Pardon the Disney backdrop.

12 vids of Xmas: day 12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12 vids of Xmas: day 11

Although Charles Brown penned the original, Chuck Berry had a big hit with it, and Otis Redding did a great rendition, I think this is probably the most definitive version of the song.



If you haven't finished your shopping by now, GOOD LUCK.

12 vids of Xmas: day 10

Let's have the second Beatle in as many days, and the third consecutive Brit as well. In some sense, this is a twofer.

First up is the 'original' video, which was part of The John Lennon Video Collection, never released on DVD. Like a few others on that collection, this appears to have been assembled posthumously and features a photo montage. I hadn't seen this in years - I used to have a copy that a friend of mine taped from a Laserdisc. A LASERDISC!



The second version comes from the Lennon Legend DVD, released in 2003. In this version, Yoko Ono assembled a series of images that, though difficult to watch, are extremely powerful in the aim of provoking both thought and action in relation to the song's refrain.

12 vids of Xmas: day 9

classic Macca cheese! And Linda's she-mullet is looking especially fierce here. Whether it's an imposed association or not, this reminds me of Christmas parties with family etc. in my early childhood.

12 vids of Xmas: day 8

I'm told that Crosby had no idea who Bowie was, but told his producers to "get somebody the kids listen to." Even better that this was filmed in 1977, probably the height of Bowie's coked-out phase. I've also read that Bing was kind of an ass to Bowie. And as Michael reports on IckMusic, Bowie actually requested NOT to sing "Little Drummer Boy," and the meshing of "Peace On Earth" was a compromise. Hm.

One of the odder pairings in Xmas pop music history, for sure. Yet somehow it works, and it isn't Christmas Eve until I see this come up on VH1 Classic (in the old days, just plain old VH1. Before that, what we used to call Music TeleVision).

12 vids of Xmas: day 7

I totally have a soft spot for the Carpenters. I also like the use of 'Christmas' as a verb.

12 vids of Xmas: day 6

My favorite line: "Where's Rudolph? Where's Blitzen, baby?"

12 vids of xmas: day 5

Ok, enough of the cartoons. Let's get serious.



I know there's definitely a cheese factor, but I'm debating whether this is tongue-in-cheek or not.

12 vids of xmas: day 4

Where claymation dried fruit falls short, animated rodents excel. Classic!



I was Alvin for Halloween when I was 3 or 4. It was amazing.

Raveonettes Xmas

I've mentioned here before that The Raveonettes are one of my very favorite bands out there at the moment. I actually just found out that they're playing DC next month, which I may have to go to, although that weekend is looking pretty booked at the moment.

Anyhow, a few years ago they released an incredible Christmas song called..."The Christmas Song." Take a listen:

The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes

Gorgeous, yeah? Well, they Raves have just issued a digital only Christmas Ep, Wishing You a Rave Christmas. I finally remembered to get it last night, and it is well worth your $4 for this holiday cheer. It includes three originals and a cover of Darlene Love's classic "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)." You can find the EP on iTunes or Download from Amazon.

Rave on.

12 vids of Xmas: day 3

What happens when a series of Claymation figures ape the Temptations' version of a Christmas classic?



I do have fond memories of this xmas special. Of course, the Raisins were the draw, but really the other skits were more entertaining/memorable. Looks like YouTube has the whole thing, so I'll have to relive 1988 some evening soon.

12 vids of Xmas: Day 2

Kylie's take on the Eartha Kitt classic, revived in the 1980s by Madonna. I'm told Sheila E. also had a go at it.

12 vids of Christmas: Day One

Talk on the street is that December 25th is actually the first day of Christmas. That might be true, but does anybody really celebrate it that way anymore? I think we're all too tuckered out from festivities on the 25th (and need our rest for New Year's!).

So as promised, I will be posting one classic (in my mind, for various reasons) xmas vid for each of the next 12 days.

First up is this nugget from 1984, recently covered by Miley Cirus or one of those other teeny boppers.

Rockin' Little Christmas

I wanted to do a 12-days of Christmas wherein I posted my 12 favorite Christmas videos. Except that I forgot about it until two days ago. Never fear - I still bring some holiday cheer.

This little compilation first came my way back in the mid-1980s. My parents had it on cassette; if I recall, it was one of many miscellaneous recordings acquired when my great uncle died. Whatever the origins, it became a family favorite. A short, but sweet compilation of rockin' Xmas tunes. Some are classics that you'll remember (Brenda Lee, Chuck Berry, Bobby Helms), others are lost classics that have become personal favorites of mine (The Moonglows, The Enchanters). All in all, it's a great little compilation that is sadly out of print. So here it is. Pour out some drinks, exchange some gifts, and blast these xmas tunes. Happy Holidays, all!

V/A - Rockin' Little Christmas

merrry chrimble

Some more holiday cheer for you. As I've said before, I'm pretty selective about the Christmas music that I like. For those of you that know me, it should pretty much go without saying that The Beatles' Christmas releases are on my short list.

From 1963-1969, The Beatles sent out an annual Christmas 7" to members of their fanclub on both sides of the pond. Due to their rarity, they are highly collectible today. Apple put together a compilation of these releases in 1971, yet curiously, it hasn't been issued since, nor has it ever officially made it to cd. That being the case, I have sought after these recordings for some time, having heard only "Christmas Time (Is Here Again)," issued as the b-side to the Anthology single, "Free as a Bird."

One can only guess that it's a matter of time before the Christmas recordings get the reissue treatment, given that any Beatle release continues to generate a lot of buzz (think BBC Sessions, Anthology, 1, Let it Be...Naked, Love, etc.). Until then, we have the bootleggers to thank for keeping them in circulation. This release collects all of the releases as well as a few outtakes. They're highly entertaining - a good disc to pop into the car for that holiday drive.

The Beatles-Complete Christmas Recordings

Cheers, kiddies.