Perhaps you remember meeting your significant other's family for the first time at Christmas? If they greeted you with open arms, then Steven Blane's joyous“First Christmas” will remind you of that special moment. Steven Blane is a Jewish man making the song's themes of loves and acceptance even more special.
"First Christmas" has a very engaging arrangement, in a good way. The time signature in the beginning of the piece is a bit improvisational, but after the drums enter a clear shuffle beat kicks in. The song has that “Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives feel to it. The sound is like a mix between country, old rock and roll, and cool jazz. The saxophone really draws that jazzy feel, especially at the end when it throws in those tensions.
"First Christmas" was written, performed and produced by Steven Blane and features Michael Johnson on saxophone. Steven has a unique vocal style that is a cross between Roy Orbison, Gene Autry and even Billy Joel at times. His expressive vocal performance fits this multiple genre vibe like a glove as he easily masters all the nuances demanded of the arrangement. He gives the song a dynamic performance.
First Christmas was inspired partially by the first time Blane’s wife brought him home for Christmas. Lines such as “my family will come to know why I love you so,” and, “when you find one that’s right, you bring her home and hold her tight,” display the love that someone has for someone else and how they want to share that love to their family. Bringing a loved one home for the holidays is often considered a big step in a relationship, so obviously the two lovers in the song are in it for the long haul and have very special feelings for one another.
Steven Blane, in the modern times, has created a Christmas classic that everyone can enjoy. This song has the “Holly Jolly Christmas” flare to it, but also has modern elements from different genres to sustain its legacy. "First Christmas" started with a moment shared between two people and their families, and grew into a song for everyone's family at Christmas.
"First Christmas" Is On National Indie Radio
"First Christmas" is in rotation on National Indie Radio (WNIR) commencing December 1st through December 31st as part of BWH Music Group’s Holiday Radio Special. WNIR features the best independent artists in the world and is part of the highly selective and nationally renowned BWH Music Group platform. The Holiday Radio Special will feature original holiday songs as well as covers by exceptional independent artists. Station information can be found at www.wnir-radio.com
About Steven Blane
Steven Blane has been very busy lately. He released a new Hanukkah EP as well as a brand new Christmas song. The six song EP, Hanukah , includes five traditional Hanukkah songs with new English interpretations and the song "A Little Light," which he wrote for Hanukkah years ago as a Hebrew School teacher.
His newest album, I Walk Alone, is a collection of songs that Blane wrote and produced. He played all the instruments on the album, and recorded, mixed and mastered it. I Walk Alone is an album comprised 60’s Rock & Roll, jazz tinged story songs.
In addition to I Walk Alone, Blane has released six other albums. I Confess was produced by White Heart core member Billy Smiley and recorded in Nashville, and The Shed Sessions received excellent reviews and airplay on radio stations across the country.
As a young boy in Jersey City, Blane’s grandma stood him on a table at a Knights of Pythias Talent Show. Singing “Delilah” in the style of Tom Jones in front of a supportive audience left a profound effect on Blane. Following college, he plotted his escape to NYC. Once there, he was cast in a Broadway Show as a guitar playing gypsy. Blane still has his Actor's Equity and SAG cards.
In New York, Blane lived on 8th Street in the Village and played gigs at bars. He wrote an Off-Off Broadway Rock Opera and had one of his songs performed on the original Star Search. Blane then decided to ply his trade as a singer-songwriter in Nashville. 100 miles later he turned around, struggled as an artist for a few more years, married the love of his life and became an audio-book producer.
For more information on Rabbi/Cantor and Songwriter, Steven Blane, please visit his website.
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