Yuletide Spirit: SHARING THE JOY: MUSIC REVIEW-SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS, VOLUME TWO

Friday, December 3, 2010

SHARING THE JOY: MUSIC REVIEW-SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS, VOLUME TWO

Today I am reviewing a wonderful Christmas music CD called The Sounds of Christmas, Volume Two. Here is a line up of the songs on the CD:

1. I Believe in Father Christmas- Vertical Horizon
2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen- Belinda Carlisle
3. Christmas Time Is Here- Mike Conley with the Beef Manhattans
4. First Christmas Apart- Chase Stevens
5. Christmas Waltz- Kathy Sledge
6. Hey Hey Santa- Swingin' Medallions
7. Coming Home- Bootlegger
8. Little Drummer Boy- Deep Blue Something
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas- Sweeping at Last
10. White Christmas - Dave Stewart
11. Sleigh Ride - Persephone's Bees
12. Merry Christmas Baby- Hello Dollface
13. Blue Christmas - Death on Two Wheels
14. Silent Night (Not So Silent) - The Briggs
15. The First Noel - Ball and Chain
16. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Tequila Hounds
17. Santa Gotta Get Some - North Pole Allstars

My thoughts:

This is a wonderful Christmas music compilation, with a good mixture of traditional songs and new favorites, performed in a variety of genres from rock to r & b. There are several that are stand outs, in my opinion, and they are:

I Believe in Father Christmas by Vertical Horizon--this band was pretty big in the 90s and they have a nice mellow alternative sound. It comes through nicely in this song.

Christmas Time is Here by Mike Conley with the Beef Manhattans--who doesn't love this song that has been so prominent in the wonderful Charlie Brown Christmas Special? This is a great rendition of it.

First Christmas Apart by Chase Stevens--this was my first time hearing this song and I really like it. Chase Stevens has a great voice and it's a cozy song.

The Christmas Waltz by Kathy Sledge--never thought I would say that I like a version of this song as well as The Carpenters version, but I do. This is a beautiful song and Kathy Sledge has a wonderful voice for it.

Little Drummer Boy by Deep Blue Something--this was another band out of the alternative music scene of the 90s, I believe. I don't really remember any of their songs, but this is an entertaining version of this classic Christmas song.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Sleeping At Last--I have always loved this song, especially the version sung by Judy Garland. The singer of this band has a wonderful, calming voice and it makes the song all the more beautiful.

Silent Night (Not So Silent) by The Briggs and The First Noel by Ball & Chain--think Green Day or Blink 182 meets Christmas music. Both of these songs are done in that type of rock style. A nice twist on two more classic Christmas carols.

I highly recommend this CD. It will add a lot of cheer to your holiday season, as it has to mine.

About its creators:

Ken Kessler

Ken Kessler has been in radio for over twenty years, including morning shows in Raleigh, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Washington, DC. He became discouraged with traditional radio, particularly the way they handled Christmas music, and launched his own Christmas radio station (www.SoundsofChristmas.com) in 2007. The staggering number of talented singers and musicians that he’s met along the way inspired him to connect with John and launch SOC Music. Through SOC Music, Ken is looking forward to getting more artists heard on traditional radio, as well as promoting their work through online radio, social networking sites and whatever comes next!

John Lane

John Lane is a songwriter, producer, performer, recording engineer and piano technician. He started his performing career with a show/dance band while in his late teens, touring the east coast of the USA. He later formed and led a jazz band, "Centerpiece", which was the first jazz group to perform in the lounges and showrooms of Atlantic City. His love of technology has always kept him at the forefront of recording technology, owning the first synthesizers invented, the first Apple computers that were capable of midi and audio recording, and the first Kurzweil 250 Sampling Keyboard. He currently owns and operates his recording studio in San Diego, when he is not on the Tennis court with his beautiful wife Linda:)

Go HERE to listen to The Sounds of Christmas internet radio station, free, 24 Hours, every day.

CDs and downloads available on http://www.socmusic.net/ as well as on Amazon, CDBaby, Rhapsody and iTunes! Be sure to also check out last year's CD, The Sounds of Christmas, Volume One and Lisa Kessler's The Magic of Christmas.

Happy listening!

4 comments:

RyanDecember 4, 2010 at 12:50 AM
I wonder if you have heard Nancy Wilson sing Christmas Waltz, it's by far my favorite. Here is a youtube link for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLj1vlmLDHo

By the way I have the CD this is taken from along with the first part. I just need the third CD now.
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Michelle Stockard MillerDecember 4, 2010 at 3:58 AM
That is a nice version and I had not heard it before...thanks! I probably need to look into getting that set of CDs. You should go to the Sounds of Christmas website. They have where you can listen to samples of the songs. The version of Christmas Waltz on it is really wonderful.
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Tales of WhimsyDecember 4, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Great review :) I love Christmas music!
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AnonymousDecember 4, 2010 at 3:17 PM
This blog is so wonderfully cheerful! I am now following both your blogs :)
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I have always loved the holidays, which for me is Yuletide and Halloween (I love Thanksgiving too). I try to keep the spirit going year-round, with Christmas in July in the middle of summer. What I love the most about Christmas and Yuletide are the feelings of good will and peace, and the traditions, which are the message of the season. Keeping the spirit and celebrating Yuletide all year long is the goal. Oh, and don't forget Halloween. Click the Halloween button below to check out our page. I intend to share more Halloween elements going forward. I hope you enjoy your time here! I also blog at my main blog, True Book Addict. Just click the button below the Halloween button to visit.

Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.

Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them, for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happens on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed; and that was quite enough for him.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterward; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One!

from A CHRISTMAS CAROL BY CHARLES DICKENS, 1812-1870

Christmas Morning

Jo was the first to wake in the gray dawn of Christmas morning. No stockings hung at the fireplace, and for a moment she felt as much disappointed as she did long ago, when her little sock fell down because it was so crammed with goodies. Then she remembered her mother's promise, and slipping her hand under her pillow, drew out a little crimson-covered book. She knew it very well, for it was that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived, and Jo felt that it was a true guide-book for any pilgrim going the long journey. She woke Meg with a "Merry Christmas," and bade her see what was under her pillow. A green-covered book appeared, with the same picture inside, and a few words written by their mother, which made their one present very precious in their eyes. Presently Beth and Amy woke, to rummage and find their little books also,--one dove-colored, the other blue; and all sat looking at and talking about them, while the east grew rosy with the coming day.
..
from LITTLE WOMEN BY Louisa May Alcott, 1832-1888

The Magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the wisest. Everywhere they are the wisest. They are the Magi.
..
from THE GIFT OF THE MAGI BY O. Henry

Home for Christmas

This is meeting time again. Home is the magnet. The winter land roars and hums with the eager speed of return journeys. The dark is noisy and bright with late-night arrivals--doors thrown open, running shadows on snow, open arms, kisses, voices and laughter, laughter at everything and nothing. Inarticulate, giddying and confused are those original minutes of being back again. The very familiarity of everything acts like shock. Contentment has to be drawn in slowly, steadyingly, in deep breaths--there is so much of it. We rely on home not to change, and it does not, wherefore we give thanks. Again Christmas: abiding point of return. Set apart by its mystery, mood and magic, the season seems in a way to stand outside time. All that is dear, that is lasting, renews its hold on us: we are home again....

from HOME FOR CHRISTMAS BY Elizabeth Bowen, 1899-1973

Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no! We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here! We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny f***ing Kaye! And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse!

Clark W. Griswold in "CHRISTMAS VACATION"

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspision love actually is all around.

~Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) IN "LOVE ACTUALLY"

Christmas began being celebrated on December 25 in 336 A.D. In 350, Pope Julius I declared December 25 the official date, and, in 529, Emperor Justinian declared Christmas a civic holiday. The biblical Jesus was not actually born on December 25. His birth probably took place in the summer months because shepherds and their flocks (the Nativity story portrays that they were present at the birth) would not have been roaming the hills at night in the winter. The reason the Pope chose December 25 as the official date was an attempt to incorporate the winter solstice festivals important to the cultures of pre-Christian Europe and Asia. Christian leaders believed that the best way to get the pagans to accept Christianity was to include their most deep rooted traditions in to Christian worship and celebration. Here are some popular pagan traditions that still survive today:

The Yule Log--this tradition has very deep pagan roots. The massive logs were burned in winter ceremonies in celebration of the sun. The selection of the log was crucial and included much ceremony because the log started the celebration fires and would last for the duration of the winter festival. To justify this pagan ritual, the Christian church gave it a new significance, that the fire signified the light that came from Heaven when Christ was born. The log was lit on Christmas Eve and left burning throughout the twelve days of Christmas (see below for the tradition behind the twelve days of Xmas).

Greenery--evergreens were revered by pagan people because they could stay alive during the cold dark winters. Considered magical, greenery decorated the inside and outside of houses during the winter solstice festivals. Church officials again justified the continued use of greenery by saying it symbolized Christ, who in his triumph over death gave the gift of everlasting life to the world. The most common Christmas greenery in use today: holly, ivy, mistletoe, and, of course, the most revered Christmas tree.

Mistletoe--this Christmas greenery was actually worshiped in pagan times. Druids and Romans thought it sacred, for healing and as a charm against evil. It was considered a symbol of peace; warring soldiers who found themselves under mistletoe quickly put down weapons and made a temporary truce. Ancient Britons hung mistletoe in their doorways to keep evil away. Whoever entered the house safely were given a welcome kiss--thus the custom of kissing under the mistletoe!

Sitting under the mistletoe
(Pale green, fairy mistletoe)
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Someone came and kissed me there.

Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale green, fairy mistletoe)
No footsteps came, no voice, but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air,
Lips unseen--and kissed me there.

~Walter De La Mare, 1873-1956

The Origins of Santa Claus (St. Nicholas)--as a young man, became Bishop of Myra while still a teen, earned him the nickname of Boy Bishop. Bishop Nicholas, through courage and generosity, touched the lives of many people, saving many from famine and despair. He founded an orphanage and became known for his love of and wonderful relationship with children. He was imprisoned by the Roman Empire during a time of religious persecution. He was finally reprieved by Emperor Constantine who was developing a softer attitude toward Christianity. Nicholas died on December 6 in approximately 343 A.D. (This day is still celebrated as St. Nicholas's Day in many European countries) Nicholas was very popular throughout Christendom and he was named the patron saint of children, sailors, thieves, hobos, pawnbrokers, and bankers--and also Russia, Greece, and Sicily.

A Poem Suitable for the Season

The merry halls may jingle in the good, old-fashioned way; In merriment we mingle, with the music holding sway. The "Gloria in Excelsis" is sounding everywhere, But, really, 'tisn't Christmas, if Mother isn't there. She hangs a newer halo round the mistletoe on high; A spirit of bravado drew away the weary sigh-- For sorrow is no mistress, and life lets go its fear Amid the joys of Christmas, when Mother, dear, is here. The fire upon the hearthstone lights up with ruddier glow; The laughter is more mirthsome, bubbling forth in frolic flow; The Christ Child truly comes to us, in all His heavenly cheer, If the advent of old Christmas finds mother, also, here.

~William Hopkins ..

Item: Those Inconsiderate Last-Minute Shoppers

Way of women at Christmas puzzles a woman

Why not start list now (December 5) and do your Christmas giving sensibly, with regard to feelings of others, as well as for time, strength, and money? Leaving everything until last minute makes season harder for clerks and spoils holiday!

(Headline of an article in the December 5, 1926 Providence Journal urging procrastinating wives to show a little more thought during the holiday season. The article is accompanied by an illustration of an unnamed acquaintance of the author's who "used to dread Christmas and spent the whole holiday in bed, utterly spent, and with ice-bags at her head and feet.") ..

Item: Pearl Harbor brings a different kind of Christmas

While preparations are going on here, in a mild way to be sure, due to wartime conditions, our little British cousins across the seas have not been overlooked. Old Santa, that kindly bewhiskered man, will pay them a visit through the thoughtfulness of the relief agencies here...Of the many thousands (of) toys of various types and descriptions sent across the seas by Bundles for Britain, most of them are soft dolls and animals made from scraps of materials in the sewing looms...

(The New York Times, December 21, 1941)

Item: The Choice

If Western civilization dies in a rain of nuclear explosions, it will be written in a later day that the tragedy of our century was the inability of man to apply to the problems of peace the genius that loosed a most fearful Armageddon. "Peace on earth," the angels sang 2,000 years ago, but peace today is as tremulous as thin fog at dawn along the shore...Today is a day for happiness...but we shall end by trading that happiness for horror if we cannot recapture the humility, the simplicity, the understanding, the faith, the affection, and the lack of fear that marked the shepherds who saw His tiny fists wave in the lamplight of a stable at Bethlehem.

(From an editorial in the Providence Journal, December 25, 1957)

Item: The Immigrant's Puzzlement

Understanding Santa is troublesome for Laotians on their first American Yule

Khamehanh Chantharangsy was preparing about a dozen of his fellow Laotians for their first American Christmas...They had never heard of Santa Claus...Now that the refugees are in America, he said, "We try to do everything like American...." Khamchanh interpreted [for his friend Xiong Tong]: "He says it is quite strange, quite interesting but quite impossible for this man to penetrate the roof of his house with such a large sack of toys."

(From the Providence Journal, December 24, 1976)

Friday, December 3, 2010

SHARING THE JOY: MUSIC REVIEW-SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS, VOLUME TWO

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