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Reader,
It feels like Christmas music slithers its way onto to the airwaves earlier and earlier every year. 2025 was no exception, when I was accosted by an EDM version of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” strolling through a retail outlet on Halloween. When it was followed by a weak ‘discofied’ version of “All I Want For Christmas”, I left the store, because it felt like they were trying to scare the Christmas spirit into me. Or subliminally guilt me into coming back to buy stuff. I hadn’t even given out Halloween candy. I guess they leapt right over Thanksgiving, a holiday celebrating being grateful, because a retail industry can’t sustain itself on people being satisfied with what they already have.
It’s not that I’m a scrooge about Christmas music. I just like to enjoy it during Christmas season. Even then I tend to be very selective. And I don’t need it in heavy rotation 24/7 between 11:59pm on Thanksgiving and 11:59pm on December 25th. (The last couple of Christmases, I’ve been listening to "Chez Baldwin” a 38-hour compilation of James Baldwin’s vast album collection from his house in France). But if you grew up in America, you are all too familiar with the couple a dozen jolly and holy carols that flood the waves, in every genre, style and tempo this time of year. Because Motown was at its zenith when I was a kid, I still lean into soulful renditions of these classic tunes, as well as artists like Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway who created their own holiday classics. And Christmas just ain’t Christmas until I hear Nat King Cole croon “and folks dressed up like ‘eskeemos’, everybody knows…”
Some of my other favorites include, Aretha Franklin’s “Silent Night”, The Temptations’ “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”, Frank Sinatra’s “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”, Vanessa Williams’ “Do You Hear What I Hear”, Barbra Streisand’s “I Wonder as I Wander” and Luther Vandross’s “O’ Come All Ye Faithful”. These songs definitely make me feel some kind of way, because of the distinct voices these iconic artist bring to each song. But truth be told, the Christmas album that has left the most indelible mark on my heart is the Vince Geraldi Trio’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. After watching this cartoon and hearing these comforting melodies perennially for as long as I can remember anything, their subliminal familiarity can quickly soothe my nervous system any season of the year. (Holla’ at me if you feel the same ‘some kinda way’ about this one, and want to join me for a Christmas morning “Linus and Lucy” dance. )
Taking a quick station break here to let you know there are some art works available. And there’s still time to get them to you before Christmas. So CLICK HERE to see this year’s portfolio. If you’re listening on SoundCloud, I put a link in the description.
Now back to the narrative…
Conceiving a Christmas album by fictional artists, I pulled my screenwriter hat way down over my ears, and contemplated how “Imaginary Bands…” characters would interpret these holiday classics; and which ones would create their own musical landmarks. For example, soul songstress Ila Chain Bell, who of course started singing in the church, masterfully croons “Oh Holy Night”. Disco diva Cheeta LaVoo rocks “Jingle Bell Rock”. While Sooky Man Barnes takes it upon himself to craft an inspiring Kwaaza melody, mysterious abstract sound sculptor Planck Time, who ‘doesn’t do holidays’, couldn’t pass up the chance to “season the season with some light and love”.
The design for this album cover was inspired by mid-century modern shapes, with a splash of Bauhaus, reshaping the Finger Lips Records logo I created into a Christmas tree, placing a guitar instead of a star at its top. The blinding shades of contrasting red and green are intentional; and I backdropped it with a warm gold tinsel to disrupt tradition just a tad.
Thanks for taking the time to listen or read this week’s “Imaginary Bands…” story. I’m winding down for the holidays, and only going to do one more for the year. Truth be told, I’m already at work on 2026 events and projects. So stay tuned.
Until next time, Big peace!
Carolyn
(c) 2025 Carolyn McDonald
