The Billboard piece also mentions that the album, due October 23, is 15 tracks long (last we'd heard was 14, so...yay)--5 originals (including the 2007 single "Mistletoe") and 10 standards/covers. The other originals include the title track and first single from the album, "Christmas In The Sand", "Everyday Is Christmas", and "Happy Christmas". Billboard also says that Brad Paisley helps out on "Merry Christmas Baby" (pretty sure that's the old Beach Boys track and not the Charles Brown blues) and Gavin DeGraw duets on "Baby It's Cold Outside". Previously, Colbie has mentioned "Silver Bells", "Winter Wonderland", "I'll Be Home For Christmas", "Santa Baby" and "Auld Lang Syne". And, if "Mistletoe" is on board, I wouldn't be surprised to see 2009's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" as well. So only a few tracks to go and I suspect we'll have a full track list shortly.
The most intriguing (after "Holidays Rule" that is) may be "Average Joe's Christmas", a set from the relatively new Outlaw Country label started by Country Rap artist Colt Ford. Colt's most recent album, "Declaration of Independence" went all the way to #1 on the Country charts. To put it plainly, Average Joe's specializes in Country music (and Country Rap) that kicks ass. Undoubtedly the biggest (or most familiar) name on the label's roster is Montgomery Gentry, but the label features many emerging and breakout artists like JB & The Moonshine Band, Matt Stillwell, Bubba Sparxxx, and the Redneck Social Club. Average Joe's also has an affiliated label (AVJ) that specializes in southern rock and urban, R&B, and hip hop music. And, if they really wanted to open this sucker up on the highway, pedal to the metal, I'd love for them to include something from Nappy Roots. That being said, the label has issued annual label samplers around June of each year and I expect this Christmas album will represent a lot like those "Mud Digger" comps. And that is not at all a bad thing. "Average Joe's Christmas" is scheduled for an October 30 release. No details around just yet, but we'll be watching.
From a Christmas music fan's point of view, it's a pretty sweet deal. The "Christmas In The Mountains" albums have featured a wide array of music, including folk, jazz, pop, country, choir and more and between 95 and 99% of the music you'll never hear on any other collection. And you get that good Christmas feeling knowing that your purchase made a real difference. Discs are ten dollars and that's enough to feed a family of four for a week. Of course, you're welcome to donate at any time. Time was it was a little bit of a hassle to get a copy of the CD if you didn't live near Boone, North Carolina. But, last year, you could order direct from the Hunger and Health Coalition web site and there's no reason to believe this year will be any different. We'll have more details for you when the album is released. While we wait, feel free to look over our preview of last year's collection, and our full review of the 2010 edition.
But what's important, here, is the Christmas music, right? Back in 2010, xEasycorex released "A Holiday Compilation"--16 full tracks of Pop Punk wonderfulness. If you were with us back then, we featured it on our free page (it was released late in December, so we didn't dwell, but, hey, two thumbs up for sure). In fact, you can still download "A Holiday Compilation" for free. And you should.
Well, gluttons for punishment that they are, xEasycorex has decided to do Volume 2 this year. Expect it to be another December release and I'm guessing it'll be another free download. And if you happen to be in a Pop Punk or Hardcore band, they'd love for you to submit your song for inclusion. Some restrictions apply, so get up on all the deets at the xEasycorex Facebook site.
I suppose I really should mention the new 5-song EP from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra due out October 30, "Dreams of Butterflies (On A Christmas Night)".
Nah!
1. Under That Christmas Spell
2. I'll Be Home For Christmas (featuring Hayley Orrantia)
3. Maybe This Christmas
4. Mary Did You Know?
5. Miracle
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Jonathan Coulton has a talent for brilliant pop culture satire in song and was truly one of the first artists to see the potential of the Internets for reaching an audience. He's been a staple of Internet radio and podcasting for at least a decade and almost certainly longer.
Christmas wise, Jonathan has three classics out there. "Christmas Is Interesting" dates back to 2003 and rolls up all the media images of the season into a big ball of absurdity. Just brilliant. The "Podsafe Christmas Song" from 2005 is done in parody/tribute of the Chipmunks with the subject matter being the fees some music publishers require for streaming audio on podcasts. A lot of artists just wanted the exposure and would happily have foregone any fees. I'm not sure how that whole battle eventually shook out, but it did cause the rise of Creative Commons as a publishing alternative for emerging artists. And it gave us "The Podsafe Christmas Song" featuring former MTV VJ Adam Curry as a Chipmunk. Brilliant. Coulton also recorded a Geek Core Christmas song, "Chiron Beta Prime", not my favorite but still pretty darn brilliant. I'm pretty sure all of these are available as free downloads from Jonathan. I don't really have time to go looking right now, but just follow the links in the Jonathan Coulter Wiki (the "JoCopedia").
But, anyway, if Jonathan is doing a full Christmas album (and one Hanukkah song), I definitely want in on that action. Watch the skies for signs, or just check in at JC's web site from time to time. Let's leave with a live performance of "Christmas Is Interesting" in which Jonathan shares the stage with Paul & Storm (also brilliant).