Category: bluegrass

Who goes to bed Xmas Eve? You do! Yes, you do, you good boy(s and girls)!

From Pete the Elf comes an obscure 1967 45 from Bill Lamb(?) entitled “Go to Sleep, Little Lambs.” This pedagogical rant puts kids in their place (bed).

Perry Como seems too old to be anything but creepy when he sotto voces the details of children’s bedtimes for “Christmas Eve.” A la la la of an easy listening journey.

Remember? Rob Lord’s “Bag of Coal” only goes to the kids who aren’t good. But our protagonist’s eyelids are getting heavy, so he’ll be okay and NOT get clothes. Pretty indie.

Rita Faye Wilson (as brought to us by John Waters) childishly exhorts us to behold “Sleigh Bells, Reindeer, and Snow.” But you better be good or you won’t see him. Under the covers may not afford much view, but that’s the bluegrass pop deal here.

Let’s start with a Good Recording: “Mary’s Lullaby” from Madisen Renee is whispery/slurred, but effective and reverent.

Jim Adams gives the good old college try to his easy listening (sorry–that’s ironic) “Christmas Lullaby.” It goes to bed, or it gets the hose again.

“Close Your Eyes” by Douglas Murphy is poorly recorded, but quietly serious for a folk ballad. I like enough to want it to change.

Tumbling all over itself, “A Christmas Lullaby” by Hubert Dorigatti (feat. Laura Willeit) brightens up our corner with bluegrass pop and artistic virtuosity.

A fireplace glowing, a stocking warming (oh no, the chocolate orange!), a couple cuddling… it’s a scene out of a romantic movie!

“Stocking for Two” is an off kilter love song (show tune style) from Tracy Merle with a bit of a honkytonk push to it. Can’t help it.

“I Want You in My Stocking for Christmas” is a bizarre-o Dixieland number from Bobby Parr. I think it might be about romance. Or a funeral.

Luke Nelson is thinking of you when he begins “Stocking Up on Christmas.” That’s when you’ll get yours. Wordplay always wins me over. Jugband folk.

Who needs to fight for their Xmas stockings?

Kat Perkins rocks and rolls over who might remove her “Christmas Stockings.” The party seems to involve them being UP.

Quite particular, Garrison Bailey knows what she wants this Xmas: “Sheryl Crow in my Stocking.” Syncopated (not quite rap) alt-pop. Aim for the stars, baby!

All Wicked Lizard wants for Christmas is a “Barfy Stocking.” Short pop that may be nicer than you thought it would be.

Milan Millar is hoping against hope (at great speed) that there’s “Something in My Stocking.” Lightning bluegrass breakdown. Hee Yaw.

“Hang Up the Baby’s Stocking” is the lullaby you didn’t need from Christmas Music for Kids. Babies don’t really care, y’know.

Michael M. went to the trouble of re-editing Slade’s ‘Merry Xmas Everybody‘ so only the first line–about stocking hanging–is repeated ad nauseam. Love it.

Squirrel Nut Zippers’s epic Xmas journey begins with “Hanging Up My Stockings.” But this jug band take paints us a whole living room worth of kitsch. Whew.

“Hanging Up My Stockings” is that slow banjo exploration of feelings that adults get this time of the year. Plaintive folky bluegrass from Debbie Davis and Matt Perrine.

Loose Cannons start a repetitive round with tomtom for their pirates’ version of “I’m Stuck in the Chimney.” I hear ya, i hear ya, lemme get the spatula!

Klea Blackhurst adds sophisticated jazz to the silly kidsong of “He’s Stuck In The Chimney Again.” Again?!

The Not Fur Longs indie the mood with “Merry Mischief,” a lazy take on a stuck Claus.

Excellent bluegrass from Scott Fulton tells the draw problems when “Santa Claus Got Stuck Inside the Chimney.” Butter helps this time. And we’re prepared for next year, now.

Eddie Florano’s “Santa Claus is in Town” is celebratory Philippine rock about just how Santa he is. Happy happy happy.

Jamie Callum rails full lounge with “The Jolly Fat Man.” How cool is Santa? cool cool cool.

“Have You Heard the News?” inquires Koko Taylor through funky marshy blues. It has something to do with Santa coming to town…. Can i get a Go to sleep!

New age indie from Adam Follett also praises his frostiness in “Me Encanta Santa.” Mystical warbling.

The award for most laid back chill might have to go to Mr. Otis Gibbs’s bluegrass folk “Mr. Santa Claus.” I have a weakness for this kinda fiddlin’.

In my cell, a Christmas hell, like a Yuletide lobotomy was the take away for Jeff Avinson with some fine Calypso pop (and scat). “Stop the Bells (Jingle Bells)” is his 12/25/2020 verdict.

Do we even deserve Christmas? “A Krixmas Carol” from The Krixhjälters reminds us of the children we’ve been killing in our many and frequent wars. Shame. Shame for turning Christmas into Hell.

There is no justice in the desert Because there is no God in Hell, sings Cass Dillon in his rocking pop song “Christmas in Fallujah.” Had to be there.

“She Gave Me Hell for Christmas” is a merry bluegrass shrug from The X-Misses. Ya git whut ya give.

Oh sure, you got some Xmas ghosts. Can you ever have enough? If you had to name a Par-Tic-U-Lar Christmas spirit, could you carol it?

Aimee Mann makes alt-folk out of “Jacob Marley’s Chain.” It’s a great metaphor for one day at a time and other bothers of sobriety.

To explain that chain, Jason Alexander sings (as a dog) “Link by Link” to Kelsey Grammar (as a bird) is some animated Christmas Carol from TV. Dogs DO go to hell.

Getting reggae, “Jacob Marley” tells Ebeneezer what’s coming Christmas Eve in this ditty from The Benefit.

Majestica uses epic metal for their “Ghost of Marley.” That oughta convince Scrooge.

Bill Drake uses prog rock (metals naive younger brother) to introduce “Jacob Marley” to you.

Ace Enders & Nik Bruzzese allow Scrooge to thank “Jacob Marley” in their indie number. Triumphant.

Make Like Monkeys uses Scrooge to introduce us vis “The Ballad of Jacob Marley.” Seems grateful with indie rock.

Is there room for rap? “Jacob Marley” by Them Nights in Lago punctuates R+B pain with dropped rhymes. Okay fine bye.

Nasal country from Mark Westendorf frames the confession of “Jacob Marley.” We get an actual Woe is me.

“Ballad of Jacob Marley” by JD & The Straight Shot is bluegrass suffering you didn’t realize this sinner was capable of. D’you thing he achieved any redemption after helping his fellow usurer out?