Snaildartha: The Story of Jerry the Christmas Snail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snaildartha: The Story of Jerry the Christmas Snail - A Soul Jazz Extravaganza |
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| Studio album by
The Snaildartha 6
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| Released | January 11, 2004 |
| Genre | Jazz, spoken word, holiday |
| Length | 44:16 |
| Label | Innova Recordings, Stand Up! Records |
| Producer | Chris Strouth |
| Professional ratings | |
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| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity |  |
Snaildartha: The Story of Jerry the Christmas Snail - A Soul Jazz Extravaganza is a special music album from 2004. It mixes jazz music with spoken word (like a story being told). This fun holiday album was created by Chris Strouth.
The music was played by a group called The Snaildartha 6. This group included George Cartwright, a saxophonist from the jazz band Curlew. It also featured Matt Fugate, who is a storyteller and comedian. Matt Fugate and Chris Strouth wrote the story together.
The album tells a new version of the story of Buddha. But instead of Buddha, the main character is a tiny snail named Jerry. Jerry the Christmas Snail goes on an adventure to the North Pole. He meets other Christmas animals along the way. In the end, he meets and becomes friends with Santa Claus. The album's title, Snaildartha, is a funny play on words. It sounds like "Siddhartha," which was the Buddha's original name.
How the Album Was Made
The idea for Snaildartha started a long time ago. It was first performed in 1993. This was part of a special art show in Minneapolis at the Red Eye Theater.
About ten years later, Chris Strouth and Matt Fugate decided to record the story. They worked with saxophonist George Cartwright to make a new version. At first, they gave the album out as a Christmas gift to friends. Later, a company called Innova Recordings released it for everyone to buy.
In 2020, a newer, better-sounding digital version of Snaildartha came out. This was released by Stand Up! Records.
Why People Love It
Snaildartha has become very popular with some fans. It is often played during a long Christmas music show. This show is put on by DJ Jon Solomon at Princeton, New Jersey radio station WPRB-FM. Jon Solomon has played the entire album every year since 2004.
The album is also broadcast every Christmas on KFAI radio in Minneapolis. Many people listen to Snaildartha online more than any other part of the radio show. Some fans even hang snail ornaments on their Christmas trees because of the album!
Track listing
All songs composed by Chris Strouth and performed by Snaildartha featuring Matt Fugate. Text written by Matt Fugate and Chris Strouth.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rhapsody in Snail" | 1:05 |
| 2. | "A Snail Is Born" | 4:22 |
| 3. | "Interlude in Snail" | 2:08 |
| 4. | "The Te of Bob" | 2:05 |
| 5. | "Snail Night, Holy Night" | 1:50 |
| 6. | "Gift of the Menagerie" | 2:26 |
| 7. | "Snails Pacing" | 1:51 |
| 8. | "A Pilgrims Progress" | 1:51 |
| 9. | "Frostbitten Paws" | 2:00 |
| 10. | "Waiting For Claus" | 2:12 |
| 11. | "A Childs Christmas in Snails" | 1:27 |
| 12. | "Breakfast With Santa" | 3:02 |
| 13. | "Escargot a Go Go" | 1:03 |
| 14. | "Santa's Little Helper" | 3:12 |
| 15. | "Snail on the Keys" | 1:24 |
| 16. | "Claus and Effect" | 2:46 |
| 17. | "On the Half Shell" | 1:27 |
| 18. | "Discovering the Snail Within" | 4:39 |
| 19. | "Happy Glitter Trails" | 3:26 |
Credits
- As told by: Matt Fugate
- Sax: George Cartwright
- Drums: Terry Haanen
- Organ: Scott LeGere
- Mixed by: Brian Jacoby
- Mastered by: Bob DeMaa
- Produced and directed by: Chris Strouth
