I like the way Eric Clapton did it. I mean, he just dropped it all out there in one day...release date, cover art, track list, BOOM goes the dynamite. There it all is...laid out in full. Do with it what you will. But not everyone is Eric Clapton. And so, for most artists, we get the rolling disclosure. And I used to be fine with it, and it gives us something to talk about when nothing else is going on, but I guess I'm getting old.
What I'm getting at is that I've got a whole bunch of cover art and no track lists. It bugs me--this older me. So I've so far resisted the temptation to just post a cover and call it a day. But, today, we got Bill Shatner's cover, which I know we've been waiting to see, so, at the risk of repeating myself later (when the track lists arrive), let's have a look at some of these.
As I believe we previously reported, William Shatner's first ever Christmas album is "Shatner Claus", now firmly set for an October 26 release. We all know Bill doesn't sing so much as talk...dramatically. That's part of the fun. But Bill's no fool. He's getting help on his Christmas album from an All-Star cast that includes Todd Rundgren, Judy Collins, bluesman Joe Louis Walker, Henry Rollins, Rick Wakeman, Brad Paisley, Billy Gibbons and more.
What I'm getting at is that I've got a whole bunch of cover art and no track lists. It bugs me--this older me. So I've so far resisted the temptation to just post a cover and call it a day. But, today, we got Bill Shatner's cover, which I know we've been waiting to see, so, at the risk of repeating myself later (when the track lists arrive), let's have a look at some of these.
As I believe we previously reported, William Shatner's first ever Christmas album is "Shatner Claus", now firmly set for an October 26 release. We all know Bill doesn't sing so much as talk...dramatically. That's part of the fun. But Bill's no fool. He's getting help on his Christmas album from an All-Star cast that includes Todd Rundgren, Judy Collins, bluesman Joe Louis Walker, Henry Rollins, Rick Wakeman, Brad Paisley, Billy Gibbons and more.
While we don't have a full track list, Bill has said that Judy Collins does the singing on "White Christmas", Brad Paisley joins him for "Blue Christmas", and Henry Rollins and Bill team up for a Punk Rock "Jingle Bells". Indeed, Bill promises that most of the songs on "Shatner Claus" are the well known traditional favorites...just done a little...differently. And there is one all new song on the record, "One For You, One For Me". I still wish he'd tackled "The Gospel According To A Sheep". That's a talking song, it's hip, it's reverent and irreverent at the same time, and I think Bill could've done a killer version. But we'll take what we can get.
"Shatner Claus" will be available on CD and on limited edition red vinyl. Additionally, there will be a 7" single, featuring the aforementioned "Jingle Bells" on side "A" and "Silent Night" (with a "guest appearance" from Iggy Pop) on the flip.
"Shatner Claus" will be available on CD and on limited edition red vinyl. Additionally, there will be a 7" single, featuring the aforementioned "Jingle Bells" on side "A" and "Silent Night" (with a "guest appearance" from Iggy Pop) on the flip.
We also previously told you that legendary Detroit rocker Mitch Ryder ("Jenny Take A Ride", "Devil With A Blue Dress On", etc.) had completed recording his first ever Christmas album. We now know that "Christmas (Take A Ride)" will be released on October 26. And here's the cover. Beyond that, I got nuthin' new to add.
Here's one we didn't previously tell you about. Canadian Metal band Thor is set to release "Christmas In Valhalla" on October 26. Thor was founded by Jon Mikl Thor in 1973. It was a concept band and I doubt even Jon Mikl expected they'd still be a thing in 2018. But here they are with 9 original holiday headbangers (thank the Gods, no "Santa Baby" covers). Kewl. The band is the same one that played on last year's "Beyond The Pain Barrier". And, as an extra bonus, the cover art is done by Marvel illustrator Simon Williams. By the way, a little trivia that has nothing to do with anything. There's actually a TV series in Denmark called "Christmas In Valhalla" (yes, Thor's in it, though not Jon Mikl). It airs throughout December and was first shown in 2005.
"Hey! Merry Christmas!" by the Mavericks arrives on November 2. And we don't have a track list, but we do know the album contains two standards of the season--"Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)" and "Happy Holiday"--and eight original songs. And I'll tell you, that's a lot more originals than I was expecting. The Mavericks have been doing Christmas shows for years and must have lots of standards down in their own unique style. In addition to last year's single, "Christmas Time Is (Coming 'Round Again)", the titles they've mentioned for the new stuff are the ballads "Christmas For Me Is You" and "Santa Wants To Take You For A Ride" and the uptempo "Santa Does". So now you know 6 of the ten.
And, in case you missed the news, Martina McBride's long awaited Christmas album arrives on October 19, 20 years on from her first Yuletide outing, "White Christmas". The new album is titled "It's The Holiday Season" and, unlike the Country artist's first Christmas outing, is done in the style of the old Big Band crooners (you know, with lots of horns and strings and things). The big sound of the new record, which Martina is taking on the road, lent itself better, she says, to the more Pop standards. So I'd expect to hear tunes like "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" (and, I'd guess, "It's The Holiday Season") rather than hymns or religious standards. Maybe "Merry Christmas, Darling"? I'd have presumed "Let It Snow" and "Winter Wonderland", but she already did those. I doubt we're going to hear "Christmas In Hollis", though I'd love it if we did. I think the cover art has gotten mixed reviews. I kinda like it, but I could see how others might see it differently. Martina's also got a cookbook coming out this fall, but this ain't no cookbook reviewing blog, so go elsewhere for the info on that. "It's The Holiday Season" will be available in both CD and vinyl formats and you can pre-order direct from Martina. Might even pick you up an ornament, if you're so inclined.
A final note about the Eric Clapton release, "Happy Xmas". I had a hard time figuring out why Amazon had it listed as a 45 and an LP at the same time (the listing seems to change every day). But other sources have a clearer explanation (I think). First, it's collector's grade 180 gm vinyl, so let's just get that out of the way. It's a double LP, but the speed is 45rpm. I've really never heard of that before. In theory, you could get a cleaner sound that way (in theory), but you're phonograph needle had better be in good shape, too. Just sayin'. I'm not an audiophile, so find one and ask them.
I got more covers, but that's enough for now. Unless another Eric Clapton type announcement happens, we'll try and get a new "Coming Attraction" up for you before the weekend, and probably another Preview or two (or even three...things are poppin' a little bit, right now).
I got more covers, but that's enough for now. Unless another Eric Clapton type announcement happens, we'll try and get a new "Coming Attraction" up for you before the weekend, and probably another Preview or two (or even three...things are poppin' a little bit, right now).
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