Everybody back? Good.
But wait! There's more! For a limited time (for the next 3 weeks or so), you can download the original "I'll Be Home On Christmas Eve" FREE via Soundcloud. As you can hear above, it's a really upbeat track that should chase away those "It ain't the holiday yet" blues. This is not the version that will appear on "A Very Dorky Christmas" and you know you're going to want to collect the full set. Right?
But wait! There's more! One of the interesting things I've discovered in doing this site is how many of the artists who record Christmas music are, themselves, Christmas music junkies and collectors. And Matt Casarino of Hot Breakfast! is one of the junkiest. Wait, that didn't come out right. Matt Casarino is one of the most severely addicted.... No, that's not right, either. Matt Casarino is a huge fan and collector of Christmas music (eh...that'll do). His knowledge of Christmas music rivals my own, both in depth and breadth. And, in his love for seasonal sounds, Matt has launched a Facebook page and Twitter account to count down to Christmas 2016 with a holiday song just about every day. Now, yes, others have done something similar (though I can't recall anyone starting so early in the year), but Matt's knowledge and taste make this trip pretty amazing. With choices that range from the sacred to the sacrilegious and across all genres, he's already posted a few that were new to me (and, no, I'm not going to cop to which tunes those were--I have a reputation to maintain as the all-knowing Oz of holiday tune-age). If you like to start your day off with a cool Christmas tune (and who doesn't) make sure to bookmark 200 Days of Christmas and it's Twitter sidekick.
Nathan Foley might not be a household name in this country, but you'd be hard pressed to find an Aussie who hasn't heard of him. Nathan's been singing professionally since he was 10. And he was an original member of Hi-5, which is a childrens' performing group. Yes, another childrens' group from Australia (Wiggles anyone?). He's a regular on television and the stage, there, and was the 2016 Princess Cruises Entertainer of the Year (I'm guessing that's based on 2015)--first time an Aussie has been so honored.
Nathan's Christmas album hit iTunes and Amazon MP3 just a few days ago. And, let me tell you, "Christmas Time With You" has got range. There are some nice Pop Rockers, groovy Soul, a couple of standard traditionals and, dang, is that an operatic "Ave Maria"? I think it is.
Anyway, check the album sampler YouTube clip below and don't forget to check back this week for more Coming Attractions. Oh, yeah...I got more.
1. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
2. What Christmas Means to Me 3. Santa Claus Is Back in Town 4. The Christmas Song 5. Groovy Christmas 6. Blue Christmas 7. Christmas Time with You 8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 9. Run Run Rudolph 10. Christmas and Me 11. Silent Night 12. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town 13. Ave Maria 14. Auld Lang Syne |