Category: Holiday Music

Christmas Without Cancer

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“Christmas Without Cancer”

Are you ready for Christmas 2013? Vandalay Records prove that they certainly are as they unleash a pop lovers dream of a Holiday album. Artists taking part in the festivities include The Grip Weeds, Mimi Betinis (of Pezband), Frank Royster and The Goldbergs, Michael Carpenter, Lisa Mychols, Bill Lloyd, Jeremy, Brandon Schott, Graham Elvis, The Click Beetles, and Sketch Middle. The best part is this CD benefits The American Cancer Society.

Some of these songs are not found anyplace else making it essential holiday music that needs to be heard! Kudos for Dan Pavelich for getting this collection of stellar artists and their songs together.

Personally, someone very close to me is suffering through a battle with cancer. Buying this album will strike a blow against this terrible disease. 100% of the funds raised from this album go toward cancer treatment and research programs, its a great deal and an excellent way to help the cause.

CD Baby | Kool Kat Musik

Learn how to get a song on itunes at ReverbNation.com

Songs for Sandy Hook

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Before I go on to review the “best of” what I missed, I wanted to let you help another cause, Songs for Sandy Hook. 100% of all proceeds to Danbury Hospital in Connecticut. It’s got top notch talent and hauntingly beautiful songs. Highlights include tracks by Brandon Schott, Mike Viola, Herb Eimerman, and The Popdudes. Both volumes are available at Bandcamp.


Jingle, Jingle… Holiday Singles!

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Vegas With Randolf “Snow Day”

Ho, ho, ho, waiting for the first blizzard of the season. Washington DC based Vegas With Randolf sings about the only thing that’ll make kids glad about missing school and sledding down the hill. | CD Baby

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Justin Kline “Once A Year”

With a Beatlesque hook and timed beat of sleigh bells, it makes this holiday gem from Justin Kline irresistible – love the “do do do” chorus. Plus all proceeds will benefit TOYS FOR TOTS. | CD Baby | Bandcamp

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Lannie Flowers “Christmas Without You”

Perfect Texas styled power pop with the lovelorn Lannie Flowers in a mid tempo tune destined to be a classic for lonely hearts everywhere. | CD Baby

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The Connection “Rock N Roll Christmas”

Solid melodic joyful tiding from New England’s Newst Hit Makers. You get the single “Rock N Roll Christmas” and the B-side “Merry Christmas (I don’t want to fight tonight)” Both are a sweet combo of The Ramones and The Kinks.
FREE download on Bandcamp

The Mockers and Willow

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The Mockers “Men of La Mancha” EP
Power pop veterans The Mockers have been dripping out singles all year, but finally we get a nice group together in one EP. A cover of “Impossible Dream” from the Broadway show Man of La Mancha, it starts off traditionally… then speeds off into Mockersville. The Spanish pop gem “Que Vida” sounds like it fell off the Los Imposibles album. And the liberal dream single “Republican Girl” is a bona fide viral hit. Add to this two new holiday songs and you have all killer, no filler — one of the best EPs this year. Highly recommended!

Bandcamp | CD Baby (Christmas singles only)

Willow “Charcoal & Blue”
Once again we follow guitarist Mike Barnett to his new project. Willow is a collaboration between Barnett, Jerry Risner (bass) and Denise Risner (vocals, keyboards). The trio leans on Denise’s jazzy vocal and Barnett’s jangle styled guitar playing. Opening with “Nobody Does It Like You” its a Dylanesque gem, and I enjoyed the soulful lyric and Byrdsian riffs on “Good Love Is Hard To Find” and “Counting On You.” Unfortunately weariness on some of the vocals is evident, and some songs lack energy. Fans of both Dylan and Steve Forbert may appreciate it more than I did.

CD Baby | Amazon