COVID has allowed many musicians to develop holiday music early, and this year boasts a bumper crop of great singles. In fact, it seems everyone had time to record “Jingle Bells” this year. But I enjoy the variety and originality of most of these Christmas tunes here. Grab them quick before they get as stale as Grandma’s fruitcake in January!
So what defines a Christmas album exactly? Does it require sleigh bells and covering the same old songs? Nope. Josh Rouse decided to make a Christmas album that gets to the emotional essence of the holiday. Like his recent touring partner Nick Lowe, who had the excellent Quality Street holiday album, Rouse penned nine originals that feel as warm and cozy as chestnuts roasting over an open fire.
The jazzy overtones of “Mediterranean Xmas” are all about vacationing in a tropical locale “making snow angels in the sand” and the jaunty “Red Suit” describes the jolly one getting dressed for work, echoing Paul Simon in approach. “Sleigh Brother Bill” increases the tempo and percussion, as he rememberers childhood sleigh rides. “Heartache Holiday” boasts a big catchy sing-along chorus between the dour verses. Rouse’s style is so cool and relaxed, you could picture him sipping a martini between each song. “New York Holiday” recalls Vince Guaraldi’s piano stylings and the stories of wistful holiday memories continue with the lovely “Christmas Songs,” (he even mentions Guaraldi here) a perfect coda to this delightful album. Highly Recommended.
Kool Kat Musik teams up with Futureman Records to deliver this sweet treat. This is the first year all the artists included are from both labels exclusively. We open with the super catchy “Have a Very Very Very Merry Christmas” by Everet Almond, and continues with a great set of music from The Decibels, The Junior League, The Season’s Greeters (featuring Kurt Baker), Nick Frater, Athanor, Richard Turgeon, The Stan Laurels, Stephen’s Ruin, Emperor Penguin, Tommy and The Rockets, Ed Ryan, and Steve Somerset’s Shadow Kabinet.
It‘s important to note that $5 from the sale of every copy will be donated to The American Cancer Society. In 2019, there was be approximately 140,690 cancer cases diagnosed and about 103,250 cancer deaths in the U.S. This is a great cause that deserves your support, and you get a great holiday compilation. Highly Recommended.
Oh – in case you’d like the entire Kool Kat Kristmas Kollection to keep things nice and tidy, get Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 here.
The holiday season is upon us, and the holiday singles are already here! The Popravinas of sunny California are looking for presents, while Joe Algeri, aka The JAC has reliably delivered a stocking stuffer every year. Peggy Sue is a vocalist from UK that I just found and liked – new LP is expected in February. All these singles are FREE downloads. And at the last minute, The Lunar Laugh share a festive moment recorded live at VZDs in Oklahoma City, OK.
More singles will be posted as we get closer to Chanukah and Christmas
Listen to the Christmas show we played last Sunday on 11L Radio NY International! And if you missed any of our Christmas posts, check them out here, here and here. I’d like to thank all the artists for making such great Christmas music and making this holiday a sweet one to listen through.
Wait! There is one last gift under the Christmas music tree for you I saved… Fernando Perdomo’s Present. A lovely LP of Christmas music as a FREE download. Enjoy!
Working on several more reviews before my top 25 list comes out after the New Year. In the meantime here is the last of my holiday singles. Add them to your Yuletide mix!