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Cover Art by Jesse McKnight
It’s been a long time in coming, but because of the continuous requests for an island slant to Christmas music, I spent the hurricane season finally producing the CD. Most of the very popular carols are hundreds of years old and their originations are unknown.
But, they have been played in many different styles and countries, and I have always been concerned about adding just another rendition. However, the rhythmic island flavor can be the tonic and difference needed to spice up the holidays.
My case in point comes from the memories behind the song, “Hurt in the Children’s Eyes.” When I was a young boy, on one Christmas Eve my Dad dressed up in a Santa suit and asked me to go with him and carry some packages. We drove some back roads in the country and down a driveway to a little house that was dimly lit. I helped with the packages and was told to hide. My Dad rang some bells and hollered Ho, Ho, Ho, and knocked loudly on the door. A man and woman came to the door and Santa barged in loudly and asked the 5 or so children, who were scared to tears, to sing Jingle Bells. I watched in the window as the children’s expressions changed from hurt to amazement, and then joy as Santa dumped the bags of wrapped gifts and food on the floor of the sparsely furnished living room that showed no signs of Christmas. The man and woman openly wept as Santa shouted Merry Christmas and Ho, Ho, Ho’ed his way out the door. I remember the man asking, “who are you?” and Dad said, “I’m Santa Claus.”
Listen to Snippets from this Album
But, they have been played in many different styles and countries, and I have always been concerned about adding just another rendition. However, the rhythmic island flavor can be the tonic and difference needed to spice up the holidays.
My case in point comes from the memories behind the song, “Hurt in the Children’s Eyes.” When I was a young boy, on one Christmas Eve my Dad dressed up in a Santa suit and asked me to go with him and carry some packages. We drove some back roads in the country and down a driveway to a little house that was dimly lit. I helped with the packages and was told to hide. My Dad rang some bells and hollered Ho, Ho, Ho, and knocked loudly on the door. A man and woman came to the door and Santa barged in loudly and asked the 5 or so children, who were scared to tears, to sing Jingle Bells. I watched in the window as the children’s expressions changed from hurt to amazement, and then joy as Santa dumped the bags of wrapped gifts and food on the floor of the sparsely furnished living room that showed no signs of Christmas. The man and woman openly wept as Santa shouted Merry Christmas and Ho, Ho, Ho’ed his way out the door. I remember the man asking, “who are you?” and Dad said, “I’m Santa Claus.”
Listen to Snippets from this Album