Photo by Martin Häusler [martinhausler.com]
I have to admit that I’m just not feeling the Christmas spirit yet. Every year, it seems, it strikes me later and later. And that makes doing what I do more difficult and less newsworthy. Not that I haven’t been otherwise occupied. I’ve been doing some artwork and graphics for a few non-Christmas CDs from Puppy Dog Productions (not commercially available at this time) and that’s been kind of cool (a non-paying gig, alas). But still…
I’m just not hearing those sleigh bells approaching. Might be that I’m getting old. Could be because I’ve been doing this—one way or another—for over 40 years. As one of my trading partners noted last year, I’m at an age where I intend much but accomplish little. Maybe its because we didn’t have a single flake of snow this past winter (ouch, that hurts). And, you know, the on-line distribution catalogues that often gave me an early head start haven’t shown up yet. Can’t really get started on The List without them. But the sooner I clear out the backlog of projects I’ve known about for some time, the sooner I can get on to the hunt and the thrill of discovering the hidden gems off the beaten path that cry out to be heard.
Much of what we’ll mention in this post will be old news to those obsessed with the sounds of the season. Heck, some of its even old news here at Stubbys.
For example, we told y’all last year about Meat Loaf’s coming Christmas set, “Hot Holidays”, which is expected to feature contributions from and collaborations with Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire among others. Don't assume Meat's gone Country though--not entirely anyway. Mr. Loaf is promising a fun and diverse set with Country, R&B, Rock and Roll, some general silliness perhaps, all wrapped up in a Christmas package that, in the end, sounds like Meat. Er...Loaf.
I’m just not hearing those sleigh bells approaching. Might be that I’m getting old. Could be because I’ve been doing this—one way or another—for over 40 years. As one of my trading partners noted last year, I’m at an age where I intend much but accomplish little. Maybe its because we didn’t have a single flake of snow this past winter (ouch, that hurts). And, you know, the on-line distribution catalogues that often gave me an early head start haven’t shown up yet. Can’t really get started on The List without them. But the sooner I clear out the backlog of projects I’ve known about for some time, the sooner I can get on to the hunt and the thrill of discovering the hidden gems off the beaten path that cry out to be heard.
Much of what we’ll mention in this post will be old news to those obsessed with the sounds of the season. Heck, some of its even old news here at Stubbys.
For example, we told y’all last year about Meat Loaf’s coming Christmas set, “Hot Holidays”, which is expected to feature contributions from and collaborations with Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire among others. Don't assume Meat's gone Country though--not entirely anyway. Mr. Loaf is promising a fun and diverse set with Country, R&B, Rock and Roll, some general silliness perhaps, all wrapped up in a Christmas package that, in the end, sounds like Meat. Er...Loaf.
And, in one forum or another, I’ve reported that Pat Benatar has been planning a Christmas album for several years, now. With the release of the acoustic hits set last year, 2012 might finally be the year Pat’s Christmas album comes together. She’s promising a mixed bag of traditional material and horn driven jump blues. The album might also include the previously released tracks “Please Come Home For Christmas” and “Christmas In America” for anyone who missed those. Could be fun. Wow, mentioned that one in May of last year. I am late getting started this year.
And we may have been a bit premature last August when we reported the Colbie Caillat Christmas album (though it was the label that jumped the gun on their own web site—we just reported finding it listed there), but it’s definitely a go for 2012. The album is being produced by Colbie’s father, Ken, who helped produce Fleetwood Mac’s classic “Rumours” LP in the 70s. They began work on the project in earnest in April. Among song possibilities, Colbie has mentioned “Winter Wonderland” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, but I’d still like to hear a full length version of her “25 Days of Christmas” jingle from a few years back.
And we may have been a bit premature last August when we reported the Colbie Caillat Christmas album (though it was the label that jumped the gun on their own web site—we just reported finding it listed there), but it’s definitely a go for 2012. The album is being produced by Colbie’s father, Ken, who helped produce Fleetwood Mac’s classic “Rumours” LP in the 70s. They began work on the project in earnest in April. Among song possibilities, Colbie has mentioned “Winter Wonderland” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, but I’d still like to hear a full length version of her “25 Days of Christmas” jingle from a few years back.
Another project that showed up on a label’s official release schedule last year—albeit briefly—was the Christmas album from Christian Metal band August Burns Red. And that one, too, looks to be on track for release this year. Maybe. ABR drummer Matt Greiner told the Punks In Vegas blog that the band was making every effort to hit the studio in March to finally get this one done. Matt suggested the album would probably include some original material, but noted that “the covers are obviously the bigger hits. People know the melodies."
Last month, we told you about the Cee Lo Green Christmas record. That holiday spirit seems to have infected fellow The Voice judge Blake Shelton. The country star has confirmed that he’s hard at work on a Christmas record which is expected to be released later this year. It would be Shelton’s first full-length holiday effort, though some may recall Blake’s 2002 recording of his favorite holiday song “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” which was included on the Universal/Warner Special Products CD “Country Christmas 2002”. Blake also appeared on the 2008 Larry The Cable Guy Christmas special. Christmas being a family affair and all, I, for one, hope we’ll get a little participation on the disc from Blake’s better half, Miranda Lambert.
Last month, we told you about the Cee Lo Green Christmas record. That holiday spirit seems to have infected fellow The Voice judge Blake Shelton. The country star has confirmed that he’s hard at work on a Christmas record which is expected to be released later this year. It would be Shelton’s first full-length holiday effort, though some may recall Blake’s 2002 recording of his favorite holiday song “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” which was included on the Universal/Warner Special Products CD “Country Christmas 2002”. Blake also appeared on the 2008 Larry The Cable Guy Christmas special. Christmas being a family affair and all, I, for one, hope we’ll get a little participation on the disc from Blake’s better half, Miranda Lambert.
As if Blake and Cee Lo recording Christmas albums wasn't enough free publicity for The Voice, one of Team Christina's mentors--the ever beautiful Jewel--is also hard at work on a new Christmas album which the singer "hopes" will be out this year. Jewel's grown up considerably since 1999's "Joy - A Holiday Collection", both personally and professionally, so one might expect a more mature and fully realized effort this go around. Plus, Jewel's a mommy, now, and kids always seems to help inspire the Christmas spirit in their performing parents.
Other Country artists with Christmas albums in the works include The Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, and Martina McBride. McBride's previous Christmas long play was 1999's "White Christmas". Her new holiday album is being produced by Ron Fair. Additionally, we might finally get the full length disc Little Big Town was working on last year and, for sure, we'll be getting the new Xmas CD from Canadian Country crooner Gord Bamford--also pushed back from 2011.
Other Country artists with Christmas albums in the works include The Oak Ridge Boys, Tanya Tucker, and Martina McBride. McBride's previous Christmas long play was 1999's "White Christmas". Her new holiday album is being produced by Ron Fair. Additionally, we might finally get the full length disc Little Big Town was working on last year and, for sure, we'll be getting the new Xmas CD from Canadian Country crooner Gord Bamford--also pushed back from 2011.
Photo by Edward Bishop
The coming album that seems to have gotten the most buzz from Internet Holiday-a-holics is from Tracey Thorn, who rose to fame as a vocalist with Everything But The Girl. That group’s contribution to the season was “25th December”, released in the mid 90s. Rather than a straight Christmas album, Tracey is promising an “alternative” record featuring songs with a winter theme. Among the songwriters being covered are Jack White, Ron Sexsmith, Randy Newman, Stephen Merritt, Joni Mitchell and Low. Expect two new originals as well and, yes, Ben Watt (the other half of Everything But The Girl and Tracey's significant other) will be guesting on guitar and piano. Expected release date is late October/early November. Tracey teased and delighted us all in 2010 with her awesome cover of Sufjan Stevens’ “Sister Winter”—a free download at the time and now available through Amazon and from all the usual outlets. So far, this one sounds like the highlight of 2012.
Rod Stewart, long derisive of the idea of doing a Christmas album, has finally warmed to the thought. Rod’s holiday opus is being produced by David Foster and the gravelly voiced 67 year old has recruited such guest stars as Dave Koz and Caroline Campbell. He’ll duet with last season’s musical Santa Michael Buble and (possibly) include one of those duets with the dead that I loathe so much. On the brighter side, it’s rumored that the album will include at least one Rod Stewart original (titled “Starlight”)—his first in over a decade (co-written by Kevin Savigar). To be entirely fair, though, Stewart is also working on a new album chock full of original material with that set scheduled for a 2013 release.
Jeremy's 2007 Christmas EP
The Contemporary Christian artists are usually first out of the starting gates with their Christmas projects. One of the biggest names from CCM to have announced thus far is Jeremy Camp, whose rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful" has been kicking around for a few years now (at least since 2007), as has "Christ Is Come". This year, Camp is gracing us with a full Christmas album which is reportedly about finished.
Other Christian artists with holiday albums in the works include Josh Wilson and Jason Grey. Additionally, both Mandisa and Francesca Battistelli have written and/or recorded new Christmas tracks for 2012, but the reports are a little vague as to whether those two artists are making full length albums, EPs, or just a track or two each for whatever upcoming CCM compilations may be released this year.
For folks dreaming of a soulful strut this Christmas, previously announced projects from Eddie Floyd and Percy Sledge should drop this fall. El DeBarge, who included a trio of holiday tracks on the Deluxe Edition of "Second Chance" in 2010, plans to release a full-length Christmas CD later this year.
Monica's Christmas album was allegedly pushed back from last year to this one. And Brandy, not to be outdone, has expressed a desire to record a Christmas record, as well, though there hasn't been anything definitive on her doing so in time for Christmas 2012 (she's been kicking the idea around since at least 2010). Quoth Brandy, "I need to do a Christmas album. That Christmas album is overdue."
Richard Marx and Ozzy Osbourne are also reportedly putting holiday albums together.
For folks dreaming of a soulful strut this Christmas, previously announced projects from Eddie Floyd and Percy Sledge should drop this fall. El DeBarge, who included a trio of holiday tracks on the Deluxe Edition of "Second Chance" in 2010, plans to release a full-length Christmas CD later this year.
Monica's Christmas album was allegedly pushed back from last year to this one. And Brandy, not to be outdone, has expressed a desire to record a Christmas record, as well, though there hasn't been anything definitive on her doing so in time for Christmas 2012 (she's been kicking the idea around since at least 2010). Quoth Brandy, "I need to do a Christmas album. That Christmas album is overdue."
Richard Marx and Ozzy Osbourne are also reportedly putting holiday albums together.
And, finally, for fans of the re-issue...
Our friends at the Yule Log have reported that Real Gone Music will be putting out a 2-CD Percy Faith set that combines Percy's out-of-print 1958 album "Hallelujah" and the original 1954 mono recording of "Music Of Christmas"--both remastered with the kind of care and love Gordon Anderson has long been known for.
Additionally, the 2-CD set will include three tracks which were issued as Columbia 45s in 1950 and never issued on CD--"Christmas In My Heart", "Christmas In Killarney", and "Sleigh Ride".
Chip at the Yule Log laments that Sony was not willing to relinquish rights to the stereo re-recording of "Music Of Christmas" (which has never been out-of-print) for a proper remastering. Nonetheless, the combination of these two Percy Faith Christmas recordings (properly remastered and with the original cover art) promises to be a highlight of the 2012 Christmas music season. Full details on this one over at The Yule Log. And, generally speaking, Gordon releases more than one Christmas set in any given year. And THAT means...there's likely more good news to come from Real Gone!
Well, that's about it for the big names...so far. Chew on these for a day or two (or seven) while I put together a post of emerging and Indie artists planning Christmas presents for this fall and winter.
Our friends at the Yule Log have reported that Real Gone Music will be putting out a 2-CD Percy Faith set that combines Percy's out-of-print 1958 album "Hallelujah" and the original 1954 mono recording of "Music Of Christmas"--both remastered with the kind of care and love Gordon Anderson has long been known for.
Additionally, the 2-CD set will include three tracks which were issued as Columbia 45s in 1950 and never issued on CD--"Christmas In My Heart", "Christmas In Killarney", and "Sleigh Ride".
Chip at the Yule Log laments that Sony was not willing to relinquish rights to the stereo re-recording of "Music Of Christmas" (which has never been out-of-print) for a proper remastering. Nonetheless, the combination of these two Percy Faith Christmas recordings (properly remastered and with the original cover art) promises to be a highlight of the 2012 Christmas music season. Full details on this one over at The Yule Log. And, generally speaking, Gordon releases more than one Christmas set in any given year. And THAT means...there's likely more good news to come from Real Gone!
Well, that's about it for the big names...so far. Chew on these for a day or two (or seven) while I put together a post of emerging and Indie artists planning Christmas presents for this fall and winter.
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