"Navidad" by Frank Johnson is one of my favorite Christmas singles of the, as yet, young season. The sound is as fresh as any modern Indie Rock, yet a throwback to the Psych sounds of the late 60s. I wish I could tell you more about Frank Johnson. I spent a good deal of time looking and a good deal of time typing into google translate and, still, I know next to nothing. We do know that Frank Johnson is from Spain. We are told that Frank Johnson has played in other bands and that this is Frank Johnson's solo debut...the lead track from the album "Garman" (and that either the single or the album or both will eventually be available on vinyl, or so Frank Johnson says). And we know that Frank Johnson was influenced by the group Love and by the guitars of Eddy Hazel. And I keep repeating the name in full because I don't even know if Frank Johnson is a man or a woman. Several of the pronouns in a less than helpful PR piece translate as "she" and "her" (and, in at least one picture on Facebook, the beard being worn by Frank Johnson appears to be fake). But the vocals sound masculine, so let's go with that.
I did translate the lyrics, though. So here's what the song is about. Basically, "Navidad" is about how the year is long and December is dark and cold. But, if you find that you're getting down, Christmas is the reward at the end of it all. And it isn't because of expensive presents...spending money and getting presents is not going to make you happy. Don't look down, look up. That's where you'll find the peace and happiness that will sustain you through the next year. What the video of two people in reindeer suits running towards each other has to do with that, I have no idea. But I love the song, whoever Frank Johnson turns out to be. You can find "Navidad" at Amazon or Bandcamp or CD Baby or wherever you get your downloads.
I did translate the lyrics, though. So here's what the song is about. Basically, "Navidad" is about how the year is long and December is dark and cold. But, if you find that you're getting down, Christmas is the reward at the end of it all. And it isn't because of expensive presents...spending money and getting presents is not going to make you happy. Don't look down, look up. That's where you'll find the peace and happiness that will sustain you through the next year. What the video of two people in reindeer suits running towards each other has to do with that, I have no idea. But I love the song, whoever Frank Johnson turns out to be. You can find "Navidad" at Amazon or Bandcamp or CD Baby or wherever you get your downloads.
One of the people on my personal holiday disc-swapping list has confessed to me, in the past, that he is fascinated by sea shanties and will seek, high and low, for any song that connects the sea shanty with Christmas. As he lives in Canada, and as the group Celtic Rant is also from Canada, he likely spotted this one before I did and already added it to his collection. But, just in case... and, of course, for the rest of us...
As noted, Celtic Rant is from Nova Scotia in Canada. And, as the band name would suggest, they play a folksy blend of Irish and Scottish tunes, sea shanties, and original tunes, and have done since 2006. This year, Celtic Rant recorded a Christmas album, "Ornaments". "Ornaments" has been nominated for Best Traditional/Roots Recording of the Year by Music Nova Scotia (the winners to be announced in a couple of weeks). As yet, I haven't been able to find a purchase link for "Ornaments". It's possible it hasn't been officially released yet (maybe the CDs are still pressing or whatever), but you can stream it on Soundcloud.
"Christmas Day Back Home" is the latest of three holiday singles from "Ornaments", joining "Christmas In The Trenches" and "Auld Lang Syne". Rob Wigle, the vocalist for Celtic Rant, was curious about a tradition he'd read about where sailors reportedly would collect their Christmas gifts, port to port, throughout the year. He looked for a sea shanty that told the tale but, finding none, he wrote his own. You can get your copy of Celtic Rant's "Christmas Day Back Home" from CD Baby.
As noted, Celtic Rant is from Nova Scotia in Canada. And, as the band name would suggest, they play a folksy blend of Irish and Scottish tunes, sea shanties, and original tunes, and have done since 2006. This year, Celtic Rant recorded a Christmas album, "Ornaments". "Ornaments" has been nominated for Best Traditional/Roots Recording of the Year by Music Nova Scotia (the winners to be announced in a couple of weeks). As yet, I haven't been able to find a purchase link for "Ornaments". It's possible it hasn't been officially released yet (maybe the CDs are still pressing or whatever), but you can stream it on Soundcloud.
"Christmas Day Back Home" is the latest of three holiday singles from "Ornaments", joining "Christmas In The Trenches" and "Auld Lang Syne". Rob Wigle, the vocalist for Celtic Rant, was curious about a tradition he'd read about where sailors reportedly would collect their Christmas gifts, port to port, throughout the year. He looked for a sea shanty that told the tale but, finding none, he wrote his own. You can get your copy of Celtic Rant's "Christmas Day Back Home" from CD Baby.
How many times have you heard someone say, "They just don't make 'em like that anymore." Well, truth be told, some do. You just have to know where to look.
"I'm Gettin' Into The Swing of Christmas" may sound like a song from the classic crooner age of Frank and Bing and Mel Torme, but it's brand new (just releasing today, in fact) written and sung by Todd Murray. Say all you want about the modern artists who try to recreate the old magic, Todd Murray is the real deal and the authenticity shows. First of all, there's that amazing voice; you really can't do crooner right without a voice like that. And Todd's done the work, singing a wide variety of music in a wide variety of settings since he was a child--Gospel, Pop, Country, Jazz, Folk, and Cabaret in churches, at fairs, at VA hospitals, in concerts, on cruise lines, and in musical theater. Even before he was in college, he was doing 300 shows a year. And of course you need a full, live orchestra to back you up. Let's face it, Todd's an expert baker with the perfect recipe for a show-stopping Christmas cookie. "I'm Gettin' Into The Swing of Christmas" is complimented by Todd's other new Christmas song, "Let's Hear It For Santa Claus". The latter enchanted me as it comes from the child mind we're always trying to recapture as we grow older. And "Let's Hear It For Santa Claus" sounds to me like a tune that will invite covers in other genres down the line as it so readily appeals to children of all ages. Todd has three full albums under his belt, worth checking out if you're into the old standards. It only seems a shame he waited so long to try his hand at Christmas music. You'll find "I'm Gettin' Into The Swing of Christmas" at Amazon and iTunes and the other usual digital platforms, "Let's Hear It For Santa Claus" here and here and likewise. You'll also find both songs and his albums at Todd Murray's web site.
They love Christmas and Christmas music in the Philippines. Every year, when I go searching for new and forthcoming Christmas music, I always come across a bunch from the Philippines. I don't often go chasing those down, but sometimes I do. I loved discovering The Bloomfields, for example, whose regular sound is more Beatles-like but whose Christmas album is pure Beach Boys.
TJ Monterde is relatively new on the Filipino music scene, but he's dominated their charts in the last few years. TJ left his job as a radio announcer back around the turn of the decade looking for a label to sign him, but, after knocking on a lot of doors, found no takers. So he began uploading his music to YouTube in 2011 and generated the kind of following we associate with Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes. He currently has over a million and a half followers on social media and over 56,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. Needless to say, a record label did eventually sign him and, at one point in 2017, he had four songs in the Philippine Top 20.
A balladeer with a soulful voice, TJ Monterde's Christmas single is "Litrato Ngayong Pasko" ("This Christmas Photograph"). I don't have lyrics to plug into google translate, but I believe it's a song about missing someone who is far away. Maybe it's because I've always loved the holiday songs from faraway lands, but it sounds like Christmas to me and I wouldn't hesitate to include it in my Yuletide playlist, not even a little bit. If you're game for the foreign language stuff, you'll find "Litrato Ngayong Pasko" at Amazon.
TJ Monterde is relatively new on the Filipino music scene, but he's dominated their charts in the last few years. TJ left his job as a radio announcer back around the turn of the decade looking for a label to sign him, but, after knocking on a lot of doors, found no takers. So he began uploading his music to YouTube in 2011 and generated the kind of following we associate with Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes. He currently has over a million and a half followers on social media and over 56,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel. Needless to say, a record label did eventually sign him and, at one point in 2017, he had four songs in the Philippine Top 20.
A balladeer with a soulful voice, TJ Monterde's Christmas single is "Litrato Ngayong Pasko" ("This Christmas Photograph"). I don't have lyrics to plug into google translate, but I believe it's a song about missing someone who is far away. Maybe it's because I've always loved the holiday songs from faraway lands, but it sounds like Christmas to me and I wouldn't hesitate to include it in my Yuletide playlist, not even a little bit. If you're game for the foreign language stuff, you'll find "Litrato Ngayong Pasko" at Amazon.
There's something undeniably fun about Cajun Christmas music...whether it comes from the Blues side of the gumbo or the Country side. "Louisiana Christmas" from Trevor Bohannon is one of the latter. I can still remember the first time I saw Doug Kershaw on the TV and, while this isn't Doug, neither did Doug give us a true Doug Kershaw Christmas song either (the best we got was a non-fiddling "Dominic The Donkey" from late in his career).
Trevor Bohannon is a Louisiana Country artist who, already a musician, started writing songs in 1997. He was hoping to have others sing his songs (and still hopes for that, I'm sure). But, at some point, it became one of those, "If you want something done, best do it yourself" kinda situations. Aside from the festive feel and fiddle, I thought the description of Santa doing his work as "in and out like a hurricane" was both original and evocative (neither he nor I intending any disrespect to victims of Florence and Michael). "Louisiana Christmas" by Trevor Bohannon is available at Amazon and CD Baby.
Trevor Bohannon is a Louisiana Country artist who, already a musician, started writing songs in 1997. He was hoping to have others sing his songs (and still hopes for that, I'm sure). But, at some point, it became one of those, "If you want something done, best do it yourself" kinda situations. Aside from the festive feel and fiddle, I thought the description of Santa doing his work as "in and out like a hurricane" was both original and evocative (neither he nor I intending any disrespect to victims of Florence and Michael). "Louisiana Christmas" by Trevor Bohannon is available at Amazon and CD Baby.
Born Roland Yearwood, RemBunction is no music newcomer. He was winning talent contests in Trinidad and Tobago at the age of 11. In high school, he toured the world as part of Trinity College's Steel Drum ensemble. As an adult, Roland has found success as an actor, director, playwright, videographer, cartoonist, animator, singer and songwriter.
Among RemBunction's musical work, he seems to have a particular affinity for Christmas songs, including the ever popular "Mr. Santa Claus (Socks And Drawz)". That and many other classics appear on his 2013 album , "A Merry Remy Christmas".
RemBunction's 2018 Christmas single is a Groovy Soca original, "The Christmas Spirit", something Remy brings every year. Pick it up from Amazon.
Among RemBunction's musical work, he seems to have a particular affinity for Christmas songs, including the ever popular "Mr. Santa Claus (Socks And Drawz)". That and many other classics appear on his 2013 album , "A Merry Remy Christmas".
RemBunction's 2018 Christmas single is a Groovy Soca original, "The Christmas Spirit", something Remy brings every year. Pick it up from Amazon.
I suppose you've been looking for this one..."We All Need Christmas" by Def Leppard. It's fine, nice even. Gonna sound great on the radio. I just don't have anything to say about it, really. I'm sure others do. Plus, I'm really, really tired right now. That's the problem with these singles posts. By the time I get through 5 or 6 singles, these days, I run out of gas. Bad luck that Def Leppard was number 7. Written by Rick Savage. You can grab it at Amazon.
We get a ton of goofy records every Christmas and, you know me, I'm not a big fan of the goof. But there are a few reasons why I'm including "Fly Possum Fly" on our singles rundown. For one thing, there's a Bluegrass version (though the Country version appears to be more popular). But another is that, no matter what Christmas search terms you might employ, you likely would never find it on your own. Nothing about "Fly Possum Fly" is going to trigger a result if you're searching for "Christmas" or "Holiday" or anything else (anything but "possum" anyway).
The tale isn't all that different from a hundred other novelty records. Rudolph gets a cold or the flu (get your shots, everybody) and can't complete his holiday duties. The song doesn't really explain why the other 8 reindeer can't manage without him, but whatever. Being as Santa is in Appalachia when Rudolph collapses, the good mountain folk tell the fat man that the local possum passel can git-r-done. I do think they could have come up with better names for the possums than Jack, Jill and Joey, but, again, whatever.
The other interesting thing about "Fly Possum Fly" is the female vocalist. Grant Maloy Smith gets top billing as he appears to be the writer of the song (it's also a children's book, yo), but the star is clearly EmiSunshine. This is the first time I've encountered EmiSunshine, but she's quite the sensation in the Country music world. A bit of an Old School (Mountain Music) Country artist, Emi released her first full-length album in 2014...at the age of 9. Do I have to talk about my macaroni art again? She has four full albums to her name, now, at the advanced age of 14. Yeesh. "Fly Possum Fly" is a goofy Christmas novelty record. But listen to some of EmiSunshine's other records and you'll be mighty impressed (and not just because she's as young as she is). And she doesn't just sing, she writes songs and plays the uke and the guitar. Of course, we're about the Christmas stuff here. You can get "Fly Possum Fly" at Amazon.
The tale isn't all that different from a hundred other novelty records. Rudolph gets a cold or the flu (get your shots, everybody) and can't complete his holiday duties. The song doesn't really explain why the other 8 reindeer can't manage without him, but whatever. Being as Santa is in Appalachia when Rudolph collapses, the good mountain folk tell the fat man that the local possum passel can git-r-done. I do think they could have come up with better names for the possums than Jack, Jill and Joey, but, again, whatever.
The other interesting thing about "Fly Possum Fly" is the female vocalist. Grant Maloy Smith gets top billing as he appears to be the writer of the song (it's also a children's book, yo), but the star is clearly EmiSunshine. This is the first time I've encountered EmiSunshine, but she's quite the sensation in the Country music world. A bit of an Old School (Mountain Music) Country artist, Emi released her first full-length album in 2014...at the age of 9. Do I have to talk about my macaroni art again? She has four full albums to her name, now, at the advanced age of 14. Yeesh. "Fly Possum Fly" is a goofy Christmas novelty record. But listen to some of EmiSunshine's other records and you'll be mighty impressed (and not just because she's as young as she is). And she doesn't just sing, she writes songs and plays the uke and the guitar. Of course, we're about the Christmas stuff here. You can get "Fly Possum Fly" at Amazon.
Maybe it's much too early in the game, but we have a New Year's single already. "Happy New Year" is the lead single from O.S.L.U.'s forthcoming sophomore effort "Chasing The Kings" (tentatively expected in January). O.S.L.U. is shorthand for Our Secret Little Underground, a project led by Andy Lewis from the North West of England. The group and it's label, Best Side Records, offer the mission statement that they exist to keep the Blues alive...even if that be through modern interpretation. O.S.L.U.'s debut effort, "Stone Broke: Five New Sessions For Robert Johnson", certainly fit the bill. And the other songs previewed from "Chasing The Kings" (including a really cool Blues cover of Paul McCartney's "That Would Be Something") do as well. But the original "Happy New Year" seems a bit of an anomaly. They describe it as an "offshoot" of the Blues and, to my ears at least, it sounds like a 50s Rock record hop tune. "Albert", the virtual flip, by the way, is a nice instrumental piano Boogie Woogie number. We'll leave it you you to decide if "Happy New Year" by O.S.L.U. fits your personal holiday playlist. You can pick it up at Amazon. And, what the heck, even though there's nothing holiday about it, we'll leave you today with "Albert".
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