Lorretta Lynn may not convert your White Christmas Blue, but may help make it merry if you prefer to listen to an ole-fashioned country Christmas album with the spirit of Willie Nelson. I don't recall him recording one, and he has recorded many records, but I believe he may record one like this; that notion was brought to you by "To Heck With Ole Santa Claus." I appreciate the originals, and she manages to keep the covers appealing.
The Greatest Gift of All from Rascal Flatts would have to be their original "A Strange Way To Save The World," and while I appreciate their funky horn infused rendition of "Go Tell It on the Mountain" that may have some fans ecstatic enough to say "Joy to the World" as well, I found it to be a pleasing album, and worthy of their canon.
I cannot call this the best way to celebrate the season, or the best album released in the genre, in the year but Jennifer Nettles surprised with her solo Christmas set; no particular reason that I could hear, aside from her voice and the arrangements, from the brassy opener to what sounds like a muted Zat You accompaniment in "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." "Celebrate Me Home" and "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" may sound like directives to please your best life, or live your best life, but they end up being great songs. To those that are still here, Merry Christmas with love!
There are not many vocalists that can sing as one drunk during karaoke at a Christmas Party on one track, and then rival any Crosby collaborator on the next. While Deschanel does have a nice voice, her delivery can sound monotone, as it did on "Happy Holiday" which did have stiff competition; the person I can say shares this tendency would be Julian Casablancas, especially in the first two Strokes records, which means she is in good company. You even get to hear M Ward on "Run Run Rudolph" which found instrumentation and tone differentiating this version from its brothers and sisters. The best way to approach a cover is not to attempt to top or copy the original, recording what appeals to your heart, and that may yield the best results. Proof is in the aforementioned, but even moreso with the overdone "All I Want For Christmas is You, but I will keep the rest of the details under wraps.
Jordan Smith
While I love Christmas music, I find the expansion of what's available to be staggering and overwhelming, so I may disregard some records for sanity's sake. Considerng how many times the selections on the album were covered, I questioned why bother? Although it sounds Grinchy, I did have a change in heart after hearing this engaging version of the iconic dismiss song, Tis The Season after all.
Leslie Odom Jr.
In a land where sugar plums may have lost their luster, and artists pump as much holiday spirit in their Christmas distractions that they could muster. Whether the intent is Simply Christmas and the desire to profess love through song, or for a reason that may beckon coal is uncertain; not for any artist in particular, but it comes up all the same. "The Christmas Waltz" and its treatment is an example of the times, to put it simply, a quicker tempo, done in good taste, may put a smile on your face. The calming chords and strumming rhythm of a song simply titled "Christmas" manages to capture the serenity that the season can bring, as does the extended version of "My Favorite Things." I have not heard "Merry Christmas Darling" out of the Carpenters' context, which is a classic, so this was a pleasant surprise, and while it cannot replace the original, it stands well on its own. This is an album that may surprise you, and you may find "Winter Song" serving as your soundtrack to those long, cold post holiday nights where that solace and inner light flicker.
No comments:
Post a Comment