Another Season End

Another season for Merry and Bright is winding down.  I hope that all of you enjoyed the interviews, shares, and other contributions to the world of internet Christmas music.  I still enjoy doing this each year, bring my own spin to the collective.  

Thanks to Lola G. of Death Hags and to Erin and Michael of the Honey Badgers for the great interviews this year - I loved getting to know more about you and your music.

Thanks to the Christmas music collecting family out there - Ernie, Brad, Rob, Martin, Greg, Hugh, Tim S, Tim N, Joanna and all the rest.  Another wonderful CSODT series from Tim Neely - I learn about so many great new songs from you each year.  Another exhaustive (literally, I'm sure) year of new music info from Stubby out on the Fa.  And Ernie slayed it this year with the daily 45 song shares.  Dude - I think you're close to having all the songs.  

In the 2025 off-season, I'm thinking about turning the blog into an info space about three musicians I've discovered over the past year or so - Sonny Stitt, June Christy, and Teresa Brewer.  I learned about Sonny Stitt in mid-2023 from an NPR story about the album "Boppin' in Baltimore: Live at the Left Bank".  I've become a big fan of Mr. Stitt's music, and (as collectors are wont to do) have accumulated many of his records in the months since.

I've known about June Christy for several years, but it wasn't until earlier this year and the acquisition of a Mosaic Jazz box set of her Capital Transcription Sessions (with Peggy Lee) that I began to truly love her talent as a vocalist.  A binge-buy of her records from a going-out-of-business records store a couple months ago has left me with a large catalog to explore.

I first heard Teresa Brewer on a couple of her albums recorded with Duke Ellington.  She has a very unique vocal style, walking the tightrope between jazz and pop, and I've become very enamored with her music and have (again, the collector DNA) acquired a stack of albums to listen to in the new year.

My plan is to blog about the albums from these artists throughout the year, just to share their album information with everyone.  I'm undecided about sharing the music, so no guarantees, but at minimum you'll get album covers, info, track lists, and a bit of light commentary about the albums.  So if you want to know more about these great artists, check in here from time to time.

So, with that I'm signing off on the Christmas season, 2024, but I'll be back soon with Sonny, June, and Teresa.

Thanks for visiting!

Aaron Henton (Der Bingle)

The Family

Song of the Year: Anais Reno "White Christmas"

My song of the year for the 2024 season is "White Christmas", performed by Anais Reno.  

Anais Reno is one of the up and coming stars of vocal jazz.  Her mature tone belies her 21 years on this earth, and, in my opinion, she deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as the incredible Samara Joy.

Anais recorded "White Christmas" with Adam Birnbaum. Martin Wind, and Keith Balla.  Not only did they create a killer version of the classic Christmas carol that highlights Anais' sublime singing, they wove a tribute to the late Ahmad Jamal into the song, layering Irving Berlin's lryics onto Jamal's treasure "Poinciana".  The creativity, the respect for Berlin's composition, and the reverence to Mr. Jamal make this my choice for song of the year.

Runner Up:  "Purple Snowflakes" by Say She She

Christmas Album of the Year: "Christmastime in Rio" by Romero Lubambo and Pamela Driggs

My choice for Christmas Album of the Year is "Christmastime in Rio" by Romero Lubambo and Pamela Driggs.

"Christmastime in Rio" is my hands-down favorite new Christmas album of the 2024 season.  Filled with joyous, happy renditions of old favorite Christmas songs and two original compositions, this album is a happy place for me, a smile with every song.

Romero Lubambo and Pamela Driggs are husband and wife, each with long histories as jazz musicians, especially in the Brazilian jazz genre.  They made this into a true family venture, with their daughter Luisa joining in on background vocals and taking the lead vocal part on "Silent Night".  Add in masterful piano accompaniment by Peter Martin and an outstanding band, and you've got a beautiful Christmas album.

I got to see Mr. Lubambo perform in Columbia, MO in October, with Peter Martin and Anat Cohen.  I had pre-ordered "Christmastime in Rio" for a November 8 release day arrival.  After the show I got to meet and chat with Mr. Lubambo and Mr. Martin (as well as Ms Cohen [my favorite musician]).  I mentioned this album, and he seemed shocked and very pleasantly surprised that someone knew about it, weeks in advance of its release.  Peter Martin called the piano solos beautiful, with a wink wink 😉 It was a pleasure to see them perform and have a quick meet 'n' greet afterward.

Runners-Up

Two other albums stand out to me as a measure of excellence in Christmas music this year.  During the season when I listen to maybe 25% of my collection (on CD - nevermind the digital and vinyl), any album that gets multiple plays is pretty darned good.  Both of these were excellent new albums this season.

"Tree Jazz The Shape of Christmas to Come" by Matt Wilson's Christmas Tree-O

"Judith Owen Swings Christmas" by Judith Owen

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!  

Happy Hannukah!

Joyous Kwanzaa!

My best wishes for all of you to have a safe and happy holiday with family, with friends, or celebrating the festive season in your own special way.

Later today all of our children, their spouses, a fiance, a very significant other, and our beautiful granddaughter will come together at our home to celebrate the season, a truly happy time for all of us.

Want to know a wonderful Christmas present?  Our five children, all adults, routinely get together for 'sibs happy hour'.  They all get along so well and enjoy each others' company.  Nothing better than seeing your children having fun together  😀

Peace and love to all of you!

Organs and Bells!

Here on December 23rd, I'm wrapping up sharing season with a pair of fine vintage albums, guaranteed to boost your Christmas spirit.  As I was enjoying the early morning today with my canine buddies, coffee, and Christmas books, I listened to these albums.  They were perfect for the moment.

That Happy Christmas Feeling - The Organ Orchestra

"That Happy Christmas Feeling" by the Organ Orchestra on the RCA Camden label, is as aptly titled as any Christmas album in my collection.  The ten songs are all Christmas standards, smartly arranged, and indeed very 'happy' in the performance.  This is an absolutely festive album, full of the sounds of mid-century America that we in the collector community find so nostalgic and heart-warming.  This is absolutely a wonderful record!

I hope that you can find time in these last couple of days before Christmas day to download and enjoy "That Happy Christmas Feeling".

<download link>

Ring! Christmas Bells - Arthur Lynds Bigelow

And the final share of this season is "Ring! Christmas Bells" by Arthur Lynds Bigelow, Bell Master Laureate, Carillon School of Mechlin Belgium and Bell Master of Princeton University.   As with the Organ Orchestra album, "Ring! Christmas Bells" brings the sounds of Christmas 1960's back into your home.  Twelve songs, including a few that are likely new to you, of organ and bells will fill your parlor (does anyone have parlors these days?) with fine performances of spiritual Christmas songs.  

Mr. Bigelow performs on hand bells, carillon bells, and sleigh bells, all accompanied by organist Marjorie MacComb.  Extensive program and performance notes on the album back cover provide you with a vivid picture of the sessions and song selections.

As you can see, the album has been well-loved over the years.  The cover is held together with masking tape, but the album sound was quite good, although it may have a few more residual pops and clicks than usual.  

Please enjoy "Ring! Christmas Bells"

<download link>

Sunday Evening Share: Christmas in Germany

It's a double-share Sunday!

This evening's album is "Weihnachten in Deutschland - Christmas in Germany".  Christmas music from around the world seems to be very popular amongst the Christmas Music Collector community, and I share that affection.  I love hearing the traditional songs from all over the globe.  So "Christmas in Germany" is one of my favorites this year.

This is a German-produced record from the Electrola label.  I believe the actual album title is "Von himmel hoch, da komm ich herr", which translates to "From heaven high, here I come, Lord".

The album contains 14 songs, performed by the Wolfsburger Chorgemeinschaft.  Some will be familiar, some perhaps not.  All are very enjoyable, and the album will make a fine addition to your Christmas music collection.

Please enjoy "Weihnachten in Deutschland - Christmas in Germany"

<download link>

Sunday Morning Share: The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas

Good Sunday Morning Before Christmas everyone!

I have another interesting share for you today, as we're nearing final approach before Christmas Day.  "The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas" is a 1983 record on the Starland Music label.  It's a musical story album featuring nine songs interwoven into the story of the Ted E. Bear, who decides to stay up one year, even though it's bears' hibernation time, to see what this Christmas thing is all about.

What caught my eye in the record store was that Tommy Smothers is the voice of Ted E. Bear, and he does a wonderful job voicing the character.  Vocal acting legend June Foray is also past of the cast, as are Louie Nye and Sue Raney.

This is an enjoyable little record.  Those of us of a certain age will enjoy Tommy Smothers, and the rest can cozy up for a pleasant little Christmas tale.

Please enjoy "The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas"

<download link>