"Eh, No. That Star Is Crooked": christmas music

Showing posts with label christmas music. Show all posts

Sunday, December 11, 2011

"Happy Christmas Kyoko. Happy Christmas Julian."

There is one song that can never be covered. You can't crank up many Christmas songs. This is an exception.

#16 of 31 Things I Love About Christmas: Happy Christmas(War Is Over) by John Lennon.

Yea. This song gets its' own entry.

You can add me to the millions of people around the globe whose lives were affected by 4 young men from Liverpool, England. This is no time for a history lesson. John Lennon was one of those 4 Liverpool men.

I probably first heard this song in 7th grade, when I dove full into the body of work of not only The Beatles but of their solo careers as well. I fell deep in the music of John Lennon. This song, I never tire of. It is a an absolute masterpiece that if I was ruler of Earth, could never be covered. It simply shouldn't be. Leave it alone.

John Winston Ono Lennon was a man of peace and love. A man of vision. He and his wife Yoko Ono put up 11 "WAR IS OVER! (If You Want It) Happy Christmas from John and Yoko" billboards in late 1969 (this is where the chant in the end of the song comes from). Lennon, I feel as if I can see him writing this song.

So this is Christmas.....yea here we are again, Tis the season.

And What Have you/we done?....Have we been good people, have we made this world a little better, a little brighter than it was before?

Another year over and a new one just begun...let's hope this one is better than the last one.

And on it goes. He hopes this is a time of fun for all, but also is waiting for the day of peace. The day when war comes to an end and we no longer live in fear of pain and destruction...then comes in the end "War is over, if you want it" as sort of a, hey, this could all be stopped right now, if you wanted it to end."

Interesting to note, this song never charted in the US when it was released in '71 (issued two days and 9 years to the date of his death on December 6), was released the following year in the UK and peaked at #4. Upon a re-release after this death, it peaked at #2. Can't believe this never charted. Go figure.

Without getting into a political tirade, this is a song of hope and peace at what should be the most joyful time of the year. A hope that maybe, just maybe, things will get better. That is a hope and emotion that never gets old.

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...

It is simple, but it is timeless and beautiful. Lennon encourages us to "Take a sad song, and make it better"...now where have I heard that before??

We lost this man way, way to early.

Friday, December 9, 2011

"Peace On Earth? Can It Be?"

Of all the holiday musical offerings we have had over the years. This one stands alone.

David Bowie: I even have a go at White Christmas.

Bing Crosby: You do, huh?

#17 of 31 Things I Love About Christmas: Bing Crosby & David Bowie.

In 1977, you couldn’t have paired two better polar opposites than Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Crosby, Frank Sinatra’s boyhood idol and music icon was in the end of his career, and passed away on October 14, just a little more than a month after this special was taped (September 11). Crosby, depending on who is doing the counting, claims the title of the biggest selling single of all time, 1945’s “White Christmas” of the “Merry Christmas” LP. Again, depending on who is doing the counting, the single has sold 50 million copies worldwide and the album has sold 19 million copies. I’m responsible for 2 copies myself.

I was given the “Merry Christmas” album as one of my first Christmas CDs along with my first CD player (Magnavox this isn't the exact model but you get the idea) for Christmas ’97. What possessed my mom to by this album I’m not sure but I guess it just seemed like something I should have. I loved the album, has such a swinging, classic vibe and this was my gateway to discovering Frank Sinatra. I also realized upon hearing certain songs, that this album was used in “A Christmas Story” (for sure “Jingle Bells” was on when they were opening presents). Not a Christmas goes by without this album getting at least one spin.

The album. Decca DL-8128, 1955. This, along with my vinyl copy of Bill Haley & The Comets “Rock Around The Clock (Decca DL-8225,1956) are my most prized vinyl albums by a long shot. Both, I think were purchased at the House Of Guitars in Rochester NY, at most I paid $2, but I think it was far less. I don’t quite remember when I obtained these two treasures but I do remember my shock and joy upon finding them. The HOG is famous for many reasons including their small palace of CDs, tapes and vinyl they have. Unlike “collectible shops” where those records might go for $50 or more, I have picked up records for as little as 50 cents each. The cover has some wear on it, but the record has nearly no scratches at all. At some point I would love to do a framing of some kind, featuring the album cover, record album, CD cover, CD and a picture of Bowie and Crosby in the middle.

As for David Bowie, they didn’t come any more nuts than him. Though by ’77 he had toned down his career a bit, having gone through the Aladdin Sane/Ziggy Stardust period of eccentric but masterpiece material (Lady Gaga, a true rock star, owes a great deal to Bowie)

The song aired on Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas on 11/30/77 on CBS. Bowie, didn’t want to sing “The Little Drummer Boy” so the now classic “Peace On Earth” segment was added. In the banter before the song, you can see the natural tension between the old guard and the new generation. Crosby appears to be the sweet grandfather, making an attempt to understand what the new sound and look is, and Bowie appears to be uneasy before this legend, trying to make a good impression on one who came along long before he did. They found their mutual common ground was a love for Christmas and start in on the song. This was history before your very eyes.

The CD was one of my first. The album was the find of a lifetime. The pairing of Bowie and Crosby while one of many in the history pop music, is now a permanent slice of Americana that can never be duplicated.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

“Oh What Fun It Is To Ride And Sing A Sleighing Song Tonight.”

What would Christmas be without music?

#19 of the 31 Things I Love About Christmas: Christmas Music.

I love Christmas Music. To date I have 98 full length Christmas albums (hand picked compilations not included)

That is disgusting. Excessive, over the top and a bit much. If you know me, you aren’t surprised

I love Christmas music and everything about it. From Thanksgiving til 11:59pm on 12/25 it is nothing but Christmas music for my ears. The first cassette I ever owned was The Beach Boys Christmas album (got it November ’97). Since then my Christmas music have grown to ridiculous heights over the past 14 years. From the essentials to the truly bizarre, I love ‘em all.

Do I think the Christmas music starts a bit early? Yes. As much as I love it, it loses the appeal if you start cranking the Chipmunks around Labor Day. Like egg nog, Christmas music for me is to be enjoyed between Thanksgiving and Christmas night (unless I crack a few days before Thanksgiving) and then to be packed away for another year. Decorations however, may be enjoyed until at least New Year’s Day.

I can’t get enough of Christmas music during this time of year. I especially have a thing for off the wall Christmas songs and parodies. Bob Rivers is king of Christmas spoofs. Such masterpieces as “Walkin ‘Round In Women’s Underwear” (Winter Wonderland), “Oh Come, All Ye DeadHeads”, “The Restroom Door Said Gentlemen” and “Chipmunks Roasting On An Open Fire” are just some of his holiday offerings.

After a quick looksee on Amazon, 70,982 results came up when I searched Christmas in the music department. How does one make sure there collection is up to par and doesn’t leave your family feeling ashamed due to your lack of holiday tunes.

C’mon you KNEW this was coming.

I have long been of the belief there needs to be a Christmas Album box set, entitled “Unless You Buy This, Santa Won’t Visit You” box set. Though royalties and permission from all parties involved would hamper this project fast, it’s nice to dream. I have assembled a list of the 15 Christmas albums that should be packaged together and sold at an attractive price…like $5 or something reasonable. There will also be a 2^nd volume entitled “5 More Christmas Albums You Must Have If You’re Some Kind Of Nuts.”

Unless You Buy This, Santa Won’t Visit You Box Set Disc listing:

Burl Ives: Have A Holly Jolly Christmas
Frank Sinatra: A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra
A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Vince Guaraldi Trio
James Taylor: At Christmas
Chicago: What’s It Gonna Be Santa?
Tony Bennett: Snowfall-The Tony Bennett Christmas Album
Phil Spector: A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
The Beach Boys: Ultimate Christmas (The ’64 The Beach Boys Christmas album + additional tracks)
Bob Dylan: Christmas In The Heart
Bing Crosby: Merry Christmas or The Voice of Christmas: Complete Decca Christmas Songbook
Elvis Presley: Elvis’ Christmas Album or Elvis Christmas (2006 compilation)
Dean Martin: Christmas With Dino
Alvin & The Chipmunks: Christmas with The Chipmunks (2008 best compilation)
Regis Philbin: The Christmas Album
Andy Griffith: The Christmas Guest: Stories and Songs of Christmas