Finally, we're getting around to some Blues. There are several new Blues singles out this month, but "Where'll I Be For Christmas?" by Big Harp George is the only one of them I bought so far. It's got everything a classic Blues Christmas juker should have. It's got the proper beat, it's got the harp, it's got the hard luck lyrics, and it's even got Kid Andersen and Little Charlie (of the Nightcats) on the guitar. Plus there's the funky video with cameos from Lisa Leuschner Andersen and Lulu the Dog. Even the cover art is a keeper.
Prior to becoming a full-time Blues musician, Big Harp George Bisherat was a lawyer (What do you call a lawyer who gives up practicing the law to become a Blues musician? A good start). He made his recording debut in 2014 with "Chromaticism", a title that calls attention to the fact that George plays the chromatic harp, highly unusual in Blues (most favoring the smaller diatonic harps). In four short years, the San Francisco native has made a huge impression on the Blues world with his traditional West Coast sound married to brilliant (and often hilarious) lyrics about contemporary life. His current album is "Uptown Cool" and, yeah, it is. Grab "Where'll I Be For Christmas?" from CD Baby.
Prior to becoming a full-time Blues musician, Big Harp George Bisherat was a lawyer (What do you call a lawyer who gives up practicing the law to become a Blues musician? A good start). He made his recording debut in 2014 with "Chromaticism", a title that calls attention to the fact that George plays the chromatic harp, highly unusual in Blues (most favoring the smaller diatonic harps). In four short years, the San Francisco native has made a huge impression on the Blues world with his traditional West Coast sound married to brilliant (and often hilarious) lyrics about contemporary life. His current album is "Uptown Cool" and, yeah, it is. Grab "Where'll I Be For Christmas?" from CD Baby.
The first time I ever heard "A Christmas Love Song" was on the Manhattan Transfer's Christmas album is 1992. I fell in love with it immediately. It felt like something very old, like something from the age of "White Christmas", and I assumed it was. But the first release ever of "A Christmas Love Song" was just the year prior, 1991, when it was recorded and released by Blossom Dearie.
Blossom Dearie was a rare individual. She began performing Jazz with the heavyweights of the era in the 40s, though she generally would say that her career began when she started performing solo in 1950. Her voice was a wisp at a time when female vocalists had booming voices. She demanded the kind of respect on stage usually reserved for Classical pianists. And she became the first woman to own and run a successful independent record label in the United States. Commercials she sang on for Hires Root Beer in 1962 became so popular, the company issued an entire Blossom Dearie album as a product premium (which you could obtain for two bottle caps and 50 cents). Along with Bob Dorough, Blossom was one of the artists heard on Schoolhouse Rock songs (notably "Figure Eight" and "Unpack Your Adjectives").
Blossom Dearie passed away in 2009. Her record company, Daffodil Records (still up and running), has recently begun the process of re-mastering and re-issuing Blossom's entire catalog with the company, along with some previously unissued tracks. Her entire Christmas album ("Christmas Spice So Very Nice") is expected before the year is out (possibly by the end of the month). But Blossom's recording of "A Christmas Love Song", written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman and Johnny Mandel, has been among the most requested. It's available from Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby.
Blossom Dearie was a rare individual. She began performing Jazz with the heavyweights of the era in the 40s, though she generally would say that her career began when she started performing solo in 1950. Her voice was a wisp at a time when female vocalists had booming voices. She demanded the kind of respect on stage usually reserved for Classical pianists. And she became the first woman to own and run a successful independent record label in the United States. Commercials she sang on for Hires Root Beer in 1962 became so popular, the company issued an entire Blossom Dearie album as a product premium (which you could obtain for two bottle caps and 50 cents). Along with Bob Dorough, Blossom was one of the artists heard on Schoolhouse Rock songs (notably "Figure Eight" and "Unpack Your Adjectives").
Blossom Dearie passed away in 2009. Her record company, Daffodil Records (still up and running), has recently begun the process of re-mastering and re-issuing Blossom's entire catalog with the company, along with some previously unissued tracks. Her entire Christmas album ("Christmas Spice So Very Nice") is expected before the year is out (possibly by the end of the month). But Blossom's recording of "A Christmas Love Song", written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman and Johnny Mandel, has been among the most requested. It's available from Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby.
Music is a very powerful thing. An artist or group can hit upon a series of sounds or a progression of notes that can reach right into you and trigger a visceral reaction. I remember listening to a Nine Inch Nails album, eons ago, and this tremendous sense of peace and calm just washed over me. Nine Inch Nails, for Pete's sake. You can't explain it, really. It certainly isn't about the lyrics. It just is.
So I can't explain to you why, but, from the very first notes of "(I'm Gonna Be Loved) This Christmas" by The Sam Willows, I found myself tearing up. I was still teary-eyed minutes after the song was over. So I played it a second time and it happened again. I wasn't sad, I wasn't happy. I was just crying. Could be senility setting in; I wouldn't rule that out. And I'm not suggesting the song will have the same effect on anyone else (although that Nine Inch Nails CD seemed to). But music is a powerful thing.
The Sam Willows are an Indie Pop fusion band from Singapore. They've been together since 2011 and were quite the hit at the South by Southwest festival in 2013. The group is currently riding the success of their sophomore full-length "I Know, But Where" which was released in July. They get some backing from The ITE Snow Choir on their Christmas single. "(I'm Gonna Be Loved) This Christmas" is available at Amazon and iTunes.
So I can't explain to you why, but, from the very first notes of "(I'm Gonna Be Loved) This Christmas" by The Sam Willows, I found myself tearing up. I was still teary-eyed minutes after the song was over. So I played it a second time and it happened again. I wasn't sad, I wasn't happy. I was just crying. Could be senility setting in; I wouldn't rule that out. And I'm not suggesting the song will have the same effect on anyone else (although that Nine Inch Nails CD seemed to). But music is a powerful thing.
The Sam Willows are an Indie Pop fusion band from Singapore. They've been together since 2011 and were quite the hit at the South by Southwest festival in 2013. The group is currently riding the success of their sophomore full-length "I Know, But Where" which was released in July. They get some backing from The ITE Snow Choir on their Christmas single. "(I'm Gonna Be Loved) This Christmas" is available at Amazon and iTunes.
As with Blues, it's good to see some Bluegrass Christmas activity again. Especially from these folks. Detour is a band formed in Michigan who started out with the intention of being "weekend warriors". Making Bluegrass music was something they did on the side; day jobs and families were the priority. And that worked out fine for several years. But, along about 2012, they started to get more popular. By 2014, they were highly in demand on a festival circuit that extends well beyond the Mid-West. By 2016, they found they could no longer balance life on the road with life at home. So they cancelled their touring schedule and announced they were taking some time off.
Detour is now playing again. And recording again. "A Bluegrass Christmas Story" is their first post-hiatus release, with at least the hint that more is coming in 2019. The premise of "A Bluegrass Christmas Story" is simple enough. Imagine if Ralphie wanted a banjo instead of a Red Ryder BB Gun. Jeff Rose wrote the tune and Missy Armstrong provides the vocals, so it's like old times again. Word is their label, Mountain Fever Records, might even issue a Christmas sampler album before the season is done. In the meantime, pick up "A Bluegrass Christmas Story" by Detour at iTunes, Amazon, or wherever you buy music. It's certainly easier than picking up the banjo.
Detour is now playing again. And recording again. "A Bluegrass Christmas Story" is their first post-hiatus release, with at least the hint that more is coming in 2019. The premise of "A Bluegrass Christmas Story" is simple enough. Imagine if Ralphie wanted a banjo instead of a Red Ryder BB Gun. Jeff Rose wrote the tune and Missy Armstrong provides the vocals, so it's like old times again. Word is their label, Mountain Fever Records, might even issue a Christmas sampler album before the season is done. In the meantime, pick up "A Bluegrass Christmas Story" by Detour at iTunes, Amazon, or wherever you buy music. It's certainly easier than picking up the banjo.
It's always interesting to hear a song from multiple angles. Really, if a song is going to be a seasonal standard, it should sound just as good however it's arranged, whatever the genre. So you might remember waaayyy back, much earlier this year, we told you about Ali Handal and a song she recorded several years ago called "Beneath The Mistletoe". Handal wrote the song with the artist known as a girl named Jean. A girl named Jean is also a frequent collaborator of Lisa Danae's. So, when Lisa was looking to record a Christmas song--something that sounded like a standard, but hadn't been played to death--a girl named Jean suggested "Beneath The Mistletoe" and Lisa thought it was perfect.
Working with a girl named Jean and producer John McLucas, Lisa found the arrangement that fit her like a custom pair of opera length satin gloves. Ali Handal had done "Beneath The Mistletoe" as a Swing number. Lisa Danae slows the tempo down a tad, so you can feel the warmth of the lyrics and melody. You can easily hear where the addition of strings would make the song a fireplace favorite of the 40s or 50s, but Lisa gives it a lilting beat, instead, so "Beneath The Mistletoe" sounds every bit the standard, but every bit contemporary Pop as well.
Not every standard becomes one overnight. Most need time to work their way into the public's heart. With Lisa Danae's recording, "Beneath The Mistletoe" takes it's next step. Even though the lyrics and melody are the same, it sounds like a completely different song than Ali Handal's version. And both versions sound great. I can hardly wait for the Country version that you know is waiting to be recorded. Paging Jennifer Nettles? Carrie Underwood? "Beneath The Mistletoe" is available at Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp, and wherever fine Christmas downloads are sold.
Working with a girl named Jean and producer John McLucas, Lisa found the arrangement that fit her like a custom pair of opera length satin gloves. Ali Handal had done "Beneath The Mistletoe" as a Swing number. Lisa Danae slows the tempo down a tad, so you can feel the warmth of the lyrics and melody. You can easily hear where the addition of strings would make the song a fireplace favorite of the 40s or 50s, but Lisa gives it a lilting beat, instead, so "Beneath The Mistletoe" sounds every bit the standard, but every bit contemporary Pop as well.
Not every standard becomes one overnight. Most need time to work their way into the public's heart. With Lisa Danae's recording, "Beneath The Mistletoe" takes it's next step. Even though the lyrics and melody are the same, it sounds like a completely different song than Ali Handal's version. And both versions sound great. I can hardly wait for the Country version that you know is waiting to be recorded. Paging Jennifer Nettles? Carrie Underwood? "Beneath The Mistletoe" is available at Amazon, iTunes, Bandcamp, and wherever fine Christmas downloads are sold.
At this point in our singles review, I feel the need for something Funky. Fort Knox Five formed in 2003 and hail from DC. Near as I can tell, there are currently only 3 members of Fort Knox Five (down from four). I never did get the new math. But what we're here about is the music. And "Jinglin' Janglin'" kicks. And it's convertible, too. Don't like the vocal version (which stops just short of repeating the BS word over and over), hey, there's an instrumental. Don't like the jingling bells, well "Jinglin' Janglin'" is a Christmas mix of a tune the group released in September. And there's an instrumental of that one, too. "Jinglin' Janglin'" might not be perfect for your personal holiday head tape, but you know that people are going to get down on the dance floor when this slaps at your holiday party. "Jinglin' Janglin'" by Fort Knox Five (now with even more K-Lab and featuring Baby Bam...gee, I guess that makes 5 after all). Dig the beat. Dig the groove. Dig the Funk. Getcha some at Bandcamp.
The Swedish Pop duo of Bella & Filippa (Isabella Snihs and Filippa Frisell) scored with "Crucified" last year. The pair have been best friends from the age of 5 and began making music together in 2012. They appeared in last year's Melodifestival (Sweden's competition to determine who will represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest) and were the first artists born since 2000 to do so. Their self-penned Christmas song, "Ring Them Bells" starts off slow and sad, but builds into something grand as the season itself (though still sad). And, yes, there will be bells. The duo are currently working on a record expected to drop early in 2019. Grab Bella & Filippa's holiday single at Amazon.
If I lived in Canada (or got out a little more), I might know who Lennie Gallant is. Hailing from Prince Edward Island, Lennie has been charting music in Canada since the 80s. He's won 18 East Coast Music Awards, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and been nominated for 3 Juno Awards. Country, Rock, Folk, Celtic...Lennie does a bit of all of that. And that refusal to be tied down to a single genre really pays off on his new Christmas single, "Christmas Day on Planet Earth".
"Christmas Day on Planet Earth" takes the story of the Saviour's birth and transforms it into a message for global unity and peace, and for giving to those less fortunate. Not that that hasn't been done before. But Lennie does it as well as anyone ever has and he does it on multiple levels...beginning with the story itself, reminding you that Joseph and Mary were refugees who were turned away by virtually everyone as Mary prepared to have her child. Not to get into political arguments, but if you truly appreciate the story of Jesus' birth and adhere to his teachings, you would welcome with open arms the "caravan" of migrants fleeing violence and starvation and seeking asylum in this country. They are not, as they've been portrayed, gang members and drug runners. They are human beings seeking a better life and willing to sacrifice and work harder for it than most of us will ever have to. The very phrase "Christmas Day on Planet Earth" is a repeated reminder that Jesus came to save ALL mankind, not just one group or country. And, by recruiting Zimbabwe's Black Umfolosi to back him on the single, Lennie demonstrates that not only can we all co-exist in peace and harmony, but we're all actually better when we do. Oh, did I forget to mention that Lennie Gallant has also received a Red Cross Humanitarian Award? Yeah, that too. He practices what he preaches. "Christmas Day on Planet Earth" is lyrically and musically just such a beautiful song, beautifully written and beautifully done. I'm an instant fan of Lennie Gallant and Black Umfolosi. "Christmas Day on Planet Earth" can be found on Amazon and iTunes.
"Christmas Day on Planet Earth" takes the story of the Saviour's birth and transforms it into a message for global unity and peace, and for giving to those less fortunate. Not that that hasn't been done before. But Lennie does it as well as anyone ever has and he does it on multiple levels...beginning with the story itself, reminding you that Joseph and Mary were refugees who were turned away by virtually everyone as Mary prepared to have her child. Not to get into political arguments, but if you truly appreciate the story of Jesus' birth and adhere to his teachings, you would welcome with open arms the "caravan" of migrants fleeing violence and starvation and seeking asylum in this country. They are not, as they've been portrayed, gang members and drug runners. They are human beings seeking a better life and willing to sacrifice and work harder for it than most of us will ever have to. The very phrase "Christmas Day on Planet Earth" is a repeated reminder that Jesus came to save ALL mankind, not just one group or country. And, by recruiting Zimbabwe's Black Umfolosi to back him on the single, Lennie demonstrates that not only can we all co-exist in peace and harmony, but we're all actually better when we do. Oh, did I forget to mention that Lennie Gallant has also received a Red Cross Humanitarian Award? Yeah, that too. He practices what he preaches. "Christmas Day on Planet Earth" is lyrically and musically just such a beautiful song, beautifully written and beautifully done. I'm an instant fan of Lennie Gallant and Black Umfolosi. "Christmas Day on Planet Earth" can be found on Amazon and iTunes.
Which somehow seems a nice transition to our closing single, today--"Perfect Christmas" from Hush Harbor. I did not know this, but a "hush harbor" was what slaves called the secret places where they would gather to practice their religious beliefs. They had to gather in secret to worship because the slave owners were frightened by any gathering of slaves without supervision. The Kentucky Christian Rock and Pop band adopted the name in recognition that there are still places in the world where Christianity is banned and followers of Christ must gather in secret lest they be beaten or killed.
Now, that's a bit of a heavy backstory for a really nice Pop Christmas song that gets it's message across without feeling the least bit preachy. The lyrics ask what would be the perfect Christmas for you. Fireplace, presents, snow falling? Is that your perfect Christmas? Well, to get back to that idyllic vision of Christmas, to reacquire that sense of wonder, you've got to strip away all the "noise" that's built up over he years. And then Hush Harbor describe their perfect Christmas. And, hey, they aren't saying it has to be your perfect Christmas. It's theirs. But it sounds pretty good. And, you know, maybe if you can get past the "noise", your perfect Christmas could be all of the above. Just sayin'.
Songs like "Perfect Christmas" by Hush Harbor make me long for the days when Brother John Rivers used to welcome me into "The Powerline" on the radio. *sigh* I miss that show. Best radio Public Affairs show ever. "You're on the Powerlyyyyyyne." No? Just me? Anyway, get your copy of "Perfect Christmas" on Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby, etc. And here 'tis.
Now, that's a bit of a heavy backstory for a really nice Pop Christmas song that gets it's message across without feeling the least bit preachy. The lyrics ask what would be the perfect Christmas for you. Fireplace, presents, snow falling? Is that your perfect Christmas? Well, to get back to that idyllic vision of Christmas, to reacquire that sense of wonder, you've got to strip away all the "noise" that's built up over he years. And then Hush Harbor describe their perfect Christmas. And, hey, they aren't saying it has to be your perfect Christmas. It's theirs. But it sounds pretty good. And, you know, maybe if you can get past the "noise", your perfect Christmas could be all of the above. Just sayin'.
Songs like "Perfect Christmas" by Hush Harbor make me long for the days when Brother John Rivers used to welcome me into "The Powerline" on the radio. *sigh* I miss that show. Best radio Public Affairs show ever. "You're on the Powerlyyyyyyne." No? Just me? Anyway, get your copy of "Perfect Christmas" on Amazon, iTunes, CD Baby, etc. And here 'tis.
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