Category: Miscellany

GANGNAM STYLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

11/24/2012

I've been watching and waiting for a good "Gangnam Style" Christmas parody. And, Lord knows, there are already plenty of them out there. But, so far, they all suck. C'mon. Surely someone has the talent to do the job right. Flashcats? Weird Al? Bueller? Bueller? Anybody? Anybody?

Well, while we wait, here's an awesome Christmas light show done to Psy's now immortal track.

By the way... Hands down, the best "Gangnam Style" parody I've seen so far is this one. Not for the faint of heart or those easily offended. But well done and funny, in it's own sick way.

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NEW STUFF FREE STUFF

11/23/2012

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Beginning after Thanksgiving, most of the action here will be on the Free List. I apologize that I haven't done more--and that's not likely to change anytime soon--with the site this year. I get lots of nice notes of encouragement from artists and readers alike. I think they think this is just a passing situation. It's not. It'll probably get worse as time goes on. But I do appreciate the kind words and thoughts and I thank you for them. I'm still a stubborn SOB and I'm not ready to close up shop just yet. While the quantity on the Free List may not match previous years, there's some quality stuff I hope to being to your attention. There are a couple of new ones up there (from Beta Radio and Thicker Than Water), today, that you should go out and get ASAP, and much more to come.

I've got half a review of Jigsaw Seen's latest written. And I certainly hope to do a review of Jillaine's latest--which, by the way, is absolutely incredible and, more than I even could have expected, cements in my mind that this woman is one of the best singers out there today and someone you should definitely be listening to. But reviews take time, which is in short supply.

I'm just saying, in my long-winded way, that, while most of the action so far has been here on the front page, you'll need to include our Free List as at least a weekly check point from here on out through Christmas.

Go, now, and peace be upon you. (Too much? Yeah, I kinda thought so.)

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STILL HERE

11/20/2012

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Yes, I'm still here. Barely. Anyway, new stuff on the Free List. Check it out.

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JENNIE LOWE STEARNS - COUNTY ROAD

10/17/2012

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Every year, 'bout mid August (yeah, I'm that far behind), I check the web site for Jennie Lowe Stearns to see if maybe, possibly, hopefully (oh, pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease) she might be considering recording a seasonal song. I've mentioned before that I'm a very good friend of a very good friend of her's and we all used to jam together (well, I just listened) in my friend's home many, many years ago. Even way back then, Jennie had a marvelous voice and a way with lyrics.

I envision a simple little song, more winter than Christmas, introspective with a unique point of view, recorded informally at home, just Jennie and her guitar. But, no. No Christmas song from Jennie. Not this year. Possibly never ever. Not her style, I guess. *sigh* Jennie, if you ever read this (as I'm sure you never will), please consider doing such a song. An ode to hot chocolate (with marshmallows) or to a chocolate lab in winter snow; doesn't really matter what it's about, it's bound to be special.

A N D...if you ever do such a song, please consider gracing Stubby's with the exclusive free download. ;-D (hey, I gotta try, right?) Seriously, Jennie, the world could use a beautiful song of the season from Jennie Stearns. The world needs such a song. I know I do.

OK, so, why I got into this rant in the first place. While Jennie didn't have any Christmas or winter music or talk of doing something like that at her web site, she did have a link to a wonderful site with many free downloads...two of which are New Year's songs (not from Jennie, sadly, but free New Years songs nonetheless). Head to the Free page for the tunes. Or stick around here for a bit and listen to a non-Christmas song from Jennie's "Sing Desire" album.

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WELCOME UNDERGROUND

10/10/2012

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We've got a new addition to our list of Festive Friends to the right. Christmas Underground is run by one of our favorite readers here at Stubby's and a man with as much knowledge of holiday tuneage as anybody on the Internets. The focus of the Underground is Indie releases that, in many cases, were set loose upon an unsuspecting world without much fanfare and without a large press run, vinyl 7" goodies, and compilations and promotional releases from eclectic Indie labels. In other words, stuff you might have missed. Skip right past the post on Glasvegas--I think we all saw that one coming--and you'll learn about some Christmas music even I've never heard of. Yeah, OK, I got my "Magistery Christmas" alright, but what's this "Kitty Kitten Kristmas" and how'd I miss that one? Head over to Christmas Underground sometime and let Jim walk you through some of the best and worst of what's out there.

I could waste y'alls time, right now, and tell you about the third Glee Christmas album (yeah, they're really doing it...and STILL no Chanukah track) and other such junk, but I'll spare you. Singles post on deck. Promise. Oh, and, hey, a new addition to the Free List, too. Just sayin'.

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THE ROOM AT THE TOPP OF THE STAIRS

10/2/2012

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EDIT/UPDATE: I've added the details on the coming Sufjan Stevens album just below OliviaNewtonJohnTravolta.

The real post title would be "The elephant in the room", but that's a bit too political, at the moment, and not nearly as enticing as The Room At The Top of the Stairs (and this damn web thing won't let you correct title typos...so "Topp" it is).

Anyway, you probably noticed we've been running at about half-speed all year and I do apologize, but I didn't want to be making excuses. You might just have thought I was being lazy or getting old or otherwise occupied. Some of that is likely true, no doubt. I considered not doing this at all this year, but I figured me at half speed is better than me at zero.

I got a real cute thing I could say, but some people in my family circle value their privacy. So, as vaguely as I can manage, there are health and family matters, and family health matters, going on behind the scenes. It's kind of briefly and unexpectedly escalated this week and I can't really even hang out half speed right now. I'll do what I can when I can and that's all I can do. Below is a piece of a piece I was working on before the shan hit the fit. Not much, but its something. I've also added in the Olivia/Travolta news, which I owe to David over at Imwan. Peace.

So Universal briefly pulled the Olivia Newton-John/John Travolta album--Amazon even posted a release date of December 31, 2020. But that was all, apparently, because it was "supposed to be a secret". Gotta be honest, and this goes for the federal government as well; this pathological NEED to control information absolutely is unwarrented and a sickness--it does you more harm than good...in both the short and long run.

Anyway...cover art, track list, and a bit of story that--and it could just be me--verges on incoherent. The money raised is going to charities: The Jett Travolta Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre (it's Australian for "Center"). Lots of guest stars and one original song ("I Think You Might Like It"), written by the same dude who wrote "You're The One That I Want". And, let's face it, we're all going to buy this, aren't we? You know you are, so just admit it. For more info, head to ONJ's Facebook site.

1. Baby It’s Cold Outside
2. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (featuring Kenny G)
3. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (featuring Barbra Streisand)
4. This Christmas (featuring Chick Corea)
5. Silent Night
6. The Christmas Waltz
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (featuring Cliff Richard)
8. Winter Wonderland (featuring Tony Bennett and The Count Basie Orchestra)
9. White Christmas
10. I Think You Might Like It
11. The Christmas Song
12. Deck the Halls (featuring James Taylor)
13. Auld Lang Syne/Christmas Time Is Here (Medley)

So Sufjan Stevens WAS up to something. Another Christmas Box Set, this one--"Silver And Gold"--featuring his private "family and friends" recordings from 2006 to 2010.

Not just Sufjan this go around, as this set features collaborations with
Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Richard Reed Parry, Clara Claus, Olivier Manchon, Marla Hansen, Raymond Byron Raposa, Gabriel Kahane, Daniel, Elin, Lilly & Ida Smith, C.J. Camerieri, James McAlister, Casey Foubert, David Stith, Alex Sopp, Vesper Stamper, Cat Martino, SayardEgan, Rosie Thomas, Sonya Hofer, Sebastian Krueger, Nathan Lithgow and Brian Wolfe (to name a few). 18 original songs and an assortment of Christmas classics as only Sufjan can imagine them.

This one drops digitally on November 13 (just $15 for the mp3). Asthmatic Kitty promises a limited edition CD Box Set, but no details on price or ordering that I can see. The big kahuna is a Vinyl LP Box Set, limited and numbered to 2000 with plenty visual treats, stickers, tatoos, posters, etc.--just $120 on the pre-order. Reserve your copy from Asthmatic Kitty or Bandcamp. And if you're heading over to Bandcamp, you might as well get the free download (while the free downloads last--remember Bandcamp has limits on those now) of "Christmas Unicorn". Dude, it's 12 and a half minutes long!

The National Jazz Trio Of Scotland isn't actually a trio. And it's not certain that this could properly be called Jazz, either. For the most part, the "trio" is Bill Wells, a frequent collaborator with Aiden Moffatt of the conceptual band Arab Strap. For this project, the "trio" also includes Lorna Gilfedder, Aby Vulliamy, Kate Sugden, and Gerald Black--all members of assorted Indie bands and projects in their other lives. And The National Jazz Trio Of Scotland is another conceptual project, this Christmas album the end result of a project Bill was asked to work on in 2010.

The Christmas album has a bit of the feel of a post-apocalyptic record, put together by someone with only vague recollections and stories of the real thing. The melodies are pulled apart and reconstructed with sampling and looping and other tricks of the trade. On some tracks, the sound is bizarre, bittersweet on others, and, on still others, the sound is almost spritely. At it's best, this is quite uniquely delightful. At it's weirdest, well, someone's going to call it "brilliant" but it won't be me. One thing "The National Jazz Trio Of Scotland's Christmas Album" is for certain, though, is different. And, here at Stubby's, we think that's a very good thing indeed, and to be celebrated. Worldwide release is November 16.

1. Oh Xmas Tree
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
3. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
4. Carol Of The Birds
5. Winter Wonderland
6. Jingle Bells
7. I Saw Three Ships
8. Good King Wenceslas
9. The Christmas Song
10. In The Bleak Mid - Winter
11. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
12. We Three Kings

It's Richard Marx. Hadn't written any copy for it yet. Don't really have time to today. Sorry.

1. Christmas Spirit
2. Christmas Song
3. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
4. O Come All Ye Faithful
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
6. Let There Be Peace On Earth
7. Silent Night
8. Christmas Mornings
9. O Holy Night
10. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
11. What Child Is This
12. White Christmas
13. Alleluia

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BUBBLE BURSTING

9/17/2012

1 Comment

Going through the Amazon listings, as I do pretty much daily, I stumbled across this little MP3 album. I had to do a double take--make that a triple take. At first glance, this looks like something from Michael Buble--he of the grand (and very good, too) 2011 Christmas crooning album. It seemed weird and all that he'd do another holiday record so soon AND that he'd do it so under the radar (Mike had a pretty long promotional rollout last year, if you recall). But, still thinking Michael Buble, I punched up one of the samples. Dude sounds sick. Remember when Meat Loaf lost his voice for like a year and a half? Sounded kinda like that.

So I looked again and....oh, OK, you got me; I see what you did there. It's Michael BUBBLE, not Buble. Now for all I know, this guy is really and truly named Michael BUBBLE. But I doubt it. And, if he's not actually named Michael BUBBLE, then the guy should be charged with identity theft. Or at least theft of any money he makes off of this.

Don't get me wrong. I like tribute bands/artists just fine. And I like true satire, but this... I dunno. It sure ain't a tribute, or satire or parody or anything except...a sick opertunistic rip off. Seems very very wrong to me. You want good satire (intentional or otherwise) and/or tribute, check out the Surfsiders/New Surfsiders records we told you about the other day. They didn't call themselves the BEECH Boys.

Now, again, if the dude's name really is Michael BUBBLE, then I apologize. I'm really sorry you got stuck with that name--not that your parents could've foreseen the musical juggernaut that is The Buble--but I would suggest you change your stage name to something else, for everyone's sake.

And then there is THIS.

Did you read that? Or at least look it over a bit? Go ahead, I'll wait. Now, check the post just below this one here at Stubby's. Look familiar? Yeah, I thought so, too. I mean, hell, they didn't even bother to correct the typos. And the previous post over there? Also mine. No link back to this site. No mention of our authorship. Indeed, the pieces are attributed to their "team". And I'm pretty sure if I were a member of that "team" I'd know it. (And, frankly, I wouldn't want to belong to any team that would have me as a member.)

Now, I'm no lawyer and I don't even play one on TV. And I'm not going to make any fuss beyond this little rant, here. And leave aside that, if they pulled that kinda crap with Billboard, they'd be in court before you could say Jack Frost. But, you know, and maybe it's me...I think it's just rude. And lazy.

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CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN' RACKETTES

8/9/2012

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Takin' a small break from the Christmas music today. Instead, I was thinking about the latest commercial from a certain beer company. I enjoyed the past two, featuring Danish group Asteroids Galaxy Tour and the 1965 Bollywood singer Mohammed Rafi. But the latest spot featured a singer reminiscent of Amy Winehouse and that was sort of odd. Turns out the singer is legit. And Australian.

Clairy Browne and the Bangin' Rackettes are an emerging group that's been riding that same neo-Soul wave that brought us Duffy and Joss Stone. This is the music Clairy does and has always done. And, while that beer company may be exploiting the memory of Amy Winehouse, it would be unfair to tar Clairy Browne with such a charge. Good soul singers are hard to find, afterall. While Clairy might not be an Amy Winehouse, she's at least as worthy of our attention as Duffy (and I happen to love Duffy, so...). Check out Clairy Browne and the Bangin' Rackettes' full-length debut, "Baby Caught The Bus" on Amazon, or just grab the free download of "Whatta Man" on Bandcamp. Check out the group's web site as well, while you're at it. And, for now, enjoy the official video for "Love Letter".

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SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD

7/3/2012

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We're in the early days of July and its been three-digit-hot, here, for nearly a week. I've never done much in the way of marking Christmas In July (or the 4th, for that matter), but the celebration is well underway over at Ernie's. He's even got a Christmas track from Vincent Price and you know you don't want to miss that.

Another of our friends, Ken Kessler at Sounds of Christmas, has this feature called "Songs Stuck In My Head" and I thought maybe I'd borrow it for a moment since this one has been firmly lodged in my cranium for several days and, having taken up residence, seems resistant to any and all notices of eviction.

Lisa Stansfield, by the way, still gets into the studio from time to time, but, near as I can tell, hasn't recorded any Christmas music beyond her cameo on the Band Aid II's "Do They Know Its Christmas" in 1989. And that's a cryin' shame.

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MEET THE NEW LIST, SAME AS THE OLD LIST

6/29/2012

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Just a quick FYI. The 2011 LIST is now history and the 2012 LIST has begun. It's a bit sparse at the moment, but it should fill up considerably in the coming months. If you must (or care to), you can still view the 2011 LIST in our archives. Don't ask me how I differentiate between "TBA" and "Possible"--just a gut thing on which projects sound more complete and/or certain than others.

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GANGNAM STYLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

NEW STUFF FREE STUFF

STILL HERE

JENNIE LOWE STEARNS - COUNTY ROAD

WELCOME UNDERGROUND

THE ROOM AT THE TOPP OF THE STAIRS

BUBBLE BURSTING

CLAIRY BROWNE & THE BANGIN' RACKETTES

SONG STUCK IN MY HEAD

MEET THE NEW LIST, SAME AS THE OLD LIST

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