Stream or Download the 2019 Paste Holiday Sampler!
Album cover by Christine Fernando
Once again, Paste is celebrating the holiday season with a compilation of some of our favorite new holiday songs. This year, in addition to tracks off some great new holiday album releases, we’re including several tracks we recorded recently in the Paste Studio. You can stream or download it on our NoiseTrade platform here: 2019 Paste Holiday Sampler.
Tracklist:
Blind Boys of Alabama: “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
The Blind Boys of Alabama dropped by the Paste Studio in Atlanta in November to play us a few songs, including this Christmas classic that they’ve made completely their own.
Keb’ Mo’: “Merry Merry Christmas”
The holidays are a time of hope, joy and renewal as we turn the page to a year as yet unwritten, and elder statesmen of Americana Keb’ Mo’ is certainly feeling that spirit: The four-time Grammy winner, recently nominated anew for his 2019 LP Oklahoma, released his first-ever holiday album, Moonlight, Mistletoe & You, available here. Paste is proud to premiere the video for this track. Originally written and recorded by Koko Taylor, “Merry Merry Christmas” is just what it sounds like: an open-hearted ode to the most celebratory time of year.
Letters To Cleo: “Miss You This Christmas”
Letters to Cleo’s brand new holiday album Ok Christmas is now streaming and available on colored vinyl. ”Over the years, we’ve half-jokingly/half-seriously talked about doing a Christmas album,” says guitarist Greg McKenna. “It’s this year that we finally got off our butts to record one.“ The album includes this original song “Miss You This Christmas,” and the Boston alt-rockers will be back on tour in 2020.
Josh Rouse: “Sleigh Brother Bill”
The Holiday Sounds of Josh Rouse is the culmination of a decade’s worth of songwriting from the acclaimed solo artist and features the same backing band as his 2003 breakout album 1972. “I approached writing these songs like I was soundtracking a film,” Rouse says. “I was trying to bring all these little holiday scenes around the world to life with humor and heart.”
Steve Ray Band: “Merry Christmas”
Steve Ray is a touring member of The Blind Boys of Alabama and played following the Blind Boys’ set in the Paste Studio in Atlanta, wowing us with his gospel-blues combo. Enjoy his bass-driven Christmas tune here.