Fresh Air Holiday Edition: Jon Batiste and Questlove Share Their Favorite Christmas Songs

Podcast Information:

• Title: Fresh Air
• Host: Terry Gross, NPR
• Episode: Jon Batiste, Holiday Edition / Questlove Christmas
• Release Date: December 23, 2024

Introduction

In this special holiday edition of Fresh Air, host Terry Gross engages in intimate conversations with two of music’s most influential figures: Jon Batiste and Questlove. The episode celebrates Christmas through the lens of these artists, exploring their favorite holiday songs, personal anecdotes, and the intricate relationship between music and tradition.

Jon Batiste’s Segment: Embracing the Spirit of Christmas Through Music

Discussion on Christmas Music: Jon Batiste opens the conversation by sharing his mixed feelings about Christmas music, acknowledging the spectrum from “really fun” and “transcendent” to “irritating” earworms. He emphasizes the profound impact certain Christmas songs have on him, particularly those that transcend mere festivity to evoke deeper emotions.

• Jon Batiste: “Some of it is kind of transcendent and some of it is so irritating, causing like the worst earworms and like, just like, please don't play that again.” (00:00)

Influence of Vince Guaraldi: Batiste expresses his admiration for Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack, noting its significant influence on his musical style.

• Jon Batiste: “I associate a lot of that series and Vince Guaraldi in general with Christmas. That soundtrack, that album really changed me a lot.” (02:46)

Favorite Hymns and Personal Connections: The conversation delves into Batiste’s favorite Christmas hymns, such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” He discusses the emotional depth these songs bring, especially when performed in a minor key, which adds a sense of majesty and contemplation to the holiday season.

• Jon Batiste: “There's something about that space in time that certain Christmas music is able to manifest that feeling in that environment into sound.” (05:02)

Experiences with Church Music: Batiste reflects on his upbringing in a Catholic family in New Orleans, highlighting the cultural and spiritual significance of Christmas church services. He draws parallels between his early experiences with hymns and the disciplined creativity of composers like Bach.

• Jon Batiste: “I want to participate in some sort of ritual in service to the Creator, where I'm composing and sharing that music, just like I experienced when I was growing up.” (08:53)

Performance of Favorite Songs: Batiste performs renditions of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “O Holy Night.” Each performance is interwoven with his reflections on the songs’ meanings and their relevance to contemporary times.

• Jon Batiste: “That lyric has a relevance to our time.” (10:19)

Closing Thoughts: Jon Batiste concludes his segment by playing “Don’t Stop,” an original piece from his album Hollywood Africans, seamlessly blending holiday spirit with personal artistry.

• Jon Batiste: “Hallelujah.” (18:54)

Questlove’s Segment: Curating a Unique Christmas Playlist

Introduction to Questlove’s Playlist: Questlove, renowned as the drummer for The Roots and co-founder of the band, curates a distinctive Christmas playlist that diverges from traditional selections. His choices aim to highlight obscure and genre-blending tracks that bring a fresh perspective to holiday music.

Featured Artists and Stories: The segment features Amir Thompson, Questlove’s collaborator, who discusses his selections ranging from Dram and his mother’s rendition of “Silver Bells” to James Brown’s unconventional “Santa Claus.” Each song choice is accompanied by personal anecdotes and the cultural significance behind the recordings.

• Amir Thompson: “This is a really raw version of the song, so it kind of hits home to me.” (26:44)
• Questlove: “Hallelujah.” (18:54)

Exploration of Unique Christmas Tracks: Questlove introduces listeners to rare Christmas recordings, such as “Disco Claus” by Bionic and “Santa Claus Is a Black Man” by Akeem and Teddy Van. These selections showcase a blend of funk, soul, and cultural commentary, offering a nuanced take on holiday music.

• Amir Thompson: “It's hard to escape it... I was supposed to play Little Drummer Boy.” (32:11)
• Questlove: “Santa Claus, Santa Claus, please, please, please don't make me sad.” (36:35)

Stevie Wonder’s Promotional Jingles: Amir Thompson shares insights into Stevie Wonder’s Christmas promotional jingles, highlighting their brevity and creative impact.

• Amir Thompson: “There's a Philadelphia version of this particular jingle that I grew up with. This is when synthesizers get in the right hands of its creator.” (44:05)

Final Musical Selection – The Temptations’ “Silent Night”: The segment concludes with a soulful rendition of “Silent Night” by The Temptations, praised for its deep emotional resonance and spiritual depth.

• Amir Thompson: “The Temptations version, their slow version of Silent Night, is damn near a religion in black households.” (48:56)

Notable Quotes

• Jon Batiste: “There’s something about that space in time that certain Christmas music is able to manifest that feeling in that environment into sound.” (05:02)

• Amir Thompson: “It's hard to escape it. All throughout, like first and second grade, like every Christmas pageant...” (31:58)

• Questlove: “We should be able to disagree with each other without bullying each other into submission.” (37:32)

Conclusion

Terry Gross wraps up the holiday edition by highlighting Questlove’s upcoming projects, including his documentaries Sly Lives and Ladies and Gentlemen, 50 Years of SNL Music. She also previews the next day's episode featuring David Byrne’s favorite Christmas songs, continuing the tradition of celebrating the season through exceptional musical choices.

Additional Information:

• Accessing the Playlist: Questlove’s complete Christmas playlist is available on the Fresh Air website at freshair.NPR.org or in the show notes of the podcast.
• Support NPR: The episode includes a brief call to support NPR through donations, emphasizing the importance of public media.

This Fresh Air episode masterfully blends personal narratives with musical exploration, offering listeners a rich and engaging journey through the holiday season as seen through the eyes of Jon Batiste and Questlove. Whether rediscovering beloved classics or uncovering hidden gems, the episode underscores the profound connection between music and the spirit of Christmas.