KRISTIN the night away!

I know it's a little early to be talking about Christmas music... most of the new releases for Christmas 2008 DO come out today or next week.... but I will wait a little longer to talk about all the releases (at least till after Halloween.)  There ARE some REALLY good ones this year.   However, there is one I cannot wait to tell you about.

I had no idea this album was coming out... so I jumped up and down a little (ok maybe a lot) when I learned yesterday that Broadway/tv/movie darling Kristin Chenoweth is releasing a Christmas album.

It's called "A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas"...  and it is absolutely BREATHTAKING!!!!  

I face a huge dilemma each year about how early I can pull out the holiday cd's.  One does not want to overdose on holiday cheer too early...  I've decided to "adapt" the fashion rule...  "You shouldn't listen to 'White CHRISTMAS' until AFTER Labor Day."   Since it's October I'm safe... which is good, because I couldn't wait to hear this.  I downloaded it at midnight from i-tunes (a MUST because there are 2 exclusive tracks on i-tunes.)  I sat by the computer and listened all the way through.  This is rare for me.  Usually when I'm really excited about a new release I have to sample through the album first so I don't burst with anticipation (I have issues... I know!)  With this cd I was under Kristin's spell.

Her renditions are fresh (not overproduced) and yet feel classic at the same time.  She has moments where she does her cute Glinda/Sally Brown schtick that she is loved for, but most of the album is pure beautiful singing.

She does wonderful versions of classics.  I love her take on "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "Do You Hear What I Hear."  She duets with contemporary jazz great John Pizzarelli on a cute medley of "Sleigh Ride"/"Marshmallow World."  She also includes "Sing" (originally made by famous by Big Bird and then the Carpenters.)  It fits wonderfully with the other songs.  Her rendition is very true to the Carpenters but has some special Christmas lyrics.

I was especially moved by the pairing of "Sleep Little Children" and "What A Wonderful World."

Get the i-tunes version which includes the title song (don't know why it didn't make on the official release!?!)  "A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas."  This is a  reworking of the standard "A Lovely Way To Spend an Evening."  The other track is a beautiful version of "The Lord's Prayer."

This is sure to be a season favorite.

IN OTHER KRISTIN NEWS....

-She is ADORABLE this season on PUSHING DAISIES... if you're missing the show... you are missing out.  Season 1 is out on dvd.  The show really is a perfect fit for all of her talents.  She is also in the upcoming movie "Four Christmases."

-The WICKED cast recording is being re-released as a Fifth Anniversary Edition on Oct 28th with songs cut from the original production and covers of some of the songs.

-Kristin has a memoir coming out next year!!!!  It's called "A Little Bit Wicked: Life Love and Faith In Stages."  Cannot wait!  It comes out Spring 2009!

-Also in the works is a Disney version of "Rapunzel" voiced by Kristin.

Here is a fun video I found of a staged reading of  "EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY - The Musical."  The musical never quite made it to Broadway.  It looked fun.  Here is Kristin singing Blondie's "Heart of Glass."  Super cute.

FINALLY....  (sorry long post again!)  Here is a public service announcement from Kristin.  (This ditty is NOT on the Christmas album! )

See more Kristin Chenoweth videos at Funny or Die

Dr. Horrible's Spring Awakening.

So much of the music business has changed with the internet the past few years.  These days, digital is king.

I have always loved buying the actual compact disc.  I like to hold the CD in my hands.  I like to look through the linear notes.  I'm usually opening the CD as I leave a store even if I don't have immediate access to a player.  Fighting with the annoying sticker at the top is like unlocking a jewel case treasure chest leading you to a wonderful musical discovery.  When I was little I remember being so excited when a local bank said it was offering  FREE CDs!  (I of course was immediately disappointed once I was properly informed what kind of CD they were offering!)

With hesitation, this past year I've made a gradual switch to downloading (legally) from online.  It's usually a lot cheaper and you have it instantly.  Also, more and more artists are releasing exclusive tracks and even albums online.  I will never completely switch digital.  I still love buying vinyl AND I also work in a music department!!!  Plus, there are certain types of music that I still "need" on the CD format.  These include favorite artists that I already have a collection of and Broadway Cast Recordings (I want the libretto.)  These I will copy into my i-Tunes library and add to my ipod.  

However, I have found some great music online.  Let me know or leave a comment if you are interested in more info on some of these (LEGAL) sights.  I can get free downloads for recommending a friend...  (I promise that isn't the purpose of this post!)

The purpose is to tell you about two exciting new releases that came out this past Tuesday exclusively on i-tunes.

First is the "Official" soundtrack to the blog-tastical musical "Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog."  Check out my past post about this wonderful piece of entertainment.  The creator Joss Whedon is set to release the dvd (with the soundtrack and specially written musical commentary!) before Christmas.  For now, this is the only way to get the soundtrack (besides inferior bootleg versions that fans have released online.)

The other wonderful release is from an i-tunes series called "i-Tunes LIVE from SoHo."   The cast of the Broadway sensation "Spring Awakening" performed selections from th show at the Apple Store in SoHo.  The songs sound wonderfully raw on this live recording.  They are performed by composer Duncan Shiek, original cast members, as well as "Weeds" star Hunter Parrish (who has gotten great reviews as the current "Melchior" and sounds wonderful on "Left Behind.")  

This is the first Broadway show that has been featured on the i-Tunes series.

In other "Spring Awakening" news.... 

Much like "Wicked: The Grimmerie" (a book about the making of the Broadway musical "Wicked"), "Spring Awakening" has also released a book.  It is called "Spring Awakening: In The Flesh."  It's designed to look like an old vandalized book and contains photographs, costume and set sketches, drafts of the songs, and the entire libretto.

Finally...

Kyle Riabko (who was "Melchior" before Hunter Parrish joined the cast) is currently starring in the touring production.  He has been performing as a singer/guitarist professionally since 15 and has an awesome debut CD.  Check out his website for his great music.  

Here's a different take on the haunting "Left Behind" that he performed this summer at Joe's Pub in NYC.