It’s officially the holiday season, and that means holiday music and concerts and everything that comes along with that. Now you, like me, might be tired of the worn out holiday classics; the same tired tunes that have been blaring out through the radio in every December for the last 100 years. So, if you need an infusion of new in your holiday music, Shockoe Records, the record label founded by In Your Ear Studios, has got you covered. Shockoe Records have assembled some of Richmond’s greatest artists to produce an album of Christmas classics, as well as original tunes, for this holiday season. On top of that, all the artists they have gotten for this wonderful CD will be performing at the Hippodrome Theater in Jackson Ward on November 28th at 6:30 pm. If all of that wasn’t delightful enough, on top of the CD and concert, Shockoe Records is going to donate a portion the proceeds to Feed More, a local food pantry focused on providing for those without food security in Central Virginia. If you’ve got nothing to do Tuesday night, and you want to start your holiday season off right with good people. good music and support a good cause, then by all means you should head out to the Hippodrome for a night of friendly holiday fun.
There’s a lot of artists, and a lot of music, so we here at RVA Mag thought we’d give you a breakdown of who’s on this CD, what they’re playing, as well as a little taste of their tunes. Read on for our list of artists and their music, and go here to get your tickets for Tuesday’s show.
RODNEY STITH, JAMES “SAXMO” GATES & WELDON HILL
“MERY CHRISTMAS BABY” (COVER) BY CHARLES BROWN
Rodney Stith has teamed up with legendary jazz pianist Weldon Hill to produce this updated take on an all time blues classic. Originally by the classic bluesman Charles Brown, it was brought to a new generation when Elvis Presley picked it up on his 1971 album Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas. Though it has lost the edge of an old school blues recording, and they have brought up the tempo just a touch, one can not deny that Rodney Stith channels that soul and attitude of the classic bluesman with Saxmo offering a stylish counterpoint to his lines and Weldon Hill holding the whole thing down with his classic jazz piano sound.
LOS ALACRANES DE RVA
“FELIZ NAVIDAD” (COVER) BY JOSÉ FELICIANO
Thought perhaps one of my favorite musicians of all time, and a talented performer in every single way, José Feliciano is most associate with the ubiquitous holiday classic “Feliz Navidad,” the chosen performance for Los Alacranes de RVA. The musical vehicle of first generation American Paulo Franco, Los Alacranes is known for their high octane latin rock performing original tunes in both English and Spanish. Check out their rocked up version of Felicianos timeless treasure and you might just accept this version into your heart.
RODNEY “THE SOUL SINGER” STITH & SHAWN CHAPPELLE
“HOLIDAY 4 2”
Once again featuring the voice of Rodney “the Soul Singer” Stith, this original track has him teaming up with Shawn Chappelle to perform a heartfelt and romantic duet about spending the holidays with those you love.
SUSAN GREENBAUM
“PEACE ON EARTH”
The haunting and beautiful voice of Richmond singer-songwriter Susan Greenbaum comes piercing through on this original track indicative of her folk rock background. Reminiscent of an early Joni Mitchel, Greenbaum put together a wonderful track about striving for peace on Earth, an especially pertinent track considering the state of the world that we find ourselves in.
SAINT SAMUEL
“THE FIRST TIME”
Known for his high energy dream pop tracks, Saint Samuel makes his contribution to this stacked compilation. With a wistful air, Saint Samuel’s “The First Time” recalls back to the simplicity of childhood in this melancholic waltz.
REIN
“MISS CHRISTMAS”
You might know REIN, we’ve talked about him recently here at the magazine, and once again he has made his way onto our pages as he can’t stop pumping out project left and right. Giving you what you either want, or at the very least might expect, REIN’s “Miss Christmas” delivers the tight harmonies and hooky guitars with perfect tone that listeners have come to expect from the pop rocker in his most recent endeavors.
ANT THE SYMBOL & ERIN LUNSFORD
“ALL THE GIFTS”
Ant theS Symbol of course popping up to work with one of his greatest collaborators, Erin Lunsford known for her solo work and he performances with Erin & the Wildfire. Their track “All The Gifts possess the tight and high quality production Ant the Symbol is notable for, and an excellent performance from the powerhouse voice of Lunsford who delivers her catchy hooks over subtle harmonies all the while engaging in a tasteful amount of vocal acrobatics.
FLIGHT CLUB
“SANTA NEEDS A DUI”
One of Richmond’s premiere rock groups Flight Club have decided to embrace the camp in their original track “Santa Needs a DUI.” Almost embracing a pop punk aesthetic for this novelty track, Flight Club present a tongue-in-cheek story of the big man in red engaging in illicit activities. Maybe don’t show the kids the one as you might have some explaining to do.
HØLY RIVER & WELDON HILL
“O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL” (TRADITIONAL)
A collaboration that I didn’t know I needed, with the drone pop music of folk artist Høly River blending with that of jazz pianist Weldon Hill for his second feature on this Christmas compilation. Their haunting take on this classic Christmas carol embraces the darker melancholic side of some older liturgical Christmas music and produces a truly unique experience, especially on this record full of original and contemporary tracks.
TIN CAN FISH BAND
“ALL WE HAVE”
Tin Can Fish band are just a good time. Their easily listening take on country music has heart, soul and excellent musicianship to boot, and is the perfect soundtrack to any trip through the country. Their original tune “All We Have” weaves in their traditional and well-developed style with classic lyrics about the importance of being home for the holidays and recognizing the privileges of being with loved one.
KNIFING AROUND
“RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER” (COVER) BY JOHNNY MARKS
In case you haven’t seen Knifing Around live, then let me be the first to tell you that you are missing out. One of the premiere underground acts in Richmond at the moment, Knifing around have personality, energy and a killer vibe that can not be stopped. Instead of writing their own tune, this manic group have decided to produce a truly strange cover of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” With a clunky rock instrumental and an almost spoken dissonant lead vocal line, this bizarre cover imbues the stale tune with a shot of their unique personality that fans love them for.
Top photo courtesy of the Hippodrome Theater.
