The word of the day - Jeffco

This is a picture of my friend Jeff Fox (of Jeffco Productions - We're Fun People™). I discovered his website in 2001 while looking for Weird Al Yankovic Christmas Greetings.

Jeff was the first Christmas music enthusiast who got what I did and we've been close friends ever since. He has helped me along the way by providing assistance with artwork, technical problems, pointing out Christmas music I never knew existed, and sending me an annual Christmas package loaded down with music, DVDs, and anything else he can think of.

I first reviewed one of his podcasts back in 2006 and have frequently made mention of his stellar lines of comps called "Christmas Wishes" and "Christmas Turkeys" - a classic mix of Jeff's love of Christmas music (both good and bad) and his expertise in graphic design:






In recent years, Jeff has been a participant in the sharity network with a definite advantage over the rest of us. At present, it's legal to preserve LPs much in the manner that we do in Canada - the government's copyright laws actually understand the term "fair use".

For several years now, the Canadian copyright issue has become contentious and sadly political. The climate could change at a moment's notice.

Therefore, you should probably head over to Jeff's Christmas download site to check out the amazing selection of Christmas albums he has to offer - old favorites (Sy Mann's "Switched On Santa") and rare Canadian Christmas albums (several of which I reviewed here and here and here and there and over there).

One final legal matter. I mentioned this to Jeff privately a long time ago and publicly on my 2004 Christmas comp that he helped me with. And after searching this blog for the same statement and not finding it, I wanted to get this on record:

My friendship with Jeff Fox has been one of the true highlights of my life.

If I were to die tomorrow, I will and bequeath my entire Christmas collection (albums, CDs, 78s, DVDs, vintage Christmas ads) to Jeffco Productions and hereby direct that Jeff Fox (and his heirs in perpetuity) be appointed curator of said materials.

If a hit man shows up at my door, will he hit me with a Canadian club? Oooooooo, that's terrible.


Capt

The word of the day - Jeffco

This is a picture of my friend Jeff Fox (of Jeffco Productions - We're Fun People™). I discovered his website in 2001 while looking for Weird Al Yankovic Christmas Greetings.

Jeff was the first Christmas music enthusiast who got what I did and we've been close friends ever since. He has helped me along the way by providing assistance with artwork, technical problems, pointing out Christmas music I never knew existed, and sending me an annual Christmas package loaded down with music, DVDs, and anything else he can think of.

I first reviewed one of his podcasts back in 2006 and have frequently made mention of his stellar lines of comps called "Christmas Wishes" and "Christmas Turkeys" - a classic mix of Jeff's love of Christmas music (both good and bad) and his expertise in graphic design:






In recent years, Jeff has been a participant in the sharity network with a definite advantage over the rest of us. At present, it's legal to preserve LPs much in the manner that we do in Canada - the government's copyright laws actually understand the term "fair use".

For several years now, the Canadian copyright issue has become contentious and sadly political. The climate could change at a moment's notice.

Therefore, you should probably head over to Jeff's Christmas download site to check out the amazing selection of Christmas albums he has to offer - old favorites (Sy Mann's "Switched On Santa") and rare Canadian Christmas albums (several of which I reviewed here and here and here and there and over there).

One final legal matter. I mentioned this to Jeff privately a long time ago and publicly on my 2004 Christmas comp that he helped me with. And after searching this blog for the same statement and not finding it, I wanted to get this on record:

My friendship with Jeff Fox has been one of the true highlights of my life.

If I were to die tomorrow, I will and bequeath my entire Christmas collection (albums, CDs, 78s, DVDs, vintage Christmas ads) to Jeffco Productions and hereby direct that Jeff Fox (and his heirs in perpetuity) be appointed curator of said materials.

If a hit man shows up at my door, will he hit me with a Canadian club? Oooooooo, that's terrible.


Capt

Jeffco Productions - Christmas Turkeys 10

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And so it begins.

This yuleblog entry begins a two month odyssey that will have me post 69 reviews of Christmas compilations sent to me at the P.O. Box or found online.

It's fitting that the first comp to be reviewed is from the same person responsible for the first comp that I reviewed last February. That person is my very good friend Jeff Fox of Jeffco Productions.

(Click on the link above to read last year's review and some great background information about the amazing output Jeff has produced over the years.)

For more background info, I've asked Jeff a set of questions that I will be asking everyone whose comp will be reviewed here.

1.) When did you begin creating your Christmas compilations?

The earliest I remember was 1991, the official "Christmas Wishes" which lasted for 10 years started in 1992, Christmas Turkeys, the more famous (less tune-worthy) off-shoot started in 1997. It's moved through cassettes to CDs to interactive CDs to Podcasts to DVDs in the meantime...

2.) Explain the process on creating your Christmas comp.

My signature test was always listening to each song three times in a row, and if I could get through it without ever wanting to skip/fast-forward, then it made it into the list of possible contenders. Then it's listen, listen, listen, and as long as they still sound fresh or funny or appropriate, then they get to stay on the list.

Sometimes I'd start with something I wanted to accomplish, a motif or a feeling and work towards finding that with the songs I chose. Sometimes I just found a few songs and found things that 'fit' with them, building, adding and changing until I was happy with what it became.

Technically, in the early days of making them it was strictly tape to tape, then they were mastered on CD and saved to cassette, then CD to CD, nowadays everything is digital, usually start to finish, with a lot of editing and tweaking along the way.

I see the compilation as a whole new item so I don't mind editing or compromising bits of songs or even in rare cases changing tempo or speed of songs if it fits the need of the compilation. That's mostly for the turkeys though. I tend to keep the "serious" albums about the songs, not the compilation.

As for packaging and delivery, it usually a different process every time. I like to use the Christmas albums as excuse to try out new methods and processes of delivery. I could probably give a month long course on all the methods used on booklets, DVDs, podcasts, etc.

Templates for a number of the files used are available on [Jeffco's] site.

3.) Who do you share these compilations with? How many do you send out?

I started small with 8 close friends, mostly school friends, word grew and so did the numbers. At its peak, a combined 119 copies of Christmas Wishes and Turkeys went out, but numbers of tangible CDs have dropped to about 30, while the online version generated huge hits. At its height, it was pulling 4 Gb a day of mostly Christmas Turkeys. Whenever they go online I've had to stagger them so they don't overwhelm the server. Planning is going into future Christmases to make sure I can keep sharing!

4.) What is it about Christmas music that appeals to you?

Hard to say, I like the music, the festive and reflective nature of many of the songs. I also like the experimental idea of having to come up with many worthwhile compilations using a relatively limited number of songs. I love what people come up with to reinvent music we've heard all of our lives.

5.) What kind of feedback do you get from the comp?

Surprisingly little actually. I think it's such a part of the social culture in my group of friends that it's expected and if I were to stop I'd hear an awful lot more then. I know there's always buzz leading up to them though. I do get an awful lot of thank you mail for the albums I have for download on my site, but very little comparatively for the compilations.

6.) What other projects/websites do you work on other than Christmas?

Lots and lots of projects. Graphic Designer, Artist and Trainer by profession and I get to play with all kinds of projects. Christmas is probably tied with the Jeffco Invitational Giveaway as the largest ongoing project I work on but there are many other projects always being tried and added to my list of to-dos. There are always too many projects on the to-do list...

7.) Anything you would like to share with people reading this review?

I hope you enjoy some of what I've put together, and that you come back and see what other goodies are on the site.

TRACK REVIEWS:

(Click on image to enlarge)

1.) Nothing like making a statement to open a CD... this one clubs you on the head!
2.) IT BURNSSSSS! God, that's bad. I mean B-A-D!
3.) Sufjan's Christmas music has been making inroads for some time. Justly deserved!
4.) I gave this to Jeff. I'm so, so sorry. Shakin' my head here... in laughter!
5.) woof woof woof... woof woof woof... PURE GENIUS!
6.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS! What the hell is this?
7.) Wow... a nice follow up to Ivan... on Pancho, on Pedro, on Cuchi Cuchi!
8.) The equivalent of a ice water bucket thrown on me... sheesh!
9.) Ranks right up there with Florence Foster Jenkins, Mrs. Miller, and Sally Kellerman!
10.) Rubbing my eyes... is this a dream?
11.) It seems like every comp used this song. I'm going to end up hating this song, I know it.
12.) GOOD STUFF! I gotta pull this CD out again...
13.) From their infamous EP they disowned. Probably some of their best stuff!
14.) "Well have a very merry m-----f-----' Christmas..." WHOAAAA!
15.) A great mix of TV Christmas sound clips put together by Jeff. BRAVO!
16.) This one's not too obnoxious! Very un-RuPaul (Jeff's probably used the entire RuPaul Christmas CD by now!)
17.) Nothing like Christmas disco to make you drink more...
18.) Great "Family Guy" lead in - I just don't get when people mix Halloween-type subjects and Christmas.
19.) This is a great tune! What other song calls Santa immoral?
20.) I've seen and heard this song too much over the last several years. It needs to go away for about five years and it will be funny again!
21.) Need I say more? This is funny, funny, funny! As funny as Heather Noel was two or three years ago!
22.) This one might just find a place on my Christmas CD. Outstanding track!
23.) Playing at a theater near you? I'll wait for the book...
24.) One of the highlights(?) from "The Osbournes Family Christmas Special" (not on DVD yet... grrr).
25.) SMOOTH! I listened to their "Ding Dong Dandy Christmas" album quite a bit last year!
26.) Put the kazoos down and walk away peacably! O man, why o why!
27.) You take the good, you take the bad... and this is BADDD!


I've been listening to Jeff's Christmas Turkeys for several years. This is his best version of the Turkeys yet. Congratulations Jeff! And how does Jeff accept his victory? By totally revamping parts of his amazing website.

His Christmas music section is easier to thumb through his entire collection of Christmas albums he's collected. And the piece de resistance:

Christmas Turkeys 10 is back online for you to download and listen for yourself!

Brace yourself Jeff... the traffic is coming your way!


UP NEXT: FaLaLaLaLa's ADVENTure In Carols 2006


Capt

Jeffco Productions - Christmas Turkeys 10

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And so it begins.

This yuleblog entry begins a two month odyssey that will have me post 69 reviews of Christmas compilations sent to me at the P.O. Box or found online.

It's fitting that the first comp to be reviewed is from the same person responsible for the first comp that I reviewed last February. That person is my very good friend Jeff Fox of Jeffco Productions.

(Click on the link above to read last year's review and some great background information about the amazing output Jeff has produced over the years.)

For more background info, I've asked Jeff a set of questions that I will be asking everyone whose comp will be reviewed here.

1.) When did you begin creating your Christmas compilations?

The earliest I remember was 1991, the official "Christmas Wishes" which lasted for 10 years started in 1992, Christmas Turkeys, the more famous (less tune-worthy) off-shoot started in 1997. It's moved through cassettes to CDs to interactive CDs to Podcasts to DVDs in the meantime...

2.) Explain the process on creating your Christmas comp.

My signature test was always listening to each song three times in a row, and if I could get through it without ever wanting to skip/fast-forward, then it made it into the list of possible contenders. Then it's listen, listen, listen, and as long as they still sound fresh or funny or appropriate, then they get to stay on the list.

Sometimes I'd start with something I wanted to accomplish, a motif or a feeling and work towards finding that with the songs I chose. Sometimes I just found a few songs and found things that 'fit' with them, building, adding and changing until I was happy with what it became.

Technically, in the early days of making them it was strictly tape to tape, then they were mastered on CD and saved to cassette, then CD to CD, nowadays everything is digital, usually start to finish, with a lot of editing and tweaking along the way.

I see the compilation as a whole new item so I don't mind editing or compromising bits of songs or even in rare cases changing tempo or speed of songs if it fits the need of the compilation. That's mostly for the turkeys though. I tend to keep the "serious" albums about the songs, not the compilation.

As for packaging and delivery, it usually a different process every time. I like to use the Christmas albums as excuse to try out new methods and processes of delivery. I could probably give a month long course on all the methods used on booklets, DVDs, podcasts, etc.

Templates for a number of the files used are available on [Jeffco's] site.

3.) Who do you share these compilations with? How many do you send out?

I started small with 8 close friends, mostly school friends, word grew and so did the numbers. At its peak, a combined 119 copies of Christmas Wishes and Turkeys went out, but numbers of tangible CDs have dropped to about 30, while the online version generated huge hits. At its height, it was pulling 4 Gb a day of mostly Christmas Turkeys. Whenever they go online I've had to stagger them so they don't overwhelm the server. Planning is going into future Christmases to make sure I can keep sharing!

4.) What is it about Christmas music that appeals to you?

Hard to say, I like the music, the festive and reflective nature of many of the songs. I also like the experimental idea of having to come up with many worthwhile compilations using a relatively limited number of songs. I love what people come up with to reinvent music we've heard all of our lives.

5.) What kind of feedback do you get from the comp?

Surprisingly little actually. I think it's such a part of the social culture in my group of friends that it's expected and if I were to stop I'd hear an awful lot more then. I know there's always buzz leading up to them though. I do get an awful lot of thank you mail for the albums I have for download on my site, but very little comparatively for the compilations.

6.) What other projects/websites do you work on other than Christmas?

Lots and lots of projects. Graphic Designer, Artist and Trainer by profession and I get to play with all kinds of projects. Christmas is probably tied with the Jeffco Invitational Giveaway as the largest ongoing project I work on but there are many other projects always being tried and added to my list of to-dos. There are always too many projects on the to-do list...

7.) Anything you would like to share with people reading this review?

I hope you enjoy some of what I've put together, and that you come back and see what other goodies are on the site.

TRACK REVIEWS:

(Click on image to enlarge)

1.) Nothing like making a statement to open a CD... this one clubs you on the head!
2.) IT BURNSSSSS! God, that's bad. I mean B-A-D!
3.) Sufjan's Christmas music has been making inroads for some time. Justly deserved!
4.) I gave this to Jeff. I'm so, so sorry. Shakin' my head here... in laughter!
5.) woof woof woof... woof woof woof... PURE GENIUS!
6.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS! What the hell is this?
7.) Wow... a nice follow up to Ivan... on Pancho, on Pedro, on Cuchi Cuchi!
8.) The equivalent of a ice water bucket thrown on me... sheesh!
9.) Ranks right up there with Florence Foster Jenkins, Mrs. Miller, and Sally Kellerman!
10.) Rubbing my eyes... is this a dream?
11.) It seems like every comp used this song. I'm going to end up hating this song, I know it.
12.) GOOD STUFF! I gotta pull this CD out again...
13.) From their infamous EP they disowned. Probably some of their best stuff!
14.) "Well have a very merry m-----f-----' Christmas..." WHOAAAA!
15.) A great mix of TV Christmas sound clips put together by Jeff. BRAVO!
16.) This one's not too obnoxious! Very un-RuPaul (Jeff's probably used the entire RuPaul Christmas CD by now!)
17.) Nothing like Christmas disco to make you drink more...
18.) Great "Family Guy" lead in - I just don't get when people mix Halloween-type subjects and Christmas.
19.) This is a great tune! What other song calls Santa immoral?
20.) I've seen and heard this song too much over the last several years. It needs to go away for about five years and it will be funny again!
21.) Need I say more? This is funny, funny, funny! As funny as Heather Noel was two or three years ago!
22.) This one might just find a place on my Christmas CD. Outstanding track!
23.) Playing at a theater near you? I'll wait for the book...
24.) One of the highlights(?) from "The Osbournes Family Christmas Special" (not on DVD yet... grrr).
25.) SMOOTH! I listened to their "Ding Dong Dandy Christmas" album quite a bit last year!
26.) Put the kazoos down and walk away peacably! O man, why o why!
27.) You take the good, you take the bad... and this is BADDD!


I've been listening to Jeff's Christmas Turkeys for several years. This is his best version of the Turkeys yet. Congratulations Jeff! And how does Jeff accept his victory? By totally revamping parts of his amazing website.

His Christmas music section is easier to thumb through his entire collection of Christmas albums he's collected. And the piece de resistance:

Christmas Turkeys 10 is back online for you to download and listen for yourself!

Brace yourself Jeff... the traffic is coming your way!


UP NEXT: FaLaLaLaLa's ADVENTure In Carols 2006


Capt

Five golden LINKS...

If you're getting bored with Christmas (or already are), here are five places to visit on the web that might shake you up out of the Christmas doldrums:

1.) Jeffco Christmas

My Canadian brother Jeff has had albums and podcasts for your listening pleasure all month. If that's not enough, he has just posted his annual Christmas compilation "Christmas Turkeys 10" - a veritable feast of Christmas music that will make you smile, laugh, vomit, have convulsions, whatever. Still not convinced? Jeff's posted some of your favorite Christmas songs sung by the cast of "The Facts of Life"!

2.) FaLaLaLaLa.com

This has been the place to be at Christmas for three years running. It's the final weekend over at the King Of Jingaling's palace. There's going to be some incredible surprises in store. Other like minded Christmas music people will be gathering to bask in the glow of Christmas memories via music. If you can't find something to read, laugh at, listen to, and offer yourself in their easy to navigate forums, then check your pulse.

3.) Ernie (Not Bert)

Ernie doesn't sleep. Seriously. This guy has been burning the midnight oil, the drapes, the furniture, and has presented almost 200 Christmas albums this year! To make matters better, the albums Ernie's sharing aren't the low quality titles I've been offering... he's got some of the best Christmas music on the web! Get over to Ernie's place, browse around, and be sure to check out the outstanding photos Ernie takes as well!

4.) Queer Music Heritage

JD Doyle is at it again... He's just posted THREE complete Christmas radio shows - all new for 2006! Add these three shows to the TWELVE he's got archived at his web site and that's... carry the one... well, that's A LOT of Christmas shows! JD compiles Christmas music from gay and lesbian artists and presents them with in-depth interviews and vintage sound clips. Take a listen and tell Doyle the Captain sent you!

5.) Scott Marks podcast

Scott Marks has held many titles: film school professor (I took two of his courses), movie revival house manager, film critic and curator. He now lives in San Diego and has a regular gig on "Film Club Of The Air" on KPBS 97.7 FM. He recently went into the studio to record a podcast on two of his favorite holiday movies. For more info and to stream the podcast, click on the link above. To download the podcast, click here.


Happy surfing...


Capt

Five golden LINKS...

If you're getting bored with Christmas (or already are), here are five places to visit on the web that might shake you up out of the Christmas doldrums:

1.) Jeffco Christmas

My Canadian brother Jeff has had albums and podcasts for your listening pleasure all month. If that's not enough, he has just posted his annual Christmas compilation "Christmas Turkeys 10" - a veritable feast of Christmas music that will make you smile, laugh, vomit, have convulsions, whatever. Still not convinced? Jeff's posted some of your favorite Christmas songs sung by the cast of "The Facts of Life"!

2.) FaLaLaLaLa.com

This has been the place to be at Christmas for three years running. It's the final weekend over at the King Of Jingaling's palace. There's going to be some incredible surprises in store. Other like minded Christmas music people will be gathering to bask in the glow of Christmas memories via music. If you can't find something to read, laugh at, listen to, and offer yourself in their easy to navigate forums, then check your pulse.

3.) Ernie (Not Bert)

Ernie doesn't sleep. Seriously. This guy has been burning the midnight oil, the drapes, the furniture, and has presented almost 200 Christmas albums this year! To make matters better, the albums Ernie's sharing aren't the low quality titles I've been offering... he's got some of the best Christmas music on the web! Get over to Ernie's place, browse around, and be sure to check out the outstanding photos Ernie takes as well!

4.) Queer Music Heritage

JD Doyle is at it again... He's just posted THREE complete Christmas radio shows - all new for 2006! Add these three shows to the TWELVE he's got archived at his web site and that's... carry the one... well, that's A LOT of Christmas shows! JD compiles Christmas music from gay and lesbian artists and presents them with in-depth interviews and vintage sound clips. Take a listen and tell Doyle the Captain sent you!

5.) Scott Marks podcast

Scott Marks has held many titles: film school professor (I took two of his courses), movie revival house manager, film critic and curator. He now lives in San Diego and has a regular gig on "Film Club Of The Air" on KPBS 97.7 FM. He recently went into the studio to record a podcast on two of his favorite holiday movies. For more info and to stream the podcast, click on the link above. To download the podcast, click here.


Happy surfing...


Capt

Jeffco Productions Podcasts now available!

Earlier this year, I reviewed a bunch of podcasts that my good friend Jeff of Jeffco Productions posted at his web site late last year.

He is once again offering these brilliant gems for a limited time!
Point your cursor at this little link and zap 'em before they disappear!

Happy listening...


Capt

Jeffco Productions Podcasts now available!

Earlier this year, I reviewed a bunch of podcasts that my good friend Jeff of Jeffco Productions posted at his web site late last year.

He is once again offering these brilliant gems for a limited time!
Point your cursor at this little link and zap 'em before they disappear!

Happy listening...


Capt

Ontario Lottery Corporation - Christmas Is For Children

Several weeks ago, I reviewed a certain album from the Ontario Lottery Corporation that came to us from my good friend Jeff in Canada at his website.

Buried in my stack of CDs was the OTHER album by the Ontario Lottery Corporation! Released in 1982, these sixteen tracks were possibly if not probably used for radio & TV commercials for the Ontario Lottery.

The first album was very straight laced - harmonized singing, lush orchestra, well produced, occasionally some of the strangest lyrics you'll ever hear, and very homogenized. It's worth a listen and a chuckle.

This second album has these elements and a little bit more. The camp factor on this album is ten times higher than the first album - making this one of the best finds of the year in my book!

Here's a track by track review:

1.) Christmas Is For Children
There was a song on the first album with the exact title. Coincidence? This one isn't oversung though!

2.) Whenever It Snows
"Whenever it snows, I wiggle my toes, I can hardly wait to get out my skates..." Yep, she's Canadian!

3.) Santa's Gotta New Bag
They try SOOO hard to make this a James Brown tune and by 10 seconds in, you're laughing hysterically!

4.) A Change Of Heart
Christmas singers croon to a Scrooge-like character and guess what happens by the end of the song?

5.) Santa's Favourite Day
The number of "good/bad" lyrics in this one here are too many to type. My jaws are hurting from laffin...

6.) Brand New Brother
Opening lyric - "I want a brand new brother... I don't like the one I've got." It goes downhill from there. Some family issues to deal with here.

7.) Merry Christmas Bells
This is a lively tune - perfect commercial material for lottery tickets!

8.) A Letter To Santa
A kid "writes/recites" his letter to Santa for the first minute, then sings an emotional plea for world harmony & peace! Get me my vomit bucket, quick!

9.) Hymn For Christmas
A simple tune done very well. Possibly the most normal song on the whole album!

10.) Snow Ride
"Snowwww Rideeeeeee..." It starts out straight but ends up campy, complete with lyrics to snicker at!

11.) Reindeer Roundup
From note one, this country/cowboy flavored song is headshakingly strange... I LOVED IT!

12.) The Gift Of Christmas
WOW! This one's fantastic! Probably the best song off either lottery album! Great stuff!

13.) March Of The Toys
A Macy's Parade set to music... it's good, it's bad, it's campy, it's funny, it's causing my ears to bleed...

14.) Christmas In The City
Opening lyric - "Magical moment on a magical night, we're heading out to the big city lights." I prefer the country, thanks!

15.) Mr. Evergreen
A little girl sings to an evergreen tree her father planted... GREAT JUMPING ICEBERGS! This one must be heard to be believed... I'm wiping tears away...

16.) Christmas Is For Children (Reprise)
Just when you think you've reached the camp ceiling... LAFFIN SO HARD... can't... reach... the... STOP... button...


Whew... the Shatner mode wore off and the CD is over. I used to play "Tiny Tim's Christmas Album" to clear a room - this one might just do the same thing!

If you're brave enough, you can STILL download this album (as well as the first lottery album). Jeff, thanks for sharing these gems with us!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Ontario Lottery Corporation - Christmas Is For Children

Several weeks ago, I reviewed a certain album from the Ontario Lottery Corporation that came to us from my good friend Jeff in Canada at his website.

Buried in my stack of CDs was the OTHER album by the Ontario Lottery Corporation! Released in 1982, these sixteen tracks were possibly if not probably used for radio & TV commercials for the Ontario Lottery.

The first album was very straight laced - harmonized singing, lush orchestra, well produced, occasionally some of the strangest lyrics you'll ever hear, and very homogenized. It's worth a listen and a chuckle.

This second album has these elements and a little bit more. The camp factor on this album is ten times higher than the first album - making this one of the best finds of the year in my book!

Here's a track by track review:

1.) Christmas Is For Children
There was a song on the first album with the exact title. Coincidence? This one isn't oversung though!

2.) Whenever It Snows
"Whenever it snows, I wiggle my toes, I can hardly wait to get out my skates..." Yep, she's Canadian!

3.) Santa's Gotta New Bag
They try SOOO hard to make this a James Brown tune and by 10 seconds in, you're laughing hysterically!

4.) A Change Of Heart
Christmas singers croon to a Scrooge-like character and guess what happens by the end of the song?

5.) Santa's Favourite Day
The number of "good/bad" lyrics in this one here are too many to type. My jaws are hurting from laffin...

6.) Brand New Brother
Opening lyric - "I want a brand new brother... I don't like the one I've got." It goes downhill from there. Some family issues to deal with here.

7.) Merry Christmas Bells
This is a lively tune - perfect commercial material for lottery tickets!

8.) A Letter To Santa
A kid "writes/recites" his letter to Santa for the first minute, then sings an emotional plea for world harmony & peace! Get me my vomit bucket, quick!

9.) Hymn For Christmas
A simple tune done very well. Possibly the most normal song on the whole album!

10.) Snow Ride
"Snowwww Rideeeeeee..." It starts out straight but ends up campy, complete with lyrics to snicker at!

11.) Reindeer Roundup
From note one, this country/cowboy flavored song is headshakingly strange... I LOVED IT!

12.) The Gift Of Christmas
WOW! This one's fantastic! Probably the best song off either lottery album! Great stuff!

13.) March Of The Toys
A Macy's Parade set to music... it's good, it's bad, it's campy, it's funny, it's causing my ears to bleed...

14.) Christmas In The City
Opening lyric - "Magical moment on a magical night, we're heading out to the big city lights." I prefer the country, thanks!

15.) Mr. Evergreen
A little girl sings to an evergreen tree her father planted... GREAT JUMPING ICEBERGS! This one must be heard to be believed... I'm wiping tears away...

16.) Christmas Is For Children (Reprise)
Just when you think you've reached the camp ceiling... LAFFIN SO HARD... can't... reach... the... STOP... button...


Whew... the Shatner mode wore off and the CD is over. I used to play "Tiny Tim's Christmas Album" to clear a room - this one might just do the same thing!

If you're brave enough, you can STILL download this album (as well as the first lottery album). Jeff, thanks for sharing these gems with us!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Eaton's Presents Christmas Magic

You're looking at a typical 1960s Christmas compilation album that was branded and sold by a department store during the holiday season.

However, this store is probably one you've never heard of... unless you live north of the 49th parallel.

Back in 1869, a young man by the name of Timothy Eaton sold his interest in a dry-goods store and went into business for himself. Finding a store location in Toronto, he opened his first store - appropriately named Eaton's.

Eaton's soon became the largest department store chain in Canada. In many ways, it resembled Macy's - it soon had a Gimbel like competitor in the Simpson's department stores and billed itself as "Canada's Greatest Store".

In a nod to Sears, it began a mail order catalog which doubled Eaton's sales yearly. An old saying in Canada states that "only two books mattered in a typical Canadian home: the Bible and the Eaton's Catalog".

History was made on December 2nd, 1905 when Eaton's sponsored the Toronto Santa Claus Parade as a way to kick-off the holiday shopping season. For several years, Eaton's also held Santa Claus Parades in Winnipeg and Montreal and were hugely successful. It was this success that prompted Macy's to begin its own Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924 - the sincerest form of flattery.

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Eaton's was North America's most successful and profitable retailer. Back in the 1960s, Canadian Magazine estimated that in Winnipeg alone "more than 50 cents of every shopping dollar (excluding groceries) was spent at Eaton's". It was further estimated that a typical busy shopping day, 10% of the local Winnipeg population would shop at Eaton's.

This album features the standard set of tunes you'd find on a Firestone album. Because most of the lineup of stars (Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Roger Wagner Chorale, The Letterman), this album was undoubtedly issued by Capitol Records Special Markets. Most of the music I already own in my collection. Nothing new.

Eaton's began to suffer financial losses by the early 1970s as poor decisions in real estate and opening new branches of stores didn't succeed. In 1976, Canadians were stunned when Eaton's announced that their Spring-Summer catalog would be its last - very much like when Sears decided to quit the catalog business.

In the early 1980s, an economic recession forced Eaton's to tighten its belt further. They quit sponsoring the Santa Claus Parade, began consolidating stores and operations across Canada, and saw its market share begin to dwindle for the first time, thanks to competitors like Hudson's Bay, Zellers, and Sears Canada.

The shrinking Canadian dollar (sounds like a bad sci-fi movie), a move eliminating all sales (including their famous Trans-Canada sale), and the emergence of Wal-Mart (cue the booing & hissing) began the death knell for Eaton's. In 1930, their market share stood at a dominant 60%. In 1997, when their market share stood at 10.6%, it declared bankruptcy and tried to stay afloat as long as it could.

Two years later, Eaton's were swallowed up by Sears Canada. Sears renamed many of the Eaton's stores to their own, sold other less profitable stores to Hudsons Bay, and tried for a time to keep the Eaton's name alive with a seven store experiment that lasted three years.

In 2002, Sears "retired" the Eaton's name forever, ending an era in Canada. Bummer, eh?


Going out on a high note: This album is STILL available to download from my good Canadian pal Jeff at his website. Thanks Jeff!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Eaton's Presents Christmas Magic

You're looking at a typical 1960s Christmas compilation album that was branded and sold by a department store during the holiday season.

However, this store is probably one you've never heard of... unless you live north of the 49th parallel.

Back in 1869, a young man by the name of Timothy Eaton sold his interest in a dry-goods store and went into business for himself. Finding a store location in Toronto, he opened his first store - appropriately named Eaton's.

Eaton's soon became the largest department store chain in Canada. In many ways, it resembled Macy's - it soon had a Gimbel like competitor in the Simpson's department stores and billed itself as "Canada's Greatest Store".

In a nod to Sears, it began a mail order catalog which doubled Eaton's sales yearly. An old saying in Canada states that "only two books mattered in a typical Canadian home: the Bible and the Eaton's Catalog".

History was made on December 2nd, 1905 when Eaton's sponsored the Toronto Santa Claus Parade as a way to kick-off the holiday shopping season. For several years, Eaton's also held Santa Claus Parades in Winnipeg and Montreal and were hugely successful. It was this success that prompted Macy's to begin its own Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924 - the sincerest form of flattery.

Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Eaton's was North America's most successful and profitable retailer. Back in the 1960s, Canadian Magazine estimated that in Winnipeg alone "more than 50 cents of every shopping dollar (excluding groceries) was spent at Eaton's". It was further estimated that a typical busy shopping day, 10% of the local Winnipeg population would shop at Eaton's.

This album features the standard set of tunes you'd find on a Firestone album. Because most of the lineup of stars (Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Roger Wagner Chorale, The Letterman), this album was undoubtedly issued by Capitol Records Special Markets. Most of the music I already own in my collection. Nothing new.

Eaton's began to suffer financial losses by the early 1970s as poor decisions in real estate and opening new branches of stores didn't succeed. In 1976, Canadians were stunned when Eaton's announced that their Spring-Summer catalog would be its last - very much like when Sears decided to quit the catalog business.

In the early 1980s, an economic recession forced Eaton's to tighten its belt further. They quit sponsoring the Santa Claus Parade, began consolidating stores and operations across Canada, and saw its market share begin to dwindle for the first time, thanks to competitors like Hudson's Bay, Zellers, and Sears Canada.

The shrinking Canadian dollar (sounds like a bad sci-fi movie), a move eliminating all sales (including their famous Trans-Canada sale), and the emergence of Wal-Mart (cue the booing & hissing) began the death knell for Eaton's. In 1930, their market share stood at a dominant 60%. In 1997, when their market share stood at 10.6%, it declared bankruptcy and tried to stay afloat as long as it could.

Two years later, Eaton's were swallowed up by Sears Canada. Sears renamed many of the Eaton's stores to their own, sold other less profitable stores to Hudsons Bay, and tried for a time to keep the Eaton's name alive with a seven store experiment that lasted three years.

In 2002, Sears "retired" the Eaton's name forever, ending an era in Canada. Bummer, eh?


Going out on a high note: This album is STILL available to download from my good Canadian pal Jeff at his website. Thanks Jeff!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

Dennie Christian - Weihnachten mit

Ist hier ein Album für den Deutschen in allen uns!

Dieses kommt zu uns von den guten Völkern an den Jeffco Produktionen und Sie können dieses an ihrem Aufstellungsort NOCH downloaden!

Dennie Christian wuchs in Deutschland auf und hoffte, ein Musiker zu werden ein Tag. Daß Tag in 1975 kam, während seine notierende Karriere anfing zu blühen. Er beanspruchte schnell herauf einige Erfolg singles und Alben und wurde betitelt "dem deutschen Andy Gibb."

Ende der Dekade war seine Karriere emporgeragt. Er notierte dann das Album, das Sie vor Ihnen 1980 sehen. Die meisten Schienen sind direkt, keine Krausen, und - alle auf Deutsch ziemlich gut gesungen.

Ungeachtet es gibt eine grosse Überraschung - Christ singt eine Version "des weißen Weihnachten" auf englisch, das ziemlich ist gut, Teutonic des Akzents. Es ist ein netter Oasis mitten in dem Album. Er ist kein Hasselhoff, aber das ist ein definitives Plus für Dennie!

Um diese Zeit fing Christian, seine Karrierewahlen zu betrachten und fing ein erfolgreiches Pensum als Moderator (oder Scheibe Jockey) auf einigen deutschen und holländischen Radiostationen von 1981 bis 1992 an.

Er dann versuchte, seine Singenkarriere wieder zu beleben und notierte einige mehr Alben. Er notiert noch heute und Sie können seine amtliche Web site hier besichtigen.

Nr., lese ich nicht oder schreibe Deutschen - ich tue gut nicht mit Englisch! Fisch-Übersetzung Babel AltaVistas half mir mit dieser yuleblog Eintragung.

Sie können Schnitt und Paste diese Punkte in Babel Fische und die Übersetzung zu erhalten oder diese Verbindung einfach an zu klicken.

Auf zur folgenden neuen Weihnachten-CD in meiner Ansammlung...


Kapitän

Dennie Christian - Weihnachten mit

Ist hier ein Album für den Deutschen in allen uns!

Dieses kommt zu uns von den guten Völkern an den Jeffco Produktionen und Sie können dieses an ihrem Aufstellungsort NOCH downloaden!

Dennie Christian wuchs in Deutschland auf und hoffte, ein Musiker zu werden ein Tag. Daß Tag in 1975 kam, während seine notierende Karriere anfing zu blühen. Er beanspruchte schnell herauf einige Erfolg singles und Alben und wurde betitelt "dem deutschen Andy Gibb."

Ende der Dekade war seine Karriere emporgeragt. Er notierte dann das Album, das Sie vor Ihnen 1980 sehen. Die meisten Schienen sind direkt, keine Krausen, und - alle auf Deutsch ziemlich gut gesungen.

Ungeachtet es gibt eine grosse Überraschung - Christ singt eine Version "des weißen Weihnachten" auf englisch, das ziemlich ist gut, Teutonic des Akzents. Es ist ein netter Oasis mitten in dem Album. Er ist kein Hasselhoff, aber das ist ein definitives Plus für Dennie!

Um diese Zeit fing Christian, seine Karrierewahlen zu betrachten und fing ein erfolgreiches Pensum als Moderator (oder Scheibe Jockey) auf einigen deutschen und holländischen Radiostationen von 1981 bis 1992 an.

Er dann versuchte, seine Singenkarriere wieder zu beleben und notierte einige mehr Alben. Er notiert noch heute und Sie können seine amtliche Web site hier besichtigen.

Nr., lese ich nicht oder schreibe Deutschen - ich tue gut nicht mit Englisch! Fisch-Übersetzung Babel AltaVistas half mir mit dieser yuleblog Eintragung.

Sie können Schnitt und Paste diese Punkte in Babel Fische und die Übersetzung zu erhalten oder diese Verbindung einfach an zu klicken.

Auf zur folgenden neuen Weihnachten-CD in meiner Ansammlung...


Kapitän

Ontario Lottery Corporation - Santa Claus Is Canadian

Shocking, isn't it? Bet you didn't know that St. Nick's real name is St. Canuck. Turns out that Santa is a fan of Hockey Night in Canada. Santa even has Red Green on retainer as "advisor" to all the elves at his workshop.

Well, maybe.

My last yuleblog entry came to you from the Oregon State Lottery from last year. This charming album title comes to us from the Ontario Lottery Corporation circa 1981. Sense a pattern forming?

My good Canadian buddy Jeff at Jeffco Productions decided to offer this album at his website where you can STILL download this album for your own listening pleasure.

The Oregon lottery had five tracks to offer - "Santa Claus Is Canadian" is a full album with thirteen original tracks all quite lush and well produced - what you'd expect from a big lottery corporation.

Several of the tracks are instrumentals ("Fanfare For Christmas", "Country Christmas", "Christmas Samba") and hold up very nicely. I imagine these tracks were used in their lottery commercials while an announcer asks you to give the gift of gambling by buying someone special lottery tickets.

The vocal tracks are a bit overblown (sometimes evoking chuckles). My favorite track has to be "Christmas Pictures" begins with a man reminiscing about Christmas pasts. This leads us into a community sing with such lyrics as:

"After dinner, bellies full. Top buttons open wide. A magic moment touches every heart down deep inside."

Draw your own conclusions (I'm thinking I'll skip dinner).

As I'm typing these words, I'm listening to the album and I've reached the track called "Christmas Is For Children". A three minute track with a woman singer singing very nicely about how Christmas and kids go well. Suddenly around the two minute mark, she does her best to bring it home and begins her big finish - stand back and give her room!

Overall, the whole album gave me the feeling I was watching all the old Christmas variety specials of my youth - the images of winter sweater clad, blonde hair, blue eyed singers around the fire decking the tree and wrapping presents in the background while Bing and his family got center stage for the solos. Every move choreographed to perfection, every musical note sung to perfection.

Do yourself a favor. Download this album and take a musical trip down your own memory lane. It's quite fun!

On to the next new Christmas album in my collection...


Capt

Ontario Lottery Corporation - Santa Claus Is Canadian

Shocking, isn't it? Bet you didn't know that St. Nick's real name is St. Canuck. Turns out that Santa is a fan of Hockey Night in Canada. Santa even has Red Green on retainer as "advisor" to all the elves at his workshop.

Well, maybe.

My last yuleblog entry came to you from the Oregon State Lottery from last year. This charming album title comes to us from the Ontario Lottery Corporation circa 1981. Sense a pattern forming?

My good Canadian buddy Jeff at Jeffco Productions decided to offer this album at his website where you can STILL download this album for your own listening pleasure.

The Oregon lottery had five tracks to offer - "Santa Claus Is Canadian" is a full album with thirteen original tracks all quite lush and well produced - what you'd expect from a big lottery corporation.

Several of the tracks are instrumentals ("Fanfare For Christmas", "Country Christmas", "Christmas Samba") and hold up very nicely. I imagine these tracks were used in their lottery commercials while an announcer asks you to give the gift of gambling by buying someone special lottery tickets.

The vocal tracks are a bit overblown (sometimes evoking chuckles). My favorite track has to be "Christmas Pictures" begins with a man reminiscing about Christmas pasts. This leads us into a community sing with such lyrics as:

"After dinner, bellies full. Top buttons open wide. A magic moment touches every heart down deep inside."

Draw your own conclusions (I'm thinking I'll skip dinner).

As I'm typing these words, I'm listening to the album and I've reached the track called "Christmas Is For Children". A three minute track with a woman singer singing very nicely about how Christmas and kids go well. Suddenly around the two minute mark, she does her best to bring it home and begins her big finish - stand back and give her room!

Overall, the whole album gave me the feeling I was watching all the old Christmas variety specials of my youth - the images of winter sweater clad, blonde hair, blue eyed singers around the fire decking the tree and wrapping presents in the background while Bing and his family got center stage for the solos. Every move choreographed to perfection, every musical note sung to perfection.

Do yourself a favor. Download this album and take a musical trip down your own memory lane. It's quite fun!

On to the next new Christmas album in my collection...


Capt

The CBC Singalong Jubilee Singers - It's Christmas Day

O Canada, Jeff's home and native land...

Jeff who? No, that's Jeffco! If you click on this link to a previous yuleblog entry, you can read the fascinating but true story of how I met Jeff Fox, my very good friend from Nepean, Ottawa and the recepient of ALL my Christmas music in the case of my untimely death.

Is that why Jeff sent those snakes on a plane? Curious.

Last week, I received an e-mail from Jeff shortly after I posted my last review of Ernie (not Bert)'s stack of CDs. The e-mail simply read:

"I hear you're done reviewing your Ernie CDs. Download at will."

One click of the mouse led me to a new page on Jeff's amazing, ever changing web site. There I discovered NINE digitalized Christmas albums available to download! Another new stack? WOW! This album you see before you is one of the seven albums I didn't already own (the others will be reviewed here, I promise!).

History lesson: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has been in existence since 1936 on the radio. Later in 1952, they moved over into television, giving us "Hockey Night In Canada" and "The Red Green Show" (we won't hold you responsible Jeff for the latter). If you want to read more about CBC, Wikipedia's entry covers just about everything!

Lately, the CBC hasn't performed too well thanks to private TV companies and cable & satellite companies slicing up the viewership pie. Another reason floated around is their focus on Canadian content. When "Hiking In The Manitoba Woods" is up against "Baywatch", guess which show is going to win?

Throughout the 1960s, the CBC carried a show called "Jubilee", a variety show starring Don Messer - the Canadian Lawrence Welk and produced by a talented musician & producer named Bill Langstroth. The focus was strictly music and was wildly popular across Canada.

Starting in 1962, Langstroth gave Messer the summer off and "Singalong Jubilee" was its replacement show. Similar to Mitch Miller's "Sing-Along" show, Langstroth brought together dozens of talented singers and showcased their talents in folk, country, spiritual, and pop music.

Two singers in particular soared to greater heights: the lovely Catherine McKinnon became a household name across Canada with her "voice of an angel". The other singer appeared on "Singalong Jubilee" from 1966 to 1970, introduced many of her songs on the program, went on to marry Bill Langstroth and enjoy a remarkable career: the one and only Anne Murray!

This album is quite the hootnanny! From the first notes that Bill Langstroth plucks out on his trademark banjo (Anne Murray married a banjo player?), you'll know that is album will be definitely different.

It gives the folk treatment to several tracks (the title track "It's Christmas Day" and "The Holy Baby (Children Go Where I Send Thee)" in fine Canadian fashion. Langstroth's version of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" sounds eerily like Burl Ives! Other tracks are given a standard choral treatment ("Good King Wenceslas" and "The Huron Carol").

When this album was recorded (year unknown), Catherine McKinnon was still the house singer of note and she's featured on several tracks. Does she have a "voice of an angel"? Pretty close. Her solo of "The Cherry Tree Carol" is haunting, but I preferred her other song - "Virgin Mary Had One Son" with Michael Stansbury .

If there's one standout track, it has to be by Jim Bennet, the other co-host of the show. His version of "O Tannenbaum" is quite remarkable because Bennet's voice is deep, scary, and unforgettable.

Quite a fun album! Very folky and Christmasy. Definitely Canadian! Thanks Jeff for offering this album!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt

The CBC Singalong Jubilee Singers - It's Christmas Day

O Canada, Jeff's home and native land...

Jeff who? No, that's Jeffco! If you click on this link to a previous yuleblog entry, you can read the fascinating but true story of how I met Jeff Fox, my very good friend from Nepean, Ottawa and the recepient of ALL my Christmas music in the case of my untimely death.

Is that why Jeff sent those snakes on a plane? Curious.

Last week, I received an e-mail from Jeff shortly after I posted my last review of Ernie (not Bert)'s stack of CDs. The e-mail simply read:

"I hear you're done reviewing your Ernie CDs. Download at will."

One click of the mouse led me to a new page on Jeff's amazing, ever changing web site. There I discovered NINE digitalized Christmas albums available to download! Another new stack? WOW! This album you see before you is one of the seven albums I didn't already own (the others will be reviewed here, I promise!).

History lesson: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has been in existence since 1936 on the radio. Later in 1952, they moved over into television, giving us "Hockey Night In Canada" and "The Red Green Show" (we won't hold you responsible Jeff for the latter). If you want to read more about CBC, Wikipedia's entry covers just about everything!

Lately, the CBC hasn't performed too well thanks to private TV companies and cable & satellite companies slicing up the viewership pie. Another reason floated around is their focus on Canadian content. When "Hiking In The Manitoba Woods" is up against "Baywatch", guess which show is going to win?

Throughout the 1960s, the CBC carried a show called "Jubilee", a variety show starring Don Messer - the Canadian Lawrence Welk and produced by a talented musician & producer named Bill Langstroth. The focus was strictly music and was wildly popular across Canada.

Starting in 1962, Langstroth gave Messer the summer off and "Singalong Jubilee" was its replacement show. Similar to Mitch Miller's "Sing-Along" show, Langstroth brought together dozens of talented singers and showcased their talents in folk, country, spiritual, and pop music.

Two singers in particular soared to greater heights: the lovely Catherine McKinnon became a household name across Canada with her "voice of an angel". The other singer appeared on "Singalong Jubilee" from 1966 to 1970, introduced many of her songs on the program, went on to marry Bill Langstroth and enjoy a remarkable career: the one and only Anne Murray!

This album is quite the hootnanny! From the first notes that Bill Langstroth plucks out on his trademark banjo (Anne Murray married a banjo player?), you'll know that is album will be definitely different.

It gives the folk treatment to several tracks (the title track "It's Christmas Day" and "The Holy Baby (Children Go Where I Send Thee)" in fine Canadian fashion. Langstroth's version of "Go Tell It On The Mountain" sounds eerily like Burl Ives! Other tracks are given a standard choral treatment ("Good King Wenceslas" and "The Huron Carol").

When this album was recorded (year unknown), Catherine McKinnon was still the house singer of note and she's featured on several tracks. Does she have a "voice of an angel"? Pretty close. Her solo of "The Cherry Tree Carol" is haunting, but I preferred her other song - "Virgin Mary Had One Son" with Michael Stansbury .

If there's one standout track, it has to be by Jim Bennet, the other co-host of the show. His version of "O Tannenbaum" is quite remarkable because Bennet's voice is deep, scary, and unforgettable.

Quite a fun album! Very folky and Christmasy. Definitely Canadian! Thanks Jeff for offering this album!

On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...


Capt