The top holiday tunes from SC musicians
For some Christmas music with a twist, check out our selection of holiday tunes from South Carolina artists.
Albums
Darius Rucker: “Home for the Holidays”
Who can resist the deep, warbly magic that is Darius Rucker’s voice? “Home for the Holidays” has all you need – Christmas standards from the classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” sung with Sheryl Crow to a campy “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch,” as well as two original songs.
Basically, this Christmas CD is the musical equivalent of hot chocolate wrapped in a stocking on top of a purring, snow-white kitten.
Marshall Tucker Band: “Carolina Christmas”
The ’70s Southern rock band from Spartanburg hasn’t produced any new music in a while, but their 2005 “Carolina Christmas” is still a goodie. There aren’t that many Southern rock Christmas albums out there, and Marshall Tucker Band did theirs right. The songs are relaxed and unhurried, like lounging by a crackling fire (which you won’t be doing if you stay here for Christmas, where the forecast high is 72 degrees). Enjoy them anyway.
The Silver Bells: “It’s Christmas, Everybody!”
The Silver Bells are Charleston’s one and only Christmas band. Founder and frontman Nicholas Doyle’s Christmas-centric rock songs veer from the silly and cheerful “How Do You Forward Your Mail (From the North Pole)?” to the sad and somber “Santa Doesn’t Care About You.” The eight original tracks probably won’t give you the warm and fuzzies, but instead offer a sonic realism about the gamut of emotions we all experience at Christmastime.
James Brown: “The Complete James Brown Christmas”
This Christmas, Santa’s got some soul. The late JB’s holly, jolly compilation combines the best of three Christmas-themed albums recorded during his creative peak in the late ’60s and early ’70s. There’s the groovy “Go Power at Christmas Time” and the smoking “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto.” Electrify your holiday with this funky selection from Mr. Dynamite himself.
Various artists: “Christmas at Red Bank, Vol. 1”
“Christmas At Red Bank” is a gem of a holiday album. There are three volumes, but Vol. 1 is the most extensive. It features 17 tracks by different South Carolina musicians, including Columbia natives Dave Britt, Danielle Howle and Band of Horses keyboardist Ryan Monroe; Charleston musician Brett Lundy and former Hootie and the Blowfish guitarist Mark Bryan. The songs are from the annual Christmas at Red Bank concert at Red Bank United Methodist Church in Lexington, with music sales benefiting Lexington Interfaith Community Services. The live recordings are unembellished, beautiful and show off our state’s immense musical talent.
Single selections
Ben Bridwell (ft. Jason Lytle and Brave Baby): “The Christmas Thing” single
Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses teamed up with Charleston’s Brave Baby and Montanta musician Jason Lytle for this sweet little Christmas ditty. It’s essentially a present in song form.
Drink Small: “Christmas, Don’t Forget about Me” from “Ichiban Blues at Christmas, Vol. 1”
Rejoice! Drink Small has a Christmas song that is pure blues perfection.
Edwin McCain: “Silent Night” single
Cozy up to Greenville singer-songwriter Edwin McCain’s acoustic, slightly folk-tinged version of “Silent Night.”
Needtobreathe: “Go Tell It on the Mountain” from “A Very Special Christmas: Bringing Peace on Earth”
The Christian rock band from Seneca made an alt-rock cover of this gospel song about the birth of Jesus Christ. Lead singer Bear Rinehart’s recognizable vocals come through in the spiritually-imbued lyrics.
This story was originally published December 23, 2015 at 11:59 AM.