2021 Stocking Stuffers

 Steve Perry "The Season"

With an artist that was given a gift and is one of the best vocalists in not only rock, but in general, and left a big chunk of his legacy behind, it was inevitable that he would record music for The Season of giving. The selection of songs on this extended play are tried and true, like his voice, you can tell they are tired too.

Shaggy "Christmas in the Islands (Deluxe)"

Over the years there have been some surprise gems mined from Christmas Canon mountain, and this is one of them. There are a lot of fun songs that can be listened to all year round, with enough to let you know the intended season, but not too much to deter you from listening to them in the summer. It's Still Christmas in Ontario and Montego Bay on December 25th regardless of the weather, right? Two of my favorites would be "Warm and Easy" and " Catch Myself Some Rays." I almost had a "Holiday in Jamaica," but this is a good enough substitute.

Eagles of Death Metal "EODM Presents: A Boots Electric Christmas"

When I saw this release, I could not believe it. While I have heard enough of the band's music to have a certain set of expectations, I was hoping for a little more holiday boogie, and a little more Halford "III: Winter Songs" rather than Scott Weiland "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." I say that with as much respect as possible, may the latter songwriter rest in peace, because I do like all three records, but it was tamer and more traditional than I expected. 

Bryson Tiller "A Different Christmas"

I have heard Bryson Tiller music before

This is A Different Christmas album for sure

When it comes to length, there are features galore

one you may have heard of, but another's reach is exponentially more

Is it really that great? that's subjective for sure.

If you cannot spare twenty minutes, you can walk out the "door"

But then you would miss a nice treat before album number four.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blues

Jimmy Buffet "Tis The SEASon" 

Tis The SEASon for Christmas records

 Fa La La La La! La La La Laaa! 

After creating one classic, why not another?

Fa La La La La! La La La Laaaa!

I am not a Parrothead, but I do know what I like, and this Christmas Island Shuttle Captain comes sailing in with three breezy classics reworked in the key of cruise, before shifting gears to "Drivin' The Pig(Manejando el Cerdo)." 

I have to say one of my favorites is the "Twelve Days of Christmas (Parrothead Version)" which sounds like a buffet of good humor and good times, and the charming list of "What I Didn't Get For Christmas" with all sentimentality and fun intact.

Another song that undoubtedly captivated my attention with its glaring truth, that has most in the know with occasional alternate facts and humor in tow, is "Santa Stole Thanksgiving," which is no longer as relaxing because it led to Black Friday eating some of Thanksgiving too.

What follows is an appropriate and then two questionable covers. Whether you celebrate in Hawaii you can still sing "Mele Kalikimaka," right? Of Coarse, Toucan.  The soft white sand can serve as snow for a "Winter Wonderland," so it's not as questionable, I guess. I digress when someone says "Baby It's Cold Outside," we think of thirty degrees or below and in three-layer dress. It can get colder at night, just not as cold as New York State, but that is just one of many places where the statement would be right.

Norah Jones "I Dream of Christmas"

Norah Jones finally answered the call, and this Jolly Jones opens with a song that embodies holiday anticipation, that can also score a beautiful snowfall. Her rendition of "Christmas Don't Be Late" re-enforces that feeling of anticipation in this one-two punch that can bring that feeling that a child may have at Christmas. 

But we know that it's not all sugarplums, gingerbread, candy canes and merriment with the cover of "Blue Christmas" that really prepares you for the next tune. As last year was one example, to which Jones documents in her original "It's Only Christmas Once A Year" and urges everyone to "Gather all your loved ones, hold them close to your heart/ 'cause one never knows what lies ahead or when you'll part." It fits center in a nice sandwich of songs that realize and express that holidays cannot chase the blues away. The original that follows sounds like it could serve as an anthem for those that suffer seasonal affective disorder, yet it assures all who care to listen that "You're Not Alone."

Her cover of "Winter Wonderland" seems to denote a shift, and the word "ethereal" comes to mind, it may not be heaven but it sounds like you are experiencing that walk during snowfall in another world. While "A Holiday With You" does seem to address the SAD a little more effectively, she is hopeful, and after a selection of two more joyful covers she is even more confident in asking "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" 

A Very Kind Beats Christmas: The Music of A Charlie Brown Christmas Interpreted by Andrew McCauley

Schulz's characters are synonymous with the Christmas season, and every other major American holiday to put it plainly. The album that inspired the re-interpretations is one of the best albums to honor the season and more transcendent than most seasonal offerings, when it comes to listening to it outside the traditional time frame.

 The classics are included, and "Christmas Time Is Here." The latter includes an exploration of the season on another planet. "Christmas Is Coming" for sure, and it seems it arrives faster every year, and to acknowledge this, the tempo has been sped up, not for lack of patience, but for a subconscious imperative. Whatever the reason, we have more fanfare for the Christmas stan. 

The major change in "Fur Elise" is the Merry-achi vibe brought to you by the horn section replacing Schroeder's iconic piano, it is an extension of a good time. All in All, there is enough to warrant the whole project, aside from proceeds going to charity, which is a very kind gesture, if you want to listen to a reinterpretation of a holiday staple. If not, it's your choice. My one complaint is that it cuts out "Greensleves," but I am a bigger fan of the color red anyways.

Sabrina Claudio "Christmas Blues"

After listening to her voice, "I Just Melt," or my preconceived notions of how good this album can be do. Yes, her voice is so smooth and sexy without any effort that I can detect. The first single, "Warm December" perfectly describe the sentiment and temperature of the album, as described by Claudio herself, and set the tone for the record. Even though there is that fire of passion she sets, she manages to temper the flame to a bonfire, enough to warm chestnuts over. She remains faithful with her cover of  "O Holy Night" and two other classics. While her duet with The Weeknd focuses on the "Blue Christmas" that living away from your loved one can bring, her duet with Alicia Keys lists some the past and current wonderments of "Wintertime." She keeps it classy throughout the whole project, even with a song like "Short Red Silk Lingerie," and how many Christmas albums can you say have achieved that?

Eric Clapton "Happy X-Mas"

Although I am not attuned enough to his music to call him by his nickname, Slowhand, or say I have heard all of his albums, I can say that I respect him as an artist.
As I am a major fan of holiday music,  I was intrigued to see an artist of his stature release  a holiday-themed album after all of this time. Some may scream, "Cash grab! Clearly the revenue is his version of a Christmas bonus!" 
He bookends with the canon classics, "White Christmas" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," and while they were good, we know the true value of the present lies inside. One of the most beautiful songs written finds itself on this record, Silent Night. One of the most intriguing covers was "Jingle Bells," which on first listen might be missed, but most of the elements of the original are there, just rearranged and repurposed; a Christmas dance party anyone? However, with its parenthetical appendation, it is not as surprising, in Memory of Aviici, which makes it even better.

 He throws in a few Christmas classics of the blues persuasion "Lonesome Christmas" and "Merry Christmas Baby," both of which were covered on A Christmas Celebration of Hope recorded  by another legend, B.B. King.
While now would be the time where I mention the rest of the album's "originals," I come to find that aside from "For Love On Christmas Day," the majority of the album is one of covers. I had my suspicions that "Away In A Manger (Once in Royal David's City)" was another blues interpretation, but the rest caught me by surprise. It's wonderful to hear more of the obscure Christmas tunes unearthed and included on more recent Christmas albums; all good songs that need to be heard and be paid their due, with your attention at least once, but worth more than that.
So while it took over five decades to release a Christmas Compendium, my final judgment is that it was well worth the wait; a consistent newsy, bluesy classic.

Keb Mo "Moonlight, Mistletoe, and You'

 I don't listen to a lot of Christmas records seeped in the blues, but when I do, it is BB King's "A Christmas Celebration of Hope" or Eric Clapton's "Happy Xmas"

It is without question that a record of this caliber should be added to the Christmas Compendium of records that circulate through my consciousness and natural audio processing units every year.

While I am not the biggest fan of redundant covers, Keb' Mo' manages to bring his own style and give reason to recording another version of classics such as "Please Come Home for Christmas" and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," a duet with Melissa Manchester. Clandestine covers (songs not generally covered outside its genre) such as "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" and "Santa Claus Blues" pay tribute respectfully to Theodore Edwards and Charley Jordan, whilst adding his style to the tunes.

Some of my favorites happen to be the one-two punch of the eponymous second song and "Better Everyday," both of which are love songs, and worthwhile additions to the ever-expanding collection of holiday songs. 

In fact, the whole album is a labor of love, paying tribute to the classics of old, in his respective genre and some more common ground recordings to name one. It also pays tribute to the holiday and the love of family and the holiday. Even the song "Christmas is Annoying" is written with love, and the lyrics sound like a testament to that; not only the notion where Christmas is like a dream and as you get older that dream fades away, or the magic of it all seems to dissipate, but the 'Auld Lang Syne' addition as well.

The latter was a little tongue in cheek, but also genuine frustration, because there is a lot to love about the season. He even mentions in another original, "When the Children Sing," found later in the album, that it is his favorite time of year, but what one loves about the season or the significance of what was originally cherished...changes.

If you love your Christmas blues a little funky, then this song may give you a "Merry Merry Christmas"

Zaytoven and Deitrick Haddon "Greatest Gift"

 I have been trying to write a review for this extended play for several years, not because I feel like I have to do it, but because it is that good, and I want to. However, most know that when it comes to a Christmas list, they are merely suggestions and possibilities, not guarantees.

I just want to do the album justice in the review, and sometimes with albums I enjoy, I just don't have it in my heart to do so. For some, reviewing a record or a film is merely a job, and does not require much consultation from the heart, merely the mind; that is not the case with me, and I am certain I am not the only one who feels this way.

Anyways, Christmas Hip-Hop and Rap is not really utilized when it comes to full length albums. with singles and songs, yes, but albums and even extended plays, not so much. There are compilation albums with original tunes by various artists, but that is not what I mean. I am talking about an album by a singular artist or collaboration between two artists that is more family friendly.

 I have listened to Snoop Dogg's Christmas in Tha Dogg House, which is good and has become an annual tradition, and I have yet to hear A Colt 45 Christmas by Afroman, which sounds interesting, but is probably not a good suggestion for the fam. One of my favorites that I had heard before this one is A Very Random Christmas, and until this record, Mega Ran's modern holiday classic was the only one that was the best fit; Snoop's was close, but not friendly enough.

While I like to include critiques of certain song selections, instead of merely critiquing in a general sense, this may be one of those records where I may not delve too deep and pull out surprise references from the magic bag of St. Nicholas. I must applaud the production and consistency of the record, for there is no fat on the Christmas Ham, or Tofam; I was going to use Turkey and Tofurkey, but the former felt more appropriate.

I must say that while the lyrics are generally family friendly, there are traces of coal in "Make Love on Christmas" and "Holiday Bae-cation." It does balance out the songs that celebrate the real reason of the season and explicitly state it in the eponymous audio blessing "Greatest Gift," an abbreviated nativity story found on "Silent Night," and the beautiful "Christmas Prayer" that follows through with one before the second song.

The last song, sounds like it would be effective in scoring a "Good Christmas."

Now that I think of it, this record may not be another answer to a family friendly Christmas rap album, but a solid one, nonetheless.