GEARING UP FOR CHRISTMAS 2009
Welcome...or welcome back again this year...whatever the case may be! We're proud to once again be presenting the very best free Christmas music downloads, mostly from independent artists. Of course, each artist has their own story...and that's why we provide you with their web site info (as available), and we really do encourage you to visit them, listen to what else they offer, buy an album, or at the very least... leave a comment to let you know that you appreciate what they do! Be sure to subscribe via email or RSS to be updated when new songs are posted.
Here are the first members of the Class of 2009:
* Bob Bennett - This thoughtful singer/songwriter has made a powerful impact on Christian music fans for the past 30 years, and he's offering up a beautiful piece called Brightest and Best, from his new album Christmastide. [Filed under Contemporary Vocal]
* Ken Medema - He's been pounding out great tunes at the piano for many decades (and we've been fans since the Seventies!). He's sharing Here Is The One, from his album Watching The Sky. [Filed under Contemporary Vocal]
* The Sonflowerz - A Colorado-based "sister act" (Elissa and Becca Leander) have brought us their smooth-as-silk version of O Come All Ye Faithful, from their album Beautiful Miracle. [Filed under Traditional Vocal]
* LaJuana Murphy-Brann - A gospel pianist who brings her own brand of soul to the classics Go Tell It On The Mountain and O Holy Night [Filed under Traditional Instrumental]
* Silvia Fleming - A gifted jazz vocalist, sharing her take on In A Lowly Manger Sleeping, from her album, Love for Christmas. Words by legendary church hymn writer, Fanny Crosby.[Filed under Traditional Vocal]
Some of the special artists who brought us their music to share with you last year included:
* Jars Of Clay - The band that produced big radio and MTV hits like Flood and Crazy Times
* Sixpence None The Richer - Fronted by gifted lead singer Leigh Nash, Sixpence had major pop hits with Kiss Me and There She Goes
* Straight No Chaser - A smooth-as-silk acapella group who graduated from college and went their separate ways, until their smash 8 MILLION YouTube views brought them to the attention of the CEO of Atlantic Records
* Sherrie Keys - Who sings with Revelation Choir at the 26,000 member West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, and whose first album (to be released next year) includes songs written by Michael McDonald, Marvin Winans and Al Green
* Tonic Sol-fa is a group of four seriously-hip vocalizers. You will not want to miss their acapella rendition of Joy to the World
* Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Joel Rakes has created a holiday tradition for himself by recording a 5-song EP of Christmas music each year for the past 3 years. He's brought us two songs to share here, and you'll want to visit his site for more
* Bethan Marshall is a British singer-songwriter who appears on A Zang Christmas...a completely free album download from Zang Productions. We were really impressed by her soulful, intimate acapella delivery of O Come, Come Emanuel
* Jenny Jordan Frogley & David Osmond (yes, from THE Osmond Family...part of their Next Generation) have recorded a beautiful anthemic Christmas song called Joy To Everyone...in two versions, nonetheless (one orchestral, the other more of a pop treatment). Also, you can visit the site dedicated to the song and watch the video.
* David Tolley popped onto the public stage completely by accident. No, seriously...when the scheduled guest pianist didn't show for The Tonight Show in 1985, Johnny Carson asked for a volunteer from the audience. David's hand went up, both hands hit the ivories...and the rest (as they say) is history. This guy can play! You may also have seen his guest appearance on PBS's The Piano Guy.
* Drongomala is a Scotsman who was living in Kerala, India for 2 years recording with Carnatic musicians. His fascinating version of Silent Night was recorded by an interfaith group of singers and musicians there.
* Laffy is a collaboration between a critically-acclaimed Hollywood screenwriter and a TV/film score producer. Your kids will want to hear this rendition of Jingle Bells
* Doug Hammer - A gifted solo pianist who brings us 3 cuts, one of which is an original composition with a gorgeous lead vocal from a vocalist with the equally gorgeous name of Améthyste
* Richard Souther - A Grammy-nominated composer, producer, arranger, sound designer and multi-keyboardist who has built a strong reputation as a top contemporary solo instrumentalist for over twenty years, creating numerous best-selling albums in the New Age, Smooth Jazz, Electronica and the Classical/Crossover markets...as well as acclaimed recordings for the CCM music scene
* The Taj Motel Trio is an 8-piece ska-punk band from Georgia. Their punchy, energetic delivery definitely brings a different (and fun!) feel to a couple of traditional Christmas carols
* And finally, we heard from Aaron Kane, who downloaded piano instrumentals of traditional hymns from Stephen Bashaw and Solomon Keal from our site and had fun in the studio doing remix/mashups with his own vocals. We thought they were quite beautiful and wanted to share them with you as well.
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