We’re having fun this Christmas looking at the magical world of physical media and compact discs specifically. What we are focusing on are the wonderful CDs to be found second-hand in the wild, choosing three of them and discussing their content. Some of these relics are gems that we will add to our yearly Christmas listening rotation, others may intrigue us but not enough to make us keep the hard copy and – yes, Virginia – some we discover are sadly lacking in the spark or the emotion or the charm we so love to cozy up with over the holidays. This time we have another batch that was discovered over the summer months at thrift stores. I waited, of course, until Christmas to check them out and here is what I found.
The Best of Motown Christmas (2003)
Why’d I Buy This? What kind of a question is that? This is Motown. I bought this because I wanted more Motown Christmas music. I have always loved the little Christmas soul music I have heard and own. There is an intangible to it that really appeals to me, a quality that is also found in this music’s non-Christmas counterpart. It is the depiction of an experience. Just as classic soul music is the tale of black life in the 1960s and 70s, Motown Christmas music of the golden era is the story of how a people celebrated the season. Not only great music but a fascinating cultural study, as well.
What’s On This? One from the popular Jackson 5 Christmas record, Stevie’s classic “Someday at Christmas” and two songs from both of the Temptations’ excellent Christmas records. There is also unique combinations of Motown/soul legends; Smokey Robinson & the Temptations, the Four Tops with Aretha Franklin and the Motown house band, the Funk Brothers, take an instrumental turn at “Winter Wonderland”. What’s on this is just what the title suggests – a sampling from all the great Motown Christmas releases since the 1960s.
What Is This? It’s one of those silly “20th Century Masters” releases. I say “silly” because this series has been complicit in pillaging the past for their compilations that co-opt classic albums and re-issue them with phony artwork hoping to dupe the public. But this particular collection gets the thumbs up from your humble blogger due to it being what it is, as mentioned above. This really is the best of Motown Christmas. And that’s alright with me.
And In the End… Daddy is keeping this one. I’m really pleased to own this CD and it will only whet my appetite to seek out more Motown Christmas albums like the ones represented here.
Poets & Angels (1990)
Why’d I Buy This? I’ve always loved “world music” and have used it to help me try to understand other cultures and experience through mind-travel various parts of the globe. Many years ago I fell in love with the Gipsy Kings, the world’s foremost purveyors of flamenco guitar in the modern era, and I went looking for other artists in this idiom. I came across the legendary Carlos Montoya of Madrid and Mexico’s Antonio Bribiesca – and the German Ottmar Liebert, born of Chinese-German and Hungarian parents. Something about Liebert’s music appeals to me and I began to collect his albums of flamenco guitar issued through the prism of new age and smooth jazz. Years ago, I built this Christmas album through the magic of Limewire, a file-sharing service some may recall. I was more than happy to find the hard copy.
What’s On This? There are some standard songs such as “Deck the Halls”, “1st Nowell” and “Jingle Bells”. But Ottmar also offers some originals and combines in medley form some carols with his own creations; “We 3 Kings (of Orient R) / Santa Fe X’Mas” and the excellent “Angels We Have Heard on High / High on Hope”. There’s also “Poets + Angels”, “Away In a Manger / Island X’Mas (4 Bok Yun)”, “Silent Nite” and “O Holy Nite”; yes, seems Liebert enjoys using shorthand when titling his songs.
What Is This? This is a specific type of Christmas music and, yes, it is certainly not your traditional fare. Poets & Angels: Music 4 the Holidays is Ottmar Liebert’s first of three Christmas albums, it was his third overall and now he’s up to almost 30. It is flamenco, yes, but the vibe is much closer to new age to my ear and this record has its own aura (Liebert refers to his music as “nouveau flamenco“). This is not for everyone and I wouldn’t even bother recommending it to people I know personally or even to you, my readers, as it is too…out there, I guess. There is, however, a quality here and a unique tree-side mood.
And In the End… I’m keeping this mostly because of the work I did in the past downloading the tracks and because I don’t think I’ll run across the CD too often. And I do like it. This 1 is 4 me 2 listen 2 at nite by the tree.
Christmas Album (1968)
Why’d I Buy This? It’s a recurring phenomenon and maybe there is an article to be written on this topic. A performer puts out an iconic Christmas record, years go by and they put out another. How does it compare to the classic LP? How does it differ and how is it the same? Did the artist capture lightning in a bottle just that one time? Or do they have a real knack for conjuring the Christmas mood? Oscar winner Burl Ives’ 1965 Have a Holly Jolly Christmas is a pleasant record that is well known for the title track. So, here I found another Ives Christmas record on CD. I took a chance.
What’s On This? Like any good Christmas album, I guess, Burl mixes songs as old as the hills, songs we know and love, with others that very few people know and, perhaps, no one actually loves. Standard carols are joined by a couple of quiet recitations.
What Is This? This is Burl’s 75th Christmas record among his 3212 album releases. OK, I’m exaggerating on both counts but not by much. Actually, I count this as his fifth of seven Christmas albums, released in ’68, a year in which Burl released 3 other albums. And this record is dour. Now, I hate to be this way regarding a venerable singer like Burl Ives. And if I’m honest, what can be said to have more substance than the Christmas season? But Burl’s Christmas Album is very serious, even somber. Each of the first two songs – the venerable “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and perhaps the greatest song of all-time, “Silent Night, Holy Night” – begin with the quietest orchestra and choir and Ives gently reciting the opening lyrics. The first half of this record is as still as a clear, cold night, the vast inside of a giant, iron bell. The tempos are set at crawl. And I see that Robert Mersey has done the arrangements which makes me a little sad; his work with Andy Williams is absolutely magnificent. And consider; among the liner notes I see Burl described as “the foremost ballad singer of our time”. I think I know what they mean but…no. And the last words of this album? “Sorrow…sorrow”. Bummer trip.
And In the End… I can appreciate reverence especially at Christmas but this record – to my ear – overdoes it, the result sounding like a very severe church service filled with pomp and pageantry as opposed to lightness and joy. I can imagine this record going nicely by the fire but for that vibe I have albums that are dearer to me and much better suited. This was quite interesting but I won’t be keeping this and almost didn’t even listen to it all the way through. I respect Burl Ives and even respect this record but…not for me.
Next time you see a compact disc or a DVD for sale anywhere, pause before you tell yourself you can stream it somewhere. Can you? And even if you can are you OK with that? With someone else letting you listen to their music or watch their movie and curating for you? Take the hard copy home! Physical media – it’s the only media you can trust. Merry Christmas!
SoulRide 