Reindeer Tribe

Bahamas, Celine Dion, Andrew Peterson, and new Christmas music

Take me to that West Texas sky
Not a soul, not a soul in sight
Just me and my baby this Christmas
Under Marfa lights

—Beth // James, Marfa Christmas Lights

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This edition of the Swap is bookended by new Christmas music. The intro lyrics are from a song off Beth // James’ new Christmas album, Christmas at the Burchills. This week’s Bonus Track features a unique Christmas collaboration called Reindeer Tribe. And in the middle, you’ll find three Christmas picks from Ben, Jonathan, and Kody.

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Christmas Must Be Tonight by Bahamas (Jonathan)

Somehow this incredible Christmas song went unnoticed by me until several years ago when I heard this version by one of my favorite musicians, Bahamas. Christmas Must Be Tonight was originally written/recorded by The Band in the late 70s. Since then, this soothing folksy Christmas song has been recorded by various artists including My Morning Jacket (another great version to check out), Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Hall & Oats. I feel like this song is overlooked on many playlists this time of year. Give it a listen and add it to yours.

Also available on Apple Music.

O Holy Night by Celine Dion (Kody)

This version of O Holy Night is the best Christmas song ever recorded. Don’t @ me. Actually, please do. We love to hear from you. When Celine belts “Noel” repeatedly at the end, it’s just majestic. I’d like to think that the feeling I have after hearing this song is an inkling of what the Shepherds felt when they met the company of heavenly hosts in the Bethlehem countryside. Listen to this song and “see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:15)

Also available on Apple Music.

Labor of Love from Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God - feat. Jill Phillips (Ben)

I went to my first Andrew Peterson Christmas show over 20 years ago in Nashville. We thought we knew a secret. He had not produced these songs on an album so people didn’t get it. It was a completely new album concept — a story unfolding bit by bit with each track. The nostalgia actually hurts when I think back about the richness of those moments with my college friends. Labor of Love doesn’t fit in every party playlist, but Jill Phillips’ vocals help tell a lovely reality of the Christmas story.

Also available on Apple Music.

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Bonus Track: Reindeer Tribe by Brad Coleman

Reindeer Tribe is a group of musician friends in Los Angeles who gather for a yearly holiday tradition; to write, record and film an entire album of new, original Christmas songs. Each year they focus their project in the direction of a particular genre of music as a way of creating some self imposed boundaries, and a cohesive thread that will run through each year's output. They hole up in a house in the hills of La Cañada for a weekend of joyous and communal creativity.

The participants are mostly professional musicians who gladly and wholeheartedly jump into the project every year knowing they will never make a penny from it. They do it because there is nothing like it. This is making music for no other reason than the pure joy of seeing something new and beautiful emerge from the collaborative energy of the moment.

The tradition started in 2009, and this year Reindeer Tribe will release their 13th album. Here are links to the 2 previous albums.

The 2021 album was titled “I’m Gonna Shout It”, and the genre was 1960’s Motown/soul. Here is a link to that project:

Last year’s album was called “Country Songs and Kisses”, and they went for a 1960’s classic Nashville country vibe.

This year, the focus was 80’s synth pop! That album should be available within the next 2 weeks. UPDATE: Access the new album here.

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Brad Coleman is a pastor in the Chicagoland area. He plays guitar, mandolin, bass, harmonica, banjo, accordion, tin whistle, and trumpet! His first album was the Rolling Stones “It’s Only Rock and Roll”. His last concert was the Milk Carton Kids. And his Friday afternoon go-to artist is Wilco.

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Merry Christmas (we hope Jenni didn’t read this far) Swappers!!!

-TheMusicSwap