Holiday  Myo͞oziˈkal/

noun: musicale; plural noun: musicales

1. - a musical gathering or concert, typically small and informal.

For many years I've put together a Christmas "mix tape." If I stop and concentrate I'd guess the first one was an extremely lo-fi attempt in most likely 1969.  It amounted to several songs sequenced from LP's and recorded with the microphone of my Montgomery Ward Airline Cassette Recorder masking taped to one of my tripods in front of the stereo speakers. Quality wasn't the greatest and each tape probably took a half hour to make which limited production to a half dozen or so. Needless to say I was proud as could be of the song selection and sequencing.

As technology moved forward so did the quality of my tapes.  I grew up in a church that only celebrated Christmas as a secular holiday. My parents, however, stressed Christmas in all its many flavors and shadings at home so luckily I was exposed to a wide range of holiday traditions and music. Spending over a decade running record stores I luckily got first crack at new Christmas records and spent lots of times scouting and buying used holiday records.

Then in a move as dramatic as an atomic Christmas bomb the internet showed up. Suddenly I could find songs long out of print. Recordings available only from networks of pirate tapers and songs others had stumbled across and digitized from long inaccessible vinyl were suddenly there if you looked hard enough.

Come September I was excitedly looking forward to my annual pilgrimage to Winfield to see friends, listen to lots of acoustic music, and campfire discussions with fellow FreeState InterFaith Council members. Barely a week before, my favorite cardiologist calls me up and suggests that I amend my plans and instead get ready for my lucky 12th heart cath. Dude, makes an offer like that, well...you can hardly say no. I missed Winfield for the first time in ten years and then Monday 9/23,  I was fortunate enough to have stent #6 implanted in a widow-maker that was over 95% occluded. The procedure went smoother than smooth and I was back at school by the end of the week.

I mention that only as explanation for my "hankerin' " for acoustic Christmas music this year. I found lots of old favorites, non traditional pieces that ought to be holiday music, and performances by artists that touch me at the heart of my soul.  Listen and hopefully enjoy.

Please understand I have the highest respect and regard for copyright laws and statutes to defend the intellectual property of artists and composers. I would never in any shape or form try to profit or even make a dime from a mix tape, podcast, or whatever you want to call it. I strive to give as much credit and identification to performers and composers.  If anyone that holds the rights to any of these recordings were to request it, I would remove the podcast of songs as soon as possible. I provide this year's mix as merely a service and celebration of the season that means so much to so many of us. Listen and enjoy. Please buy the official recordings and support the artists. Here is my 2013

Holiday  Myo͞oziˈkal/

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Holiday Myo͞oziˈkal 2013

1. In My Life / Per-Olov Kindren---2:48(available on YouTube)

A wonderful version of a Beatles song I always connect with December since the death of John Lennon in 1980. That December hanging out at the Zilker tree the day after the murder with thousands of other fans I heard innumerable versions of the song. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think of friends, places, and moments that have passed on to the rest of the adventure. 

2. The Fields of November / Norman Blake---4:07

As a young knucklehead I remember thinking that Norman Blake was one of the finest guitar players I'd ever get to see. I still hold him in a place of immense respect. For decades I've thought of this song as a near perfect prelude to the holiday season.

3. Tapestry / TOMMY EMMANUEL---4:57

Oh, that Tommy. If you've not seen him and enjoy guitar playing you need to make the effort to catch a performance. Strictly speaking this isn't a holiday song, yet when thinking of the tapestry of playing that touches me I had to include it. Sure there's a lot of flash to a set by Tommy, but once his fingers are warmed up or when he is playing with other musicians he respects(the late Doc Watson, Stephen Bennett to mention only two) the man takes it to another level of musical reality.

4. In the Bleak Midwinter / Stephen Bennett---3:24(available on YouTube)

Stephen Bennett...his harp guitar, or his refurbished found national steel guitar, or whatever he puts his hands on does more than amaze me. He is my favorite player to listen to. Words cannot describe the joy his playing brings to me. I'd retell my Bennett's playing equals heaven story but it only sounds corny.

5. Down In Yon Forest/New Year's Eve / John McCutcheon---3:33

Another Winfield favorite who seems to make it every year. He is a great songwriter, guitar player, autoharp talent and hammered dulcimer artist. He plays instruments I always wanted to play while knowing I never would.

6. I'll be home for Christmas / Pete Huttlinger---2:45(available on YouTube)

Huttlinger like Bennett , is still with us because of the miracles of modern medicine. Seeing how the Winfield community came together for both of them at their  bleakest time was amazing. What a perfect song to include in this collection.

7. Russian Christmas Overture / John Fahey---6:49

For my money John Fahey is the godfather of acoustic Christmas music. Over the years I've seen his records sell just as strongly from year to year as many new Christmas releases. He set the bar for many of the other players I respect.

8. Christmas Jig and Reels - Midnight Clearance Sale / The Three Dories
    performed by Ashley MacIsaac---3:43

I discovered  this music after reading the novel by and the short stories of Alastair MacLeod concerning the culture and people of Cape Bretton Island. The writing needs to be read more and if MacIsaac ever makes it out our way I hope I can finally see him perform.

9.'Christmas Time is Here' Vince Guaraldi/ performed Rob Bourassa---1:25(available on YouTube)

Nothing needs to be said about the song. I found the performance on YouTube. It is a major find.

10. I Saw Three Ships / Steve Wariner---2:30

I never knew what a guitar Steve Wariner was until a Sound Warehouse managers convention in the '90's. During the course of the week artist came in to play showcase sets. Wariner's was mostly him just playing. I was blown away.

11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas/Joe Pass---4:39(available on YouTube)

I'd never listened to Joe Pass until the '70's when a customer that bought lots of jazz records suggested I check him out. A hollow bodied electric guitar sounds fabulous especially if someone that knows what they are doing is playing it.

12. HAPPY Xmas (war is over)/Jake Shimabukuro & Yo-Yo Ma---4:43(available on YouTube)

Never seen Yo-Yo Ma except on television. I was lucky enough to see Jake the night that he met Tommy Emmanuel and played a blistering set at the Cactus Cafe in Austin. Who knew a ukelele could do all that.? Their version of the Lennon Christmas classic(?) leaves me sox-less.

13. Jeff's Greensleeves / Jeff Beck---1:50(available on YouTube)

He's Jeff Beck. When I heard the album, "Truth," the first time Beck became  my first rock guitar hero. Now he's  almost 70 he still ain't no slouch.

14. Carol of the Beasts (Instrumental) / Pete Seeger---1:49

94 years young and still active, fighting the good fight and carrying his message and the message of the likes of Woody, Cisco, and others around the nation. I bought my first Seeger record in 5th grade. That's how I learned the words to a bunch of Guthrie songs I can still croak.

15. 'Perfect Day' Lou Reed/solo guitar version by Dave Seck---3:02(available on YouTube)

I love the song. I respected Lou Reed tremendously. I've never had a Christmas that wasn't a perfect day. Dave Seck does a wonderful version of the song and it seems fitting to include  a song written by one of  rock and roll's great stories of renewal, dedication, and new beginnings.

16. Cold Nights of Winter/Trettondagsmarschen/Jay Ungar & Molly Mason---3:00

Seems to me a fitting end to another perfect Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
&
THROW LOTS OF POTATOES

The Story of the Christmas Potato