Von Smith • A Very Postmodern Christmas

Just yesterday, I got the cutest Facebook message from J.D. Doyle of Queer Music Heritage, wanting to share with me a new music video featuring the adorable and talented Von Smith. It seems Von had teamed up with Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox on their latest release, 'A Very Postmodern Christmas'. The sounds of the album vary from smooth Jazz to period Jazz to Big Band. There is a delicious Jazz/Pop sound that brings me back to a time when Ella and Nat ruled the airwaves.

'A Very Postmodern Christmas' was released on December 2, 2014, and featured the talents of Robyn Adele Anderson, Dave Koz, Ashley Stroud, Alex Macdonald, Cristina Gatti, Kate Davis, Miche Braden, and Drue Davis. In this post, I will focus on the talents of Von Smith, the dynamic and vivacious young man just brimming with talent. While "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" might be identified with the late, great Judy Garland, Von does his best to own the song with his unique and thrilling interpretation. This is Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", featuring a wonderfully bluesy Von Smith.

Bradlee came up with an interesting and new mash-up that feels oddly right from the start to the finish. I don't believe I have ever heard "Wee Three Kings" and "O Come All Ye Faithful" made into a medley, and never would have suspected it would have worked so well. But somehow, the band and the vocalist make it happen. There is a wonderful Swing touch I just love. And Von Smith gives a spectacular performance. Please enjoy Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox with "We Three Kings/O Come All Ye Faithful", featuring Von Smith.

Von can also be heard on a frothy Gospel interpretation of "Joy to the World" that is hard not to love. You can purchase 'A Very Postmodern Christmas' from iTunes. To learn more about Von Smith, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Tumblr and Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. If you like what you hear, you might like his latest Pop album. You can purchase 'On To Something' from iTunes, CD Baby, and Amazon.

Christmas Music - The Roches

They are Maggie & Terre & Suzzy, Maggie & Terre & Suzzy Roche. They have enchanted me with their amazing and interesting harmonies since I first heard their music, via my friend Allen Moyer, back close to 30 years ago, when I was still in college and Allen was designing a set we were working on. Allen went on to be nominated for a Tony Award for his design of Grey Gardens in 2007. I was an instant fan of the sisters, and their holiday album, We Three Kings, is one of my favorites of the season. I hope you enjoy this clip of them singing an assortment of those songs.



And, in keeping with the spirit of the holidays, here they are singing The Hallelujah Chorus in 1982, live at the Improv in New York City.



You can find out more about The Roches on their website.

Christmas Music - The Roches

I adore The Roches and their music. Their quirky, folky, and sisterly harmonies are just too brilliant for words. Their Christmas album, We Three Kings, is one I need to have out every holiday season just to make me happy. I posted about them in July, for I love their non-seasonal stuff just as well and they are certainly worth another listen. They are really sisters, Maggie, Terre and Suzzy Roche.







You can find out more about The Roches on their website. And you can download We Three Kings from iTunes here for just $7.99.

Christmas Music - Blondie

The seminal punk band of the late 70s and 80s, Blondie, seemed to be perched on the edge of a comeback. The band, featuring lead singer and tour de force Debbie Harry, broke on to the national scene in 1978 with the release of Parallel Lines. Yes, that was 31 years ago, and I know I wore out my copy of the record, and replaced it with a CD! From Heart of Glass to Hanging On The Telephone to One Way Or Another, this album was complete magic.



Anyway, the band released their version of We Three Kings recently, in preparation of a new release with new music due out in 2010! I can't wait. By the way, in the new video, Debbie looks great for a 64-year-old sex kitten!!



According to reports, Harry will be teaming up with original bandmates Chris Stein, Clem Burke and Jimmy Destri, as well as new members guitarist Paul Carbonara and bassist Leigh Foxx [both around since 1997], and Matt Katz-Bohen [who tours in place of Jimmy Destri]. In case you don't know why I am so excited, here are a couple of videos, for One Way Or Another (Live in 1979) and the original music video for Hanging On The Telephone.





You can visit their official website here, sign up for the mailing list, and get a free download of We Three Kings. Punk lives on!