And, dear festive hat wearing reader, this is truly the last batch of the Yule songs for this… umm… Yule. As solstice becomes just a hazy memory, and the stockings are being dusted off for their annual turn at the fireplace/end of the bed/under the tree/on the chair…whatever…it’s time to soothe the fevered brow one last time with the seasonal music that make this time of year so much more bearable. Forget the Now that’s what I call Christmas music compilation, put together an Americana UK approved playlist and think about parted loves, freezing nights, death, drunkenness, despair and maybe…just maybe…a little light. Probably the turkey on fire, but, hey, you never know.
We’re going to start with a song that is fundamentally unsound – no turkey? No Mince Pies? Sacrilege, but that is the way that Track Dogs claim they like it on ‘Tex MeXmas‘, a song from their new festive album ‘A Christmas Card.’ Garrett Wall of the band wanted to communicate the following, which again we’re not quite sure we should fully endorse: “We were delighted when our friend Carolyn Corbet agreed to do a bespoke line dance choreography for “Tex MeXmas” and when she suggested we come and film their end of year get-together we had the perfect plan. She taught her students the moves and voilá, we had a great afternoon filming, dancing, drinking and eating. We hope you enjoy the song, the video and perhaps learning the moves? Go on, you know you want to!”
It’s optional!
Whilst we’re contemplating heresies we may as well mention that The Christmas Jug Band & Back pOrchEstra [we haven’t just fallen asleep on our keyboard] are advocating taking a ‘Holiday from the Holiday‘. A week on the beach? No festivities at all? Are they crazed?
The Christmas Jug Band players features personnel from Back pOrchEstra and “TheHot Licks” (Dan Hick’s band), Those Darn Accordions and New Orleans Nightcrawlers. Performing this year are Greg Dewey, Tim Eschliman, Paul Rogers, Snakebite Jacobs, Candy Girard, Paul Robinson, and Blake Richardson.
We’re back on safer ground with Chris Simmons and ‘A Cold December‘ which celebrates all the real Christmas traditions – no snow, freezing cold, trains delayed, motorways with only a single lane. Ah, it’s all there. And, more seriously, there’s the remembrance of those missing faces from gatherings of family and friends. “I wanted to write a song that doesn’t sugarcoat Christmas,” explains Simmons. “For many of us, it’s a time of reflection as much as celebration. We’re grateful for the moments we have with the people we love, but we also can’t help but think about those who are missing from the table.”
Here’s an idea – call someone you haven’t called for a while. How could it hurt?
Kentuckian Kevin Holm-Hudson proffers am initially kinder gentler view of the season, on ‘Calm Christmas’ however it actually treads some similar paths to the previous song as it embraces the opportunity to welcome friends at the season and, in quiet moments, remember those who won’t be coming again. It’s taken from the short album ‘I need more Sleighbell.’
Well, we’re not quit sure how we headed down this rabbit hole of gloom, but don’t despair – we’re going to kick up the party mood a little with ‘Hooray For Santaa Claus’ – with White Rose Motor Oil who describe them selves as “a two-piece woman-fronted Cowpunk / Garage Country band from Denver, CO.
We play loud, and often fast.”
In case you’re wondering – the original of the song was the theme to ‘Santa Claus Conquors The Martians‘, a film widely regarded as placing highly in the tables of worst films ever made.
We’re a bit slower again for this look forward to 2025 – Toronto’s Victoria Carr looks forward to a big party on ‘New Year’s Eve’ – the wine’s chilling, the anticipation is high because the one she loves is on their way back. True love forever – hey, it might be: “You found me or I found you / And that still seems far-fetched / She’s seen the most selfish parts of me / and she hasn’t left yet.” Fingers-crossed.
And so, that’s it, have a good one and we’ll see you next year. What’s that? Really? Just one more? It’s always just one more! Well, ok, you do seem to be off the naughty list this year, so here’s not a newie, but an oldie and goody – the great Sea of Bees. And that’s it! Off you go or you’ll just be getting a lump of coal. Again.
