Advent Calendar December 24th - One More Sleep

It's the last day of the Advent Calendar, and my hands didn't want to behave at all today on this unfamiliar, UK uke. But this beautiful song from The Muppet Christmas Carol had to be *today's* song, so there was nothing for it but to turn away from the mic and will my silly, rebel hands to form the trickier chords.

I hope that you've enjoyed my Advent Calendar, such as it was, and that you're with the people you love this Christmas. If so, tell them that you love them, and cherish every moment. If not, make a toast to absent friends, and know that your heart is not alone this Christmas.

Read More
Advent Calendar December 23rd: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day

All you want for Christmas is this Wizzard track covered, with Santa beard hilarity, and multi-track harmonies? You got it. You’ve been good, after all.

This one is posted late because, well, it’s Christmas Eve Eve, and Tesco was mad (but full of good cheer), then cooking gravy was mad (but likewise), as was filming this in an unfamiliar setup, then realising I still needed to figure out the chords for the instrumental bit (sorted!), and then my sound recorder didn’t want to recognise my microSD card. I got there in the end...and I’m really proud of the potential this process shows. It’s proof of concept if nothing else.

Read More
Advent Calendar December 22nd: Step Into Christmas

After a long journey yesterday, we finally arrived home...and with so few sleeps left before Christmas day, there’s a lot to do.

Today's Christmas prep involved a whole load of shopping, and decorating our UK Christmas tree - with time-lapse, naturally. Sadly with all the Christmasing, I didn't get to do proper backing or harmonies for this song.

I really would have liked to, but time was against me. Maybe next year...

Read More
Advent Calendar December 21st: Deck the Halls

Gosh, singing both parts of this is an (inhale) adventure in (inhale) trying to take big (inhale) breaths whenever you possibly (inhale) get the chance, lest you run out of breath to (inhale) siiiiiiing! Quite an adventure, let me tell you.

Naturally, Deck the Halls is a total classic, referenced in other Christmas songs, and catchy as heck, it’ll have you fa-la-la-ing all the way home.

Read More
Advent Calendar December 20th: Merry Christmas Everybody

So, I did that Slade song. No, not that one, the one everyone knows.

There's no screaming "IT'S CHRIIISTMAAAAAS!" in this. No need to get stressed. It's not coming. I thought about doing it, but, it just didn't fit right. I have an amusing version where I did, but...nah. That's for hilarity in karaoke booths, and I wanted this to be a *nice* version that we can all listen to without going, "When does the screaming bit come? Is it now? Now?" *worryworryworry*

Undue stress for sensitive types, no thank you.

Read More
Advent Calendar December 19th: Bless Us All

The softer side. This song always makes me emotional, but then every song from this movie has that effect on me in some fashion. This one especially though.

The Muppet Christmas Carol is my very favourite Christmas movie; I think it’s pretty much perfect in every way. It has highs and lows, always makes me feel glad to be alive, and inspires me to create something wonderful. Like Muppets.

While this song isn’t my absolute favourite from the movie (that has a very LARGE spirit in it, HO HO HO!) this one doesn’t have any ridiculously hard chord changes in it, and I more or less made it through without my voice giving out…

Read More
Advent Calendar December 18th: Christmas Alphabet

One I like, but probably nobody really knows, unless you had a rad Cliff Richard Christmas album in the 90s. Bonus: this is a short one.

It’s fun to play and sing, and though the chords at the end aren’t quiiiiite perfect on the video, I know what they should be, but was having a ‘lacking in manual dexterity’ kind of day, so the simple version of the chords it was for the sake of Getting It Done!

Read More
MusicFaychords, christmasComment
Advent Calendar December 17th: Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas

This is quite literally my favourite Christmas song of all time.

Sure, I love the classics, in fact, the olde schoole of Christmas songs is my favourite genre, but as far as single tracks go, this one by the Eels is the absolute top. It’s easy to play, fun to harmonise (#FORESHADOWING), and just an absolute bop.

For those of us who suffer with depression and anxiety (waves hands wildly) it’s also a beautiful message. Because everything is going to be cool this Christmas, my darling. We got this.

Read More
Advent Calendar December 16th: Snowflakes

IT SNOWED! When I woke this morning it was snowing – sadly, it stopped by the time I’d set up my camera, aaand then started again after I was done. Clearly, Lady Luck isn’t on my side for a snowflakes tumbling shot today.

In my haste, here I am, bleary, puffy, makeup-free and in my PJs for a sultry(ish) rendition of a very pretty song by Olivia Holt off the Disney Holidays Unwrapped album. It’s a song that I like very much, and I think it came out alright, if I’m honest. Even with the camera randomly refocusing on the background every few moments…

Read More
Advent Calendar December 15th: Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy

I cloned myself! How else could I do this two parter?

I am immensely proud of this video. I know it's not perfect, and that's the lowest my register goes so it's not the nicest sound I can make, but the relationship between the two melodies is the most important thing - and it's there.

I’d like to think that David and Bing wouldn’t hate it. They probably would, but that’s okay. I grew and learned as I made it. And I was playing for me.

Read More
Advent Calendar December 13th: White Christmas.

I’m nearly (so nearly!) recovered from my cold…so it’s time for White Christmas. A belter if ever there was one, which I held back on out of respect for you, dear listener.

It’s a gorgeous song, sung to perfection by Bing, Dean and all those crooner guys. Heck, even Cliff Richard does a nice version, but then, I am partial to a bit of Cliff.

Mine was recorded hastily before I head out to the company party, where all shall make merry on pain of death. While I endure, come get yourself some chords!

Read More
Advent Calendar December 11th: Frosty the Snowman

I started getting my voice back (somewhat) so it was time to do something lively! AND WHO DOESN’T LIKE FROSTY THE SNOWMAN? People who are dead inside, that’s who.

My vocals are chock full of vibrato, but then I’m still kinda ill, so my breath control isn’t top notch today.

Regardless, this is a fun little ditty to play, and the chords aren’t hard. Come get dat chord sheet!

Read More
MusicFaymusic, chords, ukuleleComment
Christmas Song Advent Calendar: December 10th

I had to record this song yesterday, as life is going to get in the way today. Hence why my voice is still all addled with cold in the video. Needs must.

Today's song is a simplified cover of Best Christmas Ever by Julian Moon, and I think it came out quite pretty, given the circumstances. The chords are comfy and cosy, the words are romantic, and it’s got a nice, chill vibe which fits with my intense inability to put any force behind notes right now…

Read More
Christmas Song Advent Calendar: December 9th

My voice is so messed up from my cold that I can barely sing. When I call on it, the sound doesn’t do the usual…stuff it does. It’s quite upsetting, actually. I cannot wait to be over with this cold so I can stop just trying to stay on the right melody, and can start really enjoying singing again.

Today’s video is a soft and smoky version of Christmas Is Coming, an R5 song from a Disney Christmas album I love to bits, no matter what anyone says. *shrugs*

Read More
Christmas Song Advent Calendar: December 8th

This cold is the worst. I sound like a Smurf.

In other news I threw a party, and December 8th’s song is late because it was recorded hastily in the five minutes (that I wasn’t cooking masses of food or dressing my infected frame) before my guests came round. It’s a reedy rendition of the fun, festive bop, Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree. In hindsight, it came out better than expected, given how difficult it was to breathe… Shame I couldn’t upload it last night, but still.

I’m pretty sure you can do better, so come get the chord sheet!

Read More
Christmas Song Advent Calendar: December 7th

I have a cold. I feel pretty terrible right now, and my voice is all reedy and rubbish. Weirdly, I sound more normal singing than I do talking, but I can hear the difference, for sure.

It feels like a bit of a shame to do I’ll Be Home For Christmas when my voice isn’t on top form, but it’s one of the few Christmas songs that’s both short and doesn’t require much vocal oomph. I am severely lacking in vocal oomph today.

Read More
Christmas Song Advent Calendar: December 6th

Guess who got a cold? Yes. I know. It is the worst possible timing, isn’t it?

I flail internally with impotent sadness, but, this is the body I’m stuck in, and the endeavour’s about radical acceptance so, *shrug*, not much I can do.

Which means I must bring out, as the Blue Peter crew might say ‘one I made earlier’ for today’s song. In this case, Silver Bells, recorded last night, where I’m mega puffy and a little off because my cold was taking hold like mad.

Read More
Christmas Song Advent Calendar: December 5th

Let It Snow! Possibly one of the best Christmas songs of all time, no? And it doesn’t even mention Christmas once in the lyrics. The song title itself has an exclamation mark in it, to really hit home how little they cared about the snow while canoodling!

I love the smooth-as-butter Dean Martin version for my classic Christmas Playlist. But regardless of who’s singing, it’s a ditty that makes you feel all cosy, doesn’t it?

Read More