Christmas Album Released

Okay, so the album is finally out and ready to download.  To start the download, please go here.

Previous Christmas Albums have also been consolidated into one file for download here.

Have a Happy Holidays!!

Charlie

Christmas Cover Art

Here's a little taste of the cover art.

(scott poupis 2010)

 
At this point, we're only a couple of days away from the debut of this year's Christmas album.

Stay tuned.

Christmas Album Update #1

Been working hard on the Christmas Album.  So far, getting pretty close on these songs:

• Happy XMAS (War is Over)
• Wisconsin (B. Iver)
• White Winter Hymnal
• Jolly Old St. Nick

Still working on some originals, but it's kind of hard going.  I find it hard to write christmas songs without snow - a horrible weakness I have. : )

Again, if you have a chance my christmas albums past have been posted here for FREE.

Christmas Album 2010

That's right folks, brand new Christmas Album coming out this year. Surprise, surprise, right?

Anyhow, you can look for it around the 20th of December. I'll be sure to keep you posted. This year's album cover comes courtesy of Scout Poupis.

While you wait, check out Christmas' Past by downloading other albums here.

From my family to yours, happy holidays.

Melody of the Day # 3 - "Off to the Side"

Well, the bad news is that I didn't get to write a new melody today. The good news is that it's because I was busy putting together my awesome new bike.

Here's a melody from the vault. Written more than a year ago for my album "The Joy of Driving." It seemed fitting seeing as I wrote this song about travel and I have a new way of getting around.

Melody a Day #2 - "Chains"

After talking to my friend Nick M. today about the Bad Plus, I was in the mood to write a song with a little bass line and a few surprises (don't steal that musical assessment of the Bad Plus from me Pandora - you bastards).

Check it out. I considered calling it "Teeth," but upon reflection, that title seemed gross.

Melody a Day #1 - "Bleek Man"

Here we go. The next big project. I used to do an album every two months, now I'm doing a melody a day. Check back here every day for a new melody!

Here's the first - a modest attempt. Maybe I'm rusty.

(Just click on the scan to enlarge)

The Health Care Debate - Facebook Style

I just wanted to post my response to one of my friends recent posts on facebook. He's a great guy and a hard worker, but I feel like he's the prime target of a lot of misinformation spiraling around regarding healthcare. Now, I don't believe I'm an expert on the subject or anything, but I've heard enough from both sides of the argument to take a position. And, as someone currently without healthcare, I am most definitely an interested party.

Here's his post followed by my response(s).

Mike Robinson Thanks Obama and other various crazy-assed left politicians. The health care "reform" will end up taxing the hell out of us who actually worked hard for a decent job/career that provides health care. Hope you can buy back your senate seat from Blagoi..????..vich.

Charlie Christenson

You're drunk.

Mike Robinson

Not yet...but soon. I'm just worried, because all the big corps that employee all of us college grads, are announcing that they have to cut back on a lot because of new "tax issues" concerning the new legislation on health care.

Charlie Christenson

Oh, Michael. Most likely they're lying to you... Those big companies want to lay you off to try to save a buck and their corporate asses, and poor people who can't afford health care are the ones they blame for it. Don't be mad at the poor people, or the ones trying to help. Be mad at the greed. Be mad at the insurance companies who have denied coverage to sick and dying children for years. Be mad at the financial policy makers of the last 16 years. And know that these "new taxes" will only apply to the disgustingly wealthy (who have ridiculous health care plans), and won't kick in for another two years. Everything else is a lie. The people creating these lies want to maintain the status quo of big big business and are leading us down a path were the middle class (you and I and our parents) no longer exist. There'll be just rich and poor. And I'd rather not be poor... (or poorer) right?

More money to the G-men, screws all of us.

This is in no way to try to humiliate Mike - instead, I thought we could continue the discussion on the blog?

Super.

Fabian Almazan and the LA LA Land

Last week I got a chance to check out the Terence Blanchard Quintet and hang out with one of my favorite people in the world, pianist Fabian Almazan.

While my revue of their venue (Catalina Jazz Club) wasn't on the rosy side, my review of their set(s) definitely was. They played with imagination and energy and were a bit of a breath of fresh air for someone who hasn't heard a high level of live music lately.

The next day we hung out at a great little taco place (which just so happens is owned by the cousin of jazz singer Diane Reeves) and hit up what is probably the final living saint of record stores, Amoeba Music... it's the highlander, there can be only one.

(the great thing about dropping names in a blog is that you can hyperlink all of them - or is that the worst?)

In a related story, Nick, Fabian and I saw one of the ZZ Tops and heard a guy utter what is, so far, probably the worst iPad joke - "Forget iPad, check out my iC@ck!"

Classy, as always.

Saving the World (One composition at a time)

Check out this entry from the Do The Math blog and guest blogger, John Hollenbeck.

Great considerations for all composers/creators out there.