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New holiday albums of 2016

Loretta Lynn stays traditional while Pentatonix gets creative

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holiday albums, new christmas albums 2016, gay news, Washington Blade

ā€˜A Pentatonix Christmasā€™ is well executed but has more novelty than lasting appeal. (Photo courtesy RCA)

Kacey MusgravesĀ ā€œA Very Kacey Christmasā€

With ā€œA Very Kasey Christman,ā€ country singer/songwriter Kasey Musgraves delivers her first holiday album, a collection with a real sense of warmth and nostalgia, and a tinge of heartbreak.

Musgraves keeps the arrangements simple and old school ā€” the album sounds like something that one might find in the parents box of old holiday records. The charming retro vibe and Musgravesā€™ engaging vocals, along with smart song choices (mostly familiar covers, with a few originals).

It has appeal even if youā€™re not a big country fan.Ā  (CG)

Jane Lynch ā€œA Swinginā€™ Little Christmas Timeā€

Retro seems to be the thing this year. ā€œGleeā€ actress Jane Lynch has released ā€œA Swinginā€™ Little Christmas Time,ā€ and as the title suggests, the albumā€™s predominant vibe is big band, with touches of jazz.

The lyrics and harmonies are ultra tight. Lynch proves herself to be quite an adept vocalist, and while there is a vein of humor and joy running through the album, there are also moments of solemn beauty, like Lynchā€™s exquisite take on ā€œCoventry Carol.ā€ (CG)

Loretta Lynn ā€œWhite Christmas Blueā€

Still sounding great at 84, country legend Loretta Lynn has released her first holiday album in 50 years with ā€œWhite Christmas Blue.ā€

While light on the arrangements ā€” a simple country backdrop that doesnā€™t get in the way of Lynnā€™s vocals ā€” itā€™s a fun collection with familiar classics and a few newly written pieces (like the title song) that are simply charming. ā€œWhite Christmas Blueā€ is nostalgic and evocative of yesteryear. (CG)

She & Him ā€œChristmas Partyā€

Five years after the the duo She & Him released their popular ā€œA Very She & Him Christmas,ā€ the duo of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward are back with a followed, the aptly named ā€œChristmas Party.ā€

She & Him retain their lovely low-key festive indie-pop vibe as they run through a dozen familiar chestnuts and lesser-known songs. Particular highlights include the obscure ā€œChristmas Memories,ā€ performed by Frank Sinatra, and a buoyant acoustic take on the Darlene Love standard ā€œMarshmallow World.ā€ The album opens and closes with two favorites: a lovely take on Mariah Careyā€™s ā€œAll I Want for Christmas is Youā€ and slow and swaying rendition of the Chipmunksā€™ ā€œChristmas Donā€™t Be Late.ā€ (CG)

Amy Grant ā€œTennessee Christmasā€

It would be easy to mistake Amy Grantā€™s new album ā€œTennessee Christmasā€ for just another of the seemingly endless stream of compilation rereleases that have been regurgitated on the artist in recent years since the title cut was a hit on her first Christmas album in 1983. This, however, is her fourth official holiday release not counting a holiday-themed greatest hits collection and even a Hallmark exclusive release back when those were still a thing.

ā€œTennessee Christmasā€ includes a mix of classics and originals that, though much simpler than any Christmas project Grant (who brings her Christmas tour with Michael W. Smith to Baltimore Sunday night) ever recorded ā€” she made it entirely in her home studio over the summer ā€” still works. The most refreshing surprise is that the veteran gospel singer, whoā€™s always had a pensive side, doesnā€™t shy away from that here. Heard alone, new songs like ā€œMelancholy Christmas,ā€ ā€œDecemberā€ and ā€œAnother Merry Christmasā€ sound like real downers but in the context of the record, they work surprisingly well as refreshing contrasts to the more upbeat material. Even ā€œJoy to the Worldā€ here sounds more like a Vince Guaraldi track than the fast and bombastic carol we usually think of.

Thereā€™s one real standout in the originals ā€” the bubbly and catchy ā€œChristmas For You and Me,ā€ which, given the right traction opportunity, could be come a seasonal standard. Bah humbug to LifeWay, a Baptist retail chain, that decided not to sell the album because it wasnā€™t religious enough. Get it at Target instead ā€” their version has two bonus cuts. (Joey DiGuglielmo)

Pentatonix ā€œA Pentatonix Christmasā€

A cappella vocal group Pentatonix, who first gained attention for winning the third season on NBCā€™s ā€œThe Sing-Off,ā€ are pretty amazing. You canā€™t listen to their new album ā€œA Pentatonix Christmasā€ and not be confounded that everything you hear was created with vocal cords.

But while itā€™s all executed exceedingly well ā€” the pitch is as stable as a steel bridge throughout and the arrangements are truly clever ā€” this has more novelty than long-term appeal.

ā€œO Come All Ye Faithfulā€ bounces along to a mid-tempo Carribean rhythm. ā€œGod Rest Ye Merry Gentlemenā€ starts off rather promisingly but eventually picks up its tempo to such an alarming degree the ears feel practically bludgeoned by the end.

More effective (and listenable) are subtler cuts like ā€œCoventry Carolā€ and ā€œIā€™ll Be Home for Christmas.ā€ (Joey DiGuglielmo)

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Music & Concerts

Hereā€™s everything queer that just happened at the 67th Grammy Awards

LGBTQ megastars among winners, performers

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Screen grabs from Entertainment Weekly/Youtube

The 67th Grammy Awards featured debut performances by LGBTQ megastars Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Doechii ā€” all of whom also won awards at Sundayā€™s awards ceremony, making the gay sons and thot daughters of the queer and trans world rejoice. 

Though Roan was the only queer artist to take home one of the “Big Four” awards ā€” Best New Artist, Doechii, Carpenter, Charlie XCX, Billie Eilish, and Lady Gaga were also all nominated for one or more of the “Big Four.”

Carpenter, Roan, and Doechii also shocked audiences with their debut performances, showing us what it really means to be out and loud. 


Doechii

The self-proclaimed swamp princess from Florida took home a well-deserved win for Best Rap Album (ā€œAlligator Bites Never Healā€). 

She stunned audiences with her performance and her speech, dedicating her win to Black women everywhere. Only two other women have won the award ā€” Lauryn Hill and Cardi B since the category was introduced in 1989. 

ā€œI know there are so many Black women out there that are watching me right now and I want to tell you: You can do it. Anything is possible,ā€ said Doechii during her acceptance speech.  

Chappell Roan

Roan won the Best New Artist award, prompting her to whip out her notebook and deliver a speech about her struggles with the healthcare industry after getting dropped by her first record label radicalized her. 

On the carpet, she served looks on the red carpet while delivering Jean Paul Gaultier vintage realness and thanking the trans girlies who made her who she is today. 

ā€œTrans people have always existed and they will forever exist. They will never, no matter what happens, take trans joy away and [they] have to be protected more than anything because I would not be here without trans girls,ā€ said Roan on the red carpet. 

She also served during her debut Grammys performance, turning Crypto.com Arena into the Pink Pony Club while dedicating the performance to Los Angeles ā€” the city that embraced her when she wanted to break into the industry. She used her acceptance speech as her opportunity to shine a light on her journey toward becoming the icon she is today ā€” and to no oneā€™s surprise, it didnā€™t come easy to her. 

Roan opened up about her struggles with healthcare and being dropped as an artist in L.A., leaving her without health coverage and scrambling for solutions. Seems like the healthcare system has radicalized yet another one. 

St. Vincent 

St. Vincent revealed that she has a wife and daughter during her acceptance speeches, thanking them after winning three Grammys for Best Alternative Music Album (ā€œAll Born Screamingā€), Best Alternative Music Performance (ā€œFleaā€), and Best Rock Song (ā€œBroken Manā€).Ā 

During her red carpet interview, reporters asked Clark about the shocking news about her mentioning her wife and daughter, she responded ā€œMost people were [unaware]. Itā€™s young, so weā€™ve kept it under wraps.ā€ The reporter then continued his line of questioning, meanwhile intrusive thoughts quickly got ahold of Clark, prompting her to interrupt the reporter to clarify that she meant the child is young, not the person in the relationship sheā€™s in. 

Girl, youā€™re good.

Sabrina Carpenter 

Though Carpenter didnā€™t win any of the “Big Four” categories, she did win Best Pop Vocal Album for (ā€œShort nā€™ Sweetā€) and Best Pop Solo Performance for (ā€œEspressoā€).

According to E!, Carpenterā€™s acceptance speech was apparently censored, cutting her off after she said: ā€œThank you, holy sh*t, bye!ā€

The pop star was nominated for Record of the Year (ā€œEspressoā€), Song of the Year (ā€œPlease, Please, Pleaseā€), Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album (ā€œShort nā€™ Sweetā€), Album of the Year (ā€œShort nā€™ Sweetā€), Best Remixed Recording (ā€œEspresso – Mark Ronson x FNZ Working Late Remixā€), Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical (ā€œShort nā€™ Sweetā€) ā€” all within her first year as a record-releasing musician. 

Charli XCX

Charlie XCX truly brought the brat energy to the Grammys with her performance of (ā€œVan Dutchā€), also taking home the wins for Best Dance/Pop Recording for (ā€œVan Dutchā€) and Best Dance/Electronic Album for (ā€œBratā€). 

Lady Gaga 

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance went to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. Gaga used her acceptance speech to advocate for trans people stating that we all need love and to be uplifted.

ā€œTrans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you,ā€ said Gaga.

No, thank you mother. 

Last, but not least

It is also worth noting that our tried and true ally, Alicia Keys used her moment on the Grammys stage to advocate for the restoration of DEI initiatives. 

“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices,” said Keys. “We’ve seen on this stage talented, hard-working people from different backgrounds, with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift ā€” and the more voices, the more powerful the sound.ā€

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Music & Concerts

Gay Menā€™s Chorus starting the year with a cabaret

‘Postcards’ to be performed at CAMP Rehoboth

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The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington performs 'Postcards' in Rehoboth Beach, Del. on Jan. 18. (Photos courtesy of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington)

The Gay Menā€™s Chorus of Washington will perform ā€œPostcards,ā€ a cabaret, on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 5:00p.m. and 8:00p.m. at CAMP Rehoboth Elkins-Archibald Atrium.Ā 

In this performance, the choir will share hilarious and heart-warming stories and songs about the travel adventures theyā€™ve had and hope to have. Songs include ā€œMidnight Train to Georgia,ā€ ā€œStreets of Dublin,ā€ ā€œMagic To Do,ā€ ā€œHome,ā€ and ā€œI Left My Heart in San Francisco.ā€ Tickets cost $35 and can be purchased on Camp Rehobothā€™s website.

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Music & Concerts

WMCā€™s ā€˜Comfort and Joyā€™ fuses drama, well-being, light

Soloist describes production as ā€˜reverent and beautifulā€™

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Opal Clyburn-Miller (Photo courtesy Clyburn-Miller)

ā€˜Comfort and Joyā€™
Washington Master Chorale
Sunday, Dec. 22, 5 p.m.
Church of the Epiphany
1317 G St., N.W.
washingtonmasterchorale.org

With its warmth and unfettered imagination, itā€™s no surprise that the Washington Master Choraleā€™s enduringly popular winter program remains a holiday favorite.Ā 

This December the Washington Master Chorale (WMC), helmed by out artistic director Thomas Colohan presents ā€œComfort and Joyā€ a selection of British and American works like ā€œLute-Book Lullaby,ā€ ā€œI Saw Three Ships,ā€ ā€œPuer Natusā€ by Samuel Scheidt and ā€œHosanna to the Son of Davidā€ by Orlando Gibbons. 

In addition to these Christmas classics, WMC will perform 2022 Florence Price Commission Winner Mason Bynesā€™s ā€œEphiphanytideā€ and Ēriks EÅ”envaldsā€™ ā€œNorthern Lights,ā€ the firsthand accounts of arctic explorers Charles Francis Hall and Fridtjof Nansen and their experiences surrounding the fabled aurora borealis.

Described as ā€œreverent and beautifulā€ by ā€œNorthern Lightsā€ tenor soloist Opal Clyburn-Miller, ā€œComfort and Joyā€ fuses drama and well-being, and the import of light. 

And as an artist who uses they/them pronouns, Clyburn-Miller says where classical music is concerned, ā€œit seems people are put in their boxes and thatā€™s where they stay.ā€ They add, ā€œthereā€™s been some progress. Itā€™s pretty much a traditional art form.ā€ 

With regard to their career, Clyburn-Miller, the Baltimore based Peabody Conservatory student, says the work usually comes through word of mouth: ā€œYou show up, youā€™re a good colleague and people want to work with you again.ā€

The solo piece, according to Colohan, is perfect for Clyburn-Miller. The soloist says in response: ā€œMaybe I have the imagination to think of what Northern Lights might look like in Eastern Europe. Iā€™ve never been that far north but I can put myself in that sense of wonder and astonishment.ā€

But the gig hasnā€™t been entirely without its tests. The lyrics are in Latvian, a new language for the meticulous singer.

ā€œItā€™s been a bit tricky getting the Latvian down,ā€ they say. ā€œUsually in my singing experience, itā€™s been German, Italian and French, and Iā€™m familiar with Spanish and some Hungarian and Russian, but this is entirely new.ā€

A perfect chorale venue requires easy parking; good acoustics; a concert level Steinway, and an excellent organ; a sanctuary wide enough to accommodate a 50-person chorale; and audience friendly loos, says Colohan. 

The Church of Epiphany meets most if not all of these requirements.  

Raised Catholic in Richmond, Colohan came out at Ohioā€™s progressive Oberlin Conservatory. Around this time, he remembers visiting Washington for a music educatorā€™s conference and partying at JR.ā€™s, Badlands, and other bars. He says, ā€œI saw that D.C. had a huge population of clean-cut gay boys. That journey which started with me being gay, prompted me to ask questions.ā€ 

As WMC artistic director since 2009, Colohan, who lives with his partner in Silver Spring, became increasingly interested in secular poetry and literature, especially the ways in which it intersects with chorale music. For him, that became the heart of the art form. 

ā€œMy secular approach is wider than some. Iā€™m like the curator of the museum going down to the basement to bring some stuff up. You cannot hear the music if we donā€™t sing it.ā€

Heā€™s remained conservative as an aesthetic but not an ethos. ā€œI can wear a blazer and not be crazy right wing. Spiritually speaking, Iā€™m Zen Buddhist now.ā€

A lot of the concert is about darkness and light. Colohan says, ā€œIn ancient times when the world became darker, the days leading to the solstice were scary and then on the 22nd they saw that days were getting longer and it was lighter.ā€

ā€œComfort and Joyā€ closes with a candle lit chorale memorably singing ā€œSilent Night.ā€  

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