Into the last weekend before the big day with the big feast and the gleeful exchange of Americana themed albums – what’ll it be this year? And tomorrow is solstice, which is nice, although perhaps a little chilly to be out witnessing the rising and the setting of the sun on the shortest day of the year. But then it always is, isn’t it? And it would be weird if it wasn’t really. So if you’re out toasting the day with mulled wine and eating a solstice feast have a good one. And so on to the music.
And we start with a pair of big names as Noble Jacks team up with Elles Bailey on ‘Next Time Around’ which is a song all about the joy of reunion and the power of reconciliation, capturing the spirit of letting go of past grievances and committing to “do better by each other” the next time around.
There’s a folk feeling on ‘December‘ from The Greatest Endangered Thing. It’s their first Christmas song and was written on a plane ride and explores the the often complex and contradictory emotions surrounding the holiday period – the excitement of seeing loved ones, the ache for those not still with us, the familiar nudge of nostalgia, and the whim to return to the simplicity of childhood. And unless we’re mishearing it also includes the first ever Americana UK reference to chutney…
There’s a slightly oblique seasonal feel to Holly Lerski‘s beautiful ‘Girl in a High Castle‘ which highlights the fact that many can feel lonely and isolated at this time of year. It’s a truly beautiful folky number – one part melancholic and one part dreamily hopeful.
And it’s also a reminder that Phillip K Dick’s ‘The Man In The High Castle‘ is always an acceptable last minute Christmas gift purchase.
But, maybe you’re thinking that it’d be nice to hear something a bit more about partying, sleigh riding and, who knows, eggnog. A song with snow and scarves, gloves and hats. Well this may hit the spot – Jessica Rhaye and The Ramshackle Parade are torn between getting cozy or getting out to the seasonal show on ‘Oh Let’s Go‘. Will they depart? Will they walk or get a taxi? Will a whiskey by the fire win out against the attractions of a seasonal dramatic performance? All may be revealed…..
There’s no doubt about Toronto’s Skydiggers choices – they are all for staying in with the one you love, although, as elucidated on this version of Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘Song for a Winter’s Night‘ that won’t actually be possible. Separation – it’s a downer.
The band’s Josh Finlayson tells that “In our initial search for seasonal songs during the recording of Angels, this Gordon Lightfoot tune came to mind as a good choice. Lightfoot had a gift for creating a mood and setting with his lyrics and music. I’ve always loved his story about writing this song during a summer thunderstorm while on tour in a hotel room in Cleveland, Ohio. Anne Lindsay’s fiddle, along with Jessy’s harmony vocal, adds a wistfulness to this version that I think really serves the song well.”
And so to our last song of this run of Jingle Bells Friday, and we have to admit that we have, at last, been defeated. There is no sign-off banjo piece. I know, I know, we feel the same way, but chin up, no tears. Instead, though, we do have this – the snappily entitled ‘Christmas Guitar Medley‘ which is, you may be able to guess, a medley of well know Christmas songs played as instrumentals. On a guitar. It comes from McKowski, the solo alias of Mark McCausland (The Lost Brothers / The Basement) – who has released a surprise record for the festive season: ‘Winter Guitar Hymnals From The Boneyard’. Taking us inside his latest creation, McKowski says: “As winter takes hold and darkness falls, a candle light is glowing from the shack on Boneyard Hill. Inside, McKowski is playing a collection of guitar hymnals to warm the soul. Recorded in a single night, these songs are a homage to Blind Joe Death, and a stripped back ode to winter.”
