View Full Version : Dylan's Christmas polka!!
Baconwrapped
10-13-2009, 06:35 PM
Wondering what Dylan's Christmas album sounds like? You can hear a song here:
http://pitchfork.com/news/36800-hear-bob-dylans-must-be-santa/
Wild stuff! Accordions! Ex-presidents! I like it!!!!
Belle
10-13-2009, 07:16 PM
For the life of me I couldnt figure out how to play it so...
http://www.myspace.com/bobdylan
It is on the playlist....fun stuff.
Baconwrapped
10-13-2009, 07:22 PM
For the life of me I couldnt figure out how to play it so...
http://www.myspace.com/bobdylan
It is on the playlist....fun stuff.
on the pitchfork link just wait for the "card" to load and there's a "play song" button right on it.... but myspace is fine too....
Baconwrapped
10-13-2009, 07:24 PM
actually.. on pitchfork you first have to do "continue reading" and then the card with info about Feeding America will load in and there's a "Must Be Santa > Listen" right in the middle.
Belle
10-13-2009, 07:25 PM
on the pitchfork link just wait for the "card" to load and there's a "play song" button right on it.... but myspace is fine too....
I so wanna meet you someday
Baconwrapped
10-13-2009, 07:29 PM
I so wanna meet you someday
were you at the Patry? we may have already met! That was me elbowing you out of the way to get to the jambalaya... ;)
Belle
10-13-2009, 07:31 PM
on the pitchfork link just wait for the "card" to load and there's a "play song" button right on it.... but myspace is fine too....
were you at the Patry? we may have already met! That was me elbowing you out of the way to get to the jambalaya... ;)
:o
denideadhead
10-13-2009, 07:42 PM
O dear me...I sooo wish my Polish Grandmother was alive to hear this !! It would have been such fun to Polka round the kitchen with her to Dylan she would have been so confused ! Isn;t that that hippie folk singer guy?? Looks like there will be two new christmas Cd's in Buffs stocking this year
Carolina Beadhead
10-13-2009, 08:44 PM
O dear me...I sooo wish my Polish Grandmother was alive to hear this !! It would have been such fun to Polka round the kitchen with her to Dylan she would have been so confused ! Isn;t that that hippie folk singer guy?? Looks like there will be two new christmas Cd's in Buffs stocking this year
Honey, by the time he gets to his stocking, you only have one day to listen til it's over. :D
Michelino
10-13-2009, 10:54 PM
Wild stuff indeed...this is Christmas is for eclectic at heart for sure. I love it.
denideadhead
10-14-2009, 12:06 AM
Honey, by the time he gets to his stocking, you only have one day to listen til it's over. :D
Ha YOU have no idea of the christmas music thing in the Sullivan household it is TOTALLY NUTS !! Buff has this HUGE collection of Christmas and holiday music that starts into the rotation on the day after Thanksgiving ...and new cd's are not permitted to be introduced til Christmas Eve ( ok on the TH Cd I will probably cheat ) ...then the new cd is played repeatedly Christmas Day and actually til 12th nite if it makes the final cut ... the CD;s are then annually re-ranked and stored in the special box in order of ranking for play the following year....He is not OCD much ????
wladybugw
10-14-2009, 07:37 PM
I am really looking forward to this Christmas CD too! Looks like a great year for new Christmas stuff with the TH CD and Kermit,,yeah...Cindee
charlotte
10-18-2009, 11:27 AM
Cool - Bob showing his Iron Range polka roots! Wonder who is playing the accordion?
charlotte
10-18-2009, 11:28 AM
I will definitely be buying this one!
charlotte
10-18-2009, 11:38 AM
Used to polka around the kitchen with my Dad (who loved pollka music but was 100% Italian-American!) And he so totally didn't understand the appeal of the Bobster - he'd say "that Bobby Die-lan" and then just shake his head with a puzzled look on his face!" I think he would have approved of this tune, however. I got him a Flaco Jimenez tape, and he loved it. I had polka music played at his funeral mass for the postlude, (a Finnish guy from the Iron Range named Les Harkonen).
revjimk
10-18-2009, 05:04 PM
Frankly, I'm afraid to listen....
Cool - Bob showing his Iron Range polka roots! Wonder who is playing the accordion?
David Hidalgo from Los Lobos is playing the accordion.
stlbarb
10-20-2009, 01:08 AM
Brave Combo's version of Must be Santa is one of my favorite xmas songs, and i was lucky enough to dance to it live last weekend when they were in STL for Oktoberfest. http://www.last.fm/music/Brave+Combo/_/Must+Be+Santa+(Polka)
its availabe on Brave Combo's 'It's Christmas, Man' and also on 'It must be Santa' The Rounder Christmas Album.
i recommend both!
if you have never heard this 'acid polka' band, you really should check them out.
http://www.brave.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_Combo
charlotte
10-24-2009, 03:10 PM
Brave Combo's version of Must be Santa is one of my favorite xmas songs, and i was lucky enough to dance to it live last weekend when they were in STL for Oktoberfest. http://www.last.fm/music/Brave+Combo/_/Must+Be+Santa+(Polka)
its availabe on Brave Combo's 'It's Christmas, Man' and also on 'It must be Santa' The Rounder Christmas Album.
i recommend both!
if you have never heard this 'acid polka' band, you really should check them out.
http://www.brave.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brave_Combo
I've only seen Brave Combo play once, at 1st Ave in Minneapolis, and I really wish they would make their way to Duluth (MN) sometime. I'll never forget the experience - they are the quintessential party band for sure. Cool that Bob covers their tune on the Christmas album. I'm glad Brave Combo won the Grammy before they eliminated the polka category. Actually they may have even won 2 Grammys, well deserved. Thanks to my friend in Mpls, Dan the Polka Man (aka "Polkaholic") for turning me on to Brave Combo!
charlotte
10-24-2009, 03:13 PM
Yes, they did win the Best Polka category twice, once for "Polkasonic" and once for their 25th anniversary album "Let's Kiss".
charlotte
10-24-2009, 03:16 PM
David Hidalgo from Los Lobos is playing the accordion.
Thanks, Jim - I figured as much because he also played on Bob's previous release. I was just reading a couple of reviews on Bob's official website, and they mention Hidalgo. Just got to see Los Lobos here this past summer (my 1st time seeing them, finally!) There's also a great review there of Bob's recent Vegas concert.
Thanks, Jim - I figured as much because he also played on Bob's previous release. I was just reading a couple of reviews on Bob's official website, and they mention Hidalgo. Just got to see Los Lobos here this past summer (my 1st time seeing them, finally!) There's also a great review there of Bob's recent Vegas concert.
Los Lobos is one of my favorite bands and one of the best bands going anywhere in my opinion. I would love to see a Brave Combo/Los Lobos double bill. I recently saw Brave Combo for the first time and they blew me away.
Priceless:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVs6X9yIM_k&feature=player_embedded
Baconwrapped
11-18-2009, 12:22 PM
Priceless:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVs6X9yIM_k&feature=player_embedded
now THAT's my kind of Christmas party!
and wonder where I can get one of those wigs....
stynger
11-18-2009, 05:46 PM
Priceless:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVs6X9yIM_k&feature=player_embedded
Pure Bob. :cool:
FYI, Dylan's "Must Be Santa" is the free single of the week on iTunes right now.
Frosty
12-21-2009, 08:35 AM
FYI, Dylan's "Must Be Santa" is the free single of the week on iTunes right now.
I gave it a listen and decided it wasn't worth the cost.
I gave it a listen and decided it wasn't worth the cost.
Ah well, so be it. To each their peach. It certainly ain't for everyone, but I love it. At least it will have to do until your favorite, Rush, graces the world with a Christmas release. We can only hope.
Frosty
12-21-2009, 09:03 AM
Ah well, so be it. To each their peach. It certainly ain't for everyone, but I love it. At least it will have to do until your favorite, Rush, graces the world with a Christmas release. We can only hope.
You forget Geddy Lee's guest spot on Bob & Doug McKenzie's Great White North.
You forget Geddy Lee's guest spot on Bob & Doug McKenzie's Great White North.
True, eh?
And in the meantime the station I've been streaming just played Twisted Sister's "Let It Snow." So there's a Christmas release you might want to track down.
glinda
12-21-2009, 09:30 AM
Fun song, but it sounds like he stole it from Brave Combo. Haven't they been doing that song like that for years????? With crowds of partiers polka-ing along? Well, they have at FitzGerald's the last Saturday in November, anyway.
Frosty
12-21-2009, 09:30 AM
True, eh?
And in the meantime the station I've been streaming just played Twisted Sister's "Let It Snow." So there's a Christmas release you might want to track down.
I'll throw that in the mix with the free Dylan track.
Fun song, but it sounds like he stole it from Brave Combo. Haven't they been doing that song like that for years????? With crowds of partiers polka-ing along? Well, they have at FitzGerald's the last Saturday in November, anyway.
I'm not familiar with them, but others have mentioned that earlier in this thread.
The rest of the album is not in this style; "Must Be Santa" is the only polka track. But Dylan haters will probably hate it all just the same, and Dylan lovers like me will likely love it.
One thing is sure: Bob is no Geddy Lee. For some people that is a great blessing; for others it is a fatal fault.
Frosty
12-21-2009, 10:05 AM
I'm not familiar with them, but others have mentioned that earlier in this thread.
The rest of the album is not in this style; "Must Be Santa" is the only polka track. But Dylan haters will probably hate it all just the same, and Dylan lovers like me will likely love it.
One thing is sure: Bob is no Geddy Lee. For some people that is a great blessing; for others it is a fatal fault.
Let's just say those Christmas songs should be touched by neither. Now, Kermit on the other hand..............
Now, Kermit on the other hand..............
Yes, his "Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas" is touching. And my kids love his work with Miss Piggy on "A Red and Green Christmas." We all think the stuff with John Denver was a little cheesy though.
Frosty
12-21-2009, 11:12 AM
Yes, his "Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas" is touching. And my kids love his work with Miss Piggy on "A Red and Green Christmas." We all think the stuff with John Denver was a little cheesy though.
I found Miss Piggy's work to be a tad overdramatic although Kermit's parts were charming. What was really a surprise was the agressiveness and raw power Kermit possessed in his voice when he paired with the Lichtenstinian Black Metal Band, Alpenspeiger.
RitaZero
12-21-2009, 11:41 AM
My friend sent me this CD for a Christmas Gift. I AM a big Dylan fan but I just can't take his voice anymore. When this friend asked what I thought I replied, well the music and the backup singers were great, but it's time for Bob to retire his singing voice.
Sorry Dylan fans! I just want to warn those that haven't listened to Bobs more recent albums that it is difficult (for some like me) to listen to him sing.
I'm also a huge DeadHead but have the same difficulty with Phil Lesh.....
marignygreg
12-21-2009, 02:06 PM
A local reviewer here in Chicago said "Dylans rendition of 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' sounds more like a threat than a promise". Funny stuff.
I love Bob, but cringe at the thought of him singing the old Christmas classics.
My friend sent me this CD for a Christmas Gift. I AM a big Dylan fan but I just can't take his voice anymore. When this friend asked what I thought I replied, well the music and the backup singers were great, but it's time for Bob to retire his singing voice.
Sorry Dylan fans! I just want to warn those that haven't listened to Bobs more recent albums that it is difficult (for some like me) to listen to him sing
I guess I just don't understand how the voice suddenly became an issue for someone who claims to have been a Dylan fan. I can totally understand how some people were never fans for that reason; but I mean, if it was ever about the voice with him, it would have been over before it started. If you are just tired of hearing his voice, that's one thing; but I don't see how there is a marked change. It is more worn and raspy for sure, but it's not like it was ever pleasing to the ear in and of itself. By way of example, Levon's voice has gone through a much more dramatic change than Dylan's imo; and Leonard Cohen's has at least as much. I don't hear about people jumping off their bandwagons because of it.
I love Bob, but cringe at the thought of him singing the old Christmas classics.
I understand this reaction a little more. It is different material for him, to put it mildly. But still, I enjoy it in the same vein that I enjoy his spirit overall. I think he is one of the greatest, most interesting and most enigmatic artists of my time, and I enjoy anything that gives me more insight into him. That he obviously enjoyed himself with this surreal project tickles me to no end. The same way that I enjoyed watching him croon, and laugh, and dance and smile when I saw him live a few weeks ago. I picture him laughing and enjoying himself with this; and that image is reinforced watching the "Must Be Santa" video.
The guy is a hoot, among many, many other things. And that's just one of the things I love about him.
Frosty
12-21-2009, 02:50 PM
I guess I just don't understand how the voice suddenly became an issue for someone who claims to have been a Dylan fan. I can totally understand how some people were never fans for that reason; but I mean, if it was ever about the voice with him, it would have been over before it started. If you are just tired of hearing his voice, that's one thing; but I don't see how there is a marked change. It is more worn and raspy for sure, but it's not like it was ever pleasing to the ear in and of itself. By way of example, Levon's voice has gone through a much more dramatic change than Dylan's imo; and Leonard Cohen's has at least as much. I don't hear about people jumping off their bandwagons because of it.
The change is that these songs don't fit his voice or style any more than they do Geddy Lee. Plus, Dylan has never made it because of his singing but because of his incredible song writing. So, for him to cover songs like these does not work. Kind of like Rush's album of covers when they did Crossroads and other 60's songs. Same band who's other material I love, bad result. I'm not about to buy Ric Ocasik performing opera either, but I like the Cars.
The change is that these songs don't fit his voice or style any more than they do Geddy Lee. Plus, Dylan has never made it because of his singing but because of his incredible song writing. So, for him to cover songs like these does not work. Kind of like Rush's album of covers when they did Crossroads and other 60's songs. Same band who's other material I love, bad result. I'm not about to buy Ric Ocasik performing opera either, but I like the Cars.
Yes, the second part of my post above was addressed to this issue, not the part you quoted. As I said, it is much different material, and not the brilliant songs for which he made his name. And as I also said, I can understand this reaction more than I can understand the voice complaints.
That said, these covers do work for me, mostly because I know he had fun doing them. And I think a big part of the fun for him was knowing that it would produce reactions like yours.
Did Ric Ocasik really do opera??? Glad I missed that if so.
Frosty
12-21-2009, 03:07 PM
Yes, the second part of my post above was addressed to this issue, not the part you quoted. As I said, it is much different material, and not the brilliant songs for which he made his name. And as I also said, I can understand this reaction more than I can understand the voice complaints.
That said, these covers do work for me, mostly because I know he had fun doing them. And I think a big part of the fun for him was knowing that it would produce reactions like yours.
Did Ric Ocasik really do opera??? Glad I missed that if so.
No, that was hypothetical.
As far as Dylan, I like some material, I don't like others. But, there will never be an artist who I think everything they touch is golden.
As far as the fun part, I miss it completely. Whereas Mr. Ruffins, the other Kermit, really expresses the joy in the songs.
RitaZero
12-21-2009, 03:24 PM
Well, yes I am a fan of Dylan, have seen him many times. I have a lot of his older recordings in my collection. I didn't purchase this CD because IMHO he sounds bad on everything he's recorded in the last (I don't know how many) years. I listened to the CD once through because it was a gift. It won't be back in my player anytime soon and it certainly won't go on my iPod.
I agree with Frosty, it really doesn't suit his style at all, or maybe my ears are just used to hearing all those Christmas classics in a more upbeat style.
Just one opinion, that's all. I can dislike this CD and still be a Dylan fan.
Well, yes I am a fan of Dylan, have seen him many times. I have a lot of his older recordings in my collection. I didn't purchase this CD because IMHO he sounds bad on everything he's recorded in the last (I don't know how many) years. I listened to the CD once through because it was a gift. It won't be back in my player anytime soon and it certainly won't go on my iPod.
I agree with Frosty, it really doesn't suit his style at all, or maybe my ears are just used to hearing all those Christmas classics in a more upbeat style.
Just one opinion, that's all. I can dislike this CD and still be a Dylan fan.
Absolutely. You can like and dislike whatever you want, and mine is just an opinion too. But yours is now a bit more far-reaching: (a) you don't like hearing him do the Christmas material: and (b) you haven't liked hearing his voice on any of his recordings in however many years you can't recall.
I just find it odd that someone would both consider themselves a "big" Dylan fan and feel that he hasn't done anything worth listening to in more years than you can remember. And if the turnoff is the voice, I'm even more perplexed.
IMO, during the 25 or so years that I've been seeing him perform, he has never performed better than in the years since he released Time Out Of Mind in 1997. And that album and the material following it up through his most recent release (Together Through Life; I'm not counting the Christmas one) has, for the most part, been some of the best he has recorded since at least Infidels in 1983, if not since Desire in 1976 and Blood On The Tracks in 1975. There were some great individual songs and parts of albums between now and then, but Time Out Of Mind is a great album overall and stands with some of his best work. And if you really want to blow your mind, give a listen to Tell Tale Signs and hear the stuff that has been left on the cutting room floor.
When he goes, it will mark the end of an era imo. I don't think there is any greater or more singularly iconic and defining artist from the 60s through now who has managed to stay relevant. Neil Young is close, but I don't think he has garnered quite the level of critical importance that Dylan has.
RitaZero
12-21-2009, 09:42 PM
OK, I stand corrected. I am a BIG fan of Dylan's song writing. :p
Gards
12-22-2009, 04:56 AM
I have heard several diferent songs from Bobs Christmas album,and must agree that he enjoyed himself whilst making them,because his tongue must have been firmly in his cheek.
I have been lucky enough to see him in various guises since 1976,some good, some bad,and realise that the voice,persona and songwriting are always a work in progress.
But I must say that this Christmas Album is not for me.I am happy that the profits go to charity,but the interpretation of the songs,leaves me cold.
To each their own,but I will now try and dig up some of the Christmas Classics in my collection.Such as
Bessie Smith, doing At The Christmas Ball
Johny Winter,Please Be Home For Christmas
And the mighty Australian,Paul Kelly,How To Make Gravy.
I would be delighted for others to advise of some of their Christmas faves,so that we can drift a bit.;)
I have heard several diferent songs from Bobs Christmas album,and must agree that he enjoyed himself whilst making them,because his tongue must have been firmly in his cheek.
I have been lucky enough to see him in various guises since 1976,some good, some bad,and realise that the voice,persona and songwriting are always a work in progress.
But I must say that this Christmas Album is not for me.I am happy that the profits go to charity,but the interpretation of the songs,leaves me cold.
To each their own,but I will now try and dig up some of the Christmas Classics in my collection.Such as
Bessie Smith, doing At The Christmas Ball
Johny Winter,Please Be Home For Christmas
And the mighty Australian,Paul Kelly,How To Make Gravy.
I would be delighted for others to advise of some of their Christmas faves,so that we can drift a bit.;)
Yup, I'll say it again: it ain't for everyone. Mrs. Lit would be first on the list of those for whom it ain't. Thank God she only hears the songs when they pop up in the shuffle of my Christmas playlist, where they sound like novelties. She could never hear them consecutively, or else we would not be having a very merry Christmas.
As for folks' faves, check out the Funky Christmas thread.
Gards
12-22-2009, 06:08 AM
Yup, I'll say it again: it ain't for everyone. Mrs. Lit would be first on the list of those for whom it ain't. Thank God she only hears the songs when they pop up in the shuffle of my Christmas playlist, where they sound like novelties. She could never hear them consecutively, or else we would not be having a very merry Christmas.
As for folks' faves, check out the Funky Christmas thread.
Will Do
But am now at the closing one eye to read correctly,stage,must be the time difference.:confused: