Merry Music Monday – Vol 2

“If you really love Christmas, c’mon and let it snow.” – Billy Mack, Love Actually

Robert Kelly “I’m Coming Home” from Music City Unsigned: Family Christmas Vol 2. This upbeat, can’t get enough and won’t stop singin’ along song is my favorite from the album, which you can download for only $5.99! You’ll be hearing more of Robert’s music here in the future, but if you can’t wait, check out We Are Poetry. Bonus: Robert was born and raised in Texas and currently lives in Nashville.

 

Andrew Ripp “Jingle Bells” from Light of Mine. I had to share this song because, though I love Christmas music, there are a handful of songs that I always skip over when I see new versions of them. “Jingle Bells” is one of those songs. Every year the new ones come out and every year they are, yet again, nothing special. Andrew Ripp made me so happy when I heard his take, as he managed to re-invent the song in a way that made me really like it. The song also appears on Music City Unsigned: Family Christmas Vol 2 with the song above. Bonus: Andrew is part of the Neighborly Christmas w/ Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors and will be performing at the Birmingham, Atlanta, and Tennessee shows.

 

Jason Mraz ft. Tristan Prettyman “All I Want For Christmas Is Us.” The two performed this song at the Feeding Soul Foundation‘s CD release party back in 2010. Last week, as I was listening to some of my favorite original Christmas songs, I told Mark that I wished Jason Mraz had one. I later mentioned this to the biggest Mraz fan I know, Allie from The Reason. She quickly let me know that there was one and led me to the performance on YouTube. I fell in love. It’s the clever lyrics of Mraz that makes me like his music so much, mixed with Tristan’s beautiful voice, and a beat that you can’t help but bob your head to. “Even dismissing mistletoe, so I get to know ya, first of all, singing oh my God, you’re the reason that I decorate my yard.” Bonus: Mraz was born in Virginia.

 

Parachute “Winterlove” from Winterlove EP. I always appreciate a song with hints of heartache but whose melody makes me happy. I also love winter songs, the ones that aren’t necessarily about Christmas but don’t feel right to listen to until the cold has come. This became one of my favorite winter songs when it was released in 2009. Bonus: Parachute is from Charlottesville, Virginia.

 

Beta Radio “The Songs the Season Brings” from The Songs the Season Bring. “This new EP from Beta Radio was made in various environments over the two months before Christmas – recorded in the studio, at home in bedrooms, and in closets of family members while drinking egg nog and roasting chestnuts over a George Forman grill!” I’d never heard of Beta Radio until I read the New Artists, Old Songs: 2011 Holiday Edition post from Cover Lay Down. I like their renditions of the classics, but it’s this original that stole my heart. Make sure to download the album for free. Bonus: the duo is from Wilmington, North Carolina.

Want more Christmas music now? I understand. Listen to my 300+ song Christmas playlist on Spotify. More songs are added almost daily so I suggest subscribing!