Brad Paisley - A Brad Paisley Christmas

This was my final gift from Jeff, the lovely and talented guy behind Jeffco Productions (did I mention he's got FREE album downloads at his site?)

This CD was totally unexpected since I'm a pure, die-hard, in-the-wool, old school country music lover (Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, George Jones, anything pre-1980) and absolutely loathe most contemporary country music.

I didn't know anything about Brad Paisley before receiving this CD (with the exception that he's married to that cutie Kimberly Williams-Paisley from "According To Jim").

Paisley hails from West Virginia and received his first guitar at the age of eight from his maternal grandfather. By the age of 12, Brad had written his first song and began appearing onstage as the opening act for the likes of Ricky Skaggs and George Jones!

After graduating from high school in the early 1990s, he attended Belmont University in Nashville on an ASCAP scholarship no less! Between studies, Paisley took in the music scene around Nashville with college friends Frank Rogers and Kelley Lovelace. Both would become Brad's music producer and songwriting partner respectively.

Before he got his break as a singer, Paisley signed a songwriting contract with EMI Music Publishing and contributed several songs to other up-and-comers like Tracy Byrd and David Hall. This is totally common in Nashville - one of the few places remaining in the recording industry where songwriters still go up and down Music Row touting their songs for sale.

In 1999, Brad recorded his first album for Arista Nashville entitled "Who Needs Pictures". His singles "He Didn't Have To Be" and "We Danced" off the album both reached #1 on the country charts. The following year he received the Country Music Association's Horizon award (awarded to promising newcomers) and the Academy of Country Music awarded him their best new male vocalist trophy.

While making the video of his 2002 single "I'm Gonna Miss Her" (with appearances from ESPN's Dan Patrick, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Jerry Springer), an actress was needed to play Paisley's wife. Can you guess who they cast?

2003 saw the release of "Mud On The Tires"; Brad's 3rd album. The single "Celebrity" is a pretty funny take on instant celebrity and the video spoofs reality shows like "Fear Factor", "The Bachelorette" (with Trista Rehn), and "American Idol" (with William Shatner doing his best Simon Cowell!).



Man, I'm liking this Brad Paisley more and more! Other singles from the album include "Whiskey Lullaby" with Allison Krauss and the title track which reached number #1 again.

Paisley also contributed two songs to the Disney/Pixar movie soundtrack of "Cars" in 2005 and released his 5th album, "Time Well Wasted". This album spawned three number #1 hits ("The World", "She's Everything", and "When I Get Where I'm Going", a duet with Dolly Parton) and received the CMA's Album of the Year award last November. This brings us to his most recent release - this Christmas CD.

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Winter Wonderland
A competent country cover of this Christmas classic (what alliteration!)

2.) Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
This fine cover of the old Buck Owens tune is long winded but WOW! Nice guitar licks in this!

3.) I'll Be Home For Christmas
One part Tony Bennett, one part Chet Atkins. A very nice version of this song!

4.) Away In A Manger
I liked this but it stretched out way too long. By minute four, I was tuning out.

5.) Penguin, James Penguin
Did you know Santa had a secret agent bird that helps his keep tabs on all of us? A funny new Christmas character has arrived!

6.) 364 Days To Go
Country music still tells great stories. This is a fine example. What do you do when Christmas ends?

7.) Jingle Bells (Instrumental)
This one gives Chet Atkins and Brian Setzer's instrumental versions a run for their money! WoooEEE!

8.) Silent Night
A beautiful country rendition - overlong but it's worth it.

9.) Born On Christmas Day
Written when Brad was a lad of 13, we hear a tape of him playing this live onstage first. Full grown Brad takes over, and both end up singing at the end of this song - a beautiful song about Joseph, Mary, a manger, and baby Jesus.

10.) Silver Bells
More countrified Christmas... I'm not minded as much as I thought I would anymore!

11.) Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday
A brilliant satire on political correctness - every time the Kung Pao Buckaroos (George Jones, Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens) say "C-----mas", they get bleeped! "We Three Kings of O-----" can't be sung, substitute Asian instead! PURE GENIUS!

12.) Little Jimmy Dickens outtake
85 years old and still going strong... Bless you Jimmy!


Coming into this review, I knew nothing about Brad Paisley. I'm glad I took the trip.

This guy has his head firmly on his shoulders, respects old school country music while playing and writing some great contemporary country music, is about to become a father soon (good luck you two), and has released a well done Christmas album to boot! If you get a chance, track this one down... you won't be sorry!


UP NEXT: The final Christmas CD from my stash of 22 CDs from under the tree.


Capt

Brad Paisley - A Brad Paisley Christmas

This was my final gift from Jeff, the lovely and talented guy behind Jeffco Productions (did I mention he's got FREE album downloads at his site?)

This CD was totally unexpected since I'm a pure, die-hard, in-the-wool, old school country music lover (Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, George Jones, anything pre-1980) and absolutely loathe most contemporary country music.

I didn't know anything about Brad Paisley before receiving this CD (with the exception that he's married to that cutie Kimberly Williams-Paisley from "According To Jim").

Paisley hails from West Virginia and received his first guitar at the age of eight from his maternal grandfather. By the age of 12, Brad had written his first song and began appearing onstage as the opening act for the likes of Ricky Skaggs and George Jones!

After graduating from high school in the early 1990s, he attended Belmont University in Nashville on an ASCAP scholarship no less! Between studies, Paisley took in the music scene around Nashville with college friends Frank Rogers and Kelley Lovelace. Both would become Brad's music producer and songwriting partner respectively.

Before he got his break as a singer, Paisley signed a songwriting contract with EMI Music Publishing and contributed several songs to other up-and-comers like Tracy Byrd and David Hall. This is totally common in Nashville - one of the few places remaining in the recording industry where songwriters still go up and down Music Row touting their songs for sale.

In 1999, Brad recorded his first album for Arista Nashville entitled "Who Needs Pictures". His singles "He Didn't Have To Be" and "We Danced" off the album both reached #1 on the country charts. The following year he received the Country Music Association's Horizon award (awarded to promising newcomers) and the Academy of Country Music awarded him their best new male vocalist trophy.

While making the video of his 2002 single "I'm Gonna Miss Her" (with appearances from ESPN's Dan Patrick, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Jerry Springer), an actress was needed to play Paisley's wife. Can you guess who they cast?

2003 saw the release of "Mud On The Tires"; Brad's 3rd album. The single "Celebrity" is a pretty funny take on instant celebrity and the video spoofs reality shows like "Fear Factor", "The Bachelorette" (with Trista Rehn), and "American Idol" (with William Shatner doing his best Simon Cowell!).



Man, I'm liking this Brad Paisley more and more! Other singles from the album include "Whiskey Lullaby" with Allison Krauss and the title track which reached number #1 again.

Paisley also contributed two songs to the Disney/Pixar movie soundtrack of "Cars" in 2005 and released his 5th album, "Time Well Wasted". This album spawned three number #1 hits ("The World", "She's Everything", and "When I Get Where I'm Going", a duet with Dolly Parton) and received the CMA's Album of the Year award last November. This brings us to his most recent release - this Christmas CD.

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Winter Wonderland
A competent country cover of this Christmas classic (what alliteration!)

2.) Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
This fine cover of the old Buck Owens tune is long winded but WOW! Nice guitar licks in this!

3.) I'll Be Home For Christmas
One part Tony Bennett, one part Chet Atkins. A very nice version of this song!

4.) Away In A Manger
I liked this but it stretched out way too long. By minute four, I was tuning out.

5.) Penguin, James Penguin
Did you know Santa had a secret agent bird that helps his keep tabs on all of us? A funny new Christmas character has arrived!

6.) 364 Days To Go
Country music still tells great stories. This is a fine example. What do you do when Christmas ends?

7.) Jingle Bells (Instrumental)
This one gives Chet Atkins and Brian Setzer's instrumental versions a run for their money! WoooEEE!

8.) Silent Night
A beautiful country rendition - overlong but it's worth it.

9.) Born On Christmas Day
Written when Brad was a lad of 13, we hear a tape of him playing this live onstage first. Full grown Brad takes over, and both end up singing at the end of this song - a beautiful song about Joseph, Mary, a manger, and baby Jesus.

10.) Silver Bells
More countrified Christmas... I'm not minded as much as I thought I would anymore!

11.) Kung Pao Buckaroo Holiday
A brilliant satire on political correctness - every time the Kung Pao Buckaroos (George Jones, Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens) say "C-----mas", they get bleeped! "We Three Kings of O-----" can't be sung, substitute Asian instead! PURE GENIUS!

12.) Little Jimmy Dickens outtake
85 years old and still going strong... Bless you Jimmy!


Coming into this review, I knew nothing about Brad Paisley. I'm glad I took the trip.

This guy has his head firmly on his shoulders, respects old school country music while playing and writing some great contemporary country music, is about to become a father soon (good luck you two), and has released a well done Christmas album to boot! If you get a chance, track this one down... you won't be sorry!


UP NEXT: The final Christmas CD from my stash of 22 CDs from under the tree.


Capt

James Taylor - At Christmas

Several weeks ago, my friend Mason lent me his DVD of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival to peruse.

This amazing DVD has some of the finest guitar players assembled in one sitting. Name 'em and they were there: Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Joe Walsh, and B.B. King.

Want more? How about Robert Cray, a young-up-and-comer named Robert Randolph (a mean pedal steel guitarist who I hope and pray will record a Christmas album one day!), ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, David Hidalgo (from Los Lobos), Jimmie Vaughn, and James Taylor.

JAMES TAYLOR? Doesn't quite fit, huh?

Two things you should know about this CD: 1.) this was one of my final purchases of the 2006 holiday season. 2.) I reviewed this at FaLaLaLaLa.com last December.

To quote:

"I've never been a big fan of James Taylor. However, I slipped this into my stack of CDs while checking out at Best Buy the way a man would try to hide a Playboy magazine among Newsweek and Time.

"After listening to this album, I have to say I have a new found respect for Taylor. His mix of traditional Christmas songs done in totally opposite styles (traditional, acoustic, gospel, folk) make you stop and listen.

"With some help from Toots Thieleman and Natalie Cole, Taylor has made an enjoyable album not just for the aging baby boomers but for Christmas music fans as well.

"It's not the first Christmas album I would grab but I'll add it to the mix now and then!"


One detail should be noted: after his long running contract with Columbia/Sony Records wasn't renewed, he released first Christmas CD - "James Taylor: A Christmas Album" - with distribution through Hallmark Cards in 2004. Columbia/Sony reworked and released this album late last year as "James Taylor At Christmas".

So what are the differences? "Deck The Halls" was on the 2004 album and was replaced on the 2006 album with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and a cover of Joni Mitchell's "River". Lose one track, gain two others. Hardly even exciting stuff.

There's other stuff I can add in:

• Taylor was one of the first artists signed to the Beatles' Apple Records in 1968
• Nearly died from his heroin addiction in the early 1970s
• His 1976 "Greatest Hits" album has sold around 11 million copies
• He was married to Carly Simon and could be the person Simon sings about in "You're So Vain"
• Inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in 2000
• Ranked #84 in Rolling Stone's Top 100 Rock Artists of All Time in 2004

However, I'll stand on what I said in my FLLLL review. If I stay longer, I might start ranting and it's not really fair to James Taylor - we've never met and he's never said a bad thing about me so...


UP NEXT: Break out the flannel shirts and ten gallon hats - we goin' country next!


Capt

James Taylor - At Christmas

Several weeks ago, my friend Mason lent me his DVD of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival to peruse.

This amazing DVD has some of the finest guitar players assembled in one sitting. Name 'em and they were there: Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Joe Walsh, and B.B. King.

Want more? How about Robert Cray, a young-up-and-comer named Robert Randolph (a mean pedal steel guitarist who I hope and pray will record a Christmas album one day!), ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, David Hidalgo (from Los Lobos), Jimmie Vaughn, and James Taylor.

JAMES TAYLOR? Doesn't quite fit, huh?

Two things you should know about this CD: 1.) this was one of my final purchases of the 2006 holiday season. 2.) I reviewed this at FaLaLaLaLa.com last December.

To quote:

"I've never been a big fan of James Taylor. However, I slipped this into my stack of CDs while checking out at Best Buy the way a man would try to hide a Playboy magazine among Newsweek and Time.

"After listening to this album, I have to say I have a new found respect for Taylor. His mix of traditional Christmas songs done in totally opposite styles (traditional, acoustic, gospel, folk) make you stop and listen.

"With some help from Toots Thieleman and Natalie Cole, Taylor has made an enjoyable album not just for the aging baby boomers but for Christmas music fans as well.

"It's not the first Christmas album I would grab but I'll add it to the mix now and then!"


One detail should be noted: after his long running contract with Columbia/Sony Records wasn't renewed, he released first Christmas CD - "James Taylor: A Christmas Album" - with distribution through Hallmark Cards in 2004. Columbia/Sony reworked and released this album late last year as "James Taylor At Christmas".

So what are the differences? "Deck The Halls" was on the 2004 album and was replaced on the 2006 album with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and a cover of Joni Mitchell's "River". Lose one track, gain two others. Hardly even exciting stuff.

There's other stuff I can add in:

• Taylor was one of the first artists signed to the Beatles' Apple Records in 1968
• Nearly died from his heroin addiction in the early 1970s
• His 1976 "Greatest Hits" album has sold around 11 million copies
• He was married to Carly Simon and could be the person Simon sings about in "You're So Vain"
• Inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in 2000
• Ranked #84 in Rolling Stone's Top 100 Rock Artists of All Time in 2004

However, I'll stand on what I said in my FLLLL review. If I stay longer, I might start ranting and it's not really fair to James Taylor - we've never met and he's never said a bad thing about me so...


UP NEXT: Break out the flannel shirts and ten gallon hats - we goin' country next!


Capt

Sleigh Me: A Collection Of Retro Holiday Classics (Atomic Magazine)

If you haven't visited FaLaLaLaLa.com, you're missing out on a great community of Christmas music lovers who offer their picks on great holiday music, web links you have to see to believe, and new and unusual albums or CDs.

This CD was first brought to my attention in the Forums at FLLLL (be warned: once you enter the Forums, you may not come out!). KCMike first told us of this CD back on November 21 of last year (thank you sir!).

I quickly ordered a copy the same day and waited for my copy to show. And waited. And waited. And waited. Two weeks had passed. This might be normal if I had sent in a check or money order but I paid with PayPal!

I dashed off a quick e-mail asking where my copy was. One quicker reply later I got my answer: "Sorry for the delay. Your order slipped through the cracks. The disc was sent today." Lesson learned? Never order anything online before the long Thanksgiving day weekend.

About ten years ago, the retro lounge culture was reaching its peak in popularity. Swing dancing was in vogue as new swing bands popped up everywhere. Lounge clubs began appearing where smoking jackets and martinis were welcome. 

Capitol Records released their endless volume collection of "Ultra-Lounge" music (of which I personally own 18 of the 25 volumes released). The Vince Vaughn - Jon Favreau movie "Swingers" perfectly captures this time in our culture.



In 1999, Atomic Magazine published its first issue with dynamic articles on the lounge scene, music and book reviews of retro icons past and lounge swingers present, places on where to buy those leopard print jackets and bowling shirts, tips on how to host the perfect cocktail party in your bachelor pad, and fantastic glamour shots.

Shortly before Christmas 2000, Atomic released this beaut of a Christmas CD featuring new bands doing their new lounge takes on your Christmas favorites:

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Lavay Smith - Winter Wonderland
Cha-cha-cha! Sultry singing by Ms. Smith, the orchestra swings, making this totally hip!

2.) The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra - Jingle Bells
Nails the great Glenn Miller arrangement to a T. When are these guys and gals in town?

3.) Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Christmas Time In Tinseltown (again)
I've yet to hear these guys but I'm told they rock... and if you believe that, you wanna buy a bridge?

4.) George Gee & The Jump Jive and Wailers (with Nick Palumbo) - Run Run Rudolph
Move over Brian Setzer... these guys have Chuck Berry's tune well in hand!

5.) The Jive Aces - Santa Is Back In Town
The UK's number one swing band de-Elvises this tune, swinging it out in the process!

6.) Los Straightjackets - Sleigh Ride
Misspelled on the CD, there's no mistaking that great instrumental sound of these guys!

7.) Dave's True Story - Let It Snow
A jazz combo whose sound is completely off the charts! You'd swear this was an orchestra! WOW!

8.) Michael Andrew and Swingerhead - Mistletoe Mambo
The title say it all... excuse me while I have a whiskey and soda and hit the dance floor!

9.) Casey MacGill - Egg Nog
A lounge track homage to a seasonal drink favorite? This one might make my Christmas comp!

10.) Michael Andrew and Swingerhead (featuring "Broccoli Rob" and Eddie Nichols) - We Three Kings
Starts off slow, they pop the clutch, and off we go! Frrrrrrrrankencense!

11.) The Ray Gelato Giants - Winter Wonderland
Bouncy, gritty, and totally swingable - a great rendition of this song!

12.) Atomic Magazine - Christmas Greetings
The record noise and pops makes this charming...


A fantastic addition to any Christmas music collection. Now I have to check out all those artist links to see if any of them (other than the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies and Los Straitjackets) have any full Christmas CDs to their name.

Like with any popular culture trend, the lounge scene died down in popularity and by 2001, it was practically off the radar screen. Atomic Magazine stayed in print for another two years, suspending publication in 2003.

Thanks to the Internet, the magazine is still alive online. You can visit their website to get back issues, read articles, shop for some retro gear, and experience the whole lounge scene once more. Be sure to visit the new online companion sites: The Retro Radar and The Fedora Lounge to keep in touch with all the be-boppers and hipsters around the world!

Oh... you can STILL get this Christmas CD by ordering it here online ($10 - a STEAL!).


UP NEXT: My most embarrassing purchase of the 2006 holiday season.


Capt

Sleigh Me: A Collection Of Retro Holiday Classics (Atomic Magazine)

If you haven't visited FaLaLaLaLa.com, you're missing out on a great community of Christmas music lovers who offer their picks on great holiday music, web links you have to see to believe, and new and unusual albums or CDs.

This CD was first brought to my attention in the Forums at FLLLL (be warned: once you enter the Forums, you may not come out!). KCMike first told us of this CD back on November 21 of last year (thank you sir!).

I quickly ordered a copy the same day and waited for my copy to show. And waited. And waited. And waited. Two weeks had passed. This might be normal if I had sent in a check or money order but I paid with PayPal!

I dashed off a quick e-mail asking where my copy was. One quicker reply later I got my answer: "Sorry for the delay. Your order slipped through the cracks. The disc was sent today." Lesson learned? Never order anything online before the long Thanksgiving day weekend.

About ten years ago, the retro lounge culture was reaching its peak in popularity. Swing dancing was in vogue as new swing bands popped up everywhere. Lounge clubs began appearing where smoking jackets and martinis were welcome. 

Capitol Records released their endless volume collection of "Ultra-Lounge" music (of which I personally own 18 of the 25 volumes released). The Vince Vaughn - Jon Favreau movie "Swingers" perfectly captures this time in our culture.



In 1999, Atomic Magazine published its first issue with dynamic articles on the lounge scene, music and book reviews of retro icons past and lounge swingers present, places on where to buy those leopard print jackets and bowling shirts, tips on how to host the perfect cocktail party in your bachelor pad, and fantastic glamour shots.

Shortly before Christmas 2000, Atomic released this beaut of a Christmas CD featuring new bands doing their new lounge takes on your Christmas favorites:

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Lavay Smith - Winter Wonderland
Cha-cha-cha! Sultry singing by Ms. Smith, the orchestra swings, making this totally hip!

2.) The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra - Jingle Bells
Nails the great Glenn Miller arrangement to a T. When are these guys and gals in town?

3.) Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Christmas Time In Tinseltown (again)
I've yet to hear these guys but I'm told they rock... and if you believe that, you wanna buy a bridge?

4.) George Gee & The Jump Jive and Wailers (with Nick Palumbo) - Run Run Rudolph
Move over Brian Setzer... these guys have Chuck Berry's tune well in hand!

5.) The Jive Aces - Santa Is Back In Town
The UK's number one swing band de-Elvises this tune, swinging it out in the process!

6.) Los Straightjackets - Sleigh Ride
Misspelled on the CD, there's no mistaking that great instrumental sound of these guys!

7.) Dave's True Story - Let It Snow
A jazz combo whose sound is completely off the charts! You'd swear this was an orchestra! WOW!

8.) Michael Andrew and Swingerhead - Mistletoe Mambo
The title say it all... excuse me while I have a whiskey and soda and hit the dance floor!

9.) Casey MacGill - Egg Nog
A lounge track homage to a seasonal drink favorite? This one might make my Christmas comp!

10.) Michael Andrew and Swingerhead (featuring "Broccoli Rob" and Eddie Nichols) - We Three Kings
Starts off slow, they pop the clutch, and off we go! Frrrrrrrrankencense!

11.) The Ray Gelato Giants - Winter Wonderland
Bouncy, gritty, and totally swingable - a great rendition of this song!

12.) Atomic Magazine - Christmas Greetings
The record noise and pops makes this charming...


A fantastic addition to any Christmas music collection. Now I have to check out all those artist links to see if any of them (other than the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies and Los Straitjackets) have any full Christmas CDs to their name.

Like with any popular culture trend, the lounge scene died down in popularity and by 2001, it was practically off the radar screen. Atomic Magazine stayed in print for another two years, suspending publication in 2003.

Thanks to the Internet, the magazine is still alive online. You can visit their website to get back issues, read articles, shop for some retro gear, and experience the whole lounge scene once more. Be sure to visit the new online companion sites: The Retro Radar and The Fedora Lounge to keep in touch with all the be-boppers and hipsters around the world!

Oh... you can STILL get this Christmas CD by ordering it here online ($10 - a STEAL!).


UP NEXT: My most embarrassing purchase of the 2006 holiday season.


Capt

The Fabulous Fay McKay - Winter Favorites

In early December of 2006, I was searching April Winchell's delectable selection of Seasonal Favorites and came across an MP3 of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by someone named Fay McKay.

I downloaded it and took a listen. It turned out to be the famous "drunk lady" version that has floated around cyberspace for years. I was grateful that this always hilarious tune finally had a proper credit (Thanks April!).

From there I went to FaLaLaLaLa.com where I typed the following post on December 7, 2006:

"'The Crazy Drunk Lady - The 12 Days Of Christmas'.

"If you've ever surfed a file-sharing program and entered 'Christmas', there's a good chance this song popped up. I'm guessing about 1/2 of the people reading this know about this Internet favorite (or downloaded it like me).

"If you don't, this song begins with indeed a lady who begins to sing 'The Twelve Days Of Christmas' while getting progressively drunker and drunker. By the end of the song, she's reduced to grunts and slurs while you're laughing your head off and feeling intoxicated yourself.

"Guess what? That 'crazy drunk lady' is Fay McKay and she has her own website!

"Ms. McKay is selling her very own 11-track Christmas album with that version of "12 Daze" on it. Plus, each CD comes autographed!

"I was excited to have found her website because yes, I did download this song back in the pre-legal days of Napster. It's payback time... I ordered her album as my way of thanks. Drop in and take a look!"

When I ordered my CD, I sent several questions along in hopes she would answer them. While I waited for the disc to arrive, two new rays of info came to light about Ms. McKay.

The first came on December 21, 2006 from another member of FaLaLaLaLa.com who alerted me to this fantastic film clip found on YouTube:





The film clip was taken from a documentary entitled "LOST VEGAS: The Lounge Era". I did another Google which brought me to a post (also on December 21) at Boing Boing that quoted the creator of the documentary Tim Onosko:

"Our film profiles a group of these guys, and a woman named Fay McKay, a talented jazz singer who became known for her boozy comic parody of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.' ... She is still alive and living in the desert, in obscurity. It would sure be nice for lots of people to see her do her famous comedy bit. Since it's the season, we've uploaded Fay's bit to YouTube."

On cue, my CD arrived and Fay took the time to answer my questions:

Fay got her start in show business at the tender age of three and half. She went on to perform in 26 countries around the world, every single one of the 50 United States of America, and was the headliner at nine different Las Vegas casinos along the strip in her lifetime (those are Sinatra numbers!).

Her biggest highlight came when she appeared as Liberace's co-star (and 155 other top name stars) at the London Palladium back in the 1960s.

During one night in a smoky piano bar in the late 1960s, she first performed her now classic "Twelve Daze of Christmas". She credits some fans with the inspiration and she ran with it all the way to the bank! It has charmed hundreds of thousands of people since then.

I asked her if she knew how popular this song was. "Of course!" She has heard stories of people pulling over in traffic due to uncontrollable laughter and people who have suffered the loss of bladder control while listening.

She released this album of "Winter Favorites" back in 1968 (I would love to see an actual LP). The first song is, of course, "'12 Daze' of Christmas" which reattaches the long lost intro that many of the online MP3s cut off. I've heard this song countless times and it always never fails to make me laugh - a rare feat for any song.

McKay then covers the basic Christmas songs and her rich voice really comes across, especially her versions of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "White Christmas. There are some hilarious surprises on two of the tracks ("Frosty The Snowman", "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow") that must be heard to be believed!

My favorite track is her final one - a medley of "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear / Silent Night". You can hear the warmth and solemnity in McKay's voice as she switches from song to song. It's a wonderful medley and a very haunting rendition.

Fay McKay is indeed retired and has experienced some serious health problems in recent days. She still lives in the town she loves the most - Las Vegas. McKay sent me a copy of her "Live In Las Vegas" CD as well, capturing what it's like at 2:30 in the morning in a typical Vegas lounge - fabulous stuff!

My last question I asked Fay: Any special messages you'd like to give to your fans?

"Yes!!! Please buy my CDs! (Hahaha!) I'm thankful for all your support!"

If you loved her version of "12 Daze of Christmas", you'll love her Christmas CD. If you ever laughed out loud over her song, please visit her website to get a CD or simply send her a card or letter.

McKay's CD didn't come with an actual cover (see above) so
I recreated the cover from the small picture on Fay's website.

UP NEXT: We're gonna drop a retro Christmas bomb on you...

Capt

The Fabulous Fay McKay - Winter Favorites

In early December of 2006, I was searching April Winchell's delectable selection of Seasonal Favorites and came across an MP3 of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by someone named Fay McKay.

I downloaded it and took a listen. It turned out to be the famous "drunk lady" version that has floated around cyberspace for years. I was grateful that this always hilarious tune finally had a proper credit (Thanks April!).

From there I went to FaLaLaLaLa.com where I typed the following post on December 7, 2006:

"'The Crazy Drunk Lady - The 12 Days Of Christmas'.

"If you've ever surfed a file-sharing program and entered 'Christmas', there's a good chance this song popped up. I'm guessing about 1/2 of the people reading this know about this Internet favorite (or downloaded it like me).

"If you don't, this song begins with indeed a lady who begins to sing 'The Twelve Days Of Christmas' while getting progressively drunker and drunker. By the end of the song, she's reduced to grunts and slurs while you're laughing your head off and feeling intoxicated yourself.

"Guess what? That 'crazy drunk lady' is Fay McKay and she has her own website!

"Ms. McKay is selling her very own 11-track Christmas album with that version of "12 Daze" on it. Plus, each CD comes autographed!

"I was excited to have found her website because yes, I did download this song back in the pre-legal days of Napster. It's payback time... I ordered her album as my way of thanks. Drop in and take a look!"

When I ordered my CD, I sent several questions along in hopes she would answer them. While I waited for the disc to arrive, two new rays of info came to light about Ms. McKay.

The first came on December 21, 2006 from another member of FaLaLaLaLa.com who alerted me to this fantastic film clip found on YouTube:





The film clip was taken from a documentary entitled "LOST VEGAS: The Lounge Era". I did another Google which brought me to a post (also on December 21) at Boing Boing that quoted the creator of the documentary Tim Onosko:

"Our film profiles a group of these guys, and a woman named Fay McKay, a talented jazz singer who became known for her boozy comic parody of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.' ... She is still alive and living in the desert, in obscurity. It would sure be nice for lots of people to see her do her famous comedy bit. Since it's the season, we've uploaded Fay's bit to YouTube."

On cue, my CD arrived and Fay took the time to answer my questions:

Fay got her start in show business at the tender age of three and half. She went on to perform in 26 countries around the world, every single one of the 50 United States of America, and was the headliner at nine different Las Vegas casinos along the strip in her lifetime (those are Sinatra numbers!).

Her biggest highlight came when she appeared as Liberace's co-star (and 155 other top name stars) at the London Palladium back in the 1960s.

During one night in a smoky piano bar in the late 1960s, she first performed her now classic "Twelve Daze of Christmas". She credits some fans with the inspiration and she ran with it all the way to the bank! It has charmed hundreds of thousands of people since then.

I asked her if she knew how popular this song was. "Of course!" She has heard stories of people pulling over in traffic due to uncontrollable laughter and people who have suffered the loss of bladder control while listening.

She released this album of "Winter Favorites" back in 1968 (I would love to see an actual LP). The first song is, of course, "'12 Daze' of Christmas" which reattaches the long lost intro that many of the online MP3s cut off. I've heard this song countless times and it always never fails to make me laugh - a rare feat for any song.

McKay then covers the basic Christmas songs and her rich voice really comes across, especially her versions of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and "White Christmas. There are some hilarious surprises on two of the tracks ("Frosty The Snowman", "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow") that must be heard to be believed!

My favorite track is her final one - a medley of "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear / Silent Night". You can hear the warmth and solemnity in McKay's voice as she switches from song to song. It's a wonderful medley and a very haunting rendition.

Fay McKay is indeed retired and has experienced some serious health problems in recent days. She still lives in the town she loves the most - Las Vegas. McKay sent me a copy of her "Live In Las Vegas" CD as well, capturing what it's like at 2:30 in the morning in a typical Vegas lounge - fabulous stuff!

My last question I asked Fay: Any special messages you'd like to give to your fans?

"Yes!!! Please buy my CDs! (Hahaha!) I'm thankful for all your support!"

If you loved her version of "12 Daze of Christmas", you'll love her Christmas CD. If you ever laughed out loud over her song, please visit her website to get a CD or simply send her a card or letter.

McKay's CD didn't come with an actual cover (see above) so
I recreated the cover from the small picture on Fay's website.

UP NEXT: We're gonna drop a retro Christmas bomb on you...

Capt

Dean Martin - Christmas With Dino

It seems like every three or four years, there is a brand new Dean Martin Christmas album.

The last release came two years ago when Collectors Choice released "A Winter Romance". I grant you that this is not a full Christmas album but this was Dean's only holiday release during his entire time at Capitol Records in the 1950s.

Three years ago, we got ANOTHER Christmas album entitled "Christmas With Dino" strangely enough! That CD takes the best tracks from "A Winter Romance" and "The Dean Martin Christmas Album" from 1966.

I never purchased that version because I already owned the 1998 Capitol release "Making Spirits Bright" and thought I owned it all - how wrong I was!

This is why I broke down and purchased this new release from last Christmas (it didn't hurt Wal-Mart lowered its prices on holiday music about two weeks before Christmas). I then learned that this "new" CD has pretty much the same lineup from the first "Christmas With Dino" album (with a few exceptions).

First, a quick history lesson: Dino Paul Crocetti was born in Steubenville, Ohio. Most of his juvenile life was one step ahead of the law. Worked as a blackjack dealer in his teens. Went to New York to become a singer.

Was under contract to many different people (including Lou Costello) in his early singing career. Met a kid named Jerry Lewis. For ten years, Martin & Lewis reigned supreme as the Kings of Comedy on radio, television, and movies. 



Dean's solo singing career gets some boosts late in the partnership ("Memories Are Made Of This" and "That's Amore"). Dean gets tired of playing organ grinder to Jerry's monkey. End of duet.

Dean gets several good movie roles ("The Young Lions", "Rio Bravo", "Some Came Running"). Teams up with Sinatra, Davis, Bishop, and Lawford to form the Rat Pack. In 1964, at the height of Beatlemania, Martin knocks the Beatles off the top of the charts with "Everybody Loves Somebody".

NBC offers Dean his own TV variety series. "Only if I can work one day a week," Dean counters. His show debuts in 1965 and is an immediate hit. Two years later, Martin makes the Guinness Book Of World Records by signing the richest TV contract in history - 3 years, $34 million.

Dean's magic touch begins to wear down in the early 1970s. His movies and records slowly die off while he transforms his variety show into his "celebrity roasts". He limits himself to club dates, mainly in Las Vegas. In 1976, Dean reunites with Jerry on his Labor Day Telethon.



In the 1980s, Dean acts in the two "Cannonball Run" movies (why, Dean, why?) and loses his beloved son Dino Jr. to a plane crash. Sinatra tries to shake Dean out of the doldrums by reuniting with Sammy for a 1988 Rat Pack tour. Dean is bored and leaves the tour early.

In 1989, Jerry appears on stage with Dean for the final time to present him a birthday cake (around 3:50 YouTube). Martin's health begins to go south, gives his final appearance on stage in 1991, and he becomes a virtual recluse. On Christmas Day, 1995, Dean dies in his sleep at his home.

On the day of the funeral, the entire Las Vegas strip dims its lights for 10 minutes in his memory.

So what gives? Why the over saturation with the Dean Christmas? It seems late last year, EMI Music entered into a worldwide exclusive partnership with the Dean Martin Trust to act as agent for licensing Martin’s name, image, and likeness. EMI will continue to market Martin’s expansive Capitol Records and Reprise Records recording catalogs on a worldwide basis.

This was their first big release under this new arrangement - Corporate Dino. We might see more of the obscure Dean Martin stuff be reissued... but there's that chance we'll see Dino in a computer morphed TV commercial for some stupid product - the thought makes me nauseous.

What I want to know is what's the difference between the two "Christmas With Dino" albums? Can someone help me with a comparison?

As for the Christmas album pictured above... it's Dean singing Christmas classics. Need I say more?


UP NEXT: Four old fitzgeralds, three rob roys, two cutty sarks, and a surrey with the fringe on top.


Capt

Dean Martin - Christmas With Dino

It seems like every three or four years, there is a brand new Dean Martin Christmas album.

The last release came two years ago when Collectors Choice released "A Winter Romance". I grant you that this is not a full Christmas album but this was Dean's only holiday release during his entire time at Capitol Records in the 1950s.

Three years ago, we got ANOTHER Christmas album entitled "Christmas With Dino" strangely enough! That CD takes the best tracks from "A Winter Romance" and "The Dean Martin Christmas Album" from 1966.

I never purchased that version because I already owned the 1998 Capitol release "Making Spirits Bright" and thought I owned it all - how wrong I was!

This is why I broke down and purchased this new release from last Christmas (it didn't hurt Wal-Mart lowered its prices on holiday music about two weeks before Christmas). I then learned that this "new" CD has pretty much the same lineup from the first "Christmas With Dino" album (with a few exceptions).

First, a quick history lesson: Dino Paul Crocetti was born in Steubenville, Ohio. Most of his juvenile life was one step ahead of the law. Worked as a blackjack dealer in his teens. Went to New York to become a singer.

Was under contract to many different people (including Lou Costello) in his early singing career. Met a kid named Jerry Lewis. For ten years, Martin & Lewis reigned supreme as the Kings of Comedy on radio, television, and movies. 



Dean's solo singing career gets some boosts late in the partnership ("Memories Are Made Of This" and "That's Amore"). Dean gets tired of playing organ grinder to Jerry's monkey. End of duet.

Dean gets several good movie roles ("The Young Lions", "Rio Bravo", "Some Came Running"). Teams up with Sinatra, Davis, Bishop, and Lawford to form the Rat Pack. In 1964, at the height of Beatlemania, Martin knocks the Beatles off the top of the charts with "Everybody Loves Somebody".

NBC offers Dean his own TV variety series. "Only if I can work one day a week," Dean counters. His show debuts in 1965 and is an immediate hit. Two years later, Martin makes the Guinness Book Of World Records by signing the richest TV contract in history - 3 years, $34 million.

Dean's magic touch begins to wear down in the early 1970s. His movies and records slowly die off while he transforms his variety show into his "celebrity roasts". He limits himself to club dates, mainly in Las Vegas. In 1976, Dean reunites with Jerry on his Labor Day Telethon.



In the 1980s, Dean acts in the two "Cannonball Run" movies (why, Dean, why?) and loses his beloved son Dino Jr. to a plane crash. Sinatra tries to shake Dean out of the doldrums by reuniting with Sammy for a 1988 Rat Pack tour. Dean is bored and leaves the tour early.

In 1989, Jerry appears on stage with Dean for the final time to present him a birthday cake (around 3:50 YouTube). Martin's health begins to go south, gives his final appearance on stage in 1991, and he becomes a virtual recluse. On Christmas Day, 1995, Dean dies in his sleep at his home.

On the day of the funeral, the entire Las Vegas strip dims its lights for 10 minutes in his memory.

So what gives? Why the over saturation with the Dean Christmas? It seems late last year, EMI Music entered into a worldwide exclusive partnership with the Dean Martin Trust to act as agent for licensing Martin’s name, image, and likeness. EMI will continue to market Martin’s expansive Capitol Records and Reprise Records recording catalogs on a worldwide basis.

This was their first big release under this new arrangement - Corporate Dino. We might see more of the obscure Dean Martin stuff be reissued... but there's that chance we'll see Dino in a computer morphed TV commercial for some stupid product - the thought makes me nauseous.

What I want to know is what's the difference between the two "Christmas With Dino" albums? Can someone help me with a comparison?

As for the Christmas album pictured above... it's Dean singing Christmas classics. Need I say more?


UP NEXT: Four old fitzgeralds, three rob roys, two cutty sarks, and a surrey with the fringe on top.


Capt

The Everly Brothers - Christmas With

This is the second of two CDs that I chose in place of one Billy Idol Christmas CD (see yesterday's post for more details).

I was quite astonished when I found this among the bargain bin racks at the Virgin Megastore - $7.00!

I was also surprised like crazy - I never knew the Everly Brothers recorded a Christmas album (I know... I know...). It's little surprises like this that rev up my adrenaline at Christmas.

Phil and Don Everly hailed from Kentucky and were excellent musicians even before getting into the music business. When they began moving through the ranks in the late 1950s, rock-n-roll acts like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Chuck Berry were the top draws.

The duo signed with Cadence Records in 1956. Their first single ("Keep A' Lovin' Me") was produced by Chet Atkins and was immediately flopped. They returned to the studio and found a song that had been kicked around Nashville many times. 30 artists passed on the tune, including Elvis.



"Bye Bye Love" was an absolute smash, reaching #1 on the country chart, #2 on the pop chart, and #5 on the R&B chart! The tight harmonies of the brothers backed by their own guitar playing made everyone sit up and take notice.

What followed next was a string of hits that hold up even today: "Wake Up Little Susie", "All I Have To Do Is Dream", "Devoted To You", "Bird Dog", "Problems", and "'Til I Kissed You".

Around this time (1957-1959), rock-n-roll was going through some early growing pains. Elvis went into the army, Little Richard gave up rock for religion, Chuck Berry went to prison, Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-yr old cousin, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens took a fateful plane ride.

Enter the teen idol years. With the likes of Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Pat Boone now leading the way (most of which couldn't sing or play instruments on their own), The Everly Brothers were one of the few acts to emerge from this period intact.

That is until Uncle Sam called. In 1960, they switched from Cadence to Warner Brothers and had their last huge #1 hit - "Cathy's Clown". At the end of 1961, Phil and Don couldn't put off their military commitment. Both joined the U.S. Marines and served until 1962.

This Christmas album was released by Warner Brothers back in 1962 (both in mono & stereo). According to the liner notes, Phil and Don travelled to Boys Town, Nebraska where The Boys Town Choir helped contribute to the album.

They share the spotlight alone on two songs ("Away In A Manger", "Angels From The Realm Of Glory"). The liner notes also mention Don sings solo on "What Child Is This?" while Phil solos on "O Little Town Of Bethlehem".

In many of the songs here, both the brothers sings their trademark close harmonies to a T. It's a treat to hear those familiar voices sings "Silent Night" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" but the album as a whole is a disappointment.

Nowhere on the album can their wonderful guitar sound be heard (the organ and boys choir really weighs them down at points) and the song selection is strictly traditional Christmas carols.

I would give anything to hear what Phil and Don would have done with "White Christmas", "Jingle Bell Rock", or even better an original Everly Brothers song or songs. I was hoping at some point, any point they would cut loose and let her fly. No such luck.

Despite the fact their time on the popular music scene had passed, for the next ten years (1963-1973) the brothers would continue to record albums and release singles. Unlike many of their contemporaries, they continued to expand their musical horizons and experiement with new songs and sounds. Their 1966 album "Two Yanks In England" is an underrated, underappreciated album that really deserves more attention than it gets.

In 1972, they released the album "Stories We Can Tell", featuring many revealing songs including "Green River", "I'm Tired Of Singing My Song In Las Vegas" (how personal can you get?), and a Christmas song that's long flew under the radar screen: "Christmas Eve Can Kill You". You can still get this album to hear this song (or find Rhino Records "Bummed Out Christmas" compilation) - it's a great song.

On July 14, 1973, Phil and Don took the stage at a show in California, just another oldies show. However, a long-simmering feud was just below the surface. At mid-set, a somewhat tipsy Don insulted his brother Phil, who smashed his guitar in front of a shocked audience and walked off the stage. Don is taken aback for a moment, then cooly announces to the audience "The Everly Brothers died 10 years ago" and finished off the set as a solo.

For the next ten years, both brothers recorded solo albums and faced the inevitable question "When are you reuniting with your brother?" That reunion came in September of 1983 when Phil and Don took the stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London.



The resulting reunion album and home video of the concert sets off a mini-renaissance for the Everlys. The following year, they reached #4 on the UK charts with a Paul McCartney song written especially for them: "On The Wings Of A Nightingale". The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inducted the Everly Brothers in its very first year of existence (1986), cementing their rich legacy of music forever.

According to the official Everly Brothers Fan Club web site, as of 2005 they were continuing to tour (mainly in England) and were just as surprised when Rhino Records licensed all of the Warner Brothers releases to Collectors Choice Music for re-release (including this Christmas album) that same year.


UP NEXT: More, eh? Another Christmas CD from this guy? What does this make, four? Five?


Capt

The Everly Brothers - Christmas With

This is the second of two CDs that I chose in place of one Billy Idol Christmas CD (see yesterday's post for more details).

I was quite astonished when I found this among the bargain bin racks at the Virgin Megastore - $7.00!

I was also surprised like crazy - I never knew the Everly Brothers recorded a Christmas album (I know... I know...). It's little surprises like this that rev up my adrenaline at Christmas.

Phil and Don Everly hailed from Kentucky and were excellent musicians even before getting into the music business. When they began moving through the ranks in the late 1950s, rock-n-roll acts like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Chuck Berry were the top draws.

The duo signed with Cadence Records in 1956. Their first single ("Keep A' Lovin' Me") was produced by Chet Atkins and was immediately flopped. They returned to the studio and found a song that had been kicked around Nashville many times. 30 artists passed on the tune, including Elvis.



"Bye Bye Love" was an absolute smash, reaching #1 on the country chart, #2 on the pop chart, and #5 on the R&B chart! The tight harmonies of the brothers backed by their own guitar playing made everyone sit up and take notice.

What followed next was a string of hits that hold up even today: "Wake Up Little Susie", "All I Have To Do Is Dream", "Devoted To You", "Bird Dog", "Problems", and "'Til I Kissed You".

Around this time (1957-1959), rock-n-roll was going through some early growing pains. Elvis went into the army, Little Richard gave up rock for religion, Chuck Berry went to prison, Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-yr old cousin, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens took a fateful plane ride.

Enter the teen idol years. With the likes of Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Pat Boone now leading the way (most of which couldn't sing or play instruments on their own), The Everly Brothers were one of the few acts to emerge from this period intact.

That is until Uncle Sam called. In 1960, they switched from Cadence to Warner Brothers and had their last huge #1 hit - "Cathy's Clown". At the end of 1961, Phil and Don couldn't put off their military commitment. Both joined the U.S. Marines and served until 1962.

This Christmas album was released by Warner Brothers back in 1962 (both in mono & stereo). According to the liner notes, Phil and Don travelled to Boys Town, Nebraska where The Boys Town Choir helped contribute to the album.

They share the spotlight alone on two songs ("Away In A Manger", "Angels From The Realm Of Glory"). The liner notes also mention Don sings solo on "What Child Is This?" while Phil solos on "O Little Town Of Bethlehem".

In many of the songs here, both the brothers sings their trademark close harmonies to a T. It's a treat to hear those familiar voices sings "Silent Night" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" but the album as a whole is a disappointment.

Nowhere on the album can their wonderful guitar sound be heard (the organ and boys choir really weighs them down at points) and the song selection is strictly traditional Christmas carols.

I would give anything to hear what Phil and Don would have done with "White Christmas", "Jingle Bell Rock", or even better an original Everly Brothers song or songs. I was hoping at some point, any point they would cut loose and let her fly. No such luck.

Despite the fact their time on the popular music scene had passed, for the next ten years (1963-1973) the brothers would continue to record albums and release singles. Unlike many of their contemporaries, they continued to expand their musical horizons and experiement with new songs and sounds. Their 1966 album "Two Yanks In England" is an underrated, underappreciated album that really deserves more attention than it gets.

In 1972, they released the album "Stories We Can Tell", featuring many revealing songs including "Green River", "I'm Tired Of Singing My Song In Las Vegas" (how personal can you get?), and a Christmas song that's long flew under the radar screen: "Christmas Eve Can Kill You". You can still get this album to hear this song (or find Rhino Records "Bummed Out Christmas" compilation) - it's a great song.

On July 14, 1973, Phil and Don took the stage at a show in California, just another oldies show. However, a long-simmering feud was just below the surface. At mid-set, a somewhat tipsy Don insulted his brother Phil, who smashed his guitar in front of a shocked audience and walked off the stage. Don is taken aback for a moment, then cooly announces to the audience "The Everly Brothers died 10 years ago" and finished off the set as a solo.

For the next ten years, both brothers recorded solo albums and faced the inevitable question "When are you reuniting with your brother?" That reunion came in September of 1983 when Phil and Don took the stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London.



The resulting reunion album and home video of the concert sets off a mini-renaissance for the Everlys. The following year, they reached #4 on the UK charts with a Paul McCartney song written especially for them: "On The Wings Of A Nightingale". The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inducted the Everly Brothers in its very first year of existence (1986), cementing their rich legacy of music forever.

According to the official Everly Brothers Fan Club web site, as of 2005 they were continuing to tour (mainly in England) and were just as surprised when Rhino Records licensed all of the Warner Brothers releases to Collectors Choice Music for re-release (including this Christmas album) that same year.


UP NEXT: More, eh? Another Christmas CD from this guy? What does this make, four? Five?


Capt

The Ramsey Lewis Trio - Sound Of Christmas

Last month, my family and I made the trek from Fort Wayne to Chicago for our annual Christmas weekend getaway.

We stayed at the Chicago Marriott - Magnificent Mile, located right on Michigan Avenue. We've stayed at this hotel many times thanks in large part to its proximity to the landmarks, shopping, and location to the Virgin Megastore (in the same building - sweet!).

Over the past three years, some of the titles I have purchased during these trips have been Jo Stafford, Barenaked Ladies, Happy Holidays V4, and the Ultimate Christmas Cocktails box set.

During my most recent trip, I was determined to find a copy of "Happy Holidays: A Very Special Christmas Album" by Billy Idol. Virgin had many copies in stock; all imported copies from Germany. Their asking price was a whopping $25.

I debated, put it back, picked it up, debated some more, and finally decided that was too much to pay for any CD. I figured I could buy two CDs for that price and that's exactly what I did. This is find number one (check back tomorrow for find number two).

It's fitting that I found this CD in Chicago - it's where Ramsey Lewis was born and received his first piano lesson at the impressionable age of four. Lewis continued to study piano under a teacher named Dorothy Mendelson that helped him to peak his interest in music. By 15, Lewis was a whiz on the keys and was asked by a friend to play in his jazz band. Ramsey had found his calling.

Forming a small trio (Ramsey on piano, Eldee Young on bass, Red Holt on drums), they began performing in Chicago where they caught the ear of Danny O'Dailey, a local Chicago DJ. O'Dailey helped the trio secure their first recording contract with Argo Records, the jazz subsidiary of the legendary Chess Records, and stayed for the next fifteen years. Between 1956 and 1961, they released their nine albums - three alone in 1961, including their Christmas album.


This is a great jazz Christmas album. The average length of the ten tracks are around three minutes in length which will appeal to the non-jazz ear. The first five tracks (Side 1), Lewis' piano changes from light and bouncy to hard and jazzy then to soft and bluesy from song to song, sometimes in the same song all with the slightest of ease. Every track is a lesson in jazz 101.

The second five tracks (Side 2) utilize an orchestra along with the trio. For many jazz purists, bringing an orchestra in to help out is one step short of sacrilege. On this album, it's a perfect match.

TRACK REVIEWS (Use the track listing above):

1.) Features some jaw dropping piano work by Ramsey - a GREAT version of this song!
2.) Starts off light, then settles into some fine jazz.
3.) A slow jazz version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"? Be still, my heart!
4.) Ramsey's own composition - it deserves to be heard at Christmas! MMMmmM!
5.) Has a great Latin feel to it... "Here Comes Santa Claus" cha cha cha!
6.) Another Ramsey composition - the strings are a bolt out of left field but WOW! By far, the standout track!
7.) A perfect version of this song (no offense Nat!).
8.) A symphony in strings and jazz which takes "God Rest Ye" from carol to classic.
9.) More Latin feel - and with the orchestra along for the ride, it's worth the trip.
10.) Lush, jazzy, romantic. An outstanding track that concludes an outstanding effort.


The Ramsey Lewis Trio continued to break new ground in later years. In 1965, their instrumental "The In Crowd" reached #4 on the pop charts - at the very height of the British Invasion! Three other singles between 1965 and 1966 ("Hang On Sloopy", "A Hard Day's Night", and "Wade In The Water") were also Top 40 hits.

Ramsey has continued to record (averages about one album a year) and perform with his trio. He produced a successful PBS series entitled "Legends Of Jazz" and has hosted his own morning radio program for WNUA-FM in Chicago since 1997. Broadcast Architecture began syndicating Ramsey's program last month over its "Smooth Jazz Network".

I think I made the right choice putting down Billy Idol in favor of this one.


UP NEXT: Those guys recorded a Christmas album back in the day?


Capt

The Ramsey Lewis Trio - Sound Of Christmas

Last month, my family and I made the trek from Fort Wayne to Chicago for our annual Christmas weekend getaway.

We stayed at the Chicago Marriott - Magnificent Mile, located right on Michigan Avenue. We've stayed at this hotel many times thanks in large part to its proximity to the landmarks, shopping, and location to the Virgin Megastore (in the same building - sweet!).

Over the past three years, some of the titles I have purchased during these trips have been Jo Stafford, Barenaked Ladies, Happy Holidays V4, and the Ultimate Christmas Cocktails box set.

During my most recent trip, I was determined to find a copy of "Happy Holidays: A Very Special Christmas Album" by Billy Idol. Virgin had many copies in stock; all imported copies from Germany. Their asking price was a whopping $25.

I debated, put it back, picked it up, debated some more, and finally decided that was too much to pay for any CD. I figured I could buy two CDs for that price and that's exactly what I did. This is find number one (check back tomorrow for find number two).

It's fitting that I found this CD in Chicago - it's where Ramsey Lewis was born and received his first piano lesson at the impressionable age of four. Lewis continued to study piano under a teacher named Dorothy Mendelson that helped him to peak his interest in music. By 15, Lewis was a whiz on the keys and was asked by a friend to play in his jazz band. Ramsey had found his calling.

Forming a small trio (Ramsey on piano, Eldee Young on bass, Red Holt on drums), they began performing in Chicago where they caught the ear of Danny O'Dailey, a local Chicago DJ. O'Dailey helped the trio secure their first recording contract with Argo Records, the jazz subsidiary of the legendary Chess Records, and stayed for the next fifteen years. Between 1956 and 1961, they released their nine albums - three alone in 1961, including their Christmas album.


This is a great jazz Christmas album. The average length of the ten tracks are around three minutes in length which will appeal to the non-jazz ear. The first five tracks (Side 1), Lewis' piano changes from light and bouncy to hard and jazzy then to soft and bluesy from song to song, sometimes in the same song all with the slightest of ease. Every track is a lesson in jazz 101.

The second five tracks (Side 2) utilize an orchestra along with the trio. For many jazz purists, bringing an orchestra in to help out is one step short of sacrilege. On this album, it's a perfect match.

TRACK REVIEWS (Use the track listing above):

1.) Features some jaw dropping piano work by Ramsey - a GREAT version of this song!
2.) Starts off light, then settles into some fine jazz.
3.) A slow jazz version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"? Be still, my heart!
4.) Ramsey's own composition - it deserves to be heard at Christmas! MMMmmM!
5.) Has a great Latin feel to it... "Here Comes Santa Claus" cha cha cha!
6.) Another Ramsey composition - the strings are a bolt out of left field but WOW! By far, the standout track!
7.) A perfect version of this song (no offense Nat!).
8.) A symphony in strings and jazz which takes "God Rest Ye" from carol to classic.
9.) More Latin feel - and with the orchestra along for the ride, it's worth the trip.
10.) Lush, jazzy, romantic. An outstanding track that concludes an outstanding effort.


The Ramsey Lewis Trio continued to break new ground in later years. In 1965, their instrumental "The In Crowd" reached #4 on the pop charts - at the very height of the British Invasion! Three other singles between 1965 and 1966 ("Hang On Sloopy", "A Hard Day's Night", and "Wade In The Water") were also Top 40 hits.

Ramsey has continued to record (averages about one album a year) and perform with his trio. He produced a successful PBS series entitled "Legends Of Jazz" and has hosted his own morning radio program for WNUA-FM in Chicago since 1997. Broadcast Architecture began syndicating Ramsey's program last month over its "Smooth Jazz Network".

I think I made the right choice putting down Billy Idol in favor of this one.


UP NEXT: Those guys recorded a Christmas album back in the day?


Capt