New Adds for December

New Music for December

Anyone who knows me knows that, for me, the day after Thanksgiving begins the official holiday music season. When I’m not listening to the Folk Alley Holiday Stream, I turn to my own collection of seasonal CDs. Along with favorites like Last Month of the Year, We Three Kings, Barenaked for the Holidays, Hanukkah Rocks and Carols for a Christmas Eve, I try to add a few new selections each season.

The Indigo Girls make the best use of their trademark vocal harmonies with Happy Holly Days. It’s a good mix of traditional and original songs with a down home, relaxed feel (perfect for their Georgia roots). The CD reflects the strengths of the Indigo Girls as songwriters and performers.

The Juno Award-winning Good Lovelies released the charming and delightful Under the Mistletoe as only their second full-length CD. The collection of songs from the Canadian trio is reminiscent of a contemporary Andrews Sisters, combining vocals so well that I was prompted to listen to the album over and over again.

Christine Lavin has brought together original holiday songs from a variety of singer/songwriters under the title Just One Angel. Entries celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah and solstice in sweet and sometimes quirky ways – including a song about Doug, the Jewish guy who is happy to work on Christmas, and a song marking the dilemma of being single during the holiday season.

The solemnity of Christmas is no match for the wicked good fun of Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks. Crazy for Christmas pretty much sums it up as Dan and his crew add their trademark swingin’ sound to stories of elves, Santa and Rudolph. This is just the right CD to listen to when drinking some nog, hanging the stockings and setting up the Christmas tree.

More recent CDs to consider as you do your Christmas shopping:

Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore – “Dear Companion”
Ashleigh Caudill – “Fruit of the Vine”