Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Oldies But Goodies


Christmas by the band Low is second only to Harry Connick Jr's first Christmas album on my all time holiday favorite list.  I read a review for this album when it was released in 1999 and being familiar with the band's other work I set out to find it.  My search ended up being long and tedious but like the knights of old, my holy grail was worth it.  It's crazy to think how much the internet has grown in ten years because now this album could most likely be purchased online in less than 90 seconds but remember in 1999 the internet was still a toddler and Napster hadn't even taken off yet.  Looking back though, there was an invention called the telephone that could have aided me in my search, no kids, not a cellphone - an actual phone in your home connected to a cord that was plugged into your wall.  I could have called all of the record stores in town rather than driving but what's a little gas money when you make $10 per hour working ten hours a week as an elementary school tutor and you drive an Oldsmobile that gets twenty miles per gallon?  I honestly checked every store from Orem to Salt Lake - big retail stores, independent stores, Christian music stores and my search lasted for more than three weeks.  Finally I lucked out on my third or fourth attempt at the Taylorsville Graywhale CD the week of Christmas.  I found the tiny, maroon cardboard sleeve and much to the chagrin of the employees who were angry that they could no longer listen to it, I made my purchase and listened to it well into the new year.  Some of you might recognize their version of The Little Drummer Boy that was featured in a holiday commercial for The Gap.  If you haven't heard this album then get a warm cup of whatever makes you happy and have yourself a mellow little Christmas.

7 comments:

brohammas said...

worth it like the search for the Holy Grail? Unlike Indiana Jones, the knights of old failed in this quest. How apt and I'm guessing unintended.

I have an old school mix of Bing Crosby, Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and to top it off, a Charlie Brown's Christmas mix that easily blows Harry out of the water.... And I love Harry.

kg said...

Bro - I never said the knights found it, only that the grail itself was worth it. But yes this was unintended dang it...

Good mix yourself. 'Chrismas Time is Here' is a classic song whether vocal or instrumental. I need to find a clip on youtube of a drunk Scott Weiland singing it on The Tonight Show in a tux. Great stuff.

kg said...

Wait a second though, if the knights never found the grail then how do you explain the old knight that Indy had to fight? Are you telling me that wasn't true and movies lie?

brohammas said...

Movies never lie, but you are confused. He did not fight the knight but had to solve a challenge.

I think he was the ghost of grail quests past. He never found it and was hence condemned to wander that cave till someone did. True story.

kg said...

Bro - YOU are confused. He solved the challenges and then entered the room and the old knight came after him with a sword but he was too old to fight so he just gave his spiel about choosing wisely... which he did because he is Indiana friggin Jones.

Corbie said...

I have no idea who (if anyone) found the grail...all I know is that this album isn't it. I mean, by way of Christmas music it's probably better than most but that's like saying being buried alive beats death by drowning. Actually, that was a terrible metaphor, yet strangely still better than Christmas music.

brohammas said...

Due to that last comment I believe Corbie will be visited on Christmas eve by the ghost of grail quests past. This ghost will force her to listen to Spice Girls Christmas, with a sprinkling of Brittney Spears. She will then have to choose wisely... which means Charlie Brown and Louis Armstrong.

Then all the Who's from Whoville will march on her snowy cave and sing carols till her shrunken heart grows bigger.