I'm still trying to manage an incredibly shrinking budget, so I've avoided ordering or pre-ordering most of the mainstream releases until I can calmly evaluate what I need (as opposed to "want", 'cause I want it all) and what I can afford. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings are the only future purchase etched in stone. Everything else is up in the air. I imagine I'll get all those Blues items from our previous post. And I really very much want most of this year's Real Gone releases and, as they've got a lot this year, that would be quite the drop. It's a bit of a strange position for me, as I usually blow a wad on Christmas music every year. I may still, but I'm trying not to.
But I did place two orders on Friday. Both are coming from overseas (one a pre-order), so we'll have to wait a while before I have them in my greedy little hands. But, if you're curious of what the broke guy who loves it all has taken the plunge for, just keep reading.
Please note that the "cover art" to the right is not a real album--just something I threw together on an artsy craftsy day a few years back. Though, if it were real, it could certainly be at least as interesting as the William Hung CD. It's just something I remembered having done as soon as I started thinking about money.
But I did place two orders on Friday. Both are coming from overseas (one a pre-order), so we'll have to wait a while before I have them in my greedy little hands. But, if you're curious of what the broke guy who loves it all has taken the plunge for, just keep reading.
Please note that the "cover art" to the right is not a real album--just something I threw together on an artsy craftsy day a few years back. Though, if it were real, it could certainly be at least as interesting as the William Hung CD. It's just something I remembered having done as soon as I started thinking about money.
Cool! Sounds like the Ventures meet Roy Wood's Wizard (minus all the screeching kids).
You may not ever think about it, but Christmas is the same day the whole world round. December 25th may mark the dark and cold of mid-winter to us and our European ancestors. But down under in Australia, December 25th is right smack dab in the middle of summer. Funny how that happens. So it makes sense that Christmas in Australia would be all sunshine and surfboards.
Martin Cilia is the reigning surf guitar king in Aussie land and he's doing the Christmas thing this year. "Electric Christmas" is set for an October 9th release and features 11 traditional tracks and three Martin Cilia originals--"Christmas In July", "Christmas Stomp", and "South of the Equator".
Martin was born in England and spent the first ten years of his life, there, so he gets the whole cold and snow aspect. In those formative years, Martin recalls being heavily influenced by the music of Christmas. After moving to Perth, Australia, he turned pro at 14, playing in a variety of rock bands before going solo. He released his first solo effort, "Revenge of the Surf Guitar", in 2007. "Electric Christmas" will be Martin's fifth studio album.
While trying to stay true to the carols as he heard them back in England, Cilia gives them a half-twist via original arrangements. You can rock out with songs like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and you'll feel like you're living in a Frankie Avalon movie when "Christmas In July" plays.
Coming from Australia, I imagine you'll see Import prices if and when "Electric Christmas" turns up on Amazon. But, short of hopping on a plane and going to the land down under, you can get a decent price pre-ordering direct from Cilia. Don't be intimidated by the $25 figure. The US dollar is strong in relation to the Australian dollar, so your number will be more like $18 or $19 and shipping is free. Or maybe you'd prefer to wait until the disc comes to CDBaby, where it looks like you'll get a domestic price (plus shipping, though). Head over to Martin's web site and you'll be able to sample some more of the record while you consider. But don't dawdle because.....
Surf's up, dudes! (and be excellent to each other)
You may not ever think about it, but Christmas is the same day the whole world round. December 25th may mark the dark and cold of mid-winter to us and our European ancestors. But down under in Australia, December 25th is right smack dab in the middle of summer. Funny how that happens. So it makes sense that Christmas in Australia would be all sunshine and surfboards.
Martin Cilia is the reigning surf guitar king in Aussie land and he's doing the Christmas thing this year. "Electric Christmas" is set for an October 9th release and features 11 traditional tracks and three Martin Cilia originals--"Christmas In July", "Christmas Stomp", and "South of the Equator".
Martin was born in England and spent the first ten years of his life, there, so he gets the whole cold and snow aspect. In those formative years, Martin recalls being heavily influenced by the music of Christmas. After moving to Perth, Australia, he turned pro at 14, playing in a variety of rock bands before going solo. He released his first solo effort, "Revenge of the Surf Guitar", in 2007. "Electric Christmas" will be Martin's fifth studio album.
While trying to stay true to the carols as he heard them back in England, Cilia gives them a half-twist via original arrangements. You can rock out with songs like "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and you'll feel like you're living in a Frankie Avalon movie when "Christmas In July" plays.
Coming from Australia, I imagine you'll see Import prices if and when "Electric Christmas" turns up on Amazon. But, short of hopping on a plane and going to the land down under, you can get a decent price pre-ordering direct from Cilia. Don't be intimidated by the $25 figure. The US dollar is strong in relation to the Australian dollar, so your number will be more like $18 or $19 and shipping is free. Or maybe you'd prefer to wait until the disc comes to CDBaby, where it looks like you'll get a domestic price (plus shipping, though). Head over to Martin's web site and you'll be able to sample some more of the record while you consider. But don't dawdle because.....
Surf's up, dudes! (and be excellent to each other)
1. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
2. Deck The Halls
3. Good King Wenceslas
4. Christmas In July
5. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
6. Christmas Stomp
7. Jingle Bells
8. Little Drummer Boy
9. We Wish You A Merry Xmas
10. Away In A Manger
11. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
12. South Of The Equator
13. Auld Lang Syne
14. Silent Night
2. Deck The Halls
3. Good King Wenceslas
4. Christmas In July
5. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
6. Christmas Stomp
7. Jingle Bells
8. Little Drummer Boy
9. We Wish You A Merry Xmas
10. Away In A Manger
11. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
12. South Of The Equator
13. Auld Lang Syne
14. Silent Night
Item number two comes from England. I had originally thought it was a 2015 release (even had it on The List for a couple of days) but it turns out it was released last year and I missed it.
The band is Baked A La Ska and their Christmas album is "Ska of Wonder". Sensing a trend? Clearly it's a Country album. Kidding, kidding. 'Tis Ska. And I believe I'm on record saying there just isn't enough Ska Christmas music. So I had to pick this one up.
Baked A La Ska was born when five musicians from various other bands got together. Once they'd agreed what type of band they wanted to be, each of the 5 was invited to bring one additional musician on board. Someone must have brought two, however, as they mostly play as an eleven-piece. And, once again, you can tell that they're having an absolute blast, which always helps the listener to do the same. Yeah, mon, they be riotous and infectious--dat for sure.
I've yet to hear anything from "Ska of Wonder", but you can see from the track list that it's a pretty fun mix. That's typical of Baked A La Ska, though. They're known for their oddball covers of everything from Britney Spears' "Toxic" to the "Oompa Loompa" song from "Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory". It'll be interesting to see if this band's take on "Walking In The Air" can top the Ska version from the Smerins Anti-Social Club that we loved so much here at Stubby's (and which is still a free download, if you haven't gotten it already). Don't look for any political commentary in the songs of Baked A La Ska; this band is all about rocking the house with tongues firmly in cheek.
"Ska of Wonder" hasn't yet made its way to Amazon or CDBaby, so your best bet is to order direct from the band. Unlike the Australian dollar, the U.S. dollar is a little weak against the Pound, so the £10 price works out to around 18 or 19 American dollars once you've added in shipping..
The band is Baked A La Ska and their Christmas album is "Ska of Wonder". Sensing a trend? Clearly it's a Country album. Kidding, kidding. 'Tis Ska. And I believe I'm on record saying there just isn't enough Ska Christmas music. So I had to pick this one up.
Baked A La Ska was born when five musicians from various other bands got together. Once they'd agreed what type of band they wanted to be, each of the 5 was invited to bring one additional musician on board. Someone must have brought two, however, as they mostly play as an eleven-piece. And, once again, you can tell that they're having an absolute blast, which always helps the listener to do the same. Yeah, mon, they be riotous and infectious--dat for sure.
I've yet to hear anything from "Ska of Wonder", but you can see from the track list that it's a pretty fun mix. That's typical of Baked A La Ska, though. They're known for their oddball covers of everything from Britney Spears' "Toxic" to the "Oompa Loompa" song from "Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory". It'll be interesting to see if this band's take on "Walking In The Air" can top the Ska version from the Smerins Anti-Social Club that we loved so much here at Stubby's (and which is still a free download, if you haven't gotten it already). Don't look for any political commentary in the songs of Baked A La Ska; this band is all about rocking the house with tongues firmly in cheek.
"Ska of Wonder" hasn't yet made its way to Amazon or CDBaby, so your best bet is to order direct from the band. Unlike the Australian dollar, the U.S. dollar is a little weak against the Pound, so the £10 price works out to around 18 or 19 American dollars once you've added in shipping..
| 1. Cold Winter Time 2. Zat You, Santa Claus? 3. Walking In The Air 4. Klezmas 5. We Three Kings 6. Winter Wonderland 7. Jingle Dread 8. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 9. In The Bleak Midwinter 10. Harmonica For Christmas 11. Merry Xmas Everybody 12. Follow That Ska |  |
So that's what I bought on Friday. You've heard of Surf & Turf? Well, I just bought me some Surf & Skank. Cool beans!
A couple of quick closing notes. If you missed the news earlier, the Christmas album from Little Big Town has been pushed back to next year. The move was necessary when Jimi Westbrook had to have vocal chord surgery.
And it looks like we'll only be getting a Christmas single from Katy Perry this year, rather than an entire Christmas album. The song is "Every Day Is A Holiday", newly written by Katy and some of her kittens. Katy is the Christmas face for H&M this year and the song is the soundtrack for the commercials. Last year, H&M's Christmas celebs were Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga and we got a holiday single from them ("Winter Wonderland"). I'd still like to see Katy put in the effort to make an entire Christmas album. But I guess that will have to wait for another day.
And, ooh, I almost forgot. Tramp Records will be releasing a THIRD volume of "Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party" on November 20. No further details yet. The compilation will be issued in limited edition vinyl (with gatefold cover), limited edition CD, and your basic unlimited digital. These are some of the best compilations of rare and mostly forgotten R&B recordings ever issued and they come with extensive liner notes and scans of all the singles. I had an email conversation with the guy who compiles these collections a few years back and, at that time, he said he didn't think there would BE a third volume, so thank God he was wrong about that. We'll make sure to post a track list as soon as we get one. It's an import, so it might be a bit pricey, but the first two were well worth it. I can't imagine the third one would be any different.
A couple of quick closing notes. If you missed the news earlier, the Christmas album from Little Big Town has been pushed back to next year. The move was necessary when Jimi Westbrook had to have vocal chord surgery.
And it looks like we'll only be getting a Christmas single from Katy Perry this year, rather than an entire Christmas album. The song is "Every Day Is A Holiday", newly written by Katy and some of her kittens. Katy is the Christmas face for H&M this year and the song is the soundtrack for the commercials. Last year, H&M's Christmas celebs were Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga and we got a holiday single from them ("Winter Wonderland"). I'd still like to see Katy put in the effort to make an entire Christmas album. But I guess that will have to wait for another day.
And, ooh, I almost forgot. Tramp Records will be releasing a THIRD volume of "Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party" on November 20. No further details yet. The compilation will be issued in limited edition vinyl (with gatefold cover), limited edition CD, and your basic unlimited digital. These are some of the best compilations of rare and mostly forgotten R&B recordings ever issued and they come with extensive liner notes and scans of all the singles. I had an email conversation with the guy who compiles these collections a few years back and, at that time, he said he didn't think there would BE a third volume, so thank God he was wrong about that. We'll make sure to post a track list as soon as we get one. It's an import, so it might be a bit pricey, but the first two were well worth it. I can't imagine the third one would be any different.
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