This odd number comp (21 to be exact) is the FINAL disc that Martin Johns created for the 2006 Christmas season and the last themed CD from his laboratory in Greenville, South Carolina.
When Martin sent his shoebox full of CDs to our P.O. Box, this comp wasn't inside. At the time, it didn't even exist.
Burning the midnight oil, he quickly assembled some of the best finds via the Christmas sharity community and assembled a brand new comp.
Martin first posted the covers of this comp at the wonderful world known as FaLaLaLaLa.com on December 20, 2006 and sent me a link that I could download for it.
I was flattered to see several of my contributions to the 2006 Christmas downloading season on the disc. Other contributors included many longtime contributors and members of FaLaLaLaLa.com (PDMan, Esstee, Trendbend, Mister Miller), The King Of Jingaling himself, Lee Hartsfield of Music You (Possibly)Won't Hear Anywhere Else, and the tireless Ernie (not Bert).
To date, I haven't posted one comp from any submission received here at the yuleblog. Considering this is the final day of the whole two month look at comps... and Martin properly gave credit where credit is due on this comp... and I'm thoroughly exhausted and not thinking straight...
JohnsCDs 2006-1172-001 - A Sleigh Full Of Joy: Sharity Rarities 2006
Click on the link to get your download. While you're waiting in line, here is more background info about this disc from Mr. Johns himself. This is the final time you'll be able to read...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
2006 was my first year exploring and participating in the Sharity community. By comparison, downloading 30+ CDs of Indie music ("Santa's On The Download") now seems quaint. There was so much unbelievable Christmas music shared out at sites like FaLaLaLaLa, I don’t know how I'll ever get it all together in any sensible kind of order (CAPT'S NOTE: Join the club!).
And that, as much as anything, was the point of this one. It was a way of bookmarking some of my particular favorites from the avalanche.
Ultimately, I think it was the Music You (Possibly) Won't Hear Anyplace Else tracks that necessitated this one. The Baby Dolls' version of "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" and Bobby Stewart's "Sing A Kris Kringle Jingle" are just such wonderful songs.
They are also songs that don't quite fit what I usually do. So the only reasonable thing to do was a comp built around them. Also, The Mike Sammes Singers just blew my mind (thank you King)! Where was that when I was growing up?
I knew that was my perfect "encore" number. On a lot of my mixes, the last track serves as either a "bonus" or an "encore"; the journey is complete... here's one for the road - kinda like this comp, itself, really.
Your own contributions, Captain, are extra special delights (though I clearly overdid the noise reduction on the Capitol Records piece - I'll work on that at some point).
Between "Christmas In July" and "The 25 Days Of Christmas", Ernie shared up some truly amazing stuff. And I threw "Dasher" in there just to show that I had contributed, too. Really, though, everyone in the Sharity community was outstanding in every way possible. I don't see how it could ever get any better than it was in 2006.
As it was a comp of "sharities", I distributed it in that form. Which is to say I uploaded it and sent the link to a select few subscribers - no rhyme or reason for which ones - just one final piece of holiday fruitcake a few days before Christmas. If I decide to make hard copies, I'll send them out next year, but, officially, I'm reserving the right to use these tracks, individually, on future comps.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) A 30 second reminder (to the tune of "Jingle Bells" by The Singing Mailmen of Miami) to "use zone numbers on your mail".
2.) Sounds like a forgotten Rankin-Bass tune from one of their countless Christmas specials. Lee at MY(P)WHAE also offered Bobby Stewart's version of "Nuttin For Christmas".
3.) Al Aitchson has this song on his "Al's Christmas Ale 2005" that I reviewed during last year's look at Christmas comps - Red Ryder BB Gun offered this at his blog back in January, 2006 (no longer available).
4.) During the pre-legal Napster days (2001), I downloaded this 78 promo - scratchy, burnt, and hard to listen to. For the next five years, I've searched for a clean copy of Bugs Bunny (Mel Blanc) taking a tour of Capitol Records, giving each musical department a chance to say "Merry Christmas". I found a clean copy last year, signed away my kidneys, and shared it out at FLLLL.com. Hope you like it.
5.) Is this Tomorrow's World or Claudine Longet? It's from "él Christmas - The World in Winter"... I think the sleep deprivation is catching up to me. It's very good either way.
6.) It's amazing that this great song isn't included on ANY of Johnny Mathis' Christmas collections. Ernie picked up on that and offered this during his 25 Days Of Christmas (see above).
7.) When Ernie offered this and stated it was off the "Charade" soundtrack, I made a note to pull the DVD and locate where it was used in the movie... I've yet to do it! Typical brilliance from Mancini!
8.) Esstee offered these exactly one month before James Brown died at FLLLL.com. Did you know something then that we didn't Ess? This is a great Christmas song period.
9.) Line Material was (is?) an electrical manufacturing company that used to issue fantastic Christmas records like this for a time for employees and their kids. Lee at MY(P)WHAE offered several of these mini epic 45s last year. Someone should gather these singles up for an anthology!
10.) Reggaexx at Distinctly Jamaican Sounds was searching for a long lost reggae Christmas song (this one) at FLLLL.com to add to his Christmas mixes. I found this song on "Al's Christmas Ale 2005" (see #3 above) and posted it.
11.) Rato Records first posted this back in December, 2005 but Christmas A Go Go posted this last December. Thank you Martin - I missed this dynamite, swinging 1960s Christmas twist tune sung in French twice! WOW!
12.) Another great song I missed. This one came from Bongo Bells - can't seem to find what album this came from! I really need to learn how to subscribe to RSS feeds.
13.) Ernie loves scouring old vinyl to find those separated from the pack Christmas gems. This version of "Sleigh Ride" could fit in very well with Hugo's Christmas albums neatly...but instead it came from a non-Christmas album only to be rescued and offered by the hardest working man in sharity biz - Ernie.
14.) The Four Freshmen hick it up (hiccup?). Ernie rescued this song and offered it for his "Christmas In July" celebration (see above).
15.) Hi ho Steverino! Ricky Vera & Steve Allen released this as a B-side in 1953 but Ernie found it on a 4 LP set entitled "One Hundred Favorite Songs Of Christmas (MCA Special Markets SR 8726 DXS 504)". Steve sings on this - quite the crooner!
16.) WOW! Why can't we hear this Gayla Peevey song on Christmas radio instead of "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas"? From Rato Records (December, 2005).
17.) PDMan offered some fine albums throughout the 2006 downloading season at FLLLL.com: Paradise Islanders, two Jan Garber albums, a Ed Sullivan Christmas album, and this one. Look for full reviews of all these albums here before the year is out.
18.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! I never knew Fudgeland existed - and they have a great Christmas comp you can get with this song on it! So many blogs and websites, so little time (feel free to use that as a title Martin). Fudge, thanks for this one!
19.) This came from one of the best finds at this past year. Stubbyfears (aka Martin) offered this entire Feather & Burns album at FLLLL.com - brilliant stuff!
20.) Another "Best Find of 2006" - click on MY(P)WHAE to read the full story of this excellent cover of the Burt Bacharach song with some British flair!
21.) If you haven't visited Anna-Lena Lodenius' amazing blog called "Jul Igen - Christmas Again", you're missing out on some of the best Swedish Christmas music out there. This is a perfect example! Thanks Anna-Lena!
22.) Trendbend had a bundle of great Christmas singles to share at FLLLL.com. This is one of the gems! Thank you Trend - I enjoyed the Goon Show!
23.) If you want the full story behind this one, read the yuleblog entry about it. This was the share I was most proud of last year.
24.) WOW! This 1975 Christmas album by Vera Lynn was posted by Mister Miller at FLLLL.com and you can expect a full review on this here soon.
25.) Another great post by Trendbend at FLLLL.com. Ernie later added this great link about the Spotnicks. I think it's a fabulous song (my contribution).
26.) FLLLL member Shesapeach posted this kiddie song which prompted Tony at Way Out Junk to post the entire album (yes, it will be reviewed here as well).
27.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Cheezepleeze found a long lost syndicated radio special with Lorne Greene and posted the whole thing at his site. This is great for those Christmas comps for next year folks!
28.) The irrepressible Kay Martin singing the title track from her 1962 Christmas album. The Groove Grotto picked up high marks for posting this last year.
29.) This was a track I grabbed off this album in my archives for my annual 2005 Christmas CD. April Winchell posted it at her site (bless her heart). Don't ask me why but if it's Jack Webb and Christmas related, I'm right there!
30.) From the King Of Jingaling's all time favorite Christmas album - which he posted at FLLLL.com and remains one of its most popular shares!
Looking and listening to this comp captured, for a brief moment, the excitement and anticipation the 2006 downloading season brought. It was the biggest and best season on the books and at the yearly rate it keeps growing, Lord help us all in 2007. Thanks to the sharity community as a whole.
Martin, Martin, Martin... I want to thank you for not just this comp but for the entire shoebox of comps you sent once again. These past two weeks have been fun, stressful, hectic, relaxed, tiring, and so full of artist links, Christmas album links, and links, links, and links that I began seeing blue underlines when reading the morning paper, restaurant menus, even a funeral card!
I've enjoyed reading your insights, listening to your hard work, and sharing your appreciation for Christmas music in all sorts, shapes, and forms. Back in my introduction of you two weeks ago (seems like two months), I stated that I have met my match in passion for Christmas music. I can now unequivocally say that you have surpassed me in that regard. Congratulations and thanks again Martin.
The journey of a thousand miles ends with a single tired step. And so it ends.
UP NEXT: April 2007
Capt
This odd number comp (21 to be exact) is the FINAL disc that Martin Johns created for the 2006 Christmas season and the last themed CD from his laboratory in Greenville, South Carolina.
When Martin sent his shoebox full of CDs to our P.O. Box, this comp wasn't inside. At the time, it didn't even exist.
Burning the midnight oil, he quickly assembled some of the best finds via the Christmas sharity community and assembled a brand new comp.
Martin first posted the covers of this comp at the wonderful world known as FaLaLaLaLa.com on December 20, 2006 and sent me a link that I could download for it.
I was flattered to see several of my contributions to the 2006 Christmas downloading season on the disc. Other contributors included many longtime contributors and members of FaLaLaLaLa.com (PDMan, Esstee, Trendbend, Mister Miller), The King Of Jingaling himself, Lee Hartsfield of Music You (Possibly)Won't Hear Anywhere Else, and the tireless Ernie (not Bert).
To date, I haven't posted one comp from any submission received here at the yuleblog. Considering this is the final day of the whole two month look at comps... and Martin properly gave credit where credit is due on this comp... and I'm thoroughly exhausted and not thinking straight...
JohnsCDs 2006-1172-001 - A Sleigh Full Of Joy: Sharity Rarities 2006
Click on the link to get your download. While you're waiting in line, here is more background info about this disc from Mr. Johns himself. This is the final time you'll be able to read...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
2006 was my first year exploring and participating in the Sharity community. By comparison, downloading 30+ CDs of Indie music ("Santa's On The Download") now seems quaint. There was so much unbelievable Christmas music shared out at sites like FaLaLaLaLa, I don’t know how I'll ever get it all together in any sensible kind of order (CAPT'S NOTE: Join the club!).
And that, as much as anything, was the point of this one. It was a way of bookmarking some of my particular favorites from the avalanche.
Ultimately, I think it was the Music You (Possibly) Won't Hear Anyplace Else tracks that necessitated this one. The Baby Dolls' version of "The Bell That Couldn't Jingle" and Bobby Stewart's "Sing A Kris Kringle Jingle" are just such wonderful songs.
They are also songs that don't quite fit what I usually do. So the only reasonable thing to do was a comp built around them. Also, The Mike Sammes Singers just blew my mind (thank you King)! Where was that when I was growing up?
I knew that was my perfect "encore" number. On a lot of my mixes, the last track serves as either a "bonus" or an "encore"; the journey is complete... here's one for the road - kinda like this comp, itself, really.
Your own contributions, Captain, are extra special delights (though I clearly overdid the noise reduction on the Capitol Records piece - I'll work on that at some point).
Between "Christmas In July" and "The 25 Days Of Christmas", Ernie shared up some truly amazing stuff. And I threw "Dasher" in there just to show that I had contributed, too. Really, though, everyone in the Sharity community was outstanding in every way possible. I don't see how it could ever get any better than it was in 2006.
As it was a comp of "sharities", I distributed it in that form. Which is to say I uploaded it and sent the link to a select few subscribers - no rhyme or reason for which ones - just one final piece of holiday fruitcake a few days before Christmas. If I decide to make hard copies, I'll send them out next year, but, officially, I'm reserving the right to use these tracks, individually, on future comps.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) A 30 second reminder (to the tune of "Jingle Bells" by The Singing Mailmen of Miami) to "use zone numbers on your mail".
2.) Sounds like a forgotten Rankin-Bass tune from one of their countless Christmas specials. Lee at MY(P)WHAE also offered Bobby Stewart's version of "Nuttin For Christmas".
3.) Al Aitchson has this song on his "Al's Christmas Ale 2005" that I reviewed during last year's look at Christmas comps - Red Ryder BB Gun offered this at his blog back in January, 2006 (no longer available).
4.) During the pre-legal Napster days (2001), I downloaded this 78 promo - scratchy, burnt, and hard to listen to. For the next five years, I've searched for a clean copy of Bugs Bunny (Mel Blanc) taking a tour of Capitol Records, giving each musical department a chance to say "Merry Christmas". I found a clean copy last year, signed away my kidneys, and shared it out at FLLLL.com. Hope you like it.
5.) Is this Tomorrow's World or Claudine Longet? It's from "él Christmas - The World in Winter"... I think the sleep deprivation is catching up to me. It's very good either way.
6.) It's amazing that this great song isn't included on ANY of Johnny Mathis' Christmas collections. Ernie picked up on that and offered this during his 25 Days Of Christmas (see above).
7.) When Ernie offered this and stated it was off the "Charade" soundtrack, I made a note to pull the DVD and locate where it was used in the movie... I've yet to do it! Typical brilliance from Mancini!
8.) Esstee offered these exactly one month before James Brown died at FLLLL.com. Did you know something then that we didn't Ess? This is a great Christmas song period.
9.) Line Material was (is?) an electrical manufacturing company that used to issue fantastic Christmas records like this for a time for employees and their kids. Lee at MY(P)WHAE offered several of these mini epic 45s last year. Someone should gather these singles up for an anthology!
10.) Reggaexx at Distinctly Jamaican Sounds was searching for a long lost reggae Christmas song (this one) at FLLLL.com to add to his Christmas mixes. I found this song on "Al's Christmas Ale 2005" (see #3 above) and posted it.
11.) Rato Records first posted this back in December, 2005 but Christmas A Go Go posted this last December. Thank you Martin - I missed this dynamite, swinging 1960s Christmas twist tune sung in French twice! WOW!
12.) Another great song I missed. This one came from Bongo Bells - can't seem to find what album this came from! I really need to learn how to subscribe to RSS feeds.
13.) Ernie loves scouring old vinyl to find those separated from the pack Christmas gems. This version of "Sleigh Ride" could fit in very well with Hugo's Christmas albums neatly...but instead it came from a non-Christmas album only to be rescued and offered by the hardest working man in sharity biz - Ernie.
14.) The Four Freshmen hick it up (hiccup?). Ernie rescued this song and offered it for his "Christmas In July" celebration (see above).
15.) Hi ho Steverino! Ricky Vera & Steve Allen released this as a B-side in 1953 but Ernie found it on a 4 LP set entitled "One Hundred Favorite Songs Of Christmas (MCA Special Markets SR 8726 DXS 504)". Steve sings on this - quite the crooner!
16.) WOW! Why can't we hear this Gayla Peevey song on Christmas radio instead of "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas"? From Rato Records (December, 2005).
17.) PDMan offered some fine albums throughout the 2006 downloading season at FLLLL.com: Paradise Islanders, two Jan Garber albums, a Ed Sullivan Christmas album, and this one. Look for full reviews of all these albums here before the year is out.
18.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! I never knew Fudgeland existed - and they have a great Christmas comp you can get with this song on it! So many blogs and websites, so little time (feel free to use that as a title Martin). Fudge, thanks for this one!
19.) This came from one of the best finds at this past year. Stubbyfears (aka Martin) offered this entire Feather & Burns album at FLLLL.com - brilliant stuff!
20.) Another "Best Find of 2006" - click on MY(P)WHAE to read the full story of this excellent cover of the Burt Bacharach song with some British flair!
21.) If you haven't visited Anna-Lena Lodenius' amazing blog called "Jul Igen - Christmas Again", you're missing out on some of the best Swedish Christmas music out there. This is a perfect example! Thanks Anna-Lena!
22.) Trendbend had a bundle of great Christmas singles to share at FLLLL.com. This is one of the gems! Thank you Trend - I enjoyed the Goon Show!
23.) If you want the full story behind this one, read the yuleblog entry about it. This was the share I was most proud of last year.
24.) WOW! This 1975 Christmas album by Vera Lynn was posted by Mister Miller at FLLLL.com and you can expect a full review on this here soon.
25.) Another great post by Trendbend at FLLLL.com. Ernie later added this great link about the Spotnicks. I think it's a fabulous song (my contribution).
26.) FLLLL member Shesapeach posted this kiddie song which prompted Tony at Way Out Junk to post the entire album (yes, it will be reviewed here as well).
27.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Cheezepleeze found a long lost syndicated radio special with Lorne Greene and posted the whole thing at his site. This is great for those Christmas comps for next year folks!
28.) The irrepressible Kay Martin singing the title track from her 1962 Christmas album. The Groove Grotto picked up high marks for posting this last year.
29.) This was a track I grabbed off this album in my archives for my annual 2005 Christmas CD. April Winchell posted it at her site (bless her heart). Don't ask me why but if it's Jack Webb and Christmas related, I'm right there!
30.) From the King Of Jingaling's all time favorite Christmas album - which he posted at FLLLL.com and remains one of its most popular shares!
Looking and listening to this comp captured, for a brief moment, the excitement and anticipation the 2006 downloading season brought. It was the biggest and best season on the books and at the yearly rate it keeps growing, Lord help us all in 2007. Thanks to the sharity community as a whole.
Martin, Martin, Martin... I want to thank you for not just this comp but for the entire shoebox of comps you sent once again. These past two weeks have been fun, stressful, hectic, relaxed, tiring, and so full of artist links, Christmas album links, and links, links, and links that I began seeing blue underlines when reading the morning paper, restaurant menus, even a funeral card!
I've enjoyed reading your insights, listening to your hard work, and sharing your appreciation for Christmas music in all sorts, shapes, and forms. Back in my introduction of you two weeks ago (seems like two months), I stated that I have met my match in passion for Christmas music. I can now unequivocally say that you have surpassed me in that regard. Congratulations and thanks again Martin.
The journey of a thousand miles ends with a single tired step. And so it ends.
UP NEXT: April 2007
Capt
If you had told me last year that my annual look at homemade Christmas comps would have been extended into April, I would have waited for you to yell "APRIL FOOL!"
Well, that's exactly what has happened and today just happens to be April Fool's Day. It also happens to be the FINAL day of our annual look at homemade Christmas comps.
We have two more comps from our friend Martin Johns who sent us a jawdropping, earthshattering, astounding 21 Christmas comps - each of which has rarely covered the same ground and always manages to surprise as well as entertain.
The comp you see before you deals with Christmas jazz - always a welcome sound over my speakers at the computer or on my boombox.
To get some better understanding behind this stunning looking Christmas CD, here is the section that you've grown to love. It's very well known as...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
Like the Country CDs, there's a strong constituency for my Jazz CDs. One year, I was explaining to a friend of mine that "I can't do jazz every year". "Why not?" she asked. As I didn't have an answer, the Jazz comp became part of my annual repertoire.
I was going for a particular mood, here. This one, I feel, is best listened to at about 2:00 AM. Close your eyes and let the music wash over you. Of course, if you don't like jazz...
Mae West was included specifically for Dee (my "why not?" friend). I knew she'd appreciate it.
Graphically, everything I do is an experiment. The new computer had a program called Discus Re and I was just playing around with that. I have to report that the only artist on the cover who's also on the CD is Billy Eckstine.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) I knew they released their new Christmas CD only in Japan in 2005 but I DIDN'T know it was released at Christmas last year (note to self: check the jazz sections)! Cheryl, Alan, Tim, and Janis tackle Charles Brown's perennial favorite and transform it into a religious experience.
2.) WHOA! Look up the definition of silky smooth in the dictionary and you might see a picture of Carmen McRae. Pure gold from the budget LaserLight comp "Blue, Blues Christmas" (1997).
3.) It's official - this is the second song from Jane Fuller I've heard in two days and I am in love! There's more heat in Jane's voice than in that fire she's singing about. From her "The Spirit Of Giving" album that I just bought!
4.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Skafish is a bonafide Chicago legend (heard this guy play piano at a student lounge - pure genius)! I didn't know he had a Christmas album. Scary part is - he's gotten BETTER! Martin, thank you!
5.) WOW! I've never heard Christmas blues / jazz done with a saxophone as lead instrument! This is glorious! Second song from Bobby Felder & His Friends in two days from their "Christmas Jazz At People's Church" - the better of the two!
6.) Recorded in 1966 at the tender age of 73, Mae West put all of her oomph into her Christmas album (which might explain why she only had eight songs on the album). This version of "Santa Baby" might be the best track on the album - just enough Mae and not over the top. I'd take this version over Madonna's any day of the century!
7.) Bruno Hubert and his trio give us an excellent pure jazz version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", adding new welcome life to a standard Christmas carol. Find their Christmas album on the Vancouver Jazz label.
8.) WOW! Mandolin jazz! Martini Red's tune evokes memories of Fred Astaire's "Putting On The Ritz" - grand stuff! This song is on "We Three" (only Christmas track on the album) or on "Holiday Feast V6".
9.) This isn't Billie Holiday I'm listening to... but it's awful close! Tanya Kalmanovitch not only sings great jazz but she's playing the both the viola and violin on this! Tasty cut from the 2003 album "Let It Snow! Unique Canadian Winter Music"
10.) A soft jazz version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" - well played by Hiro Honshuku. Hiro's name is above the title of this Christmas album - well deserved!
11.) This is the second track I've heard from Wes Burden this week... sounds a lot like Kenny G... but Burden doesn't go overboard a la Mr. G - I can handle this. Off his 2005 "A Christmas Journey" CD.
12.) WOW! This was the B-side of Billy Eckstine's 1953 holiday single (A-side "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?). Mr. B give this the FULL Eckstine treatment - good to hear this again (might end up on my annual Christmas CD)! Find this diamond in the rough on one of two different Verve Christmas comps.
13.) I just melted. That's Dinah Washington on my speakers, singing about "Ol' Santa". About as good as it gets. This was on the LaserLight label (gotta reevaluate my thinking about that label)? "Christmas Blues & Shout" is a BOX SET? LaserLight's getting better... Hmmm...
14.) The best purveyor's of smooth jazz over the past 20 years, Hiroshima has a beautiful song that invokes visions of falling snow. A haunting track off their 2004 "Spirit Of The Season" album
15.) The most straightforward song by Jane Fuller I've heard... still a cut above! (See # 3 above).
16.) Martin's snuck some authentic Christmas blues here... Otis Rush recorded this for NPR's "Bluestage" on Christmas Eve, 1990 - hints of jazz yes, but it's the blues and 10 minutes of it... wow!
17.) It's unfathomable... Ruth Brown (who singlehandedly helped Atlantic Records get a foothold in the business) never recorded a single Christmas song. That was until this 1986 appearance on NPR's "Harlem Hit Parade" when she sang two songs. Her sassy voice gives "The Christmas Song" a new hip, soulful glow to it - what a track!
18.) "One more song before I go..." Ruth starts off reverently, her voice cutting through like the bow of a ship. As the song builds, she lets loose and proves why she was the Queen of R&B. By the end of this song, my eyes were misting up with tears... I'm glad Ruth got her wish and recorded some Christmas songs.
And Martin was afraid of putting together a Christmas jazz comp! I will listen to this one over and over and over!
This comp made me fall in love with Jane Fuller, reconnected me with Skafish, passed along some new great jazz artists I've never heard before (Bruno Hubert Trio, Tanya Kalmanovitch, Martini Red), and showcased some of the greatest jazz artists out there (Carmen McRae, Dinah Washington, Billy Eckstine, Manhattan Transfer).
However... this CD passed into legend when I heard Ruth Brown.
Last November, Ruth died from a heart attack and complications of a stroke. I knew she never recorded a full Christmas album but I managed to have one Christmas song by her - "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". I posted it as a tribute to Ruth at FaLaLaLaLa.com and here at the yuleblog throughout the 2006 downloading season.
Martin knew he had this on cassette somewhere and quickly rushed it to Stu Fink, his friend and audio guru of 30 years. Stu did a splendid job transferring Brown's two lost Christmas songs and Martin preserved it forever on this comp. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to Ruth!
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-1172-001 - A Sleigh Full Of Joy: Sharity Rarities 2006 (THE FINAL COMP!)
Capt
If you had told me last year that my annual look at homemade Christmas comps would have been extended into April, I would have waited for you to yell "APRIL FOOL!"
Well, that's exactly what has happened and today just happens to be April Fool's Day. It also happens to be the FINAL day of our annual look at homemade Christmas comps.
We have two more comps from our friend Martin Johns who sent us a jawdropping, earthshattering, astounding 21 Christmas comps - each of which has rarely covered the same ground and always manages to surprise as well as entertain.
The comp you see before you deals with Christmas jazz - always a welcome sound over my speakers at the computer or on my boombox.
To get some better understanding behind this stunning looking Christmas CD, here is the section that you've grown to love. It's very well known as...
STUBBY SPEAKS:
Like the Country CDs, there's a strong constituency for my Jazz CDs. One year, I was explaining to a friend of mine that "I can't do jazz every year". "Why not?" she asked. As I didn't have an answer, the Jazz comp became part of my annual repertoire.
I was going for a particular mood, here. This one, I feel, is best listened to at about 2:00 AM. Close your eyes and let the music wash over you. Of course, if you don't like jazz...
Mae West was included specifically for Dee (my "why not?" friend). I knew she'd appreciate it.
Graphically, everything I do is an experiment. The new computer had a program called Discus Re and I was just playing around with that. I have to report that the only artist on the cover who's also on the CD is Billy Eckstine.
TRACK REVIEW:
(Click on image to enlarge)
1.) I knew they released their new Christmas CD only in Japan in 2005 but I DIDN'T know it was released at Christmas last year (note to self: check the jazz sections)! Cheryl, Alan, Tim, and Janis tackle Charles Brown's perennial favorite and transform it into a religious experience.
2.) WHOA! Look up the definition of silky smooth in the dictionary and you might see a picture of Carmen McRae. Pure gold from the budget LaserLight comp "Blue, Blues Christmas" (1997).
3.) It's official - this is the second song from Jane Fuller I've heard in two days and I am in love! There's more heat in Jane's voice than in that fire she's singing about. From her "The Spirit Of Giving" album that I just bought!
4.) GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Skafish is a bonafide Chicago legend (heard this guy play piano at a student lounge - pure genius)! I didn't know he had a Christmas album. Scary part is - he's gotten BETTER! Martin, thank you!
5.) WOW! I've never heard Christmas blues / jazz done with a saxophone as lead instrument! This is glorious! Second song from Bobby Felder & His Friends in two days from their "Christmas Jazz At People's Church" - the better of the two!
6.) Recorded in 1966 at the tender age of 73, Mae West put all of her oomph into her Christmas album (which might explain why she only had eight songs on the album). This version of "Santa Baby" might be the best track on the album - just enough Mae and not over the top. I'd take this version over Madonna's any day of the century!
7.) Bruno Hubert and his trio give us an excellent pure jazz version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", adding new welcome life to a standard Christmas carol. Find their Christmas album on the Vancouver Jazz label.
8.) WOW! Mandolin jazz! Martini Red's tune evokes memories of Fred Astaire's "Putting On The Ritz" - grand stuff! This song is on "We Three" (only Christmas track on the album) or on "Holiday Feast V6".
9.) This isn't Billie Holiday I'm listening to... but it's awful close! Tanya Kalmanovitch not only sings great jazz but she's playing the both the viola and violin on this! Tasty cut from the 2003 album "Let It Snow! Unique Canadian Winter Music"
10.) A soft jazz version of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" - well played by Hiro Honshuku. Hiro's name is above the title of this Christmas album - well deserved!
11.) This is the second track I've heard from Wes Burden this week... sounds a lot like Kenny G... but Burden doesn't go overboard a la Mr. G - I can handle this. Off his 2005 "A Christmas Journey" CD.
12.) WOW! This was the B-side of Billy Eckstine's 1953 holiday single (A-side "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?). Mr. B give this the FULL Eckstine treatment - good to hear this again (might end up on my annual Christmas CD)! Find this diamond in the rough on one of two different Verve Christmas comps.
13.) I just melted. That's Dinah Washington on my speakers, singing about "Ol' Santa". About as good as it gets. This was on the LaserLight label (gotta reevaluate my thinking about that label)? "Christmas Blues & Shout" is a BOX SET? LaserLight's getting better... Hmmm...
14.) The best purveyor's of smooth jazz over the past 20 years, Hiroshima has a beautiful song that invokes visions of falling snow. A haunting track off their 2004 "Spirit Of The Season" album
15.) The most straightforward song by Jane Fuller I've heard... still a cut above! (See # 3 above).
16.) Martin's snuck some authentic Christmas blues here... Otis Rush recorded this for NPR's "Bluestage" on Christmas Eve, 1990 - hints of jazz yes, but it's the blues and 10 minutes of it... wow!
17.) It's unfathomable... Ruth Brown (who singlehandedly helped Atlantic Records get a foothold in the business) never recorded a single Christmas song. That was until this 1986 appearance on NPR's "Harlem Hit Parade" when she sang two songs. Her sassy voice gives "The Christmas Song" a new hip, soulful glow to it - what a track!
18.) "One more song before I go..." Ruth starts off reverently, her voice cutting through like the bow of a ship. As the song builds, she lets loose and proves why she was the Queen of R&B. By the end of this song, my eyes were misting up with tears... I'm glad Ruth got her wish and recorded some Christmas songs.
And Martin was afraid of putting together a Christmas jazz comp! I will listen to this one over and over and over!
This comp made me fall in love with Jane Fuller, reconnected me with Skafish, passed along some new great jazz artists I've never heard before (Bruno Hubert Trio, Tanya Kalmanovitch, Martini Red), and showcased some of the greatest jazz artists out there (Carmen McRae, Dinah Washington, Billy Eckstine, Manhattan Transfer).
However... this CD passed into legend when I heard Ruth Brown.
Last November, Ruth died from a heart attack and complications of a stroke. I knew she never recorded a full Christmas album but I managed to have one Christmas song by her - "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". I posted it as a tribute to Ruth at FaLaLaLaLa.com and here at the yuleblog throughout the 2006 downloading season.
Martin knew he had this on cassette somewhere and quickly rushed it to Stu Fink, his friend and audio guru of 30 years. Stu did a splendid job transferring Brown's two lost Christmas songs and Martin preserved it forever on this comp. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to Ruth!
UP NEXT: JohnsCDs 2006-1172-001 - A Sleigh Full Of Joy: Sharity Rarities 2006 (THE FINAL COMP!)
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
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 odd number comp (21 to be exact) is the FINAL disc that Martin Johns created for the 2006 Christmas season and the last themed CD from his laboratory in Greenville, South Carolina.
(Click on image to enlarge)
