Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Welcome to The Season!

Welcome back to Merry and Bright! for another season of Christmas Music!  I've been posting a few pre-season thoughts and mini-reviews, getting back in shape for the next couple of months of holiday blogging.  And, now here we are - November 1, Halloween is over, Thanksgiving coming soon, and Christmas coming down the lane!

For my first official Christmas season post of 2016, I have to return to last year and cover some music submissions that came to me, but that I didn't get to review.  I try my best to give every submission its due, even if it may be a season tardy.  So, here goes, with a couple mini-reviews of 2015 Christmas releases.

Lily Lambert "Merry Christmas, With Love"


Lily Lambert is an Irish-Welsh singer, residing in England.  Last year Lily released "Merry Christmas, With Love", a 6-song EP with her interpretations of Christmas standards.  Lily's music is seasonally soothing, with accompaniment by piano, acoustic guitar, strings, and assorted percussion.  Lily's vocals blend well with the serene arrangements, resulting in a very pleasurable listening experience.  Unique arrangements of "Carol of the Bells" and "Feliz Navidad" highlight the EP, as well as my personal favorite, Lily's version of "When a Child is Born".  The slower tempo of "Feliz Navidad" is a striking contrast to Jose Feliciano's seminal version, and delivers a new message to the listener from the lyrics of the Christmas classic.

Lily Lambert website
"Merry Christmas, With Love" on Amazon


Carly Jamison "Christmas May Have To Be Postponed"

In striking contrast to Ms. Lambert is Carly Jamison, who released the rockin' and rollin' single in 2015 "Christmas May Have To Be Postponed".   Clicking "play" on this upbeat Christmas tale, you're immediately struck with Hammond organ (sounds like a Hammond to my amateur ears, anyway), driving drum beats, and guitar work that would make Joe Bonamassa proud.  After a few measures of old fashioned rock and roll to set the tone, in comes Carly Jamison's sultry, sexy vocals singing the story of ol' Santa Claus, ready for his annual journey, but his reindeer can't be found!


I really love this single, and will be checking out more of Carly's musical catalog.  Sometimes after a few helpings of "Silent Night" and "Mary Did You Know?" one needs to crank it up a notch.  If you find yourself in that situation, Carly Jamison is here to help.  Give a listen to "Christmas May Have To Be Postponed" and I think you'll be making room on your annual Christmas comp for just one more song...   :-)


Carly Jamison "Christmas May Have To Be Postponed" song info
Amazon link
Carly Jamison website
Carly Jamison on Instagram

Stay tuned, jolly readers, for a couple more posts covering some fine music submissions from 2015.  Then we'll be off and running into 2016 proper!

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