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Showing posts with label Track Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Track Reviews. Show all posts

Christabel & The Jons - The Christmas Album (A TWO-FOR-ONE REVIEW)



Received an interesting package at the PO Box a few weeks ago.  Inside was an advance copy of a Christmas album (in a clear DVD case) from a band I had never heard of before.

The cover letter read thusly:



I quickly added December 3rd to my calendar as I sat down trying to figure out more about this band.  From their bio:

CB&J has been performing their distinctive style of folky swing since the spring of 2005. They released their first full-length album, “Love and Circumstances” in November of 2006. Their second and most recent album, “Custom Made For You,” was released on December 12th, 2008.

In addition to headlining many shows, Christabel and the Jons has also performed at numerous festivals in the US including Bonnaroo, Riverbend, Bele Chere, Blue Plum Festival, Shakori Hills Festival, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, and Sundown in the City. They’ve also opened for many national acts including The Brazilian Girls, The Be Good Tanyas, The Red Stick Ramblers, The Wilders, and Loudon Wainwright.






TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Best Kind of Friend
Original Christmas song written by the lead singer - it's a great showcase for the band's Tennessee swing sound and Christa's amazing sultry voice.

2.) Winter Wonderland
The pedal steel guitar by Brock Henderson gives this one a island feeling which goes well with the overall band sound.  Seth's trumpet solo made me laugh out loud!

3.) The Christmas Song
Very straightforward version of this classic.  Nicely done.


4.)  It Won't Cool Off
I've never heard of anyone covering this old Dean Martin classic until now.  Kudos to the song selectors - this one's flat out perfect!


5.)  I'd Like You For Christmas
More kudos to whomever chose this song.  Written by Bobby Troup ("Route 66") for his wife Julie London, no one ever dared covering this song.  Another outstanding song!


6.)  What Will Santa Claus Say?
Even more kudos to the person who picked this Prima pasterpiece (okay, I stretched).  If Louis Prima was from Tennessee, I'd imaging his Christmas song would sound like this.  Great, great, great!


7.)  Christmas Island
More pedal steel guitar, Seth's great ukulele, Christa and the band's amazing vocals on this track make this one remarkable.


8.)  Santa Baby
Another great version of a Christmas classic.  More on this one later.


9.)  Baby It's Cold Outside
The interplay between Christa and Andy Bean of the Two Man Gentleman Band adds a special Tennessee touch to this song.  Very nice.


10.)  Christmas In Prison
I'm admittedly not a fan of this song but this John Prine song given the full CB & J treatment makes it one to listen for.


11.)  Silent Night
A very distinctive version that will make you re-listen to this one three or four times.  I enjoyed this quite a bit.


12.)  Christmas Time Is Here
What better way to go out on than with Vince Guaraldi?  Seth and the band reworks the Guaraldi sound to their advantage - I'm a fan of this band's sound.



After I had heard this album for the 19th time, I was inviting all of my friends out to The Brass Rail on December 3rd.  Not many wanted to come fearing the bar's former reputation.  But owners John Commorato Jr and Corey Rader have done a great job transforming the former dive bar into an alternative band showcase since 2007.

The show started at 10 PM with local band Buffalo Jump playing a lively, 45 minute set before CB & J took the stage.  No Christmas songs from Buffalo Jump but I definitely enjoyed the song about the Brass Rail.


Christabel and The Jons took the stage to set up - down time, a chance to get another drink, visit the restroom, or a quick smoke for those so inclined.  We waited.  And waited.  And waited.  

Seems the band had difficulty setting up their synthesizer and electric guitar hooked up - many of the effects they showcased on the Christmas album wouldn't be available for the show.


After 45 minutes, the band started with several of their non-Christmas songs that quickly won the Fort Wayne crowd over.  Their sound was fast, impactful, and full of swing that you couldn't help tap your toes and sway to the rhythm.


First Christmas song of the night:  "Merry Christmas Baby", a song that wasn't featured on their album.  From where I was positioned in the back of the bar, I failed to capture it on my cell phone camera.


However, not wanting to make the same mistake twice, I moved up into the crowd and closer the stage:





Other Christmas songs played were "Best Kind of Friend", "Blue Christmas", and "Winter Wonderland".  The rest of their amazing two hour set (yeah, these guys wailed) was more of their patented Tennessee swing.


Around 1 AM (this stay-at-home dad's eyes were bleary), I made my way up to the band members and thanked them for an amazing show and an even more amazing Christmas album.  Seth, Christa, and Jon (who was about as tired as me when I caught him out dragging a butt) were personable and charming throughout.


This band has one of the best Christmas albums of the 2010 season.  

Their other album that I bought at the show - "Custom Made For You" - has won some airtime on my boombox here at my home.  It's the first non-Christmas album to do that in December in about fourteen years.


Not digitally dead yet at the ol' yuleblog...




Capt

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Amy Grant - The Christmas Collection


With eight days left before Christmas, I wanted to spend today looking at several new Christmas albums on the shelves this season - perhaps a last minute gift guide for those who love Christmas music.

This is review number seven today and the third that arrived at my P.O. Box. A big thank you to Glenn Holmes from On Target Media for sending us this.

My wife has been watching me come home as of late with packages from Kasio Kristmas and Verve Remixed and dozens of homemade Christmas comps from friends and others alike. Her quote was "When do you get the GOOD Christmas music?"

The look on her face when I opened this package and this brand new Christmas CD fell out was one of total astonishment, joy, and excitement. She's a HUGE Amy Grant fan and I knew this was going to get played early and often on the CD boombox at my house.

Amy Grant released her first Christmas album when she was the Queen of Christian radio back in 1983 with "A Christmas Album". Several years later when she went mainstream, she released "Home For Christmas" in 1992. Then in 1998, we were treated with "A Christmas To Remember".

Now a fourth Christmas collection?

To quote Amy in her liner notes: "In The Christmas Collection, I've chosen my favorite songs from my earlier projects and added four new recordings." Aha! Those four new songs are:

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Jingle Bells (Track 1)
A remake of Barbra Streisand's classic arrangement right down to Bab's vocal inflections. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery never sounded so good.

2.) I Need A Silent Night (Track 3)
A great Christmas song that asks pertinent questions about the lost message of Christmas (fast forward to 0:35):



3.) Baby It's Christmas (Track 5)
Written with husband Vince Gill (who plays guitar = bonus), this is a perfect "end of a Christmas day" song, full of the exhaustion and wonderment only these weeks before Christmas can bring.

4.) Count Your Blessings (Track 7)
With the London Session Orchestra behind her, Amy sings Bing's song from the 1954 Irving Berlin movie "White Christmas". Lush and majestic.


If you don't own anything Christmas related by Amy Grant, this CD is a great collection for your archives. The four new Christmas songs are definite highlights - especially "I Need A Silent Night".

This one got my wife's endorsement - what more do you need?


Capt

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Seasonal Favorites V2 (Double Crown Records)


All this week, I've been writing reviews for CDs that were sent to me at the P.O. Box. This one was sent last Christmas and I'm just finding time to write it up now.

This is a crime because the good folks at Double Crown Records were kind enough to send me a copy of "Seasonal Favorites V1" which I reviewed in January, 2007.

What hurts even more is that both volumes are of choice (and I mean CHOICE) surf and garage Christmas tunes. I'm a sucker for surf guitar. Add Christmas and I could spontaneously combust.

I have no explanation other than a brain tumor that made me pass on this CD for review. Time to make amends.

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Pollo Del Mar - Carol Of The Bells
The first half of this song is light rock then finishes fast with surf guitar... smooth intro into the CD.

2.) The Pete Curry Orchestra - Drums For Christmas
Curry is the bassist for Los Straitjackets and his orchestra is just him playing all the instruments - virtuoso stuff!

3.) The Neptunes - Sleigh Ride In Fresno
Think "Sleigh Ride" done by The Ventures and Dick Dale combined. It'll sound like this phenomenal track.

4.) The Icicles - Snowman
This group from Grand Rapids, MI should know something about snow (can you say "lake effect?"). Surprisingly good power pop original! Hear this one at their MySpace page...

5.) The Incredible Mr. Smith - Leise Rieselt Der Schnee
Using a German christmas carol allows this group for lots of great improvisation on the guitars... Ja!

6.) Surfin' Santa w Meshugga Beach Party - Jingle Bell Rock
Straightforward instrumental cover from "The World's Premiere Jewish Surf Band!" (their own billing!).

7.) The Dusty Watson Complex - Little Drummer Boy
WOW! Set at surf speed, this rendition will blow you away with its excellent guitar and drum work!

8.) The Barbary Coasters - I Want A Monkey For Christmas
Gayla Peevey wanted a hippopotamus... these guys re-work "Roll Over Beethoven" to ask Santa for a monkey. Roll over Chuck Berry!

9.) The Surfites - Saint Nick's AA Fueler
Santa intros this song, and we're off on a screamin' cruise down the main drag. Add sleigh bells, and it's just Christmas-ey enough.

10.) Glasgow Tiki Shakers - Deck The Halls
Well done version of the Christmas classic - loved the bridge in a minor key and all that fab reverb!

11.) Big Boy Pete - Silent Night
If Johnny Cash did this song in up-tempo rockabilly, it might have sounded close to this... amazing!

12.) Speedball Jr. - Rudolph's Secret
You're gonna have to listen to this one yourself to find out the answer to the secret. Interesting.

13.) The Pyronauts - O Come All Ye FaithfulPulsating rendition of this one - the surf guitars just bring it to life in a way no other instrument can.

14.) Full Load Of King - It's Christmas In The IslandsLush exotica? Oooooooo... Martin Denny and Les Baxter, eat your heart out!

15.) Frankie & The Poolboys - Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)
The standout track of the album. This one starts slow, nice mix of guitars (acoustic & surf), add some soulful organ where Yoko and the kids sing, and continue to add on the layers a la Phil Spector (minus the guns). Great cover from start to finish.

16.) Urban Surf Kings - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Very good rendition - no frills, no fuss, all surf guitar and they play it good here.

17.) Joe's Ocean - Deck The Halls
You're gonna feel like you've been on the ocean with this one - Joe switches styles between orchestral and soulful rock here... then there... then here... reminiscent of Substance W in many ways.

18.) Surfin' Santa With Meshugga Beach Party - Sleigh Ride
A good cover of The Ventures' great Christmas instrumental. Check their MySpace page to hear some surf music with a Jewish flavor!

19.) The Daytonas - Christmas Time For Fun
Wonderful original surf/garage track... I couldn't find anything about these lads... Can anyone give me a clue?

20.) Frankie & The Poolboys - Auld Lang Syne
A slow start can mean only one thing - a fast finish. Which we get to the delight of the audience on the track that ends this with a countdown! Perfect way to end the CD.


According to the Double Crown website where you can order this CD for yourself, they have about 100 copies left on their shelves for the 2008 Christmas season. You'd be foolish if you were to pass this up like I did. It's a rock solid Christmas CD suitable for playing any time of the year.

Double Crown doesn't have a "Seasonal Favorites V3" for this Christmas (think 2009). However, a band on their label named King of Hawaii released a Christmas EP just in time for 2008. At $6, this might be the bargain of the season.

Thanks for mailing this to me last year Sean... I'm sorry it took a year. My $6 is on its way to you for the EP.


Capt

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Substance W - A Boiling Vat of Adhesive Xmas


This arrived at P.O. Box a week before our last yuleblog entry. When I retrieved this, the glow from the shiny metallic green bubble mailer greeted me. I stopped in the lobby of the post office to check my other mail and began to get people staring at me.

As I walked out of the post office, most of the eyes were transfixed on the bubble mailer. It was like watching the audience at a tennis match - every movement in sync, all eyes glued on the action.

The topper of it all was embossed on the shimmering green mailer. Next to the mailing address was an impressive wax seal with the band logo of Substance W!


Inside was the album you're looking at, a poster for the album, and a cover letter from one of its creators - Todd van Bronkhorst:

"I'm a 38 yr-old cubicle drone who's a musician in his spare time, who deprived himself of sleep for two years in order to produce a CD and take care of a new baby simultaneously. Got my friends to sing on it for me so I wouldn't have to. My goal was to make the most ridiculous and unexpected interpretations of these songs, and I think I succeeded."

Self-released on his Worst Kitchen Records label (I'm assured the website is coming), this album is available right now at Amazon.com either in CD or download form. By previewing one of the samples at Amazon, we could be in for quite a ride...

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) O Xmas Tree (Hooked On Xmas Mix)
What the..? It's 45 seconds long, electronica, add some Hanna-Barbera sound effects, ghastly tongue-in-cheek singing! Wow...

2.) Little Drummer Boy Hears Drums
One of the singers does his best Elmo impersonation. Is that Pee-Wee Herman Christmas special music back there? Wayyy cool jazzy break! It's all over the place...

3.) Switched On Bethlehem
Moooooooooooooog! Fake moog? Performed by Farty Gold's Casiophonic Orskaduh (?). Regardless, it's a great sounding track!

4.) O Xmas Tree (Midnight Martini Mix)
This one's 36 seconds long... a swanky lounge reprise to track 1.

5.) Good King Wenceslas
Starts off techno... then goes baroque... slides into country banjo... repeat and mix up those styles until the end. I'm getting a contact high just listening to what they were smoking!

6.) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
A hip jazzy bongo beat makes way for Little Brenna Watson on the vocals. A super cool home recording, ya dig?

7.) O Xmas Tree (Dead Kringles Mix)
Dead Kennedys... dead kringles... coincidence? 35 second long.

8.) Gloria In Excelsis Deo
Roger Moore / James Bond background music sung by someone with a bad Indian accent? I'm gettin' dizzy...

9.) Jingle Jingle Jingle
Holy hannah... a country beat with Leonard Cohen-style vocals. I'm a 1/3 of the way into this album and drunk from all these sounds-n-styles.

10.) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
One singer keeps up with a madman armed with a runaway Casio keyboard.

11.) O Xmas Tree (Slap My Bass Mix)
Funky, funky, FUNKY reprise... 40 seconds long. That bass sounds awfully "Seinfeld"-ish.

12.) We Three Kings
Ambient instrumental track from The Audreyland Studio Orchestra which slides into klezmer style music, then hard rock - I'm not making this up!

13.) O Xmas Tree (A Purpler Shade of Plum Mix)
Electric harpsichord reprise... 36 seconds long. Where can this go now? Dare I ask?

14.) A Stranger Manger
Clearly inspired by Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas" (of which I'm not a fan of at all). Next...

15.) Greensleeves
Oompah band beat with whistling that would make Muzzy Marcelino or Fred Lowery sit up and take notice.

16.) A Visit From St. Nicholas
A retelling of "The Night Before Christmas" with great background music and Hanna-Barbera sound FX! I wouldn't be surprised if this song ends up on Cartoon Network with appropriate animation at Christmas time in the future!

17.) O Xmas Tree (Yussel Rabinovitch Mix)
GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS!!! Sung in the style of and named for the character Neil Diamond plays in his 1980 remake of "The Jazz Singer", this is hysterically funny! I had to stop and take a breather. LMAO!

18.) Silver And Gold
Murry Wilson lives! After a three minute rambling rant (lots of yuks), we get a nice rendition... or do we?

19.) It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Our Leonard Cohen singer is back. Sung straight with plenty of feeling that you don't mind the tempo or musical changes.

20.) O Xmas Tree (Goldfish in the Heels Mix)
Hip-hop / R&B reprise. 36 seconds long. Word to your other...

21.) Christmastime Is Here
The first 2:30 is a mix of rock and electronica. The night shift comes in and jazzes it up to Vince Guaraldi levels - appropriate for one of his songs.

22.) We're A Couple Of Misfits
What if Rudolph and Hermie the Elf went punk? It would sound like this...



23.) Silent Night
Violin duo to start surrounded by a pond of croaking frogs. It wanders around experimentally then goes back to the violins. Haunting version.

24.) O Xmas Tree (Monkey Like Banana Mix)
Exotica / reggae-ish reprise... 55 seconds long.

25.) O Come All Ye Faithful
Someone pulled out a scratchy copy of Neil Diamond's first Christmas album... laffin uncontrollably here.

26.) Jingle Bells
A group gathering with more musical styles crammed into 3:13 that's allowed by law. My sides ache...

27.) O Xmas Tree (Auf Deutsch Mix)
OMG... who let Hasselhoff on this album? I demand my money back... wait, I got this free and it's 48 seconds long. Never mind.

28.) Auld Lang Syne (Bonus track)
Secretly recorded at the album wrap party I'd wager. I feel like it's New Year's Eve, I've downed three bottles of champagne, and never brought to miiind... should old acquaintance...


In the nearly three years of writing at this blog, I have been guilty many times for being over exuberant in my praise of Christmas music. I would guess that about 95% of the reviews on this blog have been effusively positive, sometimes bordering on fanatical.

However, in the nearly three years of writing at this blog, I must tell you that I haven't heard anything remotely like this album. The only album that comes close in its unpredictability of style, tempo, flair, and exciting new takes on Christmas music would be "Ira Ironstrings - Plays Santa Claus (Christmas Music For Those Who Have Heard Everything)".

I'm guessing the average listener of Christmas music won't be as stimulated as Christmas music enthusiasts will be at the depth of this album. For many of us, we've heard "Jingle Bells" or "Rudolph" played ad nauseum in one style of music (rock, jazz, hip-hop, etc.). On occasion, we heard Christmas songs with two or three different styles within the same song.

This album changes styles on a whim - veering in many directions with the view outside the window a blur. Dark one moment, disgustingly cheerful the next, downright silly soon after, perhaps back to the beginning, or maybe not.

Like the weather in Chicago, if you don't like what you hear on this album, wait a moment. There are no rules, no format, no parameters - everything is written on an Etch-A-Sketch with the only requirement being a fun wild ride. This is the musical equivalent of a roller coaster ride and the effects of an hour ride are just wearing off.

This is one long, strange trip of a Christmas album... and man, it was FUN!

Thank you Todd for sending this. Congratulations on getting all those tunes and ideas from your dream stage to reality with this project. I will be hearing tracks from this album on dozens of homemade Christmas comps for the next 10 years.


Capt

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Kristine W - Hey Mr. Christmas


This week I'm showcasing submissions that were sent to my P.O. Box and this CD landed there last Friday - talk about great timing.

Pop quiz: Who holds the record for most consecutive Billboard Club #1 hits?

Mariah Carey? Good guess but no. Christina Aguilera? Not even close. Janet Jackson? She once held the record. Madonna? She was tied with Janet (seven in a row). In 2004, the artist you are looking at tied both Madonna and Janet, then broke the record the following year with her club hit "The Wonder of It All".

Kristine W is a fourth generation entertainer originally from Pasco, Washington. She won several titles along the way - Miss Tri-Cities, Miss Washington (where she won first place in the all important talent competition at the Miss America pageant), and eventually ended up in Las Vegas.

She continued her education there, worked harder than anyone else there, and wowed everyone with her amazing singing talent there. This led to headlining her own show at the Las Vegas Hilton, winning several "Las Vegas Entertainer Of The Year" awards.

Earlier this year, Kristine was officially sanctioned as the entertainer who has performed more live shows than anyone in the entire history of the Las Vegas Hilton - this includes Elvis Presley, who called the Hilton home during the 1970s.

This past summer, while recording her new "Power Of Music" album, Kristine wanted to record a Christmas album. She teamed up with Love to Infinity, a noted UK award-winning songwriting and production team, to help record two original Christmas songs written by Kristine ("Everyday's A Holiday" and the title track). She shut down production on her other album to devote all of her energies to this album.

That's what the notes that accompanied this album wanted me to share.

I must admit I am not a huge club / dance type of guy - never have been. Until this arrived in my mailbox, I had absolutely no clue who Kristine W was. I went online to see some of Kristine's videos to get a feel for her type of music:



Flashy, pulsating, quick-cuts. Great vocal quality. I had to shut this down after about 1 minute in.

Still, I haven't heard the CD - which is what I usually try to do whenever I review an album here. Many times as I type, I listen to the album for the first time. It's the only way I can stay objective after writing paragraphs of back story on the person or group I'm reviewing. Soooo...

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Mr. Christmas
"Hey Mr. Christmas? Where's my baby?" Cue the massive dance-beat and we're off and running. Despite the lyrics, this is more club than Christmas.

2.) Everyday's A Holiday
I had to check twice to see if this was track one - they almost sound identical. I can envision the club lights and the dance floor - where's the snow? The tinsel? The Christmas?

3.) Hard Candy Christmas
A club version of Dolly Parton's signature Christmas song? Believe it or not, this works!

4.) Oh Holy Night
I was skeptical at first - but Kristine pulls it off. This might be the best track on the album.

5.) Mary, Did You Know?
This standard could have lost something in the translation but the message stays intact - holds up after repeated listenings.

6.) Favorite Things
"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens..." I don't consider this a Christmas song (while many others do). It's a jazzy version nonetheless.

7.) Wonder Of It All (featuring Jim Brickman)
This is an unplugged remake of one of Kristine's dance hits. Brickman is great (as usual) but Kristine's voice fills the vacated spaces usually filled in by pulsating beats.


I want to like this album and there are several songs that I will to listen to again. There's a lot of energy in this album - most of which comes from the club beats and the multi-layered vocals. Kristine puts every ounce of her soul into these tracks and it comes across like a spotlight in a darkened room.

However, most of the album doesn't work for me - I want a Christmas album to radiate that special spirit that only Christmas songs emote. Most of the spirit found on "O Holy Night" and "Hard Candy Christmas" doesn't come through on the remaining tracks.

This is a club album with a Christmas theme, not a Christmas album with a club theme - big difference.

If you are into club music, then this might be the perfect album to take to your upcoming holiday raves and club nights. This album is available exclusively at Borders Books & Music and will drop on iTunes on Tuesday, December 2nd.

Thanks Kristine for sending the album, congrats on the career, and being a leukemia survivor for five years!


Capt

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Merry X-mas Dammit From The Double Down Saloon (Wood Shampoo Records)


This was another CD that was sent to my P.O. Box last Christmas that I never found the time to review and as a result, I probably will never get into "the Happiest Place On Earth" in my lifetime. With Christmas, 2008 five weeks off, this is good a time as any to review it for people on the lookout for overlooked Christmas CDs.

The Double Down Saloon in Las Vegas has been voted one of America's top "dive bars" by Playboy Magazine and has been featured on televisions shows like Dave Attell's "Insomniac" and Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations". Last year, they teamed up with Wood Shampoo Records (also of Las Vegas) to release this comp at Christmas time.

According to the accompanying notes that came with this CD:

"On any given hour at the Double Down, you are as likely to find business types unwinding as you are jaded hipsters downing shots. 'Merry X-Mas Dammit' is much like the saloon itself, a genre blending a mix of punk, lounge, honky-tonk, noise, and more."

As Casey Kasem would say... "On with the countdown!"

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Murphy's Law - Sock It To Me Santa
Shades of Fishbone! A funky throwback song that grabs your attention right out of the gate!

2.) The Objex - Pastramikah
The band keeps it foot on the throttle and never lets up - all about a new end of the year holiday.

3.) Lonesome Spurs - Jingle Bells
A simple yet hardly plain rockabilly version - great singing and amazing guitar work throughout!

4.) Richard Cheese - Christmas In Las Vegas
"Rudolph sold the sled, now he's betting on red..." Loungey, Christmasey original from RC. Check out my review of his "Silent Nightclub" album!

5.) The Dirty Panties - Santa Baby
A punk version of Eartha Kitt's famous Christmas song? With an all-girl punk/garage band, it not only works but it plain kicks ass. Early vote for favorite song on the album.

6.) The Las Vegas All-Stars - X-Mess Medley
Hard-rocking garage medley of "Deck The Halls", "Jingle Bells", "Joy To The World", "O Christmas Tree", "O Come All Ye Faithful", "Silent Night", a snippet of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" - this is epic!

7.) Peccadilloes - Nuttin' For Christmas
Forget Smash Mouth - this is the meanest, gnarliest, and most savage version of this song out there! Wow!

8.) Evil Beaver - Blue Christmas
Originally from Chicago, IL (now based in L.A.), this hip version soon turns edgy and rockin'... Be sure to check out their excellent 2001 Christmas album.

9.) Bomboras - The Little Drummer Boy
GREAT JUMPIN' ICEBERGS! This instrumental ranks up there with Dick Dale and The Ventures! Man, o man!

10.) The Vermin - Santa Was A Cross Dressing Nazi
That's the beautiful thing about punk - you can't match its attitude! This is angry at 100 MPH and I loved every second of it!

11.) 1/2 Ast - Gay Christmas
The spirit of The Descendents is alive and well with this band. Exactly 1 minute and 1 second long, it's a musical rant from start to finish.

12.) The Clydesdale - Imo Shoot Me A Reindeer
"Hey look, up there in the sky! It's Santa Claus!" "WHERE?" =gunshot= This semi-rockabilly song had me chortling from that opening line until the ending... what a tune!

13.) Sparkler Dims - Xmas Time At The Double Down
Celebrating the holidays at "The Happiest Place On Earth"... good rocking song with lots of DD references!

14.) 2 Cents Worth - I'll Be Home For Christmas
A good garage version of this one. This was the only band I couldn't find a MySpace page for... are they still together?

15.) Suite 666 - Santa Blow Me
Another great Christmas punk original showcasing their displeasure with Santa. Fabulous punk sound.

16.) The Real Shames - Santa Claus
A great garage cover of The Sonics' great garage Christmas song.

17.) Thee Swank Bastards - Carol Of The Bells / God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Another great instrumental - heavy on the mood with the right touch of guitars!


After hearing this again, I must make an appointment with my family doctor to have my head examined. I must have a brain tumor or something that forced me not to listen to this last year. This is one damn good comp!

Fear not, this comp is still available to download at Amazon.com. Or you can get an actual CD copy from CDBaby. This collection of Christmas tunes will make any Christmas music lover sit up and take notice.

There's not one song that I didn't like in the entire bunch and I can listen to this repeatedly without getting bored - the true mark of a great Christmas CD. Thanks for sending it to us and I hope I won't get shanked if I ever visit the Double Down.


Capt

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Dick Leibert - A Merry WurliTzer Christmas


At first glance, this may seem to be "just another Christmas organ LP". However, if you know your Christmas organ music like our friend Ernie (not Bert), then you know how totally wrong that statement is.

First, let us travel back to an earlier time - December 9, 2005 to be precise. It was on this date that Ernie posted his first Dick Liebert Christmas LP - a great album entitled "The Happy Hits Of Christmas" showcasing Liebert's virtuoso on the organ he called home for many years at the Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

If Ernie never posted another Liebert album ever again, this would have been more than sufficient. But come onnnn... this is Ernie we're talking about! Back on December 3, 2006 (scroll down to the very bottom and work your way up), Ernie had himself a field day with Dick Liebert.

Starting with a great album I reviewed called "A Christmas Sampler (Westminster Records)" (which featured several tracks from Liebert), Ernie then posted in quick succession:

Sing and Rejoice! Christmas Carols Played by Dick Liebert (RCA Victor, 1951)

The Sound of Christmas On The Radio City Music Hall Organ (RCA Victor, 1962)

Christmas At Radio City Music Hall (RCA Camden, 1973)
This was a reissue of the two albums listed above - Ernie posted the way groovy gatefold sleeve to look at.

Christmas Holidays At Radio City Music Hall (RCA Victor, 1958)
Ernie posted the Rockettes-red-glare album cover... wiping up drool here... is this one still available on CD?

Two stray Dick Liebert songs compiled by Ernie


I probably lost about 50% of my readers who are clicking on all those links. Which is why I'm hesitant to post this next link. However, it's for the album I'm reviewing at this very moment so I'm forced to post the link (and watch more readers head for Ernie).

Want further proof that all roads lead to Ernie? Try a Google search on Dick Liebert and look at the second link provided.

There's not much out there on Dick Liebert which is a pity. This is a man who was hired by Radio City Music Hall to be one of its main organists shortly after they installed the famous WurliTzer organ - a job he held from the 1930s well into the 1960s.

What's left are these amazing albums - including the Westminster LP pictured above. What's different about this album from all the rest is Liebert wasn't playing with a home field advantage. This album was recorded behind the Mighty WurliTzer at the Byrd Theater in Richmond, VA.

Is everyone back from clicking all those links? Does everyone have this downloaded? Good...

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Sleigh Ride
If there was ever a song made for the Mighty WurliTzer, it's this one... amazing sound!

2.) White Christmas
Liebert plays this rather solemnly but the genius of Irving Berlin shines through.

3.) Winter Wonderland
If you don't pick up on the theme from the get go, this one's a little rushed and muddled.

4.) Jingle Bells
Liebert starts this one on a trot, slows down the tempo at the 1/2 mile marker, then finishes fast and strong to the wire.

5.) I'll Be Home for Christmas
I swear I heard a theremin in here - ghostly version that grows on me with repeated listenings!

6.) Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
Whenever I hear orchestral versions of this song, I'm immediately turned off by it. Whenever I hear this song on the organ (especially the WurliTzer), it takes on a whole different quality I tune into. Wonderful stuff.

7.) The Skater's Waltz
Images of roller rinks, ice ponds, Olympic figure skaters, several cartoons, and some bad TV variety magicians come to mind when I hear this song. I want this song played next as a "couples only" skate.

8.) Home for the Holidays
Man, this one had me singing along... follow the bouncing ball, folks!

9.) Santa Claus is Coming to Town
The song has all the feel of Santa's workshop as elves get ready for the big day.

10.) Christmas Fantasy - O Little Town of Bethlehem / Silent Night / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Three standards linked together. The best part for me is the improvisation Liebert plays as he links "O Little Town" and "Silent Night" - virtuoso stuff!


This is a fine album by Liebert done very early on in his recording career. The Christmas albums he recorded for RCA Victor remain the absolute summit of his days with Nipper and the gang. I'm very partial to "The Happy Hits of Christmas" as Liebert's best work - although I haven't heard the album with all them Rockettes on it so I reserve judgement.

But you can't go wrong with this album. Lots of fresh sounds, wondrous arrangements, and with Liebert at the WurliTzer, you're in for one heck of a ride.

Thanks for keeping the memory of Dick Liebert alive Ernie!


Capt

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Bruce Woodman Presents Christmas Carols With A Latin Lilt


Once again, here is another rescued piece of vinyl from the collection of Ernie (not Bert). This was part of three albums Ernie shared with a Latin feel (heck, just look at that title above!) and this was downloaded on November 30th, 2006 at 8:50 AM.

To quoteth Ernest:

"I guess I should try to squeeze one more Latin-tinged Christmas album here before I move on to something else. This little goody was recorded by a missionary in South America, and he fills it with local songs for the holidays, as well as some familiar Christmas tunes. There is some narration on there as well, my favorite bit being the introduction at the beginning of the LP. That part may make my Christmas CD this year."

Beyond that, good people, there's nothing on the Internet about Bruce Woodman.

However, the narrator Ernie alluded too has a massive presence online. His name is Luis Palau and has been an evangelist for more than 40 years. The author of nearly 50 books, Palau's radio broadcasts in both English and Spanish are heard by millions more on over 2,600 radio stations in 42 countries.

Strangely enough, there is nothing at his website or in his bio that even mentions Bruce Woodman. Therefore, the only info (and mug shot) we have on Woodman is the back cover:


TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Luis Palau - Introduction 1
"Yes, that's right. It's Christmas time... We would like to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to transport you to the many lands south of the border." - Sounds like something you'd find on one of Eddie G's comps.

2.) Bruce Woodman - Come All, Ye Shepherds
A standard carol with a hint of Latin lilt... Bruce's fine baritone voice shines.

3.) Bruce Woodman - Silent Night
Take one tuba, organ, piano, and blend together in equal parts. Still not very Latin.

4.) Luis Palau - Introduction 2
Palau recites the same story Linus used to tell Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about.

5.) Bruce Woodman - En La Noche Los Pastores Velan (The Night Watch Of The Shepherds)
Using authentic Latin instruments and singing in Spanish, this song pumps up the Latin content by about 200%.

6.) Lois Hat Vasconez - There's A Song In The Air
More like a song in the organ... Vasconez plays beautifully but is it Latin? Judging by my Mexican ears, no.

7.) Luis Palau - Introduction 3
Fifteen seconds of Luis introducing Bruce and his baritone horn.

8.) Bruce Woodman - Salvador Admirable (Wonderful Savior)
Just adding the Spanish title to a standard carol doesn't make it Latin. This is getting depressing.

9.) Luis Palau - Introduction 4
Luis announces the arrival of the Three Wise Men and the next song by Bruce.

10.) Bruce Woodman - Blessed Palestine
A song about Israel done in a light Latin lilt. This could either be classified as Latin or Israeli music.

11.) Bill Fasig - What Child Is This?
Organ and chimes version - I'm still waiting for the maracas and marimba...

12.) Bruce Woodman - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Bruce is back with his baritone horn... and I'm looking for some Tito Puente or Celia Cruz to pep me up.

13.) Luis Palau - Introduction 5
"The next Christmas song is a hymn with a message for our time..." Uh-oh.

14.) Delores Baklenko - It's Christmas Time
The first 1:30 of this song is wonderful - not heavy on the Latin or message but the images it conjures is magical. It then switches gears and becomes a song about the manger, baby Jesus, the arrival of the savior - never capturing the magic of the first 90 seconds.

15.) Bill Fasig - The First Noel
Bill plays us out on the organ... please pick up your church bulletins and drive safely.

Of the three Latin flavored albums Ernie shared, this album is the worst of the lot. Woodman must have used a Toledo scale on this album - if it got too heavy with Latin lilt, he stripped some of that distinctive sound away, leaving a shell of "Latin" music.

Ernie shared out two other Latin albums of note. The first is Canciones de Navidad (Spanish Christmas Carols) by a fellow named William Clauson. During the 1950s, Clauson made a name for himself importing music from around the world and presenting it to the nuclear families of the Eisenhower era. This one's just a step above the Woodman album... but not that much.

The second album is Natal No Brasil - an authentic Christmas album from South America. Pick any song from this one and it contains more Latin lilt than Woodman's album altogether. This is the one I would choose from the three - it holds up after several listens.

Checking my notes, I discovered in early 2007, I downloaded several other Latin albums:


Floral Pops 70 - Drum Christmas Para Bailar

Miguel Ramos y su Organo Hammond - Navidad 1967

A Festa do Natal


Any one of these will more than satisfy that Latin Christmas urge... hope these will do the trick!


Capt

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Helen O'Connell - Christmas With


This was downloaded at the Members Share forum of FaLaLaLaLa on November 30, 2006 at 12:07 AM. Veteran FLLLL'er Inkydog posted this unique album there for all to share. Last Christmas, he posted this very same album at his own blog Cheerful Earful - go download and hurry back!

Some of you are asking yourself "Who's Helen O'Connell?" She was born in Lima, Ohio on May 23, 1920 and her family eventually moved to the metropolis known as Toledo to settle in. It was here that Helen began singing and was noticed by bandleader Jimmy Richards.

She went on the road with Richard's nine-piece orchestra and toured the country for 1 1/2 years. This exposure led to a radio show in St. Louis for a brief time until Larry Funk and his Band of A Thousand Melodies persuaded O'Connell to go with them to New York City in 1938.

While in New York, popular bandleader Jimmy Dorsey heard Helen sing in a nightclub and wanted her in his band. O'Connell said goodbye to Funk and signed on with Dorsey. This led to a string of successful hits for the Dorsey band including "All Of Me", "Embraceable You", and this little ditty:



In December, 1940, Dorsey decided to pair up ballad singer Bob Eberly with O'Connell and the combination clicked immediately. Their records took off, got huge jukebox airplay, and had hits such as "Amapola", "Tangerine", and "Green Eyes" which became their most popular song.

O'Connell won the 1940 Metronome magazine poll for best female vocalist and was selected by Down Beat readers as best female singer in 1940 and 1941. She went with Dorsey to Hollywood where they made several more records and motion pictures. Helen was featured in three movies ("The Fleet's In", "I Dood It", and "Sing, Helen, Sing") all between 1942 and 1943.

At the height of her popularity, Helen decided to get married in 1943 and retired from show business to settle down and have children. She rose three children but her marriage failed and she was divorced in 1951.

She soon jumped back into show business as a solo and began appearing in nightclubs, sang on the Capitol label between 1950-1955, and even appearing on the new medium of television. She made appearances on "The Colgate Comedy Hour" and was a featured performer on Russ Morgan's TV show of 1956.

Helen even awoke early for several years as the host of NBC's "The Today Show" from 1956 to 1958. In the middle of that run, she was given her own 15 minute summer show on NBC. Airing from May 29th to September 6th, 1957, the show was aired twice a week - Wednesdays and Fridays - in a time slot that followed the NBC network news program.

Around this time, Helen married novelist Tom T. Chamales and continued with her career appearing on TV anthology series like "The Bell Telephone Hour" but her marriage was on the rocks. She filed for divorce from Chamales in 1960 but the case never went to court. Chamales was the victim of an apartment fire and died in the blaze.

Throughout the 1960s, O'Connell toured with the reconstituted Jimmy Dorsey band, continued her appearances on television, and even made albums like the one you see here.

This album was on the Singcord label - a musical subsidiary of Zondervan Publishing House. Zondervan used to run the Singspiration label along with their own Zondervan label in the 1960s. However, many Internet sites claim that the Singcord label was run only in the 1970s.

So this album could very well be from that decade. Judging by the pictures of O'Connell and The Nashville Sounds Children's Choir on the back cover, it's likely it was from the 1970s. However, with no dates listed (and no complete O'Connell discography online for reference), there's no guarantee.

TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Sleep Holy Child
Pretty version of a Singspiration published song. O'Connell's in fine voice.

2.) Silent Night
This version by Helen and the Nashville Sounds Children's Choir is unique thanks to its different arrangement of "Silent Night" and another song.

3.) Rock-A-Bye
A lullaby to baby Jesus... Not a Christmas song in the traditional sense but I can see why it's here...

4.) Away In A Manger
Another different arrangement (see #2 above). This one sound Elizabethian thanks to the harpsicord intro.

5.) The Little Drummer Boy
Straight forward version - very 1970s sounding. Not bad.

6.) No Room
A song about Joseph and Mary's hotel problems in Bethlehem. O'Connell sounds a lot like Vikki Carr and the song has a then-and-now James Bond feel to it - this is surprisingly good!

7.) What Child Is This?
Lovely version with a taste of Medieval thrown in for flair.

8.) Gentle Shepherd
Not really Christmas but the madigral flavor lingers...

9.) O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Touching version of this carol - an unknown adult choir adds its two cents - and Helen sings perfectly.

10.) Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy
Take this venerable West Indian carol and add harpsicord, flutes, and guitars (sounds like King Arthur's court). It's puzzling but fun to listen to.


Overall, this is a good Christmas album - slightly heavy on the spiritual side, but it's worth a listen to. One can only imagine what Helen would have done with a full Christmas album (with carols and standards like "White Christmas") back in her heyday.

O'Connell remained very much in the public eye in the 1970s - she was the co-host of the "Miss Universe" pageant with Bob Barker from 1972 to 1980 and even toured with a revue entitled "Four Girls Four" with Rosemary Clooney, Kay Starr, and Rose Marie for a time.

She married Frank DeVol (yes, Happy Kyne from "Fernwood 2-Night") in 1989 and was actively performing until her death from liver cancer brought on by hepatitis C in 1993.

Thanks Inkydog for sharing this with us!


Capt

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Warner Brothers Stars - We Wish You A Merry Christmas

(Click on image to enlarge)


If you take a blood sample from our friend Ernie (Not Bert), you'll find 80% red blood cells, 10% white blood cells, and 10% vinyl. This was downloaded on November 29, 2006 at 1:54 PM from his blog and nearly two years later, I'm getting around to reviewing it - sheesh!

Back in the late 1940s, MGM - the movie studio with the roaring lion - created their own record label. For a time, they were the only movie studio with its own record label. By the mid-1950s, television had so badly eroded the box office that other movie studios needed new streams of revenue.

In 1957, Paramount began its record label and Warner Bros. were undecided as to start its own label. That changed when Dot Records signed then-WB star Tab Hunter to its label. Even though Hunter had an iron-clad exclusive movie contract with WB, without a record label, Tab was free to sign with Dot.

Sure enough, plans for Warner Bros. Records went into high gear and in March, 1958 - the first record on the new label came out. WB had reclaimed Tab hunter and his new single "Jealous Heart" (ironic, huh?) was released - the only charting record for the entire year!

Another mistake from the get go was ignoring rock n' roll. WB decided to go with pop, jazz, classical, spoken word, folk and gospel (see Clint Walker below).

Christmas releases for Warner Bros. in 1959 included George Greeley's "22 Best Loved Christmas Piano Concertos", the Guitar's Inc. "Guitars At Christmas", Ira Ironstring's "Ira Ironstrings Orchestra Plays Santa Claus", and the album you're looking at now.

To quote Ernie:

"This LP came out in 1959, and features the stars from then-current TV shows produced by Warner Brothers. The Warner Bros. record label was brand new at the time, and they were putting out all sorts of interesting stuff. (After you've downloaded it, look closely at the back label. They had so little product out at the time, they were recommending other companies records on their jackets!)"


BIO LINKS / TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Efrem Zimbalist Jr. - Adeste Fideles
Zimbalist's voice is astoundingly good (that led to other non-Christmas recordings). Majestic.

2.) Warner Bros. Stars - Deck The Halls
All the assembled stars on the cover merge as one to sing a few choruses.

3.) Connie Stevens - Away In A Manger
Breathy rendition from cutie Connie. She and Edd Byrnes had a HUGE hit the same year with "Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb"!

4.) Edward Byrnes - Yulesville
This song still has enough charm to give me a smile. That charm is almost used up. Next...

5.) Peter Brown - Winter Wonderland
Great voice and a snappy version of this song! He later starred with Pam Grier in "Foxy Brown"!

6.) Ray Danton - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
This guy could give Thurl Ravenscroft a run for his money. Another majestic song!

7.) Poncie Ponce - Mele Kalikimaka
Kazuo Kim sings again! Poncie got his start on "77 Sunset Strip", then moved over to "Hawaiian Eye".

8.) Eddie Cole - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The older brother of Nat (listen and feel the similarities), this was recorded near the end of Eddie's career - it swings, baby!

9.) Bob Conrad - White Christmas
I dare you to knock the battery off his shoulder... Robert Conrad sings marvelously - too bad we didn't get to hear more of that in "Wild Wild West" or "Baa Baa Black Sheep"!

10.) Dorothy Provine - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
From 1958 to 1968, Dorothy starred in many films and a great singing voice to match - then she got married and retired. This is a gem - she sounds a little like Dusty Towne from "SCTV"!

11.) Clint Walker - Silver Bells
A bonafide member of "The Dirty Dozen" singing a Bob Hope Christmas song! Remarkable! This was after Clint's walkout from Warner Bros. (see Ty Harden below) and his first album for WB - a gospel album entitled "Inspiration".

12.) Roger Moore - Once In Royal David's City
With his lordly British voice, Sir Roger narrates this song to great effect. The name is Templar... Simon Templar.

13.) Warner Bros. Male Chorus - Star Carol
I'm not sure if Clint, Roger, Bob Conrad, or Edd Byrnes sung on this - but whoever did does a nice job.

14.) Ty Hardin - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
This guy's Wiki entry is a trip - as for his singing... you gotta read this guy's Wiki entry. It's a trip!

15.) Warner Bros. Stars - We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Several choruses of this ol' favorite from everyone on the cover and presto! End of album!



Ernie said in his initial review "If you don't find something in here to love, you may as well quit looking." I agree. I especially liked hearing 007 recite his story, Dorothy Provine, and Eddie Cole.

Most of the artists on this album sing well and the arrangements don't subtract or detract from their singing. And then there's Ty Hardin...

It's hard to imagine from these beginnings came the colossus known as Warner Music Group. As for MGM and Paramount record labels, they're long gone but the WB survived.


Capt

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Andre Kostelanetz & His Orchestra - Wonderland Of Christmas


That cover looks good enough to eat... it's morning and I haven't snacked yet... stay focused...

In yesterday's post, I reviewed two disco albums both downloaded on the same day just minutes apart from each other (1:11 AM and 1:13 AM). Upon looking at the spreadsheet, I discovered that this almost edible album was sandwiched inbetween the two disco records - November 28, 2006 at 1:12 AM.

This was a featured album at FaLaLaLaLa.com - the focal point for all things Christmas music on the web since 2004. This is where the King of Jingaling set up his kingdom and invited one and all to help preserve the memories of Christmas vinyl past.

It was at FLLLL where hundreds of Christmas music enthusiasts gathered (and continue to gather) to share their knowledge of Christmas music, quickly making FLLLL the best resource for Christmas music online. Dig deep into their Forums and you'll find treasures of all sorts.

It was here I met many fellow collectors with diverse backgrounds; a school teacher (the King), a former radio program director (PDMan), a documentary filmmaker (Bebop Santa), a stay-at-home dad like myself (Stephen), a Carolina guy with a wealth of knowledge that exceeds even me (Stubbyfears), and a photographer / collector who used to go by the name of Orb1234 (Ernie).

If there's a burning question about Christmas music, go ask these guys and hundreds others at FLLLL. Bet you'll have your answer in about 1 hour (or less).

Every now and then, the King chooses an album to feature at FLLLL. And over the years, he's come up with some gems: Wayne King, Eddie Dunstedter, The Glad Singers, Sy Mann's "Switched On Santa", The Golddiggers, The Rhodes Kids, The Swingalongs, Ferrante & Teicher's "Adventure In Carols", The Peter Wood Singers, The Gunter Kallmann Choir, and don't forget his annual ADVENTures in Carols comp!

But Andre Kostelanetz? The man who practically invented easy listening? What gives, King?

"This is probably one of the first records that I ripped from vinyl several years ago. So why has it been sitting on my stack, unreleased to the FaLaLaLaLa hordes? I don’t know. But it is one of the records for which I receive semi-regular requests. So here it is..."

Spage Age Pop describes Andre Kostelanetz thusly: Only Mantovani comes close in defining easy listening music. Percy Faith, Ray Conniff – even Liberace – are names one naturally associates with easy listening, but they were entertainers, creators, who liked to spice things up, to toss in a surprise now and again. But Kostelanetz's goal was a pristinely perfect and consistent product, with no rough edges, no striking sounds, nothing to deter from a seamlessly smooth musical experience.

The King continues:

"Well, I think something happened to Andre before making this record. Like maybe he spent too many hours locked in a room with the complete recorded works of Juan Garcia Esquivel. There's no way you can listen to this version of Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! and believe otherwise...

"Oh sure, some of the tunes are standard Percy Faith/Mantovani fare – White Christmas and the medley of sacred songs that ends side one – but many of the arrangements are brilliant pastiches of frenetic brass, string glissandi and feisty percussion. For some of the tunes you'll swear ol' Kostelanetz arranged the second page after having lost the first and then only later put them together.

"As I listened more closely to this record in preparing it for the site, I began to get a much stronger appreciation for its genius. It expertly melds Kostelanetz's trademark sweet and lush string sound with some of the adventurousness of someone like Esquivel. But it doesn't feel like he's ripping off Esquivel because the bits of madness fit so well with the rest of what he's doing. It all works."


If the King says it works, then it works.


TRACK REVIEWS:

1.) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer /Jingle Bells
The Esquivel influence is there but Andre reins it in at the right times - man, this is gonna be fun!

2.) Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town / Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
"Santa Claus" has a Spike Jones-type of feel to it but "Have Yourself" is all Andre.

3.) The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)
Those opening strings were so high that it woke up my neighbor's dog! Lush, lush, lush!

4.) Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Oh yeah... Andre wanted to be Esquivel... does a great job trying too! Smooooth!

5.) It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
For me, this song always has a drowsy feel to it. This version? Where's my pillow and blanket?

6.) The First Noel / It Came Upon The Midnight Clear / O Come All Ye Faithful
Pretty standard easy listening fare here. The end of side one. Next...

7.) Winter Wonderland / I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
"Winter Wonderland" can easily pass for Liberace... Odd pairing of songs but Kostelanetz pulls it off.

8.) White Christmas
At first I thought that wistful violin was a theremin (how COOL would that have been?). Nope, easy listening.

9.) Silver Bells / Shake Me I Rattle (Squeeze Me I Cry)
I recognize "Silver Bells" but that other song isn't on my radar. A definite hit & miss.

10.) Christmas Chopsticks
WOW! One part Liberace, one part Kostelanetz. Nicely done.

11.) Sleigh Ride
This version of Leroy Anderson's perennial favorite sounds like the horse is amped up on steroids. Whoa, boy, whoaaaa!

12.) Joy To The World / Silent Night, Holy Night / Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly
Pure easy listening - we've reached the end of side two.


This was a fun ride! There's plenty of amazing sounds wrapped around the safe, standard easy listening fare. That krazy Kostelanetz probably had tons of fun recording this album in his wonderland for sure. This album certainly ranks right up there with the best of Lawrence Welk and Ray Conniff.

I'm seriously surprised that it was never released on CD. But that's what the King is so adept at - finding albums that should be on CD but aren't.

And his work is paying off. Several years ago, the King featured The Mike Sammes Singers' "White Christmas", an amazing Christmas album long forgotten and destined for obscurity. The King went to bat for The Caroleers' classic Christmas albums "Sleigh Ride Jingle Bells" and "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". All three albums are available for download at iTunes.

Finally, thanks to the King's effort to preserve it, the Hollyridge Strings' "Christmas Favorites" will be on the Christmas music shelves this upcoming December.

I damn near cried when the King announced this. Add this one to your wish lists!

Your majesty, on behalf of all the people who have assembled here,
I would merely like to mention, if i may...
That our unanimous attitude is one of lasting gratitude
For what you have done for us today...
And therefore I would simply like to say...

Thank you ve-ry ve-ry ve-ry much! ALL HAIL THE KING!


Capt

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