It's a YouTube Christmas - Pt. 5

From time to time this upcoming Christmas season, I'll be posting some amazing videos that have been rescued by people like us and posted at the mecca of all things wonderful and obscure - YouTube.

I invite you to add a fun comment, witticism, clever remark, or observation in the comments section provided. Any comments deemed worthy of repeating will be included into this entry where all the world will see it.

Yesterday, I posted a study guide of my annual Christmas comps over the past several years. It's interesting to look back and see how I've progressed (or regressed depending how you look at it) in the selection of my playlists from 2000 to 2008.

I'm a fan of Christmas mash-ups and have written several entries about them. Two of the best Christmas mash-ups found their way to YouTube and I wanted to share them with you.

The first was featured on my 2007 Christmas comp. Our friend DJ BC mixed together "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by The Jackson Five and John Lennon's "Imagine" to create "Imagine Santa":





This mash was featured on this years comp. Mojochronic hails from Berkeley, CA and decided something needed to be done with Led Zeppelin music and created "Yuletide Zeppelin". Boy, oh, boy, did he hit this one out of the park!:





And don't forget his sequel - Yuletide Zeppelin II:





What do you think?

Tommy says: I like mash-ups in the same way that I like Industrial. It's great in small doses. But I can't listen to alot of it.

Any other opinions?


Capt


P.S. DJ BC has posted his fourth installment in his "Santastic" Christmas mash-up compilations - all brand new mash-ups for 2008. Head over to his website and do some digging - you'll find the other three albums still available for download.

It's a YouTube Christmas - Pt. 5

From time to time this upcoming Christmas season, I'll be posting some amazing videos that have been rescued by people like us and posted at the mecca of all things wonderful and obscure - YouTube.

I invite you to add a fun comment, witticism, clever remark, or observation in the comments section provided. Any comments deemed worthy of repeating will be included into this entry where all the world will see it.

Yesterday, I posted a study guide of my annual Christmas comps over the past several years. It's interesting to look back and see how I've progressed (or regressed depending how you look at it) in the selection of my playlists from 2000 to 2008.

I'm a fan of Christmas mash-ups and have written several entries about them. Two of the best Christmas mash-ups found their way to YouTube and I wanted to share them with you.

The first was featured on my 2007 Christmas comp. Our friend DJ BC mixed together "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by The Jackson Five and John Lennon's "Imagine" to create "Imagine Santa":





This mash was featured on this years comp. Mojochronic hails from Berkeley, CA and decided something needed to be done with Led Zeppelin music and created "Yuletide Zeppelin". Boy, oh, boy, did he hit this one out of the park!:





And don't forget his sequel - Yuletide Zeppelin II:





What do you think?

Tommy says: I like mash-ups in the same way that I like Industrial. It's great in small doses. But I can't listen to alot of it.

Any other opinions?


Capt


P.S. DJ BC has posted his fourth installment in his "Santastic" Christmas mash-up compilations - all brand new mash-ups for 2008. Head over to his website and do some digging - you'll find the other three albums still available for download.

Go Home Productions - Christmas EP 2006

We conclude "Mash-up Saturday" with a look at he DJ whose work introduced me to the world of mash-ups and remains one of my favorite mashers.

Several years ago, I was searching for a specific bootleg from the Beatles to find an quote from John Lennon. This led me to the website of Mark Vidler's Go Home Productions.

I found a MP3 entitled "Beatlegs Bootles" that mashed The Beach Boys, Culture Club, and Michael Jackson into the songs of the Beatles. It totally blew my mind.

A quick search of the site led me to the MP3 called "Christmas On The Block" - the merging of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" and Jennifer Lopez's "Jenny On The Block" and the very first Christmas mash-up I ever heard.

Over the years, Vidler has contributed to DJ BC's two Christmas comps "Santastic: Holiday Boots 4 Your Stocking" and "Santastic II: Clausome". Late last December, Vidler issued this three track compilation of all of his Christmas comps at the website which was available for a short time to download (currently offline).

I sent Vidler the set of questions I have sent everyone who sent me a comp but as of press time, he hasn't responded to them.

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Carpenters Christmas (Karen Meets Roots Radics Uptown) (2006)
The Carpenters - "Sleigh Ride" / Roots Radic - "Gambling"

Who knew The Carpenters were so shaggy when doing reggae, mon? Brilliant track!

2.) Christmas On The Block (2002)
Paul McCartney - "Wonderful Christmastime" / Jennifer Lopez - "Jenny From The Block" / Samples from John & Yoko's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"

The very first Christmas mash-up I ever heard! To paraphrase Indiana Jones... "JLo... why did it have to be JLo?"

3.) Christmas In Boston (2004)
Boston - "More Than A Feeling" / The Beatles - "Christmas Time Is Here Again" / Samples from John & Yoko's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and one other song (help please!)

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Who knew Boston and The Beatles would have sounded so perfect together? Remarkable mash!


Thanks for the introduction to the world of mash-ups Mark!


UP NEXT: Irving's Space Age Christmas


Capt

Go Home Productions - Christmas EP 2006

We conclude "Mash-up Saturday" with a look at he DJ whose work introduced me to the world of mash-ups and remains one of my favorite mashers.

Several years ago, I was searching for a specific bootleg from the Beatles to find an quote from John Lennon. This led me to the website of Mark Vidler's Go Home Productions.

I found a MP3 entitled "Beatlegs Bootles" that mashed The Beach Boys, Culture Club, and Michael Jackson into the songs of the Beatles. It totally blew my mind.

A quick search of the site led me to the MP3 called "Christmas On The Block" - the merging of Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" and Jennifer Lopez's "Jenny On The Block" and the very first Christmas mash-up I ever heard.

Over the years, Vidler has contributed to DJ BC's two Christmas comps "Santastic: Holiday Boots 4 Your Stocking" and "Santastic II: Clausome". Late last December, Vidler issued this three track compilation of all of his Christmas comps at the website which was available for a short time to download (currently offline).

I sent Vidler the set of questions I have sent everyone who sent me a comp but as of press time, he hasn't responded to them.

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Carpenters Christmas (Karen Meets Roots Radics Uptown) (2006)
The Carpenters - "Sleigh Ride" / Roots Radic - "Gambling"

Who knew The Carpenters were so shaggy when doing reggae, mon? Brilliant track!

2.) Christmas On The Block (2002)
Paul McCartney - "Wonderful Christmastime" / Jennifer Lopez - "Jenny From The Block" / Samples from John & Yoko's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"

The very first Christmas mash-up I ever heard! To paraphrase Indiana Jones... "JLo... why did it have to be JLo?"

3.) Christmas In Boston (2004)
Boston - "More Than A Feeling" / The Beatles - "Christmas Time Is Here Again" / Samples from John & Yoko's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and one other song (help please!)

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Who knew Boston and The Beatles would have sounded so perfect together? Remarkable mash!


Thanks for the introduction to the world of mash-ups Mark!


UP NEXT: Irving's Space Age Christmas


Capt

A Very Bootie Christmas

Mash-up Saturday marches on!

Our next stop takes us to that city by the bay where Adrian and The Mysterious D (aka A & D) have been holding court!

Their kingdom is known as Bootie. It is a club where mash-ups are played. It is a party, the largest in the land. It is a website where some of the best mash-ups and their artists can be found.

It is also the state of mind in this Christmas compilation that is still available to download at their site.

Any Christmas comp that takes the Keith Haring cover of the classic 1987 "A Very Special Christmas" and adds the infamous skull and crossbones is deserving of a look!

Here are the set of questions I've asked everyone whose comp has been reviewed here:

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

I'd been collecting Christmas song mashups and remixes since 2002, but I never had enough for a full-length CD until just this past year. Yes, this CD was five years in the making!

That's how long it took me to find enough quality Christmas song mashups to compile into an album. Plus, we contributed a mix we made ourselves, "Give Da Jew Girl Toys," which mashes up Sarah Silverman with Trio, which first appeared on the "Santastic II" mashup album.

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

The concept is simple - they are all holiday songs, mashed-up with other songs. Most of them were included in my all-Christmas music mashup DJ set, which I did at our Bootie Holiday Party in San Francisco on Saturday, December 9th.

Bootie is the biggest all-mashup bootleg party in America, and the only dance club of its kind, where we only play mashups and bastard pop.

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

Warm fuzzy feelings? I don't know... my birthday is on December 24th, Christmas Eve, so maybe that has something to do with it. It's usually just a good time of year... a time when I can look back and reflect on the past year, and let all my friends and family know how much I appreciate them.

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

The response was overwhelmingly positive! Many people told us that it's the only Christmas music they can stand to listen to!

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

We're the creators and DJs of Bootie, the first mashup bootleg party in the United States. We have parties in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City, with more on the way.

For more information and free mashup downloads, go to: http://www.BootieUSA.com. Also, check out our own mashups at our DJ site at: http://www.RebelDJs.com

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

If someone has a birthday near Christmas, don't ever... EVER... give them a "combination" birthday/Christmas gift.


TRACK REVIEWS:

(Click on image to enlarge)

1.) Slade - "Merry Christmas Everyone" / Jona Lewie - "Stop The Cavalry" / Jet - "Are You Gonna Be My Girl"

WOW! This one grabs your attention. Excellent start to the CD. A great mash-up!

2.) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - "Jingle Bells" / The Velvet Underground - "Sweet Jane"

Great grouping of sound (with some help from The Beatles & A Charlie Brown Christmas)!

3.) Jimmy Durante - "Frosty The Snowman" / Run D.M.C. - "Christmas Is"

Give up the dough... gotta give this mash props! It's stone cold! Nice to hear the other Run D.M.C. Christmas rap!

4.) Santa Claus - What Santa Wants For Christmas / James Brown - (I don't have access to Brown's Xmas CD right now - need help with this one) & "Make It Funky" / Johnny Mathis - Sleigh Ride / Shrek & Donkey - Jingle Bells

I used this mash on my 2005 Christmas CD - it's a master mix from Brat! Great stuff!

5.) The Police - "Every Breath You Take" / Wham - "Last Christmas"

I like the pairing of two classic 80s tunes! The more I've listened to this one, the more I've liked it!

6.) T Rex - "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" / Clarence Carter - "Back Door Santa" / Whitney Houston - "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Talk about crossing the decades! The addition of Houston reminds me of "Whitney Joins The Jams" from the KLF! What a jam!

7.) The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping / if I'm missing others, let me know

Ambitious remixing of one of the first Christmas rap songs! Will be dancing to this come December!

8.) Sarah Silverman - "Give The Jew Girl Toys" / Trio - "Da Da Da"

This version is uncensored! WOW! I strangely enjoyed this one! Love the overall sound!

9.) Paul McCartney - "Wonderful Christmastime" / Jennifer Lopez - "Jenny From The Block" / Samples from John & Yoko's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"

The very first Christmas mash-up I ever heard! To paraphrase Indiana Jones... "JLo... why did it have to be JLo?"

10.) My only attempt: Louis Armstrong / Elvis Presley / Frank Sinatra / The Supremes / Bing Crosby (if you can fill in the rest, please do!) / Sample from "Miracle On 34th Street" (also my personal Christmas quote!)

This mash led off my 2005 Christmas comp - it stunned many of the long time recipients (achieving the effect I wanted). One of my personal faves.

11.) Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "Wizards in Winter" / The Beatles - "Eleanor Rigby" (DIY Acapella) / Michael Jackson - "Beat It" (Loop) / Beastie Boys - "High Plains Drifter" (Loop) / Black Eyed Peas - "Pump It" (Acapella) / Robert Shaw Chorale - "Carol of the Bells" / Boston Pops Orchestra - "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" / Gorillaz - "Feel Good" / Yello - "Oh Yeah"

OH YEAH INDEED! DJ John was the guy behind "The Christmas Massacre of Charlie Brown"!

12.) Clueless here - DJ Payroll's site didn't list an artist listing for this one (Can anyone help me?)

I like this mash - not too heavy! Perhaps its because there are kids singing on the track.

13.) Mariah Carey (?) - All I Want For Christmas Is You / Peaches (featuring Iggy Pop) - Kick It / Fishbone (?) / Sly And The Family Stone - "Dance To The Music"

It's a superb mix (although it sounds like Olivia Olson off the "Love Actually" soundtrack and not Mariah)! Was I right with the Fishbone sample? Please let me know!

14.) Offspring - "Self Esteem" / Tyskarna från Lund - "Achtung X-Mas"

This one kinda misses the mark for me. Maybe it's because I've never heard each song separately.

15.) Boston - "More Than A Feeling" / The Beatles - "Christmas Time Is Here Again" / Samples from John & Yoko's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and one other song (help please!)

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Who knew Boston and The Beatles would have sounded so perfect together? Remarkable mash!

16.) John Lennon - "Imagine" / The Jackson 5 - "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" / The Beatles - "Fan Club Christmas message, 1963"

This one brought tears to my eyes - Lennon's "Imagine" has that effect on me. However, I was smiling throughout thanks to the pure voice of little Michael Jackson. Bravo... one of the best Christmas mashes ever.


Despite the fact that several of these mashes were already on the "Santastic II" comp, there were plenty of surprises throughout the CD!

That's the beauty of the mash-up - you'll always find something new when you listen to it!

A & D, thanks for gathering these in one setting! I sincerely hope you'll keep finding new patterns to keep mixing things up for a long time. Hope the next Christmas mash-up comp won't take five years to create!


UP NEXT: Go Home Productions Christmas EP 2006


Capt

A Very Bootie Christmas

Mash-up Saturday marches on!

Our next stop takes us to that city by the bay where Adrian and The Mysterious D (aka A & D) have been holding court!

Their kingdom is known as Bootie. It is a club where mash-ups are played. It is a party, the largest in the land. It is a website where some of the best mash-ups and their artists can be found.

It is also the state of mind in this Christmas compilation that is still available to download at their site.

Any Christmas comp that takes the Keith Haring cover of the classic 1987 "A Very Special Christmas" and adds the infamous skull and crossbones is deserving of a look!

Here are the set of questions I've asked everyone whose comp has been reviewed here:

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

I'd been collecting Christmas song mashups and remixes since 2002, but I never had enough for a full-length CD until just this past year. Yes, this CD was five years in the making!

That's how long it took me to find enough quality Christmas song mashups to compile into an album. Plus, we contributed a mix we made ourselves, "Give Da Jew Girl Toys," which mashes up Sarah Silverman with Trio, which first appeared on the "Santastic II" mashup album.

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

The concept is simple - they are all holiday songs, mashed-up with other songs. Most of them were included in my all-Christmas music mashup DJ set, which I did at our Bootie Holiday Party in San Francisco on Saturday, December 9th.

Bootie is the biggest all-mashup bootleg party in America, and the only dance club of its kind, where we only play mashups and bastard pop.

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

Warm fuzzy feelings? I don't know... my birthday is on December 24th, Christmas Eve, so maybe that has something to do with it. It's usually just a good time of year... a time when I can look back and reflect on the past year, and let all my friends and family know how much I appreciate them.

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

The response was overwhelmingly positive! Many people told us that it's the only Christmas music they can stand to listen to!

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

We're the creators and DJs of Bootie, the first mashup bootleg party in the United States. We have parties in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City, with more on the way.

For more information and free mashup downloads, go to: http://www.BootieUSA.com. Also, check out our own mashups at our DJ site at: http://www.RebelDJs.com

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

If someone has a birthday near Christmas, don't ever... EVER... give them a "combination" birthday/Christmas gift.


TRACK REVIEWS:

(Click on image to enlarge)

1.) Slade - "Merry Christmas Everyone" / Jona Lewie - "Stop The Cavalry" / Jet - "Are You Gonna Be My Girl"

WOW! This one grabs your attention. Excellent start to the CD. A great mash-up!

2.) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - "Jingle Bells" / The Velvet Underground - "Sweet Jane"

Great grouping of sound (with some help from The Beatles & A Charlie Brown Christmas)!

3.) Jimmy Durante - "Frosty The Snowman" / Run D.M.C. - "Christmas Is"

Give up the dough... gotta give this mash props! It's stone cold! Nice to hear the other Run D.M.C. Christmas rap!

4.) Santa Claus - What Santa Wants For Christmas / James Brown - (I don't have access to Brown's Xmas CD right now - need help with this one) & "Make It Funky" / Johnny Mathis - Sleigh Ride / Shrek & Donkey - Jingle Bells

I used this mash on my 2005 Christmas CD - it's a master mix from Brat! Great stuff!

5.) The Police - "Every Breath You Take" / Wham - "Last Christmas"

I like the pairing of two classic 80s tunes! The more I've listened to this one, the more I've liked it!

6.) T Rex - "Bang A Gong (Get It On)" / Clarence Carter - "Back Door Santa" / Whitney Houston - "I Wanna Dance With Somebody"

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Talk about crossing the decades! The addition of Houston reminds me of "Whitney Joins The Jams" from the KLF! What a jam!

7.) The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping / if I'm missing others, let me know

Ambitious remixing of one of the first Christmas rap songs! Will be dancing to this come December!

8.) Sarah Silverman - "Give The Jew Girl Toys" / Trio - "Da Da Da"

This version is uncensored! WOW! I strangely enjoyed this one! Love the overall sound!

9.) Paul McCartney - "Wonderful Christmastime" / Jennifer Lopez - "Jenny From The Block" / Samples from John & Yoko's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"

The very first Christmas mash-up I ever heard! To paraphrase Indiana Jones... "JLo... why did it have to be JLo?"

10.) My only attempt: Louis Armstrong / Elvis Presley / Frank Sinatra / The Supremes / Bing Crosby (if you can fill in the rest, please do!) / Sample from "Miracle On 34th Street" (also my personal Christmas quote!)

This mash led off my 2005 Christmas comp - it stunned many of the long time recipients (achieving the effect I wanted). One of my personal faves.

11.) Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "Wizards in Winter" / The Beatles - "Eleanor Rigby" (DIY Acapella) / Michael Jackson - "Beat It" (Loop) / Beastie Boys - "High Plains Drifter" (Loop) / Black Eyed Peas - "Pump It" (Acapella) / Robert Shaw Chorale - "Carol of the Bells" / Boston Pops Orchestra - "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" / Gorillaz - "Feel Good" / Yello - "Oh Yeah"

OH YEAH INDEED! DJ John was the guy behind "The Christmas Massacre of Charlie Brown"!

12.) Clueless here - DJ Payroll's site didn't list an artist listing for this one (Can anyone help me?)

I like this mash - not too heavy! Perhaps its because there are kids singing on the track.

13.) Mariah Carey (?) - All I Want For Christmas Is You / Peaches (featuring Iggy Pop) - Kick It / Fishbone (?) / Sly And The Family Stone - "Dance To The Music"

It's a superb mix (although it sounds like Olivia Olson off the "Love Actually" soundtrack and not Mariah)! Was I right with the Fishbone sample? Please let me know!

14.) Offspring - "Self Esteem" / Tyskarna från Lund - "Achtung X-Mas"

This one kinda misses the mark for me. Maybe it's because I've never heard each song separately.

15.) Boston - "More Than A Feeling" / The Beatles - "Christmas Time Is Here Again" / Samples from John & Yoko's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" and one other song (help please!)

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Who knew Boston and The Beatles would have sounded so perfect together? Remarkable mash!

16.) John Lennon - "Imagine" / The Jackson 5 - "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" / The Beatles - "Fan Club Christmas message, 1963"

This one brought tears to my eyes - Lennon's "Imagine" has that effect on me. However, I was smiling throughout thanks to the pure voice of little Michael Jackson. Bravo... one of the best Christmas mashes ever.


Despite the fact that several of these mashes were already on the "Santastic II" comp, there were plenty of surprises throughout the CD!

That's the beauty of the mash-up - you'll always find something new when you listen to it!

A & D, thanks for gathering these in one setting! I sincerely hope you'll keep finding new patterns to keep mixing things up for a long time. Hope the next Christmas mash-up comp won't take five years to create!


UP NEXT: Go Home Productions Christmas EP 2006


Capt

DJ BC - Christmas Songs For Re:Composition

We continue "Mash-up Saturday" with another compilation from DJ BC.

While he was compiling his excellent Christmas comp "Santastic II", DJ BC was working on a different kind of Christmas comp. A classical radio station wanted a different sound for their Christmas and solicited DJ BC's help.

The result is a total reworking of some of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" and Bach's "Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring" which is still available to downloadat his site!

Watch that traffic rise now BC!

For more on this, here are those same questions I've been asking everyone:

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

"Re:Composition" Christmas songs were first done a few at a time, over the 2004 and 2005 pre-Christmas season, and then the big push was to complete an hour's worth of material (by Thanksgiving 2006) for WBKK as they wanted to create a show around the music.

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

They are mashups and remixes - basically, I create mixes myself and build an album gradually over time. One song at a time!

A big factor with Re:Composition was making something the radio station thought their listeners could tolerate (in terms of how aggressive, cutting-edge or different the mixes were). So I tried to make it as accessible as possible! I was also under deadline to get it on the air for Christmas.
 
3.) What is it about Christmas music that appeals to you?

Reminds me of my childhood, a time when things were clear and there was a sense of the good true and pure in the world. Amen.

4.) What kind of feedback do you get from the comps?

Lots of positive reaction, emails and so forth. I also spin them out around Xmas and get direct reactions that way.

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

http://www.djbc.net/ - my basic DJ page

www.djbc.net/mashes - My mashups page

http://www.mashave.com/ - my regular mashup night in Boston with Lenlow

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

Check out my other tunes and news at djbc.net, and come to Mash Ave when you are in Boston!

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) The Nutbreaker '06

A version of this was on "Santastic: Holiday Boots 4 Your Stocking"... is this different?

2.) Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring (Mystery Mix)

One of my favorite classical music pieces just got the 21st century treatment. I think Johann Sebastian would be pleased!

3.) The Waltz Of The Flowers (DJ BC Reflower)

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Here's a waltz the kids today will dance to! Spectacular remix!

4.) Sugar Plum Fairy Coda (DJ BC Recoda)

Confession time: I tried my hand at a mash-up with this one. I tried to fuse Sasha Baron Cohen's version of "I Like To Move It, Move It" into this one but couldn't get it to work.

5.) From The Holly To The Ivy

Talk about a song that needed a beat! Is there elements of Pete Townsend's "Let Me Love Open The Door" in this one? Sounds real close around the 1:10 mark!

What I would love to know was how was the reaction to the music from the normal listeners of the classical station? Did they embrace it or did they complain?

This is an excellent compilation - easily accessible for those classical savvy and the hip-hop generation. If educators are looking for ways to introduce classical music to kids today, look no further - this is it!

BC, this comp ranks right there next to the "Santastic II" comp - maybe a hair higher because you've carried the tradition of other classical composers who took themes and did variations. I stand in awe of your work and talents sir.

UP NEXT: A Very Bootie Christmas

Capt

DJ BC - Christmas Songs For Re:Composition

We continue "Mash-up Saturday" with another compilation from DJ BC.

While he was compiling his excellent Christmas comp "Santastic II", DJ BC was working on a different kind of Christmas comp. A classical radio station wanted a different sound for their Christmas and solicited DJ BC's help.

The result is a total reworking of some of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" and Bach's "Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring" which is still available to downloadat his site!

Watch that traffic rise now BC!

For more on this, here are those same questions I've been asking everyone:

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

"Re:Composition" Christmas songs were first done a few at a time, over the 2004 and 2005 pre-Christmas season, and then the big push was to complete an hour's worth of material (by Thanksgiving 2006) for WBKK as they wanted to create a show around the music.

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

They are mashups and remixes - basically, I create mixes myself and build an album gradually over time. One song at a time!

A big factor with Re:Composition was making something the radio station thought their listeners could tolerate (in terms of how aggressive, cutting-edge or different the mixes were). So I tried to make it as accessible as possible! I was also under deadline to get it on the air for Christmas.
 
3.) What is it about Christmas music that appeals to you?

Reminds me of my childhood, a time when things were clear and there was a sense of the good true and pure in the world. Amen.

4.) What kind of feedback do you get from the comps?

Lots of positive reaction, emails and so forth. I also spin them out around Xmas and get direct reactions that way.

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

http://www.djbc.net/ - my basic DJ page

www.djbc.net/mashes - My mashups page

http://www.mashave.com/ - my regular mashup night in Boston with Lenlow

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

Check out my other tunes and news at djbc.net, and come to Mash Ave when you are in Boston!

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) The Nutbreaker '06

A version of this was on "Santastic: Holiday Boots 4 Your Stocking"... is this different?

2.) Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring (Mystery Mix)

One of my favorite classical music pieces just got the 21st century treatment. I think Johann Sebastian would be pleased!

3.) The Waltz Of The Flowers (DJ BC Reflower)

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Here's a waltz the kids today will dance to! Spectacular remix!

4.) Sugar Plum Fairy Coda (DJ BC Recoda)

Confession time: I tried my hand at a mash-up with this one. I tried to fuse Sasha Baron Cohen's version of "I Like To Move It, Move It" into this one but couldn't get it to work.

5.) From The Holly To The Ivy

Talk about a song that needed a beat! Is there elements of Pete Townsend's "Let Me Love Open The Door" in this one? Sounds real close around the 1:10 mark!

What I would love to know was how was the reaction to the music from the normal listeners of the classical station? Did they embrace it or did they complain?

This is an excellent compilation - easily accessible for those classical savvy and the hip-hop generation. If educators are looking for ways to introduce classical music to kids today, look no further - this is it!

BC, this comp ranks right there next to the "Santastic II" comp - maybe a hair higher because you've carried the tradition of other classical composers who took themes and did variations. I stand in awe of your work and talents sir.

UP NEXT: A Very Bootie Christmas

Capt

Santastic II - Clausome!

Welcome to Mash-up Saturday!

Today we look at four different Christmas online comps that feature the handy work of DJs and mixers from around the world to create brand new takes on your favorite Christmas music.

For those not wise in the ways of the mash-up, this phenomenon may have gotten its start way back in the classical days. Composers used to rework other compositions and used the term "variations on a theme by..."

Fast forward to the 1960s. Dickie Goodman was breaking new ground with his break-in records. A gent by the name of John Oswald began experimenting with fusing two pieces of music using tape and scissors. The BBC TV show "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue" featured a segment entitled "One Song To The Tune Of Another" that featured crude forms of the mash-up.

In the 1970s, Frank Zappa began picking out basslines and other samples from music into his own. Club and disco DJs began mastering the art of the mix board. A company named Disconet began issuing remixed versions of disco songs not heard on the radio.

Throughout the 1980s, the mash-up was wholly embraced by the underground and were heard in clubs around the world. New wave artists and hip-hop artists began reinventing the mash-up. Negativland, Double Dee and Steinski, and The KLF began issuing illegal music and were all promptly crucified for their efforts.

Then in 1990 came the first breakthrough. A group named DNA reworked the Suzanne Vega song "Tom's Diner" (Doo doo doo doo, doo da-doo doo) and became a huge underground hit.

To her credit, Vega liked the reinterpretation and told her record label (A&M Records) to buy the single and issue it. A year later, "Tom's Album" was released featuring remixes and remakes of "Tom's Diner" by other artists and DJs.

Since then, many artists began to use samples from other songs and remixes of hits have become the norm. However, the fusing of two songs to create a new song was still underground out of fear of reprisal from the music industry.

Ten years later, the mash-up reemerged to stay. The legendary album "As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 2" was released in 2001 as well as the remix of Christina Aguilera's "Genie In A Bottle" with the sounds of the New York punk band The Strokes entitled "A Stroke of Genie-us".

The mash-up was fully embraced in England where it had a varied amount of names: bastard pop, bootlegs, smash-ups, blends, powermixes, boots, and cut-ups. The mash-up also found a home on the Internet where DJs could quickly issue MP3s of their latest works on their websites. Get Your Bootleg On (or GYBO) became the first community expressly for mash-ups and continues to thrive today.

One site you can visit is of a Boston DJ who has worked with mash-ups for several years. His stage name is DJ BC and he was responsible for the amazing 2005 Christmas compilation entitled "Santastic: Holiday Boots 4 Your Stockings" which I reviewed last year.

Last December, he compiled another collection and released it as "Santastic II: Clausome"! It's still available online! While you're downloading that, here are DJ BC's answers to the questions I've asked everyone whose comp has been reviewed here:

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

Started in August 06, probably.

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

With the help of the gybo community (gybo.org) and some others, I've compiled a Christmas Mashup album for the past two years - Santastic 1 and Santastic 2. I basically made some mashups myself and asked some of my favorite remixers from around the world to contribute a track or two, then I order the tracks and create a sleeve and website around the album. The result is a raucous and fun Xmash adventure!

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

Reminds me of my childhood, a time when things were clear and there was a sense of the good true and pure in the world. Amen.

4.) What kind of feedback do you get from the comps?

The "Imagine Santa" video got a particularly good response. People get a kick out of hearing the music they know so well recontextualized.

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

www.djbc.net - my basic DJ page

www.djbc.net/mashes - My mashups page

www.MashAve.com - my regular mashup night in Boston with Lenlow

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

Check out my other tunes and news at djbc.net, and come to Mash Ave when you are in Boston!


TRACK REVIEWS:

(Click on image to enlarge)

1.) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - "Jingle Bells" / The Velvet Underground - "Sweet Jane"

Great grouping of sound (with some help from The Beatles & A Charlie Brown Christmas)!

2.) The Carpenters - "Sleigh Ride" / Roots Radic - "Gambling"

Who knew The Carpenters were so shaggy when doing reggae, mon? Brilliant track!

3.) Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "Wizards in Winter" / The Beatles - "Eleanor Rigby" (DIY Acapella) / Michael Jackson - "Beat It" (Loop) / Beastie Boys - "High Plains Drifter" (Loop) / Black Eyed Peas - "Pump It" (Acapella) / Robert Shaw Chorale - "Carol of the Bells" / Boston Pops Orchestra - "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" / Gorillaz - "Feel Good" / Yello - "Oh Yeah"

OH YEAH INDEED! DJ John was the guy behind "The Christmas Massacre of Charlie Brown"!

4.) Augie Rios - "Donde Esta Santa Claus" / Jacques Your Body - "Les Rhythmes Digitales" / Public Enemy - "Give It Up"

Lenlow has done the impossible - make Augie Rios listenable! I bow to you sir!
 
5.) Darlene Love - "Winter Wonderland" / Bobby Helms - "Jingle Bell Rock" / Bob & Doug McKenzie - "12 Days of Christmas" / Bill Withers - "Use Me" / Barry White - "I'm Gonna Love You A Little Bit More Baby" / White Noise Factory - "Can You Feel The Rush" / Cal Tjader - "Samba Do Suenho" / Prodigy - "Everybody In The Place"

You have to listen carefully for Darlene and it doesn't have a Christmas feel throughout... but overall, I liked the change of pace!

6.) Offspring - "Self Esteem" / Tyskarna från Lund - "Achtung X-Mas"

This one kinda misses the mark for me. Maybe it's because I've never heard each song separately.

7.) DJ Kool - "Let Me Clear My Throat" / Hilary Duff - "Sleigh Ride"

DJ Kool totally removed Duff's vocal... EXTRA BONUS POINTS AWARDED! Excellent reworking!

8.) Outkast - "Idlewild Blues" / Bikini Machine - La fille du Pere Noel (Jacques Dutron Cover)

I don't feel the Christmas in this one at all. Pity.

9.) Elvis Presley - "Away In A Manger" / Chubby Checker - "The Twist" / Brian Setzer - "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"

That Brian Setzer sounds like the Rubber Band's version a whole lot! Crafty editing and reworking throughout - "Rockin' around ... in a manger!"

10.) Unknown steel drum band - "Jingle Bells" / The Kol Tikvah 6th Grade Choir, Woodland Hills, CA - "The Dreidl Song"

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Steel drums by themselves is pretty good, but add the kiddies singing "Dreidl Song" and it becomes mind blowing! One of the best mash-ups on the disc!

11.) Adam Sandler - "The Chanukah Song" / Van Halen - "Jump" / Samples from "Spartacus", "The Godfather", "Star Trek" and "Happy Days"

A mash-up with something for everyone! I never thought I'd hear Sonny Corleone in a Christmas song! GENIUS!

12.) Sarah Silverman - "Give The Jew Girl Toys" / Trio - "Da Da Da"

I didn't think it would work. But it does... and I strangely enjoyed this one! Love the overall sound!

13.) Dean Martin - "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" / Black Sabbath - "Paranoid" / The Crystals - "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Crystals"

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Pairing Dino with Black Sabbath? I am speechless. Amazing with a capital A!

14.) Greg Lake - "I Believe In Father Christmas" / Tipper - "On A Limb"

WOW! This pairing works well considering I never heard the Tipper and I'm not a fan of the Greg Lake song!

15.) Chuck Berry - "Run Rudolph Run" / Corinne Bailey Rae - "I'd Like To" / Todd Edwards - "My Faith" / Sr. Click - "Después de todo"

I had to listen to this three times to figure out those synthesizer fills are actually Chuck Berry. Gets a thumb down.

16.) The Temptations - "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" / Low 5 - "Sneaker Pimps"

I kinda wish this mash did more. It feels repetitive - no drive whatsoever.

17.) Paul McCartney - "Wonderful Christmastime" / Rhythm Scholar - "Beats, Scratching and Effects" / Samples from "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" (1970) and "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964)

This one almost lost me but the appearance of the Burgermeister towards the end tips the scales back! Fun!

18.) Wham - "Last Christmas" (instrumental and original) / Martha & The Vandellas - "Dancing In The Streets" (acapella) / ABBA - "The Winner Takes It All" / Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Take two of these songs together, you'd have a kick ass mash. But all FOUR? WOW!

19.) Michael Jackson - "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" / Spike Jones & His City Slickers with The Bell Sisters - "Socko The Smallest Snowball" / Lou Monte - "Dominic The Christmas Donkey"

Sweet mother of God! Whoever thunk this one up should be congratulated then committed! Intense!

20.) Rockapella - "White Christmas" (acapella) / Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" as read by Patrick Stewart

Great pairing of tunes but the beats and mixes in the background make it for me!

21.) John Lennon - "Imagine" / The Jackson 5 - "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" / The Beatles - "Fan Club Christmas message, 1963"

This one brought tears to my eyes - Lennon's "Imagine" has that effect on me. However, I was smiling throughout thanks to the pure voice of little Michael Jackson. Bravo... one of the best Christmas mashes ever.

22.) The Beach Boys - "Sloop John B" (acapella) / The Ronnettes - "Frosty The Snowman" / Drums by Peshay, Dillinja, Adam F and others

Despite the backing of The Ronnettes, too much of "Sloop John B" comes through to rob the Christmas spirit from this one.


This is yet another remarkable comp. I would love to be able to do what these people do with remixing and blending songs together. However, I still have problems figuring out how to plug in a USB port so they are all light years ahead of me.

To all of the DJs - thanks for using your talents to create some extraordinary Christmas music. Many of these will find homes on countless Christmas comps at the end of the year.

DJ BC, thanks for gathering all these awe inspiring mashes and putting them on one CD! Stay tuned folks... we'll be looking at yet ANOTHER DJ BC comp!


UP NEXT: DJ BC - Christmas Songs For Re:Composition


Capt

Santastic II - Clausome!

Welcome to Mash-up Saturday!

Today we look at four different Christmas online comps that feature the handy work of DJs and mixers from around the world to create brand new takes on your favorite Christmas music.

For those not wise in the ways of the mash-up, this phenomenon may have gotten its start way back in the classical days. Composers used to rework other compositions and used the term "variations on a theme by..."

Fast forward to the 1960s. Dickie Goodman was breaking new ground with his break-in records. A gent by the name of John Oswald began experimenting with fusing two pieces of music using tape and scissors. The BBC TV show "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue" featured a segment entitled "One Song To The Tune Of Another" that featured crude forms of the mash-up.

In the 1970s, Frank Zappa began picking out basslines and other samples from music into his own. Club and disco DJs began mastering the art of the mix board. A company named Disconet began issuing remixed versions of disco songs not heard on the radio.

Throughout the 1980s, the mash-up was wholly embraced by the underground and were heard in clubs around the world. New wave artists and hip-hop artists began reinventing the mash-up. Negativland, Double Dee and Steinski, and The KLF began issuing illegal music and were all promptly crucified for their efforts.

Then in 1990 came the first breakthrough. A group named DNA reworked the Suzanne Vega song "Tom's Diner" (Doo doo doo doo, doo da-doo doo) and became a huge underground hit.

To her credit, Vega liked the reinterpretation and told her record label (A&M Records) to buy the single and issue it. A year later, "Tom's Album" was released featuring remixes and remakes of "Tom's Diner" by other artists and DJs.

Since then, many artists began to use samples from other songs and remixes of hits have become the norm. However, the fusing of two songs to create a new song was still underground out of fear of reprisal from the music industry.

Ten years later, the mash-up reemerged to stay. The legendary album "As Heard On Radio Soulwax Pt. 2" was released in 2001 as well as the remix of Christina Aguilera's "Genie In A Bottle" with the sounds of the New York punk band The Strokes entitled "A Stroke of Genie-us".

The mash-up was fully embraced in England where it had a varied amount of names: bastard pop, bootlegs, smash-ups, blends, powermixes, boots, and cut-ups. The mash-up also found a home on the Internet where DJs could quickly issue MP3s of their latest works on their websites. Get Your Bootleg On (or GYBO) became the first community expressly for mash-ups and continues to thrive today.

One site you can visit is of a Boston DJ who has worked with mash-ups for several years. His stage name is DJ BC and he was responsible for the amazing 2005 Christmas compilation entitled "Santastic: Holiday Boots 4 Your Stockings" which I reviewed last year.

Last December, he compiled another collection and released it as "Santastic II: Clausome"! It's still available online! While you're downloading that, here are DJ BC's answers to the questions I've asked everyone whose comp has been reviewed here:

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

Started in August 06, probably.

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

With the help of the gybo community (gybo.org) and some others, I've compiled a Christmas Mashup album for the past two years - Santastic 1 and Santastic 2. I basically made some mashups myself and asked some of my favorite remixers from around the world to contribute a track or two, then I order the tracks and create a sleeve and website around the album. The result is a raucous and fun Xmash adventure!

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

Reminds me of my childhood, a time when things were clear and there was a sense of the good true and pure in the world. Amen.

4.) What kind of feedback do you get from the comps?

The "Imagine Santa" video got a particularly good response. People get a kick out of hearing the music they know so well recontextualized.

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

www.djbc.net - my basic DJ page

www.djbc.net/mashes - My mashups page

www.MashAve.com - my regular mashup night in Boston with Lenlow

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

Check out my other tunes and news at djbc.net, and come to Mash Ave when you are in Boston!


TRACK REVIEWS:

(Click on image to enlarge)

1.) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - "Jingle Bells" / The Velvet Underground - "Sweet Jane"

Great grouping of sound (with some help from The Beatles & A Charlie Brown Christmas)!

2.) The Carpenters - "Sleigh Ride" / Roots Radic - "Gambling"

Who knew The Carpenters were so shaggy when doing reggae, mon? Brilliant track!

3.) Trans-Siberian Orchestra - "Wizards in Winter" / The Beatles - "Eleanor Rigby" (DIY Acapella) / Michael Jackson - "Beat It" (Loop) / Beastie Boys - "High Plains Drifter" (Loop) / Black Eyed Peas - "Pump It" (Acapella) / Robert Shaw Chorale - "Carol of the Bells" / Boston Pops Orchestra - "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" / Gorillaz - "Feel Good" / Yello - "Oh Yeah"

OH YEAH INDEED! DJ John was the guy behind "The Christmas Massacre of Charlie Brown"!

4.) Augie Rios - "Donde Esta Santa Claus" / Jacques Your Body - "Les Rhythmes Digitales" / Public Enemy - "Give It Up"

Lenlow has done the impossible - make Augie Rios listenable! I bow to you sir!
 
5.) Darlene Love - "Winter Wonderland" / Bobby Helms - "Jingle Bell Rock" / Bob & Doug McKenzie - "12 Days of Christmas" / Bill Withers - "Use Me" / Barry White - "I'm Gonna Love You A Little Bit More Baby" / White Noise Factory - "Can You Feel The Rush" / Cal Tjader - "Samba Do Suenho" / Prodigy - "Everybody In The Place"

You have to listen carefully for Darlene and it doesn't have a Christmas feel throughout... but overall, I liked the change of pace!

6.) Offspring - "Self Esteem" / Tyskarna från Lund - "Achtung X-Mas"

This one kinda misses the mark for me. Maybe it's because I've never heard each song separately.

7.) DJ Kool - "Let Me Clear My Throat" / Hilary Duff - "Sleigh Ride"

DJ Kool totally removed Duff's vocal... EXTRA BONUS POINTS AWARDED! Excellent reworking!

8.) Outkast - "Idlewild Blues" / Bikini Machine - La fille du Pere Noel (Jacques Dutron Cover)

I don't feel the Christmas in this one at all. Pity.

9.) Elvis Presley - "Away In A Manger" / Chubby Checker - "The Twist" / Brian Setzer - "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree"

That Brian Setzer sounds like the Rubber Band's version a whole lot! Crafty editing and reworking throughout - "Rockin' around ... in a manger!"

10.) Unknown steel drum band - "Jingle Bells" / The Kol Tikvah 6th Grade Choir, Woodland Hills, CA - "The Dreidl Song"

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Steel drums by themselves is pretty good, but add the kiddies singing "Dreidl Song" and it becomes mind blowing! One of the best mash-ups on the disc!

11.) Adam Sandler - "The Chanukah Song" / Van Halen - "Jump" / Samples from "Spartacus", "The Godfather", "Star Trek" and "Happy Days"

A mash-up with something for everyone! I never thought I'd hear Sonny Corleone in a Christmas song! GENIUS!

12.) Sarah Silverman - "Give The Jew Girl Toys" / Trio - "Da Da Da"

I didn't think it would work. But it does... and I strangely enjoyed this one! Love the overall sound!

13.) Dean Martin - "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" / Black Sabbath - "Paranoid" / The Crystals - "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Crystals"

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Pairing Dino with Black Sabbath? I am speechless. Amazing with a capital A!

14.) Greg Lake - "I Believe In Father Christmas" / Tipper - "On A Limb"

WOW! This pairing works well considering I never heard the Tipper and I'm not a fan of the Greg Lake song!

15.) Chuck Berry - "Run Rudolph Run" / Corinne Bailey Rae - "I'd Like To" / Todd Edwards - "My Faith" / Sr. Click - "Después de todo"

I had to listen to this three times to figure out those synthesizer fills are actually Chuck Berry. Gets a thumb down.

16.) The Temptations - "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" / Low 5 - "Sneaker Pimps"

I kinda wish this mash did more. It feels repetitive - no drive whatsoever.

17.) Paul McCartney - "Wonderful Christmastime" / Rhythm Scholar - "Beats, Scratching and Effects" / Samples from "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" (1970) and "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1964)

This one almost lost me but the appearance of the Burgermeister towards the end tips the scales back! Fun!

18.) Wham - "Last Christmas" (instrumental and original) / Martha & The Vandellas - "Dancing In The Streets" (acapella) / ABBA - "The Winner Takes It All" / Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Take two of these songs together, you'd have a kick ass mash. But all FOUR? WOW!

19.) Michael Jackson - "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" / Spike Jones & His City Slickers with The Bell Sisters - "Socko The Smallest Snowball" / Lou Monte - "Dominic The Christmas Donkey"

Sweet mother of God! Whoever thunk this one up should be congratulated then committed! Intense!

20.) Rockapella - "White Christmas" (acapella) / Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" as read by Patrick Stewart

Great pairing of tunes but the beats and mixes in the background make it for me!

21.) John Lennon - "Imagine" / The Jackson 5 - "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" / The Beatles - "Fan Club Christmas message, 1963"

This one brought tears to my eyes - Lennon's "Imagine" has that effect on me. However, I was smiling throughout thanks to the pure voice of little Michael Jackson. Bravo... one of the best Christmas mashes ever.

22.) The Beach Boys - "Sloop John B" (acapella) / The Ronnettes - "Frosty The Snowman" / Drums by Peshay, Dillinja, Adam F and others

Despite the backing of The Ronnettes, too much of "Sloop John B" comes through to rob the Christmas spirit from this one.


This is yet another remarkable comp. I would love to be able to do what these people do with remixing and blending songs together. However, I still have problems figuring out how to plug in a USB port so they are all light years ahead of me.

To all of the DJs - thanks for using your talents to create some extraordinary Christmas music. Many of these will find homes on countless Christmas comps at the end of the year.

DJ BC, thanks for gathering all these awe inspiring mashes and putting them on one CD! Stay tuned folks... we'll be looking at yet ANOTHER DJ BC comp!


UP NEXT: DJ BC - Christmas Songs For Re:Composition


Capt