See? Fame, accomplishment, acclaim both before and after the a cappella boomlet.

"He Is Born" is the group's first Christmas album (11th overall), though they released singles in both 2013 and 2014--"O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" respectively. The title track goes back even further, appearing on their 2004 CD "Standing Room Only". So, if you're suffering withdrawal without a new holiday set from Pentatonix to look forward to, trust BYU Vocal Point to get you through. Release is set for October 9. (Thanks to My Merry Christmas for the tip)

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IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT - RUSS LORENSON

8/19/2015

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If you grew up listening to the classic crooners--Sinatra, Dino, Tony Bennett--no doubt you pull out those holiday albums every year. And, at least once as you listen to those timeless classics, the thought that "they just don't make 'em like they used to" crosses your mind. We've been fortunate that Mr. Bennett is still going strong, even gracing us with new holiday recordings from time to time. But you have to look a little harder to find that, yes, every once in a while, someone makes 'em like they used to.

Russ Lorenson has been crooning the standards of the Great American Songbook era for many years, now, paying tribute to the masters while also uncovering lost gems and newly written songs that fit the genre as though written in the forties and fifties. Russ started out in the theatre as a child and, while returning to "the boards" for tribute shows and musicals that routinely play to full houses, performing and recording in his own voice and style has been his primary focus for at least the past decade. In that time, he's earned the title of "San Francisco's Favorite Crooner".

Russ released his debut album in 2006 and followed that, the same year, with his first holiday album, "What I Want For Christmas". "What I Want For Christmas" escaped the attention of far too many for far too long. It's an exceptional work with the intimacy of a private concert. And the highlights are many--from Jazz vocal standards like "That's What I Want For Christmas" to a brilliant cover of Barry Manilow's "I Guess There Ain't No Santa Claus" to the seldom covered "Snow" from the 1954 Bing Crosby/Danny Kaye "White Christmas" film, the 2006 Russ Lorenson Christmas set is one to add to your library if you don't already own it.

Nearly a decade later, Russ decided it was time to record a second Christmas album. And, let me just say up top, an absolute A+ on the playlist for "In The Holiday Spirit"; there isn't an overplayed/over recorded song on here (with the possible exception of "Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth") and there are some very seldom recorded gems. With the more than capable assistance of the Kelly Park Big Band, Russ works his way through crooner classics like "Let Me Be The First To Wish You Merry Christmas" (Steve Lawrence), "A Winter Romance" (written by Sammy Cahn and Ken Lane and originally sung by Dean Martin), "It's Christmas Time All Over The World" (a semi-lost Hugh Martin song that Sammy Davis Jr. recorded) as well as new holiday songs like "Mrs. Claus". Pardon the pun, but Russ hits all the right notes, so to speak, with this program. He's got enough energy to charge a room, as on the old Louis Prima favorite "Shake Hands With Santa Claus" and captures the appropriate smoky after-hours tone of "The Christmas Blues". But he absolutely shines on the romantic ballads; that's where his vocals float smoothly from note to note, drawing out every bit of romance and nostalgia those songs have to offer. And, being that they're Christmas songs, it's nearly like a picture print by Currier & Ives. In that regard, the seldom covered John Pizzarelli composition, "Let's Share Christmas", likely shines as my favorite on this particular string of Christmas lights. My least favorite? I'm gonna say "Jingles, The Christmas Cat". Yeah, I'm a cat person but "Jingles" just didn't do it for me. Of course, that'll end up being someone else's favorite, I'm sure. Maybe everybody's.

"In The Holiday Spirit" is set to release September 4 and pre-orders (autographed, if you so desire) are available direct from Russ. Thank goodness he's still making them like they used to. As an album that harkens back to the days of Sinatra, Martin, Bennett, and Crosby, "In The Holiday Spirit" should get your Christmas music season started on a high note.

1. Shake Hands With Santa Claus
2. Holiday For Two
3. Let's Share Christmas
4. Let Me Be The First To Wish You Merry Christmas
5. Jingles, The Christmas Cat
6. You're All I Want For Christmas
7. Mrs. Claus
8. Warm In December
9. The Christmas Blues
10. Santa Claus Is Near
11. It'll Be Christmas Before You Know It
12. A Winter Romance
13. Kissin' By The Mistletoe
14. Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth
15. It's Christmas Time All Over The World

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MINT CONDITION RINGS IN THE HEALING SEASON

8/14/2015

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Just a taste.

Minneapolis favorite sons, Mint Condition, will be releasing their first holiday set on October 16. Together since the mid-80s, Mint Condition draws on many influences--Jazz, Latin, Rock, Reggae, etc.--giving them a unique and occasionally eclectic sound. But, at core, they're an R&B Funk band--one of the last great ones, according to many, in the tradition of Earth Wind & Fire and Kool & The Gang. Critics describe their music as "powerful and purposeful" and their Christmas album will be no different.

Mint Condition's goal, in putting "Healing Season" together, was to present songs of "reflection, reconciliation, and renewal". That's a big part of what Christmas is about, after all. Their hope is that people will understand that what underlies the season is the concept of putting old wounds and conflicts in the past and rising above them, coming together, and moving forward refreshed and renewed. (And, hey, if that's not doing it for you, then just groove to the music.)

"Healing Season" contains 5 brand new songs, including "1st Snowfall", "Not What I Wanted" and the title track (which will also be the lead single). The more familiar fare includes "Little Drummer Boy", "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", "A Child Is Born" and the James Brown classic "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto".

Mint Condition has charted 17 songs on the R&B charts, with 5 of those crossing over to be Top 40 hits. "Healing Season" will be their tenth studio album.

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SHARON JONES & DAP KINGS XMAS ALBUM IS HERE (ALMOST)

8/13/2015

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UPDATE: Amazon pre-order links for the vinyl and CD versions of the Sharon Jones Christmas album are now LIVE!

It's been a bear trying to get the early lowdown on Christmas releases this year. Doing my best. And I wasn't really planning on doing the cover art/track list thing today (you should note that such info on the Ann Hampton Callaway release is posted on the Previews page and the rest of these will be moved there eventually). But everything changes when you get the skinny on the Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings Christmas album. And, WHOOMP, here it is!

By the way, do you know how Sharon came to be the recording star that she so clearly is today? Lee Fields and the Soul Providers were laying down some tracks in 1996 and requested some back-up singers from the local church for the session. Sharon was the only one who showed up. One of the Soul Providers would go on to co-found Dap Tone records and Sharon Jones would be one of the first artists they signed. See? Showing up really is 80% of success (the other 80% is hard work and having a God given voice that's simultaneously smooth and rough).

Anyway, the album is called "It's A Holiday Soul Party" and I'm seeing a release date of October 30 on Amazon's digital listing. Though I can't link you to any hard copy pre-order spots just yet, it's Dap Tone...so there will almost certainly be both CD and Vinyl. 11 tracks, including all of Sharon's previous Christmas music (yes, even that "White Christmas" jam that was only a video last year). Additionally, Binky Griptite's "World Of Love" has been included. So that leaves better than half the album that's completely brand new. And (from the samples at least) it's all every bit as good as we dared not dream it could be.

Sharon goes to church on "Silver Bells", does Charles Brown proud on "Please Come Home For Christmas", and channels Ray Charles on "Silent Night". "Funky Little Drummer Boy" sounds like a late 60s Chess Records single release. And "8 Days of Hanukkah", smooth mid-70s soul, might be the best thing to happen to that holiday since the invention of the latke.

If I were you (or if you were me), I'd be checking the Dap-Tone site EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. from today until the pre-order goes live. Sort of like camping out for concert tickets. Just sayin'.

Another recent digital listing at Amazon is "I Heart The Holidays". The October 16 release is from Palladium Records and features artists from their stable such as Lucy & The Cloud Parade, The Unknown, Tim Myers, and Schuyler Fisk's FM Radio. Again, the samples sound great--everything from Indie Pop to Pop Punk (there's even a Christmassy cover of the unforgettable disco classic "Ring My Bell"). I'm certainly hoping for hard copy, but I'll do the download if that's my only alternative. BTW, two tracks are missing from Amazon's listing--one of which is a raucous Party Anthem/Bo Diddley beat "12 Days Of Christmas" from Map The Stars. I've listed them here as I would guess they'll turn up sooner or later.

1. Joy To The World - Tim Myers
2. Glow - MoZella
3. 12 Days of Christmas - Map The Stars
4. Count Down to Xmas - Kathryn Ostenberg
5. A New Time - Lucy & The Cloud Parade
6. O Christmas Tree - Tim Myers
7. More Than I Wished For - FM Radio
8. All The Wonder - El May
9. We Wish You A Merry Christmas - Kathryn Ostenberg
10. A Magical Season - Tim Myers
11. The Wish List - Serengeti & The Unknown
12. This Holiday - Map The Stars
13. Winter Night - The Unknown
14. Ring My Bell - Nicole Vaughn
15. For The Holidays - Tim Myers

New artist on the scene!! Make some room, everybody! OK, maybe not "new". New-ish? Well, he's younger than I am, so there's that. Then again, a lot of people are younger than I am anymore. Probably even you.

Nathan Woodward is a young saxophone player from Pascagoula, Mississippi (normally, I wouldn't mention the town, but who doesn't love saying "Pascagoula, Mississippi"). He's been playing professionally since 1999 (or at least that's the "start date" listed on his Facebook page, which he joined in 2006; jeez, I hope that's not his birth year). He's had a few albums already, "Live From Martin Hall", "Prayer Language" and the eponymous "Nathan Woodward". Needless to say, "Emmanuel" is his first Christmas album.

Primarily a Smooth Jazz artist, Nathan frequently flavors with some of his other influences, including Gospel and R&B. No new songs on the CD and that makes it kind of hard to point to anything specifically. My favorite arrangement was likely "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel'. "We Three Kings" and "Silent Night" were quite nice as well. And the guitar and keyboard players deserve a raise or a bonus or something for their work on the "White Christmas/Christmas Song Medley". Least favorite? "Jingle Bells". Just doesn't fit with the rest of the album, IMHO.

Smooth Jazz fans will like "Emmanuel", which is more adventurous than, say, Kenny G, but not so adventurous as John Coltrane or Ornette Coleman. And, for those who can't wait to get this Christmas party started, you're in luck. "Emmanuel" officially releases on August 21. AUGUST 21!! That's just a tad over a week from now. You can sample the tracks here and pre-order direct from Nathan Woodward here. Ready or not, here it comes.

1. Angels We Have Heard On High
2. Sleigh Ride
3. O Holy Night
4. Hark The Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful
5. Christmas Time Is Here
6. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
7. Jingle Bells
8. We Three Kings
9. White Christmas/The Christmas Song
10. Silent Night

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MERCYME - MERCYME, IT'S CHRISTMAS !

7/31/2015

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Hey, look, more cover art and track lists! MercyMe, the CCM Rockers from Texas, are getting ready to drop their second holiday album. Their first, "The Christmas Sessions", was released a decade ago and reached #3 on the Christian charts and earned them an appearance on The Tonight Show. "Joseph's Lullaby", the lead single from that record, reached #1. In all, the group has charted 8 holiday tracks on the Christian charts, with half of them crossing over to the AC charts (big winner there "Silent Night", which reached a secular #6).

"MercyMe, It's Christmas!" includes both standard songs of the season and brand new MercyMe originals and is slated to arrive October 9 at all the usual on-line spots.

Newborn
Christmastime Again
Sleigh Ride
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Hold On Christmas
A Holly Jolly Christmas
Go Tell It On The Mountain
Do You Hear What I Hear
Our Lullaby
Joy
O Come, O Come

Haven't seen any audio for the new one yet, so here's a taste from "The Christmas Sessions".

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ROCKIN' RUDOLPH - BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA

7/29/2015

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The cover art and track list for "Rockin' Rudolph" have been released and pre-orders are available through PledgeMusic.

1. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
2. "Yabba-Dabba Yuletide"
3. "Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
4. "Rockabilly Rudolph"
5. "Here Comes Santa Claus"
6. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
7. "Swingin' Joy"
8. "Carol of the Bells"
9. "Little Jack Frost"
10. "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
11. "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
12. "Yabba-Dabba Yuletide" (extended)

The limited and numbered Deluxe Box Set (Exclusively available from Brian via PledgeMusic) also includes two bonus instrumentals from BSO--"Little Drummer Boy" and "Deck The Halls".

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THE FULL NELSON

7/27/2015

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There is only one family to reach #1 on the Pop charts for three successive generations. Matthew & Gunnar Nelson struck gold with their infectious Pop hit "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" in 1990, following in the footsteps of their father, Ricky Nelson, and their grandparents, Ozzie & Harriet Nelson. Nelson hit the charts a few more times in the early nineties and then faded from the spotlight, no doubt handicapped by being classified as Glam Rockers and a Hair Metal Band just as those genres were hitting the downward slope. And, really, that was unfair. There's no question the brothers had the hair to be a Hair band, but the music they made was, at its core, just Pop music which likely could have succeeded in any era or genre with differing arrangements. I mean, honestly, listen to "Love and Affection" today and tell me that is anything but a great Pop song.

Nelson has reemerged over the past few years and you might no longer recognize them. Gone are the waist-length golden locks and equally gone are the trappings and sounds of a Hard Rock band. They've even dropped the Nelson moniker, now appearing and recording under their full names, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson. The hair may be shorter, the band name longer, and the Nelsons are now a little more Country and a little less Rock N Roll. But they still sing a sweet song and, as you can hear in the clip above, that's a good thing. Yeah, so they aren't the next Whitesnake (or whatever) anymore. But they might just be the second coming of Don and Phil Everly and, trust me, that's something this tired old world needs.

The changes didn't come overnight. First, Geffen dropped them, which the brothers greeted as an emancipation. Then Warner Brothers signed them. On the advice of fellow songwriter Gary Burr, the brothers Nelson journeyed to Nashville in 1995. They were nearly through a new album of Modern Country when Warner decided that wasn't what they were looking for and shut the Nelsons down. It was just like a line out of their father's 1972 hit, "Garden Party". And, just as Ricky had done, they realized that "you can't please everyone so you got to please yourself".

Matthew and Gunnar founded their own label, releasing assorted music from the archives, live Nelson material, tracks and albums their label had quashed, a tribute album to their father, etc. They released the scuttled Country album, "Brother Harmony", in 2000. A solid album, by all accounts, "Brother Harmony" today fetches more than $200 on Amazon. Since then, Matthew and Gunnar have been finding greater and greater acceptance--especially with Country audiences. And, this fall, they plan to embrace that acceptance with a two-disc Christmas album with a strong Country flavor.

One disc from the Nelsons' as yet unnamed Christmas set will be entirely instrumental...the other, vocal. There's at least one original on the album, "This Christmas", featuring Alyssa Bonagura (whose parents are two-thirds of Baillie & The Boys). Matthew and Gunnar admit they likely would not be releasing the Christmas album this year (or at all) had it not been for the warm reception they received at last year's CMA festival. I'm intrigued. Aren't you?

If the Nelsons' story has you thinking that Garden Party road only runs in one direction, then you may not know the story of T. Graham Brown. Because it was popular in his native Georgia and what the local clubs were hiring, Brown came up as a Beach Music performer. If you're not from the South, that's a much longer discussion (we did touch upon it in our 2010 Previews section). Suffice it to say that Beach Music is a combination of Rock, Country and R&B, with the emphasis generally on the latter. Hooks and horns aplenty.

T. Graham burst upon the national Country scene with the Top Ten single "I Tell It Like It Used To Be", following that one with a string of Country hits including 3 number ones. Although the music he recorded for Capitol was Country, there were still strong R&B influences. Given Brown's voice, its hard to see how there couldn't be. Capitol wasn't terribly fond of T. Graham's sound, in spite of the hits, and, once Garth Brooks joined the label, they provided precious little support. T. Graham asked for and got his release from the label even though staying would have netted him close to a million dollars.

After that, Brown learned how difficult it was to get heard and paid if you didn't have the clout of a Garth Brooks. Warner Brothers signed him and promised much, but delivered nothing. It was the same story at Sony. They kept Brown in a holding pattern for over a year and, when they finally let him cut some sides, Sony didn't like them and dropped Brown from their roster. Next came a string of small and independent labels. When records were released, there was no distribution and, therefore, no money. Just as often, companies would fold before the records could even be released. What made this especially frustrating was that Brown was recording all this music which no one ever heard and there wasn't a thing he could do about it since the labels owned the recordings.

The worst came in 1998. Brown had cut a Gospel infused number, "Wine Into Water", and released it independently. It took awhile but the song hit big on the Christian charts. When it crossed over to the Country charts, a powerful RCA executive called radio stations and had the song killed, telling them not to play it because RCA didn't want any independently released record hitting the charts. And Brown has been seldom heard on Country radio ever since.

There's more but, cutting to the chase, T. Graham eventually realized that doing things right meant doing them himself.

T. Graham Brown has been talking about recording a Christmas album for the past several years but, so far, all we've gotten is a digital single, "It Ain't Christmas", in 2011. That all changes October 2 with the release of "Christmas With T. Graham Brown". The album will feature both original music and what T. calls "fan favorites"--songs like"Jingle Bell Rock", "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Away In A Manger", and "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree". One original I hope to see on the album is "Mary Had A Little Lamb". Brown wrote the song with his wife, recorded it with Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers in 2010, and pressed about 50 copies to sell at shows. They went quick. T. Graham had earlier said he wanted to re-record that one for the Christmas album and was hoping to have Fortune, Vince Gill, and Alison Krauss all join him on it this time (schedules permitting).

In addition to "It Ain't Christmas", T. Graham has a pair of holiday tracks recorded over a decade ago that turn up on various budget Various Artists compilations--"Jingle Bell Rock" and "Winter Wonderland".

One last piece of trivia for you. T. Graham's band is called--at their own request--The Mighty Rack of Spam. How can you not love that?

Danny Gokey, a former American Idol contestant, will be releasing a Christmas album this year. Danny's an interesting artist, musically, because he is so accessible across the board. Pop, Country, Blues, Soul, CCM and Gospel--he wears all those hats with quiet ease, and quite often several at once. Danny released a cover of "Tennessee Christmas" back in 2010, and that was good, but he's progressed so much as an artist since then that the Christmas album could be absolutely amazing. He also contributed a rendition of "O Holy Night" to the Kohl's Cares exclusive charity Christmas disc in 2011.

If you blow up this picture a little bit, you can see what the cover art might be and that the album title is "This Christmas" (not the new Nelson brothers original, silly. The Donny Hathaway track, obviously).

"This Christmas" from Danny Gokey is expected to include "White Christmas", "Mary Did You Know", and a Gokey original "Lift Up Your Eyes" (when I heard the title, I thought it might be Leeland's gorgeous worship anthem, "Lift Your Eyes Up"; oh, well, maybe he can do them both). And, obviously, a lot more. One persistent fan discovered (by digging through publishing records) that Danny has written (but not yet recorded) another original Christmas song--"Hey Santa". So....could be. Look for "This Christmas" in late October.

A few more quickie tidbits for you.

It might have sounded like a good idea in theory to release a Christmas EP each year for three years, but its possible it didn't seem so good in practice. While we don't yet know the fate of the originally expected third chapter of LeAnn Rimes Christmas trilogy, she did decide to do a full Christmas album this year. "One Christmas--Chapter Two" (or whatever she ends up calling it) is likely going to drop in late October. I could be wrong, but I figure a full album this year might mean no Christmas EP next year. That's the kind of gear change you do when you just want it over and done. FWIW, LeAnn says she's very proud of how it turned out.

Motown artist India Arie has confirmed, through multiple sources and platforms, that her Christmas album will be released this year, though she's still waiting for an official release date. She recorded the album last year with the legendary Joe Sample. I didn't think about it at the time, but Joe's passing last September may be why the record was held over and not released last year as originally expected.

We've listed the coming album from the former lead singer of Finnish Metal band Nightwish, even though it probably isn't really a proper holiday set. First of all, I love Tarja Turunen. And, second, I do consider "Ave Maria" a Christmas song. It took many years for me to realize there wasn't just one "Ave Maria" and many more years after that before I realized there weren't just two. Turns out there are over 400 different musical takes on "Ave Maria"--some using the traditional words of the prayer and others using a different text entirely. Tarja's coming album, "Ave Maria -- En Plein Air", features twelve unique visions of "Ave Maria" including one of her own. This is a Classical album, not a Rock one, so some longtime fans may want to take a pass. To be precise, this is Tarja's Classical album debut, though she was classically trained and many of her songs sound almost operatic. She is just an incredible vocalist, so I admit I'm curious to hear what she does on this one. The album is currently scheduled for a September 18 release and, unlike her other solo recordings, it looks like this one will get an immediate domestic release here in the states. Tarja did release a true Christmas album several years back, "Henkays Ikuisuudesta", and I, personally, loved it. That one isn't a Metal album, either, but it does include a fairly awesome cover of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)", so there's that.

And there's no question that my favorite from Tarja's Christmas album is "You Would Have Loved This". It's definitely one of my Top Ten all time favorite holiday tracks and one that is a mandatory part of my personal Christmas playlist every year. Honest to God, I tear up almost immediately. Its such a beautiful song and it always puts me in mind of the people I've lost along the way, including Mom and Dad. And so that's what I'm closing with today.

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A FEW MORE SINGLES

11/29/2014

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I'm going to have to stop doing these singles posts. I mean, sure, its worth it when you find something good. But the bad is a deep dank swamp waist high. Ugh.

First a couple of random notes. I see in the Twitter feed of Christmas Underground that Suburban Sprawl won't be doing their free Christmas collection this year. Seriously? That's like telling me Santa is dead. At least the old ones are still up. *sigh*

Reel Big Fish will indeed have a record out in mid-December. "Happy Skalidays" will contain 6 songs and the cover art is terrific. See? I have it on our list as a CD, but its probably going to be digital only, for the time being.

If you haven't been in the last day or so, there's lots of new stuff up on the Free List (get that new Kris Rodgers EP and the WJLP single especially). And you should definitely be following our Festive Friends because, so far anyway, there hasn't been a lot of overlap (partially deliberate on my part, though I love everything they've featured).

Look who's back.

The Bay City Rollers, featuring Les McKeown on vocals, were huge in the seventies. But, at the end of that decade, Les left the group and that, combined with legal issues against their US label Arista and other problems, left the band a shadow of its former self. There was a Bay City Rollers out there, touring and recording (mostly re-recording BCR hits), but was it really the Rollers without McKeown? I couldn't speak to the rest of the group (as to whether they were with the classic Rollers), but McKeown has been leading them again for a couple of years now.

Reportedly, the band found "Rock N Roll It's Christmas Time" on a tape of unreleased demos recorded in the mid-seventies. My guess would be that this is a new recording of the song and not the demo, but anything's possible. Regardless, this definitely sounds like a Bay City Rollers Christmas song, unlike "Cuz Its Christmas" that was making the rounds a few years back. Amazon's got it beginning Monday.

When I said wading through all the garbage was sometimes worth it, I had this single in mind. Up and coming R&B artist Alvin Frazier has just laid out the sweetest soul groove that sounds for all the world like a late sixties-early seventies smooth R&B record. "All I Really Want (For Christmas)" should definitely find a place in your collection. Trust me on this one; its a gem. Alvin seems to have the vintage Christmas soul magic touch as he arranged and produced "Christmas Time" for Cassandra Stewart and that one is reminiscent of the early Motown girl groups. Grab Alvin's single from Amazon or wherever fine downloads are sold.

The British Indie Folk trio Red Sky July will be dropping a new Christmas single December 7 (that's the UK release date, at any rate). "Christmas Time" isn't yet available for preview, but the group did release a four song Christmas EP in 2012, if you want to hear how they sound on seasonal music. In general, I'd say their approach and sweet harmonies reminds me a lot of the Emmy Lou Harris Christmas album.

Here's another British Folk group whose Christmas song isn't yet available for preview. Ringlefinch is a band of eclectic tastes and genres, but most of what I've heard I'd call Alt Folk and Folktronica. Their Christmas single is "Jingle Bells (Ringle All The Way)", which they describe as "a tale of hopes, symbols, and one girl's dream of a traditional Christmas in a modern world." The single should be available beginning December 5.

Now this one I like. "Santa Claus Is Gonna Make It Right" is a nice Soul Blues groove (with a bit of that "I Wish You Would" rhythm) that makes me smile. The Reverend Shawn Amos is a Blues preacher, singer and songwriter, and master of the Blues harp. He's also a former A&R executive for Rhino and Shout Factory, an expert in brand marketing, a contributor to Bloomberg TV, and the founder and CEO of Freshwire, a digital content studio. I think the man's got a future. But, really, I just want to hear the Blues. Give it to me, Rev. You can find the single on Bandcamp.

Jim tells me I've got the pulse of Swedish Indie this year. And maybe its true. I was surprised to see this one on CD Baby (and nowhere else). And, since I'm the only one who goes to CD Baby among the Christmas bloggers, I might be the only one who has seen it.

Intelligent Animal Minds started out as a classic rock styled band, but they found that too confining, so they started experimenting with other sounds and styles. Eventually, they dropped the guitars for synths and, currently, they're working in this Indie Alternative Pop Rock sound. Its kind of mellow and harsh all at once, which I think reflects their current view of the world. Certainly "Before The Mess" is a song about what Christmas should be about vs. what it is or has become. IAM sees a world where even the charities aren't about charity anymore. The ultimate message: "put Christ before the mess". Anyway, I really enjoyed this one. It was a nice pallet cleanser after listening to so many wannabes. "Before The Mess" struck me as original and heartfelt. as noted, its available as a download from CD Baby.

The Former X Factor contestants Sweet Suspense dropped their new Christmas single on Radio Disney Friday. The three girls who make up the group originally tried out for the show as solo artists but were all cut. Then someone saw the potential in putting them together as a group. While Sweet Suspense does have some Radio Disney appeal, their sound is more soul than bubblegum. "Just Another Night" arrives at iTunes this Tuesday and you can listen to the song in its entirety at Just Jared (yes.... they went to Jared).

Close it out, today, with the Ice Choir single we talked about earlier. The 7" is extremely limited, so I hope I get mine. You can try Cascine's shop and I hear Insound has it in stock now. Cascine is currently streaming the A-side, "It's Different Now", on Soundcloud. And it is freaking gorgeous. I want my copy. I want it. I want it now!