Lynn Miles Warms Winter Nights

Lynn Miles
“Winter"
Lynn Miles (self-released)
2015

On her 2015 seasonal release, “Winter,” Quebec-born Lynn Miles delivered 12 originals and one cover of a Jesse Winchester favorite. It is an enjoyable, unconventional collection of reflective pieces, ranging from deep and thoughtful to humorous. The songs are similar to those of fellow Canadian artist/songwriters Shania Twain’s "God Bless the Child" and Jann Arden’s "Still Here" in that they, in turn, look outward at the real world as it is with a healthy dose of introspection and a touch of whimsy.

In the album’s opener, “Last Night,” she pays tribute to the matriarch of Canadian folk, Joni Mitchell, referencing “The River” as Fall transitions into Winter. "Just Let It Snow" is all about slowing down and accepting things as they are, and not being weighed down by the end of a challenging year. The presence of snow is significant in many of the songs, as with "Little Snowflake," which appreciates the beauty and elegance of snowflakes as they fall. By contrast, "High Heels in the Snow" reflects on the tragic life of a teenage prostitute.

"The Coldest Winter in the History of the World" recounts the exhausting days of harsh winter weather when "It's hard to walk, it's even harder to be nice." This, contrasting with Miles' cover of Jesse Winchester's "Wintery Feeling," celebrates the splendour of falling snow in Montreal, acknowledging "You'll take the sun for granted if you outrun every storm."

"Casino el Camino" and "Christmas Makes Me Miss You More" vividly depict a musician's life on tour and the solitude of the holidays. "Santa Claus Parade" pleads with a grinchy lover not to "rain on my Santa Claus Parade," while "Blue Moon Bar," featuring Rebecca Campbell's vocals, presents a sombre honky-tonk scene on Christmas Eve.

The album finishes on a high note with the lively country rocker "Twenty Pound Turkey," a song that truly deserves a spot alongside Robert Earl Keen, Jr.'s classic "Merry Christmas from the Family."

This highly recommended collection showcases the talents of Lynn Miles on vocals and guitar, Keith Glass on guitar and electric guitar, Dina Maccabee on viola, Andrew Tholl on violin, and Chris Votek on cello, with Peter Kiesewalter composing the string quartet arrangements.

A Melancholy Christmas with Dustin Kensrue

Dustin Kensrue
“This Good Night Is Still Everywhere”
Vagrant Records
2008

There’s nothing quite like the sparkle and shine of an all-is-bright Christmas album when everything is going well in one's life. However, there are times when the real-life struggles we face during the season of peace and joy can dampen our spirits altogether.  Full disclosure: I love the sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday season, but I do remember a yuletide not so long ago when my life had taken a hard reset, and I found myself alone and feeling hopeless. The overwhelming sweetness of most holiday music was too much for my broken spirit to handle at that time. During that thankfully brief period, Dustin Kensrue's "This Good Night Is Still Everywhere" became my soundtrack for the season.

After several years as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist in the rock band Thrice, Dustin Kensrue launched a solo career and released his debut, “Please Come Home,” in 2007. The following year, he released “This Good Night Is Still Everywhere,” a unique and moody Christmas album.

The album opens with the wholly believable “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home”), a familiar lament for love lost and the angst of being alone during yuletide, delivered in an upbeat acoustic tone that belies the weight of memories of times past. We then move into “Christmas Blues,” an intimate recording that sounds like it was recorded in the early hours in a home studio. The slow harmonica accompaniment only enhances the song's solemn mood.

After a heartfelt rendition of “Blue Christmas,” the album offers one of its most captivating moments with a reimagining of the Pogues’ beloved “Fairytale of New York.” For me, this evokes an image of a character like Jerry Jeff Walker’s Mr. Bojangles—someone down on their luck, burdened by deep remorse. Following this, the title track seeks to find hope and meaning beyond oneself.

The following four songs are Kensrue’s interpretations of holiday standards, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen,” and “O Holy Night.” Once again, these are performed in an intimate, stripped-down style that is relaxed and inviting.

The collection ends with Kensrue’s dark hymn “This Is War,” which, despite offering hope through Christ’s birth, leaves the listener uneasy due to its heavy, dark arrangement. While declaring God’s victory over sin and death, it hints that mankind’s spiritual battle has just begun. Although unconventional for a holiday album, it fits within the shadows and light that preceded it.

By no means do I intend to suggest that one needs to be in a difficult place to appreciate this album. Quite the contrary, I play and enjoy this album every year and continue to appreciate its unique, thought-provoking songs. The classic holiday songs are all well performed, and I personally love the artist's relaxed approach.  Kensrue's original contributions, the title track and "This Is War," along with his take on “Fairytale of New York,” are always worthy of at least one seasonal listen for me.