Just a mere five days ago (equalling ten Christmas comps since), we brought you "Progressive Christmas V4", a 2005 disc based on a format that Martin Johns once had to follow in his radio days.
This is the 2006 follow up CD which can, at any given moment, veer off into musical directions you wouldn't normally think of when listening to a regular comp.
To quote from Martin's insight from "Progressive V4":
"'Progressive' was a college radio station format I worked in. The 'rules' were... an equal balance of music 'categories' (Category 1 - Jazz / Category 2A - Soul, Blues, R&B / Category 2B - Country, Folk, Bluegrass / Category 3 - Rock & Pop / Category 4 - Classical, World Music, and everything else including the stuff that defied definition) and about 80% were supposed to be new releases.
"I grew to love the format, which was generally a tough sell to DJs and listeners alike. If you were really good at it, it was pretty much like free-form radio. So I adopted the "Progressive" moniker for my genre-hopping mixes."
To get some more insight on "Progressive V5", here is the section of the review that I've set aside for Martin to share with you. We call it (all together)...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
In keeping with the "Progressive" spirit, I don't usually do these until late. In this case, though, I did a demo early in 2006. (I specifically remember the original mix contained two tracks from "Santastic". The rest I forget.)
"Progressive Christmas V5" underwent more complete overhauls than I care to remember. In the end, only a couple of tracks remain from the original set. The graphics were completely changed, as well.
A number of tracks, one at a time, turned this one around for me - "Flash Gordon", Aimee Mann, Grooveworks... But one of these was "Lord Of The Dance/Simple Gifts". In addition to providing a sound not otherwise represented on the disc, it was a gift, of sorts, for Louise, one of my former radio co-workers and who will unlikely never hear it.
Two moments stand out in my mind about Louise: a discussion on The Island of Misfit Toys, and listening to her singing in church for the first time. The song she sang was "Simple Gifts". I haven't seen or heard from Louise in a very long time, but I treasure those moments.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) Talk about harmonies! Blue Jupiter is an acappella group with a hip-hop beat - this rousting song leads off their 2003 "Scattered Flurries" Christmas CD.
2.) "Gift Wrapped Boy" by The Big Happy has the feel of a forgotten 1960s girl group single on steroids! The country rock sound of the band is excellent. Find this on "to Kate... a benefit for Kate's sake".
3.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! This is the very first Christmas song in my collection from Earth, Wind, & Fire! Hard to believe... Smooth, solid sound (as always) from EWF off the "Sounds Of The Season: NBC Holiday Collection 2005".
4.) This track by the Pussycat Dolls was a B-side on their 2005 "Stickwitu" single which was never officially released in the U.S. - you can travel to the UK, Europe, and Australia to pickup this harmless fluff piece or order it online. Madonna retains her crown for worst cover of "Santa Baby" ever.
5.) Their MySpace site states that Grooveworks are a "mix of rock, funk, and progressive metal". This cut from 1997's "A Drive-By Christmas" is loud, distorted, light, edgy, obnoxious, and kicks ass throughout. Brilliant!
6.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Found off an old cassette of a 1980 radio show, this rockin' little number is sped up to make them sound like the Chipmunks! So what? You can download this song FREE of charge at Boston Monkey (scroll down) and discover who "The Snowballs" really are! Excellent find, Martin!
7.) WOW! Opens with the bassline from Ray Charles' "Hit The Road, Jack"! Great swinging jazz / rock version of "Carol Of The Bells" by Aldo. His 2005 Christmas album is called "Merriment"
8.) Billy Coulter's voice has some Bob Dylan in it - surprising! This song is pretty well done and comes from the 2005 "Holiday Feast V8" compilation.
9.) Not bad for a song whose medley dates to 1848! "Lord Of The Dance / Simple Gifts" is a sweeping majestic song from Blackmore's Night's 2006 "Winter Carols" album.
10.) First heard Jake Speed & The Freddies yesterday on Martin's "Christmas In Tikrit" comp. This is a beaut of a bluegrass folk Christmas song from their "Losantaville" CD.
11.) Techno pop Christmas is alive and well on the Le Grand Magistery record label courtesy of Baxendale. This one came from the 2005 Internet only comp entitled "A Very Magistery Christmas" at iTunes.
12.) Late Tuesday caters to fans of Sarah MacLachlan, Indigo Girls, and Sixpence None The Richer. They have the sound nailed down - lyrics that tell a story too! From their 2004 Christmas EP "Storybook Beautiful".
13.) This song belongs on the "Ey Mon, It's Christmas" comp posted earlier today. Doctor Sparkles has this song at his website to listen to or you can pick up his full length non-Christmas album at CDBaby.
14.) Oooooooo! Very nice jazzy blues feel to this one... a bit naughty with the title too! Jane Fuller steams this up to the PG-13, R rated level... whatever she's selling, I'll take 30! Off her "The Spirit Of Giving" Christmas album!
15.) Smooth jazz version of "Good King Wenceslas" with embellishments of "O Come All Ye Faithful" and Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here". Not really a medley but still sounds good to me. From Bobby Felder & Friends' "Christmas Jazz At People's Church".
16.) Poco? Really? Sounds like them... This was available as a free download at Sessioncats.com (run by Poco's steel guitar player Rusty Young). Soft and easy going!
17.) This version of this great Christmas song far outdistances the original recording by Frank Sinatra no less! From Mann's "One More Drifter In The Snow" album.
18.) Eloquent techno pop! The Stars released this via the "Very Magistery Christmas" on iTunes. Twice I've tried to download something from Apple - their Quicktime player and more recently iTunes and both screwed up my PC deluxe! You can't even pay me to join the Apple revolution...
19.) The Goo Goo Dolls just hit my hometown two weeks ago (Wikipedia has a pix of them at the Embassy). This is a fine Goo Goo style song off the "Sounds Of The Season: NBC Collection" (see #3 above).
20.) "I want peace this Christmas... flags flying at full staff..." Paulette Mieche with Robbyn Kirmsse have a wonderful song for any season; Christmas especially!
21.) A clever punk pop Christmas song by Government Yule bring the curtain down on this one. Listen to this one at their MySpace site.
Another typical and brilliant comp from the fertile mind of Mr. Johns. It's worth saying that for the simple reason of hearing Earth, Wind, and Fire play a holiday tune - must have listened to that eight times while banging my abused but faithful keyboard.
Lots of good music, surprises, and energy keep the flow of this comp moving well. There's also another slew of titles to be added to my wish list.
Who knew Christmas was so progressive? Thanks Martin...
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0970-009 - 'Tis The Season
Capt
Just a mere five days ago (equalling ten Christmas comps since), we brought you "Progressive Christmas V4", a 2005 disc based on a format that Martin Johns once had to follow in his radio days.
This is the 2006 follow up CD which can, at any given moment, veer off into musical directions you wouldn't normally think of when listening to a regular comp.
To quote from Martin's insight from "Progressive V4":
"'Progressive' was a college radio station format I worked in. The 'rules' were... an equal balance of music 'categories' (Category 1 - Jazz / Category 2A - Soul, Blues, R&B / Category 2B - Country, Folk, Bluegrass / Category 3 - Rock & Pop / Category 4 - Classical, World Music, and everything else including the stuff that defied definition) and about 80% were supposed to be new releases.
"I grew to love the format, which was generally a tough sell to DJs and listeners alike. If you were really good at it, it was pretty much like free-form radio. So I adopted the "Progressive" moniker for my genre-hopping mixes."
To get some more insight on "Progressive V5", here is the section of the review that I've set aside for Martin to share with you. We call it (all together)...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
In keeping with the "Progressive" spirit, I don't usually do these until late. In this case, though, I did a demo early in 2006. (I specifically remember the original mix contained two tracks from "Santastic". The rest I forget.)
"Progressive Christmas V5" underwent more complete overhauls than I care to remember. In the end, only a couple of tracks remain from the original set. The graphics were completely changed, as well.
A number of tracks, one at a time, turned this one around for me - "Flash Gordon", Aimee Mann, Grooveworks... But one of these was "Lord Of The Dance/Simple Gifts". In addition to providing a sound not otherwise represented on the disc, it was a gift, of sorts, for Louise, one of my former radio co-workers and who will unlikely never hear it.
Two moments stand out in my mind about Louise: a discussion on The Island of Misfit Toys, and listening to her singing in church for the first time. The song she sang was "Simple Gifts". I haven't seen or heard from Louise in a very long time, but I treasure those moments.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) Talk about harmonies! Blue Jupiter is an acappella group with a hip-hop beat - this rousting song leads off their 2003 "Scattered Flurries" Christmas CD.
2.) "Gift Wrapped Boy" by The Big Happy has the feel of a forgotten 1960s girl group single on steroids! The country rock sound of the band is excellent. Find this on "to Kate... a benefit for Kate's sake".
3.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! This is the very first Christmas song in my collection from Earth, Wind, & Fire! Hard to believe... Smooth, solid sound (as always) from EWF off the "Sounds Of The Season: NBC Holiday Collection 2005".
4.) This track by the Pussycat Dolls was a B-side on their 2005 "Stickwitu" single which was never officially released in the U.S. - you can travel to the UK, Europe, and Australia to pickup this harmless fluff piece or order it online. Madonna retains her crown for worst cover of "Santa Baby" ever.
5.) Their MySpace site states that Grooveworks are a "mix of rock, funk, and progressive metal". This cut from 1997's "A Drive-By Christmas" is loud, distorted, light, edgy, obnoxious, and kicks ass throughout. Brilliant!
6.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Found off an old cassette of a 1980 radio show, this rockin' little number is sped up to make them sound like the Chipmunks! So what? You can download this song FREE of charge at Boston Monkey (scroll down) and discover who "The Snowballs" really are! Excellent find, Martin!
7.) WOW! Opens with the bassline from Ray Charles' "Hit The Road, Jack"! Great swinging jazz / rock version of "Carol Of The Bells" by Aldo. His 2005 Christmas album is called "Merriment"
8.) Billy Coulter's voice has some Bob Dylan in it - surprising! This song is pretty well done and comes from the 2005 "Holiday Feast V8" compilation.
9.) Not bad for a song whose medley dates to 1848! "Lord Of The Dance / Simple Gifts" is a sweeping majestic song from Blackmore's Night's 2006 "Winter Carols" album.
10.) First heard Jake Speed & The Freddies yesterday on Martin's "Christmas In Tikrit" comp. This is a beaut of a bluegrass folk Christmas song from their "Losantaville" CD.
11.) Techno pop Christmas is alive and well on the Le Grand Magistery record label courtesy of Baxendale. This one came from the 2005 Internet only comp entitled "A Very Magistery Christmas" at iTunes.
12.) Late Tuesday caters to fans of Sarah MacLachlan, Indigo Girls, and Sixpence None The Richer. They have the sound nailed down - lyrics that tell a story too! From their 2004 Christmas EP "Storybook Beautiful".
13.) This song belongs on the "Ey Mon, It's Christmas" comp posted earlier today. Doctor Sparkles has this song at his website to listen to or you can pick up his full length non-Christmas album at CDBaby.
14.) Oooooooo! Very nice jazzy blues feel to this one... a bit naughty with the title too! Jane Fuller steams this up to the PG-13, R rated level... whatever she's selling, I'll take 30! Off her "The Spirit Of Giving" Christmas album!
15.) Smooth jazz version of "Good King Wenceslas" with embellishments of "O Come All Ye Faithful" and Vince Guaraldi's "Christmas Time Is Here". Not really a medley but still sounds good to me. From Bobby Felder & Friends' "Christmas Jazz At People's Church".
16.) Poco? Really? Sounds like them... This was available as a free download at Sessioncats.com (run by Poco's steel guitar player Rusty Young). Soft and easy going!
17.) This version of this great Christmas song far outdistances the original recording by Frank Sinatra no less! From Mann's "One More Drifter In The Snow" album.
18.) Eloquent techno pop! The Stars released this via the "Very Magistery Christmas" on iTunes. Twice I've tried to download something from Apple - their Quicktime player and more recently iTunes and both screwed up my PC deluxe! You can't even pay me to join the Apple revolution...
19.) The Goo Goo Dolls just hit my hometown two weeks ago (Wikipedia has a pix of them at the Embassy). This is a fine Goo Goo style song off the "Sounds Of The Season: NBC Collection" (see #3 above).
20.) "I want peace this Christmas... flags flying at full staff..." Paulette Mieche with Robbyn Kirmsse have a wonderful song for any season; Christmas especially!
21.) A clever punk pop Christmas song by Government Yule bring the curtain down on this one. Listen to this one at their MySpace site.
Another typical and brilliant comp from the fertile mind of Mr. Johns. It's worth saying that for the simple reason of hearing Earth, Wind, and Fire play a holiday tune - must have listened to that eight times while banging my abused but faithful keyboard.
Lots of good music, surprises, and energy keep the flow of this comp moving well. There's also another slew of titles to be added to my wish list.
Who knew Christmas was so progressive? Thanks Martin...
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0970-009 - 'Tis The Season
Capt
If you've been reading the yuleblog for the past two weeks, you've probably seen every format under the sun created by Christmas comp master Martin Johns.
Today, we head for the tropical climes of sunny Jamaica to let down our dreadlocks and kick back on some Christmas reggae.
Of all the subgenres in my collection, reggae Christmas ranks very low. Currently, I have about four reggae Christmas CDs in my collection:
"Reggae Christmas" (1988), "Reggae Christmas From Studio One" (1992), Yellowman's "A Very Very Yellow Christmas" and "Natty & Nice: A Reggae Christmas" , both from 1998.
I was glad to see this arrive - it will point me in the right direction for some more reggae Christmas CDs in the near future.
For more, we ask Martin for a special insight about the making of this comp in a segment you longtime readers of the yuleblog already know as...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
I dreaded this one (CAPT'S NOTE: GREAT PUN!). I was very fond of the Reggae Christmas tapes I'd done in the old days, and they were among the favorites of my subscribers, as well. I really didn't think there was anything new I could bring to it.
So I put off a Reggae CD for years. But, if for no one else, Mike (author of my Santa letter) deserved it. It works. Works fine. But, no, I didn't bring anything new to it. Now that that's out of the way, I'm free to bring a fresh perspective to the next one.
Graphically, I tried about 5 different covers before settling on this one.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) Great song that uses the title as a mantra backed by a reggae beat. Find this song on the "Natty & Nice" comp above, the 2001 "Reggae Christmas" CD from Trojan Records, or the deluxe 3-CD set entitled "Trojan Christmas" from 2003.
2.) To my knowledge, Bob Marley & The Wailers recorded only two Christmas songs - "White Christmas" which can be found on "Destiny: Rare Ska Sides from Studio One" and this jammin' tune found on the "Reggae Christmas From Studio One" (see above).
3.) Whoa. June Lodge's website link has this claim: "Reggae, R&B and Dance artiste". This song has the sound of reggae but very little soul (when the synth is drowning out everything else, you got problems). Find this song on "Reggae Pulse 4" and judge for yourself.
4.) Another contemporary reggae Christmas song that overutilizes a synth, giving it a more hip-hop reggae sound. It came on the "Natty & Nice" comp so I do own this... Next.
5.) Now we're talking! Here's a contemporary reggae song from BCI's 1999 "Reggae Christmas" without synth, has the great piano beat, real drums (nothing programmed)! Good stuff.
6.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Barrington Levy sang the title and I damn near woke up the neighborhood with my guffaws! Great reworking of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" into a reggae song that was on the OOP "Yard Style Christmas"
7.) Rueben Anderson doing his best Brook Benton impersonation - giving this a unique soul / reggae mix! This one's from "Reggae Christmas" (see #1 above).
8.) WOW! Doreen Schaffer gives this a sultry reggae feel with a Christmas theme - very nicely done! Released in 1993 on the Studio One LP "Christmas Vibes". For info on the CD release, click here - if you can find out how to order a copy, let me know!
9.) Tonca & Friends miss Santa something fierce so they decide to throw him a party! This song would easily go over well at any Christmas party! From Tonca's 2000 "Merry Christmas Everybody" CD.
10.) It wouldn't be a reggae comp without something from Toots & The Maytals! And this is a gem of a reggae / ska Christmas song is easily found on "Christmas Greetings From Studio One".
11.) How bad is this fake reggae? According to Mistletunes, "Dancehall Christmas" (from which this song came from) states "this was apparently recorded all at once rather than compiled from various sources, and the sketchy liner notes credits backup musicians and lists the recording studio (in Englewood, N.J., strangely enough)."
12.) Yellowman's Christmas CD (see above) is a fun album - if you can't crack a smile to it, you need professional help! This song wants to know why Santa never comes to the ghetto - would make a great back-to-back with James Brown's "Santa Go Straight To The Ghetto"!
13.) The Heavy Beat Crew only sounds hip-hop - this reggae Christmas song has don't drink & drive references, a Bee Gees "Stayin' Alive" refrain, and even a little Michael Jackson impersonation! Easily found on "Natty & Nice" (see above) but if you feel adventurous, try this German import comp on for size!
14.) Jacob Miller's 1975 "Natty Christmas" LP was released on CD in 1990. This song leaves no doubt what Miller wants for Ismas... what is that smell?
15.) One of Jacob Miller's trademarks was his staccato delivery that accompanies the rhythm section - in full evidence here! Miller was killed in a car accident in 1980 at the age of 27 - too soon. Bob Marley often said Miller was his favorite musician of all time.
16.) John Holt wrote "The Tide Is High" and released his Christmas album in 1986. This reggae cover of Chris DeBurgh's classic song gives it a special warmth all its own.
17.) This version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is quite good. Judy Mowatt sang this for a 1991 Tassa comp called "Reggae Christmas" - Amazon.com has 67 results with "reggae Christmas" in the title. That makes my job harder!
18.) Lots of synth on this one but Carlene Davis does such a good job on the vocals I didn't mind. From her 1994 "Christmas Reggae Rock" album.
19.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Before Bob Marley became the face of reggae, that title was owned by Desmond Dekker. This slightly tinged reggae Christmas song is more doo-wop soul than anything else but when Dekker begins wailing, I didn't care in the slightest. Find this on Trojan's "Reggae Christmas" (see #1 above).
20.) I'm not sure if this is actual reggae or programmed on a synth. Either way, it's a great tune with Sandra and Lee playing off each other nicely. Another tune from Trojan's "Reggae Christmas" (see #1 above).
21.) The Heptones have such a great mellow sound that I found nodded my head to the rhythm! This wonderful song can be found on Tassa's "Reggae Christmas" (see #17 above) or "Reggae Christmas From Studio One" (see above).
Ja Mon! This is a heap good, jammin Christmas album! The best part about it was a good majority of the songs I haven't heard before or didn't own! I enjoyed tracking down all these reggae Christmas albums (the good and bad ones) which will no doubt add to my already monstrous wish list.
I can foresee using many of these songs on my annual Christmas CD. Especially the Jacob Miller, Desmond Dekker, Toots & The Maytals, Doreen Schaffer, and Barrington Levy songs.
I'm overwhelmed and paranoid all at once... getting a contact high from all the smoke off this one!
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0768-030 - Progressive Christmas V5
Capt
If you've been reading the yuleblog for the past two weeks, you've probably seen every format under the sun created by Christmas comp master Martin Johns.
Today, we head for the tropical climes of sunny Jamaica to let down our dreadlocks and kick back on some Christmas reggae.
Of all the subgenres in my collection, reggae Christmas ranks very low. Currently, I have about four reggae Christmas CDs in my collection:
"Reggae Christmas" (1988), "Reggae Christmas From Studio One" (1992), Yellowman's "A Very Very Yellow Christmas" and "Natty & Nice: A Reggae Christmas" , both from 1998.
I was glad to see this arrive - it will point me in the right direction for some more reggae Christmas CDs in the near future.
For more, we ask Martin for a special insight about the making of this comp in a segment you longtime readers of the yuleblog already know as...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
I dreaded this one (CAPT'S NOTE: GREAT PUN!). I was very fond of the Reggae Christmas tapes I'd done in the old days, and they were among the favorites of my subscribers, as well. I really didn't think there was anything new I could bring to it.
So I put off a Reggae CD for years. But, if for no one else, Mike (author of my Santa letter) deserved it. It works. Works fine. But, no, I didn't bring anything new to it. Now that that's out of the way, I'm free to bring a fresh perspective to the next one.
Graphically, I tried about 5 different covers before settling on this one.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) Great song that uses the title as a mantra backed by a reggae beat. Find this song on the "Natty & Nice" comp above, the 2001 "Reggae Christmas" CD from Trojan Records, or the deluxe 3-CD set entitled "Trojan Christmas" from 2003.
2.) To my knowledge, Bob Marley & The Wailers recorded only two Christmas songs - "White Christmas" which can be found on "Destiny: Rare Ska Sides from Studio One" and this jammin' tune found on the "Reggae Christmas From Studio One" (see above).
3.) Whoa. June Lodge's website link has this claim: "Reggae, R&B and Dance artiste". This song has the sound of reggae but very little soul (when the synth is drowning out everything else, you got problems). Find this song on "Reggae Pulse 4" and judge for yourself.
4.) Another contemporary reggae Christmas song that overutilizes a synth, giving it a more hip-hop reggae sound. It came on the "Natty & Nice" comp so I do own this... Next.
5.) Now we're talking! Here's a contemporary reggae song from BCI's 1999 "Reggae Christmas" without synth, has the great piano beat, real drums (nothing programmed)! Good stuff.
6.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Barrington Levy sang the title and I damn near woke up the neighborhood with my guffaws! Great reworking of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" into a reggae song that was on the OOP "Yard Style Christmas"
7.) Rueben Anderson doing his best Brook Benton impersonation - giving this a unique soul / reggae mix! This one's from "Reggae Christmas" (see #1 above).
8.) WOW! Doreen Schaffer gives this a sultry reggae feel with a Christmas theme - very nicely done! Released in 1993 on the Studio One LP "Christmas Vibes". For info on the CD release, click here - if you can find out how to order a copy, let me know!
9.) Tonca & Friends miss Santa something fierce so they decide to throw him a party! This song would easily go over well at any Christmas party! From Tonca's 2000 "Merry Christmas Everybody" CD.
10.) It wouldn't be a reggae comp without something from Toots & The Maytals! And this is a gem of a reggae / ska Christmas song is easily found on "Christmas Greetings From Studio One".
11.) How bad is this fake reggae? According to Mistletunes, "Dancehall Christmas" (from which this song came from) states "this was apparently recorded all at once rather than compiled from various sources, and the sketchy liner notes credits backup musicians and lists the recording studio (in Englewood, N.J., strangely enough)."
12.) Yellowman's Christmas CD (see above) is a fun album - if you can't crack a smile to it, you need professional help! This song wants to know why Santa never comes to the ghetto - would make a great back-to-back with James Brown's "Santa Go Straight To The Ghetto"!
13.) The Heavy Beat Crew only sounds hip-hop - this reggae Christmas song has don't drink & drive references, a Bee Gees "Stayin' Alive" refrain, and even a little Michael Jackson impersonation! Easily found on "Natty & Nice" (see above) but if you feel adventurous, try this German import comp on for size!
14.) Jacob Miller's 1975 "Natty Christmas" LP was released on CD in 1990. This song leaves no doubt what Miller wants for Ismas... what is that smell?
15.) One of Jacob Miller's trademarks was his staccato delivery that accompanies the rhythm section - in full evidence here! Miller was killed in a car accident in 1980 at the age of 27 - too soon. Bob Marley often said Miller was his favorite musician of all time.
16.) John Holt wrote "The Tide Is High" and released his Christmas album in 1986. This reggae cover of Chris DeBurgh's classic song gives it a special warmth all its own.
17.) This version of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" is quite good. Judy Mowatt sang this for a 1991 Tassa comp called "Reggae Christmas" - Amazon.com has 67 results with "reggae Christmas" in the title. That makes my job harder!
18.) Lots of synth on this one but Carlene Davis does such a good job on the vocals I didn't mind. From her 1994 "Christmas Reggae Rock" album.
19.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Before Bob Marley became the face of reggae, that title was owned by Desmond Dekker. This slightly tinged reggae Christmas song is more doo-wop soul than anything else but when Dekker begins wailing, I didn't care in the slightest. Find this on Trojan's "Reggae Christmas" (see #1 above).
20.) I'm not sure if this is actual reggae or programmed on a synth. Either way, it's a great tune with Sandra and Lee playing off each other nicely. Another tune from Trojan's "Reggae Christmas" (see #1 above).
21.) The Heptones have such a great mellow sound that I found nodded my head to the rhythm! This wonderful song can be found on Tassa's "Reggae Christmas" (see #17 above) or "Reggae Christmas From Studio One" (see above).
Ja Mon! This is a heap good, jammin Christmas album! The best part about it was a good majority of the songs I haven't heard before or didn't own! I enjoyed tracking down all these reggae Christmas albums (the good and bad ones) which will no doubt add to my already monstrous wish list.
I can foresee using many of these songs on my annual Christmas CD. Especially the Jacob Miller, Desmond Dekker, Toots & The Maytals, Doreen Schaffer, and Barrington Levy songs.
I'm overwhelmed and paranoid all at once... getting a contact high from all the smoke off this one!
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0768-030 - Progressive Christmas V5
Capt
This yuleblog entry will probably bring in hundreds, if not thousands of people who are looking for references to Tikrit, President George W. Bush, and the war in Iraq.
I welcome you all and hope you read the mission statement above about this site.
The blog community has changed the very face of American politics. More views and statements were released by politicians via the Internet in the last election than any other in recent past. Expect that trend to grow.
The voice of the people finally have an outlet to express their views, their demands, their concerns, and their differences of opinion. Their voices are reaching all the corners of the United States and all around the world.
I would like to stress that this yuleblog is NOT a part of that community. I only give my views and opinions on Christmas music, nothing else. If you're looking for an argument or something else politically, you're in for a major disappointment.
This Christmas CD was sent to us by Martin Johns, a passionate Christmas music collector who is passionate about other matters as well. For the past two weeks, I have been reviewing Christmas comps Martin sent to us. In his introductory letter to me, he added this postscript:
"P.S. 'Christmas In Tikrit' is NOT a Christmas CD. I just got really pissed when Congress passed the Torture Bill and I had to protest, pre-election, in the best way I knew how. I've sent a copy for... well, I don't know why... curiosity?"
For more on this, I've asked Martin for a special insight into the comp that's called...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
In late September 2006, my cat of 16 years (and JohnsCD "mascot") passed away. I was very sad and found myself experiencing compers block at a very crucial time.
I seem to recall it was about a week later that Congress passed the Torture Bill. Anyone who has had a Civics class knows that, without Habeas Corpus, you have NO rights. Anyone who thinks this law only applies to "bad" people is woefully naive. In fact, it amazes me that we've learned none of the lessons of history whatsoever.
I stewed for another week or so, after the Torture Bill, before this one burst out of me like something from "Alien". I thought about blogging my outrage. I thought about protests. In the end, I did what I do.
There are web sites (many of them) that host assorted Bush-isms. A few of the cuts here, though, required downloading entire speeches or interviews and then isolating the cuts myself. And every line in John McCutcheon's song is an authentic Bush-ism. Credits read "Music: John McCutcheon, Lyrics: George W. Bush."
The Viet Nam era Christmas music was handy and Roy Zimmerman would have made an appearance somewhere in my 2006 comps, regardless. The closing track has little to do with the CD, overall; I just thought it was important to leave with a laugh.
The CDs were mailed out prior to Election Day in the hopes of ensuring that those who felt as I did would vote (I have no illusions about my ability to actually change someones political mindset with a CD).
This isn't my blog and it's not a political blog, so I'll say no more.
TRACK LISTING:
(Click on images to enlarge)
This compilation is an amalgamation of protest songs from around the Internet, actual quotes from President Bush and other policymakers explaining their views, and a small sprinkling of Christmas songs.
Those select Christmas songs are the reason why I am reviewing this disc. The first song that appears is "Christmas In Washington" by Joe Uehlein & The U-Liners and it's more a protest song than Christmas. The chorus cries out for Woody Guthrie, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr. to come back since there isn't an abundance of prominent non-violence singers and leaders in the spotlight.
"Buy War Toys For Christmas" by Roy Zimmerman was written and released at Christmas, 1990 - shortly before Operation Desert Storm began. Click on the link to read the sharp lyrics that were relevant then, relevant now, and sadly relevant for futures to come.
This similar theme is revisited in the next Christmas song by Timbuk 3. Back in 1986, they recorded "All I Want For Christmas" for a IRS Christmas comp entitled "Just In Time For Christmas".
Growing up as a teenager in the 1980s, this one hits closer to home because I had some of those toys. Found the lyrics posted via a blog entry (scroll down to the bottom).
I can't pretend to imagine the emotions and feelings of soldiers and their loved ones separated by service and distance, especially at Christmas. The next song by Jake Speed & The Freddies perfectly captures that feeling in song form.
"A Soldier's Christmas Lament" contains two voices (one male, one female), a guitar, heartbreaking lyrics that bring tears to your eyes, and a wistful violin with so much longing that by the end of this, you're on your knees praying for all concerned - a masterpiece.
Another Roy Zimmerman song follows from which the title of this comp was taken. I'm not sure if "I Won't Be Home For Christmas" is a protest song, a wicked parody of the Christmas songs about soldiers at war, or sort of right down the middle.
A Bob Hope MC gets some digs off before introducing the singer of the song. There's a lot of power in words and if you need proof, click on the link to read the lyrics. I believe the main problem why I can't warm up to this song is because of its placement next to the previous song - too strong too soon.
The only Christmas instrumental on this comp arrives next. Aldo's version of "I Wonder As I Wander" is smooth jazz with a rock flavor - an oasis to all that is being heard on this CD. Slow starting, it picks up smooth steam and finishes strong.
By the end of the 1960s, both the Vietnam War and Marvin Gaye were raging. The war had no clear end in sight and Gaye was tired of love duets and catchy pop songs - he wanted to record songs with meaning. Gaye got his chance in 1972 with "I Want To Come Home For Christmas", a song that gave soldiers drafted from the streets and stuck in the jungles of Vietnam a musical plea to come home.
The Reverend Oris Mays was a Baptist minister in Memphis for 36 years, his television show ("The Oris Mays Show") ran for 30 years, hosted several radio shows, and produced and recorded countless albums and songs. Mays recorded "Another Christmas Without My Son" from the perspective of a father whose son had died in the Vietnam War. Whether Mays really lost a son in that war is unknown to me - the song however hasn't lost one ounce of its power or its message against war.
Songs in the vein of Marvin Gaye request to come home for Christmas are few and far between. However, Bill Laing has taken up the cause. His 2005 song entitled "A Christmas Wish From Iraq" asks the powers at be (in a style very similar to Neil Young) to come home. This song is still available to download (free of charge) at his website.
"Christmas In Vietnam" by Johnny & Jon was one of the first anti-Vietnam War songs to hit the airwaves in 1966. Two lonely soldiers take up the cause, reminiscing about being back home at Christmas time. Their subtle touch on this one made it possible for it to get airplay and still stands up today.
In total, ten songs of of the 29 on this disc were Christmas songs. If you want to hear the other non-Christmas songs, Martin listed the websites where you can track those clips down.
I agree with Martin's assessment - this is NOT a Christmas CD. There are other songs that could have been used but Martin chose not to. I respect his right as an American citizen and a free man to create this and share to anyone he chooses to send it to.
Whether you agree on the war in Iraq or don't, I ask you to remember the soldiers who continue to serve there. They continue to do the job that's asked of them and they all deserve our total respect, admiration, and prayers for their safe return.
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0667-020 - Ey, Mon, It's Christmas
Capt
This yuleblog entry will probably bring in hundreds, if not thousands of people who are looking for references to Tikrit, President George W. Bush, and the war in Iraq.
I welcome you all and hope you read the mission statement above about this site.
The blog community has changed the very face of American politics. More views and statements were released by politicians via the Internet in the last election than any other in recent past. Expect that trend to grow.
The voice of the people finally have an outlet to express their views, their demands, their concerns, and their differences of opinion. Their voices are reaching all the corners of the United States and all around the world.
I would like to stress that this yuleblog is NOT a part of that community. I only give my views and opinions on Christmas music, nothing else. If you're looking for an argument or something else politically, you're in for a major disappointment.
This Christmas CD was sent to us by Martin Johns, a passionate Christmas music collector who is passionate about other matters as well. For the past two weeks, I have been reviewing Christmas comps Martin sent to us. In his introductory letter to me, he added this postscript:
"P.S. 'Christmas In Tikrit' is NOT a Christmas CD. I just got really pissed when Congress passed the Torture Bill and I had to protest, pre-election, in the best way I knew how. I've sent a copy for... well, I don't know why... curiosity?"
For more on this, I've asked Martin for a special insight into the comp that's called...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
In late September 2006, my cat of 16 years (and JohnsCD "mascot") passed away. I was very sad and found myself experiencing compers block at a very crucial time.
I seem to recall it was about a week later that Congress passed the Torture Bill. Anyone who has had a Civics class knows that, without Habeas Corpus, you have NO rights. Anyone who thinks this law only applies to "bad" people is woefully naive. In fact, it amazes me that we've learned none of the lessons of history whatsoever.
I stewed for another week or so, after the Torture Bill, before this one burst out of me like something from "Alien". I thought about blogging my outrage. I thought about protests. In the end, I did what I do.
There are web sites (many of them) that host assorted Bush-isms. A few of the cuts here, though, required downloading entire speeches or interviews and then isolating the cuts myself. And every line in John McCutcheon's song is an authentic Bush-ism. Credits read "Music: John McCutcheon, Lyrics: George W. Bush."
The Viet Nam era Christmas music was handy and Roy Zimmerman would have made an appearance somewhere in my 2006 comps, regardless. The closing track has little to do with the CD, overall; I just thought it was important to leave with a laugh.
The CDs were mailed out prior to Election Day in the hopes of ensuring that those who felt as I did would vote (I have no illusions about my ability to actually change someones political mindset with a CD).
This isn't my blog and it's not a political blog, so I'll say no more.
TRACK LISTING:
(Click on images to enlarge)
This compilation is an amalgamation of protest songs from around the Internet, actual quotes from President Bush and other policymakers explaining their views, and a small sprinkling of Christmas songs.
Those select Christmas songs are the reason why I am reviewing this disc. The first song that appears is "Christmas In Washington" by Joe Uehlein & The U-Liners and it's more a protest song than Christmas. The chorus cries out for Woody Guthrie, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr. to come back since there isn't an abundance of prominent non-violence singers and leaders in the spotlight.
"Buy War Toys For Christmas" by Roy Zimmerman was written and released at Christmas, 1990 - shortly before Operation Desert Storm began. Click on the link to read the sharp lyrics that were relevant then, relevant now, and sadly relevant for futures to come.
This similar theme is revisited in the next Christmas song by Timbuk 3. Back in 1986, they recorded "All I Want For Christmas" for a IRS Christmas comp entitled "Just In Time For Christmas".
Growing up as a teenager in the 1980s, this one hits closer to home because I had some of those toys. Found the lyrics posted via a blog entry (scroll down to the bottom).
I can't pretend to imagine the emotions and feelings of soldiers and their loved ones separated by service and distance, especially at Christmas. The next song by Jake Speed & The Freddies perfectly captures that feeling in song form.
"A Soldier's Christmas Lament" contains two voices (one male, one female), a guitar, heartbreaking lyrics that bring tears to your eyes, and a wistful violin with so much longing that by the end of this, you're on your knees praying for all concerned - a masterpiece.
Another Roy Zimmerman song follows from which the title of this comp was taken. I'm not sure if "I Won't Be Home For Christmas" is a protest song, a wicked parody of the Christmas songs about soldiers at war, or sort of right down the middle.
A Bob Hope MC gets some digs off before introducing the singer of the song. There's a lot of power in words and if you need proof, click on the link to read the lyrics. I believe the main problem why I can't warm up to this song is because of its placement next to the previous song - too strong too soon.
The only Christmas instrumental on this comp arrives next. Aldo's version of "I Wonder As I Wander" is smooth jazz with a rock flavor - an oasis to all that is being heard on this CD. Slow starting, it picks up smooth steam and finishes strong.
By the end of the 1960s, both the Vietnam War and Marvin Gaye were raging. The war had no clear end in sight and Gaye was tired of love duets and catchy pop songs - he wanted to record songs with meaning. Gaye got his chance in 1972 with "I Want To Come Home For Christmas", a song that gave soldiers drafted from the streets and stuck in the jungles of Vietnam a musical plea to come home.
The Reverend Oris Mays was a Baptist minister in Memphis for 36 years, his television show ("The Oris Mays Show") ran for 30 years, hosted several radio shows, and produced and recorded countless albums and songs. Mays recorded "Another Christmas Without My Son" from the perspective of a father whose son had died in the Vietnam War. Whether Mays really lost a son in that war is unknown to me - the song however hasn't lost one ounce of its power or its message against war.
Songs in the vein of Marvin Gaye request to come home for Christmas are few and far between. However, Bill Laing has taken up the cause. His 2005 song entitled "A Christmas Wish From Iraq" asks the powers at be (in a style very similar to Neil Young) to come home. This song is still available to download (free of charge) at his website.
"Christmas In Vietnam" by Johnny & Jon was one of the first anti-Vietnam War songs to hit the airwaves in 1966. Two lonely soldiers take up the cause, reminiscing about being back home at Christmas time. Their subtle touch on this one made it possible for it to get airplay and still stands up today.
In total, ten songs of of the 29 on this disc were Christmas songs. If you want to hear the other non-Christmas songs, Martin listed the websites where you can track those clips down.
I agree with Martin's assessment - this is NOT a Christmas CD. There are other songs that could have been used but Martin chose not to. I respect his right as an American citizen and a free man to create this and share to anyone he chooses to send it to.
Whether you agree on the war in Iraq or don't, I ask you to remember the soldiers who continue to serve there. They continue to do the job that's asked of them and they all deserve our total respect, admiration, and prayers for their safe return.
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0667-020 - Ey, Mon, It's Christmas
Capt
One of the reasons I chose to review homemade Christmas comps is because of the personal touches each compiler brings to the table.
While others dazzle with graphics, others astound us with the music. Some create comps for family and friends unlike others who create for themselves. Many are sent personally by mail while a majority post them online.
However, the one constant throughout it all is the planning, the care, the execution that goes into making a comp.
The personal side of the individual pushes the direction in which the comp will take shape, showcasing not only their creativity and ear for music but their very own personality as well.
This Christmas comp that Martin Johns sent us via the P.O. Box is a very personal one. This one has family written all over it. For more on this, I'll let him doing the talking as...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
Every year, I try to work up a Country mix for my father. As it happens, there's a much larger constituency for Christmas Country among my friends than I would have imagined. It's not my personal genre of choice, so I'm sure these Country comps are an uneven bunch.
But at least I did get to showcase my mother's considerable talent; she made the cover Christmas scene for me several years back, as well as the Christmas teddy-bear on the back cover. And folks at FaLaLaLaLa got to check out some of her homemade ornaments, too. (I love you Mom and Dad.)
I should also thank my Canadian friend (everybody's got one, right Cap?) Roy Forbes, who (being an avid collector of 78s) always manages to point me in the direction of a vintage track or two. On this one, it's Johnny Bond, Jesse Rogers and Doye O'Dell.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) Extremely slow version of this Christmas standard... by the four minute mark, you're numb. From the 2005 "Sounds Of The Season" country Christmas comp.
2.) Fine Christmas song by Lonestar that somehow missed their 2000 "This Christmas Time" album but found a home on the same "Sounds Of The Season" comp as above.
3.) I've admitted it before - I'm a fan of old school country. I will stand by Tammy Wynette as she sings this classic any day of the week. Easily found on her "Christmas With" CD.
4.) WOW! Sounds awfully like Gene Autry! This Jesse Rogers & His 49ers cover came from a 1949 RCA record (78 RPM) transfer.
5.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Sunshine Ruby was the LeAnn Rimes of the 1950s! This was the A-side of her 1953 or 1954 Christmas single (RCA 47-5474) and ended up on the "Sweetheart Of The Big 'D' Jamboree" comp from Cattle Compact.
6.) A good but typical bluegrass rendition. From the "O Santa Where Art Thou?" compilation
7.) Jim Lauderdale's melody is catchy and is quite the line dancer foot stomper! From an impressive 2005 compilation recorded to benefit Kate, a three year old girl from Nashville with an extremely rare genetic disease.
8.) Title says it all and only a country song could get away with it. A pretty good song from Kenny Chesney off his "All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan" CD (see what I mean about country and titles?).
9.) Wynonna's had a bad week and we wish her nothing but the best here at the yuleblog. This song was released in 1994 on "The Stars Come Out For Christmas" comp but inexplicably left off her solo Christmas album last year!
10.) WOW! The Oak Ridge Boys and Christmas music are a perfect match. Why it took them so long to record a Christmas album is beyond me. Lost a little respect for these guys since two of them admitted they were Chicago White Sox fans... grrrrr!
11.) Written when Brad Paisley 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.
12.) Name a stringed instrument on this song and Rhonda Vincent can probably play it - great song from her 2006 "Beautiful Star: A Christmas Collection" album (and check out that cover!).
13.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Several years ago, I found this online (BearShare). My elation was short lived as a computer crash entombed the song (and a TON of other Christmas stuff) on the hard drive. Glad to re-add this gem by Elton Britt once again. That reminds me... when did I backup last?
14.) Another great 78 RPM transfer! For a wee bit more on Johnny Bond (and where to find another Cattle Compact comp with this song), click on Bond's name!
15.) Sweet country version of "The Christmas Song". Taken from the benefit comp (see #7 above) from the group BR5-49. Once again, that's BR5-49... Yee haw!
16.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! "There's a buckboard zoomin' through the Christmas night with Ole Tex Kringle at the reins..." You can't get more country than that! Doye O'Dell has a full career and this came from an import comp entitled "If Tears Were Gold".
17.) The second Jody Lynn song I've heard on Martin's comps (the other was on "Progressive Christmas V4"). Still can't find an artist site for Jody but the liner notes state this song comes from the 1999 Christmas comp called "Rockin' Blues Christmas". I suppose both songs came from the same source, yes?
18.) Ed Ames recorded several Christmas albums, both with his brothers and solo. Unfortunately, none of his solo albums are available on CD; you can find the odd track here and there on countless compilations. This ballad of the Christmas donkey (think the ugly ducking) is as lovely as any song in the Christmas pantheon and deserves radio airplay at Christmas.
19.) WOW! This great Christmas country song (recorded by Chess Records of all places!) takes on more importance when you read the tragic tale of Jimmy Donley - this may have been one of the last songs he ever recorded!
20.) Another fine song from Misty River! The second song that Martin has used (the first was on "Great And Small") on his comps. This is from their 2004 Christmas album.
21.) Interesting! Mindy Wade takes "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" and gives it a different, country melody. The end result is quite good! Bravo! Off her debut album (a Christmas one at that!).
22.) Dennis Jay has a remarkable voice (think Randy Travis but not so twangy and deep) and even throws in some yodel! WOW! This excellent song comes from a 2002 holiday comp while his 2003 solo album "What You See" contains the song "Christmas In The Badlands".
23.) Lovely version of "Silent Night" by Steve Oliver. Liner notes state this is "audio from television appearance" but you can get all of his Christmas song (including this one but not this performance) on his "Snowfall" album.
24.) Garth Brooks freely admits he's a George Strait wannabe. One of the best selling singers throughout the 1980s, he laid the groundwork for the explosion of country in the 1990s and beyond. And last Christmas, he released a new Christmas album through the Hallmark stores from which this wonderful rendition came from.
I love old school country (pre-1985). I'm not a big fan of contemporary country music. However, I really enjoyed this comp. Even if I wasn't a fan of country music as a whole, I could listen to this and find something I would absolutely treasure:
Old school - Elton Britt, Ed Ames, Jimmy Donley, Sunshine Ruby, Doye O'Dell. New school - Brad Paisley, Rhonda Vincent, Dennis Jay, BR5-49, Mindy Wade. Not counting the Sara Evans track, every one of these tracks I could foresee using down the road at some point!
This comp is very special. Some time after I began reviewing the first of his comps, I learned from Martin that his father - the very person this country Christmas comp was made for - had passed away from an undisclosed illness he fought for nearly two years.
Martin, I wish you again our deepest sympathy for your loss. I hope you'll take comfort knowing that I have heard all the time, effort, and love you put into this country Christmas compilation last year for your father and it really comes across.
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0566-027 - Christmas In Tikrit
Capt
One of the reasons I chose to review homemade Christmas comps is because of the personal touches each compiler brings to the table.
While others dazzle with graphics, others astound us with the music. Some create comps for family and friends unlike others who create for themselves. Many are sent personally by mail while a majority post them online.
However, the one constant throughout it all is the planning, the care, the execution that goes into making a comp.
The personal side of the individual pushes the direction in which the comp will take shape, showcasing not only their creativity and ear for music but their very own personality as well.
This Christmas comp that Martin Johns sent us via the P.O. Box is a very personal one. This one has family written all over it. For more on this, I'll let him doing the talking as...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
Every year, I try to work up a Country mix for my father. As it happens, there's a much larger constituency for Christmas Country among my friends than I would have imagined. It's not my personal genre of choice, so I'm sure these Country comps are an uneven bunch.
But at least I did get to showcase my mother's considerable talent; she made the cover Christmas scene for me several years back, as well as the Christmas teddy-bear on the back cover. And folks at FaLaLaLaLa got to check out some of her homemade ornaments, too. (I love you Mom and Dad.)
I should also thank my Canadian friend (everybody's got one, right Cap?) Roy Forbes, who (being an avid collector of 78s) always manages to point me in the direction of a vintage track or two. On this one, it's Johnny Bond, Jesse Rogers and Doye O'Dell.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) Extremely slow version of this Christmas standard... by the four minute mark, you're numb. From the 2005 "Sounds Of The Season" country Christmas comp.
2.) Fine Christmas song by Lonestar that somehow missed their 2000 "This Christmas Time" album but found a home on the same "Sounds Of The Season" comp as above.
3.) I've admitted it before - I'm a fan of old school country. I will stand by Tammy Wynette as she sings this classic any day of the week. Easily found on her "Christmas With" CD.
4.) WOW! Sounds awfully like Gene Autry! This Jesse Rogers & His 49ers cover came from a 1949 RCA record (78 RPM) transfer.
5.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Sunshine Ruby was the LeAnn Rimes of the 1950s! This was the A-side of her 1953 or 1954 Christmas single (RCA 47-5474) and ended up on the "Sweetheart Of The Big 'D' Jamboree" comp from Cattle Compact.
6.) A good but typical bluegrass rendition. From the "O Santa Where Art Thou?" compilation
7.) Jim Lauderdale's melody is catchy and is quite the line dancer foot stomper! From an impressive 2005 compilation recorded to benefit Kate, a three year old girl from Nashville with an extremely rare genetic disease.
8.) Title says it all and only a country song could get away with it. A pretty good song from Kenny Chesney off his "All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan" CD (see what I mean about country and titles?).
9.) Wynonna's had a bad week and we wish her nothing but the best here at the yuleblog. This song was released in 1994 on "The Stars Come Out For Christmas" comp but inexplicably left off her solo Christmas album last year!
10.) WOW! The Oak Ridge Boys and Christmas music are a perfect match. Why it took them so long to record a Christmas album is beyond me. Lost a little respect for these guys since two of them admitted they were Chicago White Sox fans... grrrrr!
11.) Written when Brad Paisley 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.
12.) Name a stringed instrument on this song and Rhonda Vincent can probably play it - great song from her 2006 "Beautiful Star: A Christmas Collection" album (and check out that cover!).
13.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Several years ago, I found this online (BearShare). My elation was short lived as a computer crash entombed the song (and a TON of other Christmas stuff) on the hard drive. Glad to re-add this gem by Elton Britt once again. That reminds me... when did I backup last?
14.) Another great 78 RPM transfer! For a wee bit more on Johnny Bond (and where to find another Cattle Compact comp with this song), click on Bond's name!
15.) Sweet country version of "The Christmas Song". Taken from the benefit comp (see #7 above) from the group BR5-49. Once again, that's BR5-49... Yee haw!
16.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! "There's a buckboard zoomin' through the Christmas night with Ole Tex Kringle at the reins..." You can't get more country than that! Doye O'Dell has a full career and this came from an import comp entitled "If Tears Were Gold".
17.) The second Jody Lynn song I've heard on Martin's comps (the other was on "Progressive Christmas V4"). Still can't find an artist site for Jody but the liner notes state this song comes from the 1999 Christmas comp called "Rockin' Blues Christmas". I suppose both songs came from the same source, yes?
18.) Ed Ames recorded several Christmas albums, both with his brothers and solo. Unfortunately, none of his solo albums are available on CD; you can find the odd track here and there on countless compilations. This ballad of the Christmas donkey (think the ugly ducking) is as lovely as any song in the Christmas pantheon and deserves radio airplay at Christmas.
19.) WOW! This great Christmas country song (recorded by Chess Records of all places!) takes on more importance when you read the tragic tale of Jimmy Donley - this may have been one of the last songs he ever recorded!
20.) Another fine song from Misty River! The second song that Martin has used (the first was on "Great And Small") on his comps. This is from their 2004 Christmas album.
21.) Interesting! Mindy Wade takes "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" and gives it a different, country melody. The end result is quite good! Bravo! Off her debut album (a Christmas one at that!).
22.) Dennis Jay has a remarkable voice (think Randy Travis but not so twangy and deep) and even throws in some yodel! WOW! This excellent song comes from a 2002 holiday comp while his 2003 solo album "What You See" contains the song "Christmas In The Badlands".
23.) Lovely version of "Silent Night" by Steve Oliver. Liner notes state this is "audio from television appearance" but you can get all of his Christmas song (including this one but not this performance) on his "Snowfall" album.
24.) Garth Brooks freely admits he's a George Strait wannabe. One of the best selling singers throughout the 1980s, he laid the groundwork for the explosion of country in the 1990s and beyond. And last Christmas, he released a new Christmas album through the Hallmark stores from which this wonderful rendition came from.
I love old school country (pre-1985). I'm not a big fan of contemporary country music. However, I really enjoyed this comp. Even if I wasn't a fan of country music as a whole, I could listen to this and find something I would absolutely treasure:
Old school - Elton Britt, Ed Ames, Jimmy Donley, Sunshine Ruby, Doye O'Dell. New school - Brad Paisley, Rhonda Vincent, Dennis Jay, BR5-49, Mindy Wade. Not counting the Sara Evans track, every one of these tracks I could foresee using down the road at some point!
This comp is very special. Some time after I began reviewing the first of his comps, I learned from Martin that his father - the very person this country Christmas comp was made for - had passed away from an undisclosed illness he fought for nearly two years.
Martin, I wish you again our deepest sympathy for your loss. I hope you'll take comfort knowing that I have heard all the time, effort, and love you put into this country Christmas compilation last year for your father and it really comes across.
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0566-027 - Christmas In Tikrit
Capt
We're still looking at comps created by Martin Johns of Greenville, South Carolina and this is the last of three comps dealing with all vinyl Christmas music.
This might be my favorite cover of the whole Johns lot. Not because of the laissez-faire attitude of the record clerk. Not because of the glorious stacks and stacks of vinyl.
Not because of the Arthur Godfrey album (which I now own in my vinyl collection) or "A Christmas Record" located above the record clerk's head.
I love this album cover because of the PhonoLog on the counter.
In this day and age of the Internet and online databases that can find someone or something with a few clicks, it's good to see those glorious yellow and gold pages awaiting someone to unearth its treasures.
That and the "Help Stamp Out Opera" sign are just priceless.
For more on this all-vinyl comp, we ask Martin yet again for his special insight revolving (get it?) around this one in a segment we call...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
I see the All Vinyl CDs as something of a trilogy. They were showcases for a handful of singles I desperately wanted to track down and share. Sascha Burland for "Solid Gold Christmas V2", Phil Moore for "Mo' Xmas Vinyl", and, on this one, it's The Leopards and John Cafferty.
It just happened that the acquisitions were split by time. That said, it IS necessary to fill out the discs with other good and interesting music. Truth be told, I transfer the vinyl and get close to a final mix before I ever check to see if the cuts are on CD, somewhere.
If a track is on a CD, I'll drop it, unless that CD is as hard to find as the record... or unless I don't feel like dropping it. But I definitely strive for the vinyl orphans, favoring those from artists people might recognize.
I listen to my CDs dozens of times before I run them off, to ensure that songs will withstand repeated plays (a subjective call, to be sure). I am WELL aware that "Little Becky's Christmas Wish" can barely withstand a single play, but it's such a "collector's item" that I felt I had to include it, painful though it may be. Blondie ("Yuletown Throwdown") was also in line for a spot on this CD, but one unlistenable track seemed more than enough.
I also couldn't do anything about the noise on the opener - caused by water damage that, I am told, affected the entire "found box" of this 45. The noise dies down fairly quickly and, anyway, I have a soft spot for all those funky sounds (pops, clicks, cue burn...) you can only get from vinyls.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) I'm guessing this scratchy but great sounding 45 never made past the western Lake Erie region in Michigan and Ohio. Thankfully, Martin found a copy and preserved it here. Want a copy? eBay is calling you!
2.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! The FULL version with Mel, Kim, and Griff Rhys Jones! Every file sharing program had the 45 version which edited out the comedy before and after. This is from the 12" single - awesome!
3.) WOW! Very reminiscent of the "Gimme Dat Ding" sound by The Pipkins! This song by The Leopards would always get airtime on Vin Scelsa's NY radio program at Christmas - a favorite of Martin's (now mine!).
4.) Candypants chose a minor 1963 hit from The Pixies Three as a B-side to their 2003 "Happiest Time Of Year" Christmas single. This is an incredible song! Visions of Phil Spector and The Ronettes are dancing in my head!
5.) A reggae flavored cover of Carla Thomas' classic song by the same group who brought us "Funky Nassau"! Fabulous stuff, mon!
6.) "Sleigh Ride" by Roxy Music? Be still my heart! According to this Roxy site, Phil Manzanera and sometime Roxy Music member John Wetton were the driving forces behind this single for Christmas, 1980. However, Andy Mackay and Manzanera, under the guise of "The Players", release an FULL album entitled "Christmas" on Rykodisc at the same time!
7.) Martin admits this song is on compact disc in his liner notes. The 78 record that this came from gives it such a rich warm sound though that's a CD will never duplicate.
8.) You'd never guess this was recorded in 1960 - you'd swear it was a forgotten blues artist from an era gone by! Black Ace is NOT forgotten and this song ranks with the best Christmas blues out there.
9.) Bill Cosby had a strange 1970s. Two failed TV shows, a batch of bad movies, and his kiddie contributions (Electric Company, Fat Albert) were his best known stuff. This song from 1977 give Cos the chance to do his best Barry White impression ("I want to be your Santa Claus, Mama, and look down your chimney..."). Only Cosby could get away with this...
10.) Another rare track from The Cajun Cook! Justin Wilson speaks the intro to this song and then tears it up with a Dixieland behind him! This is a fabulous track and I won't say "I GARONTEE!" because it's been done.
11.) Long before the current lineup, long before they hit it big, The Dixie Chicks self released this Christmas single in 1991. It's a typical twangy country homage that many bands record trying to get noticed in Nashville. Click on the link to read all about it.
12.) I officially declare "Donde Esta Santa Claus?" by Augie Rios the SECOND best Mexican flavored Christmas song ever! This one wins by a landslide! Read a good biography of Lalo Guerrero at his son Mark's website, order a FULL CD of his comedy records here, or look at the ton of material Lalo donated to CEMA!
13.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Sarducci sings it straight (weird) and tries to capture the flavor of a 1960s Christmas pop song. Makes me wonder what Father Guido heard in confession to get this record released in 1980!
14.) "Eddie & The Cruisers" was released around the time I reached high school and I still can't figure out its appeal. Two bad movies, "EDDIE LIVES" T-shirts, and music that stank up the airwaves. This Christmas song is catchy but, like the "Eddie" phenomenon, is way too long and I tuned out quickly.
15.) The Allstonians have a great little ska number here! To quote Wikipedia, "the group is notorious for its extremely high number of ex-members, as well as of its love of alcohol." Find this song on their "Early Years" comp!
16.) Originally released as a Christmas single in 1981. 21 years later, Ray Curtis re-recorded this song for the "Santa's Got Mojo" comp. This version is just dynamite!
17.) WOW! Edgy but simple Christmas rock! According to Martin, the writer of this song is John Kaspar (who lives in Whitehouse Station, NJ) who heads up the John Kaspar Band. Google didn't even come up with this!
18.) What a tune! A long lost forgotten Christmas single I never knew existed! For more info, read Marv Goldberg's amazing notebook on The Larks.
19.) Loungy Christmas song sung by Hollywood Joe. This one really must be obscure - even Joe isn't selling it at his website!
20.) The A-side to the Candypants single (see #4 above). Not your average Christmas song - very mellow and a melody that will get stuck in your head.
21.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Off all the Vietnam Christmas-themed songs out there (and there are more than you think), this Becky Lamb track is the heartbreaker of them all! Listen as Becky writes to Santa asking for her older brother (who just died in Vietnam and alluded to throughout the song) to come home for Christmas.
22.) Pearl Jam has been issuing Christmas fan-club singles since 1991 but only four are Christmas tunes. "Let Me Sleep (It's Christmas Time)" / "Ramblings" were both released in 1991, "Don't Believe In Christmas" in 2002, and this extremely well done Stevie Wonder cover from 2004. Click on a link...
23.) A Bob Dylan soundalike singing "White Christmas" in 1984. Someone posted this on Napster back in the illegal days and gave credit to Dylan. Not to be confused with "Bobby The Poet" from back in 1967.
24.) Back in the day, budget record companies would throw some demos and subpar songs recorded by their stable of stars onto a LP and cash in quick. This great doo-wop flavored Christmas song is taken from one such compilation featuring other stars like The Belmonts (without Dion) and Charlie Francis.
Where do I begin? Like his previous two vinyl comps, Martin has given us a treasure trove of pure, golden vinyl Christmas goodies. And like his two previous vinyl comps, I wholeheartedly enjoyed every moment of this.
Genuine surprises were abound in this comp. The Candypants, The Larks, Mel & Kim, Justin Wilson, you name it! It's surprising to me that many of these great songs aren't on compact disc. They truly deserve the all-star treatment and would brighten any of the tired Christmas comps that the record industry continues to issue every holiday season.
In closing, I want to share this. Back in 2000, I first laid eyes on the Goldmine Christmas Record Price Guide and cribbed about 30 or 40 titles from it that I wanted to find. Entering 2007, about ten songs remained on that original list.
In the course of two weeks, Martin Johns has helped me scratch off NINE of those ten songs with his three vinyl comps. Becky Lamb and Father Guido Sarducci were taken off the list with this comp and only one song remains (Vaughn Meader's JFK single called "St. Nick Visits The White House" - released then withdrawn at Christmas, 1963 for obvious reasons).
Thanks Martin for all the help and let the searches continue...
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-0364-020 - Hand Crafted Christmas
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Just a mere five days ago (equalling ten Christmas comps since), we brought you "Progressive Christmas V4", a 2005 disc based on a format that Martin Johns once had to follow in his radio days.
(Click on image to enlarge)
