Category: folk

Anthropomorphic Snow Sculpture: abominable detour 3

Stan Freberg has a classic comedy bit about interviewing the Abominable Snowman back in the ’50s when comic interviews were all the rage. Thus did our subject become a butt of jokes. We are looking for novelty songs, however, so let’s move on….

Talking Mountain’s “The Abominable Abdominal Snowman” is about that magical creature that came to life and–wouldn’t play with the other kids. He only wanted to work out. Fun electronic pop.

More ice rink electronic fun from Matt Farley riffing as The Paranormal Song Warrior through his album Believe: Exciting Songs about Shockingly Mysterious Stuff. “Oh My Goodness, It’s the Yeti, the Abominable Snowman! Wow!” speaks for itself. Or, it takes less time to read this than to listen to the improvised scat.

A star-crossed story from Arne Hansen & The Guitarspellers: “Snowman in My Heart” fears the abominable one, while experimenting with too many instruments mashed together.

Old-time Dr. Demento hit “Abominable Snowman in the Market” marks Jonathan Richman as a folky storyteller of comic proportions.

Anthropomorphic Snow Sculpture: kids 7

Let’s finish up the ankle biting song tributes to putting down that video game and getting exercise in the frosty cold.

Sheila Magaret Ward has an introductory “Who Is He? (The Snowman)” that hits lofty marks (and notes) for the existential and definitive case for that thing. Folk pop.

Less sensible, is the ‘tribute’ to other songs with “Goodbye, Snowman” from Super Simple Songs. Children’s showtune.

Mr. Mike continues the familiarity with “Where, Oh Where Has My Snowman Gone?” By the numbers, now.

Petula Clark in full kid shouting mode gives us “Where Did the Snowman Go?” 1952adelia. (Spike Jones did it with Linda Strangis in 1953.) (And Patti Page.) (Gene Autry too.)

Picking up the beat, Rockin’ Rhythms rolls along with “Bye Bye Snowman” in a haunting melody of despair for children.

Ken Galipeau brings up the heat with Michael O’Grady, the snowman who keeps flowing with “The Snowman’s Song.” All good things must end, but not usually this fun.

More fun is the electronic folk of Rudolph and the Snowman” by A.J. Jenkins. Polite, philosophical, and a little kicky.

Anthropomorphic Snow Sculpture: kids 3

Kids want to sing and dance and learn at the hands of songs their betters ditto upon them.

Maple Leaf Learning has a sly pop number in “The Snowman Song” about a happy inanimate who wants to play but keeps melting away and then refreezing. Secular resurrection, anyone?

My Vox’s Michelle Schooff pops a cork with her pop “The Snowman” about those magical constructs that walk around while you’re asleep, like in those horror movies you’re not supposed to stay up for. Lots of calisthenics here.

The “Snowman Polka” is a creepy night-only dance from Deborah Malena and Garth Phillipsen. But kids need therapy less than us.

David Chicken enlists the kids to bop a doodle doo with “Snowman the Bop.” Socks out, kids!

Shake a leg for the party at the “Snowman’s Cafe.” Elizabeth McMahon conducts the ragtime fun.

“The Snowman Went Waltzing One Christmas” is a sad tale of looking for the right partner from Das Grumps Bavarian Band. Grampa would like it. Better than you think.

ATTENTION PLEASE: MORAL COMING. Captain Kangaroo narrates the “The Littlest Snowman” to teach us about friendship and bravery and stuff. Come on.

“Blingy the Snowman” reminds Gil Bezy of winter, and song, and Jesus. Kidsong or drug trip?

Caspar Babypants brings the adults into the room to see what the kids are listening to with danceable folk polka “I Wanna Be a Snowman.” Mmm, that’s good ball stacking.

Phil Keaggy rescues the genre with a quiet folk elegy, “The Snowman Song.” It’s thoughtful and reflective and touching, but keeping a departed one’s eyes and heart in jars in your room may not set examples we want children to follow.

Snow Way: hate it

Tired of all the snow? Starting to hate it? Want to go after it with the curling iron? Then listen….

G. Salvia says it outright: “I Hate the Friggin’ Snow!” Home grown rock strumming, ahuh. Fishing God Productions has a better version.

Bill Morgan goes so far as to say “I Hate Snow” but he means Christmas snow. Showtune with Russian influences.

John Mitchell opens the door to parodies. His ‘Let It Snow’ take off “I Hate Snow” delivers what his funny uncle mustache promises.

Lorelei Savaryn continues the parody parade with “I Hate Snow” as a ‘Let It Go’ parody. Slightly more wit, certainly a longer song. Howard Teschner, too.

The “No Snow Song” posted by ronniebus is parody of Ringo’s ‘No No Song’ but i still think it’s good. Listen.

skwank has posted a charming Brit punk screamer “I Hate Snow.” Mildly jolly profanity.

John Wayne Donovan gooses his inner Elvis for “I Hate Snow.” Leans into that guitar good.

Canadian teen Austin Thomas confides “I Really Hate Snow.” Northern bluegrass fun.

Steven Lyons gargles his country singing for “Santa, I Hate the Snow.” Be a man.

Wendy Jans strings along the country sound to a soulful “Don’t Let it Snow.” Some range.

Tampa Stan tries to be funny with “I Hate Snow.” Oompah rock.

Reacting to a messed up year (tragedy?) alexxx sings “I Hate Snow” and everything that goes with it. So there.

Snow Way: where?

Snow in a far away place may seem like an impossible dream.

‘Course that paradox screams literary device so that Natalie Cole can R+B “Snowfall on the Sahara”  about unlikely love, etc. Cliff Richard shares the boys’ view on this tune.

More mixed metaphors from Elizaveta Khripounova with “Snow in Venice.” Here she adds blues to piano bar to great accomplishment about that special time, remember?

K. Bramley’s “Snow in London,” to put the mitten on the other fist, bemoans you leaving with some lovely unplugged punk.

“Bluegrass, White Snow” descends like a cloud of wishes whether from New Trails, Patty Loveless, or the dozens of homegrown pickers and grinners like The Pluckin’ Nuts.

Some of these place holders i’ve crowed over before. Hardly worth a seconding, but Ariane Grande’s “Snow in California,” Jethro Tull’s “First Snow on Brooklyn,”  Naïka’s “Snowing in LA (long distance)“, Dan Adamini’s “Snow is Falling in Upper Michigan,” Kristin McLean’s “Snow is Falling in Colorado,” Harold Livingstone and Mile Marker 24’s “White Christmas in the Florida Keys,” Timothy Chen Allen’s “Tonight It Snowed in San Juan,” Kristie Stremel’s “Kansas Snow Song“–all vie for background placement over the local news outro Christmas Eve. Sad.

Burl Ives takes on the case of “Snow for Johnny” praying for some luckless Louisiana lad. It’s his inimitable style (although Lauren St. Jane and The Dead Westerns did it too, albeit with ‘billy whining). Whatever will Johnny do without a big snowman, Burl?

Snow Way: day-oh

Too much H two minus-O? Make it a snow day! Stay home and… write a song about it.

With over 4 million views school teacher May Morris goes big with her ‘Hello’ parody “Snow” calling for just one more snow day. Powerful pipes from shushing the swarm, apparently.

The Sharer Fam (not related, but they all love to share) rollick family friendly with “Snow Day,” highlighting all the boring stuff.

The Fresh Beat Band thinks rap and Caribbean go together in their dull/hyper “Snow Day.”

Scaring the kids with their talent The Ohio City Singers scream out “Snow Day.” Sing along, i mean right now!

Eric Herman turns clever hip hop rhyming into ADHD kidsong with “Snow Day,” in which a valuable tragic lesson is learned about fun in the frost. Learn fear, Fred.

Pamela Noon orchestrates her kids to go big with her show stopping “Snow Day.” Hold that note!

Trout Fishing in America lays down jazz tracks for the littluns with their “Snow Day.” Friendly enough to dance to.

Plank Road rocks out with their sfx-laden “Snow Day.” Teresa Jennings may know Phil.

Toby Lightman hopes his penchant for percussion makes you dance in his “Snow Day.” Pop!

Matt Pond PA leans more lite-alt with his “Snow Day.” Emo music, emo money.

Bah & the Humbugs growl out garage rock for their “Snow Day.” Revolting.

Hey, look–it’s Lisa Loeb singing about grown up problems with her “Snow Day.” don’t do it alone.

Sounding like a mom in a cartoon musical, Noel Pagan (!?) belts out “Snow Day.” Can’t tell if she likes it or not, but she’s pretty clingy.

Even more torchy, Emily Mac is propositioning you with minimal jazz and maximal innuendo with her “Snow Day.” Mmmm-mama!

The Holderness Family knows what they’re doing, so count on their “Snow Day” to tickle and tug for their family hiking you wish you could’ve had with yours.

The whole childhood reminiscence rolls out in touchingly in “Snow Day” from folkie Michael Lelly Blanchard.

Snow Way: fun for the developed

Adults fall down and wave on the ground this time of year, too.

Kenny Loggins gets responsibly grown up and romantic with “Angels in the Snow.” It’s lofty eezee listening about their kids. Best paired with a young merlot.

The Listening pleases the crowd live with ethereal hard rock for their “Angels in the Snow.” Woo

Beth Sherburn makes a romantic come-on with her “Snow Angels.” Odd foreplay, but okay.

Washing the love with the whiteness of snow Amy Sky’s “Angels in the Snow” reflects, reveres.

Wanting wishing leering Eddie Pinero emo-pops “Snow Angels” mostly about lost innocence.

Cris Williamson lights up the disco genre with “Snow Angel.” High notes, high sentiment, seems high.

Ed Grossheim dedicates his “Snow Angel” to his special one. Sounds like they were doing more than waving arms/legs. Winkwink.

The journey of life occupies “Snow Angels” by William Park. Dude, he’s dying!

About the most disturbing expression of love and life through the song “Snow Angel” heralds from Willie Hyde. This pokey country campfire crooning will mess you up.

Snow Way: fun for wee ones

Snow’s here! Now what? Playtime!

Sarah Hart lullabys the innocent with her “Snow Angels.” Bit hyper to lull; soaring and insistent.

mrbuttersmusic chills you way down with the childish glee of having snow for the first time. “Angels in the Snow” is saccharine and treacly and, well, surprisingly angelic for kids’ music. Good luck getting your child’s assembly to sound like this.

Kid Pan Alley jollies up “Snow Angels and Icicles” so much so i have to ask, is this for kids or just her? The scat, too?

I mean grown ups singing simply might be rhyme-splaining or there they go educating children. Listen to the guileless Daisy May Erlewine’s “Snow Angel” and tell me the difference.

“Snow Angel” by Over the Rhine says a sad goodbye to childhood. Irish folk gets away with that.

Alt-folk Clare Means makes “Snow Angels” mean growing up and expressing yourself.

SpiRos Ontic mix punk and rockabilly for their “Snow Angels.” Hope mom doesn’t find out.

Sharon Smith calms us again with whispery joy bordering on Celtic fairie. “Angels in the Snow” feels like a smooth sleigh ride through gorgeosity. Childlike fun yet sophisticated.

 

Snow Way: first, the sequel

Some first snow songs appeal to the more mature.

I shall skip all the completely off-base weirdness that snow represents to artists. But it have a soft spot for Jethro Tull. “The First Snow in Brooklyn” has little to do with Christmas, Winter, or us. This word soup takes you where your medication dictates. Enjoy.

A fecund enough subject, thus here come the homegrown with his own compositions. Barry Beattie beats on that guitar for his own country rocking “First Snowfall.” I wanna do the backup!

Bah & The Humbugs sound coarse, but their “The First Snowflake” is Invasion folk rock about the big picture, world. Hold hands, find inner peace, be.

Yeah, The Carpenters made this one a hit. But Bing released it first (as he did with most Christmas songs). “The First Snowfall” is schmaltzy and dawdling, but so was life back then. Like only looking at a corner of a Norman Rockwell.

But i’m really here to discover the undiscovered bands humping and hurting and wailing their irony until some one some where appreciates them. Over the Rhine clads their existential misery in the metaphor of a mangy neglected manger scene improved by the “First Snowfall.” It’s like an angel’s first singing. Bravo, guys.

Parodies’ Paradise: 2012 “Royals”

The hit from New Zealand singer Lorde from her debut extended play album was later included on her debut studio album… her debut single… made it atop the record charts of many countries including Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom… in the US, the single spent nine weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 (making Lorde the first New Zealand solo act to top the Hot 100, as well as the youngest artist to achieve a number-one single since 1987… as of November 2014, the single has sold 10 million copies worldwide… listed as one of the best songs of 2013 by publications including Rolling Stone, Time and Spin… won numerous awards, including the Grammy Award for Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and the APRA Silver Scroll Award… regarded to be an anthem for the “Millennial” generation.

Aubrey Howell gets holy harmony with her cuzzes for “Christmas in the Air.” It’s like a real song with someone else’s music.

Aizey Pinede also belts his heart out with his “‘Royals’ A Lorde Christmas Cover.” He thinks he’s an elf!

The Kalatharas address “Elves” as a mixed bag–i think they’re being a bit racist.

Cassie Becker posts a pretty clever “‘Royals’ Christmas Parody” about an exhaustive Xmas list. Santa, you’ve been served.

Baily Crooms also amps up the talent part of her “‘Royals’ Parody of a Parody” (?) about seasonal shallowness.

BP Productions has a time out of their “White Christmas” musical production to slap together this parody about performing their show. Whining, but they’ve worked hard to earn the right.

Lindsey Cardinale & Heather Lannan play it like Garfunkle and Oates with their poorly recorded “Spoiled.” Hee, hee, hee.

Lori Mae Hernandez introduces an ‘impersonator’ to share her “‘Royals’ Christmas Version.” Spoiler: she gets Vans.

Nicola d’Alessandro (& friend) belabor not being Santa in their “Lorde ‘Royals’ Unofficial Christmas Edition” from the front room.

Oral B lays Asiansploitation on us with his “Rudolph.” Not your usual reindeer game.

Mod Carousel’s “Rudolph” blows that out of the snowbank. tighter outfits! Chipmunk voices!

Yves Nicollier delivers “The Reindeer Song 2,” which i guess i should list after the others.

assetmarie23 packs her “Christmas Parody of ‘Royals’” with holiday spirit tinged with God’s word. Holy message.

Erin Oechsel, however, rebels against too much early joy in “Carols.” Angry!

Nubile Cassidy Quinn plays “Santa” for the fun it.