Distant December

Prerelease note

To be released on December 1, 2023.
(Actually released to streaming platforms on November 27 to allow time for uploading of lyrics.)

Words from Jesse

My first LP release since 2006!

At first, this was meant to be an EP, but as I was putting it together, I saw room for a few extra songs and got excited about an LP. Also, this is the first release I've manufactured/printed since 2006; after Seventeen Oh-Two Oh-Six, I went strictly digital. I decided to print this one for "merch" reasons, really. I had thought quite a bit about merch and concluded that I wanted something small and light; something collectible rather than discardable; and something that could represent me and carry metadata. I can't afford vinyl records at this time, and I know that there are many folks out there that once collected CDs. Consider this CD a collectible item and a way to further support me on my journey.

The first single off this release was Look at What You've Got, which was released on November 3. The second single is Softness in the Afterglow, which I am simply stating here as it is being released at the same time as the LP is released.

What is Distant December? I used to wonder if I'd ever release a Christmas/holiday album; a few folks even encouraged me to do so. Over the decades, I have grown to not fully feel or celebrate Christmas—not the way I did when I was a kid. I grew to dislike the pressure to buy stuff and to think of gifts, as well as the crazy traffic jam of everyone trying to do the same thing at the same time. However, having lived mostly in the southern hemisphere over 18 years, I had grown to miss some elements of the holidays. I missed the time-out we take—the pause in our lives to be with some friends or family and to share some meals, drinks, music, and laughs. I missed the cold weather and short days that wrapped those times. I realized I was missing the winter solstice and the social holiday break. I also realized that Christmas music was being used somewhat to intoxicate us and influence us to shop and consume. That confused me, as there are some Christmas tunes and Christmas albums I really love (Rocky Mountain Christmas, by John Denver, is one such album). Over time, I gravitated toward some songs that aren't necessarily Christmas tunes but easily are wintry or even December-y; on this LP there is only one song that was written clearly as a Christmas song, and that's The Christmas Song (which I can't help but include as I really do love this one). Other songs, like Let it Snow, Winter Wonderland, and Aspenglow do not mention or describe Christmas, but rather winterscapes and wintry warmth. I love these old songs. I've included a few of my own tunes that I dare not say belong with the ones written by old masters, but I do say feel wintry to me and suit my December-y vision.

I hope Distant December leaves you feeling warm. Maybe you can share some warmth with a friend or family member. Drop me a line if you want to send some warmth back my way.

Track listing

Softness in the Afterglow (4:45)
T3209952290 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (SOCAN/BMI, CMRRA)
CA-6P8-23-00004 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (PPL)
Aspenglow (2:37)
T0708822405 - © BMG Ruby Songs 1970 (ASCAP)
CA-6P8-23-00005 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (PPL)
written by John Denver
Look at What You've Got (4:31)
T3209953215 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (SOCAN/BMI, CMRRA)
CA-6P8-23-00003 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (PPL)
Let it Snow (3:28)
T0700953929 - © Cahn Music Company (ASCAP) / Quaytor Productions LLC (ASCAP) / WC Music Corp (ASCAP) 1945
CA-6P8-23-00006 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (PPL)
written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne
Winter Wonderland (2:14)
T0702004156 - © WC Music Corp (ASCAP) 1934
CA-6P8-23-00007 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (PPL)
written by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith
Reverie of Winter Warmth (4:01)
T3209953259 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (SOCAN/BMI, CMRRA)
CA-6P8-23-00008 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (PPL)
The Christmas Song (3:52)
T0700249611 - © Morris Edwin H & Co Inc (ASCAP) / Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP) 1945
CA-6P8-23-00009 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (PPL)
written by Melvin H Torme and Robert Wells
Song for a Winter's Night (3:56)
T0715148836 - © Warner Bros Inc (ASCAP) / WC Music Corp (ASCAP) 1967
CA-6P8-23-00010 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (PPL)
written by Gordon Lightfoot
Bottle of Wine (5:46)
T9314934537 - © Jesse Rivest 2019 (SOCAN/BMI, CMRRA)
CA-6P8-23-00011 - © Jesse Rivest 2023 (PPL)

This recording: catalog number JRIVEST17, © Jesse Rivest 2023, All Rights Reserved
UPC/EAN: 0198009372799
Released: December 1, 2023

Credits

Produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jesse Rivest at his Little Bakery Studio in Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Drums recorded by Marcos Pagani at Orbis Studio in Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Songs written (except where otherwise indicated) and performed by Jesse Rivest.
Drums and percussion performed by Misael Barros.
Hammond B3 performed by Alexander Raichenok.
Organ bass performed by Jesse Rivest.
Acoustic and electric guitars performed by Jesse Rivest.
Piano performed by Jesse Rivest.
Backing vocals performed by Jesse Rivest.
Album cover artwork by Paula Calderón (www.paulacalderon.com.br, @paulacalderon.arte, 2023).
Album cover layout by Jesse Rivest.

Special Thanks

Thanks to Jane Lino for being supportive, always.
Thanks to Misael and Alexander for their performances!
Thanks to Tico de Moraes for his ears and feedback.

Extras

Back cover

Printings

First printing/pressing was October 2023: 100 units of duplicated, six-panel wallet CDs.

Lyrics

Softness in the Afterglow

© Jesse James Rivest, 2023

With this fall
I have held
My gaze through the window
Breathy fog
On the pane
Frosts into new crystals

My mind drifts
Softly plays
Land a kiss on my cheek
Draft a poem
Air a tune
Reminisce of your grace

Light is fair
Winter hair untamed
Very still
Such a thrilling scene

Brightness in the window
Softness in the light that flows
Softness in the handle
Rightness in the hand that holds

Oven warm
Greasy sheet
Cutters sinking through dough
Crackling fire
Seasoned wine
Stirring in the afternoon

Light in wane
Winter mane thawing
Hang your coat
Bring your cheek to mine

Mildness in the mantle
Caress in the one I hold
Softness in the handle
Rightness in the hand that holds

Brightness in the laughter
Softness in the afterglow
Softness in the handle
Rightness in the hand that holds

Aspenglow

© BMG Ruby Songs, 1970

See the sunlight through the pine
Taste the warm of winter wine
Dream of softly falling snow
Winterskol, Aspenglow

As the winter days unfold
Hearts grow warmer with the cold
Peace of mind is all you know
Winterskol, Aspenglow

Aspen is a life to live
See how much there is to give
See how strongly you believe
See how much you may receive

Smiling faces all around
Laughter is the only sound
Memories that can’t grow old
Winterskol, Aspenglow

Aspen is a life to live
See how much there is to give
See how strongly you believe
See how much you may receive

See the sunlight through the pine
Taste the warm of winter wine
Dream of softly falling snow
Winterskol, Aspenglow
Winterskol, Aspenglow

Look at What You've Got

© Jesse James Rivest, 2023

Oh, here come old memories
Oh, how they shimmer bright as stars
How I love all them for what they were
Even wish I could stop and return

Oh, they take me back, those old songs
But I know that's not where I belong

Oh, here come the holidays
Still don't have any plans, just time free
How I long just to go far away
Fly to some warmer place and free fall

Oh, they take me back, those strung lights
And the songs we'd sing those cold nights

Take in who you've got around you now
Look at where you're at and don't look down
Find someone who needs a friendly smile
And share with them all that you've got

Snow is falling, a soft blanket accrues
Through the windows kids are staring at you
How you're dancing and entrancing
You're the last thing they'll see
As they fall asleep

Look at what you've got around you now
Enjoy where you're at and don't look down
Find someone who needs a friendly smile
And share with them all that you've got

Let it Snow

© Cahn Music Company / Quaytor Productions LLC / WC Music Corp, 1945

Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've brought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm
But if you really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

Oh, the fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbye-ing
As long as you love me so
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm
But if you really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

Oh, the fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbye-ing
As long as you love me so
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Winter Wonderland

© WC Music Corp, 1934

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song as we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say “Are you married?” We’ll say “No man!
But you can do the job when you’re in town”

Later on, we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid the plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say “Are you married?” We’ll say “No man!
But you can do the job when you’re in town”

Later on, we’ll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid the plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland

Reverie of Winter Warmth

(instrumental)

The Christmas Song

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you

Song for a Winter's Night

The lamp is burning low upon my table top
The snow is softly falling
The air is still in the silence of my room
I hear your voice softly calling

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter night with you

The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead
My glass is almost empty
I read again between the lines upon the page
The words of love you sent me

If I could know within my heart
That you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
On this winter night with you

The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are lifting
The morning light steals across my windowpane
Where webs of snow are drifting

If I could only have you near
To breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
And to be once again with you
To be once again with you

Bottle of Wine

Grapes on the vine, lustrous in the late sun
On the row, it's a process so slow
Passion and care, love in the inconstant
How it starts, every detail takes part

As she walked in she set her scene
That slender sense that some things just can't be
Oooo, we passed the night amicably
And you still hum your song unsung
Oh, bottle of wine

Bottle of wine, dormant yet expectant
On reserve, you're on special reserve
Tinted behold, deferred celebration
Inner glow, ripe and ready to flow

When I meet her you will, too
She will shed her tannin colours off for you
Oooo, wipe off your dust, sparkle and shine!
For until then you will remain
Oh, bottle of wine

When I meet her you will, too
She will shed her tannin colours off for you, yes for me, too
Oooo, wipe off your dust, sparkle and shine!
For until then you will remain
An unsung refrain
Oh, bottle of wine

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Jesse Rivest Music