Get it? Get Kat. Kit Kat. Oh, for crying out loud, just listen to the song.
I was waiting for the hard copy CDs to be available before bringing your attention back around to my personal most anticipated release of the holiday season. Kat Tingey's "Ring Out, Wild Bells" was available as a digital download as of October 6. Hard copy CDs arrived about a week later. Combining beautiful originals with fresh arrangements of holiday favorites, the album should have broad appeal.
Easy standouts include the title track and the Bluesy "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch". Maybe my favorite "Grinch" since the original. "Sleep Now, Little Baby" is another personal favorite. "Breath of Heaven" is gorgeous. I love the arrangement on "Angels We Have Heard On High", which takes the song to a new place without losing familiarity or impact. Even a song like "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," which I don't generally care for, is done up sweet and fun, with an old timey ragtime feel, aided greatly by Ryan Tilby's banjo and Aaron Ashton's fiddle. Kat waltzes easily throughout the record from smile inducing fun to uplifting and heart touching spirituality.
You can preview the entire album at Kat's web site. Digital downloads are available from iTunes and Amazon (and from Kat, of course) and you'll find hard copy CDs on sale on Kat's web site and through CD Baby.
Easy standouts include the title track and the Bluesy "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch". Maybe my favorite "Grinch" since the original. "Sleep Now, Little Baby" is another personal favorite. "Breath of Heaven" is gorgeous. I love the arrangement on "Angels We Have Heard On High", which takes the song to a new place without losing familiarity or impact. Even a song like "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," which I don't generally care for, is done up sweet and fun, with an old timey ragtime feel, aided greatly by Ryan Tilby's banjo and Aaron Ashton's fiddle. Kat waltzes easily throughout the record from smile inducing fun to uplifting and heart touching spirituality.
You can preview the entire album at Kat's web site. Digital downloads are available from iTunes and Amazon (and from Kat, of course) and you'll find hard copy CDs on sale on Kat's web site and through CD Baby.
If you like your rock and roll old school, say hello to Annie Marie Lewis. Annie Marie, billed as the Princess of Rock N Roll, is the niece of the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis. When Annie Marie released her debut solo album, "Heart To Heart", in 2009, she was using her given name--Annie Marie Dolan. Prior to that, she'd sung and toured with her mother (Jerry Lee's brother) Linda Gail Lewis as one of the Lewis 3. I guess when you reach a certain age in the family, you get to use the Lewis name because that's what Annie Marie is doing, now. She has another studio set expected to drop in 2015 and a Christmas album due out December 2 on Cleopatra. For both albums, she's working with Rockabilly guitar great Danny B. Harvey. The Christmas set is titled "A Rock N Roll Christmas In The USA". No song samples, yet, but, if her first solo effort is any guide, she really does capture that old school Rockabilly/Country Rock sound perfectly, though she doesn't quite have the power (IMHO) of a Wanda Jackson. Me, personally, though...I can't resist new old school that sounds that authentic. It's like sitting in at Sun Studios back in the day.
1. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
2. Santa Baby
3. Rock n' Roll Christmas
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5. Santa Claus is Back In Town
6. Frosty The Snowman
7. Deck The Halls
8. Hush Lil' Baby (Merry Christmas)
9. O Come All Ye Faithful
10. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
11. The First Noel
12. Blue Christmas
13. Little Drummer Boy
14. Merry Christmas Baby
1. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
2. Santa Baby
3. Rock n' Roll Christmas
4. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
5. Santa Claus is Back In Town
6. Frosty The Snowman
7. Deck The Halls
8. Hush Lil' Baby (Merry Christmas)
9. O Come All Ye Faithful
10. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
11. The First Noel
12. Blue Christmas
13. Little Drummer Boy
14. Merry Christmas Baby
Speaking of authentic old school sounds, fans of traditional Jazz vocals have two new entrants in the crowd funded marketplace to consider.
Thisbe Vos was born in the Netherlands but, these days, calls L.A. home (Patterson, New Jersey? Sorry. Couldn't resist the old Abbott and Costello joke). If you're up on your Greek mythology, Thisbe was one of a pair of ill-fated lovers (a more recent adaptation of the story would be Romeo and Juliet). The name suits her, given the passion and drama (and just the right amount of heartbreak) in her vocal performances. Thisbe began her musical career at a very young age, but started moving towards traditional Jazz during her tenure with the neo-swing band The Jive Aces. In her late teens at the time, Thisbe began writing original Jazz music, inspired by the likes of Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter (the best of the best).
Thisbe moved to America in 2008, looking for the musicians who would best complement her vocals. She's since released two albums on her own label, "Sophistication" and last year's "Under Your Spell". For whatever my opinion is worth, "Sophistication" is very good but "Under Your Spell" is bloody brilliant. Drop the virtual needle on that sucker and you'll be instantly transported back to the days when the classics were first written and sung.
Thisbe is currently raising money to fund a Christmas album. She's been "advised" NOT to do a Christmas album at this stage of her career, but she was also "advised" to give up Jazz for Pop music (and, clearly, "the experts" were wrong about that). The album will contain both traditional songs such as "Let It Snow" and "The Christmas Song" as well as some self-written songs that Thisbe promises sound like they could have been written in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. The finished set will be shipped December 1. And here's an interesting twist: Only contributors will be able to get the album this year; the rest of the world will have to wait until next year.
If this sounds like something you want to hear and add to your holiday library, you've got until October 26 to be a part of it. As is usually the case with crowd funded efforts, Thisbe Vos has a variety of levels of support available along with accompanying incentives (your name in the credits, Santa hats, Christmas cards and ornaments, chocolates, private event, etc.). Head to Thisbe's web site to help make some old school Christmas magic and visit her on Facebook for more information.
Take a moment to listen to Thisbe sing "My Favorite Things" from her debut album "Sophistication".
Thisbe Vos was born in the Netherlands but, these days, calls L.A. home (Patterson, New Jersey? Sorry. Couldn't resist the old Abbott and Costello joke). If you're up on your Greek mythology, Thisbe was one of a pair of ill-fated lovers (a more recent adaptation of the story would be Romeo and Juliet). The name suits her, given the passion and drama (and just the right amount of heartbreak) in her vocal performances. Thisbe began her musical career at a very young age, but started moving towards traditional Jazz during her tenure with the neo-swing band The Jive Aces. In her late teens at the time, Thisbe began writing original Jazz music, inspired by the likes of Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter (the best of the best).
Thisbe moved to America in 2008, looking for the musicians who would best complement her vocals. She's since released two albums on her own label, "Sophistication" and last year's "Under Your Spell". For whatever my opinion is worth, "Sophistication" is very good but "Under Your Spell" is bloody brilliant. Drop the virtual needle on that sucker and you'll be instantly transported back to the days when the classics were first written and sung.
Thisbe is currently raising money to fund a Christmas album. She's been "advised" NOT to do a Christmas album at this stage of her career, but she was also "advised" to give up Jazz for Pop music (and, clearly, "the experts" were wrong about that). The album will contain both traditional songs such as "Let It Snow" and "The Christmas Song" as well as some self-written songs that Thisbe promises sound like they could have been written in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. The finished set will be shipped December 1. And here's an interesting twist: Only contributors will be able to get the album this year; the rest of the world will have to wait until next year.
If this sounds like something you want to hear and add to your holiday library, you've got until October 26 to be a part of it. As is usually the case with crowd funded efforts, Thisbe Vos has a variety of levels of support available along with accompanying incentives (your name in the credits, Santa hats, Christmas cards and ornaments, chocolates, private event, etc.). Head to Thisbe's web site to help make some old school Christmas magic and visit her on Facebook for more information.
Take a moment to listen to Thisbe sing "My Favorite Things" from her debut album "Sophistication".
Our second crowd funded Christmas Jazz chantreuse is New York based Lizzie Thomas. And I have to say, I'm impressed with her fan base. Lizzie lauched her Kickstarter project late last week and, within 48 hours, she was fully funded. Like Thisbe, Lizzie's got two CDs in circulation, "More Than You Know" and "Easy To Love". Inspired by Billie Holiday, I hear a little bit of Phoebe Snow in Lizzie's voice (as always, no disrespect intended to either vocalist and your mileage may vary). "One Note Samba" reminds me a bit of Flora Purim (again, no disrespect; I consider these compliments). And, to my ears, her style is a bit more seventies and eighties Jazz (which means, among other things, a lot more improvisation), though it still evokes that classic sound. As a working title, I'm going with "Just In Time For Christmas" and Lizzie says the album will include all your favorites--"Santa Baby", "Sleigh Ride", "Let It Snow", "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" and more. Even though Lizzie reached her funding target, there's still time to get on the bandwagon and pre-order her Christmas album through Kickstarter. The campaign officially ends November 15.
Country superstar Sara Evans has announced a ten track Christmas album. "At Christmas" will bow November 17. Sara says she got a call from her label, not very long ago, saying they wanted a Christmas record and they wanted it yesterday. Sara briefly panicked--you kind of like to have a year to plan such a thing--but she completed the project in a matter of weeks. She says she wanted the record to sound like a Sara Evans record and, judging from the title track, she succeeded. She also wanted the album to be infused with the spirit of the season and, to her, that meant family. So she recruited her daughters to join her on the recording. Early indications are this may just be a digital release initially, but we've listed it as a CD on our List until we hear more.
1. At Christmas
2. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
3. Twelve Days Of Christmas
4. Silent Night
5. Winter Wonderland
6. O Holy Night
7. Run Rudolph Run
8. I'll Be Home For Christmas
9. Go Tell It On The Mountain
10. O Come All Ye Faithful
UPDATE: Sara Evans Christmas album CD is a Wal-Mart exclusive. Other outlets may have the digital release.
A couple of quick notes. Lord save us, there's more holiday vinyl on the way. I never thought I'd say it, but I'm about vinyl'd out. Of the titles most likely to be of interest to Stubby's readers, there's the first ever vinyl pressing of The Flaming Lips "secret Christmas album", 2007's "Atlas Eets Christmas". That one will be part of the Black Friday Record Store Day festivities November 28. The full listing of Record Store Day items is due this week, so I'll leave that lay for now. Another title that peaks my interest is "Christmas A-Come" from Reggae legends Eek-A-Mouse. The song is one most of us are familiar with but the listing on Barnes & Noble is for an LP. I'm curious to get the full story on that December release--full album or twelve inch single re-issue, old material or new material. I just have too many questions and not enough answers right now.
We continue to periodically add items to our Previews and Free pages. Its probably going to take me until next year to get up to full speed again. While I was posting infrequently, the front page, here, became the default drop point for nearly everything. But I like the organization and easy recall of the Previews page and I want to get back to that. I do want to call your attention to our post on the new set from the Claire Lynch Band, which sounds really good and about which we spoke very little on this front page.
And I'm sure I'll have more to say about it later, but its time to add "Jingle Bell Rocks!" to your Christmas list. Retail release of the brilliant documentary about Christmas music collecting people like you and me--you know, crazy people--is drawing nigh. Its currently scheduled for December 9 and you can pre-order through Amazon. Not that I want to discourage you from taking in a screening, if there's one near you. But you know you'll need to own a copy, if only to help your family understand our mutual obsession. Nice write up on this one over at Merry & Bright, btw.
We continue to periodically add items to our Previews and Free pages. Its probably going to take me until next year to get up to full speed again. While I was posting infrequently, the front page, here, became the default drop point for nearly everything. But I like the organization and easy recall of the Previews page and I want to get back to that. I do want to call your attention to our post on the new set from the Claire Lynch Band, which sounds really good and about which we spoke very little on this front page.
And I'm sure I'll have more to say about it later, but its time to add "Jingle Bell Rocks!" to your Christmas list. Retail release of the brilliant documentary about Christmas music collecting people like you and me--you know, crazy people--is drawing nigh. Its currently scheduled for December 9 and you can pre-order through Amazon. Not that I want to discourage you from taking in a screening, if there's one near you. But you know you'll need to own a copy, if only to help your family understand our mutual obsession. Nice write up on this one over at Merry & Bright, btw.
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