Thursday, October 29, 2009

New ReIssue - This Time Of The Year by June Christy

Song of the Day - Echoes of the 80's Week - REO Speedwagon and Survivor

I've dropped the word "unfortunate" from today's post title since I actually think these arena rock veterans have both pulled off fairly decent Christmas songs. I doubt I'll be going out of my way to listen to either of them come Christmas, but fans of the bands will probably dig them all season long.






Both these tunes come from A Classic Rock Christmas which also features artists such as Eddie Momey, Styx, Keith Emerson, Gregg Lake and more.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Christmas Voices & Bells by The Boys Choir Of Vienna and Today's Links

Song of the Day - Unfortunate Echoes of the 80's Week - Iggy Pop's White Christmas

Even though I grew up immersed in both the NYC and UK punk scenes of the late 70's Punk Christmas tunes have never really done it for me. This year legendary proto-punk Iggy Pop made good on his threat to cover White Christmas and while the result isn't that bad I don't think der Bingle has much to worry about.  Please to enjoy White Christmas a la Iggy...




If you dig Iggy's brand of holiday cheer you can buy the MP3 at Amazon - White Christmas

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Song of the Day - Unfortunate Echoes of the 80's Week - Tommy Tutone

Welcome to the second installment of our look at once great 80's artists who hope for quick cash infusion by releasing holiday music that would have probably been better off as a goofy stocking stuffer for the band's friends and family.

Today we have one of my favorite 80's underdogs - Tommy Tutone. Sure everyone remembers their one hit wonderful single Jenny 867-5309 but the band had a lot more going on than that one , admittedly killer, track. I still listen to their first to albums all the time and even enjoyed their appearance on that VH1 Rock Reunions show a few years back. But now they've gone ahead and done this...



To be fair the band seems to actually be investing this one with a bit of energy but still...

Here's what this song should now and forever sound like....



Korla Pandit Remastered plus today's links...

New Release / ReIssue : Sleighride (Digitally Remastered) - Randy Van Horne Singers

An easy/vocal standout! One of my all time favorite Christmas LPs now digitally remastered!

New Release : If On A Winter's Night - Sting

New Releases / ReIssues : Christmas Disco and More Christmas Disco (Digitally Remastered)

Here are a pair of kitschy Christmas classics from The Mistletoe Disco Band...






Bonus Song of the Day: (Santa Claus) What Would You Like For Christmas? - Paul O'Keefe

Here's a cute little holiday tune from Christmas Past that I just couldn't wait to share....



Monday, October 26, 2009

Todays' Christmas Links

Song of the Day - Unfortunate Echoes of the 80's Week - The Motels

I was an 80's kid so this is going to be a particularly cruel week of "Christmas Songs of the Day". Our theme? 21st Century Christmas cash-in from artists who made thier name in the 80's. We start with a rather sad karaoke-ish rendition of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" from The Motels....



And, as a palate cleanser, here's a tune from better days...



Christmas Album of the Day : The Hymns & Carols Of Christmas by Jim Brickman

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Tuesday night links and Song of the Day

New Release - In The Swing of Christmas Barry Manilow

Christmas Album of the Day - Merry Christmas From Peggy Lee

New Release - Christmas From The Heart - David Archuleta

New Release - Gold And Green by Sugarland

65 Days to go....

frosty comic (4c514) fc (by senses working overtime)


Lala seems to be down at the moment so I apologize for any non-working links and widgets

Music...

A Very Special Christmas Vol 7 Coming in November

From Retuers:
A Very Special Christmas: Selling one million copies in its first year, the premier album, A Very Special Christmas, released in 1987, and the subsequent albums in the series, have generated more than $l00 million for Special Olympics, the most ever raised by a benefit recording series. Set for release on November 23, A Very Special Christmas - Volume 7 (A&M/UMe), incorporates a new generation of superstar talent; Colbie Caillat, Carter Twins, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens, Sean Kingston, Leighton Meester, Kellie Pickler, Ashley Tisdale, Carrie Underwood, as well as many others, add to the latest edition of the acclaimed album series featuring original recordings of new and traditional Christmas songs which each artist selected especially for this album.

Idol Chatter Reviews David Archuleta's Christmas From The Heart


A Fine Frenzy to Release Oh Blue Christmas EP @ MVRemix


Monday, October 19, 2009

Christmas Album of the Day - The Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant

Coming Soon: The Christmas TV Companion by Joanna Wilson

The Christmas TV Companion  FC (by senses working overtime)
The Christmas TV Companion
A Guide to Cult Classics, Strange Specials & Outrageous Oddities
by Joanna Wilson


Rick Goldschmidt posted about this upcoming guide to Yuletide TV over at his marvelous Rankin/Bass blog. This is the sort of book I live for and I'm already waiting impatiently for it's November 10th release. The only downside with these sorts of guides is the inevitably created unquenchable thirst to see all the obscure and hard to find goodies so lovingly detailed within. Oh well, a small price to pay...


Here's what the publishers say about the book:
Christmas on TV is wilder, weirder, & more wondrous than you think! The Christmas TV Companion is a funny, engaging look beyond the same Christmas specials that air every year to the cult TV rarities, over-the-top
made for TV holiday specials & bizarre, spacey shows that truly expand the notion of “Christmas spirit.” Loaded with pop culture references, this book is sure to please pop aficionados & TV junkies of all stripes. Its remarkable breadth of content covers the far-out gems of yesterday, as well as the irreverent & cutting edge Christmas material of today, from Arthur C. Clarke to South Park, and from Ed Sullivan to Squidbillies. This guide also contains practical examples for enhancing your own Christmas TV viewing.


Visit 1701 Press and/or the book's Facebook page for more info

66 Days to Go...

A Very Merry Christmas! (by Recycled Wares)
A Very Merry Christmas! (by Recycled Wares)


Celebrate...

Get Organized! Christmas Countdown Starts On Sunday
@ Organized Christmas


Music...

David Archuleta's Christmas Album & The Pop Music Christmas Video Pitfalls We Hope He Avoids
@ MTV


Yulephemera...

RANKIN/BASS' THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY figures @ Rick Goldschmidt

Song of the Day - Peterbilt Sleigh - Richie McDonald