The late James Casey, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer, released a Christmas EP in December 2022, featuring four tracks to add some flavor to your holiday traditions. A Little Something For Everyone is a perfect way to describe the album, as it features his original Christmas song, “Christmafunk”, two holiday classics, and a Gospel hymn, “His Eye is On the Sparrow.”
A Little Something for Everyone was released on 12/23 Records, the record slinging arm of The Nancy Langhorne Foundation, a 501(c)(3) VA based nonprofit that raises money for cancer research and free screening for the uninsured. The goal of the project is to partner with a different artist each year to release a limited edition holiday record and donate the proceeds to cancer fighting initiatives. NPR even featured two tracks on their Christmas Jazz Playlist
James Casey passed away in August 2023 at age 40 after a two year battle with colon cancer. A member of Trey Anastasio Band, and previously Lettuce, was a beloved member of TAB, showing off his vocal prowess as his time with the band progressed, alongside his saxophone chops.
For a Christmas EP, there is truly a little something for everyone here. Starting out with “Christmafunk,” chock full of funk from the start, showcases his vocal harmonies and building funk rhythms. James Casey’s take on “Christmas Time is Here” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio is soulful and touching, while “Joy to the World” is traditional, yet funky, with a nice dose of funk to close the song out.
The final track, “His Eye on the Sparrow,” featured elements of a few classic tunes (“I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “White Christmas”) and traces its roots to Elmira, NY in 1905. Civilla Martin, a Canadian-American hymn writers, was inspired to write the song based on passages found in the Bible.
In A Foot in Two Worlds: A Pastor’s Journey from Grief to Hope, Martin recounts the song’s origins: “Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.”
Casey’s take on the more than a century old song is an inspired piece of music, a brief instrumental that caps the EP wonderfully.
Order the opaque white vinyl EP here, where all proceeds will go to the The Colorectal Cancer Alliance and the EVMS Hopes Clinic to help the uninsured receive free colon cancer screenings. Visit James Casey’s website for more albums and merchandise.
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