Winding Down the Year

It's New Year's Eve Eve, and it's frigid in Kansas City here on 12/30/17.  Right now, 4:29PM, it's 9 degrees.  In Omaha where my middle daughter lives, it's 4, and is supposed to get to -18 on New Year's Day in the early AM.  And then you can add the wind chill into that.  I do love Winter, really.

Friend Ernie in Florida, I'm so glad you got your Air Conditioner fixed :-)

I just wanted to do one final post for the year 2017.  It was a good Christmas here for us Bingles [not our real name ;-) ], and most of us will be together again on New Year's Day, when I will attempt a prime rib roast.  Two years ago, best I've ever eaten.  Last year, messed it up royally.  We also have one more gift exchange, tomorrow night with dear friends from college and since.  It's a 'steal-a-gift' (white elephant, dirty Santa, Yankee Swap, whatever you want to call it) and in our version the gift is indeed something desirable, not a piece-o-crapola from the basement.  Fun times.  The host of the gathering ventured into Christmas Comp-ing for the first time this year, and made a wonderful CD of Christmas music for friends and family.  So, with these events upcoming, the holidays are not over yet, just starting to subside.

I spent this afternoon packing away (most of) my Christmas CDs.  Not really "away" - they are in their 12 tubs right next to my computer desk, where they will stay all year unless I seriously remodel the downstairs room (aka the "Elvis Room" - if you want to know, you must ask).

So, as I wind down, a couple of things to share:

• I'll be back, I'm sure, with at least a couple dispatches from Planet Comicon, which is in February this year, earlier than ever before.  I am below the, let's say, 60th percentile of nerdery in the population that attends, but I really do enjoy it.  So I'll be posting a few things, supporting the local artists/authors/etc.
• And, in Christmas music news, I am planning to start a feature here called "Der Bingle's Essentials", highlighting what I think are the absolute best Christmas albums/CDs, and should be part of any Christmas music collection.  Of course, the opinions are strictly my own, your mileage may vary, but I'll be sharing a few thoughts about the ones I think are best.  Some I've had for decades, and some are recent acquisitions.  I hope you enjoy these posts, which will keep the spirit of Christmas flowing at Merry & Bright all year long.

So - with that, I hope your holidays continue to be joyous, and have a Happy New Year!

Thanks and Acknowledgements

I'd like to take a few minutes here for some thanks and acknowledgements to the folks that help keep this blog going through their support and kinship in Christmas music.

First, thanks to all the readers who stop by here during the season.  This blog is a hobby, but I try to provide good, informational, and entertaining material for you each season.  I'm especially happy with the artist interviews each year, and grateful for the musicians who agree to spend some time being "interviewed" via e-mail.  I hope you all have enjoyed the interviews, features, and shares this season.

And thanks to:

• Russ Hitt, Katie Garibaldi, and Cassandra Kubinski for being the interviewed musicians this year
• Old Sound, Bett Butler, Sophia Talvik, and all the other musicians that sent music my way
• Kasey Rausch and Scottie Stanton, hosts of River Trade Radio on KKFI 90.1 for letting me come aboard for an hour again this year and play some Christmas tunes on your show.  You really make it easy and fun every time!
• Christmas music buddy Greg - it's great to hang out with a fellow Christmas music nut a few times each yet
• Buddy Tom for loaning his records for sharing this year
• Ernie - for setting a high bar for Christmas music sharity
• Stubby - take care of yourself, my friend.  So happy to see your late season posts!  Hope you make it back for a full season next year.
• All the guys/gals at Christmas Underground, Christmas-a-Go-Go, Hip Christmas, and all the other blogs doing such a wonderful job at promoting the best new Christmas music every year
• Joanna at Christmas TV History - a new friend made this season!
• Brad - who, for me, was the catalyst that really got this thing started
• All the folks at MyMerryChristmas
• Jon Solomon - 25 hours, once again
• Tim Neely - another great year of your Christmas Song of the Day, which I will of course seek out and find them and get them into a playlist
• And Matt at 200 Days of Christmas - thanks for letting me be a part of your awesome Facebook group - it's an honor and a pleasure!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve Mass - check.
Christmas Eve dinner and watching "A Christmas Story" - check.
Stocking stusffed - check.
White Christmas - check.  :-)
Guess who was the first one up in our house this morning - yep, none other than Der Bingle.  When the youngest Bingle child is 16, there's not quite the mad rush in the morning anymore.  So it was me, ready for the morning coffee...
(Well, actually it was the oldest Bingle child who was up first, but that was because she had a 6AM shift as a hospital pharmacist...)
All children here, presents opened, merriment and joy by all - check!
Now we're preparing for the 2nd half of the day.

Check back in here through the new year for a couple of wind-down posts, and news about a recurring feature I'm planning to run throughout the year that will keep Merry & Bright from hibernating quite as hard as in years past.

Once again - Merry Christmas!  Happy Hannukah!  Joyous Kwanzaa!  Many festive wishes for you however you choose to spend the holiday season!

Christmas Eve in a Season of Change

Here in Kansas City, in the north part of the city where I live, Snow Miser finally visited us early this Christmas Eve morning and left us with about an inch or so of fresh snow, our first snowfall of the year.  It was a welcome site, making for a beautiful Winter's day, and, with temps not expected to top 30 degrees, guaranteeing us a White Christmas for the first time in several years.

So it's with the oft desired wintry backdrop that we enter into a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day of change this year.

We gained a daughter this past Summer, as my son married his long-time sweetheart, on, literally, the hottest day of the year.  The thermometer reached 99 degrees on that July day, but the heat did not damper the celebration.  So we welcome Kristina to her first Christmas as an official, recognized by church and state, part of our family.

We have a bittersweet change this Christmas Eve.  For the past eleven years my mom has lived in Kansas City, and the past several Christmas Eves have been spent with her.  Earlier this year she moved to Tennessee to live with my sister and her husband.  She moved, at age 97, and she recently celebrated her 98th birthday.  She is doing wonderfully, eating well, being more active than in recent years, and enjoying the Tennessee countryside.  While we will miss her this evening, we are very glad that she is happy and healthy as she prepares for her 99th Christmas day tomorrow.

And we have had sad change this year as well.  We lost my dear father-in-law early this year, and while the circumstances were, in some ways, as good as can be possible, it was still a time of great sadness and loss.  Fortunately for our family as we celebrate Christmas, we have many years of great, happy memories that will counter the inevitable sense of missing that everyone will feel.  His wife, four children, their spouses, and twelve grandchildren will celebrate and remember over these next two days.

As I write this, I'm about an hour and a half away from starting the festivities.  Four o'clock mass, followed by, instead of dinner with my Mom, a lighthearted dinner with my lovely wife and children at my son's apartment, where we will, in the apartment complex's "theatre", watch "A Christmas Story" for the hundredth time, east soup, sandwiches, and Chex Mix, have a few holiday beverages, and enjoy the Eve.  Oh, and the children will open their very special presents from their Tennessee-resident Grandma, which will surprise them greatly, I predict.  And then back home for the night, to see if Santa will still visit the children who are here with us at home this holiday.  Even though they are 22, 19, and 16, I suspect he will.

Final Share of the Year: The Bells of Bethlehem

For my final share of the year, I present the three-album set "The Bells of Bethlehem", a Columbia Special Products package featuring "A Christmas Festival of Song from the Holy Land, Europe, and America".

Record 1 in the set is "Christmas in the Holy Land", opening with the Bells of Bethlehem and continuing with a recording of a holy Mass at Christmastime.  Record 2 in the set is "Christmas in Europe", featuring traditional carols from England, Germany, Austria, France, Poland, and Czechoslovakia.  Record 3 moves to America with performances of traditional and American-written carols from such artists as the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Norman Luboff Choir, and the great Mahalia Jackson.

I have kept this share as six distinct sides, without attempting to break down each side into individual tracks.  Sides 1 and 2, the recording of the Mass, are especially more proper as single continuous recordings, so I decided to retain the entire set this way.  For the adventurous and skilled with Audacity, I have a separate link to wav format files, if you would like to break them into single tracks on your own.

Also included in the set is the 6-page booklet that accompanies the records, with information about the collection and about the individual tracks.

Booklet page 2

So, in time for the penultimate evening before Christmas and a day prior to Christmas Eve, here is the three record set of beautiful music "The Bells of Bethlehem".  I hope you find time to enjoy these as the season winds down and we approach Christmas day.

download link

wav file download link

As Local As It Gets: Christmas on Beardsley Rd

Last night on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, in the quite pleasant 30 degree temperature, I stopped and listened to one of the local street musicians that grace the plaza this time of year.  Between songs I chatted with him just a bit, as he had copies of "A Christmas on Beardsley Rd" available for a donation.  The musician, Mark Brown, shared that he had produced this 6-song EP, which features himself and seven other Kansas City buskers, those who play on the plaza, at the River Market, and at other locations around the city.  Liz Lambson, Paul Carter, Steve Burns are the principle musicians along with Mark, and guests include "The Mysterious Piano Maestro".

I do what I can to support local musicians - going to their shows, featuring them on my rare guest DJ appearances on local radio, buying their music (bolded and italicized for your convenience), dropping a couple of bucks in the buskers' buckets, and for what it's worth, giving them a shout out here on Merry & Bright. 

This EP is a super little collection of Christmas songs.  A highlight is Mark Brown's recording of "O Holy Night", recorded live one chilly night on the Country Club Plaza.  You can even hear the sounds of traffic in the background as it passes by on 47th St.

"Christmas on Beardsley Rd" isn't available commercially, so for now you have to be in Kansas City and happen upon Mark (and perhaps some of the other musicians) performing to get one.  KC peeps - donate a few dollars and pick up a copy if you see a musician with them.  Do what you can, large or little, to support local music.

Friday Two-Fer: Rod and Roger

It's the Friday before Christmas and we here at Merry & Bright are heading toward the final shares for the season.  Working in to today's schedule (after "The Last Jedi" this morning and prior to fancy pizza followed by the fancy lights of the Country Club Plaza here in KC) I have a pair of albums to share with you, both on loan from buddy Tom (although only one has the mysterious "W" on the front cover...).

First up is "Rod Kincaid Sings Both Sides of Christmas".  Rod Kincaid, a local Kansas City talent according to the album's back cover, performs songs from the spiritual side of Christmas on Side 1 of the album, with selections such as "O Holy Night", "What Child Is This", and "God of Miracles".  Side 2 showcases the more secular side of the holiday with "Home for the Holidays" and "White Christmas", among others.  Slightly unusual is the mini-medley of "Exodus/Born Free" that is included on Side 2.  Not something you usually hear on a Christmas album, but listen, lift a glass to Elsa the Lioness, and enjoy the bari-tenor talents of Rod Kincaid.

Rod Kincaid download link

Next up is "Christmas Time" by Roger Williams.  I recall Roger Williams being a well-known performer, and was somewhat surprised to not find this available in any of the usual digital formats.  It's a fine selection of music - well-orchestrated instrumental accompaniment to Mr. Williams piano.  The album contains twelve holiday favorites, including "Jingle Bells", "Silent Night", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", and "The Christmas Song". 

The album contains twelve songs, however the download has only eleven.  Try as I might, I could not get a clean rip, or even a listenable attempt on track 4 - "The First Noel".  So I had to omit it from the share package.

Even one song short, I think you'll enjoy this album by Roger Williams.  It's the type of music to serve as a great background to your at-home Christmas activities - baking cookies, trimming the tree, staring down the elf on the shelf, and so on.

So, please enjoy Roger Williams "Christmas Time"  download link

And thanks one last time to ol' buddy Tom for loaning me some Christmas records this year!

Solstice Share II: Robert Rheims

What better way to celebrate the longest night than with another Christmas music share?  So, that's what I'm-a gonna do.

Waaaaay back in 2010 I shared out "Merry Christmas in Carols" by Robert Rheims.  So, now seven years later I have a companion piece "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" by The Robert Rheims Choraliers. 

Under Mr. Rheims' direction, his Choraliers - Chorale, Chimes, Harp, Organ, Symphonic Carillon - give us twelve tracks of Christmas carols, each track being a mini-medley of two or three songs.  There are a few songs that may be unfamiliar, most notably "The Christmas Chimes Are Pealing", which is paired with "Here We Come A-Caroling", but most are the old familiar tunes that make us nostalgic ans warm.

Musically, the arrangements are quite good and pleasing.  The record transferred pretty well too, so the tracks are clean, with nice depth and audible separation of the vocal parts.

The 2010 album I shared out was in a red album cover and pressed in beautiful red vinyl.  This album by Mr. Rheims has a striking green cover, and the record is pressed in - hey! - what's this? - beautiful red vinyl.  Must have been able to buy red vinyl in bulk back in the day.

And the astute readers of the blog this year will notice the slightly askance "W" crayoned on the front cover, meaning that this is another album from my buddy Tom (courtesy of his Mom).  Thanks Tom!

Please enjoy "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" by The Robert Rheims Caroliers.

download link

Solstice Share: A Musicale

Yes, that's right, a Musicale.  A Holiday Musicale, to be exact, by the Murk Family, spanning not only Christmas but also Easter and Independence Day, with an homage to family and spirituality included along to way.

The Murks are father Jim, mother Donna, and children Beverly (14), Bill (12), Becky (11), Brenda(9), and Barby (7).  The Murk family, through singing and playing, give us a very spirited, happy, and cozy album of holiday songs.  The album sounds like a family sing-and-play along in the living room the Murk home.  There are a few medleys and some classic Christmas carols on side 1 of the album.  Side 2 is mainly devoted to other holidays throughout the year, although Christmas does sneak back in with "Love Came Down at Christmas" and a "Shepherd Medley".

This is a bit of a different kind of Christmas album.  The songs and arrangements are familiar, but the feeling of "family" really comes through.  Sorta feels like you're sitting there with Jim and the fam, sipping an eggnog while they are happily singing their holiday musicale for you and their guests.

There is a wealth of information on the back cover, so I won't repeat it here.  The sharp-eyed reader may notice that the back cover is signed in the upper left corner - cool!

One note:  there are a couple skips that I couldn't get fixed during the ripping process.  So, my apologies, but it's a vinyl-world risk.

Enjoy The Murk Family Holiday Musicale!

download link

Chimes at Christmas Time

What would a Christmas season be without a share of Christmas music featuring chimes?  Hardly a Christmas season at all, mate!  And lest we spoil the anticipation of the annual chimes record by, perish the though, not having one this season, Der Bingle is here to assuage your fears.  For tonight, I have "Chimes at Christmas Time", featuring Lew White at the Organ and the célibataire nommé Frederico on the Chimes.

There's a lot to like about this album starting with the credited artwork on the cover.  The original painting "Chimes at Christmas Time" by the notable illustrator Tracy Sugarman graces the album cover.  Mr. Sugarman was a Navy veteran who turned his talents to art, illustrating hundreds of books, articles, and albums.  "Chimes at Christmas Time" is one of many Mr. Sugarman's works for The Grand Award Collection of records.

Next is the fact that they led off this album of 18 songs with "Silent Night".  Yeah man!  No waiting for the last song on the album for Lew and Frederico, not like everyone else.  Kick off the show with the classic.  Kind of like if Rush opened a concert with "Tom Sawyer".  You'd dig it. 

Mainly though, I like the music.  The album was very clean, so the rip to digital turned out well.  The eighteen (18!) songs are mainly standards, although there are a few that will be new to many listeners, including "Shepherds Shake Off Your Drowsy Sleep", "God Give Ye Merry Christmastide", and "Beautiful Savior".  There's only so much arranging one can do for the simple combo or organ and chimes, but it is finely done here.  It's enjoyable music for the season, produced by the incomparable Enoch Light. 

The back cover is practically an encyclopedia of information about the album, songs, Mr. Sugarman, recording technical data, and much more.  Just nothing about the mysterious Frederico.  Hmmmm....

Enjoy!

download link

Super Saturday Share: Stradivari Strings

Salutations!

For your listening pleasure this Saturday night, I have "Christmas Strings" by the Stradivari Stings.  "Christmas Strings", on the Spin-o-Rama label from the Parade Record Co, is an album of twelve Christmas favorites from the opener "O Come All Ye Faithful" through the everpresent closer "Silent Night".  If we strung the first words of these twelve classics all together, we would have

O Hark White, God, O Joy, Deck The Good, O We Silent

commas added at my discretion.  Can you name the songs without looking at the track list?  No more clues....

The music on this record is quite good.  Orchestral, emphasis on strings, as you might imagine, and very well arranged and performed.  "White" is exceedingly pleasant.  "God" has the strength of performance that we have come to expect.  "Good" is quite majestic, and an outstanding arrangement of a song that, when done well, is one of my favorites, and when done poorly can be simply plodding.  The Stradivari Stings do it exceptionally well.

As the back cover says "Fine records needn't be expensive", so please enjoy "Christmas Strings", and I hope you enjoyed the little riddle of the songs tonight.  Enjoy!

download link

A Request from Der Bingle: Buy Music!

This is my second post this evening (scroll down just a bit for the first), and it's a bit of an editorial piece (you're forewarned). I want to encourage all my readers to buy music!  Especially during the Christmas season when you're looking for that perfect gift, buy music!  Music is truly and absolutely the gift that keeps on giving, to use a familiar cliche.  Give your friends and family the gift of music, and they can enjoy it for days, weeks, months, and years.  Whenever they play it, they'll think of you!  Yeah, you can give fruitcake, which I know everyone loves, but once it's joyously devoured, it's gone.  Music can last a lifetime.

The Country Duo, Kasey Rausch and Marco Pascolini (photo by Carlo Pascolini)

But the main message here is the "buy" part of buy music.  Whether you're buying for a friend or for yourself, support the musicians that made the music happen.  There are countless outlets for streaming on the internet - free services, fee-based services, sample before you buy venues, subscriptions, and many more.  Many independent and local musicians - local to me, local to you - depend on streaming and download services to get the message of their music out, to get exposure, to let you sample before you buy.  But they depend on sales to earn a living, and to be able to keep on making awesome music.  You like what they do, you gotta buy it so they can keep doing it.

Hot Breakfast!

And you're not just supporting the name on the album.  You're also supporting the session players, backing singers, producers, engineers, songwriters, and everyone else that makes the music happen.  The $10 you spend to buy a CD or the $6 for a legit download goes to a lot of people.  Buy music!

Lorie Jo Bridges

Even when you can "name your price" on Bandcamp or Noisetrade or any of these other great websites where you can hear music from hundreds or perhaps thousands of musicians, leave 'em a tip.  I personally have to get a lot better at that - I'm guilty too, of naming a price of "Free!".  But I'm going to get better at tipping - at least a couple of bucks.  Or, you can go ahead and download it for free and listen, but if you really like it, go back and leave that tip.

Melinda Mullins - The Johnny Mullins Collection

Thanks for listening, er, reading.  The artists that I've met through Merry & Bright, either in person or just via e-mail, have all been wonderful!   They are amazing, dedicated musicians that really deserve the financial support of their fans.  I hope that you can join me in supporting them, not just now during the Christmas season, but all through the year with all kinds of music.  Below are links to some of my favorite musicians' music stores, and many have their music available on Amazon, iTunes, and the other usual music outlets.  Again, thank you, please pardon the editorial in the middle of the holiday season, and please, buy music!

Laurie Cameron

P.S.  Buy merch too!  Nothing like wearing a t-shirt from your favorite band while listening to their music that you bought!

Kelley McRae and Matt Castelein (photo by Brandon Dickerson)

Der Bingle's Favorites

Old Sound
Katie Garibaldi
Russ Hitt
Thisbe Vos
Phoebe Gildea and Noah Brenner
Jillaine
The Country Duo
Lorie Jo Bridges
Victor and Penny
Melinda Mullins
Hot Breakfast!
Laurie Cameron
Kelley McRae

Photo credits noted where available.  Artists, please send photo credits and I'll update the post.

Direct from Germany: "O, du frohliche"

Two posts tonight - this is the first, an album of Christmas music from Germany.

"O, du frohliche" is an undated collection of twelve traditional German Christmas carols.  If you've listened to many German Christmas records, you'll find many of these familiar:  "Kling, Glockchen, klingelingeling" and "Ihr, Kinderlein, kommet" will ring familiar, and of course "O Tannenbaum" and "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" are well known to us, regardless of language.

Each side begins and ends with the ringing of the Christmas celebration bells, and the music is very well done.  A robust chorus is accompanied by minimal but essential instrumentation, especially the pipe organ leading in the vocalists on "O Tannenbaum".  And I really dig the powerful organ on the title track.

An interesting thing about the record is that it came in a paper sleeve only, not the usual cardboardy album cover.  The paper is slightly thicker than usual, but still different than the usual album covers.

So, here it is, for your listening pleasure, straight from the traditions of old Germany -  "O, du frohliche".

download link

20 Questions with Cassandra Kubinski

Singer/songwriter Cassandra Kubinski has a rich resume as a musician, entertainer, and actor.  Her music has been featured on the Lifetime television series "Dance Moms" (of which I, with a currently 16 year-old dancer in the house, am way too familiar), "One Life To Live" and "RuPaul's Drag Race".  She has appeared on screen in the series "Spin City" and in the motion picture "Finding Forrester".  Cassandra has shared the stage with such greats as Lady Gaga, Goo Goo Dolls, 10,000 Maniacs, and Dickie Betts.  She has collaborated on a song with Billy Joel.  Pretty impressive stuff.

Even more impressive is Cassandra's commitment to giving, the artistry of music, and leadership and positive influences though such organizations as Women in Music (Cassandra is a board member), and Swish, the gay-straight alliance.  Cassandra has also been very active with Autism Speaks, and 100% of the proceeds from her inspirational anthem "Not So Different" are donated to The Institute for Autism Research.

Wow.  Talented.  Busy.  Inspirational.  Focused.  Good.  Kind.

And, now she has released a Christmas EP!

Cassandra Kubinski's six song EP "Holiday Magic" showcases her talents as a singer/songwriter with three original songs and three interpretations of traditional carols, including an excellent piece combining "I'll Be Home for Christmas" with "Homeward Bound".  Her originals "Christmas Is All About" and "It Doesn't Feel Like December" are upbeat, snappy, and very catchy, while "New Year Comin'" is more contemplative, looking back at the year gone by and looking forward to the hope in the coming year. "Holiday Magic" is available for digital download through iTunes and Google Play, as well as streaming through Spotify (details here).  Even better, through Cassandra's PledgeMusic site you can order CDs of "Holiday Magic" and also many other goodies, even meeting Cassandra for hot chocolate!

Cassandra kindly agreed to a "20 Questions with..." interview with Merry & Bright so that you can get to know her better as an artist, musician, and person.  Please check out the links to Cassandra's website and other information following the interview.  Without further ado, here are 20 Questions with Cassandra Kubinski.

=====================================================

1. Favorite Christmas Song: Charlie Brown Christmas - whole album

2. Fruitcake: Yes or No? No Thanks!

3. Musician Who Inspires You: Billy Joel, Rob Thomas, Sara Bareilles, Jason Mraz

4. Story behind your song “It Doesn’t Feel Like December”: I was out for a walk in December 2007 and kinda in a depressed mood. I think the song was a gift from the universe to cheer me up. It just started playing in my head, and basically wrote itself. I don't remember writing it down... Which is the case with many of my songs!

5. Favorite Family Christmas Tradition: Baking and decorating sugar cookies with mom, opening stockings Christmas morning, going to a movie all together the night of Christmas

6. Musician You Want to Record a Christmas Duet With: Michael Buble

7. Thoughts on the Importance of Giving Back: This is something I've always incorporated into my approach to music. From performing at Relay for Life events, mentoring younger songwriters, and donating portions of sales for marriage equality and animal rescues, to my song "Not So Different", which is a benefit for Autism and has raised tens of thousands of dollars through sales and the version I recorded with the Goo Goo dolls and 10,000 Maniacs

8. One Accomplishment in 2017: I got married to an incredible, wonderful partner! There's nothing like being on a winning team, and with him, I am.

9. One Goal for 2018: Stay married! Just kidding. One goal would be to share our music more widely by being in regular rotation on radio across the world, especially Sirius XM!

10. Why You Made “Holiday Magic”: I loved all our holiday albums and movies growing up... WHITE CHRISTMAS, FROSTY, RUDOLPH etc and I know how many moments are created with music. I wanted to add new warmth, magic and memories to the mix and freshen up some old classics too!

11. Musician/Band That Everyone Should Listen To: I'm a big fan of my duet partner Matt Cusson... He mixes up pop, R&B, jazz, and works with some serious pop and theater artists too. I recommend his Christmas EP and all his records!

12. One Thing That Makes You Happy: Dark chocolate. And taking a leisurely coffee break for Mrs. London's almond croissants in Saratoga Springs.

13. Best Lady Gaga Story: Before she was super famous, I went out clubbing with her and my friend Esseri, now a radio DJ and personality in Nashville. Stephanie was a bit of a wild child but a lot of fun! I didn't last the whole evening, but there was definitely a lot of dancing on booths in VIP!

14. Favorite Thing about Christmas in New York City: How all the stores light up! The lights are truly beautiful. I also love the skating rink at Bryant Park.

15. Favorite Food: I love a hearty salad with maybe roasted chicken, kale, butternut squash, cranberries... At this time of year, I crave hearty yet healthy foods that help keep the colds away... Especially even I don't have to cook! I also love a delicious thin crust artisan pizza!

16. Christmas Tree: Real or Artificial? Grew up with an artificial one and still have artificial as an adult.

17. Breads Bakery Chocolate Babka: Just How Scrumptious Is It? Never had it! It sounds like a NYC delicacy though.

18. Story of your song “Not So Different”: My friend has two sons on the Autism spectrum. She asked me to write an anthem for them. I interviewed her and other families with members on the spectrum and wrote the song from first person. It has been used at countless Autism walks, events and fundraisers, and I've been honored to perform it at Barclays Center for the NY Islanders, at Buffalo State university with the Goo Goo Dolls and Mary Ramsey of 10,000 Maniacs, and for Autism groups nationwide.

19. Why is Music Important: Music is healing. It's literally changing the vibration of your cells each time you are exposed to rhythm, melody, harmony. It has tremendous power to heal, inspire, relax, invigorate, spur action and change, and empower us. Those who make music wield that power and I believe we should use it responsibly.

20. Message to Your Fans: Be kind. Be generous. Especially at the holidays, we have so, so much. It's cliche, but all we give returns to us tenfold.


Cassandra Kubinski website
Cassandra Kubinski PledgeMusic site for "Holiday Magic"

Sunday Share: Bluegrass & Brass

Today's share is one of the best of the season.  It's the 1970 album "Christmas with Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass", which features 10 classic Christmas carols performed with a cheery fusion of brass and banjo, for a very unique and cheerful holiday sound. 

The album opener "Jingle Bell Brass" almost made it on to my annual comp this year.  It's really catchy, lively, and happy.  Mr. Davis' take on "Winter Wonderland" is a little reminiscent of the Mexicali Brass sound, with the addition of very nice breaks to feature banjo and steel guitar.  Overall, the album clocks in at only 23 minutes, but it's a super little unique Christmas record.

When checking the internet for this album, I found on iTunes and Amazon one called "The New Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass Christmas Album", with the same song titles in a different track order.  But in listening to the samples, it seems to indeed be a whole new recording, with a bit of a softer sound.  I haven't found a trace of this one in CD/download format, so I'll share it out, at least for a while.  It's a really excellent album, and I'd love to see it reissued.  Download and enjoy Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass!

|link removed - now available on digital media|

An Old Sound Christmas

Every now and then a new Christmas CD comes around that just makes me smile.  Oh, there are plenty that I like and play often (seriously - just ask my family).  But the ones that really, literally make me smile when I listen to them for the first time, and every time after, are relatively rare.  "An Old Sound Christmas" by the Kansas City band Old Sound, is such a record.

The seven song EP just gushes with energy, love of the music, and fun!  This is one of those records where it sounds like the band had a blast recording the album.  The song arrangements and the quality of the musicians' performances make it a really good album of Christmas songs, but it's the lively spirit that takes it from good to great.

Old Sound is Grady Keller, Chad Brothers, and Greg Herrenbruck.  Their music, as their name "Old Sound" would imply, comes from down home America.  It's folky, rootsy, and bluegrassy.  You can listen to some samples from their album "Rain Follows the Plow" on their website and hear for yourself their energy and passion for this style of music.

With "An Old Sound Christmas", the band brings their style to beloved Christmas songs.  "A Holly Jolly Christmas", "Go Tell It On The Mountain", and revered classic "Jingle Bells" come to life from Old Sound.  A highlight from the EP is their cover of Tom Petty's "Christmas All Over Again".  The band has shared the story that they had learned the song a year or so back, but when we lost Tom Petty just a few months ago, they decided they should include it on the album.  And I'm glad they did - it's excellent.

Old Sound at Winterfest in Kansas City

On the album, Chad, Greg, and Grady are joined by Damon Parker on piano and Mikal Shapiro on background vocals.  (Side note: Mikal Shapiro and Chad Brothers perform together as Shapiro Brothers <-- click the link for more info).

For all you Christmas music lovers outside of Kansas City and the surrounding area, please visit Old Sound's website for more information about "An Old Sound Christmas", including how to order a copy for yourself.

Old Sound at Winterfest in Kansas City

For those of you in or near Kansas City, a very special treat is waiting for you in this late Fall and early Winter 2017.  Old Sound is playing nightly at Worlds of Fun during the park's Winterfest celebration.  Every hour on the hour at the Country Junction stage, you can catch Old Sound playing their Christmas songs.  And, bonus!  They don't just play what's on the EP, nosirree.  For the Winterfest shows, they've added extra songs to their live performance playlist.  Including, believe it or not, I found it hard to believe myself, a really, really GOOD version of "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"!  This is not Elmo & Patsy, good folks. This is Old Sound - give 'em a listen :-)

Old Sound website
Old Sound music store
Old Sound on Facebook

Old Sound provided a CD to Merry and Bright.

From the Buddy Tom Collection: Let's All Sing Christmas Carols

For tonight's quick share (quick because I've got like a dozen things all rolling at once, it seems like), is another album that Ol' Buddy Tom dropped by my place on our way to the Wilco concert.  This one is called "Let's All Sing Christmas Carols" from the Palace label, and has the trademark "W" crayoned in on the album cover to let me know that it is from Tom W.

Although the album cover doesn't credit musicians, the label itself does.  It's The Malvin Carolers with Sy Mann at the Wurlitzer.  Sy Mann!  How about that!  Ol' Sy shows up frequently on Christmas music shares across the 'Net.

The album has 12 songs, all standards, nothing surprising in terms of song selection.  Nothing unusual snuck in like some albums from this era seem to do.

Now, the album cover - looks pretty seasonally typical.  Adorable kids, snow.  The one on the left kinda looks like the one kid from "The Sandlot".   So, they're leaning on snowy bricks.  Are the looking down a chimney?  Doesn't seem plausible.  Into a fireplace?  Wouldn't be snow on the fireplace.  Top of whatever they're looking into is rounded.  Drainpipe?  They are pretty astounded - maybe they've found Pennywise's lair?

Ok - it's getting late....

The music on here is pretty good.  It's well performed.  Brother Sy is at the top of his game.  It's enjoyable stuff if you're in a vintage mood.   So, enjoy the album, and sing along with Sy and the Malvin Carolers!

download link

Saturday Night Share: The McGuire Sisters

Tonight's share is one of the best this season, so I decided to share it out early so you can enjoy it throughout the month of December.  I found "Greetings from the McGuire Sisters" at a Half Price Books warehouse clearance sale this Summer (an enormously overwhelming event, I must say) and was very pleased when I put it on the record player.  It's a wonderful album, and the sisters - Christine, Phyllis, and Dorothy - are quite talented, making for a very nice collection of Christmas songs.

The McGuire Sisters were a popular group through the 50's and 60's, performing with Arthur Godfrey for many years, and hitting the variety show circuit with Perry Como, Dean Martin, Ed Sullivan, Milton Berle, and others.  They have an extensive discography, mainly with Coral Records.  "Greetings from the McGuire Sisters" is on the Coral label, CRL 57225.

There are a few well-known standards on the album, plus several less familiar songs, such as "Give Me Your Heart For Christmas", "Christmas Alphabet" (my personal favorite), "The Cactus Christmas Tree", and the innuendo-y titled "I'd Like To Trim A Tree With You".  This is a really good Christmas album from the golden age, my friends.  So, please download and enjoy!

This album is being released by Real Gone Music in 2018, so the download link has been removed.  Real Gone does top-notch remastering - visit their website and support their efforts.
<download link removed>

Artist Interview: Katie Garibaldi "Home Sweet Christmas"

On Friday December 1, Katie Garibaldi's "Home Sweet Christmas" will be released, following her excellent 2016 single "Tomorrow is Christmas Morning" (reviewed here), which gave us an inkling of what was to come from this talented musician.  Katie calls the San Francisco, CA bay area her home, and is a well-established singer/songwriter/guitar player, with four previous albums and an EP in her catalog.  Recently her award winning video for her song "Delightful" has been garnering attention and positive reviews across the music and film industries. I mean, check out the props for "Delightful" on Katie's video page.

"Home Sweet Christmas" has eleven original compositions by Katie, and also her rendition of "Silent Night", featuring her mother on piano(!).  Her music includes beautifully-inspired songs of Christmas ("Happy Married Christmas", "Love on Christmas Day", the single "Tomorrow is Christmas Morning"), the downright fun "The Times I Love the Most (California Christmas)", and several spiritual compositions such as "Jesus Touched My Heart" and "Wonderful Mother Mary". Taken as a whole, the album has a very personal, intimate feel.  Katie's expressive singing and guitar playing, coupled with the soul and spirit of songs, makes it feel as if you're right there in the room with Katie.  Maybe at a house concert.  (Katie - if you're ever coming to Kansas City, let's talk  :-)   )

Katie graciously agreed to chat with us about her album, her musical influences, Christmas in San Francisco, and a few other things.  Just as her album is a musical extension of herself, Katie's interview is very open, expressive, and is bursting with excitement about "Home Sweet Christmas", I hope you'll agree that through the interview, Katie really allows you to get to know her as an artist and a person.

Katie Garibaldi website
"Delightful" official video on Youtube
Katie Garibaldi store  - order "Home Sweet Christmas" here

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Merry and Bright! Interview with Katie Garibaldi

Merry and Bright: Hello Katie! Thank you for chatting with us about your new record ‘Home Sweet Christmas”.

Katie Garibaldi: It’s my pleasure! Thanks for your support.

MB: You had released “Tomorrow is Christmas Morning” last year as a single, and as a little taste of what was to come with the album this year. How long has this album been in the works?

KG:  I’ve always wanted to write a Christmas album, ever since I was a kid. I think holiday themed songs are really special, but I never wanted to record a Christmas album just for the sake of selling one—I wanted it to be sincere. When I wrote “Tomorrow is Christmas Morning” last year, I knew that the holiday muse had finally found me, so to speak. I’m really proud of that song because it came from an honest place, being on tour missing my husband and wanting to come back home. I think “Tomorrow” gave me some confidence in myself that I sort of proved to myself that I could write Christmas music with my own voice and perspective. So initially I thought I’d work on a holiday album and do half original songs and half classics. But ever since last Fall after I wrote “Tomorrow,” every time I picked up the guitar I just kept writing Christmas themed or faith based music. So when song after song kept coming to me, it was just a natural progression to decide that I was going to do an all originals Christmas album. I added “Silent Night” as a sort of bonus track for somewhat sentimental reasons since that’s been my favorite Christmas song forever and I’ve always wanted to record it with a string arrangement.

MB: “Home Sweet Christmas” has a very personal feel to it, especially with eleven original songs and only one traditional Christmas carol. Can you tell us about your creative process to turn your ideas and inspirations into songs?

KG:  A lot of the songs are definitely very personal. The creative process was different for each song and kind of all over the map. For some of the songs I sat with my guitar and found the chord structure first, and then the melody and lyrics would follow. But I never once planned to write a Christmas themed song. I just let the inspiration find me and often to my surprise, holiday based stories would be coming out of my mouth as I found my way through the lyrics. I would say to myself, “Well, ok then, looks like we’re writing another Christmas song!” But I found that a lot of times with this album I would come up with melodies and lyrics, sometimes almost for a complete song, without picking up the guitar at all yet. So I would think of it in the car or walking and then quickly record my ideas on my phone. Then it was a bit of a challenge for me to find the right chords on my guitar to match the song, but it was a very creatively lush process and I think that inspired different styles of writing for me that I hadn't explored much in the past, like the love I have for gospel music. That’s exactly how it happened with the song “Jesus Touched My Heart.” I wrote the entire song in my head first before learning the guitar part. It was a lot of fun actually. I let the songs find me without letting the guitar dictate anything prior. So in a way, there was more freedom with writing this album than other albums, and that just happened naturally. As far as turning ideas into songs, each one is different but once I got the initial start of a song rolling, the rest would fall into place. For example, “Holy Spirit in My Heart” started out as a regular song and not a Christmas song. I was inspired after reading the “Joy Comes With the Morning” Psalm 30 from the Bible and the song I was writing was more just in general about every day being a new day and even though today you might be crying, tomorrow there will be joy. So it’s a song of hope. But then the lyrics turned into writing about Christmas day, without actually saying the words “Christmas day.” So it’s a song about having faith and believing in that faith, and then I just followed the songwriting process, which naturally led it down a path of becoming a Christmas themed song.

MB: Several songs, including “Star in the East”, “Wonderful Mother Mary”, and “Safe and Warm” are very spiritual. Are these a reflection of your upbringing that you’ve channeled into your music through these songs?

KG: Yes, I think so. My relationship with God has always been very personal to me, like a friendship that no one else would fully understand. My songwriting is very much the same way. It’s me and my guitar and God. And I’ve always felt that the quickest way I can get in touch with God is through my music and singing. It’s fun to celebrate the Christmas holiday with all its festivities like Santa Claus coming to town and I love all that stuff. But for me personally, Christmas at the core is about celebrating the birth of Christ and that’s the faith I grew up in. I actually wrote “Star in the East” when I was a kid, maybe 12 or 13 years old. I put it away but always remembered the song and thought if I ever make a Christmas album, this will belong on there. So I did just that. “Wonderful Mother Mary” and “Safe and Warm” are new songs and I was really happy to find a place for them on this album because maybe I could have written some song about the North Pole or something, but these songs came from a deep place in my heart and turned out to be very personal and honest. So yes, this is a Christmas album, but it’s not just a Christmas album for the sake of being a Christmas album. I kind of just think of it as my newest album that happens to have soulful and holiday based themes. I’ve written songs about faith before, but being so open about spirituality through my music is definitely a new thing for me and seemed appropriate for this album. It feels really good to be able to sing openly about my faith. 

MB: A couple of the songs, “Happy Married Christmas” and “Tomorrow is Christmas Morning” touch on themes that are pretty original, even in the vast canon of Christmas songs – the first Christmas as a married couple and the special mystique of Christmas morning. I personally love songs that find a new niche and are done very well, as these are. Were you striving for an original spin on the holiday season when you wrote these?

KG: Thank you! “Happy Married Christmas” all started with a melody and the lyrics “home is wherever you are.” My guitar took the lead on manifesting the rest of the song. I didn’t intend for it to be a Christmas song, but then I think the next lyrics that came to me after that were “The holidays feel new since we said ‘I do.’” So it just all formed from there. I tend to just let whatever story is meant to find me come and then I’ll have an exciting moment like, “Oh this is what this song is going to be about. Got it. Ok, let’s go!” and then I’ll start putting more conscious thought into it after that. When my husband and I got married five years ago, it was really exciting to spend our first married Christmas together and since then, we’ve been continuing to make our own traditions and get used to the holidays as a union. It’s a really special feeling and when the theme of the story became clear, I was glad to capture that moment with this song. I wrote “Tomorrow is Christmas Morning” last September while I was on tour in Nashville. I was in my hotel room playing guitar and the chord progression came to me first. Once I had the melody, the words started forming. But again, I had no intention of sitting down to write a Christmas song. It just happened. It’s a bit difficult to describe where initial creativity comes from. I guess that goes back to my spirituality because the process is much like just being an open vessel to allow whatever inspiration that's meant for me to come in. But once I had the beginnings of the words and story, I started to create visuals like, “You’ll wake up next to a pretty tree that’s dressed in all our memories and I’ll open my eyes to this hotel room without you next to me.” That all came from a real place since I was in a hotel room missing my husband. But trying to make it home in time for Christmas morning put a different spin on it.

MB: Now, “The Times I Love the Most” is just downright fun. It’s a head-boppin’, toe-tappin’, California sunny smile of a song. (It actually reminds me a lot of my brother-in-law and sister-in-law that live in Half Moon Bay, CA). Can you tell us a little bit about it?

KG: Thanks! Last year I was on tour in December to promote my “Tomorrow is Christmas Morning” single and I drove down the coast from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Central Coast and Los Angeles. As I was driving, I kept humming this melody and then pretty soon the lyrics “Let’s take a drive on down the coast…these are the times I love the most” came to me. I recorded my ideas and then later on when I was back home I applied the guitar to the melody ideas and the song “The Times I Love the Most (California Christmas)” formed. The song is a fun account about everyone heading to the snow and the cold for the holidays, but I’m just fine taking a road trip and spending Christmas on the beach in the sun. It’s all about making your own traditions. So the lyrics were initially inspired by a real experience, and then I added in the love story component to the song as well. I wanted the production of the song to be very “surfy” so we added these wipeout style drums in the bridge section and of course the surf guitar style pedal steel.

MB: The musicians that accompany you on the album are great! And it’s your Mom on piano on “Silent Night”, right? Can you share some thoughts about your band?

KG: Yes! I’ve known the drummer, Todd Richardson and bassist, Kevin Blair for years now and I really fell in love with their playing from the start. They’re not only amazing players, but they’re very thoughtful in creating parts that complement the stories in my songs and they understand what I’m looking for, even when I have a difficult time sometimes trying to articulate what I’m hearing in my head. They just nail it. Kevin reads my mind and hits notes sometimes that inspire me to accentuate my vocals, and Todd is fun to watch at work because he gets really excited about adding in sometimes the smallest elements, like for example, a different snare drum because the vibe fits the lyrics better, which I just love. We recorded our parts together live in the studio in one weekend. I would be remiss not to mention engineer Justin Weis too. He is absolutely incredible and was a big part in constructing the sonic vibes on this album. I’m not immediately comfortable in the studio just because it’s a bit out of the ordinary and a completely different element than songwriting or performing. It’s a whole other world and sometimes takes me time to settle into. But Justin made me feel so comfortable right from the start just by being great at his job and really laid back and fun to work with. He made everything really easy. Sometimes I think as an artist you can overthink things in the studio with all the decisions you have to make but music is supposed to be fun, and this album was literally just fun to make. We had a good time. After we recorded the rhythm tracks, I overdubbed my parts and then brought in the additional musicians, including the lovely Jon Mitguard on pedal steel, the string section, keyboards, and the backup singers (my Christmas choir!). They all did a fantastic job. And yes, my mom is playing the piano on “Silent Night.” From the beginning I knew I wanted to get her on the album because Christmastime reminds me of home and family and I grew up singing Christmas songs while my mom played piano. That’s where it all started for me, so it really means a lot to me that she’s on there.

MB: I always like to know more about the musical influences of the artists creating these great new Christmas records. Who are some of the musicians that have inspired you?

KG: As a kid, my parents played a lot of classic rock and roll and pop records, like the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. I think that’s where I got my love of melody from. When I started getting into current music, I loved pop singers like Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. Then when I learned the guitar around age 11, that was about the same time Jewel made it big with her debut album and she was a really strong influence for me. I think she inspired me a lot to be honest in my songwriting and find my own voice. After that I got really into country music, starting with more contemporary artists like Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks and then going backwards in time to discover and appreciate the greats like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline. 

MB: What are some of the Bay Area holiday highlights, some of the best Christmas-related things San Francisco has to offer?

KG: They just had the annual holiday tree lighting at Union Square in San Francisco, which is a really pretty area where a lot of people go to do their Christmas shopping. There’s also a tree lighting for a Christmas tree at Pier 39. That’s a big tourist attraction and fun place to visit if you’ve never been. And there’s a really cute thing called The Wishing Tree in San Francisco. You can go visit it and put your wish on a tag and put it in a jar. Then your wish will be added to the lit up tree. The idea is that something magical happens when people collectively wish and express gratitude in one single place. Otherwise off the top of my head, I would say Christmas tree farms are pretty fun to visit in the Bay Area. I did the photoshoot for Home Sweet Christmas at the Black Road Christmas Tree Farm in Los Gatos back in the summertime and it’s gorgeous, and huge! It’s definitely a great place to visit to get into the holiday spirit.

MB: Katie, we live in some difficult and troubling times in our nation. When I listen to “Home Sweet Christmas”, I hear songs of unity and peace, and a love for home and family. Is there a message you’d like to share with your long-time fans as well as those who will experience your music for the first time with this record?

KG: That’s very sweet of you to say. To me, Christmas music always puts me in a good mood and it has this interesting way of hushing the clutter in my mind and just placing me in the present to appreciate the moment. So my hope was to create an album that no matter what time of year people listen to it, whether it’s the holiday season or some other month, they’ll be able to enjoy it and feel a sense of coming back home. It kind of seems like another lifetime when I think about being a little kid and singing songs for my family on Christmas. But that’s part of who I am and those moments sort of stuck with me like snapshots in my mind of family, home, faith, and love. I think those things really came forward in these songs. During the holidays people tend to be a little bit kinder and a little bit more giving. People don’t think twice about opening the door for someone or smiling to a stranger. (Well, for the most part, haha!) When we take care of each other in those small but significant ways, we’re reminded that we’re never alone. I think music has the same kind of magic. It speaks a truth to us that we all go through the same things, so we might as well have peace of mind about it enjoy the ride. With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, maybe it can be easy to lose sight of what really matters. When people hear Home Sweet Christmas, hopefully it reminds them to feel happy and grateful.

MB: You have a wonderful album, Katie. I hope it is very successful for you, and perhaps we’ll hear more Christmas songs from you in years to come. I’d like to thank you again for spending time with us at Merry & Bright. Have a very Merry Christmas Katie!

KG: Thank you so much! I really appreciate your interest and kind words. And I’m hopeful to write more Christmas songs in the future for sure. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful holiday!

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The author purchased "Home Sweet Christmas" from the artist for his personal Christmas music collection.  The artist provided a pre-release private stream for early review purposes.

NOT for Spring, Summer, or Fall. Or Autumn.

Tonight's share is "Christmas Music for the Winter Season".  It clearly states "Winter", so perhaps I'm sharing this out a bit soon.  But, you know, when Winter *actually* arrives, it's almost too late, so damn the torpedoes, here it is. 

"Christmas Music for the Winter Season" is a collection of 14 traditional songs recorded in Europe.  Says so right on the label:

Side A contains more spiritual carols - "Silent Night", "The First Noel", "Adeste Fideles" and so on.  Side B is the more secular side, your "White Christmas", your "Jingle Bells".  Well, maybe not "your" "Jingle Bells".  The arrange is very creative, and contains a segment where the orchestra goes off somewhere for a bit of a waltz before returning to your standard jingling and dashing through the snow.

All in all, it's a pretty nice little record.  It shows its age in places, so there is a tad bit of noise, but overall it's very pretty seasonal music and I think you'll like it.

Wait!  Did I say 14 songs?  This record is a futurist trend setter, folks.  Remember the early days of CDs, when bands would have a hidden, extra song on the CD?  Not listed on the label, and sometimes it would be hidden after 7 minutes of silence on the last track.  Well, there are 15 songs here, friends.  15!  Says 14 on the album cover, says 14 on the labels.  But, there's an extra cut of "Jingle Bells", a whole different arrangement, closing out the record.  Those sneaky orchestral Europeans :-)

Oh, and as another highlight, you get both "March of the Toys" and "March of Toys".  Yep.

Lastly, the back cover's orientation was maintained in the image file.  It is oriented at a 90 degree angle from the front. 

This album was lent to me by ol' buddy Tom W. (hence the "W" crayoned in on the cover next to Santa).  Buddy Tom's records will be featured again here a few times this season.

Please enjoy fifteen songs by a European orchestra recorded secretly one midnight in the Black Forest...

download link

Dig this Start to the Sharing Season!

Last year about this time I found a copy of The Golddiggers "We Need a Little Christmas" at a great little local store (It's a Beautiful Day, for you local folks), so naturally I snapped it up.  This is one of those truly great Christmas albums from the golden age (no pun intended) of Christmas music, and the copy I found was in excellent shape.  The cover has a little wear, but the album itself is in fine condition, and made for a high quality transfer to digital.  I know that this has been shared out elsewhere before, but I thought I'd go ahead and present this as my kickoff to sharing season this year and get off to a rollicking start.  So, without further ado, here are The Golddiggers!

Download link removed.  This album is now available as a CD:
http://www.originalgolddiggers.com/store.shtml

Album Review: "Winter Lullaby" by Bett Butler

"Winter Lullaby: Songs for the Christmas Child" is a 2016 release of Christmas songs from jazz singer/pianist Bett Butler, featuring multi-instrumentalist Joel Dilley and a cast of top-notch musicians.  Ms. Butler delivers five original songs in addition to seven traditional carols, some well known and some fresh new arrangements of lesser-known seasonal songs.

There's a great jazz vibe running through "Winter Lullaby".  It's a relaxed album, smartly influenced by great jazz standards singers, with a warmth flowing from the music.  The sax accompaniment by Rene Saenz is a perfect complementary musical voice with Bett's vocals, especially on the original tune "Are You Alone on Christmas Day". 

The real standouts on the album are the European influenced tracks.  "Pat-a-Pan" and "Un Flambeau (Bring a Torch), Jeanette, Isabella" with their French-infusion, the Spanish touches in "La Vitgen fue Lavandera", and "El Noi de la Mare" in traditional Catalan and English add a touch of the exotic while staying true to the heart of each song.   These songs really make this album a unique and wholly pleasant addition to any Christmas music collection.

The title track and album closer "Winter Lullaby", one of Bett's compositions, is remarkable.  Bett's vocals are simply beautiful, Joel Dilley's soft accompaniment on guitar is perfect, and the lyrics excel.  "Even angels have to sleep sometime" is the repeated message of comfort in this sublime album finale.

Bett Butler

Every time I listen to a new Christmas album, I get a sense of "fit".  Where does this fit in as a listening experience?  "Winter Lullaby" fits as the soundtrack for a serene Winter evening, lights dim, where one can enjoy the stillness and tranquility of the night.

"Winter Lullaby" at Dragon Lady Records
Bett Butler website

A CD was provided by the artist for review.