By Mike O’Cull
It’s perfectly fine to admit that you’re burnt out on regular old Christmas music. We all are. Not that there’s anything wrong with Bing Crosby, Elvis, and all the other members of the traditional holiday music contingent but sometimes you just need to hear something that hasn’t been on endless seasonal repeat for the last 50 years. Rock and blues fans are especially left out in the cold when it comes to Christmas music, as most of the familiar favorites lack the passion and soul of the music we live our lives by every day. Just what is a rocker supposed to do?
Well, today is your lucky day, friend, because Rock and Blues Muse is here to get you hip to some new holiday music that’s more to your liking than Der Bingle will ever be. We’ve been collecting fresh sounds that’ll jingle your bells and make your holiday party the social event of the season. Most of these artists are probably in your record collection, anyway, so it just makes sense to look to them at this festive time of year. “White Christmas” will always be there but we could all do with something new and more vibrant to put the pep in our December step. Here come our picks for your 2019 playlist!
Keb’ Mo’ Moonlight, Mistletoe & You
Four-time Grammy winner and bluesman extraordinaire Keb’ Mo’ has released his first set of Christmas music, Moonlight, Mistletoe, & You on Concord Records, that’s sure to lift your holiday spirits. The record is a mix of original songs and lesser-known tracks that build on Keb’s blues roots and incorporate R&B and Americana influences in a light-hearted manner that just plain feels good. His cover of Charles Brown’s 1961 Christmas hit “Please Come Home For Christmas” infuses one of the best Christmas songs ever with a hopefulness that’s never been touched on before that sets it apart from any other artist’s version. Keb’ brings the romance on the title track and humorously speaks for adults everywhere on “Christmas Is Annoying.” The record is a fine effort from one of America’s best and unquestionably belongs in your holiday rotation. Buy On Amazon here.
Warren Haynes Presents The Benefit Concert V. 16
Guitar legend Warren Haynes has been putting on his Christmas Jam concert for the past 20 years in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. This year, fans get the chance to gift themselves and others with Warren Haynes Presents The Benefit Concert V. 16, an inspired set of live music from the 2014 Christmas Jam featuring Haynes, Gov’t Mule, Jason Isbell, Bill Kreutzmann’s Billy The Kids, Hard Working Americans, and more that’ll be released December 13th, 2019 on Evil Teen Records. It’ll be available on CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, and vinyl as well as on all streaming platforms. The Christmas Jam is a benefit for the Asheville-area Habitat for Humanity and has already led to the construction of 41 new energy-efficient homes and purchasing land for entire Habitat subdivisions. This is a super release for those that like their rock on the jam band side of things and will let you have fun and help others all at once. How cool is that? Buy On Amazon Here.
Chicago Chicago Christmas 2019
Eternal horn rock superstars Chicago have released a fourth Christmas album, Chicago Christmas 2019, for your holiday listening pleasure. Brought to the world by Rhino Records, the album was produced by founding band member Lee Loughnane and goes heavy on new songs written by the group for this project including “All Over The World,” “(Because) It’s Christmastime,” and “I’m Your Santa Claus.” The record also features Chicago retellings of the standards “Here We Come A Caroling” and “Sleigh Ride.” Chicago Christmas 2019 even contains a soulful version of the Hal David/Burt Bacharach classic “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” an iconic track that delivers the right message for this and every season. Buy On Amazon Here.
The Flaming Lips “Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy”
Anyone looking for a more psychedelic Christmas experience will enjoy The Flaming Lips’ unique version of the “Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy” medley performed by Bing Crosby and David Bowie on TV in 1977. Intended as a respectful tribute to that immortal television moment, the song and its accompanying video definitely go places Bing never saw in his life but will add a fun and artistic element to any rock fan’s holiday season.
Los Lobos Llegó Navidad
East L.A. roots music kings Los Lobos put out their first-ever Christmas album Llegó Navidad on Rhino Records this year made up of 11 Christmas-themed songs from the Spanish-speaking world and one new original. Each song selected was redone in the group’s timeless style and brings its own unique color and flavor to holiday festivities. Los Lobos has been one of America’s most creative and important bands since first breaking in the 1980s. Llegó Navidad is yet another outstanding addition to its body of work. Highlights include “La Rama” and “It’s Christmas Time in Texas.” Buy On Amazon Here.
Merry Axemas–A Guitar Christmas
Merry Axemas – A Guitar Christmas is a wonderful set for anyone who wants to hear virtuoso guitarists like Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Perry, Eric Johnson, Brian Setzer, Jeff Beck, Steve Vai, Steve Morse, and Joe Satriani blasting out holiday favorites on Christmas Day. It’s truly hard to go wrong with a crew of players like this and the set will bring much happiness to guitar fans who might be a little bored with the traditional approach to seasonal music. Setzer’s “Jingle Bells” is a lot of fun and Joe Perry’s “Blue Christmas” will get your Christmas spirit where it needs to be. Buy On Amazon Here.
Santametal by Steve Lukather
Steve Lukather, Toto guitarist and studio ace, rounded up some pals to record this Christmas set and it’s everything you’re already hoping it would be. Where else can you hear Lukather, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, and Sammy Davis Jr cranking out rocking versions of holiday standards? “Joy to the World” with EVH is alone worth the price of admission. Lukather has both chops and humor to spare, which makes this an excellent stocking stuffer for guitar lovers everywhere. Buy On Amazon Here.
Gary Hoey Ho Ho Hoey: The Complete Collection
Gary Hoey is one of the finest and most entertaining guitarists out there and Ho Ho Hoey: The Complete Collection is the record guitar fans need to fully enjoy the Christmas season. The set compiles all three of Hoey’s Christmas albums, 37 tracks in all, and sets a high bar all other guitar Christmas albums to equal. Hoey’s genius is playing songs where other guitarists would only shred and his Christmas tracks are truly inspired. From “Jingle Bell Rock” to “White Christmas” and “Carol of the Bells,” Gary Hoey maxes out the holiday songbook like no other. Buy On Amazon Here.
Paul Nelson Blues Christmas
Former Johnny Winter guitarist Paul Nelson rounded up some heavy hitters for Blues Christmas. This holiday compilation features epic musicians including Eric Gales, Debbie Davies, Joe Louis Walker, Popa Chubby, and Steve Cropper In a wintertime romp that will heat up your whole house. Highlights like Gale’s “Little Drummer Boy” and Popa Chubby’s “Back Door Santa” will make your Christmas party a night to remember. Buy On Amazon Here.
Christmas With Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins was one of the most formidable guitarists of the 20th Century and delivered ultra-precise magic every time he touched the strings. This vintage Christmas collection of his sounds as fresh today as when it was first put to tape and will appeal to anyone who likes to hear great playing in any style. Atkins’ rendition of “Silver Bells” is considered by many to be one of his best performances ever and the entire album is preposterously underrated. Spin this one for an old-school Christmas morning vibe. Buy On Amazon Here.
We hope you enjoy!
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