Before we get started on the off-the-beaten-path releases, we have another major artist to mention. Patti LaBelle. Yes, Patti LaBelle. Can't promise this one will land this year, but a Christmas album is one of two projects she's currently working on. So I'm saying there's a chance.
Anyway, it's worth mentioning Patti to get you to check out the lady's most recent release--"Bel Hommage". It's a Jazz album and it's killer, front to back. Patti is 73 years old, now, and, like a fine wine, she just keeps getting better and better. Don't believe me? Hit that play button.
Anyway, it's worth mentioning Patti to get you to check out the lady's most recent release--"Bel Hommage". It's a Jazz album and it's killer, front to back. Patti is 73 years old, now, and, like a fine wine, she just keeps getting better and better. Don't believe me? Hit that play button.
Tops on the list of coming Christmas releases I'm super looking forward to is the forthcoming set from World Music masters Sultans of String, "Christmas Caravan". Honestly, I had sort of lost my fire for this one as it was initially promoted 2 years ago as scheduled for release last year. That's a long time to carry a torch. But, boy, did I get the fire back when I heard the samples in their video for their crowd funding campaign through Kapipal (you can pre-order the record there, or step up for show tickets, through November 1). My familiarity with the Sultans of String was largely limited to their work in Gypsy Jazz. But they are much more than that, as you'll hear. Expect "Christmas Caravan" in early December, but I believe you'll get it before the official release date if you're part of the crowd funding effort (don't quote me on that).
What this post sorely needs right now is some Rock N Roll, yeah? Power Pop work for you? Works for me. Loved Somerdale's Christmas song last year and who among us didn't go Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs over the Grip Weeds Christmas album? Coming out of the same New Jersey studio as those acts are The Weeklings. Heavily influenced by The Beatles, but I'd hardly call that a bad thing. The Weeklings are very popular on Little Steven's Underground Garage and their itinerary for 2017 includes promoting their latest album release, a bunch of singles, and a Christmas album. I thought we'd have to mention their planned holiday set without a Christmas video but, as it happens, The Weeklings are Glen Burtnik's latest band. And, as most hard core Christmas music collectors are aware, Glen puts on a charity Christmas concert every year--featuring lots of legendary artists and bands--which, as a former Garden State resident, I can confirm is the highlight of the year in Jersey. And you didn't think Glen would show up with his own band to his own shindig unprepared, did you? The band took two of their most popular tunes and dressed them up in Christmas lights and, hey, there's this thing called YouTube, ya know. It was a tough call for me, though. Although both songs are great, I'd say "Little Elvis" is a slightly more righteous beat than "Mona Lisa", but it sounded to me like "Mona Lisa" made the better transition to a Christmas song, so I'm going with "Daddy Santa". But feel free to check out "Little Santa" and make up your own mind. Though we've got no idea what The Weeklings have planned for the Christmas album, I wouldn't be surprised if both make-overs make it over. Cross your fingers and hope they get the record finished in time for the hoped for December release.
I've said, many times, that Christmas music is where I discover new artists. CCM artist Hannah Kerr has only been putting out music since 2015 (so I ain't too late to the party) and what I've sampled is mostly Nashville flavored singer/songwriter Folk--heavy on the middle "C" in CCM. So I'm glad that the first thing I heard from her was her Christmas single from last year, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Hannah's releasing a full Christmas album this fall. "Emmanuel" is slated to arrive on October 20. It's probably too much to hope for but, if the rest of the record sounds as good as the single, I'll happily swoon while she croons the tunes. We don't have a full track list, yet, but the album is expected to include "White Christmas", "Breath Of Heaven", "O Come O Come, Emmanuel" and "Christmas Eve In Bethlehem" (which I presume is the Gospel number; I don't see Hannah covering David Rovics). And, of course, Hannah's a singer/songwriter, so you have to expect an original or two...possibly the title track (yes, it's still legal to have Emmanuel in the title of more than one song on an album). Whatever, man. Just give me more of this and you'll have my complete attention.
I really dig this next group. Well, less of a group and more of a brother act. Twins, to be precise. And, as twins, the Del Zorros have those harmonies that are nigh on telepathic. Heavily influenced by music of the 60s, I can't decide whether they're more Everly Brothers or more Peter & Gordon. Either way, their sound should appeal to fans of Americana and those nostalgic for the softer hits of the British Invasion. The Del Zorros have been walking their own path for decades and they've always got time to do a Christmas song at the end of the year, so there's plenty on YouTube. Even so, I think they are at their best when properly produced and recorded, so a full-length Christmas album (under such conditions) would almost definitely pull me in. You'll find the music of the Del Zorros at Bandcamp and Reverb Nation, and that includes a couple of Christmas songs, "Mrs. Santa Claus" (which is more of a Kids song) and a raw demo of "Holiday Blues" (Reverb Nation only), for which we're posting a 2014 video. Yeah, there's a bit of a goof factor with the outfits and whatnot, but don't get hung up on that. Just listen to what an awesome tune this is and imagine what it will sound like properly produced, likely with electric instruments (yes, the brothers Del Zorro can play electric instruments, and very well at that) and a band.
It has to be mentioned, here, that The Del Zorros do have a couple of Christmas albums you can check out and purchase, if you're so inclined. "Christmas At Theater Now" and "You Make Me Feel Like Christmas" are live sets recorded at a Wilmington, NC senior center with the boys just singing and playing their ukes. You can find those at most digital platforms. But they aren't studio tracks, professionally recorded, which is what I was given to believe they're doing, now.
It has to be mentioned, here, that The Del Zorros do have a couple of Christmas albums you can check out and purchase, if you're so inclined. "Christmas At Theater Now" and "You Make Me Feel Like Christmas" are live sets recorded at a Wilmington, NC senior center with the boys just singing and playing their ukes. You can find those at most digital platforms. But they aren't studio tracks, professionally recorded, which is what I was given to believe they're doing, now.
Hope Griffin is a Folk/Americana singer/songwriter currently based in North Carolina (though she was born in Alaska and is a newer resident of the Tar Heel State than I am). This past week, she's been live streaming some of her process as she work's on putting together a Christmas EP. I'd love to post some of those streams, but they're a bit longer than we would post, here, and very raw. If you're interested, you can find a video of her finding the proper tempo for "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" on Facebook and catch the very beginnings of her Christmas original (plus her search for a whip crack SFX for "Jingle Bells"), while Hope has noodles and chips from a nearby gas station. "Mr. Grinch" and "The Christmas Song" are two more Hope confirms will be on the record. Hope routinely plays with Jamie Leigh O'Neil and you can bet she'll be on the Christmas record as well (that's her on the cello in the video below, and I loves me some cello).
Back in 1987, before there were quite so many new Christmas releases every year, I bought me a CD called "Celtic Christmas" by Kim Robertson. And it was very much one of my favorites for the next 20 years or so (though I haven't listened to it in a few years, now; there's just been too much new stuff). Kim Robertson is a master of the harp and, in particular, Celtic harp music. I'd consider her work a nice fit in the New Age category, though I think you'd enjoy it unless you limit your musical horizons to head banging music. Kim's got a new Christmas album out--her fourth (that I know of). "Christmas Lullaby II" has been available, digitally, for about a week with hard copy CDs expected in October. What I love about Kim's music is that she understands, as few others do, the importance of the silence between the notes. Listen to how she handles "See Amid The Winter's Snow" on the new album. It's not just like you're hearing it for the first time, but like you're living inside it...wrapping the notes around you like a warm snuggie. If you're looking for something a bit more spritely, try that old chestnut "Cold Frosty Morning". Or just pick a track at random...every ticket's a winner. It's all good and any of Kim's albums make for good contemplative 4 a.m. listening. You know...if you're into that sort of thing (which I happen to be). Pay Kim Robertson a visit at her official web site.
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1. On That Night in Bethlehem
2. El Noi De La Mare 3. Blessed Be That Maid Mairie 4. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence / Angels We Have Heard 5. See Amid the Winter's Snow 6. Snow on the Hills 7. Hymn of St. Patrick 8. Infant Holy, Infant Lowly 9. Cold Frosty Morning 10. What Strangers Are These 11. Still, Still, Still 12. The Sheep Under the Snow KIM ROBERTSON WEB SITE PURCHASE VIA GOURD MUSIC PURCHASE FROM AMAZON CD AVAILABLE THIS OCTOBER |
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