Spotlight on New Music

I get a lot of requests via e-mail to feature new songs, videos, EPs, etc, and honestly I can't keep up with them, so I'm very grateful for the other blogs that do such a great job highlighting the new releases each year.  But there are a few that I'd like to draw your attention to, so today's post will list out several that I think deserve your attention.  (Whoa - this turned out to be a long post...)

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Jane Sheldon - "One for Mrs. Claus"

One of my fave new singles this year - "One for Mrs. Claus" by Jane Sheldon.  Light, bouncy, a little bit country, and surely Christmassy.

Soundcloud link

Youtube video (featuring Teri Hatcher):

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Sofia Talvik - "Poem at Year's End"

What would Christmas be without a new song by the lovely Sofia Talvik?  I hope we never know...  Here for your listening pleasure (and free download) is "Poem at Year's End" from Miss Sofia.

Sofia Talvik link

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Phil and the Osophers - "Another Christmas with Phil and the Osophers"

Here's a 4-song EP by Phil and the Osophers - all original, all very original. Catchy, a little quirky perhaps, a little snappy, more than a little tromboney.  Love it!

Soundcloud link

Phil and the Osophers have quite a catalog of Christmas tunes - check out their Youtube playlist - marvelous!  Youtube link
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Darren Fiorino "Early December"  Bandcamp link

Darren and family have been long-time readers of Merry & Bright, and Darren is now starting a career in music as a singer/songwriter.  Check out his single "Early December" b/w "Auld Lang Syne" on Bandcamp

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Jack Mosbacher "Christmas in California" EP

In throwback crooner style, Jack Mosbacher serves up an EP of four classic songs, solo piano versions of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas", and adding light jazzy instrumentals for "It's Beginning to Look a Lot LIke CHristmas" and "White Christmas".  Jack does the classics well!

"Christmas in California" Soundcloud link
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Linnea Ellis - "Warmest Winter"

Solo Debut from new artist Linnea Ellis - "Warmest Winter".  Mmmm.... this is dreamy....

Listen on Soundcloud

Linnea Ellis on Facebook

Promo video:

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"Stars" - Various Artists

The folks at wyaiwia (Where You Are Is Where It's At) bring this 9-song album of original new seasonal songs.

"Stars" Bandcamp link

Featured video from the album "Christmas Tree (Burn Burn Burn)" by Catenary Wires

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Randi Fay "Joy Whispered"

Here's the video for "Joy Whispered", by new artist Randi Fay.  I'd call it orchestral adult-contemporary pop Christmas.  I'd also call it a quite beautiful new song!  Available to stream on Spotify, 

Youtube link

All the Randi Fay links:

https://www.facebook.com/randifaymusic/
https://www.instagram.com/randifaymusic/
https://twitter.com/randifaymusic
https://www.randifay.com/

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Stephen Winston "Winter Breath Warms the Heart"  

Colorado native Stephen Winston has released a piano-driven new single "Winter Breath Warms the Heart" - check it out here on Bandcamp.  A song for lovers of Winter (like me), it stirs up all those good feelings of a cold snowy night.

Stephen Winston website 

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Josie Dunn - "Cold in December"

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Dan Berk - "Hanging Like the Mistletoe"

Long Island based singer Dan Berk, proudly having a million monthly listeners on Spotify, brings us "Hanging Like the Mistletoe", produced by Michael Camargo (guitarist for Michael Buble).  Nice!

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Green Monkey Records - three new albums

The good folks at Green Monkey Records have three new releases for 2018.  I haven't had time to preview them all <sad face>, but Green Monkey consistently produces some very fine Christmas music.  Definitely worth your time.

"(I'm a) Lonely Little Christmas Tree" - Tom Dyer & the True Olympians - Bandcamp link
"A Green Monkey Christmas For Martians Up On Mars" - Bandcamp link
"Tom & Kat's Excellent Christmas Adventure" - Bandcamp link

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And that's it!  I hope you find some chestnuts in all this new music.  Enjoy!