GWNtertainment #34 by Jaimie Vernon

Well, it’s been a hell of a year, folks. Between the continued restrictions from COVID and the uncertainty of our times, many like myself have sought solace in music. GWNtertainment would like to thank the many music publicists who supply us with the news we share, and to the musicians battling both employment and the continued devaluation of their art, we salute you. Your music does matter. It does make  a difference and it makes writing this column worth every minute.

We’re going to end the year with some nods to Canadian Christmas content and we’ll be back in the New Year with a ‘best  of’ 2021 summary. Until then, dig some of this music for the festive season. Distill and chill. We’ll see you on the other side.

* Jaimie Vernon has a cover of  Elton John & Bernie Taupin’s  politically charged “Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher” originally written for ‘Billy Elliot The Musical.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8BNInVM51w

* Alberta’s Donny Lee has a new Christmas single out  called “What A Day.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amSUmeGIrSE

* Beverley Mahood gives us a country version of “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3P_wUX964Q

* Lee Aaron and her long-time band (John  Cody,  Sean Kelly, and Dave Reimer) put out a cool Christmas album a while back called ‘Almost Christmas’ – but now it’s on CD through Big Sister Records with some bonus material. Go to Lee’s site  to order https://www.leeaaron.com/buy-almost-christmas-re-issue-with-bonus-tracks/. Check out the title track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz5kr9jJ_Cg

* Halifax Country artist Lisa Richard gives us an ode to the Spirit of Christmas in the toe-tapping “Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3c2SyAbjuU

*GWN regulars Hot Mondy bring  us “Your Christmas.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNgWydY-fbc

* Lennie  Gallant has released his first Christmas album entitled ‘Christmas Day On Planet Earth.’ The album is truly a collection of original songs for the times as it is celebratory and fun, but also pays homage to the troubles and trials of our fragile blue planet in several hopeful songs. Purchase a physical copy here. https://lenniegallant.com/store/

* Georgian Bay comedy troupe Glacial Erratic bring us  “Stupid Freakin’ Elf On The  Shelf.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUzeVzAI7is

* Marc Jordan  and Amy Sky give us a new version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with the genders reversed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIRWA7yn9Kc

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Keep up the fight!
Jaimie Vernon, 2021

=JV=

Jaimie “Captain CanCon” Vernon has been president of the on again/off-again Bullseye Records of Canada since 1985. He wrote and published Great White Noise magazine in the ‘90s, has been a musician for 41 years, and recently discovered he’s been happily married for 24 years. He is also the author of The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia and editor of “Sunny Days: The Skip Prokop Story.” Available through Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Jaimie+Vernon