Song Spotlight – “New Leaf”
I first heard “New Leaf,” the latest single from Marsha and the Positrons at the beginning of December. Right away I knew I wanted to save it for the week between Christmas and the New Year because 1) I didn’t want it to get lost in the riches of the holiday music shuffle and 2) it really spoke to me about looking ahead to 2023. For the last two years at the end of December I’ve said, “next year has to be better,” and both years had an unexpected amount of challenges. By the end of November I declared that this time I wasn’t going to say, “next year has to be better.” In fact I wasn’t going to really acknowledge that a new year was starting at all. And then I listened to “New Leaf.”
In less than two minutes, Marsha and the Positrons filled my heart with such light and hopefulness that I started to cry. Normally I’m not that weepy, but after a tiring, trying year, hearing the words, “I’m turning over a new leaf…I’m starting fresh, it’s going to be fine,” just touched something deep within me. In “New Leaf,” Marsha Goodman-Wood’s gorgeous, rich vocals lead the listener’s gaze to the future while beautiful harmonies and simple instrumentation enhance the truly lovely lyrics. Never melancholy, “New Leaf” uplifts the listener leaving them feeling loved.
As a side note, while the phrase “turning over a new leaf” nowadays has more of a tree-related connotation, when it was first used back in the 1500s, it referred to turning the page (back then known as a leaf) in a book to a blank leaf so that you could start anew. As a book lover, the origin of the phrase really appeals to me, but as a nature lover I also enjoy thinking of a tree full of leaves. If the first one doesn’t have exactly what you’re looking for, try a new leaf, “it’s going to be fine.”
Please take a few moments and enjoy “New Leaf” by Marsha and the Positrons.
Esther Crow brings audiences another Earth conscious video in “Christmas Socks (Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose),” her follow up to October’s “Homemade Halloween.” This time around, Esther and her sock puppet friends encourage viewers to explore ways to repurpose items like jam jars, coffee tins, and wrapping paper into gifts and decorations. Esther never shies away from her message, but wraps it in a fun melody with a 1950’s flair (featuring a kazoo solo!!) that will have listeners chanting “recycle, reuse, repurpose!”
The December holidays are upon us! While I had intended to get this out shortly after Thanksgiving, it’s never too late to discover new sounds of the season. By far my favorite new holiday album of 2022 is Oy Vey! Another Christmas Album from Joanie Leeds and Fyütch. Blending Joanie’s lush jazz-infused vocals with Fyütch’s hip-hop stylings and updating the tempos and arrangements, the duo brings a fresh new vibe to songs such as “Winter Wonderland,” I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and “Little Drummer Boy.” While you might come for the standards, make sure to stay for the originals including the delightful “Decorating the Christmas Tree” which features Joanie’s daughter Joya and Fyütch’s daughter Aura, and the children’s radio hit “Every Day’s a Holiday.” Take a listen to the EP 
Sing & Soar is a wonderful introduction to Chicago-based children’s artist Nanny Nikki. This debut EP perfectly showcases Nikki’s gorgeous alto vocals as she sings about subjects that children can easily relate to. Several of the six songs in this collection are slow pop tunes with just a slight dusting of folk undertones, creating music that is upbeat but laid back at the same time. “Almost Made It” is a well-crafted track that with each verse tells of a progressively older child who is trying to accomplish something (potty training, encouraging a friend, making a basket) and remembers mama’s words of encouragement “Don’t give up/Don’t give in” and that she loves them. “Abczzz” is a catchy new take on the alphabet song featuring a guest appearance/rap by SaulPaul while “I Can’t Hear the Moon” is a beautiful lullaby about all of the wondrous things in life (the moon, stars, clouds, love) that exist but make no sound and leaves listeners feeling like they are wrapped in a hug. Also included is a remix of “Playground Day” from the GRAMMY-nominated album All One Tribe. This joyful song is a celebration of the many activities that you can do when outside – climbing, running, sliding, jumping, digging, riding a bike. Nanny Nikki’s first album really does as promised – it sings and it soars!
As a child of the 80s, I grew up having a great appreciation for homemade costumes. My mom was incredibly creative (If you showed her an egg carton, she came up with half a dozen uses for it. Show me an egg carton, I see an egg carton.) – she could knit, crochet, paint ceramics, and most importantly, sew. Whether it was a new blouse or dress, doll clothes, or holiday decor, she could do it all. And when it came to Halloween, my mom’s creativity and skill really got a chance to shine.
So many wonderful collaborations popped up in the past couple of years that blended artists and genres that we never would have previously imagined. I’m so excited today to add a new partnership to that list -Jazzy Ash (Ashli St. Armant) and Red Yarn (Andy Ferguson). I’m not sure what took this duo so long to get together but I’m glad that they did because the combination of Jazzy Ash’s jazz infused style and Red Yarn’s folk/Americana sensibilities perfectly combine to create music that tells stories and entertains all at the same time.