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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 16, 2019 15:35:28 GMT
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Frost on the pumpkin, maybe a snow flurry or two. The squirrels in the back yard are gathering food for the winter. The neighbor is putting colorful lights on the lamp post. Tree farms that were dormant now have cars parked in the lane. TV commercials are advertising new toys, both for the kids and mom and dad. The malls are busy - the hustle and bustle is back. And the sounds of the season are in the air. Christmas music!
Do have a favorite era of Christmas music? A favorite Christmas artist? A favorite Christmas song? Let's go back...
1940's: Christmas music has been around forever, but it really started to become popular in the 1940's. In 1942, Bing Crosby recorded not just the most popular Christmas song of all-time, but for a long time the Irving Berlin-composed "White Christmas" was the most popular SONG of all-time. Gene Autry, The Singing Cowboy, came riding along with "Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer". Big Bands led by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman lent their Christmas swing to the season. And a Canadian-American bandleader/violinist, Guy Lombardo, became popular with his recording of the traditional song, "Auld Lang Syne".
1950's: The 1950's were the beginning of what became known as The Golden Age Of Christmas Music. Inspired by Bing Crosby, a number of crooners including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, and Perry Como recorded some timeless Christmas classics. In 1958, a high jumper and hurdler out of San Francisco State College (and personal friend of basketball great Bill Russell), Johnny Mathis, hooked up with arranger/orchestra leader Percy Faith to record the iconic Christmas album, Merry Christmas. The 1950's also featured what was known as "easy listening" or "mood music", and bandleaders/conductors such as Percy Faith, Mantovani, Ray Conniff, Mitch Miller, and Arthur Fiedler of The Boston Pops recorded some instrumental Christmas music standards. Out of Philadelphia, the son of Italian immigrants, Alfredo Arnold Cocozza - soon to be known as Mario Lanza - supplied his incomparable, operatic tenor voice to some of the most inspirational Christmas carols ever. And, in 1957, Elvis Presley recorded his first Christmas album with Elvis' Christmas Album.
1960's: The early 1960's is arguably the peak of Christmas music recordings. In addition to the above-mentioned 1950's artists who continued to record Christmas albums, crooners like Andy Williams, Tony Bennett, Jack Jones, and Robert Goulet added their voices to the Christmas season. Female singers like Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Barbara Streisand, and Julie Andrews soon joined in. Instrumental Christmas music was still popular and conductors/composers like Henry Mancini, Bert Kaemfert, and David Rose continued the tradition. Rock/pop Christmas music started to surface with albums by Phil Spector, The Beach Boys, The Ventures, and The Supremes. In 1963, The Beatles began recording annual spoken word and musical "Christmas messages" which were sent out on flexi discs to their fan club members. Country music was represented via Christmas albums by Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, and Chet Atkins. And, annual Christmas TV specials such as Frosty The Snowman, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, and A Charlie Brown Christmas brought us some sentimental Christmas songs from the likes of Jimmy Durante, Burl Ives, and Vince Guaraldi.
1970's: As the 1970's ushered in, many of the greatest Christmas songs had already been recorded, but there was still some very strong Christmas music to come. The Carpenters, with Karen Carpenter's angelic voice, recorded some beautiful Christmas music. Country Christmas music was still going strong with albums by Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, and more Johnny Cash. Motown released their great Christmas album from their Motor City magical groups. Some very popular Christmas singles came along like "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano, "I Believe In Father Christmas" by Greg Lake, and "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Slade. Oh, and The Beatles weren't through yet...well, kind of. It wouldn't be Christmas without John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time".
1980's - Present: Some excellent Christmas music continued to be recorded, just not as much. Some might say that the sentimental, spiritual quality of the old Christmas standards was lost. That's up to the listener to decide. All kind of genres continued to be represented. The "A Very Special Christmas" series was a showcase/mixture of popular recording artists, as was the NOW That's What I Call Christmas! CDs. Some great country Christmas music was recorded by Alabama, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Taylor Swift. Instrumental Christmas music continued to progress with groups like Mannheim Steamroller, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and John Tesh. Great singers like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Vanessa Williams, Andrea Bocelli, Michael Buble, and Josh Groban carried on the Christmas music tradition with their outstanding voices. Songs like "Last Christmas" by Wham and "All I Want For Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey became Christmas music standards. Pop/rockers like The Moody Blues, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, Chicago, and yes, Bob Dylan, all released holiday albums. And if you search a little bit you might find some great Christmas songs by The Band, The Kinks, Tom Petty, The Ramones, Roy Wood & Wizzard, Heart, and Queen.
You won't have to look very far to hear songs by Bruce Springsteen and Nat King Cole. And that's one of the best aspects of Christmas music. You can listen to the radio in the car, walk through a mall, turn on the TV, or you watch a Christmas movie, and often you will greeted by Christmas music from the 1950's standing side-by-side with Christmas music from the 2000's. Where else or when else can you hear two Christmas songs back-to-back from Perry Como and The Kinks, or Nat King Cole and Taylor Swift, or Johnny Mathis and Slade, or Frank Sinatra and Queen. Of course we did get to see and hear Bing Crosby and David Bowie sharing "The Little Drummer Boy"...together. Yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year indeed!
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 16, 2019 15:48:00 GMT
Each year, right before Christmas, David Lettermen invited Darlene Love to perform "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". Paul Shaffer assembled his own Wall Of Sound and perfectly duplicated the old Phil Spector recording. It was Must See TV!
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Post by B.E. on Nov 16, 2019 18:26:39 GMT
I plan to mix it up this year and listen to a few Christmas albums I've never heard before. I'll be sure to report back!
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bellbottoms
Pacific Coast Highway
Posts: 727
Likes: 201
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Post by bellbottoms on Nov 16, 2019 20:18:58 GMT
You won't have to look very far to hear songs by Bruce Springsteen and Nat King Cole. And that's one of the best aspects of Christmas music. You can listen to the radio in the car, walk through a mall, turn on the TV, or you watch a Christmas movie, and often you will greeted by Christmas music from the 1950's standing side-by-side with Christmas music from the 2000's. Where else or when else can you hear two Christmas songs back-to-back from Perry Como and The Kinks, or Nat King Cole and Taylor Swift, or Johnny Mathis and Slade, or Frank Sinatra and Queen. Of course we did get to see and hear Bing Crosby and David Bowie sharing "The Little Drummer Boy"...together. Yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year indeed!
This right here is something that I relate to, and I think it's why I ended up creating such a vast Christmas playlist last year. I love the idea that all of this music from different eras and genres could co-exist harmoniously together because it all shares the same spirit. However, trying to narrow it all down to the very best of the best ended up being monumentally difficult and I just couldn't do it. With the exception of Bob Dylan's Christmas album. I was able to eliminate that fairly easily and quickly, LOL. Of all the albums that I crammed together in that playlist, the three that stood out to me last year were: The Ventures' Christmas Album, Nick Lowe's Quality Street (a really nice selection of non-traditionals on there) and Winter Carols by Blackmore's Night (thanks to KDS for the recommendation).
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 16, 2019 21:51:33 GMT
You won't have to look very far to hear songs by Bruce Springsteen and Nat King Cole. And that's one of the best aspects of Christmas music. You can listen to the radio in the car, walk through a mall, turn on the TV, or you watch a Christmas movie, and often you will greeted by Christmas music from the 1950's standing side-by-side with Christmas music from the 2000's. Where else or when else can you hear two Christmas songs back-to-back from Perry Como and The Kinks, or Nat King Cole and Taylor Swift, or Johnny Mathis and Slade, or Frank Sinatra and Queen. Of course we did get to see and hear Bing Crosby and David Bowie sharing "The Little Drummer Boy"...together. Yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year indeed!
This right here is something that I relate to, and I think it's why I ended up creating such a vast Christmas playlist last year. I love the idea that all of this music from different eras and genres could co-exist harmoniously together because it all shares the same spirit. However, trying to narrow it all down to the very best of the best ended up being monumentally difficult and I just couldn't do it. With the exception of Bob Dylan's Christmas album. I was able to eliminate that fairly easily and quickly, LOL. Yes, it is a difficult task to "narrow it down", separate, mix together, or create the perfect playlist. It's taken me several years to pretty much get things/artists/songs the way I want them, but it has been a labor of love. I like to categorize different types of Christmas music, and that has led to numerous comps or themes that I can now simply pull up on a whim. Some of those categories include:
- Instrumental Christmas Music - An Old Fashioned Christmas (1950's and 1960's) - A Rock & Roll Christmas - An Alternative Christmas - The Beach Boys' Family Christmas (The Beach Boys (1964 and 1977), Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Carnie & Wendy Wilson, and "Goin' South" - Christmas With The Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr.) - Religious Christmas Carols - Bob Dylan & The Band - For Christmas - A Country Christmas - Popular Christmas Songs
- Relaxing Christmas Music
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Post by kds on Nov 17, 2019 4:47:04 GMT
I can't say I have a favorite era for Christmas music.
My favorite Christmas song is Lennon's Happy Xmas.
My favorite Christmas artist is Trans Siberian Orchestra. Their 1996 Christmas Eve and Other Stories album is my favorite Christmas album, and one of my favorite all time albums. The Christmas Attic and The Lost Christmas Eve are also very good.
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Post by lonelysummer on Nov 18, 2019 7:44:12 GMT
Too early for it just yet. I'm spinning Thanksgiving Day by Ray Davies, the Turkey by the Raiders, and Alice's Restaurant Massecre by Arlo Guthrie.
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bellbottoms
Pacific Coast Highway
Posts: 727
Likes: 201
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Post by bellbottoms on Nov 18, 2019 21:01:54 GMT
Yes, it is a difficult task to "narrow it down", separate, mix together, or create the perfect playlist. It's taken me several years to pretty much get things/artists/songs the way I want them, but it has been a labor of love. I like to categorize different types of Christmas music, and that has led to numerous comps or themes that I can now simply pull up on a whim. Some of those categories include:
- Instrumental Christmas Music - An Old Fashioned Christmas (1950's and 1960's) - A Rock & Roll Christmas - An Alternative Christmas - The Beach Boys' Family Christmas (The Beach Boys (1964 and 1977), Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Carnie & Wendy Wilson, and "Goin' South" - Christmas With The Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr.) - Religious Christmas Carols - Bob Dylan & The Band - For Christmas - A Country Christmas - Popular Christmas Songs
- Relaxing Christmas Music
I may steal a few of these ideas, like the Rat Pack one and the Rock 'n' Roll one. One of the toughest things about Christmas playlists specifically, is not doubling up on different versions of the same song. For example, I had this idea that I wanted to create kind of a "definitive" or "ultimate" playlist without duplicating any one Christmas song, but then that would mean with Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, deciding between the Springsteen version and the Cyndi Lauper/Frank Sinatra version, for example. Just thinking about that makes my head spin - they both deserve to be there! So maybe the best approach is create separate playlists with different themes.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 20, 2019 3:11:24 GMT
On her 1971 album, Blue, Joni Mitchell recorded a song called "River". Due to the opening lyrics of the song - "It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees, putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace...Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on" - the song has been adopted by several artists as a Christmas song. Barry Manilow, James Taylor, Sarah McLaughlin, and Aimee Mann all did cover versions of "River". I love the song, and I think my favorite version is by Linda Ronstadt, recorded for her 2000 album, A Merry Little Christmas:
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Post by kds on Nov 21, 2019 16:28:46 GMT
I believe tomorrow is the day that Baltimore's 101.9 FM goes all Christmas music from then until Christmas Day. I'm sure most markets have a station that does this, and despite over 75 years of recorded Christmas music, sticks to the same group of songs.
So, as a public service, here are ten songs, in no particular order, that they could pull back on. I actually like the majority of the songs on this list, but they can all stand to be played less in the name of variety.
1. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas is You - I honestly never need to hear this song again. I didn't used to mind it, it's somewhat Spector-esque. But, after a quarter century, I'm done. Honorable mention to Kelly Clarkson's Under My Tree, which tries to copy the Spector pastiche formula, with far worse results.
2. Wings - Wonderful Christmas Time - Now, I actually do love this song. But, by Dec 25th, I think our station has played it about 576 times.
3. Andy Williams - The Holiday Season - Starts out ok, but once he starts scatting, it gets embarrassing. I tend to enjoy Andy's Christmas material, but one listen a year is plenty with this track.
4. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas - Landmark charity single which really sounds far too cheerful, considering the lyrics. If I want to be preached at (looking at you, Bono!), I'll put on Jethro Tull's Christmas Song. At least the lyrics match the tone.
5. The Chipmunks - The Chipmunk Song - It's in your head now, isn't it? It's cute. It's fun. I like it. But, after listen #300, I hope Alvin gets a lump of coal instead of a hula hoop.
6. Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad - It's quite a long song considering the bulk of it is two lines of lyrics.
7. Wham - Last Christmas - I feel like this one gets played a lot more since George Michael died on Christmas a few years ago. And may the Taylor Swift version share the same fate as Tiny Tim, before Scrooge's redemption.
8. Michael Buble - Well, anything. Just play the Bing song he copied.
9. Springsteen - Santa Claus is Comin to Town - I want Clarence to get a new saxophone too, the first two dozen times.
10. Burl Ives - Holly Jolly Christmas - Legendary. Iconic. Wouldn't be Christmas without it. But, again, too much of a good thing.
So, come on programmers, mix it up. Johnny Cash has some great Christmas music you never hear. The TSO have more than two songs. Candice Night from Blackmore's Night is a far better singer than Arianna Grande too.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 22, 2019 0:56:33 GMT
I believe tomorrow is the day that Baltimore's 101.9 FM goes all Christmas music from then until Christmas Day. I'm sure most markets have a station that does this, and despite over 75 years of recorded Christmas music, sticks to the same group of songs. So, as a public service, here are ten songs, in no particular order, that they could pull back on. I actually like the majority of the songs on this list, but they can all stand to be played less in the name of variety. 1. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas is You - I honestly never need to hear this song again. I didn't used to mind it, it's somewhat Spector-esque. But, after a quarter century, I'm done. Honorable mention to Kelly Clarkson's Under My Tree, which tries to copy the Spector pastiche formula, with far worse results. 2. Wings - Wonderful Christmas Time - Now, I actually do love this song. But, by Dec 25th, I think our station has played it about 576 times. 3. Andy Williams - The Holiday Season - Starts out ok, but once he starts scatting, it gets embarrassing. I tend to enjoy Andy's Christmas material, but one listen a year is plenty with this track. 4. Band Aid - Do They Know It's Christmas - Landmark charity single which really sounds far too cheerful, considering the lyrics. If I want to be preached at (looking at you, Bono!), I'll put on Jethro Tull's Christmas Song. At least the lyrics match the tone. 5. The Chipmunks - The Chipmunk Song - It's in your head now, isn't it? It's cute. It's fun. I like it. But, after listen #300, I hope Alvin gets a lump of coal instead of a hula hoop. 6. Jose Feliciano - Feliz Navidad - It's quite a long song considering the bulk of it is two lines of lyrics. 7. Wham - Last Christmas - I feel like this one gets played a lot more since George Michael died on Christmas a few years ago. And may the Taylor Swift version share the same fate as Tiny Tim, before Scrooge's redemption. 8. Michael Buble - Well, anything. Just play the Bing song he copied. 9. Springsteen - Santa Claus is Comin to Town - I want Clarence to get a new saxophone too, the first two dozen times. 10. Burl Ives - Holly Jolly Christmas - Legendary. Iconic. Wouldn't be Christmas without it. But, again, too much of a good thing. So, come on programmers, mix it up. Johnny Cash has some great Christmas music you never hear. The TSO have more than two songs. Candice Night from Blackmore's Night is a far better singer than Arianna Grande too. Good list, kds, and I talk to a lot of people who would agree with you!
Funny thing about "Wonderful Christmas Time". It came out in 1979, and for many years, not only did I think it was overplayed, but I didn't even like it. However, over the years it grew on me (maybe because my Beatles/Paul McCartney fandom grew), and now I love it. Yes, "Wonderful Christmas Time" is overplayed, but sentimentality has won out, and it wouldn't be Christmas without hearing it.
One side note. "Wonderful Christmas Time" is the song that people love to hate, and Paul has received his share of criticism over the years for the simplicity of the song. I don't agree. I think it's a good song. Simple, yes, but that doesn't mean it's without merit. The melody is very catchy, the lyrics are happy, the arrangements are quirky but fun, and Paul sings the song great. No, it ain't "Here, There and Everywhere", but it's an essential Christmas song, and that should be enough.
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Post by kds on Nov 22, 2019 13:51:52 GMT
Over the last two decades, it's become "hip" to hate on much of Paul McCartney's post Beatles work. And, in recent years, I see Wonderful Christmastime top lists of Worst Christmas Songs (which is actually impossible in a universe where The Christmas Shoes exists).
But, if the song didn't have fans, it wouldn't get overplayed each year.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 22, 2019 14:06:39 GMT
Over the last two decades, it's become "hip" to hate on much of Paul McCartney's post Beatles work. And, in recent years, I see Wonderful Christmastime top lists of Worst Christmas Songs (which is actually impossible in a universe where The Christmas Shoes exists). But, if the song didn't have fans, it wouldn't get overplayed each year. And, also, there was the inevitable comparison of "Wonderful Christmas Time" to John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" which wasn't fair. Apples and oranges. I'm sure you diehard Beatles' fans know this but John...borrowed...much of the song from an old English folk song.
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Post by kds on Nov 22, 2019 14:11:40 GMT
Over the last two decades, it's become "hip" to hate on much of Paul McCartney's post Beatles work. And, in recent years, I see Wonderful Christmastime top lists of Worst Christmas Songs (which is actually impossible in a universe where The Christmas Shoes exists). But, if the song didn't have fans, it wouldn't get overplayed each year. And, also, there was the inevitable comparison of "Wonderful Christmas Time" to John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" which wasn't fair. Apples and oranges. I'm sure you diehard Beatles' know this but John...borrowed...much of the song from an old English folk song. I always thought any comparisons between John and Paul's work tends to be unfair since their styles are so different. Have you ever listened to Ray Charles' "The Spirit of Christmas." There's a moment in that song, after Ray sings "The blessed way that he came to us / Why can't it remain" where his back up singers sing a wordless "OH" melody that's very similar to "War is Over / If You Want It." I know John was a fan of Ray, so I always wondered if he subconsciously or consciously took that melody.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Nov 22, 2019 14:17:11 GMT
And, also, there was the inevitable comparison of "Wonderful Christmas Time" to John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" which wasn't fair. Apples and oranges. I'm sure you diehard Beatles' know this but John...borrowed...much of the song from an old English folk song. I always thought any comparisons between John and Paul's work tends to be unfair since their styles are so different. Have you ever listened to Ray Charles' "The Spirit of Christmas." There's a moment in that song, after Ray sings "The blessed way that he came to us / Why can't it remain" where his back up singers sing a wordless "OH" melody that's very similar to "War is Over / If You Want It." I know John was a fan of Ray, so I always wondered if he subconsciously or consciously took that melody. Whoa! kds with some obscure Christmas music trivia. First a long, detailed list and now this. I love it!
No, I'm not familiar with Ray Charles' Christmas music but I'll check it out.
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