I have a strange relationship with Christmas music. I love it, but it comes with a lot of baggage. Like all music really, a song can evoke memories as soon as the needle drops, and no music evokes more memories for me than Christmas. Every sleigh bell and Clydesdale, every choir and snow flake brings me back to somewhere in the past, usually a time when all seemed perfect, and occasionally to a few Christmases I'd just as soon forget.
That being said, I am happy to share some Christmas music that I only just discovered. No memories...yet.
I have been a fan of Charlie Hunter since I first heard his Blue Note debut "Bing Bing Bing," which just got a beautiful vinyl release, by the way. I've raved on these very pages about his brilliant recreation of Bob Marley's "Natty Dread" a number of times. I've shared his music as part of the New Orleans collective Garage A Trois with Stanton Moore and Skerik.
Over the years, Charlie and I became friends. As a matter of fact, one of the first things I had posted here was a press release I had written for his 2008 release "Baboon Strength." I mention all of this because, I had no idea he released a Christmas record. What makes it all the more annoying for me is that it is a duo record with Bobby Previte, another friend and customer of my shop.
"We Two Kings" was released in 2015. How did I not get the memo?
Hunter/Previte have collaborated a number of times over the years and their live performances are nothing short of mind-boggling. These two guys are smart and the music they make together is always an exciting ride, so it shouldn't be a surprise that "We Two Kings" is so damn good.
The melodies are there, so those who prefer their carols without too much makeup should have no problem recognizing the playlist. But if you enjoy mixing it up a bit, maybe revving it up while decking the halls, Hunter's guitar playing and Previte's drumming will make you wassail the night away.
Check out the groove of "Deck The Halls." That bass line is to die for.
This record made me very happy. I have no Christmas memories attached to "We Two Kings" except the music itself. This record is currently my favorite Christmas record. Give it a spin and maybe you'll dig it, too.
5 comments:
I've had this one for a couple of years and always put it in heavy rotation after Thanksgiving. Have you heard Charlie Halloran's lp "Presents for Everyone"? Its really good, and features some nice vocals by Alex McMurray.
You are the first person that I know to use the word "wassail" in a sentence. Congratulations!
For some perverse reason, I dug the 3 cuts you posted. "Deck the Halls" sounds like the version the Munsters would listen to. The other 2 cuts are equally off-putting but compelling. This has been added to my Tryouts playlist. Thanks.
Ho Ho Ho to you too!
Nothing to do with Bobbie or Charlie ...
I'm listening to the audio book of Dylan's Philosophy Of Modern Song.
I'm not sure I know what's really going on AND I'm diggin' it bigtime!
This is some crazy groovy Xmas music. The First Noel sounds like The Ventures Meet Tarzan on Acid. Some very cool shit.
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