Last year's Very Cherry Christmas There are a couple of UK Christmas compilations coming that you might want to keep an ear out for, if you're into Indie and experimental rock and pop. We don't have release dates or full track lists for these as yet.
First, Cherryade, Rachael Neiman's wonderful label, will be releasing the tenth volume of "A Very Cherry Christmas". CD versions are usually printed in limited numbers and available only from Cherryade's web site. The download version gets wider distribution but doesn't necessarily hang around forever. The only act we've confirmed as participating in this year's volume is The Thyme Machine, a Lo-Fi Indiepop Surf and Glam outfit known for songs about finding pleasures in the tiniest moments of life (like discovering that the expiration date on a container of yogurt is also your birthday). Expect "A Very Cherry Christmas 10" sometime in December.
First, Cherryade, Rachael Neiman's wonderful label, will be releasing the tenth volume of "A Very Cherry Christmas". CD versions are usually printed in limited numbers and available only from Cherryade's web site. The download version gets wider distribution but doesn't necessarily hang around forever. The only act we've confirmed as participating in this year's volume is The Thyme Machine, a Lo-Fi Indiepop Surf and Glam outfit known for songs about finding pleasures in the tiniest moments of life (like discovering that the expiration date on a container of yogurt is also your birthday). Expect "A Very Cherry Christmas 10" sometime in December.
The other Christmas comp we've just learned about comes from Hand of Glory Records. Hand of Glory asked 12 artists, including those specifically in their stable, to record an original Christmas song. The result is "Christmas Joy In Full Measure". Might as well quote the product info:
"Here are twelve tracks that sum up the many experiences of Christmas, from lush widescreen pop (Webb Brothers), to sparkly Saturnalian disco (Mary Epworth) to dystopian Fall-esque horror (Extradition Order). Other standout tracks include Young Knives' dark medieval-esque 'Low Carol', Kiran Leonard's sprawling proggy epic 'Huygens probe' and Papernut Cambridge's charming and magical '93 Million And One'."
As noted earlier, we don't have a release date, yet. But you can pre-order "Christmas Joy In Full Measure" on CD from Rough Trade.
"Here are twelve tracks that sum up the many experiences of Christmas, from lush widescreen pop (Webb Brothers), to sparkly Saturnalian disco (Mary Epworth) to dystopian Fall-esque horror (Extradition Order). Other standout tracks include Young Knives' dark medieval-esque 'Low Carol', Kiran Leonard's sprawling proggy epic 'Huygens probe' and Papernut Cambridge's charming and magical '93 Million And One'."
As noted earlier, we don't have a release date, yet. But you can pre-order "Christmas Joy In Full Measure" on CD from Rough Trade.
It's frustrating not to be able to give you a full tracklist. So here's one we do have. It's still an Import, but at least it's got a listing at Amazon.
As you may or may not know, Bob Stanley is not just a member of the indiepop band Saint Etienne, but a respected pop historian. He and the band have been working on a series of albums--the "Saint Etienne Presents" series. Sooner or later, they had to get around to Christmas, right? The members of the band (and DJ Martin Green) scoured through their record collections to create a perfect time capsule representing the sounds of Christmas in London in the sixties. The sixties were an interesting decade musically--the crossing point for traditional Christmas music and the emergence of modern pop. So "Songs For A London Winter" includes pop stars Billy Fury and Adam Faith, but also includes the Jazz of Kenny Baker and the folk stylings of Elaine and Derek. Some of these tracks are making their first appearance on CD. And Bob Stanley provides the liner notes. Good stuff. As noted, you can pre-order "Saint Etienne Presents Songs For A London Winter" via Amazon, where the CD arrives December 2. The release date overseas is November 24. Full track list below.
As you may or may not know, Bob Stanley is not just a member of the indiepop band Saint Etienne, but a respected pop historian. He and the band have been working on a series of albums--the "Saint Etienne Presents" series. Sooner or later, they had to get around to Christmas, right? The members of the band (and DJ Martin Green) scoured through their record collections to create a perfect time capsule representing the sounds of Christmas in London in the sixties. The sixties were an interesting decade musically--the crossing point for traditional Christmas music and the emergence of modern pop. So "Songs For A London Winter" includes pop stars Billy Fury and Adam Faith, but also includes the Jazz of Kenny Baker and the folk stylings of Elaine and Derek. Some of these tracks are making their first appearance on CD. And Bob Stanley provides the liner notes. Good stuff. As noted, you can pre-order "Saint Etienne Presents Songs For A London Winter" via Amazon, where the CD arrives December 2. The release date overseas is November 24. Full track list below.
1. Christmas In London Town - Nina And Frederick
2. Snowman's Land - Zack Laurence
3. Winter Wonderland - King Brothers
4. It's Christmas Time - Elaine And Derek
5. Winter Wail - Johnny Dankworth
6. Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind - Cleo Laine
7. We Three Kings - Johnny Keating
8. Christmas Sleighride - Joe
9. Christmas Calypso - Tricia Marks
10. Christmas Island - Dickie Valentine
11. Lonely Pup - Adam Faith
12. Winter Starlight - Tony Osborne
13. Must Be Santa - Alma Cogan
14. Get Lost Jack Frost - John Barry Seven
15. Sounds Like Winter - The Echoes
16. Xmas Stocking - Lyn Cornell
17. My Christmas Prayer - Billy Fury
18. Blue Ice - Kenny Baker
19. Little Donkey - Beverley Sisters
20. Snow Coach - Russ Conway
21. I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus - Embassy Singers
22. Swinging Shepherd Blues - Ted Heath
23. Give Us A Kiss For Christmas - Lionel Bart
24. Christmas Land - Wally Whyton
2. Snowman's Land - Zack Laurence
3. Winter Wonderland - King Brothers
4. It's Christmas Time - Elaine And Derek
5. Winter Wail - Johnny Dankworth
6. Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind - Cleo Laine
7. We Three Kings - Johnny Keating
8. Christmas Sleighride - Joe
9. Christmas Calypso - Tricia Marks
10. Christmas Island - Dickie Valentine
11. Lonely Pup - Adam Faith
12. Winter Starlight - Tony Osborne
13. Must Be Santa - Alma Cogan
14. Get Lost Jack Frost - John Barry Seven
15. Sounds Like Winter - The Echoes
16. Xmas Stocking - Lyn Cornell
17. My Christmas Prayer - Billy Fury
18. Blue Ice - Kenny Baker
19. Little Donkey - Beverley Sisters
20. Snow Coach - Russ Conway
21. I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus - Embassy Singers
22. Swinging Shepherd Blues - Ted Heath
23. Give Us A Kiss For Christmas - Lionel Bart
24. Christmas Land - Wally Whyton
Total non-sequitor but, since I have you here.... Starbucks' annual Christmas collection is out. Can't find a link for it on the Starbucks web site, but it should be in all the coffee shops (and you know there's one on every corner). This year's edition is titled "Merry & Bright" and features music produced by David Foster. Track list below.
| |
RSS Feed
