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This is the busiest time of year, not just for many families, but for
the music industry, too. For it's at this time of year that the holiday
releases and re-releases seem to pile up as quickly as a Chicago snowfall.
So after plowing through this year's offerings, I've come up with these
holiday music suggestions.
My first pick is Not A Traditional Christmas (Alcazar
Productions, 1995), performed by acclaimed actress, singer and musical
mom, Jessica Harper. The songs are traditional, but the arrangements
definitely are not. Harper loves the lush harmonies of '40s-style jazz,
as well as reggae, Caribbean music and African rhythms. The only non-traditional
song is the opening cut, "Sing Glory To The Mountain," which Harper describes
as a New York street song. Holiday standards include "Go Tell It On The
Mountain," "The Little Drummer Boy," and "What Month Was Jesus Born In."
My favorites among the less well-known selections include "Children, Go
Where I Send Thee" and "Mary Had A Baby," which, incidentally, is always
a big hit with my students at school. This is the third Jessica Harper
recording I've reviewed and it exhibits the same attention to detail as
did the others (Nora's Room and 40 Winks).Her warm and mellow alto voice
resonates with sincerity as she takes all the lead vocals and sings the
lush harmonies as well. Her musical collaborator, Jim Wirt, again displays
his talent for arranging the musical accompaniments so as to support and
never intrude on the voices.
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Christmas Spirituals (Alcazar Productions, 1988)
spotlights the very soulful voice of Odetta, one of folk music's most
influential performers. Through her music, Odetta has sustained a continuing
link to the traditional melodies and spirit of the Afro-American experience."These
songs celebrate Christmas as a time of birth, of hope, of survival," she
says. "They are songs of celebration, of reaffirmation and how my forebears
managed to get through, under, over and around oppression." Odetta's does
not belt out her songs; she sings them with a gentle ease and warmth.
The sparse but intimate musical arrangements--often not more than an acoustic
bass and a smattering of percussion along with Odetta's acoustic guitar--enhance
her performance of these spirituals. Standout cuts include "Rise Up Shepherd
and Follow," "Somebody Talking 'bout Jesus," and "Go Tell It On The Mountain.
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New this year are digitally remastered original soundtrack
recordings of two classic TV specials, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole
Christmas and Horton Hears A Who (Turner Entertainment, 1999). Both
soundtracks are on one CD, which also includes the complete dialogue from
both programs along with wonderful songs such as "Trim The Tree," and
"You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" (from Grinch), and "Old Doc Hoovey" and
"We Are Here" (from Horton). Since the songs are also on isolated tracks,
you can just listen to them, if you wish.
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Another nostalgic excursion takes us back even further,
to Christmas in the 1950s, with First Christmas Record For Children
(Sony Music, 1999). This holiday collection dips into Sony's archives
for such relics as "Here Comes Santa Claus" sung by Doris Day, Jimmy Boyd's
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," "Suzy Snowflake" by Rosemary Clooney,
and even the Captain (Kangaroo, that is) with the story of "The Littlest
Snowman." All the material is very familiar. The only one I didn't know
was "He'll Be Coming Down The Chimney," sung by Gene Autry. If you want
a good dose of holiday music, '50s style, check this out.
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And all you Veggie Tales fans will want to look for the CD A Very
Veggie Christmas (Big Idea Publishing, Inc., 1998). In the hugely
popular video series, Veggie Tales promote "Sunday Morning Values, Saturday
Morning Fun," as they focus on entertaining kids while teaching biblical
values. An activity booklet is also available which will help your children
brush up on their Biblical studies. Here's a sample from the booklet:
"Who brought the good news of Jesus' birth to the Shepherds? Was it Jr.
Asparagus, TV, a sheep or angels? If you're not sure, you can read about
it in the Bible (Luke 2:8-15)." Between all the zany banter which takes
place in Bob the Tomato's living room you'll hear some holiday songs,
such as Larry's salsa rendition of "Feliz Navidad" and the French Peas'
performance of the traditional French carol, "He Is Born, The Holy Child."
I enjoyed Oscar the Polish caterer's hilarious take-off of the "Twelve
Days of Christmas" titled "The Eight Polish Foods of Christmas."
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If Christmas isn't celebrated in your home, you might
be interested in these previously released holiday suggestions. A Child's
Hanukkah (Music For Little People, 1998), performed by the Jewish
Wedding Band, is a sort of A-to-Z of Hanukkah and is a good for a home
library of holiday music.
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I also highly recommend Kwanzaa Music (Rounder Records,
ADD YEAR). This carefully compiled collection, subtitled "A Celebration
of Black Cultures In Song," gives a taste of a variety of black musical
styles. In addition to the diverse roster of performers (from Aretha Franklin
to The Wild Magnolias) and musical presentations, you'll find the "Concise
Guide to Kwanzaa--FAQ's" (Frequently Asked Questions) helpful, too. Most
of these titles are major label releases, so you should have no trouble
finding them.
For information about where to find Harper's and Odetta's recordings
call NewSound, their distributor, at 800/342-0295; for A Child's Hanukkah
contact Music For Little People at 800/346-4445 (online at www.mflp.com);
and for Kwanzaa Music, contact Rounder Records 800/443-4727 (online at
www.rounder.com).
We're all very busy this time of year, but if you have a moment, write
me a quick note with any suggestions or comments. Write to me in care
of Chicago Parent, or send e-mail to me at fkoch@lfelem.lfc.edu.
Fred Koch is an award-winning music educator and a nationally recognized
children's musician. He lives in Lake Bluff with his wife and young son.
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