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MERRY CHRISTMAS, PROVO 2

11/22/2015

So much happening and so little time to write about it all. But we have another time-sensitive item to alert you to.

This is the second year for "Merry Christmas, Provo"--which features Utah musicians, artists and producers banding together to raise money for the local Sub For Santa program to bring Christmas to less fortunate boys and girls. 100% of the proceeds from the CD will go to the program. And, this year, their goals include pairing children with literacy specialists to make sure disadvantaged kids have both the skills and the books to learn and grow. That's not the only goal of the program, of course (and nor is the Christmas CD their only fundraising effort), but it does show that their idea is growing in scope and effect and that the people involved are thinking and growing, too.

"Merry Christmas, Provo" was an idea that started small and grew into not just a Christmas CD, but a series of concerts and videos as well. As most of us aren't anywhere near Utah, buying the CD can be our contribution and, hey, it just happens to be pretty awesome Christmas music at a very affordable price, so its solidly a win-win-win all around.

The "time sensitive" issue, here, is that, until December 1, your purchase of "Merry Christmas, Provo, Volume 2" comes with a complimentary download of last year's Christmas CD. So, for just $10 (plus $2.50 for shipping), you'll get the music from both the Provo Christmas collections. They may even still have a few physical copies of last year's CD and, while they last, your order of this year's CD (before Devember 1) could come with last year's CD and maybe even a t-shirt (but I'm not promising anything on that front--just know you'll get the 2014 download for sure). The CDs themselves should be shipping around December 1, if not before, but the downloads of both volumes will be instantaneous (for all of us "instant gratification" types).

My attention, last year, was initially drawn by Mindy Gledhill's participation. Mindy is one of those artists I only discovered because she put out a Christmas album (and my affection for "Winter Moon" has not waned in the slightest). I don't buy a lot of music that isn't Christmas, anymore, but Mindy has been a happy exception. On last year's Provo CD, she contributed a newly cut (stripped down) version of "Winter Moon". This year, Mindy's working on a new project--Hive Riot--which is more Electro Pop than her solo work (which has largely been Indie Folk Pop). Hive Riot's take on "Up On The Housetop" is one of the many highlights on this year's Provo CD (adding a nice twist to the lyrics, I might add).

All told, "Merry Christmas, Provo, Volume 2" is a much more varied and satisfying album than it's predecessor (Volume One was good, but Volume 2 is great). Every song on this one shines bright, every turn will bring a smile to your face. The Lower Lights open with an Americana "Once In Royal David's City" (and, if you're a regular, here, you'll recognize that one from 2013's "Sing Noel"). Late Night Alumni sparkle on the dreamy original "Silent Lights". Coral Bones add new dimensions and a snappier tempo to "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day". "Shepherd's Song" from Brian Kershisnik & Steve Vistaunet is a warming Folk song. Lovestrange take an Indie Rock/Post Punk approach to "The Wassail Song" (listening to them do it, I'm wondering if that wasn't the first Punk Rock song ever, back in 1790). Mimi Knowles contributes a soulful and spacey rendition of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem". There's even some family friendly Hip-Hop from Rhyme Time Television (go download his song, yo); you'll dig it, I promise.

Again, order "Merry Christmas, Provo, Volume 2" by December 1 to ensure you'll also get a complimentary download of Volume 1. I imagine we'll get some new videos as the season rolls out, too, so keep your eyes peeled for that. You can learn more about the project here, here, and here. And here is where you go to place your order.

1. Once In Royal David's City - The Lower Lights
2. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Coral Bones
3. Up On The Housetop - Hive Riot
4. Shepherd's Song - Brian Kershisnik & Steve Vistaunet
5. A Very Rhyme Time Christmastime - Rhyme Time Television
6. The Wassail Song - Lovestrange
7. Silent Lights - Late Night Alumni
8. O Come O Come Emmanuel - Quiet House
9. O Little Town Of Bethlehem - Mimi Knowles
10. In The Bleak Midwinter - New Shack
11. Ring Out Wild Bells - Emily Brown & Alyssa Pyper

MERRY CHRISTMAS PROVO ORDER PAGE

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A COLORFUL CHRISTMAS - FETAL RECORDS (REVIEW)

11/10/2015

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FETAL RECORDS WEBSITE

1. Reindeer Romp ’N Roll -- Chris and Jet Watling
2. Jolly Old Saint Nick -- Scott Taylor
3. Angels We Have Heard on High -- Charlie Sayles
4. O Come Emmanuel -- Scott Taylor
5. A Christmas Blues -- Charlie Sayles
6. Greensleeves -- Tony Fazio
7. Homeless Christmas -- Subsidiarity feat. Scott Taylor
8. Peppermint Milkshake -- William Dagher and Run Little Elephant
9. Christmas Spirit -- Scott Taylor
10. O Star of Mystery -- Richard Schletty
11. Silent Night -- Charlie Sayles
12. Children’s Christmas Gloria -- Matilda Jane Kraemer
13. The Curious Christmas Boy -- Braver Noise
14. It’s Not the Present -- Charlie Sayles
15. Child of Eternal Love -- Richard Schletty
16. I’m Blessed to See Christmas -- Scott Taylor
17. The Christmas Way -- Charlie Sayles
18/19. Duerme, Niño, Duerme/Sleep, Baby, Sleep -- Christopher Schletty and Richard Schletty
20. The First Noel -- Scott Taylor
21. All This Happened on Christmas Day -- Subsidiarity and Tony Fazio
22. Christmas Memories -- Matilda Jane Kraemer

OK. So you may recall that, a while back, we told you about Fetal Records and their upcoming Christmas album. To refresh your memory, Fetal Records is a Baltimore & D.C. area label that began in the 80s putting out music in the then very hot Punk and Ska genres. Among their most popular artists were Law & Order, Bollocks, Braver Noise and Paddywack. It amuses me a bit because I distinctly remember how hot those sounds were at the time...the same time I found myself digging deeper and deeper into the Blues. But I'm getting ahead of myself a bit, here. Fetal Records continued into the 90s but sort of drifted away as new artists and sounds emerged as the new hottest things going. In 2012, some of the members from Law & Order (specifically drummer Beat Digger) and some other area artists and songwriters resurrected the label. But not as a Punk redux/nostalgia label, but a label without musical boundaries. My philosophy has long been, if its good, I don't care what it is; good music is good music. And that seems to be the philosophy adopted by the reincarnated Fetal Records.

At the time I stumbled across Fetal's website, the Christmas album was just coming together. It was sort of a smaller idea that organically grew into a full-scale album. Well, now, it is done. The release date is November 20 and it will be available in CD and digital formats. You can see the cover art for "A Colorful Christmas" above, along with the track list. And I get to tell you all about it (or try to). But I can't be unbiased. "A Colorful Christmas" is all my favorite things--a local label multi-genre Christmas compilation with tons of artists I don't know singing Christmas songs no one else has ever sung, AND there's a lot of Blues music here...including new music from the legendary Charlie Sayles. I mean, I'm in heaven! But heaven's no fun if you're the only one there. I want you to be as excited as I am.

RICHARD SCHLETTY

"A Colorful Christmas" has a little bit of everything--there's Blues, of course, Folk, Post Punk, Indie, Children's Music, R&B, Rock and also some deeply religious Choral music. Now you can throw lots of different kinds of music together and, basically, make a mess...unless you understand that these are all just different paints on the palette. You can paint a beautiful picture if you blend them properly. And, I have to tell you, the folks at Fetal Records knew what they were doing. I'm not, personally, big on the Choral and Classical. Just never got there. But, the way the album is laid out and paced, I was not only able to appreciate their beauty and the depth of their devotion, but I was unable not to. Is that a double negative? Are you following? Oh, yeah, I'm going to get to the Blues, but to get me to listen to and appreciate the beauty of something like Richard Schletty's "O Star of Mystery" or "Child Of Eternal Love"? That takes some kind of magical skills. Because, ordinarily, my brain would just shut that down. But, no. I heard it. I listened to it. I felt it. I loved it. That goes for all of the songs, here, from Mr. Schletty, as well as those from Matilda Jane Kraemer. Not my wheelhouse, but presented perfectly to make even me love them.

JET WATLING

How 'bout children's music? Kid's music has always been something that, you know, I get it...but I don't really get it. I think it goes back to those old Kids records they put out when I was growing up. And I know some people loved those things. But, from a very early age, I thought they were crap. Hell, man, the Beatles had just arrived in America and I'm supposed to be placated listening to a tone-deaf rendition of "Peter Cottontail"? I was having none of it. I used the dang things as frisbees (kids, don't try this at home; I nearly decapitated my brother). Yeah, I was a bit of a brat. But what qualifies as Kids' music on "A Colorful Christmas" is completely and totally AWESOME! One of my favorite tracks--possibly my very favorite--is the opening track, "Reindeer Romp & Roll". The music is very Brave Combo and young Jet Watling is a natural. And the song is going to stick with you. It's one you'll be listening to all year round. I don't see how you won't be. Jet also joins with Run Little Elephant (featuring father Scott, mother Vivian, Tony Fazio and Law & Order's William Dagher) for "Peppermint Milkshake". If Kids records had sounded like this when I was growing up, I'd still be listening to them (and would never have tossed them in the general direction of my brother who, thankfully, kept his head in spite of my tantrums).

TONY FAZIO

Your Folky Post Punk on the program comes from the members of Law & Order, Bollocks, and Braver Noise. In addition to the excellent original credited here to Braver Noise--"The Curious Child"--they're also Subsidiarity, who perform "All This Happened On Christmas Day" with Tony Fazio and "Homeless Christmas" with Scott Taylor. As the driving forces behind Fetal Records, they also contributed in the writing and performing on a number of other songs on the record. "The Curious Child" has a bit of "Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard" to it (only better and with actual substance) while "Homeless Christmas" is a much more positive tune than the title would lead you to believe. "Let it snow again," because I'll be dreaming of a tiny child born in a stable far away, a child who showers his grace upon us like the snow that falls.

And let's talk about Tony Fazio for a second--the guitar wizard who is a common thread through much of the album. Tony was one of the artists behind the resurrection of Fetal Records. He's most well know for his work with Electrified (aka The Electrified Blues Band). And his guitar playing throughout "A Colorful Christmas" is spot on perfect. He has a good feel for what a song needs--sometimes just a touch and sometimes much more. But my guess is that, from start to finish, you're going to be thinking to yourself, "Damn, this guy's good." And he is. Tony gets one song of his own, here, "Greensleeves". And, though it begins simply enough, the man will make it all his own before he's done (and you will wish the track was longer when its done).

SCOTT TAYLOR

Scott Taylor is a revelation. If Tony Fazio does it all with his guitar, Scott Taylor does it all with his voice. From Scott, we get one of the album's best moments--the Blues masterpiece that is "Christmas Spirit". But Scott also gives us some street corner Soul ("Homeless Christmas"), takes us to church ("I'm Blessed To See Christmas"), and even gives us a bit of Bluesy Ska on "O Come Emmanuel". And I have to make special mention of "Jolly Old St. Nick", in which Scott calls to mind the classic R&B of greats like Otis Redding. "Jolly Old St. Nick" isn't one of my favorite traditional tunes (probably those Kids records again), but Scott made me love it.

CHARLIE SAYLES

Saving the best for last.... Charlie Sayles. He's why I came. Charlie doesn't just play the Blues. He lived the life. Coming out of a series of foster homes, Charlie served in Vietnam and, while there, taught himself to play the Blues harp. Returning from the war, trying hard to adjust to civilian life after Vietnam, Charlie took to playing on the street corners for tips. He became a wandering musician, playing street corners all over the country. St. Louis, New York, Boston, Atlanta, Washington D.C. It says something about how talented he is that the tips from playing street corners has largely sustained him through the years. There's some early Chicago style in his music, but there's also Funk and Rock. Charlie is a true original. He somehow coaxes nearly an entire band out of his Blues harp. He's been criminally under recorded. He cut an album in 1976, "Raw Harmonica Blues" (good luck finding a copy but, if you do, buy it). A couple of albums for the British label JSP followed in the 90s. He hooked up with Tony Fazio and Electrified after settling in the D.C. area and, when Tony became one of the people behind the new Fetal Records, it made perfect sense to get Charlie recording again. Look for a feature on Charlie in the Feb/Mar 2016 issue of Living Blues magazine.

For "A Colorful Christmas", Charlie gives us the original "A Christmas Blues", which is a more or less traditional Blues about a man coming to grips with the season after losing his family. And Charlie plays the hell out of that harp. "It's Not The Present" is a non-traditional Blues. I'd almost call it a Post Punk Blues, but most would just call it a Funky Blues. He gives the tune plenty of that Charlie Sayles personality and, once again, the harp playing is gonna get you. "The Christmas Way" is done more as a rural Blues--vaguely Country, even--but infused with some Gospel spirit. Charlie also sings two traditional carols and, on both "Angels We Have Heard On High" and "Silent Night", Charlie forgoes the harp, but his vocals are so heartfelt that you won't even be thinking about that. And "Silent Night" is as beautiful a version as I've ever heard. It's so real, it'll bring tears to your eyes. All of Charlies's tracks are raw and that's a feature, not a bug. I said in my earlier write-up I would kill to have me some Charlie Sayles Christmas songs and, thanks to Fetal Records, I don't have to.

If there's a flaw to "A Colorful Christmas", it's that it's over too damn soon. I wanted more. And that's always a good sign. It's also a good sign that "A Colorful Christmas" makes me want to check out the rest of the Fetal Records catalog. And, while "A Colorful Christmas" has loads of great individual songs, it's a great straight-up listen, from beginning to end. In fact, that's how I'd recommend you listen to it. If you're just picking out tracks, here and there, you're going to miss so much of what makes "A Colorful Christmas" so good. Due out November 20, it looks as though only the digital version is available for pre-sale at the moment (I am assured there will be a CD). But Fetal also did another really cool thing. They're offering genre-specific digital bundles. Only interested in the Blues? Then you can order a bundle featuring the tracks of Charlie Sayles and Scott Taylor. Only interested in some (admittedly awesome) Children's music? They have a bundle for that, too, featuring "Reindeer Romp & Roll", "Peppermint Milkshake", "Children's Christmas Gloria" by Matilda Jane Kraemer, and Charlie's "It's Not The Present". Me, I'd tell you to just get the whole thing. Cuz it's all great music and, if its great, I don't care what it is. Do you?

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FEELIN' BLUES

9/17/2015

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Many of last year's announced vinyl releases were pushed to this year. Vinyl will do that to you. Needless to say, I was trying to keep an eye on "A Blues Christmas"--a collection of the best holiday tracks from the Alligator Christmas compilations, all making their vinyl debut I believe. Things get busy around Christmas and I lost sight of it; it seemed to just vanish from even the virtual world. Well, it finally turned up.

"A Blues Christmas" finally arrives on November 6. If you're a regular around here, I'm sure you own the CDs and know the songs and artists well--the late Koko Taylor, Roomful Of Blues, Shemekia Copeland, Charlie Musselwhite, the Holmes Brothers. It's an All-Star line-up for sure. Would've been nice of them to include an unreleased track or something, but, still... Blues is a live music; you don't really get the full flavor until you're sitting in a dark, hot, noisy, over-crowded Blues club. But, next to live, Blues sounds best on vinyl. Blues on CD...something gets lost. For me, anyway. So, yes, on my extremely abbreviated buying list this year, "A Blues Christmas" must appear.

And a little bit of trivia for you. Both Koko Taylor's "Merry Merry Christmas" and "I'm Your Santa" by Lil Ed & The Blues Imperials were used in the soundtrack for the season one Christmas episode of "Early Edition". If you don't remember that show, it was about a guy who gets tomorrow's newspaper today, and one of the stars was the cat who accompanied the paper everyday. So, yeah, I was a fan.

Side One:
1. Koko Taylor - Merry, Merry Christmas
2. Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials - I'm Your Santa
3. Shemekia Copeland - Stay A Little Longer, Santa
4. The Holmes Brothers - Back Door Santa
5. Katie Webster - Deck The Halls With Boogie Woogie
6. Charlie Musselwhite - Silent Night

Side Two:
1. Little Charlie & The Nightcats - Santa Claus
2. Michael "Iron Man" Burks - Christmas Snow
3. Marcia Ball - Christmas Fais Do Do
4. Roomful Of Blues - Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get The Blues?
5. Tinsley Ellis - Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'
6. Elvin Bishop - The Little Drummer Boy

The Blues Christmas vibes keep a-rollin' along, thanks to a new collection on Cleopatra. Cleopatra's been kind of strange with their Christmas compilations. I mean that in a good way...mostly. They have a tendency to mix old tracks with newly recoded ones and then not really tell you which is which. The recordings here in are described as "new" in the early PR pieces, but I'm pretty sure Freddy King and Lightnin' Hopkins didn't come back from the dead to re-record their Christmas classics. We've all heard Foghat's "Run, Run Rudolph", and "I'll Be Home For Christmas" is the title track from Kenny Neal's Christmas album from a few years back. On the other hand, I don't recall coming across "Back Door Santa" by Popa Chubby before (granted Cleopatra is his label) and I've been dying for a vocal holiday track from Joe Louis Walker (he does turn up on "Silver Bells" on the all instrumental "Blues Xmas"). So, yes, once again, new mixed with old from Cleopatra and you can't tell the players even with a program. But there's no need to over think this. It's Blues. It's Christmas. And, if I squint just right, I can make those deer look like cats. Cleopatra's "Blues Christmas" is expected October 30.

1. Joe Louis Walker - Christmas (Comes But Once A Year)
2. Larry McCray - Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'
3. Steve Cropper - Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby
4. Popa Chubby - Back Door Santa
5. Paul Nelson (Johnny Winter Band) - Christmas Tears
6. Kenny Neal - I'll Be Home For Christmas
7. Eric Gales - Little Drummer Boy
8. Chris Spedding - Blue Christmas
9. Pat Travers - Happy Christmas
10. Leslie West - Silent Night
11. Foghat - Run Run Rudolph
12. Wolf Mail - I Want To Spend Christmas With You
13. James Montgomery Band - Deck The Halls
14. Chris Thomas King - The First Noel
15. Debbie Davies - Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
16. Lightnin' Hopkins - Santa
17. Freddy King - Christmas Tears
18. Charles Johnson - Merry Christmas, Baby

C'mon and take a trip with me to "Johnny Pierre's Holiday Jamboree". Now, for cover art alone, I'd pick it up if I came across it in the bins and crates. I keep telling people the cover art is very important. And here we have a perfect example. I mean, look at it. Don't you want to hoist one of those green things with Santa? His expression is perfect, the background is perfect, it's just...perfect. So you get an A+ on the cover art, dude. Now, of course, what's in the grooves is where the real points are scored.

Johnny Pierre has been making the Long Island Blues Rock scene for some 25 years. He lived for a long while in New Orleans, so he picked all that music up. His gravely vocals can remind you of Tom Waits on the slower stuff and he can bring on Howlin' Wolf on the stuff that cooks. Johnny's opened for some of the greats--Albert King, Paul Butterfield, and NRBQ to name a few. In making a Christmas record, Johnny decided not to simply spit out the same tunes everyone else does.

Every song on "Johnny Pierre's Holiday Jamboree" is an original. The music isn't breaking any new ground, it's just a rockin' good time, pretty much. Excellent for a pub or a party. For whatever reason, I was actually drawn more to the weird stuff, here, than the blues rockers. "Christmas Night" is an under 2 minute diddy in which the vocals don't come in until the second minute. It's weird and kind of beautiful, all at once. I'm still not entirely sure what's going on in "Christmas Eve @ Santa's Workshop". But I like it. And I dug "New Year's Party" because, to me at least, it's got a Doug & The Slugs vibe. And I was a big Doug & The Slugs fan. And, if it is the Blues Rock you came for, you can't go wrong with "It's Christmastime Again".

"johnny Pierre's Holiday Jamboree" is coming your way October 30. Right now, Amazon only has a listing for the digital version, but I know there will be hard copies which you'll probably find on CDBaby and at Johnny's own web site. Cheers, Santa.

1. It's Christmastime Again
2. Christmas Cards
3. I Wanna Be Your Santa Claus
4. Christmas Eve @ Santa's Workshop
5. Hey Santa Claus
6. Santa's Housetop Blues
7. Christmas Night
8. North Pole Hop
9. Have A Happy New Year
10. New Year's Party

Free music player widget at ReverbNation.com

That one minute clip should give you a good idea of what to expect from Rhonda Vincent's "Christmas Time", dropping October 30. Rhonda's a national treasure, in my humble opinion. Because she's just so dang good, she's brought Bluegrass to audiences that had never heard it before, certainly never appreciated it. And that's a good thing. She'll also cross over to Country and Gospel when the mood strikes her.

"Christmas Time" is Rhonda's second Christmas album, her first being "Beautiful Star" in 2006. She penned four all new songs for this one, including "Dreaming of Christmas" and the title track. And she got to put together her dream version of "Twelve Days of Christmas" featuring a different Country star for each line. And a lot of your favorite traditional carols are included in the closing medley, which features Rhonda--for the first time ever--accompanied only by piano. I don't know if its what she's going for, but I could see Rhonda as a torch singer.

1. Dreaming of Christmas
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
3. Twelve Days of Christmas (Featuring The Oak Ridge Boys, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Bill Anderson, Dolly Parton, Ronnie Milsap, Gene Watson, Larry Gatlin, Jeannie Seely, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, and EmiSunshine)
4. Angels We Have Heard On High
5. Milk & Cookies
6. Christmas Time
7. Christmas Time At Home
8. Away In A Manger
9. Jingle Bells
10. Silent Night
11. O Little Town of Bethlehem
12. Christmas Medley

This one's kicked around for years. And I'm sure I must've come across something about it at some point. But, this go around, I'm actually interested. Why am I suddenly interested? Well, people pass on and you start to realize what treasures those people were and what treasure's the still living artists are, as well. Watch the video of Jim Ed Brown, there. Jim died earlier this year, June 11 to be precise. Knowing that, aren't you glad this video exists?

Country's Family Reunion was the idea of Larry Black, a long time disc jockey, and he founded Gabriel Communications in 1996 to bring his concept to life. The idea was simple enough. Get a bunch of classic Country artists together to talk about their music and careers, share stories, and maybe sing a song or two. Film the proceedings and sell the videos. The very first video in the series was "Country's Family Reunion Christmas" in 1998. It came on VHS at the time and was re-issued on DVD in 2005. The company, itself, is going strong with dozens of such videos (non-Christmas) having been issued.

I could say a lot more, but I think the video clip above and the track list below is about all the information you need. The "Country's Family Reunion Christmas" DVD (with a lower price than the last time out) is scheduled to be released September 29. Keep in mind there are stories in addition to the songs. The running time on this sucker is two hours.

Disc One:
1. Bill Anderson - Christmas Time's A-Comin'
2. Johnny Russell - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
3. Brother Oswald - Silent Night (instrumental)
4. Bill Carlisle - Silent Night
5. Jack Greene - Blue Christmas
6. Margo Smith - Sittin' On Santa's Knee
7. Jim Ed Brown - An Old Christmas Card
8. Kitty Wells - Jingle Bells
9. Sheb Wooley - Bingle Jells
10. Jean Shepard - O Come All Ye Faithful
11. Skeeter Davis - C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
12. Mac Wiseman - Away In A Manger

Disc Two:
1. Del Reeves - Little Say Joe
2. Jan Howard - White Christmas
3. Little Jimmy Dickens - There's No Place Like Home On Christmas
4. Grandpa Jones - The Christmas Guest
5. Bill Anderson (with Jan Howard and Carol Lee) - Christmas In Your Heart
6. Dickey Lee - I'll Be Home For Christmas
7. Billy Walker - Winter Wonderland
8. Jeannie Seely - Shake Me, I Rattle
9. Merle Kilgore - Baby Rocked Her Dolly
10. Jimmy C. Newman - Joyeux Noel
11. Jeanne Pruett - Christmas Is For Kids

One of the cool things about this time of year is stumbling across labels I've never heard of putting together Christmas albums featuring their stable of artists. And, every now and then, you strike absolute gold.

Fetal Records started out as a punk and ska label in the 80s, featuring DC area bands like Law & Order and Bollocks. Not too long ago the label was revived and, while you can still find some punk and ska, Fetal is pursuing music of all kinds...and Blues in particular.

On the downside, it's not always easy to keep up on the progress of these projects. Indy labels just don't have the huge PR machines of the majors at their fingertips. But at least you have a fighting shot if you know its out there.

So Fetal doesn't tell us much in the way of release date, format, etc. But they have posted a full list of the tracks they're working on (with genres included). Much of it is original. And, whatever else this album has going for it, its got Christmas music from Charlie Sayles (4 tracks on this working track list!) and, man, I would kill to have some Christmas tracks from Charlie Sayles. Charlie's a legendary singer and Blues harp player (self taught) whose 1976 album "Raw Harmonica Blues" is an under-appreciated classic. He spent years playing on street corners for tips, but built a following by traveling and hitting street corners everywhere. If you've got some free time, check out "Laughin' and Grinning" on SoundCloud.

Fetal Records' Christmas album is expected later this year. And, with all the Blues I see on that track list, I'm all in, brother.

CHARLIE SAYLES

Curious Christmas Boy - Law and Order. Feat. Ken Wenzel. Post Punk/Folk
All This Happened on Christmas Day - Subsidiarity/Tony Fazio. Feat. Greg Phillips and Bella Howard. Folk
Homeless Christmas - Subsidiarity/Tony Fazio. Feat. Scott Taylor. R&B
Children’s Christmas Gloria - Jane Kraemer. Feat Richard Schletty. Choral
Christmas Memories - Jane Kraemer. Feat. Jubilate!. Choral
Sleep Baby Sleep - Richard Schletty. Choral
Child of Eternal Love - Richard Schletty. Choral/Folk/Contemporary
I’m Blessed (To See Christmas One More Time)- Scott Taylor. Blues
Christmas Everyday - Scott Taylor. Blues
The Spirit of Christmas - Scott Taylor. Blues
Jingle Bells - Scott Taylor. Blues (cover)
Old Saint Nick - Scott Taylor. Blues (cover)
Noel - Scott Taylor. Blues (cover)
Silent Night - Charlie Sayles. Traditional (cover)
Christmas Lights - Charlie Sayles. Blues
On Christmas Day - Charlie Sayles. R&B/Rap
It's not the Presents - Charlie Sayles. Blues/Rock
O Come Emanuel - Tony Fazio. Rock/Blues (cover)
Angels on High - Tony Fazio. Rock/Blues (cover)
Little Drummer Boy - Greg Phillips. Rock/R&B (cover)
Peppermint Milkshake - Run Little Elephant. Pop

Arranger, producer and vocalist Sam Robson built his following, early on, via YouTube and, in 2009, he tossed this little holiday nugget up there. Six years later, the UK a cappella artist is releasing a holiday full-length. "Oh Holy Night" is on there, but I would guess he recorded it anew, six years covering a lot of artistic growth and all.

Robson is not an a cappella artist in the way that Pentatonix or Straight No Chaser are. He's more along the lines of Bobby McFerrin--layering his own voice for the effect. And he does it very well. As the Huffington Post put it last year, "Sam Robson proves that you only need one person to make a choir." They went on to call him "chillingly good." If you've heard his version of "The Circle of Life" (from The Lion King), then you're already a fan. You might find Sam's album over in the Classical section--his music even has a certain Ambient character--but one look at the track list for "A cappella Christmas" let's you know this is not entirely a silent night outing. "A cappella Christmas" launches November 6.

1. Once In Royal David City
2. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
3. Away In A Manger
4. I Believe In Father Christmas
5. Medley
6. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
7. We Three Kings
8. Wonderful Christmastime
9. Fairytale of New York
10. In The Bleak Midwinter
11. Walking In The Air
12. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
13. O Holy Night
14. The Christmas Song

You're going to want to have your sunglasses on for the cover art that lies ahead. Go ahead, I'll wait.

We still don't have a track list, but we've got cover art for "Sunshine Christmas" from KC & The Sunshine Band, coming to a virtual store near you October 16.

Good God, I'm blind!

The Kingston Trio return with a 2-CD live performance mixing classic Trio hits with Christmas songs. The original members of the Trio from the fifties and sixties are either retired (Bob Shane's still with us) or have passed. But the current lineup has been together for ten years or more and George Grove has been with them since 1976.

"On A Cold Winter's Night: The Kingston Trio Holiday Concert" is scheduled for release on November 6. The Kingston Trio were very big in my house growing up and I always preferred their live albums. Just sayin'.

The Kingston Trio's "Last Month of the Year" from 1960, has stood the test of time well. And the current lineup thought that it was about time for another in 2013 (yeah, I'd say 53 years is long enough for a follow-up), releasing "Glad Tidings". As you might expect from an actual Trio Christmas live show, the Christmas songs on this new one are intermingled with "MTA", "Tijuana Jail", "Tom Dooley" and the like. And that ain't a bad thing (though I do miss "Scotch & Soda" and "The Merry Minuet").

"On A Cold Winter's Night: The Kingston Trio Holiday Concert" is expected November 3. And, if you're worried about the group not putting forth the classic Kingston Trio sound, you can check the samples on Amazon's mp3 listing.

Disc 1:
1. Darlin' Corey
2. Tijuana Jail
3. Last Month of the Year
4. Go Tell It On The Mountain
5. Early Morning Rain
6. MTA
7. Glorious Kingdom
8. All Through The Night
9. All The Hard Days Are Gone
10. Maria
11. Sommerset Gloucester Wassail

Disc 2:
1. Road To Freedom
2. Go Where I Send Thee
3. Goodnight My Baby
4. Reuben James
5. Bimini
6. White Snows of Winter
7. Reverend Mr. Black
8. Tom Dooley
9. A Round About Christmas
10. Worried Man
11. Where Have All The Flowers Gone
12. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Bonus: We Three Kings
Bonus: O Holy Night

The new Christmas music isn't up for streaming anywhere, but its nearly Halloween and the Kingston Trio posted an old favorite, "Zombie Jamboree" that punches us out on the proper note, I think.

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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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KC & STUBBY'S HOLIDAY SCREW-UP

7/23/2015

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Man, the Christmas music news has been...nearly non-existent. Time was I'd be finding out about coming Christmas albums at a rate of nearly one a day by now. And the new "universal Friday release date" isn't helping, either. When the US had the Tuesday release date, the on-line retailers would update their listings on Tuesdays (with some stragglers from the prior week updated late Sunday). So you'd think they'd be updating their listings on Fridays, now. But, no. Instead, they seem to be updating their listings in a scattershot fashion throughout the week, with most of the updates coming on.......wait for it......Tuesdays. I don't get it.

Since last week, we've only learned of one coming holiday set, and that one from an artist we'd already listed as Possible. I still think it might be jumping the gun to list it as a TBA, but somebody's got to make the donuts

Anyway, we hear, now, that Harry Wayne Casey has his Christmas boogie shoes on and will release his seasonal disc this autumn. Harry Wayne Casey is, of course, KC who, along with his Sunshine Band, ruled the charts and airwaves throughout the seventies. Well, at least in any week the Bee Gees weren't crowding everybody out (and in some weeks where they were). Having already released one new album this year, "Feeling You" (an album of 60s covers that was met with mixed reviews), KC now says the Christmas album will drop this fall and will feature 7 traditional songs and 4 originals. And that's all we know about that.

EYE CANDY

So I figure its finally time to share my holiday screw-up from last year, which I briefly alluded to here. What the heck, nobody much is reading Christmas blogs this time of year anyway, right? (Shhh. I won't say anything if you don't).

T'was right around Christmas time last year...just a couple of days before the Big Day...and I'm out there doing what I do, hunting up holiday freebies, you know. And I found one.

And I start listening--cause you have to be able to tell people whether its good or whether it sucks. And I'm digging it. Right away, I'm digging it. It's a local artist compilation and a couple of tracks are lo-fi, but in the best way. And it's just....peppy and.....fun. I mean, one way to go with a Christmas album is all serious and somber and there's nothing wrong with that. But another way to go is to just have a blast with it. And these folks were having a blast. And so was I. It was kinda like the Sharknado of Christmas albums. And let me just drop a word in the ear of the Sharknado people at SyFy for a second. Sharknado Christmas. Just think about it.

It's a large collection--28 tracks. And I'm listening straight through, not sampling or nothin'. And I do my usual thing of digging a bit deeper and I find that the collection is also available on cassette (they wanted some kind of hard-copy and cassette was, financially and time-wise, the most workable). Limited edition of 150 (at the time, anyway).

If you couldn't tell from this piece, pretty much everything I write here is stream of consciousness (except most of the reviews, which I do try to put serious effort into). So I start typing as I'm listening to the set for the second time straight through. And I'm typing away and really digging this thing. Having a merry ole time. Man, I can't wait to post this one for people, I'm thinking. And the download is FREE! How cool is that?

There's this other thing I do fairly often. If its an unusual buying platform, I'll go ahead and buy it so I can tell you, my readers, if it works and how well. As I'm finishing up my couple of paragraphs on the collection, I go out to buy the cassette version. I'm not a big cassette guy, but I am digging this music, so.... And the second I complete my purchase, the site changes the availability to "sold out". And I'm figuring, well, at least the download is free. But it wasn't. Not anymore. My cassette purchase triggered the "sold out" which, in turn, triggered the download to no longer be free. And I hadn't even done the free download myself, yet. And I was just so embarrassed and full of guilt. Had I just posted the free download, chances are at least a few of you could have grabbed it free before somebody else bought that last cassette. I mean, I know its not exactly a crime against humanity or anything. But still.... It's my fault and I'm sorry.

Adding insult to injury, I didn't tell you about the album at all. And it was, I thought, really good. A real holiday blast.

Several months later, the cassettes have been restocked, apparently. Ten bucks for that. And maybe I'm just crazy or the victim of a holiday sugar rush and you won't like it at all. But that wasn't an issue when it was free. You could have downloaded and not worried about that. But the download is still only $5. And I still love it. And you can try before you buy, 'cause its Bandcamp. I just wish I hadn't bought that cassette until after Christmas. I screwed-up. Lil' bit.

Here's the piece I wrote at the time (a lot shorter than this preamble). Please ignore the line where I say its free (for crap sake). Sacramento rocks, y'all!

1.   The Diamond Center - Christmas Is Here
2.   Soft Science - Marshmallow World
3.   Bummer & Lazarus - A World Without Christmas
4.   Josh Goodman - Christmas In The Valley
5.   Bright Ideas - When You Think About Christmas Time
6.   2014 - You Gotta Love Christmas
7.   Dylan Barnes - O Holy Night
8.   Red Hot Fire - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
9.   Knock Knock - White Christmas (Fog Version)
10. Charles Albright - White Christmas Minority
11. Gangee - Festivus (For The Rest Of Us)
12. The Strange Party - N(eg)ativity
13. Andy Tate - All I Want
14. Dylan Barnes - White Christmas
15. Danny Offer - The Christmas Party
16. Kittens Having Kittens - It's Warmer When You're Near
17. The Crow Canyon Boys - You Left Me On Christmas
18. The Enlows - Winterman
19. Matt Crap (from The MOANS) - Scary Christmas To All (And To All A Ghoul Night)
20. White Women Love Jazz - Yule Shoot Your Eye Out
21. The Ninja Family Orchestra - Jingle Bells DOMESTIC HONEY BLOG
22. Dylan Barnes - Carol Of The Bells PURCHASE DOWNLOAD FROM BANDCAMP
23. The Croissants - Corn Cob Pipe PURCHASE CASSETTE FROM PLEASANT SCREAMS
24. Tell el-Armana - First To Arrive
25. Han's Father - Christmas On Tatooine
26. The Caganers - (Poo Poo) Caga Tio
27. The Four Eyes - The Christmas Mash
28. Dylan Barnes - Silent Night

I have to say this is one of the most fun collections of Christmas music I've heard this year. Domestic Honey is, according to his profile, "just a dude in Sacramento that tricks his friends into recording stuff he can put out." It was as recently as September that this "dude" (Cody Scott) decided to go for it--get a bunch of local Sacramento musicians and bands to write and record Christmas music. So they definitely made good time. The music covers the Indie waterfront, with most of it tending toward Rock and Pop (but there's lots of variety). With so little time to pull it together, there's a raw sound to the compilation, with a few tracks in the Lo Fi range. And every song has its charm. This reminds me of a lot of early Indie Pop and Indie Rock. The spirit's there. I can't even tell you the highlights. It's easier to tell you the tracks I don't like......there were none. On a collection of 28 tracks, do you know how hard that is to pull off? It's a million to one shot. The songs are mostly short (some clocking in at under a minute) and Dylan Barnes' organ interludes are a special added delight.

Zombie lovers, there's a track for you from Matt Crap of the Moans. Star Wars fans, you're covered. And there's Lo Fi Alt Bluegrass from The Crow Canyon Boys. Or maybe its Punk Bluegrass. Who even knew there was such a thing? Electronica? Yeah, we got that from White Women Love Jazz (and, ok, that was my least favorite). Bummer and Lazarus rework a Peter & Gordon classic into "A World Without Christmas". The Four Eyes give a spritely Alt Rock version of "The Monster Mash". And the "Silent Night" closing is priceless ("Dylan, keep going damn it, I'm not done"). "A Christmas Comp For You" has got something for just about everybody. Now, true enough, I like more things than I don't. But I think even the biggest Grinch is going to find at least 6 or 7 tracks, here, that they absolutely love. And, if you can't find just one--just ONE--song, here, to use on your mixtapes, I dunno; I'd have to guess you're too conventional for my taste. It's free, for crap sake. Just download it and try it on for size. You'll find "A Christmas Comp For You" on Bandcamp.

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GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS? GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS!

10/15/2014

1 Comment

It's SINGLES DAY!!!!

I don't know how many singles posts we'll have this year, for a whole bunch of reasons. But I was waiting for at least one super exciting single to put the first one together. And, thanks to our friends at Christmas Underground, we've got one. And, thanks to my own relentless digging, we've got another.

First up, the one I was hipped to by my pals at Christmas Underground.

I have not seen a lot of holiday wax advertised, as yet, for this year's Black Friday Record Store Day (all the lists I've seen, so far, are last year's; the complete list for this year is expected next week). But we are getting a tasty slice of Vinyl Single Heaven from Ben Kweller, the Indie Folk Rock artist, formerly of Radish. The singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is promising lots of fuzz and distorted guitar on "It Ain't Christmas Yet", Kweller's first ever Christmas single. "It Ain't Christmas Yet" is a Kweller original, the message of which is, basically, waiting sucks.

The 45rpm record comes in 43 gram red translucent vinyl and is limited to 1000. 200 of the thousand will come in green and pink splatter vinyl and those are completely random in distribution throughout the thousand. The sleeve is 300gms card stock with green metallic foil stamping. The records will be at all the cool local record shops November 28. Ben did hold aside 200 of the singles for folks overseas and those who may not live near a record store cool enough to have gotten the 45s and those are being pre-sold through his web site.

Because the purpose of this single and others like it is to introduce you to real vinyl at your real brick and mortar local record stores, there is no download card with the 45 and it will not be released to iTunes or Spotify. Just sayin'.

BTW, the flip is promised to be a raucous cover of "Here Comes Santa Claus" featuring fellow former Radish John David Kent on the drums.

And what did my own personal digging uncover? A new Christmas single from Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings! Some of the finest--if not THE finest--R&B being produced today is coming from the Daptone record label and that shines through even brighter on their Christmas releases. "Stone Soul Christmas" from Binky Griptite, Charles Bradley's "Every Day Is Christmas", last year's Sha La Das single, and Sharon Jones' own "Ain't No Chimneys In The Projects". I'd say they don't make records like that anymore, but Daptone does.

Sharon's new holiday entry is "Just Another Christmas Song" and it's slated for release on November 18 and should be available in both vinyl and digital formats. The B-side is last year's Google Play exclusive free download, "Big Bulbs". "Big Bulbs" was kind of fun, but wasn't Daptones' best--but as a B-side on vinyl, it'll be nice to have.

This one intrigues the crap out of me.

Dirt Box Disco is a British band. I'm not entirely sure what their schtick is (and I don't at all mean that in a negative way), but their sound is real Old School Hardcore Punk. I love 'em already. They remind me a bit of the Dead Kennedys (not saying they're on a level with the Dead Kennedys, who I consider one of the greatest bands ever). I'm told their live shows are beyond awesome and their music is not only Hardcore, but anthemic.

Dirt Box Disco's Christmas single is "I Don't Want Anything For Christmas" and one reviewer says it's "as catchy as chlamydia at an office party". Its scheduled for a November 17th release and, if you want the CD single, you'll apparently have to order from the band. But the digital version will be at all the usual online spots, including CD Baby. I, for one, will most definitely be looking for it.

"But, Stubby," I hear you say. "I don't want to wait to open all my presents. What about something I can buy and listen to right now?"

If you're a long time Christmas music collector, you probably have a copy of Atomic Magazine's 2000 Neo-Swing CD "Sleigh Me". (If not, read up on it over at the Yuleblog and then go get it.) Proud to say I bought mine the year it came out. Well, we've got a pair of singles for fans of the Neo-Swing movement--both from artists who appeared on that very same compilation.

Ray Gelato, known in England as "The Godfather of Swing", contributed a cover of "Winter Wonderland" to the Atomic set. But his new Christmas single is an original, "Is Santa Claus Real?" It's got a real nice Louis Prima vibe to it. And the sax is killer. I could have lived without the kids singing in the chorus, but what are you gonna do? Overall, I dug it a lot. And you can never have too much Neo-Swing Christmas music.

"Is Santa Claus Real?" is a charity single, too, with proceeds going to the Red Cross Typhoon Haiyan appeal, helping out the people of the Philippines. CD copies (highly limited) are only available from Ray and are pretty much reserved for UK orders. But, if you're not in the UK, you can email to see if he has any copies available and what he might charge you for them. The download of "Is Santa Claus Real?", thankfully, is available wherever fine Christmas downloads are sold, including Amazon MP3.

George Gee, keeping Big Band Swing alive since the late 70s, believe it or not, did up a killer version of "Run Rudolph Run" on "Sleigh Me". This year, the cat's gone all smooth and silky with "Baby It's Cold Outside" featuring the vocals of John Dokes and Hilary Gardner. You can find that one at Amazon MP3 and CD Baby. Or, if you'd prefer hard copy, "Baby It's Cold Outside" is slated to be a bonus track on the upcoming CD "Swing Makes You Happy".

Ah, finally some audio. Now for something....completely different.

Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers are, ostensibly, a Kids music group. Well, they're kind of a Kids music group the way Bugs Bunny was a kids cartoon. Which is to say there's a level at which kids will delight at the music they make and a level adults will delight at which is probably going to go right over the kids' heads. Hmm. Let's try this again. The music is fun and bouncy and catchy and the words are actually about things. At the same time, the music is eclectic, surreal, and psychedelic and the words are actually about things and very very trippy (and probably subversive).

"Snow!" is the group's holiday single and just gives you a small taste of the delights waiting to be had on such albums as "The Greatest Show On Toast" and "Dinosaurs Ate My Caravan". Depending on your needs or desires, the single version of "Snow!" is about half as long as the full-length version, which you can pick up a la carte. No doubt, "Snow!" will sparkle up many a mixtape and, by New Year's, we'll all be "friends of the Badgers", hopelessly addicted to their music. And cheese. You'll find "Snow!" laying roundabout all winter long. Certainly at Amazon and CD Baby.

Let's see. Let me dig into Cliff's Notes, here. We already told you about the singles from Magnum, Rakasta Joulua, and Marilyn Scott. "Hey Santa" from Daniel Mark Baird, which we also told you about, is also available now. I'm sure you already know about LeAnn Rimes' single, "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" (the less said about that one, the better).

There's a Christmas Rap single [Explicit Language] that kind of tickles me, though conservatives will hate it and I doubt it's truly mixtape material [Explicit Language]. But it tickles me, so I'll give it a mention. It's "The War On The War On Christmas" from Macarone. There's a bit of preaching about hypocrisy and I love how they mock Fox News. Check it out or don't. But don't be hatin'.

Folks who dig the parodies and Christmas re-workings of hit tunes may like "Merry, Merry Christmas" by Chris Commander--a holiday reworking of "We Will Rock You". I didn't. Like it, that is.

People who like the straight novelty records may enjoy "Mom's Pickle Aluminum Christmas Tree" from Joseph M. Strauss. Not my bag, personally, but don't let me stop you.

My guess is Johnny Searfoss knows that I can't resist a title like "All I Want For Christmas Is A Kitten". That's out there.

The great actor Idris Elba says he recorded a Christmas single with comedian Noel Fielding and musician Serge Pizzorna that should be coming out this year. According to Elba, the pair called him in 2012, asking if he'd like to lay down a Rap break in a Christmas song. Idris was up for it. He described the track as a "funky seventies sort of slow disco groove". Idris said he caught up with the pair not long ago and asked what was going on with the Christmas song which seemed to jar their memories. Fielding & Pizzorna assured Elba the song would come out this year. And Idris says, "I'm telling you, man, this song is a hit." Only he's got that cool British accent, so it sounds better when he says it.

There's a lot of time delayed Christmas music, this year. Anthony Hamilton started working on his Christmas record in 2012. B.J. Thomas was promising new Christmas music back in 2011. Well, lo and behold, here comes B.J.'s promised Christmas record. "O Holy Night" is a six song EP--traditional Christmas songs all newly recorded--and it will reach the store shelves November 18. Maybe there's still hope for Pat Benatar and Meatloaf afterall. Eventually. The promo material says B.J.'s CD is "Limited Edition", but it doesn't say what that means. And, presumably, the actual cover will be in color. But, anyway, here are the tracks.

The First Noel
O Holy Night
Silent Night
What Child Is This
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Go Tell It In The Mountain

I don't think any single this year will claim to be more time "delayed" than Scottland's "Credit Card Christmas". According to the write-up, this song was a big local radio hit in New Jersey in 1988 (and #1 in Guam). There's usually at least one Christmas single every year claiming to be decades old and I never know whether the stories are true or not. As it happens, I was living in New Jersey in 1988 and I don't remember hearing it on the radio. But, in fairness, I was on the other side of the state. And the Princeton and Jersey Shore music scenes didn't overlap a whole lot. (And how would you check what was #1 in Guam in any given week in 1988 anyway?) The story is certainly plausible in that "Credit Card Christmas" sounds like something you would have heard on the radio in New Jersey in 1988. Scottland, by the way, is Scott Evans and it says he produced a number of Jersey bands, including The Shades. Them I remember. You can grab "Credit Card Christmas" from Amazon or CD Baby.

The annual Pearl Jam Ten Club Christmas single has been released (the digital version anyway). Of course, they don't call 'em Christmas singles anymore since they rarely have anything to do with Christmas and they frequently arrive well after the holidays. It's not a Christmas song. Again. But this one might be considered "Christmas adjacent". Certainly, if "What A Wonderful World" and even "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" are elbowing their way into the holiday canon, John Lennon's "Imagine" is a far sight more appropriate for the season, don't you think?

Eddie Vedder performed "Imagine" earlier this year in Portugal on what would have been the slain Beatle's 74th birthday. And it was wonderful, a truly touching tribute. The analog (vinyl) singles aren't ready to go out just yet--and we've heard nothing official about the B-side--but Vedder's "Imagine" is available to purchase by everybody (everybody who isn't me, at least) via iTunes (curse you, iTunes!). And its all over YouTube, if you want to hear it first. Proceeds benefit Heartbeat.fm.

I try to go through everybody's listings, just so I don't miss something. I don't do iTunes anymore because, for some crazy reason, it's no longer compatible with my Apple computer (Steve Jobs is spinning in his grave). But, believe me, I wade through a lot of drek so you don't have to. I found exactly ONE really cool single on CD Baby that is not also available on Amazon. I'm going to consider this one my repayment to the folks at Christmas Underground for the Ben Kweller tip because, while I could be completely off the mark, it sounds to me like the sort of thing they'd dig over there. Anyway, I dig it and maybe you will, too.

Powerkompany are a Cinematic Dream Pop duo from Athens, Georgia. A lot of good music has come out of Athens. The "recommended" artists on CD Baby lists Kate Bush and Lana Del Ray, which sounds about right to me if, you know, we're talking "Born To Die" Lana. Powerkompany is still growing, experimenting, exploring, but last year's album "I Am More Than This" was a huge critical success for them.

"I'm Sorry About Last Christmas" is simultaneously dark and light. Exactly how I like my Christmas music. And highly accessible. Don't know what the critics will say, but I love it. The B-side, "Holiday", is pretty good in its own right. A little heavy on the electronica for my taste. But it's growing on me. As noted, you can find it at CD Baby, right now. And, yes, there will be hard copy (the band got them in yesterday and they'll be setting up to take orders shortly). Keep your eye on Facebook for developments on that front and, uh, give 'em a "Like", OK?

You know who else is from Athens, Georgia? The B-52s. No, we don't have a new Christmas single from the B-52s. What we do have, and not much time to tell you about, is a new Halloween vinyl single--both sides written by B-52s frontman Fred Schneider. Sure, its a bit of a week segue, but I gotta get there somehow. The single comes from Jack White's Third Man Records and it features Elvira, Mistress of The Dark.

The A-side is "2 Big Pumpkins" (you can see where we're going with this already, can't you?) and the flip is "13 Nights of Halloween". And they're written by Fred, so you know they got that beat. And, yeah, yeah, the double entendres are pretty obvious. But its campy Halloween fun, you know?

The single is pressed on "pugnacious purple" vinyl and the sleeve is printed with heat reactive ink (the picture to the left is what the cover looks like AFTER the ink is activated--though she looks to have more color in the demo) so, as the festivities heat up, so can you. Third Man Records. Don't miss out.

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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS X 2

10/1/2014

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Quick note. My web host has been playing with the control panel again. Eventually, they get the kinks worked out, but there's always some unintended consequences at the start. What that means, in the present case, is that the links don't always take the first time. So, if you find some links that go nowhere, don't panic; I'll be back to fix them later. Now, on with the show.

Been waiting on this one for years, now (and, since his last full album release was in 2011, so has everybody else). But here it comes. Anthony Hamilton's "Home For The Holidays" is coming out October 21. Hamilton not only covers "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto" (popular song choice this year) but--BONUS--Chaka Khan lends her voice to "The Christmas Song". How's that for a Christmas present? Hamilton says, “This album is for the people who really love the holidays and what feelings they bring. For the families that get together and love a good time.... I want my fans to be moved by the music and associate each song with a time where no other feeling mattered but love. This album is for people who love good music.” Gavin DeGraw and ZZ Ward also lend a hand, but, c'mon, Chaka Khan (Chaka Chaka Chaka Chaka Khan)! Here's the full track list and cover art.

01. It’s Christmas
02. Spend Christmas With You
03. Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto
04. Little Drummer Boy (Interlude)
05. Little Drummer Boy
06. Home For The Holidays feat. Gavin DeGraw
07. ‘Tis The Season
08. What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas
09. Coming Home
10. Away In A Manger (Interlude)
11. Away In A Manger feat. ZZ Ward
12. Please Come Home For Christmas
13. The Christmas Song feat. Chaka Khan
14. Spirit Of Love

Hey, we're getting hard copy of the new Heart Christmas release after all. In the form of a "Deluxe" CD/DVD set. Other than that, our earlier speculation was right on. It's a live set from last year's televised Christmas performance in Seattle. "Home For The Holidays" (OK, so we'd heard "Home For Christmas", originally) is set for release November 11. There's also a stand-alone Blu-ray version (no CD with that one). Still waiting on the official track list, but there are plenty of YouTube videos, if you're curious as to some likely inclusions. Cover art we got.

It was two Decembers ago, The Henningsens released their debut single, "American Beautiful". That one shot right up the Country charts like a bottle rocket. They followed that with the "American Beautiful" EP last year and a full album was scheduled but hasn't been released as yet. Nonetheless, The Henningsens are promising a Christmas album this holiday season and they've invited Jerrod Niemann to join in.

Like any "overnight success", The Henningsens have been at this music game for awhile. In a way, you could say they've been at it their whole lives, on and off. The Henningsens are a family trio, featuring father Brian, son Aaron, and daughter Clara. Dad had had Nashville dreams in his younger days, but put those aside to raise his family. Of the ten kids (10!), it was Aaron who got the bug. Aaron was playing local gigs, writing songs and meeting with producers in Nashville. Just about then, in 1996, Brian was involved in an accident and Aaron put his dreams on hold to care for his Dad and help out on the family farm. By 2003, Aaron was out playing again and his father was plenty impressed with the music his son was making. The next turn came in 2007 when Brian, Aaron and Clara wrote a song together and decided to try it out at an open mic night in Nashville. Though they had no thoughts of making a career of it then, it wasn't long before The Henningsens were introduced to another up and coming family band--The Band Perry. Some of The Band Perry's biggest hits have been penned by The Henningsens. Performing their own songs seemed the next logical step in this wild and crazy journey they've been on. And so far it seems to be working out for them.

So now we have a Christmas album to look forward to (assuming Sony allows it). No word on release date or title as yet.

It's a big Christmas for NBC's now cancelled The Sing Off. We already knew about the Christmas album (their second) from Pentatonix, the Season Three winners. Now comes word of a holiday set from fourth season winners, Home Free. Unlike a lot of those music competition shows, the talent on The Sing Off seemed to get better with each passing season and Home Free was probably the most popular of the a cappella groups in the show's history. "Full Of Cheer" is set to hit the racks on October 27, but those who pre-order from the band will reportedly get an instant download of "White Christmas". The group also has a "Deluxe" digital version available through their web site featuring three bonus tracks.

1. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
2. White Christmas
3. O Holy Night
4. Full of Cheer
5. I'll Be Home for Christmas
6. Baby, It's Cold Outside (feat. Kira Isabella)
7. Hairy Christmas
8. Angels We Have Heard on High
9. Do You Hear What I Hear?
10. Silent Night (feat. Taylor Davis)
Bonus Tracks:
11. Away In Manger
12. Rocking Around The Christmas Tree/A Holly Jolly Christmas/Jingle Bell Rock
13. Colder Weather (Live from The Sing-Off Tour)

OK, I know I'm the cat guy, but I'm having a hard time getting into this whole Grumpy Cat thing. Keyboard Cat? Sure. LOL cats? I'm all for 'em. I can haz cheezburger cat? I love it. But Grumpy Cat? I just don't get it. I appear to be in the minority, though, and, this Christmas, Grumpy Cat will have his own Lifetime movie, "Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever". They tell me its got a plot and everything. And a soundtrack. Did I mention the soundtrack? The soundtrack album will debut November 11, while the movie is set for November 29. Aubrey Plaza of "Parks & Recreation" is providing the voice of Grumpy Cat and the soundtrack features music--much of it new and exclusive to this set--from Chris Mann, The Bird & The Bee, KT Tunstall, and The Brian Setzer Orchestra. So far, they aren't telling us who sings what, but here's yer track list.

1. Its Hard To Be A Cat On Christmas
2. Sleigh Ride
3. Jingle Bells
4. Up On The Housetop
5. Deck The Halls
6. Worst Time Of Year
7. Christmastime Again
8. Carol Of The Bells
9. Holiday Bells
10. Christmas Honey
11. All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)
12. White Christmas
13. Grumpcracker Medley
14. A Very Grumpy Christmas

And now for something that's much more my speed. You know I dig the local artist comps. And this one's going to be FREEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Hand Drawn Records is a small label down Texas way (with some facets of the business in Oklahoma). It's a largely DIY label that's focused on artist development. Every so often, as many independent labels do, they release a compilation so that the music loving public can hear the artists on their roster. To facilitate that even further, HDR gives away the downloads of these comps via Soundcloud. Volume 3 is still available for your listening and downloading pleasure, if you feel like checking it out (as are Volume 2 and Volume 1, if you poke around a little bit). For Volume 4 of their compilation series, the label has opted for a Christmas album. You never know what you're going to get from the artists but HDR isn't focusing on original material for this release; they're far more intrigued by what new spin their artists can put on familiar seasonal/holiday classics.

The artists Hand Drawn Records has recruited for "The Holiday Record" range from Roots to Folk to Pop to Rock and they're targeting an early December release. We don't have a track list yet (and, I suspect, neither do they). But here's the artist list and the cover art, if you'd like to investigate a little further. We'll be sure to let you know when the album has been posted so you can run and grab you some free local artist Christmas downloads.

Andrew Tinker
Bad Mountain
Brandon Callies Band
Daniel Markham
Dome Dwellers
Kites & Boomerangs
Missing Sibling
Nick & Paige
The Oregon Trailers
The Screaming Thieves
Skagg Phillips
Whiskey Sour

A final note. We now have confirmation via Jason Manns' Twitter feed that Misha Collins (aka Castiel) will be providing some vocals on the upcoming "Christmas With Friends" CD. We're told he sings like an angel.

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A SUPER CRESCENT CHRISTMAS

11/4/2012

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This is the kind of release I like to feature here. It's the sort of thing many a Christmas music hunter will come across briefly in their internet searches and not give a second thought to. That's why I like them.

Utah's Crescent Super Band, under the direction of Caleb Chapman, is the premier youth jazz band in the country. Perhaps, if Jeff Coffin (sax player for the Dave Matthews Band) is to be believed, "the best in the world". The band has been honored as Utah's best professional band in any genre at least 7 times (including six in a row, from 2007-2012) and won the Downbeat Award as the best in the country in both 2007 and 2010. Comprised entirely of young musicians, High School musicians, the Crescent Super Band has played top venues from Switzerland to Telluride. And now they want to make it to New York. Because, you know, it's been said if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. The band has been extended the honor of a headlining performance date at New York's famed Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. And what young musician doesn't dream of playing Carnegie Hall? (By now, I'm sure they've tired of hearing the old joke about "practice, practice, practice".)

But New York ain't cheap. The band needs to raise at least $3,000 for travel and accommodations. Bake sales ain't gonna get it done. So the Crescent Super Band has recorded a Christmas album, "A Crescent Christmas". The CD releases officially November 9. For each $20 disc sold, $13 will go to help these student musicians make their dream come true. How cool is that? The $3,000 will also cover traveling expenses for another bunch of student musicians who will open for the Crescent Super Band, The Voodoo Orchestra (Jump, Swing and Rockabilly) and La Onda Caribena (Lain and Salsa).

This isn't the first recording from the Crescent Super Band. But their CDs are printed in very limited numbers and generally not found beyond the borders of Utah (you can sample a digital version of their 2011 release, "What It Is", at Amazon). But "A Crescent Christmas" may well be one of their most important.

Don't have a playlist, as yet, though the band promises such standards as "Jingle Bells" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas", as well as Jazz favorites like "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus" and "Cool Yule". The band currently sports 6 featured vocalists and each will get a turn in the spotlight on "A Crescent Christmas". Expect some hot instrumental solos, as well.

Kids, don't miss the Carnegie Deli when you're in town. The food, there, is awesome! You'll find a link in our list of Festive Friends, if you'd like to start drooling early. (Not a paid advertisement, just an unsolicited personal opinion).

Cool Jazz, cool cause? I'm in! To quote Lord Buckley, "you can get wid it if you want to. There's only one way, s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t to the road of love". Pre-order a copy of "A Crescent Christmas" via The Legacy Music Alliance. And check out a 2008 performance of "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" below.

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OUR FINEST GIFTS

9/20/2012

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One of our readers, Brenda, pointed us to this 2-disc charity set the other day. It's from 2010 and, normally, I don't spend much time looking backward, here. One of those things that I picked up working the Progressive radio format--it's all about the new, the new, look forward, look forward. Weird, I know. But once that gets into your bloodstream, it's hard to change up.

But there are less than 4 dozen copies of this remaining for sale, so I figured I should give you a chance to pick it up while you still can. And it's charity, so... Plus it's Local artists and you know that's a passion of mine. Plus, specifically, it's a Boston (and surrounding) collection, and I love the Boston music scene. Plus, there are a couple of Hanukkah tracks on there, and you know I'm a sucker for those. I haven't tracked down any of the actual tracks for listening or evaluating (nor even any of the bands as yet), but I did buy it. So read into that whatever you will.

The charity is Small Can Be Big and they're sort of the micro-brewery of charities. If the United Way were Budweiser, they'd be Samuel Adams. Smaller means less overhead and less distance between you and the person receiving your help. The idea is that, while the larger charities can make a little difference for a lot of people, Small Can Be Big can make a huge difference in the lives of a few very specific people. For example, there's a ten year old boy with cancer. The family is doing the best they can, pinching every penny, but medical bills are pushing them further and further toward the fiscal cliff. They're hoping to raise a little over $1000 to help keep the creditors from the door and food on the table as they continue treatment for their son. Through Small Can Be Big, you can donate directly to that family. And there are other such direct causes. A lot of their fundraising efforts are made possible by the social media available today.

The album is "Our Finest Gifts" and contains, they promise, many different kinds of seasonal music--religious songs, novelty songs, instrumentals, traditional songs, original songs, Christmas songs, New Year's songs, Hanukkah songs, and a couple of spoken word tracks to boot. If you go to this page, there are links to almost all of the artists included (generally their Facebook pages). Maybe you can check out some of the bands before you spring for the album. Or, if you're like me, just buy the thing blind and hope for the best. It's a mere $20 (postage included) and you know the money is going to get to some very deserving individuals. Go here if you're ready to buy.

1. At Christmastime – Kirsten & Dave
2. Down in Yon Forest – Raymond Gonzalez
3. Simple Things – Pat Kenneally
4. Grandpa’s Patatoe Latkes – Nyanna S. Tobin
5. And the Lamp Still Burns – Craig Sonnenfeld
6. When Santa Hit the Bar – Jon Waterman
7. Snowflakes – Barbara Kessler
8. O Little Town of Bethlehem – Steve Rapson
9. Happy Birthday Jesus – Ilene Springer
10. Christmas Morning – Kim Jennings
11. Snowed In With You – Christiana Gerstner
12. On Hanukkah – Jon Waterman
13. Everyday Christmas – Levi Schmidt
14. The Holly and the Ivy – Sandra Haddon
15. Lonely Christmas – Mark Hastings
16. Variations on Greensleeves – Bonnie Barish
17. The Rowan Tree – John Boehmer
18. Silent Night – Junko Ogawa

1. The Meaning of Christmas – Steve & Cheryl
2. Let's Go Sledding – Steve Pavao
3. There's a light on the Hill – Mel Green
4. Deck the Halls – Steve Rapson
5. Love, A Prayer, A Way – Jane Fallon
6. In My Snowglobe World – Dawn Frost
7. Yule Love the Banjo – Dan Cloutier
8. Whispering Hope – Izzy Doveburd
9. Green Christmas – Jon Waterman
10. A Family Christmas – Carolyn Waters
11. A Hardcore Honky Tonk Christmas – Mark Stepakoff
12. The Birthday Party – Dr. Ted
13. Ave Maria – Steve Rapson
14. A Peaceful World – Ruthann Baler
15. Song for the New Year – Ellen Schmidt
16. A Prayer for Peace – Tom Smith
17. Winter Weather – Adam Zampino

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SUFJAN, KITTY & COLT & COLBIE

9/18/2012

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While I was sleeping, Billboard published the cover art for Colbie Caillat's "Christmas In The Sand". So let's have a look, shall we? Very cute. But a one-piece? I can't help but be disappointed.

The Billboard piece also mentions that the album, due October 23, is 15 tracks long (last we'd heard was 14, so...yay)--5 originals (including the 2007 single "Mistletoe") and 10 standards/covers. The other originals include the title track and first single from the album, "Christmas In The Sand", "Everyday Is Christmas", and "Happy Christmas". Billboard also says that Brad Paisley helps out on "Merry Christmas Baby" (pretty sure that's the old Beach Boys track and not the Charles Brown blues) and Gavin DeGraw duets on "Baby It's Cold Outside". Previously, Colbie has mentioned "Silver Bells", "Winter Wonderland", "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Santa Baby" and "Auld Lang Syne". And, if "Mistletoe" is on board, I wouldn't be surprised to see 2009's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" as well. So only a few tracks to go and I suspect we'll have a full track list shortly.

In addition to the "Holidays Rule" collection from Hear Music, featuring Sir Paul McCartney and many more, some other intriguing compilations have recently popped up on the season's schedule.

The most intriguing (after "Holidays Rule" that is) may be "Average Joe's Christmas", a set from the relatively new Outlaw Country label started by Country Rap artist Colt Ford. Colt's most recent album, "Declaration of Independence" went all the way to #1 on the Country charts. To put it plainly, Average Joe's specializes in Country music (and Country Rap) that kicks ass. Undoubtedly the biggest (or most familiar) name on the label's roster is Montgomery Gentry, but the label features many emerging and breakout artists like JB & The Moonshine Band, Matt Stillwell, Bubba Sparxxx, and the Redneck Social Club. Average Joe's also has an affiliated label (AVJ) that specializes in southern rock and urban, R&B, and hip hop music. And, if they really wanted to open this sucker up on the highway, pedal to the metal, I'd love for them to include something from Nappy Roots. That being said, the label has issued annual label samplers around June of each year and I expect this Christmas album will represent a lot like those "Mud Digger" comps. And that is not at all a bad thing. "Average Joe's Christmas" is scheduled for an October 30 release. No details around just yet, but we'll be watching.

The cover art for my very favorite annual charity comp was released Monday. "Christmas In The Mountains, Vol. VI" will officially release in early October. The album is done annually in the High Country of North Carolina to benefit The Hunger & Health Coalition. The coalition's primary goal is ending childhood hunger, but they do so much more and are such an integral part of the community. There have been artists and groups you'd have heard of, like The Kingston Trio and The Kruger Brothers. But most of the contributors are just local residents donating their time and their talents to help out their neighbors. Sadly, childhood hunger is all too common in this country, even more so in a bad economy. Many children this time of year ask Santa to bring food for their families rather than gifts or toys.

From a Christmas music fan's point of view, it's a pretty sweet deal. The "Christmas In The Mountains" albums have featured a wide array of music, including folk, jazz, pop, country, choir and more and between 95 and 99% of the music you'll never hear on any other collection. And you get that good Christmas feeling knowing that your purchase made a real difference. Discs are ten dollars and that's enough to feed a family of four for a week. Of course, you're welcome to donate at any time. Time was it was a little bit of a hassle to get a copy of the CD if you didn't live near Boone, North Carolina. But, last year, you could order direct from the Hunger and Health Coalition web site and there's no reason to believe this year will be any different. We'll have more details for you when the album is released. While we wait, feel free to look over our preview of last year's collection, and our full review of the 2010 edition.

OK, so maybe you've got no use for Kick Ass Country and Country Rap. And maybe a Christmas in the Carolina mountains doesn't do it for you either. So howz about some Pop Punk? Will that do it for you? The folks at xEasycorex have something lined up just for you. xEasycorex started out in 2008 as a place for Pop Punk and Hardcore musicians to hang, chat, and share with each other. It was more a forum than anything else, a chat room with downloads. xEasycorex has been changing and evolving ever since. Some of their changes work, some don't. At the moment, I think of them more as a web-zine featuring plenty of reviews and news and introductions to new bands in the genre.

But what's important, here, is the Christmas music, right? Back in 2010, xEasycorex released "A Holiday Compilation"--16 full tracks of Pop Punk wonderfulness. If you were with us back then, we featured it on our free page (it was released late in December, so we didn't dwell, but, hey, two thumbs up for sure). In fact, you can still download "A Holiday Compilation" for free. And you should.

Well, gluttons for punishment that they are, xEasycorex has decided to do Volume 2 this year. Expect it to be another December release and I'm guessing it'll be another free download. And if you happen to be in a Pop Punk or Hardcore band, they'd love for you to submit your song for inclusion. Some restrictions apply, so get up on all the deets at the xEasycorex Facebook site.

Kitty Pryde

Probably the biggest news in the single artist world is that the inscrutable Sufjan Stevens is reported to be back in the studio working on a new Christmas album. Now, ordinarily, that wouldn't really be much in the way of news. Sufjan loves Christmas music and he's known to do a little sumpn sumpn for family and friends (and the occasional gift at gigs) pretty much every year. And, really, his only general holiday release was the big and budget priced box set "Songs For Christmas" which, in essence, was Sufjan's private holiday records gathered together. But this year's Sufjan talk has an air of something decidedly different. For example, Sufjan mysteriously started a Tumblr account which he, at first, titled "Christmas Is Coming", later changed to "Advent of the Apocalypse". Then teen Alt Rapper Kitty Pryde posted to Facebook that she'd just finished recording her track for Sufjan's Christmas album. Having never heard of Kitty Pryde before, I checked around and I see a lot of folks aren't very impressed with her music, but I actually thought she was 181 different kinds of awesome, and very definitely an original. And, lately, Sufjan has been posting tiny YouTube clips of experimental Christmas snippets--probably his. So anyway, it's sounding like Sufjan might truly be up to something, here. I'm in.

I suppose I really should mention the new 5-song EP from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra due out October 30, "Dreams of Butterflies (On A Christmas Night)".

Nah!

I gotta admit, I don't know what's going on with this cover art. I mean, dude, either green-screen some snow into the picture or lose the trenchcoat. Do you know that the appearance of food affects anywhere from one to two-thirds of a person's overall opinion? Same with Christmas records; never underestimate the value of good cover art. That said, here's the track list for American Idol Season Ten alum Tim Halperin's "Under That Christmas Spell", due in stores November 6.

1. Under That Christmas Spell
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas (featuring Hayley Orrantia)
3. Maybe This Christmas
4. Mary Did You Know?
5. Miracle
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Finally, today, good news. Jonathan Coulton is working on a Christmas album with John Roderick and we should see the results sometime this fall.

Jonathan Coulton has a talent for brilliant pop culture satire in song and was truly one of the first artists to see the potential of the Internets for reaching an audience. He's been a staple of Internet radio and podcasting for at least a decade and almost certainly longer.

Christmas wise, Jonathan has three classics out there. "Christmas Is Interesting" dates back to 2003 and rolls up all the media images of the season into a big ball of absurdity. Just brilliant. The "Podsafe Christmas Song" from 2005 is done in parody/tribute of the Chipmunks with the subject matter being the fees some music publishers require for streaming audio on podcasts. A lot of artists just wanted the exposure and would happily have foregone any fees. I'm not sure how that whole battle eventually shook out, but it did cause the rise of Creative Commons as a publishing alternative for emerging artists. And it gave us "The Podsafe Christmas Song" featuring former MTV VJ Adam Curry as a Chipmunk. Brilliant. Coulton also recorded a Geek Core Christmas song, "Chiron Beta Prime", not my favorite but still pretty darn brilliant. I'm pretty sure all of these are available as free downloads from Jonathan. I don't really have time to go looking right now, but just follow the links in the Jonathan Coulter Wiki (the "JoCopedia").

But, anyway, if Jonathan is doing a full Christmas album (and one Hanukkah song), I definitely want in on that action. Watch the skies for signs, or just check in at JC's web site from time to time. Let's leave with a live performance of "Christmas Is Interesting" in which Jonathan shares the stage with Paul & Storm (also brilliant).