Hello kiddies, itÕs been a while. Since we are in the midst of the holiday season, I thought IÕd share some of the best rockinÕ Christmas songs. I know, for many of us rock fans, seasonal music is corny and so dreadful to listen to. But, if one looks hard enough through iTunes and the CD bins, they will find impressive interpretations of the holiday music that is bearable and in some cases, actually rocks.
This week I was driving around listening to the radio and came across ShinedownÕs rendition of ÒHappy X-MasÓ as earlier heard by John Lennon. This version does rock. Brent SmithÕs powerful vocals add something new to the song that has been recorded by artists like Maroon 5, Sarah McLaughlin, and *shudder* Celine Dion. The newly recorded holiday track is done with true Shinedown style and itÕs something that the anti-holiday music crowd can enjoy.
Now one of my favorite Christmas music compliations is the Merry Axemas CDÕs. Many of you musicians already know about this collection. But IÕm not sure how many of the three readers I have are actually guitar players, so IÕll continue. This CD has tracks recorded with Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather, Neil Peart, and many others. Now with myself being a bass player, IÕm partial to Stu HammÕs version of ÒSleigh RideÓ with a great melody line played on the four strings. Both volumes are great to check out for music at your holiday gathering or just for something new.
Finally, thereÕs the incredible Trans-Siberian Orchestra, a mixture of rock guitar and classical music. I didnÕt get a chance to see them this past week, but I heard it was a killer show. Anything that is put out by this group, you can pretty much bet itÕs good. IÕm a huge fan of the whole Òrock band mixed with an orchestraÓ style of music. The most recognizable track is of course ÒChristmas in Sarejevo.Ó But there are plenty of good tracks and about six album releases that you can check out. If you are a musician, this is some stuff that you can check out in order to widen your musical horizons.
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