Because it's NEVER too early! 10/10 '14
If you love Christmas pop music as much as I do, you know that 90% of it is dreadful. (You also probably apologize to your significant other a lot.) For every "Fairytale of New York," "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," and "Merry Christmas from the Family," there are dozens of cynical little crapcicles that reek of contractual obligations ("Step Into Christmas"), wretchedly puerile "jokey" songs ("Grandma Got Run Over etc."),
overproduced/uninspired versions of public domain carols (pretty much every R&B or country version of "Silent Night"), and well-meaning originals that land on the wrong side of the hypnotic/annoying line ("Wonderful Christmastime").
But still - that remaining 10% does wonders for filling one with a warm, nostalgic glow when it's time to see if that heavy jacket still fits. (It does - you look great.) And here's a wonderful collection of 80 Christmas pop songs from the 40s - early 60s that's currently on sale at Amazon for six bucks. Make with the clicks:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GYV17AQ/ref=dm_ws_ec_mdl_dp_B00GYV17AQ
You've got some genuine classics here, like Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," Mel Torme's "The Christmas Song," and Brenda Lee's adorable "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. You've got some gorgeous crooning from the likes of The Platters, Billie Holiday, and Nat King Cole. You've even got some genuinely fun novelty tunes, like Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run," Dean Martin's "Baby It's Cold Outside" (no, it's not a date-rape song, it's just smarmy), and Eartha Kitt's delightfully purring "Santa Baby" (Julie Newmar was supposed to be sexier than her? Balderdash).
(Exhibit A.)
You won't love 'em all, of course, but I'm the last person to judge you for enjoying a song I don't care for. (Unless it's "Mele Kalikimaka." Fuck that song.) You may not dig the big-band style that dominates the collection, or you might balk at the notion of Perry Como showing up on your iPhone. But c'mon - 80 songs for six bucks. You could delete over half of 'em and still walk away feeling like Larry the Liquidator. But before you delete...pause. Let the songs breathe a bit. Sure, some of this music is treacly and filled with cheese, but there's something so pure about holiday music from the 40s and 50s. Even the toss-offs (Sinatra sounds like his mind is on his next martini) have a certain cliched soul feel just right on a chilly night. These are original recordings, and their lo-fi sound is part of their charm. Even those of us with playlists filled of Naked City, Bad Brains and Angelspit can appreciate some good old-fashioned corn when fall really starts to kick in and you realize a hot chocolate would really hit the spot right about now.
So there you go - a little Holiday Music Tip from your Uncle Matthew. Do with it what you will. If you ask me nicely, I might even tell you what my all-time favorite Christmas pop/rock/jazz recordings are. If you ask even more nicely, I might even stop.
;)
Every Christmas Eve dj Robert Drake plays a million hours of Christmas songs. He's the new wave brain trust, so there's stuff in there to amaze and annoy even you I suspect.
1. Thankful Heart from Muppets Christmas Carol. This song makes me cry every year.
2. The Angel Gabriel by Sting, original version from one of those Coolest Christmas albums. He later did a version that was much less haunting, so if you are listening to it and don't get chills, look for the other version.
3. Little Drummer Boy. I know you don't have to ask me which version.
4. Twelve Days of Christmas by John Denver and the Muppets.
5. An Idiot for Christmas. That redheaded kid in the video cracks me up.
I'm going to have to obtain that Muppet Song. I'm ashamed to say I've never seen A Muppet Christmas Carol.
(The Decemberish are my favorite lisping hipster band.)
(Second-favorite: The Lisping Hipsters.)
Our window is usually mid-November through New Year's, though sometimes we start the Die Hard series earlier.