Category: folk

Don We Now: Santa hat

The most iconic clothing of the season belongs to Santa Claus superstar. More people recognize this gear than Ronald McDonald’s. So, let’s take it from the top.

Aussies play with “Santa’s Bobble Hat” the irreplaceable nonsense sound to help Mr. Gifts get into the Christmas mood. Folksy kidsong.

Are we suggesting there’s more than one kind o’ Santa hat? Listen to the rap-sync country from Isaac Stancill “Santa in a Cowboy Hat.” It’s Bobby McFerrin-tastic.

Pop rappin’ “Snapback Santa Hat,” Dave Days ‘Jingle Bells’ your party with roof-raising to the mat. But is it Santa’s hat anymore?

Not only Santa need wear this specialty item. If you don the “Santa Hat” you might get a little sumpin sumpin, as pop folked by NSPS (and Deni Bonet’s sizzling fiddle).

Don We Now: sweaters

It’s that fashion of year again–deal with it.

What is it? Classic Brown drops a classy garage number about just being with you. And “Christmas Sweaters.” Existentially. ‘Kay?

It’s white trash: Katie Wilson (&c) parody ‘Bang Bang’ by corrupting a winter formal with their “Ugly Christmas Sweater” infection. (We’ve seen this before, but it’s a good parody video.)

It’s a present. Okay. (As previous) First Atom papound out the altrock “I Bought You a Sweater.” Waiting for the thank you….

It’s a sign: Lil Poverty Angels BLUE ALERT notice “Eggnog on Her Christmas Sweater.” Techno improv nonsense that claws in and makes you listen.

It’s what’s on: “Christmas Sweater” by Karina Mia deals with flirty seasonal romance which happens to have a ‘cheesy’ piece of clothing involved. Pop folk.

It’s what’s on the list: Justin Warnick just ticks off the things to build a Christmas night. “Christmas Sweater” is there, ‘cuz December. Snappy slow folk, but almost affectless.

Don We Now: casually

Time for Xmas bed? Dress down!

The Holderness Family’s Christmas letter from 2013 features “Xmas Jammies.” Pop hip hop. But too much personal stuff.

Rhett & Link (the powerhouse behind Good Mythical Morning–abbreviated as GMM–an American comedy/talk/variety YouTube series ) play funny folk (Flying Conchords influenced?) to relax you into “Christmas Sweatz.” Take it easy! (And dig their facial dress-up “Christmas Face” for what to wear when you’re trying TOO hard.) (Who can stop at just two? They’ve swapped heads for tails just last year with “Christmas Booty.” That’s gotta be the end!)

Don We Now: top that

60% of heat loss is out the top of your head! Watch out for chilly climes: top up!

Perhaps that’s why Beth Sorrentino adds the odd improvisational “My Hat” number on Suddenly, Tammy!’s Christmas album. Despite the falalas this bad date song isn’t 4 Xmas.

“Christmas in the Old Man’s Hat” is the busker’s cry for alms (you know: the goose is getting fat). From Noel McLoughlin, its Old World charm forces the entry to our listening now.

“The Murples’ Magic Hat (Best Christmas Gift Ever)” has crowned our list before. A Halo Called Fred pop tune us this sci-fi story about transporting chapeaus to remind us how mysterious hats can be.

So let’s finish with the odder Julie Michelsen “The Magic Cat’s Christmas Hat.” The slow feminist folk livens up later, but stays wiccanly strange. Eventually it epics up and makes us see beyond our little lives. (Tambourine timpani scat!)

Take a Card: folk rock

Mountain songs honoring the Old World (he means Europe, dude) of immigrants span centuries and inform our country, rock, and their offspring.

The message of good old folk music (poetic details of scratching meaning out of a lowly existence) leans nicely into protest rock. “Christmas Card” by Jon Latham is more modern than all that, but coulda been a contender around 1967.

Prison harmonica feists up Stephen L. Kelly’s “A Christmas Card.” This is a deadly serious love letter to the trappings of the holidays. He. Loves. It.

Nosie Katzmann pollutes his folk with flute and finger popping. But his “Christmas Cards” is alt folk, a modern emo unplugged whimsy about keeping in touch.

Scandinavians like our Wild West and cowboys and have contributed some interesting cowboy songs. The Ballroom Band plays sad moaning old timey folk like Dylan. “The Christmas Card” tells the story of loneliness and loss and that little ‘ol piece of paper.

Sing a Song of Singing Songs: now?!

Yeah there are a few more categorical cross-overs we might revisit here…

Many point out how early is too early (like a pig’s tail) for Christmas song playing.

Enna Chow needs a mic for Christmas. Strain for her “It’s Too Early for Christmas Carols.” No, don’t bother. Still November isn’t TOO early.

Try Hard Ninja gets funnier with a Bieber parody “Too Early for Christmas Songs.” Before Halloween might be a bit soon.

Paul and Storm bring it home with “The Way-Too-Early Christmas Song.” An actual song via musical talent always helps the satire, guys! Make bail soon.

Sing a Song of Singing Songs: the Bigger Guy

I know! We should sing to the birthday boy!

“Let’s Sing Praises to the King” sing The Sensational Nightingales. Pretty stuff.

The McKameys “Sing a Song About the Lamb” cleverly following the old sacrificial lamb to the old gods to the new lamb who is a Son of a God. Plodding ‘grass gospel.

Let’s get even more old Sunday school with a fine old album: American Folk Songs for Christmas, brought to you by Mike Seeger.

Included are tributes to The Jay-by “Sing Hallelujah” by Calum MacColl

and “Sing a Lamb” by Mike Seeger hisself.