The worst thing about Christmas music blogging at this time of year is that, as soon as you go live with one post, you know a bunch more stuff is going to turn up. Sure enough, within an hour or two of our last post, the cover art and track list for Earth Wind & Fire's "Holiday" were released. A few hours later, the track list for Heart's set turned up. And THEN, most embarrassingly, NBC renews "The Sing Off" after I had just pronounced it cancelled. We'll get to Heart and EWF later in this post. But, in true Stubby's fashion, I want to start with a pending release that, likely, no one else is going to tell you about.
It may be to my discredit that I mostly "discover" artists through Christmas music. Truthfully, you miss a lot that way. On the other hand, every Christmas season is exciting because you don't know what you've been missing until you do (Thank you, Captain Obvious). So EVERY Christmas is a season of discovery for me (why, its almost like Christmas).
Largely a creature of YouTube, I'd not encountered Postmodern Jukebox before. Out of the loop last year, I even missed their one Christmas single, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". Just as well. The single is a nice slice of Swing, but Postmodern Jukebox has made their name by reconstructing current Pop hits into genres of the past. Imagine "Fancy" as a 20s flapper tune or "Blurred Lines" done Hoedown style. Among their most recent covers is Ariana Grande's "Break Free" as a 70s styled Soul number. I've basically spent half my day today (probably more) watching the delicious videos of Postmodern Jukebox. They're quite addictive.
Postmodern Jukebox is the brainchild of Scott Bradlee, a Jazz pianist who used to look down on current Pop music, favoring the timeless standards. Though I can't fault him for favoring the standards, Scott realized (at some point) that there might be more to the popular music of today than he was allowing. So he started by rearranging some of the songs into styles he was more in tune with. And what he discovered is that a good melody is a good melody and a good song is a good song. Now, sure, sometimes the process can expose a pretender, and the results are a mere novelty. But much more often, Postmodern Jukebox brings underlying beauty to the surface, such as on the Doo-Wop rendition of Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop". And, if you haven't heard Puddles The Clown sing Lorde's "Royals", you're really missing out.
Of course, this only works if you're respecting the original and bringing real talent to the table. And the musicians and vocalists Scott Bradlee brings to the table are all top notch. Robyn Adele Anderson is amazing. So is Morgan James. And Puddles? I love Puddles.
Postmodern Jukebox is raising money for their Christmas album via Pledge Music. As a reminder, unlike Kickstarter, they don't have to reach goal to get the money pledged; just think of it as pre-ordering the album. In this case, though, I don't think they're going to have trouble reaching goal. They're at nearly 20% already in the first day and there's two months to go. I have no idea what songs will be on the album and what styles they'll be in and neither do they. I wouldn't be surprised, though, to see something like a vintage Soul or Ragtime rendition of "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer". I'd expect a December release but, to make sure it doesn't slip by you, just put in your order now (maybe even suggest a song or two). And, to get you in the proper mood (and much as I really want to post Puddles singing "Royals"), here's last year's Christmas single, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (FYI, it was free at Bandcamp last year but isn't at present).
Largely a creature of YouTube, I'd not encountered Postmodern Jukebox before. Out of the loop last year, I even missed their one Christmas single, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". Just as well. The single is a nice slice of Swing, but Postmodern Jukebox has made their name by reconstructing current Pop hits into genres of the past. Imagine "Fancy" as a 20s flapper tune or "Blurred Lines" done Hoedown style. Among their most recent covers is Ariana Grande's "Break Free" as a 70s styled Soul number. I've basically spent half my day today (probably more) watching the delicious videos of Postmodern Jukebox. They're quite addictive.
Postmodern Jukebox is the brainchild of Scott Bradlee, a Jazz pianist who used to look down on current Pop music, favoring the timeless standards. Though I can't fault him for favoring the standards, Scott realized (at some point) that there might be more to the popular music of today than he was allowing. So he started by rearranging some of the songs into styles he was more in tune with. And what he discovered is that a good melody is a good melody and a good song is a good song. Now, sure, sometimes the process can expose a pretender, and the results are a mere novelty. But much more often, Postmodern Jukebox brings underlying beauty to the surface, such as on the Doo-Wop rendition of Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop". And, if you haven't heard Puddles The Clown sing Lorde's "Royals", you're really missing out.
Of course, this only works if you're respecting the original and bringing real talent to the table. And the musicians and vocalists Scott Bradlee brings to the table are all top notch. Robyn Adele Anderson is amazing. So is Morgan James. And Puddles? I love Puddles.
Postmodern Jukebox is raising money for their Christmas album via Pledge Music. As a reminder, unlike Kickstarter, they don't have to reach goal to get the money pledged; just think of it as pre-ordering the album. In this case, though, I don't think they're going to have trouble reaching goal. They're at nearly 20% already in the first day and there's two months to go. I have no idea what songs will be on the album and what styles they'll be in and neither do they. I wouldn't be surprised, though, to see something like a vintage Soul or Ragtime rendition of "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer". I'd expect a December release but, to make sure it doesn't slip by you, just put in your order now (maybe even suggest a song or two). And, to get you in the proper mood (and much as I really want to post Puddles singing "Royals"), here's last year's Christmas single, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" (FYI, it was free at Bandcamp last year but isn't at present).
Unbeknownst to many, Trans-Siberian Orchestra inspired a world of progressive rock holiday projects. I mean, literally, a world. Personally, I think we owe the world an apology for that. Be that as it may, one of the most successful of these is Norway's Rakasta Joulua. They've been at this holiday thing for ten years, now. One of their albums, the eponymous "Rakasta Joulua", even found it's way to Amazon mp3. This year, the Heavy Metal holiday collective (which includes Marco Hietala of Nightwish) has a new album due and, this time, it's in English. Some of the songs you know well but some of the more Norwegian fare has never before been sung in English (or so they tell me).
"Ragnarok Juletide" is going to be released in the states (yes, here) on November 11. Barnes & Noble already has a pre-order listing for it. The release date in Norway, btw, is October 6. But never mind that. You won't have to be banging your head trying to buy this headbanging set from overseas merchants. Here's what you can expect to be on it.
"Ragnarok Juletide" is going to be released in the states (yes, here) on November 11. Barnes & Noble already has a pre-order listing for it. The release date in Norway, btw, is October 6. But never mind that. You won't have to be banging your head trying to buy this headbanging set from overseas merchants. Here's what you can expect to be on it.
 | 1. We Celebrate At Christmastime 2. The First Noel 3. Here On The Hay 4. Little Drummer Boy 5. The Elf 6. Christmas Is Here 7. Sylvia's Song 8. White Christmas 9. Home For Christmas 10. A Sparrow On A Christmas Morning 11. Christmas Has Come 12. Ave Maria |
We briefly mentioned The Roys in an earlier post. The sibling duo are doing well in the Bluegrass world and have now set their sights on Christmas. The album "Bluegrass Kinda Christmas" is due November 18. The title track is a Roy original. Here's the rest of the lineup.
1. Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
2. Santa Train
3. With Bells On
4. If We Make It Through December
5. Christmas Time's A-Comin'
6. Bluegrass Kinda Christmas
7. There's A New Kid In Town
8. Winter Wonderland
9. O Holy Night
10. Santa And The Kids
Not a big fan of the TV show "Nashville" (to be fair, I've never watched it), but other folks are (or, as some might call it, Glee for grownups). And those folks, no doubt, would love a holiday album from their favorite faux Country stars. And, heck, even I would want to check out a Christmas song from the lovely Hayden Panettiere (loved her when she was an immortal cheerleader). "Christmas With Nashville" arrives on CD November 11 (expect much of the music herein to be featured on a Christmas episode later this year).
 | 1. Blue Christmas - Charles Esten 2. Santa Baby - Clare Bowen 3. River - Sam Palladio 4. Baby Please Come Home For Christmas - Jonathan Jackson 5. Celebrate Me Home - Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson 6. Christmas Coming Home - Lennon & Maisy 7. White Christmas - Hayden Panettiere 8. You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch - Connie Britton 9. Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem - Will Chase 10. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Chaley Rose 11. Merry Christmas Baby - Aubrey Peeples |
As we've previously mentioned, Earth Wind & Fire will release their first full-length Christmas album this year. "Holiday" is the first new studio album from the group since 2005 and features both Maurice White and Philip Bailey. In addition to funky renditions of well known carols and a traditional Japanese Christmas song, "Snow", the album features a re-working of the hit "September" ("December"). A lot of people seem troubled by that, but not me. I've been singing it as "December" for years, anyway. And have we forgotten how great Randy Bachman's "Takin' Care Of Christmas" was? Have we? Hmmm?
1. Joy to the World
2. Happy Seasons
3. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
4. Winter Wonderland
5. What Child Is This?
6. Away In a Manger
7. The Little Drummer Boy
8. Every Day Is Like Christmas
9. The First Noel
10. Sleigh Ride
11. Snow
12. Jingle Bell Rock
13. December
2. Happy Seasons
3. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
4. Winter Wonderland
5. What Child Is This?
6. Away In a Manger
7. The Little Drummer Boy
8. Every Day Is Like Christmas
9. The First Noel
10. Sleigh Ride
11. Snow
12. Jingle Bell Rock
13. December
And here's the Heart track list. The only difference between the CD and DVD play lists is that the CD includes "Even It Up" and the DVD doesn't.
CD Tracklist:
1. River
2. Seasons
3. Rocking - Shawn Colvin
4. Love Come Down At Christmas
5. POEM
6. All Through The Night (feat. Richard Marx)
7. All We Need Is An Island (feat. Sammy Hagar)
8. Santa's Going South (feat. Sammy Hagar)
9. Please Come Home For Christmas (feat. Pat Monahan)
10. Remember Christmas
11. Barracuda
12. Even It Up
13. Stairway To Heaven
14. Ring Them Bells
CD Tracklist:
1. River
2. Seasons
3. Rocking - Shawn Colvin
4. Love Come Down At Christmas
5. POEM
6. All Through The Night (feat. Richard Marx)
7. All We Need Is An Island (feat. Sammy Hagar)
8. Santa's Going South (feat. Sammy Hagar)
9. Please Come Home For Christmas (feat. Pat Monahan)
10. Remember Christmas
11. Barracuda
12. Even It Up
13. Stairway To Heaven
14. Ring Them Bells
Johnnyswim, the popular L.A. duo who do a fusion of Rock, Soul and Folk which somehow manages to sound like the coolest of rootsy AOR and Pop, have finalized details for their Christmas project. At present, "A Johnnyswim Christmas" is set for a November 11 release in digital format. It's an EP featuring 5 tracks, one of them recorded live.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Christmas Waltz
What Are You Doing New Years Eve (Live)
As we get ready to leave you, today, I wanted to note... Well, I know I said I didn't want to bombard you with non-holiday releases, but... Earlier, when I was searching Amazon to see if they'd posted The Roys Christmas record yet, I came across a new one from friend of the blog Roy Forbes. Roy, as I think I've mentioned before, released a Christmas album in 1985 which included the timeless classic "Mince Meat Tart", possibly the best Christmas song you've never heard (but you can stream it here). He also does some awesome radio, including Christmas shows, for CKUA north of the border.
As the title suggests, "Strikin' Matches Live!" is a live album. And I'd really appreciate it if you'd give it a listen (especially the title track) and, if it moves you, pick it up. Roy's a good friend, a good man, and a great talent. More people should know that. You don't have to take my word for it. Reading a review, just now, from Anne Watson of the North Shore News: "Even his cat is a fan, curling up for a nap in the open guitar case while he's rehearsing." Cats are very good judges of character you know. And, just so you know, he didn't ask me to promote the record. He didn't even tell me it was coming out (for which I've already chastised him...mildly).
As the title suggests, "Strikin' Matches Live!" is a live album. And I'd really appreciate it if you'd give it a listen (especially the title track) and, if it moves you, pick it up. Roy's a good friend, a good man, and a great talent. More people should know that. You don't have to take my word for it. Reading a review, just now, from Anne Watson of the North Shore News: "Even his cat is a fan, curling up for a nap in the open guitar case while he's rehearsing." Cats are very good judges of character you know. And, just so you know, he didn't ask me to promote the record. He didn't even tell me it was coming out (for which I've already chastised him...mildly).
Gonna leave you with a taste of New Orleans Jazz from Irvin Mayfield from his upcoming "New Orleans Creole Christmas" set (coming November 10). Courtesy of the JazzTimes, here's a Creole "O Christmas Tree" (full track list below).
1. O Tannenbaum - O Christmas Tree
2. Silent Night
3. Winter Wonderland
4. The Christmas Song
5. Christmas Time Is Here
6. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
7. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
8. Christmas Time Is Here
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