Panorama Jingles Bells Its Way
The Panorama Jazz Band's monthly download gives us a familiar Christmas song that doesn't sound so familiar.
[Updated] Last Christmas, Panorama Jazz Band released "Christmas (Like Ya Just Don't Care)," the result of playing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" in a major key. This year, Panorama clarinet player Ben Schenck has once again taken strategic liberties with a Christmas classic, and earlier this week it released "Jingle Bells (in seven)." You can download it by joining Panorama's subscription service, which emails subscribers new music monthly.
According to Schenck, they made the song into a a Bulgarian rachenitza, which puts the song in 7/8 time. The version's spry enthusiasm makes it a seasonal success free from the Hallmark twinkle, but the 7/8 time makes it a slightly complicated dance.
In other Christmas music news, the St. Louis Cathedral concerts started yesterday. Tonight, The Preservation Hall All-Stars will play a program of Christmas music, and future highlights include John Boutte December 6, Don Vappie December 13, and Debbie Davis and Friends December 15. Shows are free and start at 6 p.m.
Updated December 3, 1:04 p.m.
"Christmas (Like Ya Just Don't Care)" is in a major, not a minor key as first written. The text has been changed to reflect the correction.
