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!

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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!

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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!

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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".

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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.

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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!

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