It’s that time of year where critics tend to roll out their annual best-ofs and the marketing machine gears up to pounce on unsuspecting consumers with their seasonal selections. That being the case, I figured why not get in on the action and share a few offerings that qualify for holiday consideration? Not a best-of mind you, but not a traditional Christmas fit either… rather a few recent releases that seem to fit the festivities nicely…
The question is however, where to begin… and since that decision is subjective, why not start with the latest effort by The Jigsaw Seen, an album appropriately titled Winterland? Given that the first track is entitled “What About Christmas?” and the rest of the album rolls through songs generally about the happiest time of year, it seems apt to begin here. The Jigsaw Seen have boasted a stunning career for the past several years, purveying a sound similar to power pop, but with a thoughtful spin that retains the melodic invention and adds a level of sophistication normally not exuded from contemporaries focused solely on instant engagement. Here, there’s an edge and emotional commitment that embraces the songs as well, a mixture of happy/sad offerings that counter the giddy excess that normally figures into holiday song celebration. “Snow Angels of Pigtown,” “Circle of Steel” and a somewhat somber instrumental entitled “December” retain a hint of euphoria even in the midst of solemn sentiment. An excellent song cycle, Winterland provides environs well worth exploring. (www.vibro-phonic.com)
The Grip Weeds (their name is taken from the character John Lennon portrayed in the movie How I Won the War) are also a veteran power pop outfit, and so its appropriate that their first foray into holiday music, appropriately entitled Under the Influence of Christmas, borrows from some familiar templates. There are the usual covers of course – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “”Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and the like — but also remakes of contemporary classics like the Pretenders’ “2000 Miles” and ELP’s “I Believe in Father Christmas,” each performed with a reverence for the original. Aided and abetted by a handful of friends like classic rockers Paul Revere of Raiders fame and George Cameron of the Left Banke, as well as Myke Scavone and Gar Francis of the Doughboys, this becomes an all-star celebration of luminous melodies and joyful sentiment. And while the album may focus wholly on the holidays, it’s also a wonderful addition to the Grip Weeds’ superb catalogue to boot. (www.rainbowquartz.com)
An Appalachian Christmas, a set of songs spearheaded by bluegrass fiddler Mark O’Connor, veers toward the more traditional. It features the usual variety of holiday songs – “Away in a Manger,” “Winter Wonderland,” “What Child Is This,” among them – performed by an all-star ensemble that includes Chris Thile, Yo-Yo Ma, James Taylor, Alison Krauss and several more musicians of similar stature. Both the tunes and the trappings are reverential, as befits a mainly spiritual selection and artists who are distinctly world-renowned. It’s lovely indeed, a fitting offering to accompany any Christmas gathering and put one and all in the holiday spirit. Normally, offerings of this type tend to be rather staid and unrelenting; in this case however, the songs are infused with emotion. The result is both affecting and inspiring to say the very least. (www.markoconnor.com)
Celtic Christmas originates from overseas, the music of the British Isles specifically, but the reverence for tradition is equally infused. Most of the artists that participate on these recording are unknowns as far as those on this side of the Atlantic may be concerned, but the beauty of the performances and the brilliance of the arrangements ensure a universal appeal. The Albion Christmas Band’s take on the traditional English hymn “Here We Come A-Wassailing” opens the album on a joyous note, while an instrumental version of “Little Drummer Boy” (re-titled here “Little Drummer Girl”) by the Gothard Sisters, a jaunty take on “White Christmas” and sung in Gaelic by Lasairfhiona Ni Chonaola, and a supple fiddle and mandolin cover of “Joy to the World” by Steve Shuch & The Night Heron Consort provide charming interpretations of age old favorites. Likewise, if Dougie MacLean’s tender rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” doesn’t melt your heart, you may not have a heart to melt. An exceptional international offering, Celtic Christmas should be mandatory listening for anyone who savors the real spirit of the holidays. (www.putomayo.com)
A Skaggs Family Christmas Volume Two managers to lift the spirits and the energy all at the same time, via an enlarged ensemble that stays true to both the spirit and solemnity that the holidays usher in. Performed with down home devotion – conveyed so adroitly in the opening track “Christmas Time’s A-Coming” and a delightfully celebratory “Joy to the World” — envisioned as an instrumental — reflect the sheer joy of this festive season, and while the reverence is implied throughout, these bluegrass trappings make this a celebration that could only have been brewed in the heartland. A bonus DVD provides perfect visual accompaniment; if the songs themselves aren’t enough to assuage the spirit, the sight of these musicians singing and playing with such obvious enthusiasm assures a memorable concert encounter. Ricky Skaggs’ reputation for craft and creativity is well known of course — his recorded canon could fill volumes — but here, in the company of family and fellow travelers, he rises to heights of new and pure inspiration. This is a holiday treat like no other, one that’s bound to become a staple year after year. Suffice it to say, the artistry will amaze you. (www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com)
CDs for the shopping list
Now that we’ve culled the best of the Christmas category, its time to offer up a gift list that’s sure to please the rabid music enthusiast on your list. If that sounds like an line from Target, so be it. There are a number of recent releases tailor made for a holiday exchange. For example, this past year saw a number of re-releases of entire catalogues, the most extensive of which is Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher’s entire solo sequence, beginning with his first album released after the disbandment of his band Taste and continuing through his premature death, some 14 albums on, in 1995. Not surprisingly, Jimi Hendrix himself said Gallagher was the next great guitarist to watch, and these albums prove that claim was correct. (www.eaglerockent.com)
Deep Purple have also undergone a catalogue transformation, with each of their early albums – Shades of Deep Purple, their self-titled debut and The Book of Taliesyn – getting the revamp treatment with added bonus material. Early live albums are also included in the roll-out, providing perhaps the best examples of their early instrumental strengths. (www.eaglerockent.com) Paul Simon’s catalogue has gotten another redo as well, an odd choice considering the fact that Warner Bros. did the same campaign not so long ago. This time, it’s Sony Legacy that’s initiated the re-releases, sans any additional bonus material. A new archival effort entitled Paul Simon Songwriter may be the better way to go. (www.legacyrecordings.com)
Several individual albums have been subject to the massive reissue treatment as well, beginning with Smashing Pumpkins’ seminal efforts Gish and Siamese Dream. Each is packed with an entire second disc’s worth of bonus tracks as well as a live DVD from the period when the original albums were recorded. (www.smashingpumpkins.com) For those looking for lighter fare, the Monkees’ Instant Replay is now available in a three disc version which features both stereo and mono mixes of the original album, session outtakes and literally dozens of bonus add-ons. (www.rhinohandmade.com) Likewise, the five disc/two LP/one 45 edition of the Beach Boys’ legendary Smile sessions makes for an extravagant gift but an absolute necessity for any Brian Wilson completist. (www.capitolrecords.com)
The Who’s ‘70s opus Quadrophenia also makes its CD debut via a sumptuous multi-disc set, but diehard devotees may be content to settle for the two disc Deluxe Edition which boasts 15 demos that are well worth accumulating. Even without the add-ons, Quadrophenia is a must-have acquisition on its own. (www.universalmusicenterprises.com) We’d also add U2’s epoch Achtung Baby to that essential list, especially the revamped version released several months ago featuring and entire second disc of B Sides, bonus tracks and covers, “Paint It Black” and “Fortunate Son” among them. (www.universalmusicenterprises.com)
Two other individual albums are of note as well – the 40th anniversary release of Jethro Tull’s Aqualung, featuring an entire second CD of outtakes and oddities (www.chrysalis-music.com) and the soon-to-be released two disc edition of the Doors classic L.A. Woman that boasts alternate takes from the original sessions and a wholly unreleased track, “She Smells So Nice.” Nice indeed!(www.rhino.com)
This was also a big year for boxed sets, and there’s no time better than the holidays to ensure that music maven on your list is caught up with the lot. Of special note – Elvis Presley’s Young Man with the Big Beat, a collection of his complete 1956 master recordings, along with an entire disc of live performances, an additional CD of outtakes and one devoted wholly to interviews. (www.legacyrecordings.com). Likewise, Ray Charles’ Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles compiles everything essential from the soul legend’s archives. It’s a must-have. (www.concordrecords.com) And speaking of legends, Bill Wyman may have lowered his profile since leaving the Stones, but his Rhythm Kings collection, spread out across five CDs is an excellent way to catch up with his all-star ensembles. (www.properamerican.com)
Definitive DVD
While you’re at it and still have the bucks to spare, tuff the stocking with these five excellent archival offerings – The Hollies’ Look Through Any Window, an extensive look at the career of Rock’s first and foremost harmony rock band from 1963 – 75, jam packed with performances, home movies interviews and rare studio footage (www.eaglerockent.com); Some Girls, an excellent and electrifying concert culled from the Rolling Stones’ 1978 with additional material from Saturday Night Live (www.eaglerock.ent)l; The Grateful Dead Movie, the band’s trippy hippy classic live film released for the first time on DVD with a second disc of bonus material (www.shoutfactory.com); and The Love We Make, the behind-the scenes telling of Pail McCarntey’s involvement in the Concert for New York, organized in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. It’s as telling as it is touching. (www.eaglerockent.com)
Hey – the holidays are here! Better get cracking!
