David Emm Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 The main part of my brain that deals with music has come to be utterly focused on my own composition, which has ghosted the usual holiday ear worms. What a $#@! RELIEF! I enjoy parodies up to a point, but the traditional material, presented flat-footed, mostly just tests my bladder strength. I still enjoy a playing of Joseph Byrd's "A Christmas Yet To Come," (1975) performed on an ARP 2600 and an Oberheim Expander. Its English folk songs of yore presented in a very bare-bones analog manner, but it fits the material well. Its a nice example of analog-as-woodwind-quartet. However, I'm about ready to start a Kickstarter fund to ban "Amazing Grace." When I hear anyone crank that one up, I feel as if I've been sprayed with Raid. Quote "Why can't they just make up something of their own?" ~ The great Richard Matheson, on the movie remakes of his book, "I Am Legend" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 This "Craig's List" column I wrote for Electronic Musician back in 2012 has become somewhat of a holiday classic, like your uncle Fred passing out drunk and knocking over the Christmas tree. For your reading pleasure...with apologies to any Kenny G fans. The Five Most Toxic Hazards of Holiday Music 1 You"ll hear 'Carol of the Bells.' I mean, doesn"t this really sound like it should accompany some scary nightmarish scene from a Tim Burton film? On the plus side, it has the distinction of being one of the few Christmas carols with the power to depressâ helpful if you"re feeling too cheery! 2 Stupefyingly bad 'contemporary' holiday songs. If I never hear Paul McCartney"s 'Wonderful Christmastime,' or Neil Diamond"s fake Jamaican accent at the beginning of his reggae version of 'Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer' (I"m not making this up), it will be too soon. PARENTAL WARNING: Diamond"s version is on YouTube, and accessible to children under 13. 3 'The Little Drummer Boy' lyrics 'pa rum pum pum pum." Okay, it"s a nice little song pa rum pum pum pum, but does it really need to end pa rum pum pum pum every single pa rum pum pum pum effing line with pa rum pum pum pum? But, credit where credit is due: That song was written before computerized cut-and-paste. 4 'Santa Claus Is Coming to TownâThe Police State Mix.' 'You better watch out . . . he sees you when you"re sleeping, he knows when you"re awake . . . making a list, checking it twice . . . he knows if you"ve been good or bad . . .' Threats, spying, database of offenders, summary judgements without trialâSanta sounds like a cross between a pedophile, the DHS, and your creepy uncle Sammy. 5 Kenny G"s holiday music tours So there you are at the local casino, doing a little gambling, maybe helping some Native Americans extract their revenge on the original illegal immigrants, and you find that . . . Kenny G is playing his holiday tour and that particular casino is one of his victims! Run! Quote Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Music Bird Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 I personally have a problem with English language contemporary artists from 2009 to present doing Christmas stuff. I like Wonderful Xmastime and Last Christmas and Boney M/Goombay Dance Band"s Christmas songs. It"s just that stuff like Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande or Gwen Stefani or some indie pop singer singing Christmas songs or an EDM DJ putting a dubstep beat over white Christmas that ruins it. Quote Yamaha MX49, Casio SK1/WK-7600, Korg Minilogue, Alesis SR-16, Casio CT-X3000, FL Studio, many VSTs, percussion, woodwinds, strings, and sound effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 3 'The Little Drummer Boy' lyrics 'pa rum pum pum pum." Okay, it"s a nice little song pa rum pum pum pum, but does it really need to end pa rum pum pum pum every single pa rum pum pum pum effing line with pa rum pum pum pum? But, credit where credit is due: That song was written before computerized cut-and-paste. I have an amusing story about this song. Larry Knectel from the Wrecking Crew moved up to this area. I know his son, he joined a band we were starting and we've played a few gigs together. One evening after practice he told us about the time Larry was hired to play on Hank Williams Jr.'s Christmas album. They were working on Little Drummer Boy and when Hank got to the rump a pum pum part, Larry burst out laughing hysterically and ruined the take. They tried agian, same result. Larry was warned. He failed twice more and the producer kicked him out of the session and off the record project. And now for something really depressing, my favorite Christmas song because it is so grim. It starts out not so bad but keeps getting worse. I find it intolerable, therefore I must share it... Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muad’Dib Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Pop stars trying to sing Christmas Carols. Example Stevie Nicks Silent Night! Or this That was painful. I had to stop it, as soon as Ozzy opened his mouth. Even Rob Halford should NOT have done a Christmas record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 [video:youtube] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
re Pete Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 The really odd thing is, I haven't heard much Christmas music on the radio here at all. Usually starts after Thanksgiving, but practically nothing. Quote When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElmerJFudd Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 [video:youtube] Quote Yamaha CP88, Casio PX-560 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Played our last gig before Xmas, we are now done with Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer, Feliz Navidad and Do You See What I See for another year. Me so very happy now!!!!! Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wd8dky Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 That they start playing them in September. Quote http://www.weisersound.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthaholic Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 The best version of one of the best Christmas songs, from the man who wrote it. I"d love to know what the yearly royalty checks add up to. The only thing annoying about this version is the too-loud sleigh bells in the bridge. [video:youtube] Quote The fact there's a Highway To Hell and only a Stairway To Heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers People only say "It's a free country" when they're doing something shitty-Demetri Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PianoMan51 Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 My pet peeve when playing traditional Christmas Carols is those two &*$#ing guitar players trying to shoehorn an 18th century four part harmony into three chords. Sometimes it really IS a keyboard song! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o0Ampy0o Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Perceiving something as "Creepy" is very trendy based. It has no basis in reality. It is just something people say, or rather repeat, and too frequently because they hear other people saying it. And the generation that repeats it the most gives the least thought to it as well. If any child says it they are only repeating what some adult said around them. It definitely was not some profoundly insightful child's perception. If anything is sacred it is classic Christmas songs. DON"T jazz, rock, pop. or country it up! If you cannot do it well the way it was originally done DON"T TOUCH IT! you contemptibly inept scoundrels. Happy Holidays Everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Linguini Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 I absolutely despise when tv commercials totally bastardize Christmas carols and songs with their cutesy lyrics. And it"s usually commercials that play about 80 times an hour, which makes me want to break stuff. It"s probably the universe telling me I watch too much tv. Quote D-10; M50; SP4-7; SP6 I'm a fairly accomplished hack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elsongs Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 * "Linus and Lucy" is NOT a Christmas song. * Neither is "My Favorite Things." * I also dislike *any* Christmas song sung by Michael Buble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Music Bird Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 i find it fun when people put white Christmas or the like of old orchestrated xmas songs and put synth horns and synth strings in there. It shows you don't need to hire big bands and orchestras anymore and that technology can save the music industry. Quote Yamaha MX49, Casio SK1/WK-7600, Korg Minilogue, Alesis SR-16, Casio CT-X3000, FL Studio, many VSTs, percussion, woodwinds, strings, and sound effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markay Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 Played our last gig before Xmas, we are now done with Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer, Feliz Navidad and Do You See What I See for another year. Me so very happy now!!!!! Wow you do a Hunters and Collectors cover? [video:youtube] Quote A misguided plumber attempting to entertain | MainStage 3 | Axiom 61 2nd Gen | Pianoteq | B5 | XK3c | EV ZLX 12P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzzz Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 I can take exactly one listening of 'All I Want For Christmas is You,' then I"m done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 Wondering if the artists who "just released" a Christmas record truly do love Christmas or if they're just looking to cash in. I have a Christmas compilation from Austin from a few years ago. It was for charity, and some artists I really like were on it, including the guitar player David Grissom (Storyville, Joe Ely, John Mellencamp, Dixie Chicks, Allman Brothers and more). The song he performed? Little Drummer Boy, performed by him and ⦠a drum machine. I'm not a fan of music that's only "good" a certain time of the year. To me, if the song is good, it's good after January first, but you won't hear anyone playing even the non-religious songs once "the holidays" are over. Quote "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KuruPrionz Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 Played our last gig before Xmas, we are now done with Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer, Feliz Navidad and Do You See What I See for another year. Me so very happy now!!!!! Wow you do a Hunters and Collectors cover? [video:youtube] I have no idea who they are. Any other song and I might have listened. 3 more days and we are shed of these melodic miracles for another year. Maybe we should tour Tibet in December next year, or take the month off... Quote It took a chunk of my life to get here and I am still not sure where "here" is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RABid Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 Well, I hope this doesn't violate the rules and regs for the forum; due to the centrality of my religious beliefs, I get annoyed when a store, or radio station, or school blabs about Christmas ad nauseum while going to great lengths to avoid _any_ acknowledgment of its association with Christianity. I like Santa, elves, reindeer-flattened grandmas, and snow as much as the next guy, but c'mon, 'fess up to the history. ... I'm with you on this one. I've had it with companies that want to profit off of my religious holiday but consider the words "Merry Christmas" to be insulting and politically incorrect. Lifetime has taken it a step further. They are doing a tone of made for TV Christmas movies, but have been editing Christmas hymns to remove the word "Jesus". Example: "baby Jesus" has been edited to "the baby". Quote This post edited for speling. My Sweetwater Gear Exchange Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Nightime Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 I can take exactly one listening of 'All I Want For Christmas is You,' then I"m done. You mean you can actually make it through the first listen? To me that is almost as bad as Bruce Springsteen doing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Quote "In the beginning, Adam had the blues, 'cause he was lonesome. So God helped him and created woman. Now everybody's got the blues." Willie Dixon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr88s Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Well, I hope this doesn't violate the rules and regs for the forum; due to the centrality of my religious beliefs, I get annoyed when a store, or radio station, or school blabs about Christmas ad nauseum while going to great lengths to avoid _any_ acknowledgment of its association with Christianity. I like Santa, elves, reindeer-flattened grandmas, and snow as much as the next guy, but c'mon, 'fess up to the history. Well, I think there"s a bit of a nuance when considering Christmas carols from among the larger category of 'Christmas music". Many of the famous songs in the latter category were actually written by Jewish composers, which may explain the de-emphasis on the religious aspect. 'The Christmas song', 'Rockin" Around the Christmas Tree', 'White Christmas', 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer', 'Silver Bells', 'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas', and 'Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow', for example, were all penned by Jewish composers. An interesting sociohistorical perspective is here, though it may be behind a paywall for some. Quote Nord Stage 2 Compact, Yamaha MODX8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Gehrig Charles Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Well, I think there"s a bit of a nuance when considering Christmas carols from among the larger category of 'Christmas music". Many of the famous songs in the latter category were actually written by Jewish composers, which may explain the de-emphasis on the religious aspect. Too far in that direction though and we get Adam Sandler's Hanukkah songs.... Maybe it would have been OK had he done just one, but since he has two or three of them they get annoying real quick. Nails-on-a-chalkboard annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldwin Funster Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 My pet peeve IS Christmas music. The genre should be be removed from existence. Except for Nat King Cole. I can listen to him sing anything. Unforgettable. Quote FunMachine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Williams Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 My pet peeve when playing traditional Christmas Carols is those two &*$#ing guitar players trying to shoehorn an 18th century four part harmony into three chords. Sometimes it really IS a keyboard song! This. I just ran sound for back-to-back Christmas Eve services, all hymns accompanied by two guitars, bass, piano, and drums. I give them credit for adding ii and vi chords to "Angels We Have Heard on High." Quote -Tom Williams {First Name} {at} AirNetworking {dot} com PC4-7, PX-5S, AX-Edge, PC361 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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