I watched the BBC News at Ten for the first time in many months yesterday evening. I’d found a feed to view it from in Spain and my curiosity got the better of me.
I now understand why my friends and family back home feel terrified by the latest developments in this really quite shite year. The language used was apocalyptic; mutant strains that are 70% more transmissible, crisis and meltdown, international travel bans and no deal Brexits. It’s all quite scary.
We could debate if the language is used in such a way to deliberately foster a greater level of civil obedience amongst people already jaded and confused by knee-jerk changes to policy and practice. But that’s not for now. On a human level, Christmas has truly been cancelled for many – or at least it’s going to be very, very different.
Until Next Year by a stripped-back version of The Horse Puppets neatly sums up how many must now be feeling. This is a melancholic song about not being together at Christmas, about looking forward resiliently to 2021 in the hope of better times because that’s all of the positive thinking we can muster. With pedal steel and chilled vocal, it’s one of the best country-folk songs you’ll hear all week.
“Next year we can’t wait to travel again, we miss seeing the world and meeting up with friends and family again. This Christmas we’ll be missing out on our normal family get together, first time in our lives,“, says Paul from The Horse Puppets when I ask what plans they have for Christmas and beyond.
2020 was looking like it was going to be a biggie for the seven-piece band from Manchester. With festival slots lined up, their infectious, energetic brand of music would have met the ears of larger crowds. Instead, husband and wife team, Paul and Helen have hosted weekly gigs as an acoustic duo to the world from their living room. It’s brought them attention though I’m sure they would prefer the fun of the festival circuit.
I’m not going to be seeing most of my friends and family until next year. We’re all in that boat but at least we still have the music to get us through.
sonicbreakfast 
The lack of freedom and the Covid mania we have is just painful are the moment as we are estranged from all those near and dear to us . This song is stunningly beautiful and sad and true I can’t see my family at Christmas or my friends. At least their is technology. But the lack of physical contact for singletons is palpable . A hug , and mistletoe kiss . For me my phone calls and messages keep me sane but it’s not the same as a warm hug , a drink and a conversation face to face . Merry Christmas x
>