As promised, I am posting my favorite Christmas albums. Hopefully this music will help you rock your Christmas Eve parties and holiday gatherings. At the very least the list can serve as a reminder of your favorite albums of holidays past. Merry Christmas everyone!
A Very She & Him Christmasis by far my favorite holiday album. There is nothing better than hearing M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel sing the classics. The production is timeless and will liven up any Christmas themed playlist. The album is also special to me because I gave it as a gift to my wife. To my delight, Lunchbox Records had cool album themed wrapping paper and a Christmas pen to go with it. What a great record store! Anyways, this made the gift more special. My wife loves the album and we play it during many special Christmas occasions. This year the record comes with an a Yule Log app. Crazy!
For some North Carolina flavor, look no further than The Gathering. The Wall Street Journal featured the project as one of six holiday albums worth picking up last year, writing: “Five established folk-roots artists gathered in a Greensboro,N.C., house to record this unusual album. The first six songs by singer-guitarist Laurelyn Dossett were commissioned by the North Carolina Symphony and tell the tale of a wandering daughter’s return to her family home on a winter’s night. The next seven tracks are a mix of traditional and old-time holiday folk songs. Three voices work in harmony backed by banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and bass. What the season must have sounded like before shopping and Irving Berlin.” And The Chicago Sun-Times hailed the album: “Collections of Appalachian holiday tunes have come along before, but one of the finest is now ‘The Gathering.’” Needless to say, the record is great!
Another one of my all time favorite albums for gift giving and holiday celebration is Christmas with the Rat Pack. There’s nothing quite like hearing Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra swoon over the very best holiday standards. The songs on this album set a very high mark and very few artists have ever met it. The record has everything from “White Christmas” to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” While Sammy and Frank deliver the goods, Dean Martin outperforms them all. If you want to know what Christmas sounds like, listen to the Rat Pack.
Last but not least is a A Very Special Christmas. This compilation album of Christmas songs has everything: Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Whitney Houston, U2, Sting. If an artist had any traction in the 1980s they are on this benefit album. While all the songs are great, my Brother and I were floored that our mom had actually bought a CD with a RUN DMC track on it. And she liked it! Another special album highlight is Stevie Nix’s “Silent Night.” There’s nothing like having the witchy woman herself sing about the birth of the Saviour. in addition, the record is still very popular and continues to help raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics.
Good story tellers never tell all their stories all at once. For this reason, I will be sharing several Christmas memories leading up to the big day. May all your families find peace and happiness in the New Year.
My Dad, Brother and I are often referred to by other family members as “the boys.” The boys have enjoyed Christmas in many places. We have celebrated in a tiny apartment across from my brother’s old middle school. Our hearts forever closer than the walls that surrounded our merriment. We have even spent Christmas in an old yellow VW bus. Hurling down the highway towards Grandma’s house, opening presents along the way.
Our favorite place to celebrate Christmas is Reidsville. Every year we boys share our holiday spirit at our Grandparent’s house. We celebrate with our Uncle Steve, Aunt Mary Lynn, Cousin Kellie and Cousin Neal. The whole family band marveling at the blessing of family as our Grands entertain us all. Now that band has grown to include spouses and great grandkids. Needless to say, the merriment multiplies infinitely with the company of our youngest celebrants.
Of all the places we have celebrated Christmas, there is one setting that is truly special. It is special not for place but instead for the holiday memories forged there. The year my Dad bought his first house, we enjoyed a holiday that had all the hallmarks of a classic Christmas. And like all great Christmases it centered around the securing of our new home’s first tree.
“You have to have a Christmas tree!” my Brother and I exclaimed in unison as we arrived on my Dad’s doorstep. With those magic words we coaxed our Pops to take us out to add the last essential decoration to our new home.
The three of us piled into the old suburban just hours before Christmas day and headed out to find the perfect tree. My Dad never let on that this was not the most ideal time to find such a tree. I suspect my Brother knew. I, however, was the innocent, gullible believer. My confidence ran sky-high.
Alas, once we hit the road my confidence took a hit. All the tree traders had packed up and left town. In their wake were giant worn patches of grass and empty parking lots. If you looked close enough you could still see the specter of smiling families and happy hucksters. We were too late.
Despite all this my Dad never showed discouragement. My Brother never signaled to me that our endeavors were a lost cause. And so we persevered.
Then came the miracle. One more lonely parking lot. One more missed opportunity. One more Christmas tree!
The tree laid smack dab in the middle of that empty lot as if waiting for rescue. In unison we rejoiced! We would have our Christmas tree after all. With giddy delight we all jumped out of the suburban and surrounded the tree. We took in the moment. We marveled at our luck. It was a scrappy looking thing. Not too far off from the tree Charlie Brown rescued in Charles Schultz’s classic tale. And like that my Dad scooped the tree up and secured it to the roof of our car. With our spirits again riding high, we made our way back home.
Finding the tree, however, was just the beginning. It was the catalyst of some of my fondest Christmas memories. My Dad rescued some Christmas lights from an old box. He found some ornaments in an old tin. My brother and I cut out snowflakes and strung together popcorn. We attached garbage ties to cereal box prizes and G.I. Joes. We hung them right next to the few Christmas balls my Dad had managed to scrounge up. And of course we added a make-shift star to top it all.
When we stood back, the tree was no longer the scrappy loner we rescued. Transformed, it glittered in ideal form. There would never be another tree like it. In the future we would not press our luck when it came to finding a tree. In the future we would add more traditional ornaments. No future tree, however, would resemble the miracle we had erected in our new home. To this day I do not remember what presents I opened that Christmas. What I do vividly remember is the feeling of us all working together to make our quaint little tree shine.
That first home has long been sold, but it still occupies a special place in my heart. It was a place where the boys grew up. Dad, brother and me. Learning from one another. Loving one another. Celebrating birthdays, graduations and all sorts of moments in between. But in many ways it all started with that first Christmas tree. We were bound together by the miracle. The miracle of family. The miracle of togetherness. The miracle of a life worth living.
We continue to celebrate Christmas in a variety of new and exciting places. From the new homes made by my Dad, Brother and me to the grand gathering in Reidsville. We come together. We break bread. We open presents. We hug and laugh. We remember loved ones long gone. We, the boys, celebrate Christmas.
Good story tellers never tell all their stories all at once. For this reason, I will be sharing several Christmas memories leading up to the big day. May all your families find peace and happiness in the New Year.
After the luminaries along the driveway had been lit. After little Katie dog was secure behind her fence. Secret laundry room shots taken. The turkey and ham cooked to perfection. After my Uncle Clyde lead the neighborly gathering in prayer. My Aunt Lollie’s dressing finally served.
After people filled their plates and broke bread. After everyone who came finally went home. Silent Night echoed throughout midnight mass. The candle wax cooled and an empty house welcomed us home. After all of this, my mother prepared us for bed. She prepared us for Santa. She prepared us for life. She read us A Christmas Memory.
My brother and I nestled in with my mom on the living room couch. Sometimes on my double bed. Santa’s milk and cookies set. The story began.
Mom read to us Truman Capote’s holiday story about Buddy. Young Buddy and his dog named Queenie. Buddy who had a caretaker and sweet, old friend named Sook. Mom read to us about the pair making whiskey-soaked fruitcake. She told us about how one of those 31 fruitcakes went to Franklin Roosevelt. How the White House stationary received in return connected Buddy and Sook to the world beyond their tiny, impoverished kitchen. The tale of fruitcake connected my Mom, brother and me to Buddy and Sook. It connected us to Christmas. It connected us to the prayers of the outside world.
Mom read to us about the chopping down of Buddy and Sook’s Christmas tree. The cutting of a tree that healed the wounds inflicted on Sook by scorning relatives. A tree, according to Sook, that was too unique to sell. In truth, we are all like that tree. Special in our own way. Precious to those who love us most. Not worth betraying, no matter the cost.
Mom read to us about the pair making kites for one another. How both Buddy and Sook longed to buy something grander. In the end they settled on gifts crafted from their own hands. Presents infused with the heart’s love. Surely these handmade kites still fly high, intertwined like the purest of friendships. Mom told us about one such friendship. The friendship of Buddy and Sook.
Unfortunately, people separate. Sook and Buddy separate. Life separates us all. But memories hold us together. They are pure. They are simple. They are ideal.
I keep searching the sky. As if I expected to see, rather like hearts, a lost pair of kites hurrying toward heaven.
My mom reads this story to us every Christmas Eve. Year after year the tale holds us three together. Mother, brother and me. Christmas Eve holds us together. No matter the distance we must travel. No matter what disappointments a year might bring. We gather with family and friends. Love and fellowship renew us. It binds us tight. We will always have one another. We will always have our Christmas memories.
After reviewing my 2013 Albums of the Year list, I noticed I forgot to mention my three honorable mentions. While Dylan’s Another Self Portraitwas a revelation, these three albums also received heavy rotation.
Honorable Mentions:
I picked up the Sarah Jarosz’s Build Me Up From Bones and the Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Made Up Mind in Blowing Rock, NC on a family tailgating trip to see the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Both records are exquisite. This is Jarosz’s third album and she continues to refine her bluegrass femme fatale sound. I’ve been a fan since her first record release and the wisdom and heartache in her voice resonates throughout her work. While only 22, Jarosz presence is as timeless as the bluegrass tradition itself.
The Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Made Up Mind record is also stellar. I saw Derek Trucks when he was thirteen at a local spot in Greensboro, NC. To this day his solo guitar performance of “America the Beautiful” is the best rendition I have ever heard. Derek has now transformed his solo project into a family band that feature his fiery soul singing wife, Susan Tedeschi, on lead vocals. The record will blow you away. It is by far one of the bluesiest, grooviest, earth quaking recordings to break through this year.
Last but not least is the 20th Anniversary release of Nirvana’s In Utero. The super deluxe edition comes with 3 CDs and 1 DVD, a remastered version of the album plus 31 bonus tracks, 17 live tracks from their Live and Loud performance at Pier 48 in Seattle (12/13/93) and 11 bonus videos. The packaging does not disappoint either. This is all window dressing, however, for one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Putting it back in the rotation taps you into the loud purity that made Nirvana the tour de force of 90s rock.
With F.I.’s Favorite Albums of 2013 officially in the books, it’s now time to turn our attention to the music that could have been. Relying heavily on Sound Opinion’s Best Albums of 2013 Podcast and Album of the Year’s Best Albums Aggregator, I have assembled the following list. The review blurbs are from the music sites referenced in parentheses.
The list itself is fairly eclectic and references artists that at one time, or another, received heavy rotation on my iTunes music player. Mazzy Star, Deltron 3030, NIN and Nick Cave have long-held my high regard and it’s great to discover new music from such venerable acts. Of these artists, Mazzy Star’s new album excites me the most because it’s been almost 17 years since their last recording. Their wispy-daydream sound is enchanting and I cannot wait to rock baby boy to sleep as we listen to Hope Sandavol sing under pedal steel stars.
While not on the official list, Beck’s Song Reader deserves recognition. He is one of my favorite all-time artists and I totally dig the concept behind his latest album. Only released as sheet music, Beck has invited the world over to share their interpretations on his site, Songreader.net. It’s a brilliant mash-up of both old and new technologies. While the available amateur recordings are a blast, I cannot wait to checkout Beck’s own interpretations from his official Song Reader Celebration concert.
The other half of the list are albums by artists that managed to stay off my musical radar. It will take a lot for them to supplant 2012’s late year discovery, Gary Clark Jr. and his fantastic Blak and Blu album. With Spotify fired up, the early returns on these new acts sound promising. The Savages bring a mean punch and according to the guys at Sound Opinions, have a lead singer whose live presence is the biggest thrill since Kurt Cobain. John Grant is the best singer-song writter on this list and he has received high praise across the music publishing spectrum. Caitlin Rose and Parquet Courts were both shared by my brother, the infamous Uncle B. Rose’s work is in the alt-country vein and the Courts offer punky punch pleasure. Low has my interest peaked because their album was produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and if the song Plastic Cup is any indication, they are an inventive band worthy of air play. Last but not least is Darkside. Their Psychic album is strictly for headphone land and I cannot wait to take in its sonic vapor. It promises to defy genres and should serve as a great mental-escape soundscape.
Mazzy Star: Seasons Of Your Day(TinyMixTapes) Seasons of Your Dayis album music that is supposed to be played in sequence on a record player with a cup of tea and a good book. As ever, it’s rapturous makeout music. It’s music for unrepentant daydreamers. But the record’s dusty functionality should not be held against it, especially when the people involved have spent so many years carving out such a particular niche. Sandoval and her collaborators may never modify the melancholy torch that they bear, but they keep that fire masterfully for those of us who still have a yen for patient, no-frills sounds that happen to serve as a miracle balm.
Savages: Silence Yourself (PRETTY MUCH AMAZING) Savages’ smart reorganization and shuffling of punk, post-punk, krautrock, and noise music into something brutal, jarringly confrontational, and completely singular is a breath of fresh air and an unignorable statement of power and resistance.
John Grant: PaleGreen Ghost (MusicOMH) On the strength of Pale Green Ghosts, John Grant should rightfully be entering his own. It’s a towering achievement, building on what has come before while expanding it in astonishing ways. This is undoubtedly one of the best albums of the year and after so many thwarted attempts, the world is finally Grant’s for the taking.
Deltron 3030: Event II (HipHopDX) The album’s intro, narrated impeccably by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, informs us that Event II takes place 10 years after the events of the first album (i.e. in the year 3040). “Event II” is a true spiritual successor to the original Deltron 3030 project, and it’s everything fans could have asked for.
Low: The Invisible Way (A.V. Club) Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy produces Low for the first time here, and it can’t be a coincidence that there’s a marked, if stark, country-rock tint to Invisible. It’s as if Low has taken its tried-and-true songwriting formula—a slow buildup into a smoldering climax—and stretched it to the length of an entire album. And an entirely superb one.
Caitlin Rose: The Stand-In (MusicOMH) Those who were endeared by Rose’s debut may be surprised, hopefully pleasantly, by the change in tone and attitude shown on The Stand-In. Nevertheless, it is a delightful record – one that could well see her high-kicking herself into major success. It would be well deserved.
Nine Inch Nails: Hesitation Marks (ALLMUSIC) Hesitation Marks makes it quite clear that Trent Reznor is no longer an angry young man but rather a restless, inventive artist who is at peace with himself, and the result is a record that provides real, lasting nourishment.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Push the Sky Away(CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND) Richly arranged, masterfully sequenced, and full of brooding, Push the Sky Away combines the stately beauty of The Boatman’s Call and No More Shall We Part with the intensity of Grinderman/Lazarus-era Cave while managing to sound like neither.
Parquet Courts: Light Up Gold (The Fly) An album of urgent art-punk verve and rattling brevity, its 15 songs pass in 33 raucous and immediately re-listenable minutes. It’s a pitching and yawing listen, and it’s compelling and punchy in a way that’ll have you bouncing straight out of your chair.
Darkside: Psychic (Spin Magazine) The pair’s influences range from Dark Prince-era Miles Davis material to Portishead’s Dummy (see “Metatron”) to dark disco (“The Only Shrine I’ve Seen”) to even a few licks of Portuguese fado, all of it spare but sensuous — mood music for watching e-cig vapor curl.
A Very She & Him Christmas is by far my favorite holiday album. There is nothing better than hearing M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel sing the classics. The production is timeless and will liven up any Christmas themed playlist. The album is also special to me because I gave it as a gift to my wife. To my delight, Lunchbox Records had cool album themed wrapping paper and a Christmas pen to go with it. What a great record store! Anyways, this made the gift more special. My wife loves the album and we play it during many special Christmas occasions. This year the record comes with an a Yule Log app. Crazy!
For some North Carolina flavor, look no further than The Gathering. The Wall Street Journal featured the project as one of six holiday albums worth picking up last year, writing: “Five established folk-roots artists gathered in a Greensboro,N.C., house to record this unusual album. The first six songs by singer-guitarist Laurelyn Dossett were commissioned by the North Carolina Symphony and tell the tale of a wandering daughter’s return to her family home on a winter’s night. The next seven tracks are a mix of traditional and old-time holiday folk songs. Three voices work in harmony backed by banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and bass. What the season must have sounded like before shopping and Irving Berlin.” And The Chicago Sun-Times hailed the album: “Collections of Appalachian holiday tunes have come along before, but one of the finest is now ‘The Gathering.’” Needless to say, the record is great!
Another one of my all time favorite albums for gift giving and holiday celebration is Christmas with the Rat Pack. There’s nothing quite like hearing Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra swoon over the very best holiday standards. The songs on this album set a very high mark and very few artists have ever met it. The record has everything from “White Christmas” to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” While Sammy and Frank deliver the goods, Dean Martin outperforms them all. If you want to know what Christmas sounds like, listen to the Rat Pack.
Last but not least is a A Very Special Christmas. This compilation album of Christmas songs has everything: Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Whitney Houston, U2, Sting. If an artist had any traction in the 1980s they are on this benefit album. While all the songs are great, my Brother and I were floored that our mom had actually bought a CD with a RUN DMC track on it. And she liked it! Another special album highlight is Stevie Nix’s “Silent Night.” There’s nothing like having the witchy woman herself sing about the birth of the Saviour. in addition, the record is still very popular and continues to help raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics.
