Imagine the holiday season without the joyful noises of sleigh bells, carols or choirs. Then take away songs like Bruce Springsteen’s version of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and The Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping.” Sounds dull and empty, right? Now, reconsider the holes on your gift list in that light. From seasonal compact discs to oddball instruments, a musical gift might do the trick.
On the traditional/seasonal side, Nashville’s Warner/Resound Records has just released several new albums, ranging from Handel’s “Messiah” ($15.98 CD) to holiday offerings by Kenny Rogers and Emmylou Harris ($11.98 CD). All are available at major music stores everywhere, and selected Christian bookstores.
For those wanting to celebrate with song during the Hanukkah season, klezmer music may be just the tonic. Nurtured during hundreds of years of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, klezmer is now re-emerging as one of the fastest-growing ethnic sounds in America. For the holidays, there are two ways to go: The Klezmer Conservatory Band’s “Dancing In The Aisles” takes a more traditional musical route, while the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars put a post-modern, funky spin on the genre with their album “The Big Kibosh.” Both CDs are $14.98 and are available at Crow’s Nest, 333 S. State St., 312-341-9196.
On the more wild side, why not consider a theremin? Invented by physicist Leon Theremin in 1920, this electronic instrument is played without touching, but waving the hands between two antennas that control volume and pitch. The theremin’s eerie tone graces the Beach Boys’ song “Good Vibrations,” as well as countless science-fiction movies.
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“People love the theremin,” says Ray Campbell, owner of zZounds Music Discovery Center, 125 W. North Ave., 312-280-4664 (or on the Web at zzounds.com). “It’s different and it’s cool.” Campbell’s theremin runs $349, which includes an instructional video.