Holiday Music Aplenty — 2020 Christmas Collections Roundup

Despite the continuing COVID-19 outbreak, the season will sound much brighter thanks to a slew of spirited holiday music collections.

Artist: Buck Owens

Title: A Merry 'Hee Haw' Christmas (Omnivore Recordings)

Tell me more: Originally released in 1970, Buck Owens' A Merry 'Hee Haw' Christmas is making its audio CD and digital debut 50 years after its vinyl debut. The wonderful collection — newly remastered from the original analog master tapes by Grammy Award-winning engineer Michael Graves — is stuffed with each and every bona fide Bakersfield country-fried cut from 1965's Christmas With Buck Owens and His Buckaroos and 1968's Christmas Shopping along with both cuts from a promotional 7-inch "Toys for Tots" public service announcements promotional single.  The range of material impresses across the 26-track disc; the uptempo "Christmas Shopping," sweet "All I Want for Christmas is My Daddy," instrumental "The Jolly Christmas Polka" and whimsical "Tomorrow is Christmas Day" are early standouts. The enchanting "Blue Christmas Lights," rollicking instrumental take on "Jingle Bells," tender "All I Want for Christmas is You," jolly "Santa's Gonna Come in a Stage Coach" and affecting "Blue Christmas Tree" keep the magic coming in the last half of the magic set. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Artist: Davy Jones

Title: It's Christmas Time Once More (Not Too Late Records)

Tell me more: Fans were wonderfully surprised by the new Monkees' holiday music set Christmas Party in 2018. Fast forward to 2020 and now fans of the '60s-spawned favorites can take in the festive sonic cheer of Davy Jones' It's Christmas Time Once More. Producer Chip Douglas — who also mixed and played a variety of instruments on this unique collection — rounded up classic vocal recordings featuring the late Jones (who passed away in February 2012) and added new musical elements and supporting voices in the creation of the new arrangements featured on this set. There is a mix of rocking uptempo cheer ("Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"), wistful yuletide offerings ("Silver Bells," "Mele Kalikimaka") and lovely traditional selections (notably "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "This Day in Bethlehem," both featuring the supporting voices of fellow Monkee Micky Dolenz and his sister Coco Dolenz). Davy Jones' youngest daughter, Annabel Jones, shines on a tender version of "White Christmas." Information: DavyJones.net.

Artist: Sweet Lizzy Project

Title: And So This Is Christmas (Mono Mundo/Thirty Tigers)

Tell me more: Rising rock troupe Sweet Lizzy Project is set to release their first-ever Christmas release, the four-song EP And So This Is Christmas on Nov. 20. What a delight! The welcome collection includes two terrific originals, the aptly-pegged "This Christmas I'm Not Coming Home" (the group left their native Havana, Cuba a few years ago and is now based in Nashville) which is a real showcase for lead singer Lisset Diaz and rousing "It's Christmas (Everything Will Be Alright)," the latter co-written with Raul Malo from The Mavericks. Sweet Lizzy Project also delivers deeply affecting takes on The Pretenders' "2000 Miles" and the John Lennon classic "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." And if you love the quintet's And So This Is Christmas make sure to check out their outstanding full-length American debut LP Technicolor that was released earlier this year. Information: SweetLizzyProject.com.

Artist: Goo Goo Dolls

Title: Christmas All Over Again (Warner Records)

Tell me more: Goo Goo Dolls bring their signature rock sound to their first-ever holiday music album, delivering a great mix of original and reworked covers to Christmas All Over Again. Kicking things off with a tuneful cover of the spirited Tom Petty favorite "Christmas All Over Again," the 10-song set continues to deliver seasonal cheer. Frontman John Rzenik and company dip headlong into swing revival territory with the fun-filled "Shake Hands With Santa Claus." Other surprises include the shimmering "Let It Snow," heartwarming "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and uplifting "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." The two originals are especially strong; the stirring "This Is Christmas" and mischievous jazzy tune "You Ain't Getting Nothin' " are among the disc's highlights. "It's Christmas All Over" is available on audio CD and via vinyl. The band is also offering exclusive merchandise bundles including a red vinyl LP, a Goo Goo Dolls Crosley record player and additional limited run items via the band's official website. Information: GooGooDolls.com.

Artist: The Bird and the Bee

Title: Put Up The Lights (No Expectations / Release Me Records)

Tell me more: Acclaimed Los Angeles-based duo The Bird (Inara George) and the Bee (Greg Kurstin) bring their formidable talents to their first-ever Christmas-minded collection, Put Up The Lights. A timeless touch is displayed across the album, with the mix of lovingly revisited classics and stirring originals hitting their mark. The original "Merry Merry" has a captivating and soulful groove. The original "You And I At Christmas Time" is gorgeous, a jazz-meets-dreampop melodic jewel enhanced by George's incredible soprano. That luxurious approach also works wonder on their take on "The Christmas Song" and "Christmas Time Is Here." A fully original interpretation of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" is an absolute wonder. "Little Drummer Boy" — featuring Dave Grohl on drums — adds a decidedly rock overtone to the duo's sheen. Every selection on the eight-track album is a joy. Information: thebirdandthebee.com. 

Artist: Carrie Underwood

Title: My Gift (Capitol Nashville)

Tell me more: Country music singer Carrie Underwood's first-ever Christmas album My Gift is a welcome addition to her winning discography. The seven-time GRAMMY Award winner uses her soprano in a nuanced and artful way across the title to propel a wide range of material on the album. The album begins with a quiet and introspective rendition of the traditional "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee." She likewise brings an emotive touch to other oft-visited classics such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Away In A Manger" with beautiful vocal performances enhanced by expressive arrangements. Her vocal performance on "O Holy Night" is truly amazing. She brings a more contemporary touch to the season with her piano-anchored duet with John Legend, "Hallelujah," and "Sweet Baby Jesus," the latter a touching song she co-wrote with Brett James and David Garcia. Information: CarrieUnderwoodOfficial.com.

Artist: Grant-Lee Phillips

Title: Yuletide (Yep Roc Records)

Tell me more: Grant-Lee Phillips' four-song EP Yuletide is a wistful and evocative listen that features the original Americana-styled "Winterglow," as well as refined reworkings of Nat King Cole's "Take Me Back to Toyland" and Frank Sinatra's "An Old-Fashioned Christmas." The EP closes out with a sparse "Auld Lang Syne." If you enjoy Yuletide make sure to pick up Phillips' 10th solo album, Lightning, Show Us Your Stuff, released in June 2020. Information: GrantLeePhillips.com.

Artist: Tori Kelly

Title: A Tori Kelly Christmas (Capitol Records)

Tell me more: R&B songstress Tori Kelly brings a contemporary touch to traditional and original songs on her first-ever holiday collection A Tori Kelly Christmas. Executive produced by 11-time GRAMMY winner Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Scooter Braun, highlights abound across the album. The gospel-styled "O Holy Night" showcases Kelly's high-soaring vocals. A yearning "Christmas Time Is Here" is magical. Also featured are two originals, the enticing dance track "25th" and joyful "Gift That Keeps On Giving." Elsewhere Kelly joins forces with Edmonds for a cool retro take on "Let It Snow." My favorite selection on the disc is a lovely medley that begins with a touching "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" that builds into a uplifting gospel-seasoned "O Come All Ye Faithful." A Target exclusive version edition includes two exclusive tracks, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and a third original song, "Kid Again On Christmas." Information: ToriKellyMusic.com.

Artist: Dolly Parton

Title: A Holly Dolly Christmas (Butterfly Records/12Tone Music)

Tell me more: This year's Christmas music roundup wouldn't be complete without celebrating A Holly Dolly Christmas, legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton's first new collection of yuletide songs in 30 years. This is a full-fledged celebration of the season, including several high-profile duets including the lively "Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas" with Michael Bublé, fun "All I Want For Christmas is You" with Jimmy Fallon and soaring "Christmas Is" with Miley Cyrus. "Pretty Paper" is a particularly lovely country track where Parton teams with fellow country music icon Willie Nelson. Of course, Parton can handle things on her own just fine as evidenced by the inviting "Holly Jolly Christmas," Baroque folk pick "Circle of Love" and haunting "Mary, Did You Know?" Information: DollyParton.com.

Robert Kinsler

The Bird and The Bee announce release of duo's first holiday music album

I had always hoped The Bird and The Bee might release a holiday album. Based on the two advance tracks, their own jazz-tinged "You And I At Christmas Time" and a artful rocking cover of "Little Drummer Boy" (featuring guest Dave Grohl) this will be one of the season's most festive releases...and couldn't we all use a little cheer in 2020? Robert Kinsler

THE BIRD AND THE BEE

ANNOUNCE FIRST HOLIDAY ALBUM

PUT UP THE LIGHTS

Out 10/23/20 Via No Expectations/ Release Me Records 

Release Original Track "You and I At Christmas Time" 

and 

"Little Drummer Boy (feat. Dave Grohl)"

Pre- Order Now

The Bird and The Bee are thrilled to announce Put Up The Lights, a collection of the duo’s favorite holiday songs alongside new and original compositions, due out October 23 via No Expectation/Release Me Records. Pre-order the album HERE. 

Since forming in 2005, The Bird And The Bee have brought a breezy elegance to their music, putting their own idiosyncratic twist on time-bending indie-pop starting with their beloved Again and Again and Again and Again EP followed by 3 original studio albums. The duo have also mastered the art of the cover song. This mastery can be heard throughout their amazing takes on timeless tracks on 2010’s Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates and 2019’s bombastic Interpreting the Masters Volume 2: A Tribute to Van Halen, both of which garnered critical acclaim. With Put Up The Lights, The Bird And The Bee aim to spread holiday cheer by putting their own spin on classics like “Deck The Halls” and “Sleigh Ride” alongside originals like “Merry Merry” and “You and I At Christmas Time”.

“I’m so happy it’s finally here,” stated Greg Kurstin. “We included some of our favorite holiday songs and wrote a couple of originals too. One of my favorite songs we wrote is “You and I at Christmas Time” which was written through email. I sent Inara the piano part and I was blown away by what she sang over it.”

While the idea for Put Up The Lights dates back to 2007, it wasn’t until they released Interpreting the Masters Volume 2: A Tribute to Van Halen in 2019 that they committed to making the album. And then the pandemic hit. While the delightful duo have historically worked together in the studio, the current state of affairs would not allow for that. Instead, Greg would send a track recorded in his home studio in between borrowed moments away from his kids. In turn, Inara moved her recording operation into a closet and recorded all of the vocals on Garageband in between borrowed moments away from her kids. 

“Working on a holiday record during summer is always strange, no matter what the circumstance,” commented Inara George. “But working on a holiday album during the summer, and a global pandemic, worldwide civil rights protesting, historical wildfires and the lead up to the most important election of our lives is really, really strange. Although, I have to admit, it felt like such a sweet little momentary escape singing “Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire…” all alone in my closet. It was a little respite from reality.”

The recording of Put Up The Lights became an unexpected source of calm and joy for the songwriters and gave light to the power of holiday songs. 

“Holiday songs give us such an escape from a time of year that is supposed to be so jolly and happy, but a lot of times can be so stressful and even lonely,” added Inara. “And even more universally, how music in general, always offers that to the listener… an escape, a moment of joy, a feeling of belonging. There’s a song out there for every occasion."

Put Up The Lights Tracklist: 1. You and I At Christmas Time 2. The Christmas Song 3. Sleigh Ride 4. Deck The Halls 5. Little Drummer Boy (feat. Dave Grohl) 6. Christmas Time Is Here 7. Merry Merry 8. Hallelujah Chorus

Follow The Bird and The Bee: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

Inbox Update: Brian May & Kerry Ellis; 'Endless Love' Soundtrack announced; 'The Secret Policeman's Ball - USA'

Still recovering from the countless hours I spent over the course of four exhausting (but fun!) days at the NAMM Show, but there is plenty of other music news to catch up on too!

BRIAN MAY & KERRY ELLIS

THE CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS – LIVE AT MONTREUX 2013 set for release April 1, 2014 

CD/DVD, BLU-RAY/CD, AND DIGITAL FORMATS

On April 1, 2014, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release The Candlelight Concerts – Live At Montreux 2013 from Queen legend Brian May and West End and Broadway sensation Kerry Ellis as a DVD + CD set, Blu-ray + CD and digital formats.  This release features a great mix of classic songs including “Born Free,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “I Who Have Nothing,” “Tie Your Mother Down,” “The Way We Were,” “We Will Rock You,” and more.

Filmed at the renowned Stravinski Auditorium during the Montreux Jazz Festival in July 2013, The Candlelight Concerts – Live At Montreux 2013 is a wonderfully intimate show that blends Kerry Ellis’ beautiful voice with the extraordinary guitar playing of Brian May. Throughout a largely acoustic performance of standards, ballads, Queen songs and cover songs, May’s guitar style perfectly compliments Ellis’ theatrical vocals. Also included in the set is the Acoustic By Candlelight CD, recorded live on the UK leg of their tour in Autumn 2012.  As a bonus feature, the DVD includes a performance of “Nothing Really Has Changed” with Virginia McKenna.

Brian May and Kerry Ellis are on tour in the UK in February, followed by dates in Russia, Latvia and Belarus in March. The Candlelight Concerts – Live At Montreux 2013 proves beyond a doubt this pairing of talents is a match made in musical heaven.

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TRACK LISTING:

DVD:

1) I Who Have Nothing  

2) Dust In The Wind  

3) Born Free  

4) Somebody To Love      

5) Nothing Really Has Changed  

6) Life Is Real  

7) The Way We Were  

8) ’39  

9) Something   

10) Last Horizon 

11) Love Of My Life  

12) The Kissing Me Song  

13) Tie Your Mother Down  

14) We Will Rock You  

15) No One But You  

16) Crazy Little Thing Called Love

CD:

1) Born Free  

2) I Loved A Butterfly  

3) I Who Have Nothing  

4) Dust In The Wind         

5) The Kissing Me Song  

6) Nothing Really Has Changed  

7) Life Is Real  

8) The Way We Were  

9) Something  

10) Love Of My Life  

11) I’m Not That Girl  

12) I Can’t Be Your Friend  

13) In The Bleak Midwinter  

14) Crazy Little Thing Called Love  

15) No One But You (Only The Good Die Young)

WARNER BROS. RECORDS TO RELEASE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK TO UNIVERSAL PICTURES' UPCOMING ENDLESS LOVE FEBRUARY 11, 2014

ALBUM FEATURES A NEW TRACK BY TEGAN & SARA, PLUS MUSIC BY NONONO, THE BIRD AND THE BEE, GUARDS, ECHOSMITH, TANLINES, AND OTHERS

Warner Bros. Records will release the original motion picture soundtrack to Universal Pictures' Endless Love on February 11, 2014. The romantic drama will hit theaters nationwide on Valentine's Day.

The soundtrack features music from an array of celebrated bands, including the Top 40 hit-in-the-making "Pumpin Blood" by NONONO, as well as The Bird and The Bee featuring Matt Berninger, Echosmith, Franz Ferdinand, Tanlines, Guards, and Tegan and Sara, who perform the track "Don't Find Another Love," which was written specifically for the movie. Please see below for the full track-listing.

Endless Love stars Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike) and Gabriella Wilde (The Three Musketeers) in the story of a privileged girl and a charismatic boy whose instant desire sparks a love affair made only more reckless by parents trying to keep them apart. Directed by Shana Feste (Country Strong), the romantic drama co-stars Bruce Greenwood, Joely Richardson, Robert Patrick and Rhys Wakefield. Scott Stuber (Ted) of Bluegrass Films and Pamela Abdy (Identity Thief) are joined by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (Gossip Girl) of Fake Empire to produce the film from writers Feste and Joshua Safran (Gossip Girl).

The track-listing for Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Endless Love is as follows:

1 Pumpin Blood - NONONO

2 Don't Find Another Love - Tegan And Sara

3 All Our Endless Love - The Bird and The Bee featuring Matt Berninger

4 I Know It's You - Guards

5 All Of Me - Tanlines

6 Go Outside - Cults

7 Right Action - Franz Ferdinand

8 Crickets - Drop City Yacht Club

9 Peaches - In The Valley Below

10 Leading Me Now - The Tallest Man On Earth

11 Surround You - Echosmith

12 Ends of the Earth - Lord Huron

13 Endless Love Suite - Christophe Beck

14 Pumpin Blood (The Jane Doze Remix) (Bonus Track) - NONONO 

For more about Endless Love visit:

http://www.endlesslovemovie.com 

http://facebook.com/endlesslove 

https://twitter.com/endlesslove 

http://www.pinterest.com/EndlessLoveFilm 

http://instagram.com/EndlessLoveMovie 

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE

 THE SECRET POLICEMAN’S BALL - USA  

~ON DVD AND BLU-RAY FEBRUARY 25, 2014~

Eagle Rock Entertainment USA is very proud to announce the US Blu-ray and DVD release on February 25th 2014 of the Amnesty International comedy extravaganza "The Secret Policeman's Ball - USA". 

The 137-minute show features the cream of contemporary US and UK comedy stars - performing brand-new, specially-created material tailored to the theme of freedom of expression - shot in high-definition at New York's Radio City Music Hall.  

Among the 50 comedic talents seen in the show are major stars such as Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Eddie Izzard, Russell Brand, Sarah Silverman,John Oliver and no less than ten comics who have made their names as performers and writers on "Saturday Night Live" including Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Bobby Moynihan, Kristen Wiig and Seth Meyers.

In the grand tradition of the long-running Amnesty benefit series, there are also musical performances by Coldplay and Mumford & Sons - and an impressive array of cameo appearances including members of Monty Python and several major movie stars.

Until this latest show, every edition of the "Ball" since its 1976 birth had taken place in London.  This show at Radio City was the first show to be held outside Britain and it became a summit meeting-cum-gala of the comedy giants of the two nations.

The featured performers are:

• Jon Stewart and John Oliver both of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show".  (Oliver starts his own new HBO weekly talk show this April)

• Comedic acting giants Ben Stiller and Paul Rudd

• British stand-up stars Eddie Izzard and Russell Brand

• Ten current and past members of the "Saturday Night Live" family:  Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Seth Meyers, Bobby Moynihan, Kristen Wiig, Rachel Dratch, Jay Pharoah, Taran Killam and Hannibal Buress 

• "Mr. Show" creators/writers/stars David Cross & Bob Odenkirk

• Popular US talents Sarah Silverman, Rashida Jones, Rex Lee and Reggie Watts

• Top UK stand-ups making their US debut:  Noel Fielding, Jimmy Carr, Micky Flanagan, Jack Whitehall

• Highly-rated UK comedic actors: David Walliams, Matt Berry, Chris O’Dowd, Catherine Tate, Peter Serafinowicz 

• Cameo appearances by actors and personalities:  Liam Neeson, Tim Roth, Richard Branson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Burmese comedian and human rights activist Zarganar 

• The disc includes on-camera live-snarking of the show by two sets of notable curmudgeons Statler & Waldorf from the Muppets and Beavis & Butthead

• Live music by Coldplay and Mumford & Sons

• Drawing on the show's Pythonic roots, members of Monty Python (Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Terry Jones) make appearances to explain why they cannot appear!

• A bonus sequence not seen at Radio City is a brand-new Pythonic skit specially created for the Blu-ray/DVD edition - "The Python Legacy!" (written by Michael Palin & Martin Lewis) - that stars Robert De Niro, Whoopi Goldberg, Kyra Sedgwick and Annette O'Toole.

Bonus material on the disc includes backstage interviews with many of the stars.

"The Secret Policeman's Ball - USA" - filmed in New York in 2012 - was created by a team that includes Executive Producers: Lily Sobhani, Kit Hawkins, Al Maccuish, Beth Earl, Aaron Grosky; Supervising Producer: DJ Javerbaum; Creative Producer: James Serafinowicz; Producer Patrick Wall; Director Ryan Polito.  Executive Producers For Amnesty International: Andy Hackman, Sarah Ben-Tovim, Kerry Moscogiuri; Executive Producers for Eagle Rock: Terry Shand & Geoff Kempin; Producer Emeritus: Martin Lewis.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The "Secret Policeman's Ball" benefit series started 38 years ago in England - initially spearheaded by Monty Python's John Cleese – to raise funds for, and awareness of, the human rights work of the Noble Peace Prize-winning organization Amnesty International.  The shows developed a formidable reputation for presenting the cream of Britain's comedic performers and rock musicians.  Widely distributed via films, TV specials, videos and albums the “Ball” has helped Amnesty spread its message worldwide.  The iconic “Secret Policeman's Ball” title that became the collective name for the series, was used for the first time in 1979. Cleese credits series co-creator Martin Lewis (co-producer of the shows, movies and albums between 1976-1984) with coining the title.

Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world.  Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide.  Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

Follow Eagle Rock Entertainment at:

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More about Amnesty International at:

www.AmnestyUSA.org

Music Worth Buying: The Bird and the Bee, Jars of Clay

We've just posted the final episode of our "4 Weeks of Christmas" special. TJR celebrates a fantastic recording from The Bird and the Bee while I highlight a great Jars of Clay track. Merry Christmas everybody!