Of course, if you were into Toronto music, you already knew this but I did not. Sunshine At Night came out in early May and is available to us Americans as downloads from Zunior — luckily, also available in FLAC, if you're that type of person.
I flat out loved The End of Part One. Wish I could say why. I was never a Rheostatics fan nor am I Canadian, although I had read Violet Archer's works before.
Bill Mallonee (front-man for the sometimes defunct Vigilantes of Love) is releasing a new Christmas EP. Mallonee is always interesting, even if JMMJ likes Killing Floor better than anything else. I've taken the liberty of re-posting the release from him.
Having to listen to Sirius Satelite Radio's holiday channel all-day at work has gotten me ready to ditch Christmas altogether. Thankfully, they have only ruined "Linus and Lucy" and "Christmas Time Is Here" for me. I'll hate "Baby It's Cold Out There" and "What Child Is This" by the end of the workday on Sunday.
A little Mallonee would be interesting.
Billtunes.com presents Yonder Shines the Infant Light — a 6 song Christmas EP by Bill Mallonee
Just in time for Christmas, this CDr absolutely ships on Dec. 12th. We guarantee it! We are ready for this one! It is being recorded this week and you have the choice of adding specially priced additional CDrs ($6) to be mailed to friends/family with postage options.
The Songs:*
- Every Father Knows**
- Deep Blue Sea**
- An Open Heart is an Open Door**
- Silent Night
- Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
- Instrumental
*Song order and titles subject to change
**Brand New OriginalThe Christmas EP is a GOLD CDr with downloadable artwork via PDF file. Song titles and a personal 5 word message (e.g. Merry Christmas Grandpa Joe - Billy) appear on your CDr if you post it in your order.
Head on over to: Fundamental Records for more information.
You don't have to be a Billtunes.com member to order the CD, but there is a big benefit! (Basically, $6 Christmas presents to your pals!)
I'm listening to the posthumously released Mystery Mind. A bit of it is the poor recording of Heard's final performance. Somewhere in this concert, I forget where, he has a heart attack. He goes on with the rest of the performance. Then he collapses backstage and dies later that night at the hospital. Like most musicians, he had no medical insurance and the bills almost bankrupted his wife and daughter. But then his friends — like Bruce Cockburn, Victoria Williams and Buddy and Julie Miller — contributed to a tribute album.
He was an amazing songwriter and performer. A whole generation of Christians in popular and folk music were inspired by his craft. It's over a decade after he died and Buddy Miller just released a new cover of "Worry Too Much". You know, I hope when I die I leave just a tenth of how he affected folks. Alan says that I don't have to worry: someday, thirty congregations will grow up hearing a story about me.
Well, it's Christmas again, and time to review the lot of lousy Christmas music that is clogging the airways. So let's look at alternatives!
 Noel by Steve and Derri and FriendsThe lineup includes Buddy and Julie Miller, Kevin Max, Riki Michelle, Brent Bourgeois and of course the Steve, Derri and Jerry. Contemporary Christian Christmas Music with a great feel. I especially like the "All Along the Watchtower" intro to "I Heard the Bells". |
 Christmas Caravan by the Squirrel Nut ZippersWild gonzo music style. What if German cabaret singers had married mountain hillbilly players and their children formed a band? Come on: you know that any Christmas album with a song called "Indian Giver" is going to be great. |
Get them while you still can.
-- manasclerk
I was listening through some of my old albums and came across some gold: Jon Gibson's Forever Friends. For a Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) album it not only doesn't suck, it has actually held up pretty well. Gibson's verve comes full across on this eclectic album, moving from gospel praise to Stevie Wonder cover to R&B to Christian Radio crap. Worth mentioning: skip the first two tracks until you've heard the rest of the CD. manasclerk says "Spin that sucker!"
Shawn McDonald has some incredibly good worship music for some kid out of the northwest. Highly recommeded. Pick up his CDs while you're there.
MP3s.com has samples.
Check it out.
