Friday Friday Friday... Sorry for the erratic posting. My work environment is not conducive to working essentially. My only promise is that somewhat weekly I will post about the new music out and about in the world. And you can bet I am still listening. I'm thinking about doing a year-end tally. Though I think that might scare me and cause me to curl up in a dark cave with wide wondrous eyes fearing the music bats flitting about me. While that may seem as odd as the brightly colored sheep opening from last week, that's only becuase I forgot to add the picture to last week's post. Of the brightly colored sheep and one pig. Maybe I'll get to that this week. Ha... As if.
It's a good week in the rap/hip-hop category as J. Cole, Ab Soul, and Post Malone all have albums out. Still waiting on that next Drake compilation just so you know. He's going to drop something this month. Sometime. Maybe he'll do it right now so that I am a dolt. Beyond all that, it's all small potatoes this week. But small potatoes are good potatoes, so I'm not saying there isn't anything good out there. Really, the small potatoes are more expensive. More desirable. Take that small potato albums this week. You're desireable and expensive.
Ding dong merrily on The List.
Christmas Albums 2016
So much later than I try to post this, but I tried to get all I could of the Christmas albums this year.
Children's Album: Caspar Babypants, Winter Party! - This is one of the dudes from Presidents Of The United States of America doing kid's music and it's got a bit of that "kid music" sound attached to it but better than most with that sound.
Crooner Jazz: Brett Eldredge, Glow - classic jazzy implications with some strings too.
New Age/Contemporary Adult category: David Arkenstone, Winter Fantasy
Female Jazzy Album: Elizabeth Chan, Five Golden Rings - I like her version of Deck the Halls, it's sassy and fun. Also Lauren Daigle, Behold is a good album for a simplified modern jazz feel.
Country Christmas: You could go more modern with Chris Young, It Must Be Christmas; John Berry, John Berry Christmas and Rascal Flatts, The Greatest Gift of All. Or go old school with Loretta Lynn, White Christmas Blue. And don't forget Kacey Musgraves, A Very Kacey Christmas. (the last two are definitely on my faves list)
More Jazzy: Jane Lynch got together with a couple people and created A Swingin' Little Christmas. It's got some great fun arrangements plus 5 original tracks. Definitely worth checking out. There is also Kurt Elling, The Beautiful Day.
Christmas Albums from Music Legends: Sarah Maclachlan (Wonderland), Amy Grant (Tennessee Christmas), Neil Diamond (Acoustic Christmas) and Jimmy Buffett (Tis the SeaSon) released albums this holiday season.
R. Kelly made an album of original songs entitled 12 Nights of Christmas. I just thought it was important enough to point out. Also, I legitimately love the album. I've listened to it in its entirety more than once.
Featuring a singer and an acoustic guitar: Tommy Emmanuel, Christmas Memories
Latin Christmas: Laura Pausini, Laura Navidad
Let's Go Crazy: You want harp music? Erin Hill, Christmas Harp. You like Celtic music? Natalie MacMaster, A Celtic Family Christmas.
Strong singers Christmas: Jody McBrayer, Christmastime; Jennifer Nettles, To Celebrate Christmas; Jackie Evancho, Someday At Christmas; Jordan Smith, Tis The Season
Acapella Christmas: Straight No Chaser, I'll Have Another... Christmas Album; and Pentatonix, A Pentatonix Christmas
Acoustic Guitar: Kevin Williams, Acoustic Christmas
Playground of Rock Christmas: Gary Wilson, It's Christmas time With Gary Wilson; Marika Hackman, Wonderland (favorite); She & Him, Christmas Party; David Bazan, Dark Sacred Night and Christmas Bonus.
Also of note: Jospeh Washington Jr, Merry Christmas To You; Andra Day, Merry Christmas From Andra Day; and Christmas on the Lam by various artists.
There it is! The Christmas Roundup. I apologize for anyone I have missed. there were more albums than I originally thought and I really had to dig deep to get through. I did full listens on most of the albums this year. Phew. It was something. Anyway, there is something for everyone this year and it is a strong slate of releases I might add too. So go out there and Happy Holiday Listening!
ps. spotify playlist will be added this weekend. I'm tired. I met Santa tonight. It's just... a long day.