To use a familiar quote: "Opportunity knocks, but doesn't always answer to its name." In this case, thy name is Martin Johns.
For some time, I've been trying to find a comp that would not only showcase its music but also its dynamic artwork / liner notes that Martin puts just as much energy into creating.
I wasn't sure if I'd find the right comp until this this 2-CD set came along. It's the second double disc set that Martin had sent to me; the first being the "Holiday Festival Of Music".
This set also came without a track listing - Martin had printed extensive liner notes with the year of release and web links of each song - what I've been doing all along in my track reviews!
Therefore, there's not much to type any more (cue the wild cheering and enthusiastic applause). Here is Martin's special insight about this comp... better known as...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
Free Internet Downloads! It started innocently enough. Mistletunes posted a link to the J. Geils download. Dr. Jim pointed me to Poco. I found Roger McGuinn. Then I thought, "let's see what else is out there." What I found was the cutting edge of the modern Indie scene, podcasts, mp3 blogs, and free Internet downloads.
Like the Sharity community, every place you land leads you to ten more sites. By the end of February 2006, I'd downloaded over 30 CDs of Christmas songs, almost all of which were licensed by Creative Commons (legal to download, copy and share). Some of it was godawful, of course, but the vast majority was wonderful.
I wanted to comp this segment of the Indie scene and soon had a 2 CD demo prepared. At a loss for graphics, I reached out to one of my "subscribers" (Kathy Adamchak) who I know to be very talented, gave her the general idea, and she readily agreed to help out. It's the only time I've done that, but I'd certainly like to use more original artwork in the future (anybody out there feeling creative?).
Few changes were made from the original demo, though I stumbled upon "Christmas Rhapsody" just as I was getting ready to run the CD off, and I had to make some adjustments.
DISC ONE TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on any image to enlarge)
DISC TWO TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on any image to enlarge)
I am CaptainOT and I approve of this 2-CD set! I can't add anything else to it - Martin's done it all on this one!
My keyboard thanks you profusely Martin!
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0263-011 - So Much Vinyl, So Little Time 'Til Christmas
Capt
To use a familiar quote: "Opportunity knocks, but doesn't always answer to its name." In this case, thy name is Martin Johns.
For some time, I've been trying to find a comp that would not only showcase its music but also its dynamic artwork / liner notes that Martin puts just as much energy into creating.
I wasn't sure if I'd find the right comp until this this 2-CD set came along. It's the second double disc set that Martin had sent to me; the first being the "Holiday Festival Of Music".
This set also came without a track listing - Martin had printed extensive liner notes with the year of release and web links of each song - what I've been doing all along in my track reviews!
Therefore, there's not much to type any more (cue the wild cheering and enthusiastic applause). Here is Martin's special insight about this comp... better known as...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
Free Internet Downloads! It started innocently enough. Mistletunes posted a link to the J. Geils download. Dr. Jim pointed me to Poco. I found Roger McGuinn. Then I thought, "let's see what else is out there." What I found was the cutting edge of the modern Indie scene, podcasts, mp3 blogs, and free Internet downloads.
Like the Sharity community, every place you land leads you to ten more sites. By the end of February 2006, I'd downloaded over 30 CDs of Christmas songs, almost all of which were licensed by Creative Commons (legal to download, copy and share). Some of it was godawful, of course, but the vast majority was wonderful.
I wanted to comp this segment of the Indie scene and soon had a 2 CD demo prepared. At a loss for graphics, I reached out to one of my "subscribers" (Kathy Adamchak) who I know to be very talented, gave her the general idea, and she readily agreed to help out. It's the only time I've done that, but I'd certainly like to use more original artwork in the future (anybody out there feeling creative?).
Few changes were made from the original demo, though I stumbled upon "Christmas Rhapsody" just as I was getting ready to run the CD off, and I had to make some adjustments.
DISC ONE TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on any image to enlarge)
DISC TWO TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on any image to enlarge)
I am CaptainOT and I approve of this 2-CD set! I can't add anything else to it - Martin's done it all on this one!
My keyboard thanks you profusely Martin!
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0263-011 - So Much Vinyl, So Little Time 'Til Christmas
Capt
Martin Johns and his comps have covered quite a lot of musical ground to this point.
His themed comps include Christmas swing, rare Christmas vinyl, Christmas beach music, Hawaiian Christmas music, Christmas blues, Christmas bluegrass, and Christmas rock.
This comp is quite unique. Not only does it have the least amount of tracks of any of Martin's comps (a mere 17), but it focuses on the spiritual side of Christmas.
After all, whose birthday are we celebrating at Christmas?
It might be easy for some to put together a comp with a theme like this. Stock up on the contemporary Christian artists, pull some classic spirituals, and treat it very reverently.
However, with a diverse artist list of Cliff Richard, Grover Washington Jr., and Joan Osborne, something tells me different. Let's call in Martin and ask him for his special insight on this comp in a section reserved just for him called...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
I've found that my "Traditional" mixes are infinitely better if I do them very close to Christmas. (My "Traditional" mixes are traditional in terms of theme, tempo, mood and sentiments - not necessarily in terms of the music.) So I've gotten into the habit of doing them after the year's mixes are distributed and then, if they work, I distribute them the following year.
In 2005, I felt that my mixes had been especially secular. I wanted to do something that had a greater emphasis on the religious or spiritual aspect of Christmas without getting preachy.
This comp is a great example of the "first 3 tracks, last 3 tracks" method. I love the ethereal opening (I used to do a lot more of that sort of thing) which I think enhances the great second track. And the closing 3 tie it all up nicely (in my opinion).
Those tracks strongly establish the comp's "credentials," if you will, allowing me to wander anywhere in the rest of the mix without losing the overall focus and feel. And, while I realize folks might not believe this (especially after we get to "Tikrit"), the mini anti-war set was pretty organic (as were most of the others... honestly).
When I make my comps, even listening to them several times, all seems well. But, inevitably, listening in retrospect, I can hear things that I'd like to change, places where the flow could be better, songs I'd replace or move. Not this one (not yet, anyway).
Not a single change was made from the original demo, I wouldn't change anything now, and, all in all, I'm very proud of this one. If I were to choose one comp that best represents me and my comping style, this would be the one.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) Kim Robertson provides the harp and haunting vocals while Peter Buffett (son of billionaire Warren!) plays keyboards in an exquisite medley. Find this from the 1996 "Star Of Wonder" Christmas CD.
2.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Take the Byrds' classic song "Turn, Turn, Turn" and add "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"! WOW! Harry Gore did a great job! Head over to his MySpace site to hear this one!
3.) Interesting, introspective song that asks "What would I do if I was in Mary's shoes"? The Kings Highway released this on their "All Year Long" Christmas CD.
4.) At the height of his popularity as "the British Elvis", Cliff Richard converted to Christianity and has faithfully stuck to his beliefs. He's also shot for the famed UK Christmas number one spot for years - this was his 2003 single (peaked at #5) - paging Billy Mack!
5.) Great lyrics to this one! Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon's sound is fantastic - from their "Starry, Starry Night" CD.
6.) WOW! "No one's going home for Christmas, though everyone's tired of this war." Julie Sanderson's pure tale about the Civil War will forever ring true. Off the "Holiday Feast Creme De La Creme" comp.
7.) Grover Washington Jr. took the sax to new heights in his illustrious career. This is a marvellous version of "I Wonder As I Wander". He also fostered in a new generation of smooth jazz artists - including one Kenny G. Whyyyyyy!
8.) Spoken word pastiche about Kriss-Miss, told by Bobby Gaylor (actor / comedian / spoken word). His website doesn't work and I can't find where this came from.
9.) Lovely soul / smooth jazz version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Donna Harvey's got a voice on her! Wish I could find out more about her.
10.) Not sure about this one. Lots of synth, has a 80s feel... Are those kids singing or 3 Blind Mice? Hmm... Available on their "2 Cents An Acre" CD.
11.) WOW! Rough, gritty (but danceable) version! Joan Osborne recorded this for the 1997 comp "Home For The Holidays" then later released it on her Christmas album in 2005.
12.) Very nice song from Mercy Me. Easily found on their "Christmas Sessions" album.
13.) Poco? Really? Sounds like them... can't find where it came from... very nicely done!
14.) Jill Parr has a wonderful voice and it shows on this top notch rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful". Off of her Christmas single of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (I think - I can't find it).
15.) Another introspective song about the power of prayer at Christmas (see #3 above).
16.) You gotta love a group that has their Christmas CDs on the FRONT page of their website! Very nice song off Volume II!
17.) Very nice song from Misty River! This excellent song can be found on their "Midwinter - Songs Of Christmas" CD and end the comp just right.
A definite change of pace and not a bad listen either. Very consistent throughout the whole comp balancing the light and the serious, the important messages with some whimsy.
It's always nice to reflect at Christmas and this comp will put you in the mood to do that. It also proves that the message won't get lost either in the hands of the right messenger.
Martin, another good job. This is the comp I'll play after the kids are in bed, the wife is doing sudoku, and I can stare at the Christmas tree in the dark and chill.
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0162-015 - Santa's On The Download (2-CD)
Capt
Martin Johns and his comps have covered quite a lot of musical ground to this point.
His themed comps include Christmas swing, rare Christmas vinyl, Christmas beach music, Hawaiian Christmas music, Christmas blues, Christmas bluegrass, and Christmas rock.
This comp is quite unique. Not only does it have the least amount of tracks of any of Martin's comps (a mere 17), but it focuses on the spiritual side of Christmas.
After all, whose birthday are we celebrating at Christmas?
It might be easy for some to put together a comp with a theme like this. Stock up on the contemporary Christian artists, pull some classic spirituals, and treat it very reverently.
However, with a diverse artist list of Cliff Richard, Grover Washington Jr., and Joan Osborne, something tells me different. Let's call in Martin and ask him for his special insight on this comp in a section reserved just for him called...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
I've found that my "Traditional" mixes are infinitely better if I do them very close to Christmas. (My "Traditional" mixes are traditional in terms of theme, tempo, mood and sentiments - not necessarily in terms of the music.) So I've gotten into the habit of doing them after the year's mixes are distributed and then, if they work, I distribute them the following year.
In 2005, I felt that my mixes had been especially secular. I wanted to do something that had a greater emphasis on the religious or spiritual aspect of Christmas without getting preachy.
This comp is a great example of the "first 3 tracks, last 3 tracks" method. I love the ethereal opening (I used to do a lot more of that sort of thing) which I think enhances the great second track. And the closing 3 tie it all up nicely (in my opinion).
Those tracks strongly establish the comp's "credentials," if you will, allowing me to wander anywhere in the rest of the mix without losing the overall focus and feel. And, while I realize folks might not believe this (especially after we get to "Tikrit"), the mini anti-war set was pretty organic (as were most of the others... honestly).
When I make my comps, even listening to them several times, all seems well. But, inevitably, listening in retrospect, I can hear things that I'd like to change, places where the flow could be better, songs I'd replace or move. Not this one (not yet, anyway).
Not a single change was made from the original demo, I wouldn't change anything now, and, all in all, I'm very proud of this one. If I were to choose one comp that best represents me and my comping style, this would be the one.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) Kim Robertson provides the harp and haunting vocals while Peter Buffett (son of billionaire Warren!) plays keyboards in an exquisite medley. Find this from the 1996 "Star Of Wonder" Christmas CD.
2.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Take the Byrds' classic song "Turn, Turn, Turn" and add "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"! WOW! Harry Gore did a great job! Head over to his MySpace site to hear this one!
3.) Interesting, introspective song that asks "What would I do if I was in Mary's shoes"? The Kings Highway released this on their "All Year Long" Christmas CD.
4.) At the height of his popularity as "the British Elvis", Cliff Richard converted to Christianity and has faithfully stuck to his beliefs. He's also shot for the famed UK Christmas number one spot for years - this was his 2003 single (peaked at #5) - paging Billy Mack!
5.) Great lyrics to this one! Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon's sound is fantastic - from their "Starry, Starry Night" CD.
6.) WOW! "No one's going home for Christmas, though everyone's tired of this war." Julie Sanderson's pure tale about the Civil War will forever ring true. Off the "Holiday Feast Creme De La Creme" comp.
7.) Grover Washington Jr. took the sax to new heights in his illustrious career. This is a marvellous version of "I Wonder As I Wander". He also fostered in a new generation of smooth jazz artists - including one Kenny G. Whyyyyyy!
8.) Spoken word pastiche about Kriss-Miss, told by Bobby Gaylor (actor / comedian / spoken word). His website doesn't work and I can't find where this came from.
9.) Lovely soul / smooth jazz version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Donna Harvey's got a voice on her! Wish I could find out more about her.
10.) Not sure about this one. Lots of synth, has a 80s feel... Are those kids singing or 3 Blind Mice? Hmm... Available on their "2 Cents An Acre" CD.
11.) WOW! Rough, gritty (but danceable) version! Joan Osborne recorded this for the 1997 comp "Home For The Holidays" then later released it on her Christmas album in 2005.
12.) Very nice song from Mercy Me. Easily found on their "Christmas Sessions" album.
13.) Poco? Really? Sounds like them... can't find where it came from... very nicely done!
14.) Jill Parr has a wonderful voice and it shows on this top notch rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful". Off of her Christmas single of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (I think - I can't find it).
15.) Another introspective song about the power of prayer at Christmas (see #3 above).
16.) You gotta love a group that has their Christmas CDs on the FRONT page of their website! Very nice song off Volume II!
17.) Very nice song from Misty River! This excellent song can be found on their "Midwinter - Songs Of Christmas" CD and end the comp just right.
A definite change of pace and not a bad listen either. Very consistent throughout the whole comp balancing the light and the serious, the important messages with some whimsy.
It's always nice to reflect at Christmas and this comp will put you in the mood to do that. It also proves that the message won't get lost either in the hands of the right messenger.
Martin, another good job. This is the comp I'll play after the kids are in bed, the wife is doing sudoku, and I can stare at the Christmas tree in the dark and chill.
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0162-015 - Santa's On The Download (2-CD)
Capt
We've reached the midway point at our look at the 21 comps Martin Johns sent to our P.O. Box. This is comp number 11 - ten more to go over the next five days (I think I can, I think I can...).
This comp was chosen out of all the rest by my wife who stood in utter disbelief when I brought home the shoebox full of Christmas comps.
She looked at it and was impressed by its lineup and graphics. Instinctively, she went to our kitchen CD player and played parts of it.
I don't remember much of what I heard on that first listen - I was too busy cataloging and categorizing all the other comps.
I do remember the sound - sharp, strong beats, heavy guitar. It was a Christmas rock comp after all. And looking at the artists, it should be a cut-above-the-notch comp at that.
This is the part of the review where I ask Martin about his special insight into the comp. It's reserved for him here in a segment called...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
This one was a gift, though I doubt he realized it, for one of the folks I trade comps with. This fellow is a rock and roll guy. And I hadn't done a straight rocker in a while. So I said, "Let me see if I can do something that he would groove to."
Generally, I feel my Bubblegum roots tend to make most of my stuff sound like pop/rock - even the genre mixes - which kinda makes me feel a rock mix is somewhat redundant, at least without some other unifying theme.
But I had a few cuts I'd been sitting on and was anxious to use (The Acres, Billy Idol, Davie Allan - a gift from Dr. Jim) and I had wanted to have a mix open for a Marshall Tucker cut anyway (a relatively late release that year).
I like this one. It's not a classic or anything, but it rocks a bit and it's playful. It also has enough familiar names to hold the interest of those who get tired of saying, "Who are these people?"
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) The title says it all. The Acres have a solid sound and a good Christmas song on their hands.
2.) Nicholas Markos has a catchy tune here but when the song is 70% repeating the chorus and "la la, la la", the song needs a trim. From his 2001 "Holiday Pop" CD.
3.) This sounds like a Radio Disney song. Whaddya know? I called it! Everlife is a Disney product and this came from "Radio Disney Jingle Jams".
4.) Anberlin covers the great Darlene Love / Phil Spector song quite well! Darlene Love is from my father's generation, U2 is from my generation, this one's for my kids. The tradition carries on...
5.) This song (taken from "Devil's Playground") planted the seed in Billy Idol's head to record a FULL Christmas album last year - the train wreck of the 2006 holiday season.
6.) Refreshing! A simple rock song about a Christmas tree, not too heavy, not too light! Canada's Universal Honey recorded this back in 2003 on their "Can't Stop Thinking About Christmas" album.
7.) WOW! Very, very reminiscent of The Cars! This Adventures of Jet song came from an obscure but highly impressive Christmas comp called "Fossil Jeans Presents 13 Tracks V4" with quite a lineup of music!
8.) The third song from Lisa Mychols' Christmas album I've heard in the past month and WOW! Has that 1960s bouncy feel with Phil Spector touches! Great, great stuff!
9.) Oh yeah! The Four Imperials still had that 50s doo-wop sound and added some 1960s car rock to make this classic! Easily accessible via the "Rockabilly Xmas" CD from Buffalo Bop - pricey but it's worth it!
10.) This should have been named "Hey Setzer!" A tad overdone but very listenable song from "Dig That Crazy Christmas".
11.) A lovely song by the always good Marshall Tucker Band. This one's off their 2005 "Carolina For Christmas" CD.
12.) Funeral For A Friend is quickly becoming a favorite band of mine and they snuck this impressive Christmas song under my nose on the "Taste Of Christmas" comp - added to the wish list!
13.) "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a letter saying goodbye..." 2-3-4, BAM! Morphs into a loud, whiny lament over a breakup (they never come close to the actual "Twelve Days of Christmas" melody - could have helped). This got dull real quick. Next...
14.) Nicholas Markos doing his best James Brown! And it's close! This is where being repetitive can actually help you! Fine song from "Holiday Pop" (see #2 above).
15.) Nice to see Dwight Twilley is still around! This is a rockin' tune from his 2004 Christmas EP.
16.) Gwen Stefani before she became Gwen Stefani. I miss the old No Doubt and this track from "A Very Special Christmas 3" captures their sound before they hit it big... sigh.
17.) Like an ice cube down your back, this one will wake you up... even if you're dead! Bedlight For Blue Eyes' contribution to the "Taste Of Christmas" comp (see #12 above).
18.) A Merry New York Christmas? Didn't know they held the patent. I liked this Rob Thomas song for a time but I've heard it so much over the past year or so that I'm not sure what I think...
19.) Caleigh Peters' godmother is Barbra Streisand in case you were wondering. It's sad that all these Radio Disney songs all sound the same (see #3 above).
20.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Davie Allan & The Arrows have been fuzzing their brand of music for years! This was brilliant! From their sumptuous 2004 Christmas CD "Fuzz For The Holidays"!
Well doggone! This comp had enough Christmas rock power on it to keep several Christmas trees lit for an entire holiday season!
Dwight Twilley, Funeral For A Friend, and Davie Allan were all great surprises. It was good to hear from Lisa Mychols, The Four Imperials, and No Doubt again. Then there's the Radio Disney stuff... Too much of it can cause sugar shock, just so you know!
In all, another solid comp. Martin hasn't really had a bad clunker out of the bunch. And I'm saying that now not to jinx him - I'm fully confident that the second half of the bunch will be as equally good or better than the first half. Stick around and see!
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2005-1061-015 - Great And Small
Capt
We've reached the midway point at our look at the 21 comps Martin Johns sent to our P.O. Box. This is comp number 11 - ten more to go over the next five days (I think I can, I think I can...).
This comp was chosen out of all the rest by my wife who stood in utter disbelief when I brought home the shoebox full of Christmas comps.
She looked at it and was impressed by its lineup and graphics. Instinctively, she went to our kitchen CD player and played parts of it.
I don't remember much of what I heard on that first listen - I was too busy cataloging and categorizing all the other comps.
I do remember the sound - sharp, strong beats, heavy guitar. It was a Christmas rock comp after all. And looking at the artists, it should be a cut-above-the-notch comp at that.
This is the part of the review where I ask Martin about his special insight into the comp. It's reserved for him here in a segment called...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
This one was a gift, though I doubt he realized it, for one of the folks I trade comps with. This fellow is a rock and roll guy. And I hadn't done a straight rocker in a while. So I said, "Let me see if I can do something that he would groove to."
Generally, I feel my Bubblegum roots tend to make most of my stuff sound like pop/rock - even the genre mixes - which kinda makes me feel a rock mix is somewhat redundant, at least without some other unifying theme.
But I had a few cuts I'd been sitting on and was anxious to use (The Acres, Billy Idol, Davie Allan - a gift from Dr. Jim) and I had wanted to have a mix open for a Marshall Tucker cut anyway (a relatively late release that year).
I like this one. It's not a classic or anything, but it rocks a bit and it's playful. It also has enough familiar names to hold the interest of those who get tired of saying, "Who are these people?"
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) The title says it all. The Acres have a solid sound and a good Christmas song on their hands.
2.) Nicholas Markos has a catchy tune here but when the song is 70% repeating the chorus and "la la, la la", the song needs a trim. From his 2001 "Holiday Pop" CD.
3.) This sounds like a Radio Disney song. Whaddya know? I called it! Everlife is a Disney product and this came from "Radio Disney Jingle Jams".
4.) Anberlin covers the great Darlene Love / Phil Spector song quite well! Darlene Love is from my father's generation, U2 is from my generation, this one's for my kids. The tradition carries on...
5.) This song (taken from "Devil's Playground") planted the seed in Billy Idol's head to record a FULL Christmas album last year - the train wreck of the 2006 holiday season.
6.) Refreshing! A simple rock song about a Christmas tree, not too heavy, not too light! Canada's Universal Honey recorded this back in 2003 on their "Can't Stop Thinking About Christmas" album.
7.) WOW! Very, very reminiscent of The Cars! This Adventures of Jet song came from an obscure but highly impressive Christmas comp called "Fossil Jeans Presents 13 Tracks V4" with quite a lineup of music!
8.) The third song from Lisa Mychols' Christmas album I've heard in the past month and WOW! Has that 1960s bouncy feel with Phil Spector touches! Great, great stuff!
9.) Oh yeah! The Four Imperials still had that 50s doo-wop sound and added some 1960s car rock to make this classic! Easily accessible via the "Rockabilly Xmas" CD from Buffalo Bop - pricey but it's worth it!
10.) This should have been named "Hey Setzer!" A tad overdone but very listenable song from "Dig That Crazy Christmas".
11.) A lovely song by the always good Marshall Tucker Band. This one's off their 2005 "Carolina For Christmas" CD.
12.) Funeral For A Friend is quickly becoming a favorite band of mine and they snuck this impressive Christmas song under my nose on the "Taste Of Christmas" comp - added to the wish list!
13.) "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a letter saying goodbye..." 2-3-4, BAM! Morphs into a loud, whiny lament over a breakup (they never come close to the actual "Twelve Days of Christmas" melody - could have helped). This got dull real quick. Next...
14.) Nicholas Markos doing his best James Brown! And it's close! This is where being repetitive can actually help you! Fine song from "Holiday Pop" (see #2 above).
15.) Nice to see Dwight Twilley is still around! This is a rockin' tune from his 2004 Christmas EP.
16.) Gwen Stefani before she became Gwen Stefani. I miss the old No Doubt and this track from "A Very Special Christmas 3" captures their sound before they hit it big... sigh.
17.) Like an ice cube down your back, this one will wake you up... even if you're dead! Bedlight For Blue Eyes' contribution to the "Taste Of Christmas" comp (see #12 above).
18.) A Merry New York Christmas? Didn't know they held the patent. I liked this Rob Thomas song for a time but I've heard it so much over the past year or so that I'm not sure what I think...
19.) Caleigh Peters' godmother is Barbra Streisand in case you were wondering. It's sad that all these Radio Disney songs all sound the same (see #3 above).
20.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Davie Allan & The Arrows have been fuzzing their brand of music for years! This was brilliant! From their sumptuous 2004 Christmas CD "Fuzz For The Holidays"!
Well doggone! This comp had enough Christmas rock power on it to keep several Christmas trees lit for an entire holiday season!
Dwight Twilley, Funeral For A Friend, and Davie Allan were all great surprises. It was good to hear from Lisa Mychols, The Four Imperials, and No Doubt again. Then there's the Radio Disney stuff... Too much of it can cause sugar shock, just so you know!
In all, another solid comp. Martin hasn't really had a bad clunker out of the bunch. And I'm saying that now not to jinx him - I'm fully confident that the second half of the bunch will be as equally good or better than the first half. Stick around and see!
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2005-1061-015 - Great And Small
Capt
The cover scan of this Martin Johns comp doesn't do it justice. It's a rich paper with silver snowflakes impressed into the border along the top - warm touches indeed!
On the inside cover of this comp (see below) is an explanation behind the term "breaking up Christmas":
"Every Christmas, for 150 years or more, the mountain families of western North Carolina and Virginia have gathered in the simple homes of their neighbors.
"They eat, drink, and dance to the music of the banjo and fiddle players, stationed in the doorway between rooms - for TWO WEEKS, thru little Christmas (January 6th).
"They call their celebration 'Breaking Up Christmas'."
You learn something new everyday! Thank to the almighty Google, I've found there are not one but two online sites which discuss this further. Amazing but true!
Scanning over the playlist, this looks like a Christmas bluegrass / mountain music extravaganza! Which is good considering I've woefully low on Christmas bluegrass.
We ask Martin for his special insight on this comp in a section we've reserved for him entitled...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
This one was for Woody, who loves Bluegrass but has patiently sat through all my other stuff all these years. Even the "Bluegrass" tapes I'd done in the cassette days were as much Folk as Bluegrass (technically, I titled these tapes "Christmas in 2B" - see notes for "Progressive Christmas V4").
This one does have a dash of Old Timey, but, really, how can you NOT include a song (a standard of "Breaking Up Christmas" festivities) entitled "Squirrel Heads And Gravy"? Woody, and his lovely wife Maureen, also gave me the Banjo Dan CD ("The Catamount Is Back" - not a Christmas CD) and it took me years to find just the right spot for "Winterland Dream".
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) About as pure bluegrass as you can get. Paul Brown sings for 15 seconds twice on the song, mentioning the term "breaking up Christmas" both times. To some, this is Christmas music!
2.) Ashley MacIssac plays a mean fiddle and takes the revered spiritual "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and pumps some needed life and fun into the song! From his 1993 "Cape Breton Christmas" CD.
3.) The First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music singing about their favorite holiday and musical genre - quite well! Find this foot stomper on their "20 Bluegrass Christmas Favorites"
4.) Banjo Dan doesn't play banjo on this - shocked? Guitars, fiddle, and mandolin make up a good non-Christmas Christmas song! Taken from the aforementioned "The Catamount Is Back" CD.
5.) Great band name - but should The Rarely Herd be trusted? Their cut off the "Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas" comp is superb but they're wearing suits and ties throughout!
6.) If you're looking for a good starter bluegrass Christmas CD, try Patty Loveless' 2002 Christmas album. This song is a great cross of toe-tappin bluegrass and fun Christmas.
7.) A 1:01 instrumental - packs a good wallop! Thankfully, nothing is mentioned about the mountain food delicacy or serving sizes.
8.) WOW! Ever wonder if a bluegrass artist witnessed the birth of Christ? Then listen to this great track from Timothy P. Irvin & The Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers' "Bluegrass Christmas" CD!
9.) Inez Lancaster might have the best title of any Christmas CD I've reviewed today - "Snowed In With A Mandolin On Christmas Day"! This fantastic instrumental version of "Joy To The World" is on there as well!
10.) Here's a bluegrass song about Christmas shopping and its evils - extremely witty and catchy to boot! Tim O'Brien recorded this in 2002 for the "Christmas On The Mountain" comp.
11.) Another good starter bluegrass Christmas CD! Name a stringed instrument on this song and Rhonda Vincent can probably play it - doggone good version of this one!
12.) The Osborne Brothers were the first to record "Rocky Top" - the official state song of Tennessee and possibly the most popular bluegrass song ever. This is their revisit to Rocky Top - at Christmas! From what comp did this one come from?
13.) WOW! The Dixon Brothers had one great decade of music together but their influence lives on. A great 1930s bluegrass track from the "Papa Ain't No Santa Claus" Christmas comp!
14.) Liked this song very much but I can't find anything about Damascus Road or what the source of the song came from.
15.) I'm guessing this is what a modern-day "breaking up Christmas" would sound like. The Isaacs recorded their Christmas album back in 2000 - out of print already? Uh oh...
16.) A classic bluegrass track off the "Light Of The Stable" CD - one of the best Christmas country albums of all time. Emmylou Harris turns 60 next Monday (April 2) - still looks and sings better than a lot of Nashville's current favorite females. Happy Birthday Emmylou!
17.) The Country Gentlemen fueled the bluegrass / folk explosion of the 1960s. This is a great Christmas song (and I can't find it on a comp or album anywhere)!
18.) A slow bluegrass Christmas song with so much soul, it's scary! Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers really do an amazing job on this one - find it on their "Christmas In The Hills" CD.
19.) WOW! Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver give this one a gospel quartet feel and it is perfect (so I'll accept them wearing suits)! From their 1991 Christmas album (OOP I'm afraid).
20.) Very spiritual bluegrass Christmas song from The Bluegrass Cardinals. This was released on the 1993 "Sugar Plums - Holiday Treats From Sugar Hill".
21.) Spiritual bluegrass, heavy on the bluegrass! Alecia Nugent has a fine voice and recorded this for the "O Christmas Tree" comp (see #11 above).
22.) The East Tennessee tradition is carrying on with The Larkins. This one's a musical road map ("It's Christmas in Chicago...")! Can't get much more eastern Tennessee than this: off their "Christmas At Dollywood With" CD
23.) Ol' Doc Stanley sings us a great bluegrass tune! This is from his 1993 Christmas album appropriately called "Christmas Time".
24.) They don't call him Fiddlin' John Carson for nothing! WOW! Off the "Where Will You Be Christmas Day?" comp from Dust-To-Digital. Bill Monroe took this incredible song, abbreviated it to "Christmas Time's A-Comin' ", and got all the glory.
25.) The GrooveGrass Boyz fused bluegrass and funk (of all things!) with some help from Bootsy Collins (of all people!). No funk on this - straight bluegrass pickin' "Auld Lang Syne". From the "Christmas On The Mountain" comp (see #10 above).
26.) This song is probably required playing during "breaking up Christmas". This is a very nice, laid back rendition by the Cox Family. Another track from "O Christmas Tree" (see #11 above).
27.) Patty Loveless rounds this one out with a fine track from her Christmas album (see #6 above).
You nailed it perfectly Martin. It blended nicely, each track brought a different sound to the table but didn't stray from its roots too badly, and the flow worked well.
I would be fibbing if I didn't say that after a while, some of it sounded the same. But Martin changes courses ever so deftly and steers the bluegrass ship from crashing onto the shore and into the calm sea.
After listening to this, I think "breaking up Christmas" is a fine tradition. Everyone should take two weeks off at Christmas and hold house parties left and right. It would promote brotherhood, the Christmas spirit, and get you prepared for the long winter ahead. But does it have to be bluegrass music for two weeks straight?
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2005-0960-026 - I Got A Rock For Christmas
Capt
To use a familiar quote: "Opportunity knocks, but doesn't always answer to its name." In this case, thy name is Martin Johns.
(Click on any image to enlarge)
(Click on any image to enlarge)
