Ebay Christmas County Album Till the Season Comes Round Again Milsap

Guarantee: No Mariah Carey fans were harmed during the making of this cavalcade. Bank check out some cool videos at the bottom, besides. And yes, the photo higher up was grabbed off the spider web. Meanwhile, below, Jason Gross, a longtime BLURT correspondent, is also the editor/publisher/majordomo of Perfect Sound Forever, the internet'south greatest-always music magazine. Aye, he was and e'er will be an early adopter. Accept no substitutes. Listen to his picks on Spotify right Hither.

BY JASON GROSS

Only first, a standalone single pick from the editor:

Let's go into it, kids. Tell the parents to let you lot stay upwards belatedly tonight. Ranging from classical to mash-up to indie to land to 'hood pop' to boy band to folk to art rock, at that place was plenty of variety and quality in 2019 Xmas music to choose from.  As for the controversy over John Legend's "Baby It's Cold Exterior," aren't there more important, substantial things to get pissed over? Yes, at that place are.

1. The 5 Browns Christmas With the 5 Browns (Steinway and Sons) In theory, this sibling group of Mormons sounds similar they'd exist the Osmonds of the classical world. But by taking tried and true vacation classics that even non-classical slobs similar me know well (peculiarly "The Nutcracker Suite") and arranging them for a agglomeration of pianos (presumably Steinway's), they craft a lovely anthology you can enjoy with your parents, grandparents, etc.
2. Amerigo Gazaway "Notorious B.I.G. – Christmas Time In Crooklyn" (Bandcamp) The groovy mash-upwards master takes Biggie's "Juicy" and layers it on tiptop of holiday schmaltz, creating something hip, nostalgic, sometime-school and new at the same time. Also meet his holiday album remixes.
3. Big Stick Sauced Up Santa (Fortes Music) John Gill is a raunchy never-say-die indie artist who once howled almost hot rods over womping drum beats but here grumbles like Tom Waits and adds on a kiddie choir. Modernistic Family's patriarch Jay Pritchett once marveled that Waits' vox could be beautiful and horrible at the same time. Ditto for Gill. End result: the unlikeliest children'due south record in recent retentiveness.
4. Bleached "Single Bells" (Amazon) Courtesy of the elves at the online behemothic, a joyous indie/grrl stomp in laurels of Santa.
5. Wade Bowen Twelve Twenty-5 (Bowen Sounds) Technically, it'southward a state Xmas party (yous can tell by the twang of the guitars and voice) simply it's about as much of a soul Xmas, which definitely own't a bad thing. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" does right by Darlene Honey and yous tin more hands stand to hear his version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" than Mariah's by at present.
6. Molly Burch "Last Christmas" (Captured Tracks) Her whole Christmas Album is sugariness and low-key but this is a particular highlight, especially with its goofy, funny video.
7. Ceraadi "Christmas With You lot" (Roc Nation) This L.A. 'hood pop' group (yeah, that's a matter) imagines Xmas as a time for twerking in the kitchen and drinking games. Definitely a better time than the holiday part party yous'll exist forced to go to.
8. Judy Collins & Jonas Fjeld "Bury Me With My Guitar On" (Wildflowers) Courtesy of the folkie fable, Chatham County Line and Norwegian singer/songwriter Fjeld comes this loftier-stepping country/bluegrass tune with some fatalism for the holiday.
9. Lucy Dacus "Last Christmas" (Merge) By now, the Wham vocal is such a standard that even encompass songs of information technology are standard for this fourth dimension of year, so give the commonly-downbeat Dacus credit for revving it up to indie rock speed, adding in a moshing finale.
10. The Flaming Lips "Peace On Earth/Trivial Drummer Boy" (Warner Bros) Leave it to these lovable Midwest space cadets who graced united states of america with cult film Christmas On Mars to remake the song that Bing/Bowie made (in)famous and brew information technology upwards with another Xmas archetype. Mayhap it's their baroque/perverse sense of sense of humor that made them dress up similar Hindu gods there.
11. Rob Halford Celestial (Legacy) Only in case you haven't been keeping track, this is really the 2nd holiday album from the Judas Priest frontman- offset was 2009's Halford III: Winter Songs. Y'all'll either head bang or express mirth along or annoy the hell out of your friends (or all of the in a higher place). You definitely won't be bored, any way it turns out.  Particularly gnarly: "Donner and Blitzen" who audio like rampaging huns and "Deck the Halls" which get a demonish "fa-la-la-la" chorus.
12. Jonas Brothers "Like Information technology's Christmas" (Universal) Even if you're non a fan of the recently-reunited trio of heart-throb brothers, y'all have to give them their due for pulling off a swinging holiday pop tune that y'all'd really wanna hear more than than once.
13. Keb' Mo' Moonlight, Mistletoe & Y'all (Hold) Though you'd wish that a holiday anthology from this noted bluesman was a piffling less sentimental, he does bring soul to the proceedings ("Better Everyday"), makes a blues standard similar "Please Come Home For Christmas" upbeat and gets the music downhome now and and so ("Santa Claus, Santa Claus," Merry, Merry Christmas"). Plus, you lot just can't argue with "Christmas Is Annoying."
14. Los Lobos Llego Navidad (Rhino) Christmas en español! This great roots stone band hasn't fully returned to its Spanish roots since 1988'south La Pistola y El Corazón and there hasn't been a holiday anthology similar this which stood a chance of breaking out to a multicultural audience since the lxx's- not just Jose Felciano just also Fania Records' wonderful Asalto Navideno collection. And yes, of course nosotros get "Feliz Navidad" but everything else here is a joy too.  I mean, how could yous say no to a delightful Tex-Mex tune like "It's Christmas Time In Texas"?
15. Kacey Musgraves The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show (MCA Nashville) Probably the simply new Xmas special you demand to watch this holiday, the evidence loses some of its light-headed appeal without the visuals but even then y'all'll take no trouble earthworks the bouncy "Ribbons and Bows" finale and a Hawaiian duet with Zooey Deschanel that definitely own't trad fare, though it should exist. And FYI, it's actually her 2nd Xmas album after 2016's A Very Kacey Christmas.
16. Ne-Yo Some other Kind of Christmas (Motown) A prissy R&B articulation and yous gotta beloved the ladies here- Candice Boyd'southward "Carol of the Bells" and Satori'southward "Christmas VIbez." He even does a nice blues turn and doesn't make you regret he covered "The Christmas Vocal" (which is a feat by now). Simply what might be most notable is that it'south ane of the few holiday albums non fabricated to be offensive that comes with an explicit song- "Talk About It," which drops an Due north-bomb along with 'shit.' Cool tune only don't expect to hear it at family unit singalongs.
17. Marker Peters Winterland (Sonic Cathedral) This Brit ambient master is no stranger to the holiday spirit- cheque out his 2018 take on "Jingle Bells" and 2017's "Silent Dark." After improving the already-impressive Innerland with a trounce-less version, he comes home for the holidays to collect the two same titles along with his own melody "The Box Of Delights," which sounds like a music box gone nutty before globe-trotting off blissfully.
18. A Prog Rock Christmas (Purple Pyramid) Not a new bunch of tunes just a varied collection from the past few decades. It's every bit perverse equally the Halford album and a lot amend than you'd expect. Sure, there'southward plenty of over-singing but "Christmas Lights" has drunken Elvis impersonators,  "Carol of the Bells" is something you could almost head bang to, "Fairytale of New York" sounds fine without Shane'south croak, i of the Buggles/Yes guys wisely keeps "Linus and Lucy" (from the Peanuts) in a jazzy tone, a pair of Hawkwind refugees give up a spacey "Silent Night" and you get Malcolm McDowell howling the Grinch vocal as a wonderful ringer.
19. The Regrettes "Holiday-ish" (Warner Bros) Though this popular-punk group is turning into much more than of the sometime and much less of the latter, they state in a nice place for an ambrosial heart-warmer of a jaunty tune with some help from Dylan Minnette (from Netflix's 13 Reasons).
20. Josh Rouse "Heartbreak Vacation" (Yep Roc) His Holiday Sounds album is soft stone that isn't soft in the head. Fifty-fifty if that'south too mellow for your taste, y'all'll be hard pressed to deny this catchy little pop song that evokes Nick Lowe and manages to sound cheerful even when he's taking back his ex-lovers' presents and wonders if she's doing the same.
21. Lionel Scardino "Navidad" (1631 Recordings) Clocking in at a bang-up 2:22, it doesn't sound like the Spanish classic but yous do go a gentle pianoforte refrain that sounds like snow falling softly outside.
22. The Schoolhouse Christmas EP (Elefant) This Cardiff band starts with pop-punk and ends up with two pieces of 60'due south daughter group popular, with three originals clocking in at seven-and-a-half minutes. Sweet and effecting, especially on "Information technology Wouldn't Exist Christmas Without You lot," which deserves to be a future standard.
23. Tim Story "Silent Cycles" (Curious Music) This Philly soundtrack composer and Cluster collaborator starts out with looped bits of "Silent Night" and and then stretches information technology out with gentle. shimmering ambience drones and synth-choirs. By the fourth dimension he reaches an anthology-length 73-minutes, he's fabricated the little old carol into something majestic and cosmic.
24. Sharon Van Etten "Silent Night" (Amazon) Yet another reason Jeff Bezos hopes that you lot sign up for his music service. This alone might non warrant the monthly fee but this rising indie-folk star turns the standard into a beautifully spooky chant that you should hear at least once.
25. Rick Wakeman Christmas Portraits (Sony Classical) Granted, this fine art rock codger and chief of excess might be the concluding person y'all'd wanna hear Xmas music from, merely here, he wisely pares it downwardly to just him tinkling away on a piano, playing the trad pre-Tin Pin Alley Xmas classics. Other than a few fancy flourishes, the result is surprisingly simple and charming. Maybe his characterization can convince him to lay off the synths in the future.

Our almanac—and always, in-progress, so continue checking back through Dec. 24.—roundup of seasonal platters. Guarantee: no evangelical caveats required; this is a rainbow roundup. X-tra points for any releases that come packaged with sex activity toys. Happy holidays, kids! (Ed. note: JBM = John B. Moore; FM = Fred Mills)

Past JOHN B. MOORE, TIFFINI TAYLOR, & FRED MILLS)

RODNEY CROWELL – Christmas Everywhere
(New Due west Records – three / v stars) www.newwestrecords.com

Tired of the saccharine sweet Christmas songs that start to clog the airways just moments after Halloween? Take I got a record for you! Christmas Everywhere, the countdown Holiday album from living legend Rodney Crowell is a vacation anthology that'south heavy on the honesty and humor and non so much tidings of comfort and joy.

With songs similar "Christmas Makes Me Sad," Merry Christmas From an Empty Bed," and "Permit's Skip Christmas This Year," Rodney never strays too far from his well-earned rep for pairing heartache and humor.

That's not to say ever track here is for the brokenhearted, "Very Merry Christmas," is an upbeat, jump and jive, nearly standard Xmas melody with enough of sax. Simply to be honest, that's not exactly what a Rodney Crowley fan looks for in a Christmas album past the Americana neat. They're looking more than for a song similar "Christmas in Vidor," a duet he co-wrote with Mary Karr years ago, most a near depression-level single mom not exactly feeling the Holiday spirit on the Louisiana/Texas border boondocks.

Probably not the best soundtrack for you Christmas Eve Open up House, simply destined to eb a Holiday classic for Crowell diehards.

DOWNLOAD: "Christmas Everywhere" and "All For Fiddling Girls & Boys"   (—JBM)

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THE MAVERICKS – Hey! Merry Christmas!
(Thirty Tigers/Mono Mundo Recordings – four / five stars) www.thirtytigers.com

I of the more than depressing inevitabilities most the holidays is that obvious cash grab, forced Holiday album from a band that has no business concern putting out a Vacation album. Think Afroman, William Hung, Mojo Nixon or Jethro Tull (yup, all real). You know who tin't be defendant of that? The freakin' Mavericks! Their 10-tracks Christmas tape is a matter of brilliance.

The band is e'er dynamic, no matter what they're recording and singer Raul Malo is simply incapable of feigning sincerity – he merely his. Every bit a result, the band's Miami mix of Folk, Rockabilly, Jazz and Dejection-based Holiday music is simply divine.

The band mixes in two Holiday standards, "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and "Happy Holidays" with eight originals for a refreshingly new annual classic in the making.

Though none of the songs here deserve to be skipped, the dynamic opener "Christmas Time Is (Coming 'Circular Once again)" and their nigh anthemic take on "Christmas (Baby Please Come Habitation)" are early stand outs.

If you lot're not capable of enjoying this 1, you're probably but a Scrooge… or an asshole (hey, maybe both!).

DOWNLOAD: All of 'em.  (—JBM)

****

A TAV FALCO CHRISTMAS (four out of v stars)
(Org Music / Frenzi – 4 / 5 stars) www.orgmusic.com / www.tavfalco.com

A new perennial favorite in the BLURT reindeer barn, and with special thanks to that awesome Tav Falco anthology that turned up recently for the Record Store Black Friday event. Memphis raconteur, filmmaker, lensman, and author Tav Falco is known far and wide every bit the guiding lite of Panther Burns, that proto-Americana, R&B-championing outfit that once featured the late Alex Chilton as a member. For A Tav Falco Christmas he's joined by bassist Mike Watt, drummer/sleighbellsman Toby Dammit, guitarist Mario Monterosso, and pianist Francesco D'Agnolo, and we are brash that the ensemble hunkered downwards at Sam Phillips Recording Service studios in early on July—which, if y'all know anything nigh Memphis in the summer, is the least likely time of year when one would find oneself "getting into" the Christmas spirit.

But maybe working through this 8-song set of holiday staples and a handful of semi-obscure R&B Christmas standards worked some seasonal magic, because the music is, in a word, cool. Sammy Cahn's slow, strutting "Christmas Blues," in particular, is for all yous finger-snapping, whistling hepcats, while a twangy, countrypolitan "Jingle Bell Rock" is guaranteed to have even the about stalwart Scrooge—such as yours truly, who is on record as not being a huge fan of Christmas records—joining in, no guilty pleasuredom needed.

Throughout, Falco is in fine voice, his Southern almost-drawl adopting a Presley-like classy croon on tracks similar "Blue Christmas" and Lieber & Stoller'southward "Santa Claus Is Dorsum in Town." He's nicely abetted by backing vocalists Lahna Deering and Tiffany Harmon, and the entire ensemble seems to revel in truly inhabiting the material. The LP, released for Tape Shop Day Blackness Friday 2017, is a limited edition (k copies) red vinyl gem, a perfect visual representation the holiday flavor. Christmas does come up in July after all.

DOWNLOAD: "Jingle Bong Rock," "Blueish Christmas" (–FM)

****

MATT ROGERS – Rated Xmas
(Political party on Parody Productions – 5 / v stiffies)

This CD obviously was released in 1997, although I can find well-nigh nothing about it except for a brief Wikipedia listing (which informs us that due to a lawsuit, about copies were destroyed) and an inflated-price list at Amazon U.k.; there's no list for the title OR the artist at Discogs. No matter—a friend posted this to me as an early Christmas souvenir, no dubiousness aiming to help put me and Mrs. Mills, er, I mean, Claus, in the mood for laying out the Christmas eve spread for the kids. Wait – nosotros already accept a kid, and he's 17… well, subsequently listening to tunes hither similar "Have Yourself a one-900 Christmas," "Frosty the Pervert," "Rudolf the Deep Throat Reindeer," and of class "Suck On My Erect" I clearly can envision beingness "up" for the idea of making u.s. a new little elf this holiday season. I mean, I could simply pull out some GG Allin records and cover similar territory, only hey, I'm feelin' the seasonal spirit right at present.

As the tape characterization name suggests, these are naughty parodies of popular Christmas tunes, but rather than accept to mail service a spoiler warning here, I will just add together that you tin let your imagination to the legwork for ya. Cut up the CD, plough downwards the volume on your favorite RedTube video, and spread some holiday cheer… all over your significant other's thighs.

DOWNLOAD: Mmm… better not. Information technology might not be legal in your country or country.

SHE & HIM – A Very She & Him Christmas
(Merge – iv / five stars) www.mergerecords.com

You're forgiven for assuming A Very She & Him Christmas (originally issued in 2011) would exist the hipster equivalent of The Carpenters Christmas Album, a holiday staple for every Williamsburg and Bushwick apartment. Despite the fact that the "She" in She & Him is Zooey Deschanel, hipster chick personified, the album is surprisingly irony free, simply an even dozen Christmas standards updated slightly with Deschanel'due south charmingly quirky lilt backed by the always impressive M. Ward. Fifty-fifty the ukulele on The Beach Boys' "Trivial Saint Nick" sounds a flake attracting, rather than forced. The anthology is a holiday classic in waiting, even if you don't own a single pair of skinny jeans and couldn't abound a bristles to save your life.

DOWNLOAD: "Infant It'south Cold Outside," "Little Saint Nick" (—JBM)

***

MARK KOZELEK – Sings Christmas Carols
(Caldo Verde- 5 / v stars) www.caldoverde.com

"I don't feel happy… I simply don't sympathize Christmas," Mark Kozelek mutters nether his jiff, in the middle of the Charlie Chocolate-brown Christmas classic "Christmas Time Is Here," and considering the tone of Sunday Kil Moon mainman's last several months, which included a highly public beef with War On Drugs and a and so-called "meltdown" at the annual Hopscotch Music Festival, information technology'south easy to assume that Kozelek isn't exactly a leading candidate for the lead grapheme in a Broadway revival of Elf.

Just listen carefully: Mark Kozelek Sings Christmas Carols is a remarkably faithful, utterly transcendent take on what I will humbly submit is the beatific, unadorned side of Christmas music. It's basically simply G.K. and acoustic guitar, and I volition further submit that all the folk, state and Americana artists who go into the studio each annum armed with just their guitars just experience compelled to add pedal steel, fiddles and the like in order to "flesh out" their arrangements lest they come across every bit also spartan simply don't empathise how sometimes "less" can be more than than merely "more" — it can be "only correct."

From the urgent query of "Do You lot Hear What I Hear?" and the innocently straightforward "O Piffling Town of Bethlehem" to centre-rending versions of the Pretenders' "2,000 Miles" and Greg Lake's "I Believe In Father Christmas" (which has some additional, subtle keyboard flourishes), Kozelek proves that despite his reputation every bit a crabby curmudgeon, he's really a sentimental bastard who remembers how magical the holiday season can exist when rendered in song. I am not ashamed to admit that I teared upwardly listening to his have on "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," subtly abetted by backing vocalists and filtered through sweet Peanuts memories.

And "What Kid Is This?" has always taken my breath abroad… no less so, hither. Merry Christmas, Marking. Y'all may claim to not understand Christmas, but I doubtable you do in ways maybe yous merely haven't still figured out. It's nice to close out the year with you this manner, on such a wonderful note.

DOWNLOAD: Equally of it. (–FM)

***

Various ARTISTS – An Americana Christmas
(New West- 3 / 5 stars) www.NewWestRecords.com

Giving a nod to both Americana'southward elder statesmen and the upward-and-comers, New West Records – easily one of the genres best labels going right at present – has just offered ane of the freshest takes on Christmas albums in years. Despite some solid contributions by Bob Dylan, The Ring and Johnny Cash, aside from John Prime'southward brilliantly original number "Everything is Cool," the real standouts hither come up from New Westward's newest artists like Robert Ellis'southward encompass of "Pretty Paper" and Nikki Lane'south beautifully twangy "Falalalalove You" (Patsy Cline's heir apparent?). While Christmas albums nowadays are every bit stale as a plate of Gingerbread cookies left out until April, An Americana Christmas is a refreshing take on the seasonal tape.

DOWNLOAD: "Everything is Cool" (John Prine), "Pretty Paper" (Robert Ellis) and "FalalalaLove You" (Nikki Lane)  (–JBM)

***

HERB ALPERT – The Christmas Wish
(Herb Alpert Presents – 4/v stars) world wide web.herbalpert.com

Herb Alpert is a trumpeter who has pleased many for decades. He has a unique style of making a trumpet speak. This is the perfect fourth dimension of year for The Christmas Wish, a Christmas album grade Herb Alpert. Information technology has been effectually 50 years since he has had a Christmas album out, so why not write virtually information technology.

Need something to mind to while the yule log burns, and then Santa Baby will brand anyone smile. This song is a expert Christmas list for anyone, but all the same not as expensive as 12 days of Christmas. The sound of trumpet is magical it has no demand for lyrics. Imagine only sitting past the burn watching the twinkling lights on the tree listening to this in the groundwork with a loving cup of eggnog in hand. A good Christmas eve evening.

Throughout this album non just volition at that place be bang-up trumpet, but it is with a symphony and a choir. At that place are a couple of medleys and they are wonderful. Ane that stands out is Carol of the Bells/ We Wish You a Merry Christmas, the crossover between the two songs volition fill up one with joy. The choir is cute, the strings from the symphony coincide beautifully with the trumpet.

Silent Night is a classic and for most a tradition. This is the song that sums up the flavor. The trumpet speaks on this song similar no other. Herb Alpert brings the trumpet to life and gives information technology a heart. A smooth soft soothing sound that illuminates the heart. Merry Christmas, Darling spreading love to the ears. A bit of a modern soft jazz undertaking of this sensual song. It is i to be played to and for that special someone.

Another way to expect at Christmas is through a child'south eyes, Santa Claus is Coming to Town. A favorite to play while Santa is flying, dreams of presents to all girls and boys. This is a soft re-interpretation of this archetype. The Christmas Wish is the album name as well as a beautiful song that will make a tear drop of joy run downward 1'southward cheek. The softness with the lovely voice presenting a vocal in a great way.

The Christmas Song is a must listen for any Christmas get together. It is what makes the season vivid. Hearing it volition make one cheerful and reflect on how wonderful and magical this season truly is and will always exist. In that location are songs that i listens to and will brand ane retrieve differently most everything. Trumpet on this one is simply amazing. This is what every role party should play at their Christmas party. White Christmas is simply spectacular with trumpets. The picture classic has contest now.

What Are You Doing New year's day's Eve? , this is i of those end of night songs to remind i that just considering the 25^thursday is gone the vacation season of joy and celebration is non over. A nice style to end an album that is filled with love and beautiful music.

This author has three Christmas trees upward in a tiny apartment, maybe this writer is a little crazy.  Sitting hither watching the lights twinkle reminds what is important in life. The soft jazz sound of this album is what makes thoughts more special. Check this album out and Merry Christmas!

DOWNLOAD: Go for every holiday melody! ( – TT)

On hand are Branford Marsalis, Nnenna Freelon, Marshall Crenshaw, Don Dixon, Skylar Gudasz, Django Haskins, Millie McGuire Kirsten Lambert, Eric Hodge, Walker Harrison , and Presyce Baez.

Past Blurt Staff

Longtime NC music scene aficionados already know the term "Occasional Shivers": it's a song penned by Christ Stamey (The dB's) and released as part of a Christmas single in 1986. More recently, information technology has a new context: a "brand-new onetime-fashioned radio play ambulation this holiday season on public dissemination" that Stamey has newly composed and produced.

The play features the in a higher place artists (Marsalis is the host) plus a jazz ring featuring the likes of Bill Frisell, John Brownish, Scott Sawyer and Will Campbell, and is a "one-hr musical drama tells the story of two immature lovers who meet at a pair of Christmas parties…. With characters such every bit lodge hostess Birdie McDavenish ("I Didn't Mean to Autumn in Beloved with You"), famed composer Paul Carter ("Intoxichoclification"), and aspiring songwriter Volition Cassidy ("Manhattan Melody [That'southward My New York]"), the play harkens back to an era, after W Side Story merely before the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, when jazz had gone from hot to absurd and it looked like rock and curlicue was on its final legs."

Information technology premiered alive in September in Chapel Hill at UNC'southward Kenan Music Edifice, and the broadcast is at present going to exist available as an expanded "director'south cutting" starting Christmas 24-hour interval via iTunes and Amazon. Below, watch a couple of versions of the trailer. Happy holidays, anybody!

Independent record store concatenation (three cities) to accident it out as usual with The Veldt, Hank Sinatra frontman Jeffro, and Al Riggs.

Past Blurt Staff

A lot of you probably know that BLURT has a sister business here in North Carolina, Schoolkids Records, which operates stores in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Our esteemed owner,  Stephen Estimate, has announced the annual Christmas party, which volition take identify on December 23 on the Raleigh location's stage. Every bit usual, the bash is co-curated by Guess and Hank Sinatra frontman Jeffro, and with the latter as well set to perform, who the hell knows what volition be going down! And since the Raleigh store sells beer (local and premium typhoon besides as cans), a good rock 'n' scroll fourth dimension is guaranteed for all. See the full announcement, below, and so marker your calendars because everyone from the extended Schoolkids and BLURT families are invited—drib by and say hello to us, why don't ya?

"Folks, please join us for our annual holiday blow-out party. The event is 100% Free! and this yr we are extremely proud to have gracing the Schoolkids – Raleigh stage: Al Riggs (8pm), Jeffro from Hank Sinatra & Friends (9pm) and The Veldt (10pm) all times are gauge only delight get in early! Nosotros all know 2016 has been a very tough year so let's blow this sucker off the map stone and roll style! see you all so!! aid united states of america spread the give-and-take!"

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More than details at the official Facebook event: https://world wide web.facebook.com/events/215963338847150/

Info on Schoolkids Raleigh: http://www.schoolkidsrecords.com/CustomPage/349

Map to event: 2237 Avent Ferry Rd #101, Raleigh, NC 27606

Special defacing U.S. currency issue…

By Uncle Blurt

Everybody loves the states here at the BLURT tiny home. Yes, we have downsized to a xx′ ten lx′ x 13′ space in lodge to reduce our carbon banner. Plus, we can at present pay way less rent since we are in an RV park. Merely I digress…

Among the thousands of Christmas cards we become at BLURT each yr, near none stand up out. Oh sure, we love seeing all those hastily-scrawled kudos across the back of an un-used album promo postcard from bands… ask us quondam about how much we scored on eBay for that '90s Supersuckers autographed Xmas card. But those grouping photos of publicity agencies, you know, the ones where all the recently hired hot gals 'n' guys are pushed to the forepart row and the fatty, greying veterans of the biz pose placidly near the back? Not so much. (Note to all our veteran p.r. friends: But kidding. Nosotros wait just like you, retrieve? Run across you in Austin!)

But once in awhile a much-loved (and ALL OF You ARE MUCH-LOVED!) contributor simply nails it, Christmas-wise.

At the height yous can see this year's holiday card from the mighty folks at Drag Metropolis Records. Tantalizing, no? Below, bank check out what was revealed when we opened the card upward:

And yes, gentle readers, that IS an actual defaced American uno dollar bill. It has already been submitted to the Secret Service and they have verified it is the existent bargain, worth at least i U.S. samolian, or in layman's terms, near 67 cents on the open marketplace. And no, in case yous are wondering: our favorite Starbucks employee will not be finding this in the tip jar tomorrow morning. It'southward going to be displayed proudly on the BLURT Hall of Images.

Skilful on ya, Drag City. May all your Christmases be…. er, with apologies to Bing Crosby… green. By the way, who the hell IS that stylin', hat-wearin' cat in the chapeau subbing for our homo George Due west?!?

2016: bring it on.

Anthology: The Quality Holiday Revue (Live) [RSD Sectional]

Artist: NICK LOWE & LOS STRAITJACKETS

Label: Yep Roc

Release Date: November 27, 2015

www.yeproc.com

The Consequence: We wish it could be Christmas every mean solar day with jolly ol' St. Nick!

By JOHN B. MOORE

Information technology's hard non to be cynical nigh a Christmas album being release in 2015. As a society didn't we pretty much lock in every holiday anthology we would ever need by the third or fourth Sinatra Christmas tape?

That being said, Nick Lowe makes a pretty solid statement that there may be room for one more, even if (or especially considering) it isn't entirely a Christmas record.

With the live album, The Quality Holiday Revue, Lowe and his backing band Los Straitjackets churn through a baker'south dozen of songs here recorded from a 2014 concert run. Almost of the songs hither are Lowe playing alongside Los Straightjackets, with the exception of the opening and closing tracks featuring Lowe solo with an acoustic guitar (playing "A Dollar Short of Happy and "Sensitive Human") and Los Straitjackets doing a killer comprehend of Vince Guaraldi's  "Linus and Lucy" instrumental.

Many of the should be holiday classics hither like "Christmas at the Aerodrome,"  "I Wish it Could Exist Christmas Every Day" and "The North Pole Express" were featured on Lowe's last holiday offering, 2013 Quality Street. This record was a November Record Store Day exclusive.

DOWNLOAD: "Christmas at the Airport," "Sensitive Human being" and "Linus and Lucy"

N Carolina outfit serves upwardly the Charlie Brown goodness. [5 th in our series of 2015 Christmas Songs, collect 'em all: (1) Luxuriant Sedans – " Santa Claus, Baby "; (2) Sleater-Kinney – "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)"; (3) Southern Culture on the Skids – " Argent Bells "; (four) Skylar Gudasz – "The Sounds of Christmas" ]

By Blurt Staff

Anybody knows the original version of "Christmas Fourth dimension Is Here" written by Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi for, naturally, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Now, Asheville, NC, dreampop grouping Warm The Bell has covered it for a vacation single, and they definitely put their ain unique spin on it. Cheque it out:

Incidentally, you can read a review of Warm The Bell from awhile dorsum elsewhere on the BLURT site. The single and the grouping can be establish at the official WTB website, natch, and they are:

– Sam Brinkley – Drums, Percussion
– Vickie Burick – Vocals, Laughing
– Anthony Dorion – Bass, Percussion
– Sean Robbins – Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Vocals

(Plus invitee Wayne Robbins, of the Hellsayers, on Keyboards)

Music to bring some year-end cheer your way, courtesy Etienne Charles, Cassie Ramone, Nellie Mckay, Palma Violets, Count Basie Orchestra, Elouise, Rhonda Vincent, the Daptone Records crew and more than! Ho-ho-ho to everyone out there in Blurt-country!

By JASON GROSS

Despite the countless barrage of the same vacation music mercilessly piped through stores in endless loops, each year actually does add some squeamish fiddling presents of new Xmas music otherwise. If y'all wanna get through the shopping season with a piece of your sanity intact, we'd similar to recommend these aural pleasures as a fine style to practice that.  You can hear all that Spotify carries of these songs and albums here at our special vacation playlist.

In addition, we asked the artists themselves offering up their own listing of holiday songs they dearest, which we offer upwardly to you here as some other Spotify playlist to bask with 37 songs and two hours of music.

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Etienne Charles

Creole Christmas

Culture Shock Records: http://world wide web.etiennecharles.com/

The title might seem to be a misnomer- it's not Cajun or zydeco music hither just it's definitely flavored by the Spanish culture that fostered Creole music. The festivities specially shine with guests like the droll Calypso legend Lord Realtor and R&B singer/Broadway star Mykel Kilgore, who does a nice have on "This Christmas," though no one can top Stevie's version.  Other highlights include interludes from Hanukah on the klezmer-styled "Juliana" and "Roses of Caracas Waltz," the raucous bish-bash drums of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Boondocks," a salsa accept on "The Nutcracker Suite," the Django Reinhardt-like guitars on "I'll Be Dwelling For Christmas" and the low-rent vacation political party of "Christmas Is Yours, Christmas Is Mine." Multi-cultural-ism at its all-time.

Vacation faves from Etienne Charles

1. Lionel Belasco "Maysotis"
2. Ray Charles & Betty Carter "Infant It's Common cold Exterior"
3. John Williams "Somewhere in My Retentivity" (from the Home Lone soundtrack)
4. Nat King Cole "The Christmas Song
5. Elvis Presley "Blueish Christmas"

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Count Basie Orchestra

A Very Swingin' Basie Christmas!

Concord: http://world wide web.thecountbasieorchestra.com/

I know, I know… Mr. Basie left us back in 1984 (who tin can forget his cameo in Blazing Saddles?) and yous think you're besides hip for old school jazz. But damn if these guys aren't having a good time here and living up to the title.  Everyone knows the songs already but from the blaring rows of horns on "Jingle Bells," "Wintertime Wonderland" and "Sleigh Ride" to the piece of cake shuffle of "Allow It Snow" to the sweetness Johnny Mathis cameo ("It's the Vacation Flavour") to the moody bop-like "Silent Dark" to the breezy "Adept "Swing" Wenceslas" (go it?) to the jiving take on "Little Drummer Boy," you have a vacation tape that you could easily share and savor with your grandparents, if non your parents.

Holiday faves from CBO Managing director/trumpeter, Scotty Barnhart

1. Nat Rex Cole "The Christmas Vocal"
2. Donny Hathaway "This Christmas"
3. The Temptations The Temptations Christmas Card
4. Johnny Mathis Merry Christmas
5. Duke Ellington "The Nutcracker Suite"

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Elouise

"Silent Night"

Landslide/KG Music: http://kgmusicpress.com/ http://landslidesound.com/

Admittedly, you lot accept every right to exist suspicious of any music that calls itself "Blackgrass"- a goth take on bluegrass- but the settings here are and so graphic that they're moving, pushing aside any question of kitsch.  The haunted, halting strings swirl effectually Elouise Walker's croaky, broken voice, making a vacation hymn into a drawn-out, pained work of anguished dazzler which reshapes the song and brings back fond memories of Chapel Loma grim realists Trailer Helpmate.  Non a ballad anymore simply emotional and stirring nevertheless.  And wouldn't you want to see a blackness-clad chorus reenacting this?  Get your gloom at https://soundcloud.com/user-481899170/silent-night.

Holiday faves from Elouise Walker

1. Slim Whitman "Star of the East"
2. Sex activity Pistols "Nookie"
3. Earl Scruggs "Jingle Bells"
4. Tom Waits "Christmas Carol from a Hooker in Minneapolis" (studio version)
5. Ukefink "Oh Death"

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Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Big Band Holidays

Blueish Engine: http://www.jazz.org/blueengine/

Some other jazzy take on the vacation only a touch more formalist, even if the Basie gang would really dig information technology too (not to mention that Wynton'due south dad guests on the Basie record).  After a blaring kickoff on "Jingle Bells," award winning singer Cécile McLorin Salvant does a gorgeous take on "Accept Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," followed by an appropriately sound effect-laden (and sensuous) take on Satchmo's "'Zat You Santa Claus?," singer/actor Gregory Porter's lush, warm version of "A Cradle In Bethlehem," a Coltrane-like modal take on "We 3 Kings," Salvant returning for a bluesy version of "What Child Is This?," Porter tag-teaming back in for "Merry Christmas Babe" in blues way again and Salvant returning in Holiday (as in Billie) way for "Information technology's Easy To Blame the Weather" and then finishing off with the joyous Basie classic "Good Morn Dejection."  You might wish that he'd spend more time stompin' at the Savoy than in the ballroom simply you gotta give it Wynton- he knows his history, knows how to pick a good cast and he can have a skilful fourth dimension likewise while schooling you.

Vacation faves from Wynton Marsalis

1. Ella Fitzgerald "Have Yourself a Merry Fiddling Christmas "
2. Louis Armstrong  "Christmas Night in Harlem" ­
3. Duke Ellington Orchestra "Peanut Breakable Brigade"
4. Lambert, Hendricks & Ross  "Deck Us All with Boston Charlie"
5. John Coltrane "Greensleeves"

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Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

It's A Holiday Soul Party

Daptone: http://daptonerecords.com/

Sure it'south as retro every bit the Wynton and Basie records listed here but if you accept a jones for Jones' mid/tardily 'sixty's revival, you'll be full of vacation joy to learn that this is her best tape in years. Armed with a great voice and a neat ring, it'due south hard for her to go incorrect and her wonderful bleeding heart politics are upfront with the self-penned opener nearly Hanukkah and another original, "Ain't No Chimneys In the Project," that the Godfather of Soul would appreciate.  She fifty-fifty transforms some over-trodden classics: "White Christmas" is washed via pre-comeback Tina Turner and "Silent Dark" is done via the bluesy soul of Bobby Banal, "Niggling Drummer Boy" gets the funk, "Silverish Bells" goes from gospel to Stax nicely and an instrumental have on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" could have wandered out of an Al Greenish/Hi session.  A holiday soul party indeed.

Holiday faves from Gabriel Roth- Dap-Kings producer/band leader

1. Freddy King "Christmas Tears"
2. Otis Redding and Carla Thomas :New Year'south Resolution"
3. James  Brown "Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto"
4. Binky Griptite "Stoned Soul Christmas"
5. Shaladas "Sha-la-da-la-la It'southward Christmas"

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Nellie Mckay

"WEED (All I Desire for Christmas)"

Courtesy of the always-surprising, fun-loving pop-cabaret chanteuse comes this sweet, low-cal-hearted tribute to cannabis. Sharing the spotlight with Minneapolis scenester/R&B singer Maurice Jacox (who croons the verses) and set aloft past cheerful horns, McKay not only craves the chronic but takes on the ill-blighted war on drugs in a rap/Jamaican-toast style ("40% of present penitentiaries/are on a pot-related charge") on this delightful ditty which proper name-checks Willie Nelson, Jimmy Carter and Machiavelli. Also, the video is a hoot, with McKay dressed up equally a giant pot leafage, funning effectually stores and playgrounds and making friends wherever she goes – watch it above, as the editor and I agree it is indeed a must-view, and it out-Mileys everyone'due south favorite weed fan, Miley Cyrus. (Parents: Send the kids down to the basement first.)

Holiday faves from Nellie McKay

1. Jimmy Durante "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer"
2. Elvis Presley "Blue Christmas"
3. James Brown "Santa Claus Go Straight To the Ghetto"
4. Vince Guaraldi "Christmastime Is Here"
5. John Lennon/Yoko Ono "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"

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Palma Violets

"Concluding Christmas On Globe"

Rough Trade: http://world wide web.roughtraderecords.com/

A weird petty number from this English indie rock ring, the majestic pace and ethereal keyboards, strained, sad vocals and shouted sing-a-long chorus ("We can't even cry/'Cause we merely wanna get nowhere") takes the championship seriously- information technology's not just a romantic goodbye but also an apocalyptic farewell-bye with poor ol' Rudolph being shot downwardly and pleas to Santa and Jesus ignored.  Still fifty-fifty in its gloomy bulletin, it'due south somehow moving in its own manner and desperate for pity, making it an appropriate holiday song nevertheless.

Holiday faves from PV drummer Will Doyle

1. Chuck Berry "Run Rudolph Run"
2. Ramones "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight This night)"
3. Julian Casablancas "I Wish It Was Christmas Today"
4. Bing Crosby and David Bowie "Little Drummer Boy"
5. The Fall "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"

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Cassie Ramone

Christmas In Reno

Burger: http://www.burgerrecords.org/

Ramone's a busy bee – in the last decade, she'southward been a member of Bossy, Vivian Girls and the Babies.  Now on her 2d solo album, the NJ native makes the historic link betwixt Spector Wall of Audio and shoegaze, which is just appropriate 'cause the later couldn't have existed without the onetime, right? Unlike Uncle Phil though, she goes depression-key, with gorgeous voices and echoed guitar and occasional percussion in a 1-woman prove. "Christmas (Infant Please Come Habitation)" sounds like the daughter group classic it'll always be and the Beach Boys' "Little Saint Nick" is turned into an Animate being Collective out-take (which is only fair) merely Chuck Berry'southward "Run Rudolph Run" is transformed into dream-popular heaven and McCartney'southward icky "Wonderful Christmastime" is transformed into enigmatic psychedelic folk, the Elvis archetype "Blue Christmas" turns into a brief wall of guitar fuzz and Brenda Lee'southward "Rockin Around the Xmas Tree" trounces the original'southward melody and seems to almost question the holiday spirit. When she does go the spirit back on "Sleigh Ride," she seems to casually and mysteriously slip in and out of melody and lets her guitar bury her voice on the Peanuts classic "Christmastime Is Here," only going (relatively) straight on the closer, "The Christmas Song." Birthday, a gorgeous, subversive little record.

Vacation faves from Cassie Ramone:

1. Mariah Carey "All I Want for Christmas is You"
2. The Carpenters "Merry Christmas Darling"
3. Boston Pops Orchestra "Sleigh Ride"
4. Wham! "Terminal Christmas"
5. The Ramones "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)"

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Super Hullo-Fi

Yule Analog Vol. II

Very Special Recordings: http://superhifimusic.com/

Following up on terminal year's wonderful novelty, if you tin can't get enough of trombone-led dub versions of holiday classics, here'southward where you can cash in.  Silly as information technology sounds, it'southward a hell of a lot of fun- tricky, spacey, audacious without being too outré and it'due south oh so unique.  Bassist/bandleader Ezra Gale leads the troop through some new takes on old classics and some surprises- you might call up yous know "What Child Is This" but not with wild guitar solos and an even more catholic take on "What Version Is This?" follows.   Ditto the fragile but buoyant  "Dance of the Saccharide Plum Fairy" and the more interstellar "Trip the light fantastic of the Sugar Plum Versions" and a strident take on "O Come All Ye Faithful" later redone as in a drawn-out, heavily echoed style as "O Come up All Ye Versions." And just when you remember you've heard it all, there's the original, hilarious ska/calypso flavored "Please Santa Bring Me An Echoplex."  Languid joy even for those of you who don't partake in the holy herb.

Holiday faves from Ezra Gale:

1. Jimi Hendrix "Picayune Drummer Male child/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne"
2. Otis Redding "Merry Christmas Babe"
3. Nat Male monarch Cole Trio "The Christmas Vocal"
4. Kurtis Blow "Christmas Rappin'"
5. The Cheetahs "A Message to Santa Claus"

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Rhonda Vincent

Christmas Fourth dimension

Upper Direction: http://world wide web.uppermanagementmusic.com/

If y'all're a state fan who's been naughty (every bit in bad), maybe LeAnn Rimes, Claire Lynch or Jessie James Decker take the vacation music yous deserve but if you've been overnice (you take, right?), and then requite them this bluegrass star a try, now making a long overdue follow-up to her 2006 holiday record.  Mayhap it'southward considering she has a gorgeous phonation that she doesn't use to over-sing and get all diva or maybe it's the uncomplicated, modest arrangements (including fiddle, mandolin, banjo, steel guitar) that do the fob.  It also helps that Vincent throws in some practiced originals too: the yearning, sugariness "Dreaming of Christmas," the centre-broken "Christmas Time" and the adorable, Western Swing of "Milk & Cookies."  If that wasn't plenty, there'due south a joyous, funny, star-packed version of "Twelve Days of Christmas" that would flare-up the Grand Ole Opry, including The Oak Ridge Boys, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton, Ronnie Milsap, Larry Gatlin, Jeannie Seely and Pam Tillis and an extraordinary nine infinitesimal medley where she seamlessly weaves through six Xmas classics, backed only by piano.  Let's come across whatever bro-land act top that.

Holiday faves from Rhonda Vincent:

1. Emmylou Harris "Cute Star of Bethlehem"
2. The Isaacs "It'southward Christmastime Once again"
3. The Isaacs "Santa Claus Is Real"
4. Ricky Skaggs & James Taylor "New Shining Star"
5. George Strait "Christmas Cookies"

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Various Artists

Blues Christmas

Cleopatra: http://cleorecs.com/

Leaving information technology to the blues to give usa a more realistic take on belatedly December than near of pop culture can evangelize to usa.  This collection is much more varied than you think and despite beingness all over the place then, it's too a lot more consistent than you'd wait, drawing by and large from more recent acts.  Demand some muddy, allusion-filled blues? Try Popa Stubby's stinging guitar on "Back Door Santa" and Stax legend Steve Cropper's "Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby." Downhome funk anyone? Try Larry McCray'south "Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'" with its B.B.-like guitar. Downhome dejection is covered here too with Kenny Neal'due south take on "I'll Be Home For Christmas." Need a wild stomp with echoed harmonica? Endeavour James Montgomery Ring's version of "Deck The Halls." At that place's fifty-fifty a daughter group/Chuck Drupe mash-up (Annie Marie Lewis' "O Come All Ye Faithful"), rockabilly meets R&B (Debbie Davies' "Boogie Woogie Santa Claus"), wearisome-called-for metallic (Eric Gales' "Little Drummer Male child") and even an odd, enticing acoustic-and then-electric instrumental (Leslie West'due south "Silent Dark"). A bizarre, botched have on John/Yoko's "Merry Christmas (War Is Over)" is easily counted with a pair of sometime school classics- Charles Brown's re-make of his own "Merry Christmas Baby" and the gorgeous minimalism of Lightnin' Hopkins "Santa." Proving again, sometimes it's fun to have the blues.

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 HONORARY MENTION:

Much similar the Xmas special it originates from, Phoenix/Bill Murray's "Alone On Christmas" looks better on (virtual) paper- would take been funnier to have the video of Murray'south 'duet' with Chris Rock from the show. A happier holiday tin exist had via your favorite online ordering overlord Amazon and their Indie For the Holidays compilation which includes Rogue Wave, Fruit Bats and Reverend Horton Heat. Even amend vacation cheer can be had via Alligator Records' compilation A Blues Christmas, which culls tracks from their '92 and '03 holiday albums and features Koko Taylor, Shemekia Copeland, Elvin Bishop & Marcia Brawl. If the Super How-do-you-do-Fi tape sounds tempting and you desire your dub with a taste of lounge jazz, endeavour Astrocolor's Lit Up: Music For Christmas. And though information technology's half of a greatest hits live drove, Nick Lowe and Lost Straightjackets' The Quality Holiday Revue (Yeah Roc) does feature a few some dainty holiday choices like his own drool "Christmas at the Airdrome" and a rollicking take on the spiritual tune "Children Get Where I Sent Thee" though you'd be better off tracking down his full Xmas album, 2013's Quality Street (Yeah Roc).

Lovely new rail now role of the archetype dB'southward holiday record. [ 4th in our serial of 2015 Christmas Songs, collect 'em all: (1) Luxuriant Sedans – " Santa Claus, Baby "; (two) Sleater-Kinney – "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)"; (iii) Southern Culture on the Skids – " Silver Bells "]

Past Fred Mills

It'due south our favorite time of year too, Skylar: Due north Carolina's premiere indie chanteuse Skylar Gudasz recently appeared on the expanded version of the fan-fave holiday collection It's Christmas Time Again! by The dB's And Friends (Omnivore), doing "The Sounds Of Christmas." Clearly the standout among the newly-added tracks to the record, the tune is now online to bring some additional Xmas cheer, then cheque it out:

We don't wanna fight this night either, ladies… [2nd in our serial of Christmas Songs, collect 'em all: (1) Luxuriant Sedans – "Santa Claus, Baby"]

By Barbi Martinez, Blurt Intern

As the A.V. Guild is reporting, last night in Cleveland at the Firm of Dejection, Sleater-Kinney did a rip-snorting version of the Ramones' classic holiday song, "Merry Christmas (I Don't Desire to Fight Tonight)" from '89. The audio and video are ace, to boot. Check it out:

loveexpined.blogspot.com

Source: https://blurtonline.com/category/christmas/

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