Friday, November 15, 2019

Songs for the Stocking

It's my tradition to purchase one holiday-themed album per year. I try to make it a new release whenever I can, but long players from this decade like Tracey Thorn's 'Tinsel and Lights' and Nick Lowe's 'Quality Street' are few and far between. For instance, last year I "settled" for a reissue of ATCO's 1968 classic compilation 'Soul Christmas.' No such problem this time around because Texan chanteuse Molly Burch will be the one to get me in the spirit with 'The Molly Burch Christmas Album,' out today via the always dependable Captured Tracks. It's a mix of holiday standards and Burch-penned originals sung by a voice that melts my heart every time I put on her records. I know there are a few of you humbugs out there who don't care much for holiday music, and I do get it, but this is an album that will have you rethinking your Christmas list.



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12 comments:

drew said...

I had my suspicions that you would purchase this when I saw it on the Piccadilly website a few weeks ago.

November 15, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Rol said...

That's lovely... but way too early.

November 15, 2019 at 4:32 PM
MisterPrime said...

I just bought myself a copy of that new Springfields compilation on Slumberland for my Birthday - does that count...!?

November 16, 2019 at 4:41 AM
Brian said...

You know me well, Drew. I know you as well too. I expect your Darlene Love post in about a month.

You're correct, of course, Rol. It is too early, but I wanted to give Molly a plug on release day. I always begin my holiday listening on Thanksgiving evening (this year Nov. 28) while doing the dishes after our family feast. I always start with Phil Spector's A Chrsitmas Gift for You, followed by the Beach Boys' Christmas Album. Yes, it takes about that long to do the dishes that day.

MisterPrime, My copy of the Springfields comp came just yesterday. This was a silly purchase for me because I not only have two of the singles in the 7" collection, but I also have the Ballad Ric Menck on both cassette and CD, and this new release is a carbon copy of that album. Still, the vinyl called to me, and I wanted to support the fellas and Slumberland. When is your birthday? Mine was on Wednesday... a milestone b-day at that.

November 16, 2019 at 11:50 AM
drew said...

Just picked up on that Brian. Happy Birthday. welcome to the club.

I still find myself suddenly shouting "fuck ***** how did that happen!" randomly 9 months later. I can't see me coming to terms with it any time soon.

Have a great post birthday weekend pal.

November 16, 2019 at 2:23 PM
Brian said...

I hear you, Drew. We celebrated last weekend by blowing town during a three-day weekend. I stopped by my favorite Portland record shops on the way to the Oregon Coast. I went the Swede route and took long walks on the beach. Most of my time was spent contemplating how I got so old. By Wednesday I was in a mood, but I seem to be past all that now. Never pictured myself being such a wanker about a birthday. Pathetic.

November 16, 2019 at 6:56 PM
Pop Judge said...

Wow, love that first Molly Burch track. Must investigate further...

November 18, 2019 at 5:53 AM
Dirk said...

Brian, a time will come very very soon indeed when you stop thinking about having become 50. Promised.

Either way, happy birthday, mate! Hope to see you again soon ...

November 18, 2019 at 7:32 AM
Charity Chic said...

Happy birthday Brian
Hopefully a few new slabs of vinyl came your way

November 18, 2019 at 7:50 AM
MisterPrime said...

Happy Birthday, Brian! I had that particular biggy last year so I'm pretty much used to being ancient by now. My better half and I went to see Billy Bragg in Sheffield last night doing a 1986 setlist and actually felt like relatively youthful members of the audience! 51 on Sunday - and spending the weekend with my family in a lighthouse in South Shields, what could be finer...!?

November 18, 2019 at 11:53 AM
Brian said...

Thanks for the birthday wishes, everyone! all better now. Glad you felt young at the BB show, MisterPrime... and happy birthday to you. A few of us have been the oldest at shows, and it's not the best feeling. Our pal Drew here saw the Regrettes. That had to be rough. I would like to see them, but... Hey, Pop Judge. If you don't know Molly Burch, check out Downhearted from her first album. That's the one that hooked me.

November 19, 2019 at 12:49 AM
Pop Judge said...

The version of Last Christmas is genius too. Reminds me of Taylor Swift a bit.

November 20, 2019 at 8:46 AM

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