Brant's Christmas 2017 Playlist

It's the holiday season, so I guess I'd better mistletoe the line!

11 months out of the year, I try to shine a spotlight on cool NEW music.  For Christmas this year, it seemed like a good time to focus on the past.  I know there are new Christmas albums out there (Sia and Gwen Stefani immediately come to mind), but the holidays are tied to tradition.   Why not highlight the great seasonal songs of years gone by?  Some of these have made previous playlists, but others are new gems I discovered while researching.  Hopefully the result is a nice mix of the familiar and the fun!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Christmas Time Is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio) - Probably one of the most well-known holiday songs, thanks to its exposure on the "Charlie Brown Christmas" television specials.  This one immediately takes me back to the Christmases of my childhood.

2.  I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Billie Holiday) - Jazz goddess sings a winter classic.

3.  There's Frost on the Moon (Artie Shaw and His Orchestra with Peg LaCentra) - This is the first I'd heard this 1936 tune, but I love the big band sound of this era!

4.  Christmas Night in Harlem (Louis Armstrong) - One of my personal faves!

5.  The Merriest (June Christy) - Über-cool 1950s vocalist bestows holiday cheer upon our unworthy ears!

6.  A Marshmallow World (Ray Anthony) - The last surviving member of Glenn Miller's orchestra brings his easy swingin' sound to this winter ditty.

7.  Christmas Blues (Ramsey Lewis Trio) - My mom had a few Ramsey Lewis LPs in her collection, so I was happy to find he had some Christmas music out there!  Funky piano jazz that almost sounds too happy to be the blues.

8.  Christmas Island (the Andrews Sisters) - Another song that brings back family memories for me.

9.  Winter Weather (Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman) - I've heard Peggy's Christmas albums, but was not familiar with this song, which is on a collaboration album with bandleader Benny Goodman!

10.  The Christmas Waltz (Frank Sinatra) - Another familiar holiday classic.

11.  Good Morning Blues (Ella Fitzgerald) -  Personally, I love everything on Ella's "Swingin' Christmas" album, but this was one I don't hear very often so I decided to select it for this year's playlist.

12.  Greensleeves (John Coltrane Quartet) - The version I have is from a 1961 Village Vanguard show.  I didn't see that on Spotify, but this one is quite similar.  Nice jazz interpretation of the traditional English folk song.

13.  Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (Mabel Scott) - Scott's version is an old school rhythm and blues stomper, but the Patti Page version on Spotify is also a great workout!

14.  O Holy Night (Mormon Tabernacle Choir) - My favorite traditional Christmas song, immaculately performed by the MTC.

15.  White Christmas (Dorothy Collins) - Canadian-born singer does a nice job with Bing Crosby's signature song.

16.  Ole Santa (Dinah Washington) - Another jazz goddess shines her light on the North Pole with this tranquil ballad.

17.  Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley) - No explanation needed.  An instant classic from the day it was released in 1957 (although a few others had recorded the song previously).

18.  Merry Christmas, Baby (Tex Beneke, Ray Eberle, and the Modernaires) - Big band treatment of the Charles Brown standard.

19.  Far Away Christmas Blues (Johnny Otis and Little Esther Phillips) - I really don't know anything about this tune, but I'm digging the jazzy blues vibes!

20.  The Christmas Song (Carmen McRae) - Influential jazz legend applies her signature stylings to this Mel Tormé holiday standard.

21.  Jingle Bell Rock (Floyd Cramer) - Festive piano instrumental!

22.  What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Margaret Whiting) - Smokey vocals over stately big band backdrop that makes New Year's Eve sound much classier than it usually is!

So that's the last playlist of 2017!  Hope everyone has a fantabulous holiday season, and God willing I'll see you in the New Year!

Brant's November 2017 Playlist

When they asked me to be a diplomat to Turkey, I think I misunderstood...

Well, Halloween is behind us and we are racing towards the holiday season!  So, while you're still snacking on Halloween candy and getting ready to pig out at Thanksgiving and other holiday meals - here's some new music to enjoy.  Last month skewed towards acoustic and Americana selections, so this month favors the electronic jams.  Enjoy!  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Machinist (Japanese Breakfast) - What a treat to see a new Japanese Breakfast album is out!  Spacey beats and delicate vocals to launch this month's playlist!

2.  Paola (Shout Out Louds) - ANOTHER favorite act I was thrilled to see in my new music folder!  Indie band from Sweden picks up where New Order and the Cure left off, with some first-rate melancholy alt-rock. 

3.  Take Her Place Tonight (Don Diablo feat. ARIZONA) - Dutch artist, who is listed on Wikipedia as a "founding father of Future House", has remixed everyone from Rihanna to the Chainsmokers.  Here, a chorus of auto-tuned voices and pulsating keyboards combine to reassure the listener that being someone's second choice doesn't have to suck! 

4.  I Believe in Us (LÉON) - Another Swedish artist, providing rich vocals over keyboards that would make Elton John swoon.

5.  Honky Tonk Flame (Tyler Childers) - Kentucky singer/songwriter landed Sturgill Simpson to produce his debut album!  I love the mix of old-school country with 60s psychedelia. 

6.  Blueberry Hill (Fats Domino) - So sad to lose this legend of Rock and Roll last month.  It's amazing how well this song, one of his biggest hits, holds up after almost 60 years!  RIP

7.  More, More, More (Dagny) - Yes, this is currently in a Target commercial.  But there's no denying that Dagny's smooth remake of the Andrea True Connection's 1976 classic is delicious!

8.  Lucy/Sun Goes Up (Chris Tall feat. Maydar) - Okay, I'm realizing there are a LOT of Swedish acts on this month's list.  It's not intentional - I just dig the disco beats on this tune! 

9.  LMK (Kelela) - Up and coming singer serves soulful vocals over industrial bass and club beats. 

10.  The One to Wait (CCFX) - This reminds me of the early 80s, when New Wave and Goth bands weren't afraid to incorporate R&B elements into their music.  Sounds like Alphaville singing over a Soul II Soul track. 

11.   Boyfriend (Hurts) - White boy soul from English band.

12.  Androgynous (Beach Slang) - Remember when Ike and Tina Turner decided to do a "nice and easy" song, instead of their usual "nice and rough" material?  Apparently punk band Beach Slang decided to go the same route.  Here, they tackle the Replacements' 1984 song with a fairly faithful rendition.  Reminds me of a gender-fluid saloon in the Old West!

13.  Stolen Hearts (Blitzen Trapper) - Portland, Oregon band is back with more mellow folk-rock!

14.   Dark Come Soon (Trashique) - I've pretty much decided I like anything Grimes does.  Here, she and Hana contribute to the excellent Con X: Covers album by Tegan and Sara.  Proceeds go to their Tegan and Sara Foundation, to raise money for self-identified girls and women in the LGBT community. 

15.  Sit Next to Me (Foster the People) - West Coast Indie Pop band shows no signs of slowing down with this selection from their third studio album. 

16.  Show Me Love (Fenech-Soler) - File this under "Songs I Never Expected Anyone to Cover"!  Robin S's glorious 1993 dance hit gets the Euro Synth-pop treatment from this British band, with surprisingly terrific results! 

So that's another month in the bag!  I haven't decided if next month will be Christmas music or continue to showcase recent releases. I guess I'll decide while I'm in my Turkey Coma at the end of the month.  Until then!