Bring On The Christmas Music!

Though Christmas comes but once a year, the plethora of Christmas songs that have been written over the years would lead one to believe that its a year-round event.

Whether the songs are from generations past, or new to the year at hand; whether they're traditional, or barely resemble a holiday tune, they're all out there, just waiting for someone to come along and have a listen.

Sometimes the old is meshed with the new, literally, and those old songs get a breath of life and return to the airwaves during the holidays.

A couple of great examples, (at least in my opinion), are "Baby It's Cold Outside", originally recorded by Dean Martin, and years later, re-released as a duet with country artist, Martina McBride; and Frank Sinatra's "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town", updated as a duet with Cyndi Lauper.

Rather than being re-recordings of these songs, Martina and Cyndi's vocals were actually recorded, then blended with Martin's and Sinatra's original recordings.

It seems that every year I hear a new song, or version of a song, that catches my attention, and becomes a new favorite.  And each time I think, "I've never heard that before, it must be brand new", only to find out it *isn't* brand new at all; it's usually been out a few years, and I'm just hearing it for the first time.

The 2015 holiday season is no different for this happening to me.  In the past month I've heard two remakes of songs that I hadn't heard before; and each has actually been around a few years.

The first song is the John Lennon classic, "Happy Christmas".  While I've heard several versions of the tune, none have quite lived up to the original.  Then I heard Maroon 5 do the song, and wow!  Still maybe not quite as good as Lennon, but still the only other version I've liked well enough to want to hear again and again.

The second song is "Mele Kalikimaka", written by Robert Alex Anderson in 1949.

While there have been many versions of this song over the decades, my current favorite is by country artist, Jake Owen. Like with Maroon 5, Jake's rendition has been around for a while, and I'm just now hearing it.

Funny thing too, as a fan, I usually can recognize Jake's voice, but I didn't, and was surprised to hear the DJ on the radio say it was him.

With only a few more days until Christmas, I'm not sure I'll hear anything new  this season.  I look forward already to next year though, to see what treasures will be unearthed for my listening pleasure.

That's a Rap

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)



Nowadays a lot of people are saying country music is no longer country; that it's more pop, more generic.  I understand that; there are quite a few songs that do sound more pop than what's considered country.  However, even what's considered "traditional" country,  (Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, etc.), isn't what "true" country started out as.  If it comes right down to it, even country isn't the root of music; classical, and other music was being made long before it went country.

It seems logical then that, like other genres of music, country is going to evolve, and incorporate other sounds and styles into itself; yes, even rap.

The first time I ever heard "country rap", was when Neal McCoy did "Hillbilly Rap", the Beverly Hillbillies theme done rap style.  Though the song is on one of McCoy's CD's, it was never a single on radio.

 Then there's Cowboy Troy, a member of  Big & Rich's Muzik Mafia; he calls his style 'hick-hop'.  He's released some of his music to country radio, most notably, "I Play Chicken with the Train".

Last year Jason Aldean had a hit with "Dirt Road Anthem", a song co-written by Colt Ford.  The song is mostly country, with a few lines done as rap.

Though known mainly as a songwriter, Colt Ford has put out several CD's that incorporate his southern views and values with rap.  Currently he has a single on the radio called "Back", which features Jake Owen.

"Back" is one of my favorite new songs right now; it's almost a perfect mix of country with rap.  Though Jake Owen is the better known name, Ford definitely can hold his own; and the two of them together do a great job.  Here's hoping Ford has a hit for himself with this song.

Eric Paslay at Duke's--7-21-12

(Today's word will be in red and bold.)


You may not recognize the name "Eric Paslay", but it's fairly certain you've heard his music.

While Paslay is new to the public as a singer, as a songwriter he's notched several hits with other artists.  For instance, Jake Owen's "Barefoot, Blue Jean Night"; the Eli Young Band's current single, "Even If It Breaks Your Heart"; and Love & Theft's "Angel Eyes".  Paslay has also had album cuts by Lady Antebellum.

As a singer, he's released two singles of his own, "Never Really Wanted", and his current single, "If the Fish Don't Bite".

On July 21, 2012, Paslay brought his music to the crowd at Duke's Bar & Grill in Portland, Oregon.  Though while talking to the audience, Paslay seemed very laid back; when he played, he gave every song his all.  He told those in attendance about how the songs were written; where he grew up, (Texas), and several other things, all while performing with his band. At some point he mentioned things are bigger in Texas, and that he was a leprechaun from that state.  This was in reference to his 6' 4" stature and bright red hair.  

Though the crowd at Duke's was small for a Saturday night, those in attendance were definitely enjoying themselves and the music Eric Paslay had to offer.  Here's hoping this young man sees even more success in the future.

Jake Owen @ the Bing Lounge--9-30-11

I've been a fan of Jake Owen since his first hit, "Yee Haw" hit country airwaves six years ago.

Though I've been a fan, I was a little disappointed in Jake's latest CD, "Barefoot Blue Jean Night". When I reviewed the CD, I'd said I felt like the CD was just your "typical" Jake Owen CD, though a bit muted.

Also, I've seen Jake live before, though never in a setting like the Bing Lounge; it's always been at a very rowdy bar.

My experience seeing Jake in the Bing Lounge gave me a new perspective on not only Jake's CD, but Jake Owen himself.

When Jake came onstage, he was barefoot, and very laid back. He also told the audience he's very ADD, so he might ramble on a bit. No one seemed to mind at all.

He started his set with "The One That Got Away", then B-Dub, from Northwest Nights on KUPL, came onstage to do a short interview. Jake then sang his second song for the day, "Barefoot Blue Jean Night".


Sometime during the set, TicTak, from afternoons on KUPL, presented Jake with a dare. This time the dare was from an audience member, and for the first time, the challenge wasn't accepted. The dare was to sing "Footloose". Jake laughed, said no way, that no one should ever sing that song. Throughout the show however, he did a couple of other songs, and said they could be the challenge. The standout was Jake's version of a Lil Wayne song, "Bow Chicka Wow Wow"


While I was listening to Jake talk, and sing, I was reminded why I like live shows so much. There's just a different feel about them; the energy in the room from the crowd and the performers, all of that. Even a CD recorded live doesn't have that same "feel" that you can only get by actually being there.

This was especially evident while listening to Jake do songs from the new CD. All the things I felt were missing from the CD where there in the Bing Lounge. It gave me a new appreciation of Jake's latest CD; and while I still think it's more muted than it could be, I do hear it a bit differently now.

One of the new songs that really stood out was "Journey of Your Life". On the CD, it seems a bit reserved; done live however, you hear all the depth and emotion the song has to offer.


Another song Jake did, he's never put out on a CD. He said it was about a girl he used to date, and was an emotional song for him to do. The title is "Kiss You Good Morning". When Jake finished the tune, everyone in the audience agreed, if he ever does record and release the song, he's got a #1 hit for sure!


Jake had also told the crowd, he'd play as long as they'd let him, and he did; then took time for autographs and photos with anyone wanting one.

As I said at the beginning of this post, I've always been a fan of Jake Owen; his performance in the Bing Lounge solidified that for me for sure. Jake Owen fans know how good Jake is in concert; if you ever get a chance to see him in an intimate setting though, do, it'll be an experience you'll never forget.

REVIEW--Jake Owen--"Barefoot Blue Jean Night"

Since his first hit, “Yee Haw”, Jake Owen has gained fans with his style of country music. His first CD showed an artist who could have a good time partying, yet still have a soft, emotional side. With his third CD, “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”, Owen still has this same theme, but seems to have mellowed a bit, even on the partying songs.

Except for the title track and current single, there doesn’t seem to be a really “stand-out” song on “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”. The eleven tracks seem to blend together and kind of all sound the same for the most part; including the “party” songs.

The softer songs on this CD are pretty run of the mill, and could be switched out with just about any other song out nowadays.

The upbeat, party songs seem muted. It’s like instead of being *at* the party, the listener is left outside, to look in on what’s going on. You can see the party, but the sound is muffled and muted in comparison to actually being there. This is especially evident on “Nobody Feelin’ No Pain”. The song could easily be a rowdy, party anthem; yet it falls just short of being a full blown party song. The lyrics are there, and the song really does try to rock, however Owen’s delivery doesn’t quite have the emphasis needed to produce the effect.

Fans of Jake Owen will probably be happy with the tracks on “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”, mainly because it’s typical Jake Owen music. Unfortunately, what happens with this CD is what usually happens when things are duplicated too often; you can tell it’s the same, even though it just gets muddier and muddier as the duplication continues.

Bottom line, if you like Jake Owen and his style of music, you’ll probably like this CD; but if you’re looking for something new from Jake, you won’t find it here.