An Outsider Music Christmas
It must go back to my days wandering the stacks at WRUW, but for a long time I have been fascinated by obscure music and odd recordings. It is generally labeled "Outsider Music," made by crazies, misunderstood geniuses, or crazy misunderstood geniuses.
Somehow this morning, I stumbled upon the music of Joseph Spence, and have listened several times to his rendition of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. His twangy, strangely-tuned guitar, and "vocals" are a welcome change of pace from the standard holiday fare.
When reviving this blog this morning (a way to get back in the habit of writing for pleasure. more on that later. maybe), I noted one of my last posts (in late 2006!) announced my intention to kick a puppy everytime I heard Wham's "Last Christmas" on the radio. Suffice it to say, whenever I decide to follow through on that promise, no kennel will be safe.
It is these times when I am rummaging around the Internets for weird music, that I think I would like to be T Bone Burnett for day, or at least have access to the musical database in his brain. Or that it would be nice not to have any obligations for a few months, so I could wander over to the Smithsonian and research their collection of recordings.
OK, so this wasn't the best post I've ever written, but we're shaking off the rust.
Somehow this morning, I stumbled upon the music of Joseph Spence, and have listened several times to his rendition of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. His twangy, strangely-tuned guitar, and "vocals" are a welcome change of pace from the standard holiday fare.
When reviving this blog this morning (a way to get back in the habit of writing for pleasure. more on that later. maybe), I noted one of my last posts (in late 2006!) announced my intention to kick a puppy everytime I heard Wham's "Last Christmas" on the radio. Suffice it to say, whenever I decide to follow through on that promise, no kennel will be safe.
It is these times when I am rummaging around the Internets for weird music, that I think I would like to be T Bone Burnett for day, or at least have access to the musical database in his brain. Or that it would be nice not to have any obligations for a few months, so I could wander over to the Smithsonian and research their collection of recordings.
OK, so this wasn't the best post I've ever written, but we're shaking off the rust.
posted by B.V. at 12/23/2008
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