Aaaargh!

[sleigh]

Xmas music isn't exactly my favorite genre anyway. I freely confess, in fact, that most Xmas songs are so old and tired that if I never hear them again, I'll die happy. And gee, when one of the 'big' artists decides to make a CD of Xmas music, it's often a sign that the artist's career is in a death spiral. A CD of Xmas music sits uneasily on the demarcation line between 'active artist' and 'ancient has-been artist.'

So... Bob Dylan has recorded a CD of Xmas music. Listening to the excerpts on iTunes, it sounds like a parody album: "Hey, here's what Bob Dylan would sound like if he sold out and did an album of really clichéd and worn-out Xmas songs." If you have iTunes, go to the iTunes store, search for 'Bob Dylan Christmas', and take a listen to the tracks on "Christmas in the Heart." I howled with laughter over the first few I listened to, then it just sounded horribly sad...

Bob, oh Bob, how far you have fallen...

I also heard that Sting was doing a "Christmas" album, but thankfully that has turned out to be false. He does have a new CD out called "If On A Winter's Night" which is not Xmas music, but winter-themed music, much of it old folk songs. Now that's how to do a seasonal album. Listening to the tracks, there is some tasty stuff there. Don't know that I'll be asking for it for the holidays, but at least it's music I might be interested in hearing.

Comments

[maiac.livejournal.com]

I thought it was weird years ago when Barbra Streisand did a Christmas album. Because, y'know, not somebody who celebrates Christmas herself. At least she had the right voice for singing (some of) the carols. But Bob Dylan? He's not exactly what I consider "festive".

[greatsword.livejournal.com]

What do you think of Loreena McKinnett's christmas CD?

I quite like it, but it's more like her other music than it is like a standard christmas collection.

[kylecassidy.livejournal.com]

oh dear bob, first you lost your mind and then ... well, your mind.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Woody Guthrie's Hanukkah (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/klezmatics2) songs were released a few years ago. Written when he was married to a nice Jewish activist, the songs show that he doesn't understand the holiday at all but is trying really hard.

I like Christmas music. Some of the most beautiful songs ever written. And Christmas is one of the few Christian holidays that don't celebrate death (myrrh aside).

At various caroling parties, when it comes my turn to pick, I often choose "Happy Birthday".

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

I used to work in department stores, so I have a special loathing for Xmas music.

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you need to find a copy of Rhino's wonderful compilation, Bummed Out Christmas.

[mrbankies.livejournal.com]

Aside from some traditional melodic stuff, the only Christmas song that I'll currently listen to of my own volition is Weird Al's The Night Santa Went Crazy.

[emerdavid.livejournal.com]

You must be too young to remember when Dylan released the execrable "Self Portrait" album -- universally panned as self-indulgent and poorly executed, and also bordering on [unconscious] self-parody. But sold anyway, because hey, it's Dylan, y'know?