I Don't Believe in Christmas by the Sonics is ideal for your anti-Christmas mix, although it might be a bit too partyish.
― ithappens, Saturday, 4 December 2010 18:54 (thirteen years ago) link
People pretty please post your Xmas mixes. I'll offer SOMETHING in return. I will.
Any Xmas releases of note this year? The Boy Least Likely To have one. Then "Jason Mraz Contributes "Winter Wonderland" to A Very Special Christmas Series Benefiting Special Olympics." And "Sea Of Bees cut a rad version of "Feliz Navidad" with proceeds benefiting the Trevor Project." This looks best of all: "Destination... Christmas!, the hilarious holiday album by The Superions (featuring the unmistakable lyrics and vocals of The B-52s front man, Fred Schneider), hits stores around the world today. The album defines the modern Christmas classic with a traditional twist. “It’s hard to say who our musical influences for this project were, because we don’t want to get sued,” says Fred."
― Kevin John Bozelka, Saturday, 4 December 2010 19:15 (thirteen years ago) link
The Saint Etienne Christmas album, A Glimpse of Stocking, is very nice. Website only - not in stores.
― ithappens, Saturday, 4 December 2010 19:18 (thirteen years ago) link
Any Xmas releases of note this year?
The new Sean Smith album -- titled Christmas, but of course -- scratches a good 'if you liked John Fahey's Christmas albums' itch, in large part because it doesn't sound like Fahey at all while still working in the 'hi I like acoustic guitar and doing things with it' vein.
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 4 December 2010 20:16 (thirteen years ago) link
About 15 years ago i went out and bought twenty-some christmas albums. I made this mix and dubbed 20 or 30 to give out to friends. Each and every track is a killer.
Carol of the Bells - John Fahey/Richard RuskinSanta Done Got Hip - The MarqueesJingle Jangle - The PenguinsIt’s Christmas - Jimmy WakelyChristmas Time Blues - Roy MiltonChristmas Blues - Canned HeatI’ve Got My Love to Keep me Warm - Billy HolidayChristmas Blues - Gatemouth MooreFar Away Christmas Blues - Little Esther Phillips and Johnny Otis(It’s Gonna be a Lonely) Christmas - The OriolesWhite Christmas - The DriftersJingle Bells - Jimmy SmithWe Free Kings - Roland Rashand KirkJingle Bells - Booker T. & The MG’sWonderful Christmas Night - Dan GrissomSilent Night - John FaheyPlease Come Home for Christmas - The InsightMerry Christmas Baby - Charles Brown and his BandSanta Baby - Eartha KittSanta’s Secret - Johnny Guarnieri w/ Slam StewartHere Comes Santa’s Pussy - The FroggsSilent Night - The Tim Fuller ExperienceJingle All the Way - Leena HorneJingle Bells - Leo WatsonGreensleeves - J. Smith/K. Burell/G. TateBlue Xmas - Miles DavisO’ Little Town of Bethlehem - Sister Rosetta TharpeWhen Joseph was an Old Man - The Clancy BrothersRussian Christmas Overture - John Fahey/Richard RuskinI’ll be Home for Christmas - The Pilgrims
― suspecterrain, Saturday, 4 December 2010 21:13 (thirteen years ago) link
Trembling Bells have a 7" with Bonnie Prince Billy and Mike Heron, which is great. The "Complete James Brown Christmas" has been released, but it mostly adds some not-so-interesting instrumentals to what everyone already knows. As Ned pointed out, the Sean Smith album is lovely.
There's a big long list at http://www.hipchristmas.com/annuals/new_releases/2010.php but it's mostly uninteresting tat.
― seandalai, Sunday, 5 December 2010 14:03 (thirteen years ago) link
Hee's another good site to keep track of new (and old) releases:http://falalalala.com/
The most recent post as of right now:http://falalalala.com/2010/12/an-uncle-daddy-christmas/also contains a linked to someone's (doomed?) attempt to keep track of and review the daily Xmas-related additions to Rhapsody
― Jeff W, Sunday, 5 December 2010 19:32 (thirteen years ago) link
I also usually keep track of this blog during December:http://www.christmasagogo.blogspot.com/
Again, a mix of old and new, but mainly new. Specialises in indiepop and music from continental Europe, plus the occasional oddity.
― Jeff W, Sunday, 5 December 2010 19:49 (thirteen years ago) link
Just discovered this gem:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reGkPIUbq8k
― seandalai, Monday, 6 December 2010 16:26 (thirteen years ago) link
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XiXOpnzyKv4/TJmRfqmJhnI/AAAAAAAAFxE/c40TI0gBi-Y/s1600/merry+christmas+II+you.jpg
― boo (surm), Monday, 6 December 2010 16:28 (thirteen years ago) link
rocks
I am seriously considering getting Susan Boyle's Christmas album
― Yeezy reupholstered my pussy (DJP), Monday, 6 December 2010 16:32 (thirteen years ago) link
You could make an excellent mix of anti-festive Christmas songs
Any such comp would have to include Departure Lounge's wonderfully humbuggy "Christmas Downer". No youtube that I can find but it goes "take me away from this obscene festive consumer frenzy/Some fairy lights and tinsel don't make up for the fact that it's freezing".
― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Monday, 6 December 2010 16:38 (thirteen years ago) link
suspectarrain's mix looks splendid. i wanna hear it! until then i'm gonna have to content myself with Vince Guaraldi.
The best Christmas music is definitely the stuff that got hauled out in your house every year/stuff you associate with Christmas. There's an old tape of people singing Christmas songs somewhere in my Mum's house that must have been bought on a trip to America in 1982. I wish I could find it as the songs from it just chime whenever I feel the slightest bit Christmassy.
About four years ago I watched 30th Century Man just before going to sleep on Christmas Eve. Watched it on my ipod in bed at my Dad's house, and now I always feel like listening to Scott Walker at that time of year.
― What are you doing here? (dog latin), Monday, 6 December 2010 16:44 (thirteen years ago) link
The best Christmas music is definitely the stuff that got hauled out in your house every year/stuff you associate with Christmas.
Definitely. I'll always rate Johnny Mathis and the Kingston Trio for that reason.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 6 December 2010 16:54 (thirteen years ago) link
see also: Nat King Cole
― Yeezy reupholstered my pussy (DJP), Monday, 6 December 2010 16:55 (thirteen years ago) link
On the anti-festive/emotionally devastating side of things...this is probably my favourite Christmas song ever but the only mix you could put it on is one that is "Christmas in my Soul" 10 times in a row:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO7-_xJz8CQ
― seandalai, Monday, 6 December 2010 17:06 (thirteen years ago) link
shit, that's amazing. gonna have to avoid the temptation to break it out and ruin any christmas parties i attend, now.
― Antoine Bugleboy (Merdeyeux), Monday, 6 December 2010 17:20 (thirteen years ago) link
(The most butchered song ever: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.")
this is probably true but i find most iterations of this really easy to listen to; it can sound really smarmy if the singer reaches for the poignancy in the lyrics and doesn't pull it off, but most versions either nail that tone or don't even try and sing it with like, no emotional content and the tune still idly carries it along.
― tremendoid, Monday, 6 December 2010 18:48 (thirteen years ago) link
that tune is one of the strongest melodies ever written IMO
― Yeezy reupholstered my pussy (DJP), Monday, 6 December 2010 18:49 (thirteen years ago) link
i've had the new mariah carey xmas album since early november, and it's so exciting that i can finally listen to it now that it's december
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Monday, 6 December 2010 18:57 (thirteen years ago) link
particularly looking forward to the "extra festive" version of "all i want for christmas is you"
― lex lex lex lex lex on the track BOW (lex pretend), Monday, 6 December 2010 18:58 (thirteen years ago) link
seriously considering getting all 9 of the Chanticleer Christmas albums
― Yeezy reupholstered my pussy (DJP), Monday, 6 December 2010 19:00 (thirteen years ago) link
anti-festive Christmas songs
Culturcide - "Depressed Christmas"
― Opinions happen, guy. (crüt), Monday, 6 December 2010 19:03 (thirteen years ago) link
btw Pandora's Classical Christmas channel owns as long as yous kip the occasional Rutter piece
― Yeezy reupholstered my pussy (DJP), Monday, 6 December 2010 19:03 (thirteen years ago) link
Pretty much settled on the tracklisting for this year:
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones - Jingle BellsJames Brown - Soulful ChristmasMr. T - Merry Christmas from Mr. TThe Sonics - Santa ClausHector Lavoe/Willie Colon - Aires de NavidadHarvey Averne Band - Let's Get it Together for ChristmasThe Flirtations - Christmas Time is Here AgainAztec Camera - Hot Club of ChristThe Aggrovators - Santa Claus DubO'Jays - Christmas Just Ain't ChristmasRotary Connection - Silent Night ChantChanters - African NoelCaetano Veloso - In the Hot Sun of a Christmas DayAugust Darnell - Christmas on Riverside DriverReuben Anderson - Christmas Time AgainNathaniel Mayer - Mr. Santa ClausGloria Wood - The Futuristic Christmas TreeWild Man Fischer - I'm a Christmas TreeLinda Cassady - Is Santa Claus a Hippy?Cold Chillin' Juice Crew - Cold Chillin' ChristmasJayram Acharya - Santa Claus is Coming to TownShirley Collins - The Gower WassailBanjo or Freakout - Christmas is ComingThe Beach Boys - Christmas Morning
― seandalai, Tuesday, 7 December 2010 01:48 (thirteen years ago) link
"Morning Christmas", not "Christmas Morning".
― seandalai, Tuesday, 7 December 2010 01:49 (thirteen years ago) link
mediafire or it didn't happen
― Kevin John Bozelka, Tuesday, 7 December 2010 02:26 (thirteen years ago) link
It's been mentioned upthread, but the piano at the end of Darlene Love's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) destroys me everytime.
― Popture, Tuesday, 7 December 2010 02:37 (thirteen years ago) link
lou rawls + david axelrod production :
http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/l/lou-rawls/album-merry-christmas-baby.jpg
best track = good time christmas
― mark e, Tuesday, 7 December 2010 09:00 (thirteen years ago) link
Love that Lou Rawls.
― seandalai, Tuesday, 7 December 2010 12:14 (thirteen years ago) link
Some fantastic Christmas mixes here
― groovypanda, Wednesday, 8 December 2010 14:29 (thirteen years ago) link
I like Sonic Boom's cover of Santa Claushttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1etdqgngAMThere are a lot of fantastic holiday tracks in here!
― Trip Maker, Wednesday, 8 December 2010 14:32 (thirteen years ago) link
Xmas organ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v3arZp5byU&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM-HF9B2joY&feature=related
― herb albert, Wednesday, 8 December 2010 14:56 (thirteen years ago) link
One of my favs, from Rhode Island ‘80s punk band Rash of Stabbings:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ekgDJou6G0
― Jazzbo, Wednesday, 8 December 2010 15:28 (thirteen years ago) link
http://s.ecrater.com/stores/53443/4aa5c19e7e8d4_53443n.jpgAlbum Share – A Cabbage Patch Christmas 1 Best Time Of Year2 Deck The Halls3 Christmas Favorites4 Sleigh Ride5 One More Dream 'Til Christmas6 Christmas Hoop-De-Do7 Mrs. Santa Claus8 Gimme-Gimme Take-Take9 Children Go Where I Send Thee10 All One Family At Christmas
― ZOUNDS! (CaptainLorax), Wednesday, 8 December 2010 21:48 (thirteen years ago) link
my favorite was track 4 - Sleigh Ride (stream it)
― ZOUNDS! (CaptainLorax), Wednesday, 8 December 2010 21:52 (thirteen years ago) link
This looks best of all: "Destination... Christmas!, the hilarious holiday album by The Superions (featuring the unmistakable lyrics and vocals of The B-52s front man, Fred Schneider)
I've been listening to songs on their myspace, and I so wish I could call it 'hilarious', or even 'good,' but it's sadly, painfully cheesy.
― The animal magnetism of Tim Pawlenty (Dan Peterson), Wednesday, 8 December 2010 22:18 (thirteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqK8RaHUYDo
Is it just me, or is the deliberate butchering of the melody line on Mannheim Steamroller's "Deck the Halls" impossibly obnoxious?
― Lazarus Niles-Burnham (res), Wednesday, 8 December 2010 22:21 (thirteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLvU-eSbFD0
― herb albert, Friday, 10 December 2010 00:28 (thirteen years ago) link
Robert Earl Keen's "Merry Christmas From The Family"...I only discovered him a year or two ago and I think it's pretty great.
A Very Special Christmas album (minus Bon Jovi's Backdoor Santa, which I hate)
Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Alvin & The Chipmunks.I should hate this song with every fibre of my being but it makes me giggle uncontrollably. I love the way hula-hoop sounds like "Hoonahh Hoohhh"
― Square-Panted Sponge Robert (VegemiteGrrrl), Friday, 10 December 2010 00:41 (thirteen years ago) link
My favorite of all time, unfuckwithable is Perry Como's Christmas album: love love love his Twelve Days of Christmas, and Twas The Night Before Christmas.
Jackie Gleason's Christmas albums, anyone? Love love love.
― Square-Panted Sponge Robert (VegemiteGrrrl), Friday, 10 December 2010 00:43 (thirteen years ago) link
usually christmas music is a dud for me - unless sung by bob dylan :)
― jeevves, Friday, 10 December 2010 06:58 (thirteen years ago) link
"Santastic V" - new collection of Xmas mash-ups
http://santastic4.com/V/
includes Cee Lo vs Jackson 5: Forget You, Santa! / F**k you, Santa!
― Jeff W, Friday, 10 December 2010 16:55 (thirteen years ago) link
I heard the song "Little Saint Nick" on a store radio, and thought it was pretty good-- even though I thought during the entire song that they were saying "Merry Christmas, Satan."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSynDh_K0EE
― Lazarus Niles-Burnham (res), Saturday, 11 December 2010 17:06 (thirteen years ago) link
Beach Boys have a good repertoire of catchy songs with ridiculous lyrics (in some cases they just swapped in some Christmassy lyrics into another song), but by far the greatest of their Christmas contributions is "Morning Christmas":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4F1h2RHZDI
― seandalai, Saturday, 11 December 2010 17:15 (thirteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG_vABhZ8vc
THE BEST CHRISTMAS SONG EVER
― "Kiss Players♥" (DJP), Wednesday, 15 December 2010 15:59 (thirteen years ago) link
that Homer & Jethro christmas album from 68'
― meisenfek, Thursday, 16 December 2010 09:17 (thirteen years ago) link
"spread the good word"http://s3.directupload.net/images/101216/reg8w37f.jpg
― meisenfek, Thursday, 16 December 2010 09:21 (thirteen years ago) link
1. White Christmas Darlene Love 2:522. Frosty the Snowman The Ronettes 2:163. The Bells of St. Mary's Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans 2:544. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town The Crystals 3:245. Sleigh Ride The Ronettes 3:006. Marshmallow World Darlene Love 2:237. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus The Ronettes 2:378. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Crystals 2:309. Winter Wonderland Darlene Love 2:2510. Parade of the Wooden Soldiers The Crystals 2:5511. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) Darlene Love 2:4512. Here Comes Santa Claus Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans 2:0313. Silent Night Phil Spector and Artists 2:08
three or four of the above, + 6 or 7 more.
― Antoine Bugleboy (Merdeyeux), Friday, 17 December 2010 19:04 (thirteen years ago) link