Fa la la la la – New Christmas Music
I admit it. I capital “L” love Christmas music. For as long as I can remember, it has always played a big part in my holiday season. As a child, stopping by my grandmothers’ homes and listening to their Christmas records featuring crooners like Perry Como, Bing Crosby, and Nat King Cole was always something to look forward to. Singing in the second grade holiday play where I got to dress like an angel and sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” solo is still a childhood highlight. As is joining in with my dad as he washed dishes and practiced a packet of carols for his factory’s Christmas party. But my favorite memory of all was going to church on Christmas Eve. The church would be dark except for a few flickering candles while the choir and the congregation sang Christmas hymns. The story of Jesus’s birth would be told through Bible readings and songs and as the birth grew near, the lights would slowly rise and the music would grow until it felt like it was filling my soul with joy and love.
Over the years, the way that I celebrate the holiday and the people I celebrate with may have changed, but the love, joy, and peace that Christmas music brings me still remains. I used to wait to break out the Christmas music until the day after Thanksgiving, but over the past few years, that date has moved up and up. Now, more often than not, I find myself listening to a holiday tune or two right around the first of November. After all, it’s never too early to celebrate love, peace, and joy.
And speaking of joy, there have been several new Christmas songs released by family music artists this season. Today, I’d like to highlight three songs – all original and all full of holiday cheer.
Let’s kick things off with “Merry Christmas to You!” written and performed by Kymberly Stewart for her YouTube show Miss Kym’s Music Place.
Our next song takes us from the preschool set to something the older kids in the family and adults will enjoy. “Merry and Bright” is written and performed by Laura Doherty. The accompanying video lovingly showcases the many local gems found in Andersonville, the Chicago neighborhood Laura calls home.
Finally, to wrap things up, the jazz-infused “Fly Through the Sky” written and performed by Jazzy Ash. Focusing on the flight that Santa and his reindeer take on Christmas night, this delightful lyric video plays like an interactive storybook and will enchant viewers young and grown.
The holiday season is in full swing and you know what that means…lots and lots of delicious food. The kind of food that tastes so good you always have to go back for more. That is the same feeling that you will have when listening to Seconds, the follow-up to Ben Tatar’s 2014 debut family music album Food! This delicious collection of ten songs about everything from pizza to greens to sweet nectarines will definitely whet your appetite. Featuring an underlying jazz/swing band base, each song is given its own flavor from the Cajun flair of “Jambalaya” to the Motown groove of “Can You Write a Song About Broccoli?” and the 1970s lounge act vibe of “Peanut Butter!” While each song has its own unique melody, they all have rhythmic lines that will get listeners moving and grooving; none more so than the funky “Back to the Buffet” which aptly captures what pre-pandemic buffet-going was like. You’ll have such a good time listening to Seconds that you’ll want to come back for thirds and more!