Saturday 29 December 2012

The Halifax Musicphile Blog has moved to Wordpress for 2013

Thank you for your support since the inception of this blog on September 20th of this year.  There have been over 2,500 visits to the blog since that time.  The three most read posts were:
1. Tim Chaisson and Poor Young Things Tour with Matthew Pickup & The Movement - A Night of Great Music at the Seahorse (Nov. 5)
2. Dardanelles at The Company House - Newfoundland Traditional Music at its Finest (Oct 6)
3.  10 Songs For Your Playlist - November 1, 2012
4.10 Songs For Your Playlist - November 15, 2012
5. Grow Your Music Library For Free - The Legal and Ethical Way (Dec. 10)

I have decided to try Wordpress for 2013.   I hope it will provide an easier read and allow me to video clips.  Find me here http://thehalifaxmusicphile.wordpress.com/ beginning January 1, 2013.

Cheers,
Martin

Saturday 22 December 2012

12 Songs for Your Playlist - December 22, 2012: The Gordie Sampson Songcamp edition

Each week, I recommend songs from Atlantic Canadian artists for your music playlist. Most are new songs. The artists are listed in alphabetical order. Clink on a the date to go to my CBC Music playlist for that week. You can listen to the songs there. While there look for some other songs by those artists. Listen, enjoy and then, if you can, support the artists by buying their music or going to see them live.

This week, the playlist consists of alumni and leaders from the Gordie Sampson Songcamp.  A number of the performers I have watched this past year are alumni from that songcamp. 

Gordie, from beautiful Big Pond, Cape Breton, has won numerous music awards, including a Grammy for "Jesus Takes The Wheel".   For the past three years, Gordie has hosted a week long song writing camp for young musicians.    Steve MacDougall (Slowcoaster) has been a leader at the camp. Carleton Stone has graduated from a participant to a leader

The Songcamp is "a way to nurture young songwriters from across Nova Scotia, give them access to knowledge and help them develop tools that will benefit their writing careers". 

The results, as you can hear on the playlist below, are amazing. 

December 22, 2012 Gordie Sampson Songcamp playlist (click her to go to playlist)

1. Breagh MacKinnon - Whisky
2. Carleton Stone - Dominoes
3. Dana Beeler - The Woodsman's Son
4. Dylan Guthro - Thinkin'
5. Gordie Sampson - Sunburn
6. Jenny MacDonald - A Hundred Reasons
7. Mo Kenney - The Great Escape
8. Molly Thomason - All Down The Highway
9. Natalie Lynn - Soldier
10. Seamus Erskine - Hefeweizen Highway
11. Steven MacDougall - Cruel & Unusual
12. Willie Stratton - Railroad Tracks
 

     
 
 Gordie Sampson is playing 2 shows at the Carleton in the new year.  January 2nd with Molly Thomason; and January 3rd with Dana Beeler

December 6, 2012

Many of the artists on this week's playlist will be playing in Halifax this week. Click here for a list of concert dates. I have also added the new hit single by Serena Ryder for your enjoyment. She's not Atlantic Canadian, but she is so talented she could be.

1. The Band Before Time - Dark and Stormy
2. Jenn Grant - I've Got Your Fire
3. Jennah Barry - The Coast
4. Jenny MacDonald - Speechless
5. The Modern Grass - Reuben's Train
6. repartee - Missing the Sun Part II (featuring Andrew James O'Brien)
7. Ria Mae - Under Your Skin
8. Rose Cousins - For The Best
9. The Trews - The Power of Positive Drinking
10. Willie Stratton - True North
11. Serena Ryder - Stompa

To see the "10 Songs for Your Playlist" for all of November 2012, click here.

2013 Shaping Up to Be a Good Music Year in Halifax

It looks like 2013 is going to be another great year for music in Halifax.  A number of East Coast artists are releasing new music and the calendar is filling up with concerts.

Artists releasing new music in 2013

Andy Brown - Tin Man (February)

Dan MacCormack
Heartbreak A Stranger - Trenton
In-Flight Safety
Meaghan Smith
Molly Thomason

The Monday Nights
Orchid's Curse - Words
Stephen Fearing - Between Hurricanes
Tom Swift (March)



Concert Listings for 2013

January 2, 2013
Gordie Sampson with Molly Thomason at the Carleton, 8:30, $32.50

January 3, 2013
Gordie Sampson with Dana Beeler at the Carleton, 8:30, $32.50

January 4, 2003
The Modern Grass at the Seahorse

January 5, 2013
Like A Motorcycle at Gus' Pub, 10:00, $5

January 12, 2013
Christina Martin & Dale Murray at Patchwork House Concerts

January 13, 2013
Benefit for Cancer Research Concert at The Carleton with Old Man Luedecke, with guest appearances by Rose Cousins and Acres & Acres, 8:00, $27.50

January 26, 2013
Morgan MacDonald at the Bus Stop Theatre,

January 27, 2013
Dylan Guthro at the Carleton, 8:00, $1750

February 2, 2013
Ben Caplan with Paper Beat Scissors at The Company House, 8:30, $15

Saturday, February 9
Carleton Stone & Breagh MacKinnon at Patchwork House Concerts

Saturday, March 2
Irish Mythen & Steven MacDougall at Patchwork House Concerts

March 16, 2003
Heartbreak A Stranger "Trenton" CD Release at The Company House

Saturday, March 23
Jenny MacDonald & Jeffrey Straker at Patchwork House Concerts

Benefit For Cancer Research - Concert at the Carleton (January 13, 2012)

 Herohill and The Carleton are hosting a night of music to raise money for cancer research on Sunday, January 13th. 100% of the door will go towards The Ride To Conquer Cancer - a 200 kilometer bike ride that raised over 18 million dollars in 2011.

Musical entertainment on the night will be courtesy of Juno Award-winner Old Man Luedecke, with guest appearances by Rose Cousins and Acres & Acres. It's a great line-up and a great cause. Tickets are only $25 + booking fee.

Friday 21 December 2012

Shows This Week - December 12 - 20, 2012

Four great shows in 8 days.  Although every show was different,  I thoroughly enjoyed each one.  Here is a brief recap.   Many thanks to those allowing me to use their photos. 


Embedded image permalink
photo by A Boudreau
Rose Cousins with Jennah Barry at the Carleton (Dec. 12)
 
Rose Cousins played 3 sold out shows at The Carleton.  Rose has a beautiful voice and charming (read: funny) stage presence.  On this night she was joined on-stage by some fabulously talented people: Stuart Legere, Don Brownrigg, Jennah Barry, Daniel Ledwell and Jenn Grant. 

Opening the evening was the lovely Jennah Barry, who  recently released her debut CD "Young Men". 





photo by M Hickey
Jenny MacDonald at the Economy Shoe Shop (Dec. 14)

Jenny MacDonald's solo performance at the Economy Shoe Shop made me want to invite her over for our 1st annual Christmas family jam. 

The venue is not a listening room, but Jenny still made it quite enjoyable and relaxing for listening to her music.  Jenny's guitar playing and songwriting shone through in the acoustic renditions of her songs. 

For some of her songs, Jenny was joined on-stage by her younger sister.  They appeared to be having a great time singing together and complimented each other nicely.

We had a great time.



Embedded image permalink
photo by E Secord
Meaghan Smith at the Spatz Theatre (Dec. 16)

The first Christmas album I played this year was Meaghan Smith's "It Snowed".  Then I played it again, and again, and again...

Meaghan's Christmas show was wonderful.  She is a great singer and is remarkably funny.  In Halifax, she was joined onstage by a full band and previewed some excellent new songs from her upcoming album. 





Embedded image permalink
From Left: Molly Thomason, Carleton Stone, Breagh MacKinnon
Photo by N Spence http://neiltherockstar.blogspot.ca/
Breagh MacKinnon, Carleton Stone and Molly Thomason at the Carleton (Dec. 20)

Three of this regions best young musicians put on a marvellous show to a packed house at the Carleton.  They played some familiar songs and some new ones; and were joined on-stage by their friend Dylan Guthro.
 









Photo from Grassmarket Website www.grassmarket.ca
Grassmarket CD Release Review:
I  have a draft review of the Grassmarket CD Release at the Company House (Nov. 24) that I hope to eventually finish.  That was an awesome show.



 


Tuesday 18 December 2012

Last Minute Christmas Shopping - Music Makes A Great Christmas Present

Here is a partial list of music released by Atlantic Canadian artists in 2012. Any of these would make a great Christmas present for someone on your list. Most people I know will be getting something from the list below. Albums in my collection are marked with a *. I gladly welcome music as Christmas gifts. Concert tickets are also great gifts. Click here for a list of upcoming concerts in Halifax.

Acres & Acres - Truth and Sky
Alan Doyle - Boy On Bridge*
Amelia Curran - Spectators*
The Band Before Time - Other Blunders
Billy Hickey - From There To Here*
Breagh MacKinnon - Where The Days Went*
Charlie A'Court - Triumph & Disaster*
Christina Martin - Sleeping With A Stranger*
Dale Murray - Dream Mountain Dream*
Dana Beeler - The Long Goodbye*
Dance Movie - Interlopers
Dave Gunning - No More Pennies*
Ennis - It's Christmas
Erin Costelo - We Can Get Over
Gloryhound - Electric Dusk
Grassmarket - You Are For The Ocean*
Great Big Sea - GBS XX (Twentieth Anniversary Box Set)
Heather Green - Your Last War
Hey Rosetta - Sing Sing Sessions - EP
Hey Rosetta - A Cup Of Kindness Yet - Christmas EP*
Jenn Grant - The Beautiful Wild**
Jimmy Rankin - Tinsel Town - Christmas*
Joel Plaskett Emergency - Scrappy Happiness**
Jon Bryant - What Takes You
Kyle Mischiek - 570 EP*
The Long Distance Runners - Tracks
Matt Anderson - Coal Mining Blues
Matt Mays - Coyote**
The Meds - The Meds - EP*
Mo Kenney - Mo Kenney*
Morgan MacDonald - Back To The Wilderness - EP*
The Once - This Is A Christmas Album
Paper Lions - At Long Creek - EP*
Rain Over St. Ambrose - Truth For News
Rose Cousins - We Have Made A Spark*
Savoury - Those Words Just Seem To Explain
Sleepy Driver - In A Low Dark Light
SoHo Ghetto - Humble Beginnings Make For Good Night Life
The Stanfields – Death and Taxes*
Steven MacDougall - Cruel & Unusual*
Tim Chaisson - The Other Side*
The Trews - Thank You and I'm Sorry EP*
Wintersleep - Hello Hum**

*Have in collection
**Have on vinyl

Monday 10 December 2012

Grow Your Music Library For Free - The Legal and Ethical Way

Want to add to your music library, but not ready to commit to purchasing the full album yet.  Here is a solution that is both legal and ethical.

Many artists offer free music to download from their website. Most will provide a free song, EP, or album if you sign up to their mailing list or newsletter.   I have found that this is a great way to become familiar with an artist's music before you purchase the album or go see a concert.  More often than not, the free download has led me to purchasing something else by the artist.  In addition, being on the mailing list provides its own benefits, like advance ticket information.

Below is a list of musicians offering free music on their website right now (these may change so I will try to keep it current).  I have listed the artist and the available download. Clink on the artist name to go to their website.

Andy Brown - Lovesick Lullaby (song) - sign up to newsletter
The Band Before Time - Bootscats (album)
Charlie A'Court - Sun Is Gonna Shine (song)
Erin Costelo - Oh Me Oh My (song)
Hey Rosetta! - Carry Me Home (song)
In Flight Safety - Fairytale of New York (song)
Jon Bryant - Deaf (song)
Katherine Moller - Bright Eyed and Bushy Haired (song)
Kim Wempe - Chameleon (song)
Mo Kenney - Deja Vu (song)
Molly Thomason & Carleton Stone - Never Felt A Thing (song)
The Novaks - Big World (song)
Orchid's Curse - Lie to Live the Lie (song)
Paper Lions - Trophies (EP)
Ria Mae - Leaving Today (song) 
Rich Aucoin - Brian Wilson Is A.L.i.V.E. (song)
Ron Sexsmith - She Does My Heart Good (song)
Rose Cousins - Birds of Belfast (song)
Rose Cousins - One Way (song)
Sharona Clarke - The Secret...Is To Dream (album)
Sloan - "I Can Feel It" (1993 - Pier 21 demo) (song)
Sloan - Merry X'Mas Everybody (song)
The Stanfields - Invisible Hands (song)
The Stogies - No Couth No Class, No Nothin' (5 track album)
Thomas Trio and The Red Albino - Jam It Inya (album)
The Tom Fun Orchestra - Boxcar Lullaby (song)
Thom Swift - Blue Sky (song)
Wintersleep - Martyr (song) and Resusitate (song)

Zunior Music Sampler ver.6.22 (7 song sampler) includes the following songs:
1. Diamond Rings - I'm Just Me
2. Julie Doiron - By The Lake
3. The Mohawk Lodge - Light You Up
4. Old Man Luedeke - Johan & The Whale
5. Nick Ferrio & His Feelings - Popular Flower
6. Young Rival - Two Reasons
7. The Luyas - Fifty/Fifty
 
Various Artists - Ho Ho Ho Canada 4 (album) includes the following songs:
1. Maylee Todd – I Don’t Intend To Spend Christmas Without You *
2.
The Barr Brothers – Dear Mrs. Claus
3.
The Meek – Cricket Carols *
4.
Kathryn Calder – Little Ones *
5.
The Wilderness of Manitoba – River *
6.
Doug Paisley – Winter Days
7.
Lindi Ortega – Christmas Eve With You
8.
Neil Haverty – The Snow It Melts The Soonest *
9.
The Acorn – Pigeon Toes
10.
Kashka – Empty Sleigh (Where’s Rudolph?) *
11.
Carnival Moon – Wexford Carol *
12.
Steve Fifield – Bootlegger Christmas
13.
Minotaurs – Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day *
14.
Digits – Cold White Christmas (featuring Leslie Davies) *
15.
The Magic – If It Lasts ‘Till Then *
16.
Freelove Fenner – The Snow Miser Song *
17.
Del Bel – Christmas In Prison *
18.
Hey Rosetta! – Carry Me Home
19.
In- Flight Safety - Last Christmas (w/ Carmen Townsend)*
20.
The Tom Fun Orchestra - Christmas Dinner On A Coleman Stove
21.
Wintersleep – Little Drummer Boy
* = Recorded specially for this years compilation

Various Artists - The 2012 Loss Leader: A Paper Bag Records Compilation (album) includes the following songs:
01. Luke Lalonde – Undone
02. Young Galaxy – Youth Is Wasted On The Young
03. The Luyas – Fifty Fifty
04. Cuff The Duke – Side By Side (Feat. Basia Bulat)
05. Yamantaka // Sonic Titan – Hoshi Neko
06. Slim Twig – Gun Shy
07. Elliott BROOD – Graveyard (Feist Cover)
08. PS I Love You – Red Quarter
09. CFCF – Exercise 5 (September)
10. Young Galaxy – Shoreless Kid

Saturday 8 December 2012

Meaghan Smith Brings Her Holiday Show To Halifax On Dec. 16


photo from meaghansmith.com
 

Christmas in Halifax begins on December 16th.  That's when the silken voiced Meaghan Smith brings her Holiday Show to the Spatz Theatre.

Meaghan, who grew up in London, Ontario, began her music career in Halifax.  Her first album, The Cricket's Orchestra won Best Pop Recording of the Year at the 2011 East Coast Music Awards, and Meaghan won the 2011 Juno Award for Best New Artist.
 
 

Later that year, Meaghan released It Snowed, a marvellous Christmas album featuring a mix of holiday favourites and originals. It Snowed quickly became my all-time favourite Christmas album.  For the second December now, the songs play over and over in our car as the kids sing along.  While Meaghan's versions of the holiday favourites are beautiful and refreshing, it is the originals on this album that really shine.  "Breakable" is a happy, little love song with a warning that the heart must be treated with care.   "It Snowed" is a jazzy sing along  about the excitement of waking up to snow - especially when you can spend the whole day with a loved one. "Christmas Kiss" reveals Meaghan's love of life. 

photo from meaghansmith.com
The Album, It Snowed, was inspired by Meaghan’s love of the holidays.  She has stated that “[t]here's something about long dark winter nights contrasted with brilliantly sparkling snowy days, or freezing winter air and the comforting heat of an inviting fire. People are thinking of each other, buying gifts for one another or just getting together. It's the traditions, the food, the friends, the family, the lights and the music that I love. I want to be a part of the joy in people's holidays.”  Meaghan surely has become part of the joy in my holidays.
 
I would be remiss if I only wrote about Meaghan's music.  In addition to being a fabulous singer, Meaghan is an extremely talented artist.  She studied animation at college.  Her abundance of talent is evident in her creative and beautiful videos.  "Silver Bells" can be viewed here.  More of her videos are available here

Meaghan is also a talented painter.  She has created many mini-paintings and has put on mini art shows.  A few of her paintings are below.  Click here to view more.

        


Meaghan also did the artwork (17 vibrant, original illustrations) for Dave Gunning's new children's book "These Hands".  A book based on his inspirational song co-written with George Canyon. Purchase a copy here.

Tour

Meaghan's 2012 holiday tour is almost complete.  She plays Toronto's Roy Thompson Hall on December 15th at the Barra MacNeils East Coast Christmas show before her December 16th Halifax concert at Spatz Theatre.  Tickets for the Halifax show can be purchased here.  She wraps up her tour in Fredericton on December 18th at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre

Meaghan's holiday concert is sure to be a resounding success.  Hope to see you there.

Discography



It Snowed















The Cricket's Orchestra














The Cricket's Quartet

Thursday 6 December 2012

10 Songs For Your Playlist - December 6, 2012

Each week, I will recommend 10 songs from Atlantic Canadian artists for your music playlist. Most are new songs. The artists are listed in alphabetical order. Clink on a the date to go to my CBC Music playlist for that week. You can listen to the songs there. While there look for some other songs by those artists. Listen, enjoy and then, if you can, support the artists by buying their music or going to see them live.


December 6, 2012 (click here to go to playlist)

Many of the artists on this week's playlist will be playing in Halifax this week.  Click here for a list of concert dates. I have also added the new hit single by Serena Ryder for your enjoyment. She's not Atlantic Canadian, but she is so talented she could be.

1. The Band Before Time - Dark and Stormy
2. Jenn Grant - I've Got Your Fire
3. Jennah Barry - The Coast
4. Jenny MacDonald - Speechless
5. The Modern Grass - Reuben's Train
6. repartee - Missing the Sun Part II (featuring Andrew James O'Brien)
7. Ria Mae - Under Your Skin
8. Rose Cousins - For The Best
9. The Trews - The Power of Positive Drinking
10. Willie Stratton - True North
11. Serena Ryder - Stompa

To see the "10 Songs for Your Playlist" for all of November 2012, click here.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

December Concert Listing for Halifax

December 1
Ian Sherwood & Caleb Miles at Patchwork House Concerts
Liars On Fire, Sam Ryan Band, Sunny Chances, and The Karis Brothers at King's College Chapel (6350 Coburg Rd)

December 2
The Trews at the Rebecca Cohn

December 5
Julie Doiron with Jon McKeil at The Company House

December 6
Repartee with Willie Stratton, The Lucy Grays and Danger Cat at The Carlton, 9:00, $7

December 7
Don Brownrigg & Matthew de Zoete at The Company House, 8:30, $10
Wanda Rose Milne & Keith MacNeil at Just Us! Cafe, Spring Garden Road, 7-8:30

December 8
Ria Mae with Kim Harris and Natasha Peach at the Company House, 8:30, $12/$15

December 9
The Modern Grass with Jennah Barry at Fort Massey United Church, 7:30, $15/$20
Mark Green Band at Freeman's Little New York (Fairview), 8:00

December 10
Rose Cousins at the Carleton, 9:00, $27.50

December 11

Rose Cousins at the Carleton, 9:00, $27.50

December 12
Rose Cousins at the Carleton, 9:00, $27.50

December 13

Jenny MacDonald at Freeman's Little New York (Quinpool Road), 6:00 PM
The Band Before Time CD Release at the Carleton, 10:00, $10

December 14

  Jenny MacDonald at Economy Shoe Shop
Carmen Townsend with Billie Dre and the Poor Boys at The Seahorse, 9:00, $10
Wanda Rose Milne & Keith MacNeil at Celtic Corner (Dartmouth) 5  - 7:30

 

December 15
Slowcoaster at the Seahorse
Matt Minglewood at Point Rock Concerts

December 16
Meaghan Smith at Spatz Theatre
Matt Minglewood at Point Rock Concerts
Sons of Maxwell at Casino Nova Scotia

December 17
Matt Minglewood at Point Rock Concerts
John Gracie at Casino Nova Scotia

December 19
Gabriel Minnikin & Catherine MacLellan at the Carleton, 8:30, $17.50
Daniel Ledwell, Chad Peck, Tara Thorne at the Company House, 9pm

December 20
Molly Thomason, Carleton Stone and Breagh MacKinnon - The Gordie Sampson Songwriting Camp Circle at the Carleton, 8:00, $14.50

December 22
Gloryhound with The Meds and The Adam Baldwin Band at The Seahorse, 9:00 PM, $12 adv/$14 door

December 23
The Barra MacNeils at the Rebecca Cohn, 2 shows (4:00 and 8:00), $38

December 30
Brian Bourne at at Freeman's Little New York (Fairview), 8:00

December 31
The Stanfields with The Stogies at The Seahorse, 9:00, $25
Danny Michel at the Carleton, 9:00, $102.50
Colin James at Casino Nova Scotia, 2 shows (7:00 and 11:00)




Monday 3 December 2012

Christmas Albums For Your Collection

 Here are some of my favourite Christms Albums by East Coast artists.  With four new releases (The Ennis Sisters, Hey Rosetta!, Jimmy Rankin, The Once) to add to the collection this year, it is sure to be another wonderful music listening season.

The Barra MacNeils - The Christmas Album (1996)


Famous for their annual concert, this was their first Christmas album.
01. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
02. Children's Winter

03. Carol of the Bells

04. Ann am Baile Ri'oghail Dhaibhidh
(Once in David's Royal City)

05. Singing in the Streets

06. Christmas Comes But Once a Year
(Christmas in Carrick)

07. Christmas in Killarney

08. Snowplow Set

09. O Holy Night

10. Galician Carol

11. O' Come Divine Messiah

12. Taladh Chriosda (Christ Child Lullaby)

13. Party in Washabuckt

14
. Auld Lang Syne



The Barra MacNeils - The Christmas Album (2006)

Product DetailsChristmas Album II is the Barra MacNeils’ second seasonal recording.

1. I Saw Three Ships
0. At Last I’m Ready For Christmas
3. On The Very First Christmas
4. Angels We Have Heard On High
5. Good King Wenceslas
6. The Gathering Set
7. Christmas Together
8. Childhood Christmas
9. Ave Maria
10. Dancing Angels
11. Merrily On High
12. Joy To The World
13. Oran nan Cailleachan (Song Of The Old Ladies)
14. Christmas Ceilidh
15. Samhach an Oidhch’ (Silent Night)



Dave Gunning Christmas (2007)

Dave Gunning ChristmasGunning's first Christmas album featuring a mix of Christmas favourites and Gunning originals.  Daddy's Beer was recoded live at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax

1. Christmas Blanket
2. Silver Bells
3. Do You Feel What I Feel
4. Daddy’s Beer
5. Frosty The Snowman
6. Christmas Bells
7. Mary’s Boy Child
8. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
9. O Holy Night
10. What Child Is This
11. Silent Night



Dave Gunning Christmas Too (2011)

Another beautiful Christmas album from Dave Gunning, appropriately titled Christmas Too.

1. Angels We Have Heard On High
2. Christmas Back Home Again
3. Do You Hear What I Hear
4. Joy To The World
5. In the Bleak of Winter
6. Winter Wonderland
7. Merry Christmas Lonely Cowboy
8. The Cherry Tree Christmas Carol
9. O Christmas Tree
10. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
11. Old Toy Trains





The Ennis Sisters: Christmas on Ennis Road (1998)

cd_ennischristmasThe Ennis Sisters first Christmas album is a staple in Newfoundland and Labrador homes:

1 Ennis Road
2 Silent Night
3 Christmas Must Be Tonight
4 Christmas Day
5 Midnight Clear
6 Friendly Beasts
7 Angel Gabriel
8 I’ll Be There Christmas Eve
9 Christmas Angel
10 Joyous New Year






The Ennis Sisters: It's Christmas (2012)

Layout 1New for 2012!  Maureen, Karen and Teresa Ennis joined together, after a five year hiatus, to record a brand new Christmas album:
1 Harbour Lights 3:27
2 Still, Still, Still 2:52
3 The Holly and The Ivy 3:54
4 The Gift 3:57
5 It’s Christmas 3:53
6 Mary’s Lullaby 3:04
7 Three Kings 3:22
8 The Peace Carol 3:51
9 My First Christmas (Without You) 4:04
10 A Children’s Winter 3:01
11 Coming Down The Chimney 2:12
12 Go Safely Into The Night 3:12


Heather, Cookie and Raylene Rankin: Do You Hear (1997)

15 Songs from Cape Breton Royalty.

1. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
2. The Christmas Star
3. I Wonder As I Wander
4. Jesus Christ, The Apple Tree
5. Do You Hear What I Hear
6. Taladh Chriosda (The Christ-Child's Lullaby)
7. A'Challuinn (The New Year)
8. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
9. Quelle Est Cettre Odeur? (What Is This Scent So Pure and Lovely?)
10. Ave Maria
11. Welcome Yule
12. The Coventry Carol
13. Children Go Where I Send You
14. Angels We Have Heard On High
15. Oh Night of Joy and Gladness


Hey Rosetta; A Cup of Kindness Yet (2012)

Hey Rosetta! - 'A Cup of Kindness Yet' (EP stream)
New for 2012!  The Hey Rosetta! Christmas show has become a Christmas tradition in Newfoundland.  Now they have an lovely 4 song EP to go with it.  These songs feature all the best features of Hey Rosetta!, with thoughtful lyrics, exceptional musicianship, and Tim Baker's wonderful singing.  It is a must for music fans everywhere.

1. Carry Me Home
2. O Come O Come Emmanuel
3. The First Snow
4. New Year Song






Jill Barber, Rose Cousins and Meaghan Smith: A New Kind of Light (2008)

A New Kind Of Light is a collection of Christmas songs, recorded by three great singer/songwriters Jill Barber, Rose Cousins and Meaghan Smith.

1. Christmas Time is Here
2. It Snowed
3. This Christmas
4. The Little Drummer Boy
5. Christmas On The Town
6. Blue Christmas
7. In The Bleak Midwinter
8. New Kind Of Light
9. I'll Be Home For Christmas
10. Christmas Bells
11. The Angel Gabriel
12. Try For Peace



Jimmy Rankin: Tinsel Town (2012)

Jimmy Rankin - Tinsel TownNew for 2012!  Jimmy Rankin's 5th solo record, Tinsel Town, features four original songs to go with eight Christmas classics.  It is destined to become a holiday favourite. 

1. Tinseltown
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
4. Jingle Bell Rock
5. December
6. Christmas for Cowboys
7. Silver Bells
8. Boogie Woogie Christmas
9. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
10. Let it Snow
11. Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye to Christmas
12. White Christmas



Meaghan Smith: It Snowed (2011)


Meaghan Smith won the 2011 Juno award for Best New Artist.  Later that year, she released my all-time favourite Christmas CD.  Smith has a beautiful voice whether singing originals songs (Breakable, It Snowed, Christmas Kiss) or holiday favourites.

1. Breakable
2. Silver Bells
3. Baby It's Cold Outside (ft. Buck 65)
4. It Snowed
5. Christmas Time Is Here
6. Christmas Kiss
7. Drummer Boy
8. Zat U Santa Claus?
9. Silent Night





What are some of your favourite Christmas albums?