EDIT/UPDATE: I've added the details on the coming Sufjan Stevens album just below OliviaNewtonJohnTravolta.
The real post title would be "The elephant in the room", but that's a bit too political, at the moment, and not nearly as enticing as The Room At The Top of the Stairs (and this damn web thing won't let you correct title typos...so "Topp" it is).
Anyway, you probably noticed we've been running at about half-speed all year and I do apologize, but I didn't want to be making excuses. You might just have thought I was being lazy or getting old or otherwise occupied. Some of that is likely true, no doubt. I considered not doing this at all this year, but I figured me at half speed is better than me at zero.
I got a real cute thing I could say, but some people in my family circle value their privacy. So, as vaguely as I can manage, there are health and family matters, and family health matters, going on behind the scenes. It's kind of briefly and unexpectedly escalated this week and I can't really even hang out half speed right now. I'll do what I can when I can and that's all I can do. Below is a piece of a piece I was working on before the shan hit the fit. Not much, but its something. I've also added in the Olivia/Travolta news, which I owe to David over at Imwan. Peace.
So Universal briefly pulled the Olivia Newton-John/John Travolta album--Amazon even posted a release date of December 31, 2020. But that was all, apparently, because it was "supposed to be a secret". Gotta be honest, and this goes for the federal government as well; this pathological NEED to control information absolutely is unwarrented and a sickness--it does you more harm than good...in both the short and long run.
Anyway...cover art, track list, and a bit of story that--and it could just be me--verges on incoherent. The money raised is going to charities: The Jett Travolta Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre (it's Australian for "Center"). Lots of guest stars and one original song ("I Think You Might Like It"), written by the same dude who wrote "You're The One That I Want". And, let's face it, we're all going to buy this, aren't we? You know you are, so just admit it. For more info, head to ONJ's Facebook site.
1. Baby It’s Cold Outside
2. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (featuring Kenny G)
3. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (featuring Barbra Streisand)
4. This Christmas (featuring Chick Corea)
5. Silent Night
6. The Christmas Waltz
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (featuring Cliff Richard)
8. Winter Wonderland (featuring Tony Bennett and The Count Basie Orchestra)
9. White Christmas
10. I Think You Might Like It
11. The Christmas Song
12. Deck the Halls (featuring James Taylor)
13. Auld Lang Syne/Christmas Time Is Here (Medley)
Anyway, you probably noticed we've been running at about half-speed all year and I do apologize, but I didn't want to be making excuses. You might just have thought I was being lazy or getting old or otherwise occupied. Some of that is likely true, no doubt. I considered not doing this at all this year, but I figured me at half speed is better than me at zero.
I got a real cute thing I could say, but some people in my family circle value their privacy. So, as vaguely as I can manage, there are health and family matters, and family health matters, going on behind the scenes. It's kind of briefly and unexpectedly escalated this week and I can't really even hang out half speed right now. I'll do what I can when I can and that's all I can do. Below is a piece of a piece I was working on before the shan hit the fit. Not much, but its something. I've also added in the Olivia/Travolta news, which I owe to David over at Imwan. Peace.
So Universal briefly pulled the Olivia Newton-John/John Travolta album--Amazon even posted a release date of December 31, 2020. But that was all, apparently, because it was "supposed to be a secret". Gotta be honest, and this goes for the federal government as well; this pathological NEED to control information absolutely is unwarrented and a sickness--it does you more harm than good...in both the short and long run.
Anyway...cover art, track list, and a bit of story that--and it could just be me--verges on incoherent. The money raised is going to charities: The Jett Travolta Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre (it's Australian for "Center"). Lots of guest stars and one original song ("I Think You Might Like It"), written by the same dude who wrote "You're The One That I Want". And, let's face it, we're all going to buy this, aren't we? You know you are, so just admit it. For more info, head to ONJ's Facebook site.
1. Baby It’s Cold Outside
2. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (featuring Kenny G)
3. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (featuring Barbra Streisand)
4. This Christmas (featuring Chick Corea)
5. Silent Night
6. The Christmas Waltz
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (featuring Cliff Richard)
8. Winter Wonderland (featuring Tony Bennett and The Count Basie Orchestra)
9. White Christmas
10. I Think You Might Like It
11. The Christmas Song
12. Deck the Halls (featuring James Taylor)
13. Auld Lang Syne/Christmas Time Is Here (Medley)
So Sufjan Stevens WAS up to something. Another Christmas Box Set, this one--"Silver And Gold"--featuring his private "family and friends" recordings from 2006 to 2010.
Not just Sufjan this go around, as this set features collaborations with
Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Richard Reed Parry, Clara Claus, Olivier Manchon, Marla Hansen, Raymond Byron Raposa, Gabriel Kahane, Daniel, Elin, Lilly & Ida Smith, C.J. Camerieri, James McAlister, Casey Foubert, David Stith, Alex Sopp, Vesper Stamper, Cat Martino, SayardEgan, Rosie Thomas, Sonya Hofer, Sebastian Krueger, Nathan Lithgow and Brian Wolfe (to name a few). 18 original songs and an assortment of Christmas classics as only Sufjan can imagine them.
This one drops digitally on November 13 (just $15 for the mp3). Asthmatic Kitty promises a limited edition CD Box Set, but no details on price or ordering that I can see. The big kahuna is a Vinyl LP Box Set, limited and numbered to 2000 with plenty visual treats, stickers, tatoos, posters, etc.--just $120 on the pre-order. Reserve your copy from Asthmatic Kitty or Bandcamp. And if you're heading over to Bandcamp, you might as well get the free download (while the free downloads last--remember Bandcamp has limits on those now) of "Christmas Unicorn". Dude, it's 12 and a half minutes long!
Not just Sufjan this go around, as this set features collaborations with
Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Richard Reed Parry, Clara Claus, Olivier Manchon, Marla Hansen, Raymond Byron Raposa, Gabriel Kahane, Daniel, Elin, Lilly & Ida Smith, C.J. Camerieri, James McAlister, Casey Foubert, David Stith, Alex Sopp, Vesper Stamper, Cat Martino, SayardEgan, Rosie Thomas, Sonya Hofer, Sebastian Krueger, Nathan Lithgow and Brian Wolfe (to name a few). 18 original songs and an assortment of Christmas classics as only Sufjan can imagine them.
This one drops digitally on November 13 (just $15 for the mp3). Asthmatic Kitty promises a limited edition CD Box Set, but no details on price or ordering that I can see. The big kahuna is a Vinyl LP Box Set, limited and numbered to 2000 with plenty visual treats, stickers, tatoos, posters, etc.--just $120 on the pre-order. Reserve your copy from Asthmatic Kitty or Bandcamp. And if you're heading over to Bandcamp, you might as well get the free download (while the free downloads last--remember Bandcamp has limits on those now) of "Christmas Unicorn". Dude, it's 12 and a half minutes long!
The National Jazz Trio Of Scotland isn't actually a trio. And it's not certain that this could properly be called Jazz, either. For the most part, the "trio" is Bill Wells, a frequent collaborator with Aiden Moffatt of the conceptual band Arab Strap. For this project, the "trio" also includes Lorna Gilfedder, Aby Vulliamy, Kate Sugden, and Gerald Black--all members of assorted Indie bands and projects in their other lives. And The National Jazz Trio Of Scotland is another conceptual project, this Christmas album the end result of a project Bill was asked to work on in 2010.
The Christmas album has a bit of the feel of a post-apocalyptic record, put together by someone with only vague recollections and stories of the real thing. The melodies are pulled apart and reconstructed with sampling and looping and other tricks of the trade. On some tracks, the sound is bizarre, bittersweet on others, and, on still others, the sound is almost spritely. At it's best, this is quite uniquely delightful. At it's weirdest, well, someone's going to call it "brilliant" but it won't be me. One thing "The National Jazz Trio Of Scotland's Christmas Album" is for certain, though, is different. And, here at Stubby's, we think that's a very good thing indeed, and to be celebrated. Worldwide release is November 16.
1. Oh Xmas Tree
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
3. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
4. Carol Of The Birds
5. Winter Wonderland
6. Jingle Bells
7. I Saw Three Ships
8. Good King Wenceslas
9. The Christmas Song
10. In The Bleak Mid - Winter
11. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
12. We Three Kings
The Christmas album has a bit of the feel of a post-apocalyptic record, put together by someone with only vague recollections and stories of the real thing. The melodies are pulled apart and reconstructed with sampling and looping and other tricks of the trade. On some tracks, the sound is bizarre, bittersweet on others, and, on still others, the sound is almost spritely. At it's best, this is quite uniquely delightful. At it's weirdest, well, someone's going to call it "brilliant" but it won't be me. One thing "The National Jazz Trio Of Scotland's Christmas Album" is for certain, though, is different. And, here at Stubby's, we think that's a very good thing indeed, and to be celebrated. Worldwide release is November 16.
1. Oh Xmas Tree
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
3. Hark The Herald Angels Sing
4. Carol Of The Birds
5. Winter Wonderland
6. Jingle Bells
7. I Saw Three Ships
8. Good King Wenceslas
9. The Christmas Song
10. In The Bleak Mid - Winter
11. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
12. We Three Kings
It's Richard Marx. Hadn't written any copy for it yet. Don't really have time to today. Sorry.
1. Christmas Spirit
2. Christmas Song
3. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
4. O Come All Ye Faithful
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
6. Let There Be Peace On Earth
7. Silent Night
8. Christmas Mornings
9. O Holy Night
10. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
11. What Child Is This
12. White Christmas
13. Alleluia
1. Christmas Spirit
2. Christmas Song
3. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
4. O Come All Ye Faithful
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
6. Let There Be Peace On Earth
7. Silent Night
8. Christmas Mornings
9. O Holy Night
10. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
11. What Child Is This
12. White Christmas
13. Alleluia
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