Here's a Christmas compilation that I found while on a quick blog tour I took at the end of July!I has just enough time at the computer to putz around but not enough time to sit and do a full album review. So I let the mouse do the clicking and I came across several sharity blogs that yielded good fruit.
I found the complete "Dirty Harry" movie soundtrack and an obscure 1960s comedy takeoff on the Kennedy "First Family" comedy albums. "At Home With That Other Family" is set in Russia and we meet up with the Khruschchev's!
This tour led me to Martin Klasch's blog. A mix of music, videos, artwork, and photos with a distinct European flavor. I was hooked. I began to deep search the blog when I came across this entry.
Culled from different sources such as Red Ryder BB Gun, Planet Xtabay (now Xtabay's World), Jul Igen, FaLaLaLaLa.com, and Ernie (not Bert) (who's he?), Klasch offered this CD during Christmas 2005 and I was kicking myself for not finding it until July, 2006! I left a link request in his blog entry comments section and he promptly left a link for me in a comments section of one of my entries!
The link in question is still active so why not download it yourself?
TRACK REVIEWS:
1.) The Soulful Strings - Sleigh Ride
One of the most "soulful" sleigh rides you'll ever take! A great way to start the album!
2.) Carla Thomas - Gee Whiz, It's Christmas
A nice follow-up to the Soulful Strings... been a while since I've heard this one!
3.) Dick Shawn - Snow Miser
"The Year Without A Santa Claus" is a bit of a bore. When this song comes on, it comes to life!
4.) Senor Tonto - Hooray For Santy Claus
Shades of Petty Booka! This is one of the oddest covers of this song ever!
5.) Sy Mann - Tijuana Christmas
Taken from the classic "Switched On Santa" LP. (Click on the link to get the album! Thanks Jeff!)
6.) Herman Apple - J'ai Vu Maman Embrasser Le Pere Noël (I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa)
A jaw-dropping, fantastic tune! I wonder where he found this one?
7.) The Three Suns - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Anything from the Three Suns is damn okay in my book! Great stuff!
8.) Yngve Stoor - Sjömansjul på Hawaii
A HAWAIIAN CHRISTMAS TUNE SUNG IN SWEDISH??? GREAT JUMPIN ICEBERGS! What a track!
9.) Marvin Gaye - Purple Snowflakes
WOW! A rare track finally found! The Motown sound, Marvin's melodious voice, this one's a winner!
10.) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Christmas Time
Motown and Christmas went well together and this song is a prime example. Another one I haven't heard in some time!
11.) The O'Jays - Christmas Ain't Christmas Without The One You Love
This song should be played more often at Christmas. A great triple play of soul!
12.) Margret Jonsson - Snögubben Froste (Frosty The Snowman)
When this song is sung in Swedish, it takes on even more charm and warmth. Very lovely!
13.) Ramsey Lewis - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Smoooooooooth! Ramsey only recorded a handful of Christmas tunes and this is his very best!
14.) Walter Brennan - A Good Year For Santa Claus
I never really listened to the music behind Walter's ramblin' before. I have to relisten to the album again!
15.) Glen Campbell - Little Toy Trains
Could this song have been the basis for "The Polar Express"? Listen to it closely...
16.) Burt Bacharach - The Bell That Couldn't Jingle
The timeless sound of Bacharach takes this otherwise dull song and brings it to life!
17.) The Hollyridge Strings - Santa's Got A Brand New Bag
Not exactly James Brown but it doesn't get much lush than this, folks!
18.) The San Sebastian Strings - Everyday Was Christmas
EXCELLENT TUNE! The great Anita Kerr and Rod McKuen sing a great vocal over some lush strings! What album did this one come from?
19.) Julie London - I'd Like You For Christmas
I just melted... Julie London has that effect on me and this one is haunting!
20.) The Hal Bradley Orchestra (with Patty Marie Jay)- Space Age Santa Claus
This is the epitome of space age Christmas! Check out the great 45 cover sleeve! Looks like Martin on his cover!
21.) Peggy King - I'm Gonna Put Some Glue On The Christmas Tree
Have you ever heard such a sadistic tune sung so sweetly? Krazy Glue is not to be trifled with!
22.) Claudine Longet - I Don't Intend To Spend Christmas Without You
Breathy, funky, and swinging! This is a tune definitely ahead of its time! Shooting incident notwithstanding, whatever happened to Claudine?
23.) Jimmy Smith - White Christmas
OUTSTANDING! I reviewed this album earlier this year and it's a classic!
24.) James Brown - Santa Claus, Go Straight To The Ghetto
Not his best Christmas tune... But Soul Brother #1's weakest work is better than half of the artists on the charts today!
25.) Dinah Washington - Make Me A Present Of You
GREAT JUMPING ICEBERGS! Another Dinah gem! This is too much! This may get some consideration for my own Christmas comp this year!
26.) Brian Wilson - What I Really Want For Christmas
This song was just too depressing for me... Like watching an older Muhammad Ali trying to box past his prime.
27.) James Last - Christmas Medley
An excellent medley of Christmas tunes... For more James Last, check out this blog!
28.) The Partridge Family - Winter Wonderland
Believe it or not, it fits right in with this mix! Shirley Jones and David Cassidy swing!
29.) Gunnar Svensson & Arne Domnerus - Karl-Bertil Jonssons Julafton
A smooth jazz tune that ends this incredible mix of Christmas tunes... Lovely!
It's an awesome Christmas CD. I hope this review has done it justice. Thank you Martin for sharing the CD with me (and all of us) yet again! It makes me look forward to this year's Christmas compilation from you even more.
On to the next new Christmas CD in my collection...
Capt
