Thursday, 9 November 2006
Welcome!
You won't see any Wham, Band Aid, or Christmas Smashhits vol. 29 here. Think Christmas when the candy tasted a little sweeter, the Christmas tree was a bit greener, and the snow whiter. This is our collection of the funniest, sweetest, and best of the classic Christmas songs ever, that will get you in the right spirit and get you the best compilation ever!
Sunday, 5 November 2006
The Lost Yuleblog Entries
Back in September, I took the month off while compiling my annual Christmas CD for family & friends. In previous years, I would have to listen to every CD because I didn't keep track of the new additions into my collection. That's one of the main reasons why I began this yuleblog.
While I was working in my basement / dungeon / bachelor pad (I can dream) one September day, I came across a stack of Christmas CDs. Four releases of the 2005 holiday season, two new Christmas CDs I purchased, and one used Christmas CD that were never logged into my spreadsheet or never logged into the yuleblog!
Today, I will right this wrong and review these albums that should have been reviewed back in January of this year. To keep my feeble mind in order, I will actually use empty days in January to place these yuleblog entries in. If this stack of CDs wasn't moved to the basement, it's likely this is when I would have written them.
Between now and Wednesday, November 8th, a new link will be placed here for a lost yuleblog entry:
Special thanks go to the person or persons who inadvertently moved this stack to the basement many months ago! It was fun revisiting these Christmas CDs one more time!
On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...
Capt
While I was working in my basement / dungeon / bachelor pad (I can dream) one September day, I came across a stack of Christmas CDs. Four releases of the 2005 holiday season, two new Christmas CDs I purchased, and one used Christmas CD that were never logged into my spreadsheet or never logged into the yuleblog!
Today, I will right this wrong and review these albums that should have been reviewed back in January of this year. To keep my feeble mind in order, I will actually use empty days in January to place these yuleblog entries in. If this stack of CDs wasn't moved to the basement, it's likely this is when I would have written them.
Between now and Wednesday, November 8th, a new link will be placed here for a lost yuleblog entry:
- January 3rd - Regis Philbin - Christmas Album
- January 5th - Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme - That Holiday Feeling
- January 5th - Jimmy McGriff - Christmas With
- January 15th - Mighty Blue Kings - Christmas Album
- January 15th - Kooky Christmas
- January 16th - Brian Setzer Orchestra - Dig That Crazy Christmas
- January 21st - Rev. Horton Heat - We Three Kings: Christmas Favorites
Special thanks go to the person or persons who inadvertently moved this stack to the basement many months ago! It was fun revisiting these Christmas CDs one more time!
On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...
Capt
The Lost Yuleblog Entries
Back in September, I took the month off while compiling my annual Christmas CD for family & friends. In previous years, I would have to listen to every CD because I didn't keep track of the new additions into my collection. That's one of the main reasons why I began this yuleblog.
While I was working in my basement / dungeon / bachelor pad (I can dream) one September day, I came across a stack of Christmas CDs. Four releases of the 2005 holiday season, two new Christmas CDs I purchased, and one used Christmas CD that were never logged into my spreadsheet or never logged into the yuleblog!
Today, I will right this wrong and review these albums that should have been reviewed back in January of this year. To keep my feeble mind in order, I will actually use empty days in January to place these yuleblog entries in. If this stack of CDs wasn't moved to the basement, it's likely this is when I would have written them.
Between now and Wednesday, November 8th, a new link will be placed here for a lost yuleblog entry:
Special thanks go to the person or persons who inadvertently moved this stack to the basement many months ago! It was fun revisiting these Christmas CDs one more time!
On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...
Capt
While I was working in my basement / dungeon / bachelor pad (I can dream) one September day, I came across a stack of Christmas CDs. Four releases of the 2005 holiday season, two new Christmas CDs I purchased, and one used Christmas CD that were never logged into my spreadsheet or never logged into the yuleblog!
Today, I will right this wrong and review these albums that should have been reviewed back in January of this year. To keep my feeble mind in order, I will actually use empty days in January to place these yuleblog entries in. If this stack of CDs wasn't moved to the basement, it's likely this is when I would have written them.
Between now and Wednesday, November 8th, a new link will be placed here for a lost yuleblog entry:
- January 3rd - Regis Philbin - Christmas Album
- January 5th - Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme - That Holiday Feeling
- January 5th - Jimmy McGriff - Christmas With
- January 15th - Mighty Blue Kings - Christmas Album
- January 15th - Kooky Christmas
- January 16th - Brian Setzer Orchestra - Dig That Crazy Christmas
- January 21st - Rev. Horton Heat - We Three Kings: Christmas Favorites
Special thanks go to the person or persons who inadvertently moved this stack to the basement many months ago! It was fun revisiting these Christmas CDs one more time!
On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...
Capt
Friday, 3 November 2006
A Bongo Trio - Three Reviews in One
Why didn't someone think of this before?
One song, one CD, many different versions?
And with Christmas songs? BONUS!
Someone did it, though. Not once, not twice, but THREE times!
This is the second of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
God Rest Ye Merry 22 Gentlemen - TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Chick Corea
If you're a jazz fan, than look no further than this! If not, you're probably going to be confused.
2.) The Gypsy Hombres
Think of gypsy music by way of Django Reinhart. Their whole Christmas CD is like this... Great stuff!
3.) Take 6
Hmm... I don't remember this one from their album. Not bad!
4.) Viva Voce
A metal version taken from "Happy Christmas V2". Play this one at your next Christmas Headbanger's Ball!
5.) Jimmy Smith
SWEEEEETTT! One of the better versions of this song out there! I reviewed Smith's Christmas album back in January...
6.) Kenny Burrell
They finally released his Christmas album on CD? How did I miss that one? Adding this to my list...
7.) Eric Darken
WOW! This one's better than his version of "Drummer Boy". Very nice tune!
8.) The London Philharmonic Orchestra
This is definitely orchestral! And then some! Wow... Even sounds a little like an opera!
9.) The Fab Four
Mix "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with the Beatles' "Within You, Without You"... not of one their better ones.
10.) Mannheim Steamroller
TWO SONGS IN ONE DAY??? Two more than prescribed by law! God, this is awful...
11.) Dixieland Christmas
Need I say more? This one swings!
12.) Christmas On The Border
A Santana soundalike group doing their version... Interesting, yes.
13.) Armenia
Sounds Armenian... great tango beat... I like this!
14.) The Swingle Singers
Long before Rockapella were the Swingles... The only bad thing about this song that it's 1:05! Fantastic, as always!
15.) Ramsey Lewis Trio
I never knew Ramsey recorded this one! Excellent, excellent! How many Christmas jazz albums do you own Bongo?
16.) Cuba L.A.
Another great tune from these guys... Taken from this Christmas CD I must add to my list...
17.) The Yuletide Lounge Band
This is very, VERY good. Nice vocal quality too! From a inexpensive, very underrated Christmas CD!
18.) Tairona
Crickets to begin with... then add panflute and a third world music band. Not a strong one.
19.) The Border Patrol
A Mexican flavored version. Sounds good the first time around, gets old upon repeat hearings.
20.) Stan Kenton
Not as jazzy as Stan could have gone but it's better than most of the jazz versions out there.
21.) Jethro Tull
Given the FULL Jethro Tull treatment complete with trilling flute. Around the 2 minute mark I zoned out...
22.) Bongolong
Bongo rocks the house with this classic rock version! There is no end to your talent my friend!
This is the third of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
We Three Kings of Orient Are - TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Ten Point Ten
This 6:40 version is about 5 minutes too long... Bonus points if you can sit through the whole thing!
2.) Hadley J. Castillo
Very nicely done on the violin (backed by piano, guitar, and accordian - a Mexican combo maybe?).
3.) London Symphony Brass Ensemble
Very brassy and not dull to listen to. A good version of this song!
4.) Keith Emerson
A synthesizer virtuoso performance. Too close for Mannheim Steamroller for me...
5.) The Three Bings
What if the Doors backed Bing Crosby? Cleverly mixes "Three Kings" and "People Are Strange".
6.) Tairona
The panflute is back... Thanks to the strong drumming, I'd take this one over the last.
7.) Following Yonder Star
Strange one, this is. Not sure if its jazz, soul, or a fusion of both. Very different.
8.) Mannheim Steamroller
This one at times reminds me of "Switched On Santa". The typical Steamroller elements take over and sink the ship.
9.) Rhythms Of The World
This one sounds colonial... It goes nowhere pretty quick.
10.) Dingers
Reggae influenced alternative rock? Wow! What a change of pace! My favorite of the THREE discs so far!
11.) Cuba L.A.
Very nice slower tempo song from these guys... Hope they put out a full Christmas album at some point!
12.) The Swingle Singers
Just as its getting good, it ends (1:14)! C'mon Swingles! Stretch it out a bit...
13.) Eric Darken
Jethro Tull should take some notes from this guy on the flute. Not a bad jazz version at all.
14.) RiverTribe
This electronica version has digeridoo and sitar elements intergrated into it... Refreshing!
15.) Turning Point
A jazz version with no life that rambles on and on just like this sentence.... zzzzz.
16.) Stan Kenton
Starts off small and soft, builds to a big, bold, jazzy climax, and goes down smooth. Bravo!
17.) Richard Sussman
This guy's having too much fun playing the acoustic guitar... Wish I could say the same about listening to it.
18.) Jethro Tull
Why don't they sing anymore? It might have helped... More cowbell would have been good.
19.) Bongolong
A Chinese influenced version of this song? Bongo, this is fantastic stuff! Nicely done!
Bongo, thanks for compiling all of these. I hope you'll continue to gather different versions of songs and issue them onto CD.
Capt
One song, one CD, many different versions?
And with Christmas songs? BONUS!
Someone did it, though. Not once, not twice, but THREE times!
This is the first of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
Twenty Little Drummer Boys - TRACK REVIEW:
1.) The Harry Simone Chorale
I use to detest this song when I was a child because I thought it was repetitive and the Rankin-Bass Christmas special sucked. I have since wised up.
2.) Cuba L.A.
Imagine sitting in a Cuban jazz bar in L.A. around Christmas. This is smooooth!
3.) Peter Wood Singers
Bongo snagged this from FaLaLaLaLa.com and you can read my yuleblog review here.
4.) RiverTribe
An electronica version? Somehow, it fits with this song nicely!
5.) Ten Point Ten
An interesting version... a Michael Bolton sound alike? And this lasts 6:46? Check please!
6.) Eric Darken
Very nice voice although the song rambles here and there. Very 1980s feel to this one!
7.) Sy Mann (from "Switched On Santa")
Four out of five physicians recommend a daily dose of MOOG. You can download this album at my buddy Jeff's website!
8.) Smokey Mountain
Played on authentic 19th century instruments, this one lasts only 1:37. A nice version all around.
9.) Arthur Lyman
A great version from the Hawaiian Island king of vibes!
10.) Take 6
Whatever happened to these guys? One of the highlights off their 1991 Christmas CD.
11.) Terry Beaumont
Xylophone? Vibes? A bouncy island beat you can dance to? Sweet!
12.) Mannheim Steamroller
Must .... reach .... the .... skip .... button .... before .... passing ....... zzzzz
13.) Jingle Cats
Cleverly uses a cat's purr to catch the feel of the "rum-pa-pum-pumms". Not as annoying as you would think!
14.) Daryl Stuermer
A soft jazz version for the first 2 minutes, then a screechy electric guitar for the next two. Whoa.
15.) The Fab Four
This Beatle soundalike group blends "Little Drummer Boy" around "Sun King" - it works fantastically!
16.) Yellowjackets
A pure jazz version of this song by a group who knows its business!
17.) Kofi
A hip-hop / reggae version of this song by a poor man's Shaggy. I can't stop laughing!
18.) White Heart
METAL! Banging my head while holding the lighter (not cell phone) over my head!
19.) Ray Stevens
Don't look Ethel... but Ray's done a pretty funny parody called "The Little Drummer Boy-Next Door"
20.) Bongolong
Our friend Bongo plays the final version a la surf guitar style! Dude! A narly way to end the CD!
This is the second of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
God Rest Ye Merry 22 Gentlemen - TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Chick Corea
If you're a jazz fan, than look no further than this! If not, you're probably going to be confused.
2.) The Gypsy Hombres
Think of gypsy music by way of Django Reinhart. Their whole Christmas CD is like this... Great stuff!
3.) Take 6
Hmm... I don't remember this one from their album. Not bad!
4.) Viva Voce
A metal version taken from "Happy Christmas V2". Play this one at your next Christmas Headbanger's Ball!
5.) Jimmy Smith
SWEEEEETTT! One of the better versions of this song out there! I reviewed Smith's Christmas album back in January...
6.) Kenny Burrell
They finally released his Christmas album on CD? How did I miss that one? Adding this to my list...
7.) Eric Darken
WOW! This one's better than his version of "Drummer Boy". Very nice tune!
8.) The London Philharmonic Orchestra
This is definitely orchestral! And then some! Wow... Even sounds a little like an opera!
9.) The Fab Four
Mix "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with the Beatles' "Within You, Without You"... not of one their better ones.
10.) Mannheim Steamroller
TWO SONGS IN ONE DAY??? Two more than prescribed by law! God, this is awful...
11.) Dixieland Christmas
Need I say more? This one swings!
12.) Christmas On The Border
A Santana soundalike group doing their version... Interesting, yes.
13.) Armenia
Sounds Armenian... great tango beat... I like this!
14.) The Swingle Singers
Long before Rockapella were the Swingles... The only bad thing about this song that it's 1:05! Fantastic, as always!
15.) Ramsey Lewis Trio
I never knew Ramsey recorded this one! Excellent, excellent! How many Christmas jazz albums do you own Bongo?
16.) Cuba L.A.
Another great tune from these guys... Taken from this Christmas CD I must add to my list...
17.) The Yuletide Lounge Band
This is very, VERY good. Nice vocal quality too! From a inexpensive, very underrated Christmas CD!
18.) Tairona
Crickets to begin with... then add panflute and a third world music band. Not a strong one.
19.) The Border Patrol
A Mexican flavored version. Sounds good the first time around, gets old upon repeat hearings.
20.) Stan Kenton
Not as jazzy as Stan could have gone but it's better than most of the jazz versions out there.
21.) Jethro Tull
Given the FULL Jethro Tull treatment complete with trilling flute. Around the 2 minute mark I zoned out...
22.) Bongolong
Bongo rocks the house with this classic rock version! There is no end to your talent my friend!
This is the third of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
We Three Kings of Orient Are - TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Ten Point Ten
This 6:40 version is about 5 minutes too long... Bonus points if you can sit through the whole thing!
2.) Hadley J. Castillo
Very nicely done on the violin (backed by piano, guitar, and accordian - a Mexican combo maybe?).
3.) London Symphony Brass Ensemble
Very brassy and not dull to listen to. A good version of this song!
4.) Keith Emerson
A synthesizer virtuoso performance. Too close for Mannheim Steamroller for me...
5.) The Three Bings
What if the Doors backed Bing Crosby? Cleverly mixes "Three Kings" and "People Are Strange".
6.) Tairona
The panflute is back... Thanks to the strong drumming, I'd take this one over the last.
7.) Following Yonder Star
Strange one, this is. Not sure if its jazz, soul, or a fusion of both. Very different.
8.) Mannheim Steamroller
This one at times reminds me of "Switched On Santa". The typical Steamroller elements take over and sink the ship.
9.) Rhythms Of The World
This one sounds colonial... It goes nowhere pretty quick.
10.) Dingers
Reggae influenced alternative rock? Wow! What a change of pace! My favorite of the THREE discs so far!
11.) Cuba L.A.
Very nice slower tempo song from these guys... Hope they put out a full Christmas album at some point!
12.) The Swingle Singers
Just as its getting good, it ends (1:14)! C'mon Swingles! Stretch it out a bit...
13.) Eric Darken
Jethro Tull should take some notes from this guy on the flute. Not a bad jazz version at all.
14.) RiverTribe
This electronica version has digeridoo and sitar elements intergrated into it... Refreshing!
15.) Turning Point
A jazz version with no life that rambles on and on just like this sentence.... zzzzz.
16.) Stan Kenton
Starts off small and soft, builds to a big, bold, jazzy climax, and goes down smooth. Bravo!
17.) Richard Sussman
This guy's having too much fun playing the acoustic guitar... Wish I could say the same about listening to it.
18.) Jethro Tull
Why don't they sing anymore? It might have helped... More cowbell would have been good.
19.) Bongolong
A Chinese influenced version of this song? Bongo, this is fantastic stuff! Nicely done!
Bongo, thanks for compiling all of these. I hope you'll continue to gather different versions of songs and issue them onto CD.
Capt
A Bongo Trio - Three Reviews in One
Why didn't someone think of this before?
One song, one CD, many different versions?
And with Christmas songs? BONUS!
Someone did it, though. Not once, not twice, but THREE times!
This is the second of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
God Rest Ye Merry 22 Gentlemen - TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Chick Corea
If you're a jazz fan, than look no further than this! If not, you're probably going to be confused.
2.) The Gypsy Hombres
Think of gypsy music by way of Django Reinhart. Their whole Christmas CD is like this... Great stuff!
3.) Take 6
Hmm... I don't remember this one from their album. Not bad!
4.) Viva Voce
A metal version taken from "Happy Christmas V2". Play this one at your next Christmas Headbanger's Ball!
5.) Jimmy Smith
SWEEEEETTT! One of the better versions of this song out there! I reviewed Smith's Christmas album back in January...
6.) Kenny Burrell
They finally released his Christmas album on CD? How did I miss that one? Adding this to my list...
7.) Eric Darken
WOW! This one's better than his version of "Drummer Boy". Very nice tune!
8.) The London Philharmonic Orchestra
This is definitely orchestral! And then some! Wow... Even sounds a little like an opera!
9.) The Fab Four
Mix "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with the Beatles' "Within You, Without You"... not of one their better ones.
10.) Mannheim Steamroller
TWO SONGS IN ONE DAY??? Two more than prescribed by law! God, this is awful...
11.) Dixieland Christmas
Need I say more? This one swings!
12.) Christmas On The Border
A Santana soundalike group doing their version... Interesting, yes.
13.) Armenia
Sounds Armenian... great tango beat... I like this!
14.) The Swingle Singers
Long before Rockapella were the Swingles... The only bad thing about this song that it's 1:05! Fantastic, as always!
15.) Ramsey Lewis Trio
I never knew Ramsey recorded this one! Excellent, excellent! How many Christmas jazz albums do you own Bongo?
16.) Cuba L.A.
Another great tune from these guys... Taken from this Christmas CD I must add to my list...
17.) The Yuletide Lounge Band
This is very, VERY good. Nice vocal quality too! From a inexpensive, very underrated Christmas CD!
18.) Tairona
Crickets to begin with... then add panflute and a third world music band. Not a strong one.
19.) The Border Patrol
A Mexican flavored version. Sounds good the first time around, gets old upon repeat hearings.
20.) Stan Kenton
Not as jazzy as Stan could have gone but it's better than most of the jazz versions out there.
21.) Jethro Tull
Given the FULL Jethro Tull treatment complete with trilling flute. Around the 2 minute mark I zoned out...
22.) Bongolong
Bongo rocks the house with this classic rock version! There is no end to your talent my friend!
This is the third of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
We Three Kings of Orient Are - TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Ten Point Ten
This 6:40 version is about 5 minutes too long... Bonus points if you can sit through the whole thing!
2.) Hadley J. Castillo
Very nicely done on the violin (backed by piano, guitar, and accordian - a Mexican combo maybe?).
3.) London Symphony Brass Ensemble
Very brassy and not dull to listen to. A good version of this song!
4.) Keith Emerson
A synthesizer virtuoso performance. Too close for Mannheim Steamroller for me...
5.) The Three Bings
What if the Doors backed Bing Crosby? Cleverly mixes "Three Kings" and "People Are Strange".
6.) Tairona
The panflute is back... Thanks to the strong drumming, I'd take this one over the last.
7.) Following Yonder Star
Strange one, this is. Not sure if its jazz, soul, or a fusion of both. Very different.
8.) Mannheim Steamroller
This one at times reminds me of "Switched On Santa". The typical Steamroller elements take over and sink the ship.
9.) Rhythms Of The World
This one sounds colonial... It goes nowhere pretty quick.
10.) Dingers
Reggae influenced alternative rock? Wow! What a change of pace! My favorite of the THREE discs so far!
11.) Cuba L.A.
Very nice slower tempo song from these guys... Hope they put out a full Christmas album at some point!
12.) The Swingle Singers
Just as its getting good, it ends (1:14)! C'mon Swingles! Stretch it out a bit...
13.) Eric Darken
Jethro Tull should take some notes from this guy on the flute. Not a bad jazz version at all.
14.) RiverTribe
This electronica version has digeridoo and sitar elements intergrated into it... Refreshing!
15.) Turning Point
A jazz version with no life that rambles on and on just like this sentence.... zzzzz.
16.) Stan Kenton
Starts off small and soft, builds to a big, bold, jazzy climax, and goes down smooth. Bravo!
17.) Richard Sussman
This guy's having too much fun playing the acoustic guitar... Wish I could say the same about listening to it.
18.) Jethro Tull
Why don't they sing anymore? It might have helped... More cowbell would have been good.
19.) Bongolong
A Chinese influenced version of this song? Bongo, this is fantastic stuff! Nicely done!
Bongo, thanks for compiling all of these. I hope you'll continue to gather different versions of songs and issue them onto CD.
Capt
One song, one CD, many different versions?
And with Christmas songs? BONUS!
Someone did it, though. Not once, not twice, but THREE times!
This is the first of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
Twenty Little Drummer Boys - TRACK REVIEW:
1.) The Harry Simone Chorale
I use to detest this song when I was a child because I thought it was repetitive and the Rankin-Bass Christmas special sucked. I have since wised up.
2.) Cuba L.A.
Imagine sitting in a Cuban jazz bar in L.A. around Christmas. This is smooooth!
3.) Peter Wood Singers
Bongo snagged this from FaLaLaLaLa.com and you can read my yuleblog review here.
4.) RiverTribe
An electronica version? Somehow, it fits with this song nicely!
5.) Ten Point Ten
An interesting version... a Michael Bolton sound alike? And this lasts 6:46? Check please!
6.) Eric Darken
Very nice voice although the song rambles here and there. Very 1980s feel to this one!
7.) Sy Mann (from "Switched On Santa")
Four out of five physicians recommend a daily dose of MOOG. You can download this album at my buddy Jeff's website!
8.) Smokey Mountain
Played on authentic 19th century instruments, this one lasts only 1:37. A nice version all around.
9.) Arthur Lyman
A great version from the Hawaiian Island king of vibes!
10.) Take 6
Whatever happened to these guys? One of the highlights off their 1991 Christmas CD.
11.) Terry Beaumont
Xylophone? Vibes? A bouncy island beat you can dance to? Sweet!
12.) Mannheim Steamroller
Must .... reach .... the .... skip .... button .... before .... passing ....... zzzzz
13.) Jingle Cats
Cleverly uses a cat's purr to catch the feel of the "rum-pa-pum-pumms". Not as annoying as you would think!
14.) Daryl Stuermer
A soft jazz version for the first 2 minutes, then a screechy electric guitar for the next two. Whoa.
15.) The Fab Four
This Beatle soundalike group blends "Little Drummer Boy" around "Sun King" - it works fantastically!
16.) Yellowjackets
A pure jazz version of this song by a group who knows its business!
17.) Kofi
A hip-hop / reggae version of this song by a poor man's Shaggy. I can't stop laughing!
18.) White Heart
METAL! Banging my head while holding the lighter (not cell phone) over my head!
19.) Ray Stevens
Don't look Ethel... but Ray's done a pretty funny parody called "The Little Drummer Boy-Next Door"
20.) Bongolong
Our friend Bongo plays the final version a la surf guitar style! Dude! A narly way to end the CD!
This is the second of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
God Rest Ye Merry 22 Gentlemen - TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Chick Corea
If you're a jazz fan, than look no further than this! If not, you're probably going to be confused.
2.) The Gypsy Hombres
Think of gypsy music by way of Django Reinhart. Their whole Christmas CD is like this... Great stuff!
3.) Take 6
Hmm... I don't remember this one from their album. Not bad!
4.) Viva Voce
A metal version taken from "Happy Christmas V2". Play this one at your next Christmas Headbanger's Ball!
5.) Jimmy Smith
SWEEEEETTT! One of the better versions of this song out there! I reviewed Smith's Christmas album back in January...
6.) Kenny Burrell
They finally released his Christmas album on CD? How did I miss that one? Adding this to my list...
7.) Eric Darken
WOW! This one's better than his version of "Drummer Boy". Very nice tune!
8.) The London Philharmonic Orchestra
This is definitely orchestral! And then some! Wow... Even sounds a little like an opera!
9.) The Fab Four
Mix "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with the Beatles' "Within You, Without You"... not of one their better ones.
10.) Mannheim Steamroller
TWO SONGS IN ONE DAY??? Two more than prescribed by law! God, this is awful...
11.) Dixieland Christmas
Need I say more? This one swings!
12.) Christmas On The Border
A Santana soundalike group doing their version... Interesting, yes.
13.) Armenia
Sounds Armenian... great tango beat... I like this!
14.) The Swingle Singers
Long before Rockapella were the Swingles... The only bad thing about this song that it's 1:05! Fantastic, as always!
15.) Ramsey Lewis Trio
I never knew Ramsey recorded this one! Excellent, excellent! How many Christmas jazz albums do you own Bongo?
16.) Cuba L.A.
Another great tune from these guys... Taken from this Christmas CD I must add to my list...
17.) The Yuletide Lounge Band
This is very, VERY good. Nice vocal quality too! From a inexpensive, very underrated Christmas CD!
18.) Tairona
Crickets to begin with... then add panflute and a third world music band. Not a strong one.
19.) The Border Patrol
A Mexican flavored version. Sounds good the first time around, gets old upon repeat hearings.
20.) Stan Kenton
Not as jazzy as Stan could have gone but it's better than most of the jazz versions out there.
21.) Jethro Tull
Given the FULL Jethro Tull treatment complete with trilling flute. Around the 2 minute mark I zoned out...
22.) Bongolong
Bongo rocks the house with this classic rock version! There is no end to your talent my friend!
This is the third of THREE CDs compiled by our friend Bongo over at his BongoBells blog. These three CDs were the very first albums I downloaded from his site and you probably can STILL download these albums if you hurry!
We Three Kings of Orient Are - TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) Ten Point Ten
This 6:40 version is about 5 minutes too long... Bonus points if you can sit through the whole thing!
2.) Hadley J. Castillo
Very nicely done on the violin (backed by piano, guitar, and accordian - a Mexican combo maybe?).
3.) London Symphony Brass Ensemble
Very brassy and not dull to listen to. A good version of this song!
4.) Keith Emerson
A synthesizer virtuoso performance. Too close for Mannheim Steamroller for me...
5.) The Three Bings
What if the Doors backed Bing Crosby? Cleverly mixes "Three Kings" and "People Are Strange".
6.) Tairona
The panflute is back... Thanks to the strong drumming, I'd take this one over the last.
7.) Following Yonder Star
Strange one, this is. Not sure if its jazz, soul, or a fusion of both. Very different.
8.) Mannheim Steamroller
This one at times reminds me of "Switched On Santa". The typical Steamroller elements take over and sink the ship.
9.) Rhythms Of The World
This one sounds colonial... It goes nowhere pretty quick.
10.) Dingers
Reggae influenced alternative rock? Wow! What a change of pace! My favorite of the THREE discs so far!
11.) Cuba L.A.
Very nice slower tempo song from these guys... Hope they put out a full Christmas album at some point!
12.) The Swingle Singers
Just as its getting good, it ends (1:14)! C'mon Swingles! Stretch it out a bit...
13.) Eric Darken
Jethro Tull should take some notes from this guy on the flute. Not a bad jazz version at all.
14.) RiverTribe
This electronica version has digeridoo and sitar elements intergrated into it... Refreshing!
15.) Turning Point
A jazz version with no life that rambles on and on just like this sentence.... zzzzz.
16.) Stan Kenton
Starts off small and soft, builds to a big, bold, jazzy climax, and goes down smooth. Bravo!
17.) Richard Sussman
This guy's having too much fun playing the acoustic guitar... Wish I could say the same about listening to it.
18.) Jethro Tull
Why don't they sing anymore? It might have helped... More cowbell would have been good.
19.) Bongolong
A Chinese influenced version of this song? Bongo, this is fantastic stuff! Nicely done!
Bongo, thanks for compiling all of these. I hope you'll continue to gather different versions of songs and issue them onto CD.
Capt
Thursday, 2 November 2006
Nelson Eddy - Songs For Christmas
"Ahhh, sweet mystery of life! At last I've found you!"The song "Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life" was utilized in the 1974 movie "Young Frankenstein" at certain climatic moments in the movie (wink wink).
However, it was first introduced in the 1935 movie "Naughty Marietta" by Nelson Eddy, the gentleman on the cover of today's album.
This amazing Christmas find from 1951 was brought to us from Bongo at his BongoBells blog (say that five times fast!) and you can STILL download this album over there!
Nelson Eddy spent much of his childhood becoming a classical trained opera singer. He honed his craft by singing at recitals, theatrical productions, and churches in hopes of bigger and better things.
That came in the late 1920s when he became a principal performer with the Philadelphia Civic Opera. His introduction to opera also gave him the chance to study under many of the leading voice/opera coaches of the day.
After a successful singing stint in Los Angeles, Eddy was spotted and signed by Louis B. Mayer of MGM. His movie contract called for three months off in the year so he could continue to perform concerts and operas - one of the first movie stars to demand and get his own terms nonetheless!
It was also at MGM where Eddy was introduced to a lovely soprano starlet who worked herself up through vaudeville, Broadway musicals, and concerts and the like. Her name was Jeanette MacDonald and one of the greatest screen duos in history was born.
Nelson and Jeanette made eight films together over their long careers. In two of those films, Eddy played a Canadian Mountie in full gear singing his way through the movie and into MacDonald's arms. For a time, anyone in Mountie gear was expected to burst into song a la Eddy.
It was also around this time that Nelson began a long recording career. From 1935 to 1938, he recorded for RCA Victor and since Jeanette was also under contract with RCA, many of their screen duets were immortalized forever. After his contract expired, he signed with Columbia Records and remained with them for the next twenty years.
Eddy also constructed a home recording studio as a way of monitoring his own vocal performance. Not only did he study his singing, but he also experimented with multi-tracking by recording three part harmony (soprano, tenor, baritone). This was prominently featured when Eddy lent his voice to a singing whale in the Walt Disney film "Make Mine Music" back in 1946.
This album (with some help from Paul Weston & The Pied Pipers) is your basic Christmas album - chorus, orchestra, and arrangements all perfectly balanced with the strong baritone of Nelson right out front.
In fact, it's very basic.
Eddy's voice is masterful and shines throughout but I get the feeling this was recorded in a rush. For example, "O Holy Night" is a song designed to test even the most experienced singer with emotion and vocal range. Eddy doesn't even break a sweat!
Every song is done at a brisk pace which doesn't allow for much passion and emotion. It might have helped if Eddy recorded some contemporary songs ("White Christmas" is the only one written in the 20th century on this album) and trimmed down the standard carols. This is probably why the album sounds so blase.
Nelson continued his film, recording, and concert career throughout World War II (he toured extensively with the USO through North Africa after its liberation in 1943) and beyond. He also dabbled on radio and television, even reuniting with Jeanette MacDonald occasionally on a TV show or album.
In 1953, Eddy formed a nightclub act, not knowing if the risky career move would pan out. He chose a young singer named Gale Sherwood for his partner and hit the road. It worked well. Nelson and Gale continued singing together for the next fourteen years!
On March 5, 1967, Nelson and Gale were performing at the Sans Souci Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida when he was stricken onstage in mid-performance by a cerebral hemorrage and died the next day. He was not buried in a Canadian Mounted Police uniform (lousy urban legend).
On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...
Capt
Nelson Eddy - Songs For Christmas
"Ahhh, sweet mystery of life! At last I've found you!"The song "Ah Sweet Mystery Of Life" was utilized in the 1974 movie "Young Frankenstein" at certain climatic moments in the movie (wink wink).
However, it was first introduced in the 1935 movie "Naughty Marietta" by Nelson Eddy, the gentleman on the cover of today's album.
This amazing Christmas find from 1951 was brought to us from Bongo at his BongoBells blog (say that five times fast!) and you can STILL download this album over there!
Nelson Eddy spent much of his childhood becoming a classical trained opera singer. He honed his craft by singing at recitals, theatrical productions, and churches in hopes of bigger and better things.
That came in the late 1920s when he became a principal performer with the Philadelphia Civic Opera. His introduction to opera also gave him the chance to study under many of the leading voice/opera coaches of the day.
After a successful singing stint in Los Angeles, Eddy was spotted and signed by Louis B. Mayer of MGM. His movie contract called for three months off in the year so he could continue to perform concerts and operas - one of the first movie stars to demand and get his own terms nonetheless!
It was also at MGM where Eddy was introduced to a lovely soprano starlet who worked herself up through vaudeville, Broadway musicals, and concerts and the like. Her name was Jeanette MacDonald and one of the greatest screen duos in history was born.
Nelson and Jeanette made eight films together over their long careers. In two of those films, Eddy played a Canadian Mountie in full gear singing his way through the movie and into MacDonald's arms. For a time, anyone in Mountie gear was expected to burst into song a la Eddy.
It was also around this time that Nelson began a long recording career. From 1935 to 1938, he recorded for RCA Victor and since Jeanette was also under contract with RCA, many of their screen duets were immortalized forever. After his contract expired, he signed with Columbia Records and remained with them for the next twenty years.
Eddy also constructed a home recording studio as a way of monitoring his own vocal performance. Not only did he study his singing, but he also experimented with multi-tracking by recording three part harmony (soprano, tenor, baritone). This was prominently featured when Eddy lent his voice to a singing whale in the Walt Disney film "Make Mine Music" back in 1946.
This album (with some help from Paul Weston & The Pied Pipers) is your basic Christmas album - chorus, orchestra, and arrangements all perfectly balanced with the strong baritone of Nelson right out front.
In fact, it's very basic.
Eddy's voice is masterful and shines throughout but I get the feeling this was recorded in a rush. For example, "O Holy Night" is a song designed to test even the most experienced singer with emotion and vocal range. Eddy doesn't even break a sweat!
Every song is done at a brisk pace which doesn't allow for much passion and emotion. It might have helped if Eddy recorded some contemporary songs ("White Christmas" is the only one written in the 20th century on this album) and trimmed down the standard carols. This is probably why the album sounds so blase.
Nelson continued his film, recording, and concert career throughout World War II (he toured extensively with the USO through North Africa after its liberation in 1943) and beyond. He also dabbled on radio and television, even reuniting with Jeanette MacDonald occasionally on a TV show or album.
In 1953, Eddy formed a nightclub act, not knowing if the risky career move would pan out. He chose a young singer named Gale Sherwood for his partner and hit the road. It worked well. Nelson and Gale continued singing together for the next fourteen years!
On March 5, 1967, Nelson and Gale were performing at the Sans Souci Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida when he was stricken onstage in mid-performance by a cerebral hemorrage and died the next day. He was not buried in a Canadian Mounted Police uniform (lousy urban legend).
On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...
Capt
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