Rabbit season! Duck season! Rabbit season! Duck season! Rabbit season! Duck season! No...it's Singles Season!
We're close enough to Christmas, now, that some Christmas singles worthy of your attention are awakening from a long summer's nap and poking their heads through the colorful autumn leaves. And yet we're far enough away from Christmas that these early season singles might get lost in the later avalanche that's sure to come. And that's where we come in. We've already told you about Loverboard. And just a few days ago we featured singles from LeAnn Rimes and Tracy Lawrence.
Let's see what else Santa's put under our tree, shall we?
We're close enough to Christmas, now, that some Christmas singles worthy of your attention are awakening from a long summer's nap and poking their heads through the colorful autumn leaves. And yet we're far enough away from Christmas that these early season singles might get lost in the later avalanche that's sure to come. And that's where we come in. We've already told you about Loverboard. And just a few days ago we featured singles from LeAnn Rimes and Tracy Lawrence.
Let's see what else Santa's put under our tree, shall we?
If you've been paying attention (and have the memory of an elephant), you'll be experiencing some deja vu right about now. No worries. We didn't remember either. But the producers of SyFy's Wynonna Earp did.
"Let's Stay Inside" was originally released all the way back in 2010 on the Indie collection "Our First Christmas" on Light Organ Records. And, yeah, I think we might have missed it then, too. BUT, the song (then by Adaline and Frederick) also turned up on the FREE "Ho Ho Ho Canada Deux" collection. And I know we told y'all about that one.
The original "Let's Stay Inside" was a bright and bouncy bit of Indie Pop and, sort of like Bubblegum music, it was a sweet confection that lost some flavor after repeated listens. Someone in the crew of Wynonna Earp remembered the song (or, truth be told, there are "music hunters" hired by such production companies who liaise between artists and shows). And, while they liked it well enough, it really wasn't right for the show. So Adaline was asked to remake the song. She slowed it down (from 45 to 33, it seems), stripped away all the busy Pop accompaniment, changed her delivery from Twee Pop to Sexy & Sultry and the result was a song that fit the show. It aired in August and, as frequently happens, TV viewers wanted to own it.
The new version was retitled "Let's Stay Inside (Stripped)"...to reflect that it's a stripped down version of the original (get your minds out of the gutter). On September 11, the single was released as "Let's Stay Inside (Stripped For Christmas)"--the added words intended to make sure Christmas music obsessives who don't watch the show wouldn't miss it. And we didn't. Pick up Adaline's Christmas song from Amazon or wherever fine digital downloads are sold. Heck, surprise your friends and include both versions on your Christmas mix this year. Odds are they don't remember 2010 either.
"Let's Stay Inside" was originally released all the way back in 2010 on the Indie collection "Our First Christmas" on Light Organ Records. And, yeah, I think we might have missed it then, too. BUT, the song (then by Adaline and Frederick) also turned up on the FREE "Ho Ho Ho Canada Deux" collection. And I know we told y'all about that one.
The original "Let's Stay Inside" was a bright and bouncy bit of Indie Pop and, sort of like Bubblegum music, it was a sweet confection that lost some flavor after repeated listens. Someone in the crew of Wynonna Earp remembered the song (or, truth be told, there are "music hunters" hired by such production companies who liaise between artists and shows). And, while they liked it well enough, it really wasn't right for the show. So Adaline was asked to remake the song. She slowed it down (from 45 to 33, it seems), stripped away all the busy Pop accompaniment, changed her delivery from Twee Pop to Sexy & Sultry and the result was a song that fit the show. It aired in August and, as frequently happens, TV viewers wanted to own it.
The new version was retitled "Let's Stay Inside (Stripped)"...to reflect that it's a stripped down version of the original (get your minds out of the gutter). On September 11, the single was released as "Let's Stay Inside (Stripped For Christmas)"--the added words intended to make sure Christmas music obsessives who don't watch the show wouldn't miss it. And we didn't. Pick up Adaline's Christmas song from Amazon or wherever fine digital downloads are sold. Heck, surprise your friends and include both versions on your Christmas mix this year. Odds are they don't remember 2010 either.
Reuel (not to be confused with Ruelle of "Monsters" fame) is Reuel Meditz, a classically trained pianist currently based in Las Vegas. Reuel refuses to allow himself to be restrained by genre labels and, though he's generally thrown in the class of Classical Crossover or Modclass, he's also made a name for himself in the world of EDM. And, as "First Snow" demonstrates, he's also got a pretty solid handle on Adult Contemporary, Pop and FM Rock.
"First Snow" is the lead single and title track from Reuel's upcoming Christmas album, which won't be available until November 16. He chose the title "First Snow" because he fully intends to record lots of Christmas albums. It's a slightly odd thing to say, though, given that Reuel (under his full name) did release an album of Solo Piano Christmas music in 2010, "Christmas Ornaments". But this Reuel has left the old meditative Meditz behind and gone exploring deep into new and far more interesting territory.
Sometimes, we get Christmas songs that are basically sad Christmas songs set to very ebullient music (such as "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home"). The music of "First Snow" is haunting--almost melancholy--but the lyrics are ultimately hopeful. Reuel wrote the song with Denisse Borquez and he says it was inspired, in part, by the mass shootings in Las Vegas and Florida. "I felt very compelled to write a song that let these families know that their loved ones were still there with them this next holiday season and forever." Thus the ending of the song gives heavy emphasis to the words "We love you." For enquiring minds who care to know, the vocals are by Lala Vaughn.
We don't now have a purchase site for you, as the single hasn't been released just yet, but look for Reuel's "First Snow" everywhere on September 21 (Google Play for sure, I'm bettin').
"First Snow" is the lead single and title track from Reuel's upcoming Christmas album, which won't be available until November 16. He chose the title "First Snow" because he fully intends to record lots of Christmas albums. It's a slightly odd thing to say, though, given that Reuel (under his full name) did release an album of Solo Piano Christmas music in 2010, "Christmas Ornaments". But this Reuel has left the old meditative Meditz behind and gone exploring deep into new and far more interesting territory.
Sometimes, we get Christmas songs that are basically sad Christmas songs set to very ebullient music (such as "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home"). The music of "First Snow" is haunting--almost melancholy--but the lyrics are ultimately hopeful. Reuel wrote the song with Denisse Borquez and he says it was inspired, in part, by the mass shootings in Las Vegas and Florida. "I felt very compelled to write a song that let these families know that their loved ones were still there with them this next holiday season and forever." Thus the ending of the song gives heavy emphasis to the words "We love you." For enquiring minds who care to know, the vocals are by Lala Vaughn.
We don't now have a purchase site for you, as the single hasn't been released just yet, but look for Reuel's "First Snow" everywhere on September 21 (Google Play for sure, I'm bettin').
You know Leonard Dozier, even if you don't know that you know him. OK, maybe not from his days as a high school basketball star in the Cape-Atlantic League. But certainly you've seen him on stage, in movies, TV shows and commercials. And, if you're a football fan, you must know Leonard Dozier. Or at least you know his voice. One of the top Voice Actor/Voice Over artists in the business, Leonard is one of the voices of NFL Films--the one who got to narrate NFL Films' highlight reel for the Philadelphia Eagles victory in Superbowl LII. Can you imagine a Christmas record from John Facenda?
The difference between John Facenda and Leonard is that Leonard Dozier has also long been a singer and songwriter. He's released a couple of albums and a handful of singles to date (my personal favorite of the latter being "Fly", which came out earlier this year). He's currently working on a new album, "Sunday Word", titled after an inspirational blog Leonard also does (this cat don't ever sleep). And, though it's a decade old, I specifically want to point you to Leonard's other holiday record, "This Thanksgiving", because, Lord knows, there aren't a whole lotta good Thanksgiving songs out there.
The difference between John Facenda and Leonard is that Leonard Dozier has also long been a singer and songwriter. He's released a couple of albums and a handful of singles to date (my personal favorite of the latter being "Fly", which came out earlier this year). He's currently working on a new album, "Sunday Word", titled after an inspirational blog Leonard also does (this cat don't ever sleep). And, though it's a decade old, I specifically want to point you to Leonard's other holiday record, "This Thanksgiving", because, Lord knows, there aren't a whole lotta good Thanksgiving songs out there.
Leonard's Christmas single is "Christmas Kind of Way", released September 16, a smooth soulful slice of mistletoe magic. There are a couple of things I really like about this holiday ballad. First, the sax player absolutely kills it. I don't know who that is but, if he cuts a record of his own, I want to be first in line to buy it. But, second, Christmas songs are all about the mood, and Christmas covers a lot of moods. I think, mentally, I jump immediately to either solitary late night snow showers or Christmas morning excitement (complete with kids and chaos). The romantic songs I mostly think of as falling between those two (e.g. candlelit dinners or evenings cuddling by the fire). "Christmas Kind of Way" gives me Christmas morning for two people in love--without the kids and the chaos. I like that. I like that a lot. That's a Christmas experience worth experiencing. And, of course, topping it all off, are you going to complain about vocals from one of the voices of NFL films? I'm not.
You can find "Christmas Kind of Way" by Leonard Dozier on Bandcamp. And keep your eyes peeled for "Sunday Word", coming soon. Leonard's just beginning to hit his stride.
You can find "Christmas Kind of Way" by Leonard Dozier on Bandcamp. And keep your eyes peeled for "Sunday Word", coming soon. Leonard's just beginning to hit his stride.
I'd like to think I'd have found this on my own--I'm sure I would have--but I was turned on to "Christmas Down Under" from Phosphorescent by Christmas Underground. And, yeah, this delicious Indie Alternative single is solidly in the Christmas Underground wheelhouse, but it certainly isn't outside of ours.
Phosphorescent is the performance name of singer/songwriter Matthew Houck who started his musical career in Athens, Georgia. Ah, Athens, Georgia. Should have known. There must be something in the water, there, that makes for super brilliant Alt Rock artists. Houck is currently based in Brooklyn.
"Christmas Down Under" is not your typical Christmas song. There's no checklist of trees or Santa or strings of colored lights. No tinsel, no presents, no bells ringing or children singing. To begin with, Phosphorescent establishes the setting as Australia (or some similar locale where Christmas comes in the summer, all beaches and sunshine). But our protagonist's thoughts soon wander to meditations on Jesus. The second verse tells the tale and it's truly deep.
Some say that Jesus had a daughter
Ah but I don't guess he ever met her
And she'd have never met her father
No I guess this world couldn't let her
No, this world needed a martyr
And hey it's hard to understand
But if you need to make a martyr
You've gotta take away the man
Whoa! Mind. Blown. "If you need to make a martyr, you've gotta take away the man". Possibly the most powerful line in any Christmas song I can think of. And powerful because it's true. This ain't no "Jingle Bells".
Musically, "Christmas Down Under" is classic FM Alt Rock. It sounds a bit like Pink Floyd meeting up with the Eagles (love the pedal steel guitar), and if I were still in radio, I'd be playing the hell out of this thing.
"Christmas Down Under" is not your typical Christmas song. I know I said that already, but it bears repeating. Indeed, it may not even be a Christmas song, not in the sense that we tend to think of them. Which is exactly why it is much needed in our holiday canon. And, possibly, on your holiday mixtape. You'll find this Phosphorescent single at Amazon and on Bandcamp. The full album, "C'est La Vie", drops October 5.
Phosphorescent is the performance name of singer/songwriter Matthew Houck who started his musical career in Athens, Georgia. Ah, Athens, Georgia. Should have known. There must be something in the water, there, that makes for super brilliant Alt Rock artists. Houck is currently based in Brooklyn.
"Christmas Down Under" is not your typical Christmas song. There's no checklist of trees or Santa or strings of colored lights. No tinsel, no presents, no bells ringing or children singing. To begin with, Phosphorescent establishes the setting as Australia (or some similar locale where Christmas comes in the summer, all beaches and sunshine). But our protagonist's thoughts soon wander to meditations on Jesus. The second verse tells the tale and it's truly deep.
Some say that Jesus had a daughter
Ah but I don't guess he ever met her
And she'd have never met her father
No I guess this world couldn't let her
No, this world needed a martyr
And hey it's hard to understand
But if you need to make a martyr
You've gotta take away the man
Whoa! Mind. Blown. "If you need to make a martyr, you've gotta take away the man". Possibly the most powerful line in any Christmas song I can think of. And powerful because it's true. This ain't no "Jingle Bells".
Musically, "Christmas Down Under" is classic FM Alt Rock. It sounds a bit like Pink Floyd meeting up with the Eagles (love the pedal steel guitar), and if I were still in radio, I'd be playing the hell out of this thing.
"Christmas Down Under" is not your typical Christmas song. I know I said that already, but it bears repeating. Indeed, it may not even be a Christmas song, not in the sense that we tend to think of them. Which is exactly why it is much needed in our holiday canon. And, possibly, on your holiday mixtape. You'll find this Phosphorescent single at Amazon and on Bandcamp. The full album, "C'est La Vie", drops October 5.
Here's something to ponder. Why release a Christmas album when you can just drop a dozen or more Christmas singles all at once? Whether or not that was his intention, that's essentially what pianist and composer Scott Gordon did. The track above "Blues For Rudolph (Down & Dirty)" is my personal favorite (Blues. Duh.) of the baker's dozen. And, c'mon, ya gotta dig the video of the reindeer gettin' his shimmy on. But if you think that's thoroughly representative of Scott Gordon's sound, you'd be quite mistaken. His newly released (and re-released) Christmas songs range from Classical ("Away In A Manger") to Country ("Remember Christ This Christmas") to Boogie Woogie ("Boogie Woogie Sleigh Ride") to vaguely Hip Hop ("Shuggah Plums") to thoroughly bizarre Pop ("I Wish It Was Like Christmas Everyday") to just straight up bizarre ("Attention Shoppers"). OK, that last one is from 2000, and you might peg it as "Traditional", but I'm calling it bizarre; it's still worth checking out. Second to "Blues For Rudolph", I'm gonna go with "thoroughly bizarre Pop" right here.
Hey, you drop 12+ Christmas singles, you should get two videos.
Some of these tracks from Scott Gordon have, like "Attention Shoppers", been kicking around for a number of years. And, you may have to hunt a little bit, but Scott Gordon has recorded a TON of other Christmas songs over the years. Presumably, he felt these were the best of the best (ahem, Scott, "Attention Shoppers" should be on that list). He re-worked, re-recorded, and/or re-mastered them to bring them forward again. And then he came up with some new ones.
I'm not going to list them all. Just go to Amazon or CDBaby and search for "Scott Gordon". Then pick one you like. I recommend "Blues For Rudolph (Down & Dirty)", "I Wish It Was Like Christmas Everyday", "Boogie Woogie Sleigh Ride", and "Attention Shoppers". But you decide. There's plenty there to choose from. Build your own album, if you like. Why not? It's all a la carte.
Some of these tracks from Scott Gordon have, like "Attention Shoppers", been kicking around for a number of years. And, you may have to hunt a little bit, but Scott Gordon has recorded a TON of other Christmas songs over the years. Presumably, he felt these were the best of the best (ahem, Scott, "Attention Shoppers" should be on that list). He re-worked, re-recorded, and/or re-mastered them to bring them forward again. And then he came up with some new ones.
I'm not going to list them all. Just go to Amazon or CDBaby and search for "Scott Gordon". Then pick one you like. I recommend "Blues For Rudolph (Down & Dirty)", "I Wish It Was Like Christmas Everyday", "Boogie Woogie Sleigh Ride", and "Attention Shoppers". But you decide. There's plenty there to choose from. Build your own album, if you like. Why not? It's all a la carte.
Hmm. This post needs a little Country. Here ya go.
Rick Krauss is from St. Petersburg, Florida, a singer/songwriter whose influences range from Hank Williams to Elvis to Creedence Clearwater Revival. Nothing too profound going on in "The Fat Man Is Back". It's just a swinging good-time Country song about the guy with the long white beard and the toy filled sack. But there's nothing at all wrong with that. And, honestly, the :30 clip at Amazon doesn't do it justice and it doesn't have "Christmas" in the title, so we wanted to make sure you didn't completely miss it in your holiday hunt.
Let's wrap up this early season singles post with the new one from Ingrid Michaelson. "Looks Like A Cold, Cold Winter" is just out and has the sound of one of the classic Christmas songs from the 40s or 50s (or, as Ingrid says, like "Baby, It's Cold Outside" without the creep factor). Ingrid's full Christmas album, "Songs of the Season", officially arrives on both CD and vinyl October 26.
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