THE DEAREST DAY IN ALL THE YEAR

Another year, another set of mixes. A lot of lost gems surface through these 2008 mixes. Who remembers the Albert Finney musical version of 'A Christmas Carol'? Well, this mix features one of my favorites from the musical, and also serves as the inspiration for the name of the seasonal blog. One of these days I am going to quit the rat race and open up a pub named Old Fezziwig's. Good tunes, good drinks, good food, good friends. In the meantime, you are all subjected to these mixes.

December The 25th - Fezziwig (Scrooge Original Soundtrack)
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem - Connie Smith
Last Month of the Year - The Blind Boys of Alabama
Your Christmas Whiskey - Minus 5
Exotic Night - Martin Denny
Purple Snowflakes - Marvin Gaye
Country Christmas - Faron Young
Christmas in the Congo - The Marquees
On A Christmas Day - C.W. Stoneking
We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo - Big John Greer
Christmas Ain't Christmas - The O'Jays
Writing To Santa - Dropkick
Zydeco Christmas - C.J. Chenier
World of Love - Binky Griptite & the Dee-Kay's
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - The Temptations
My Mom and Santa Claus - George Jones
The Merriest - June Christy
Santa Can't Stay - Dwight Yoakam
Christmas By The Bar-B-Que - Lynn August
Santa's Messin' With the Kid - Eddie C. Campbell
Happy Christmas - Toots and The Maytals
Here Comes The Fattest Man In Town - Bob Chester
Happy Christmas Day - Charley Pride
Rock and Roll Santa Claus - Babs Gonzales
Santa to the Moon - Sonny Cole
Long as I Can See the Light - Ted Hawkins
Jingle Jangle Jump - Dexter Gordon
After New Year's Eve - The Heartbeats
Silent Night - Tom Waits

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A HIGH FIDELITY CHRISTMAS

A mix that came together rather quickly with the premise that regardless of the genre, the music must swing and get your toe tapping. A big hit with the twins and the Mary, whose nonstop talking and energy often reminds me of a swarm of bees!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Johnny Maestro
Christmas Boogie - Barnstompers
Dominick the Christmas Donkey - Lou Monte
Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy - Buck Owens and Susan Raye
Deck The Hall - Veo Gray and the Jodie Lyons
Jesus is Just Alright - The Byrds
Mama's Twistin' With Santa - Mark Anthony
Child's Christmas in Wales - John Cale
Nut Rocker - B Bumble and the Stingers
What Will Santa Claus Say? - Louis Prima
Christmas Cha Cha - The Merry Macs
Frosty The Snowman - Rev Frost
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - The Jackson 5
Nutcracker Suite - Brian Setzer
Christmas In Vegas - Dale Watson
I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus - Brenda Lee
Scampi for Xmas - Dropkick
Sleigh Ride - The Late Greats
My Christmas Baby - The Refreshments
Jingle Bells - Booker T. and The M.G.'s
Happy Holiday - Peggy Lee
Christmas Lights - Billy Childish
Santa Claus is Back in Town - Dwight Yoakam
Silver Bells - Clarence White
Do You Believe in Santa Claus? - Billy May
Snoopy's Christmas - The Royal Guardsmen
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Roy Wood with Wizzard
Snow Squad - The Sadies

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WE HAD THE SNOWFALL

Another mostly indie rock collection of "non-holiday" holiday favorites - the Okkervil River song may have the single best holiday title ever - and it's a fine song to boot. Artwork on this one comes courtesy of the wonderful online Gang of 7 gallery.

White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
It Covers the Hillsides - Midlake
In The Bleak Midwinter - Bert Jansch
December - Basia Bulat
Gift X-change - Calexico
The Mods of Christmastown - Zumpano
The Fairest of the Seasons - Nico
In This Home On Ice - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Snow Don't Fall - Townes Van Zandt
Lonely Holiday - Old 97's
Gift Of The Magi - Squirrel Nut Zippers
Listening To Otis Redding At Home During Christmas - Okkervil River
Cold Wind - Bob Egan
Merry Christmas, Baby - Chuck Berry
15th December - Dropkick
Christmas 83 (Make Fun Of My Sweaters)- Centro-matic
Family Life - The Blue Nile
Merry Xmas Everybody - REM
Beautiful - Blue Rodeo
Christmas Song - Mogwai and Summer
The Spirit Of Giving - The New Pornographers
I Love N.Y.E. - Badly Drawn Boy

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DRENCHED IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Another in the series of "cocktail" mixes featuring big band vocals from the 40 - 60s. For this collection, I mixed it up a bit more, throwing in some contemporary country and roots music.

Jingle All the Way - Lena Horne
And The Angels Cried - Allison Krauss & Alan Jackson
Merry Christmas, Baby - Lou Rawls
In Santa's Bag - Ferlin Husky
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Wayne Newton
Put The Loot In The Boot, Santa - Mae West
Here Comes Santa Claus - Elvis Presley
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Julie London
Christmas In The Mountains - Faron Young
Amen - Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions
Winter Wonderland - Dean Martin
Merry Texas Christmas You All! - Ernest Tubbs & the Beasley Sisters
The First Noel / Silent Night / O Holy Night - Kate Smith
Away In A Manger - Patty Loveless
Frosty the Snowman - The Ventures
Christmas Carols by the Old Corral - Tex Ritter
Buon Natale (Means Merry Christmas to You) - Nat King Cole
Christmas Ain't Like Christmas Anymore - Kitty Wells
I'll Be Home for Christmas - Tift Merritt
I'm Tired Of Playing Santa Clause To You - Cowboy Copas
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Ruth Brown
Christmas on the Plains - Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
This Time of the Year - Los Lobos
Merry Christmas To You From Me - Marty Robbins
Please Come Home For Christmas - The Uniques
Sleigh Ride/Jingle Bells - Al Caiola, Jimmy McGriff, & Riz Ortolani

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IN SWEETEST REJOICING

A holiday mix that stresses elaborate vocal arrangements, highlighted of course by the mighty Waverly Choir. In addition, check out some of the unique vocals presented by The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, the Royal College Choir, and Fogelberg. Oh, and continuing my trend of featruing "non-Holiday" tracks penned by Bob Dylan - listen to that sound by the criminally underrated Howard Tate.

In Dulci Jubilo - The Waverly Consort
November - Aram with the Watson Twins
Girl from the North Country - Howard Tate
Baby, It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin
Blue Christmas - Johnny Cash
Fairytale of New York - The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
Tea For Two - Bishop Allen
I'd Like To Have An Elephant For Christmas - Hank Thompson
Angelina Forest (Christmas Comes So Soon) - Trudgernaut
Run Run Rudolph - Dwight Yoakam
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town - Lena Horne
Christmas Day - Red Star Belgrade
In The Bleak Midwinter - Royal College Of Music Chamber Choir
Country Christmas - Loretta Lynn
Yulesville - Ed "Kookie" Burns
Jingle Bells - Johnny Mercer
Old-Fashioned Christmas - Jimmy Martin
Save Me Jesus - Bobby Charles
At Christmas Time - Dan Fogelberg
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Lou Rawls
Gone Home for Christmas - Red Simpson
Father Christmas - Cast, Scrooge Original Soundtrack
Silent Night - The Temptations
Ave Maria - The Waverly Consort

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FIGHTING THE HOLIDAY BLUES

A neat little mix in which I tried to feature certain tunes that offset the inherent melancholy of the season with some joyful music.

All Alone On Christmas - Darlene Love
Merry Christmas Baby (Alternate Take) - Otis Redding
There Was A Star - The Staple Singers
Sweet Little Baby Boy, Pts. 1 & 2 - James Brown
Santa's Blues - Charles Brown
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Urbie Green
Why Don't You Go Home For Christmas? - Jim Backus
Looks Like A Cold, Cold Winter - Bing Crosby
Christmas Time Is Here - Rosie Thomas
Lost Winter's Dream - Lisa Mychols
Winter Wonderland - Akiko & The Ska Flames
Felicidades - Cheo Feliciano
Christmas Will Really Be Christmas - Lou Rawls
The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot - A Girl Called Eddy
Santa Will Find You - Mindy Smith
Blue X-mas - Bob Dorough
You Were All There - Maia Hirasawa
Christmas Time - The dB's
Santa's Wish - Hawaii Mud Bombers
Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry
All I Want For Christmas Dear Is You - Buck Owens
It's Not the Presents Under My Tree - Narvel Felts
Alone on New Year's Eve - The Manhattans
Auld Lang Syne - Akiko

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A LOVELY CHRISTMAS IN HELL, PARTS I & II

So, our Christmas Tree fell over about a week after we put it up. One of the loveliest trees we ever picked out now looks diseased and menacing. Was it too big to begin with? Did the damn cat knock into it one too many times? Or did Mary run and jump into it in her effort to reach a pretty ornament? Needless to say, the fallen tree has left us grouchy and we have opted not to put up any outdoor lights, and we're somewhat annoyed with the whole holiday season. Note that this did not stop me from creating more mixes and revisiting every mix created over the past 5 years. So for all the grinches out there, here's a double dose of tales of woe, abandonment, imprisonment, dashed hopes, drunken debauchery, and just general malaise - you know, sort of like life. A couple of these tunes feature some cussing, and the subject matter on most is probably not appropriate for the Yo Gabba Gabba set. There's your last warning - so now enjoy the misery...

PART I
Christmas Hell - Billy Childish
Will Hell Be Your Santa Claus? - Reverend J.M. Gates
Christmas Tree On Fire - Holly Golightly
Santa Stole My Whiskey - The Rimshots
Christmas In Jail, Ain't That A Pain - Leroy Carr
Drinking Up Christmas - The Dwarves
Santa's Out Of Rehab By Christmas - Adam's House Cat
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Reverend Frost
Daddy's Drinking Up Our Christmas - Commander Cody
Christmas On The Bowery - Michael Packer Band
Red Nosed Reindeer Blues - The Asylum Street Spankers
Bring That Cadillac Back - Doc Bagby Orchestra
Christmas In Jail - The Youngsters
The Downside Of Being A Fuck-Up - Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby
Old Man Spivey's Egg Nogg - Dalhart Imperials
Blue Grey Christmas - King Coleman
The Giant Of Illinois - The Handsome Family
Somerville - The Pernice Brothers
Please, Daddy (Don't Get Drunk This Christmas) - John Denver
Christmas On Boone's Farm - The Driveway Drinkers
Father Sgt. Christmas Card - Guided By Voices
At The Christmas Ball - Bessie Smith
A Man Named Jesus - Otis Gibbs
Carol Of The Bells - The Polyphonic Spree
Messiah Complex Blues - Clem Snide
Ghost Of David - Damien Jurado

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PART II
Cold Grey Light Of Dawn - Nick Lowe
Watch Out! Santa's Been Drinking - Tiger City Jukes
Civil War - Joe Henry
Xmas Blues - Harmon Ray
Christmas In Southgate - Ry Cooder
Please Daddy Don't Get Drunk - Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison
Where's My Christmas Morning? - Princeton
All I Want For Christmas Is My Daddy - Buck Owens & Susan Raye
Bandits - Midlake
Santa Came Home Drunk - Clyde Lasley & The Cadillac Baby Specials
Little Mary Christmas - Roger Christian
Drunk This Christmas - Paul Sanchez
Holy Ghost - Scud Mountain Boys
December's Child - Mark Olson
Rain On Christmas Day - Mark Nosowicz
Coats Of Ice - Damien Jurado
Bags' Groove (Take 1 / December 24, 1954) - Miles Davis
Christmas Is Cancelled - The Long Blondes
December - The Lemondheads

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A VINCE GUARALDI HOLIDAY

We just attended the twins' annual holiday concert, and the music that played before the show, during intermission, and immediately following the performance was selections from Vince's legendary 1965 A Charlie Brown Christmas. Over the course of the next 11 years, Vince would score 15 Peanuts specials and one feature length film, but his crowning achievement was his first effort for the Christmas episode - Vince Guaraldi IS Christmas music. The jazz purists may scoff, but lovers of music cannot deny that the man could write and play a tune with cheerful gusto. My lifelong love of jazz is definitely rooted in hearing this music at a very young age and hearing his original blend of jazz filtered through his appreciation of rock, Latin, and French pop music. Whenever it snows, I can hear the piano intro of "Skating." When Charlie and Linus go to pick out a tree and discuss the increasing commercialism of the season, I hear "O Tannenbaum." As we waited for the boys, "Linus and Lucy" kicked in over the loud speakers and Mary went absolutely bananas. You know what? So did I...

Since I had sprinkled past mixes with cuts from the holiday album, I used this mix to focus on some of this other Peanuts work as well as his highly celebrated compositions from works such as Cast Your Fate to The Wind, Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus, and The Latin Side. Finally, since it's Vince, this entry gets 3 pieces of artwork.

Great Pumpkin Waltz
Happiness Is
Samba De Orpheus
Surfin' Snoopy
Baseball Theme
Treat Streat
Joe Cool
Freda (With the Naturally Curly Hair)
O Nosso Amor
Heartburn Waltz
Blue Charlie Brown
Star Song
Greensleeves (Alternate)
Track Meet
Charlie Brown Theme
Manha De Carnaval
Charlie's Blues
Oh, Good Grief
Mr. Lucky
Pebble Beach
Schroeder
Corcovado
Cast Your Fate To The Wind

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JINGLE BELL BOOGIE

Anchored by two versions of Jingle Bells, this mix starts with some swing tunes and slowly makes it way through an assortment of truly American music - classic country, cheerful pop, and both original and retro soul - I believe I once listened to Stone Soul Christmas 50 times over one weekend.


Jingle Bells - Count Basie
Shake Hands With Santa Claus - Louis Prima with Keely Smith
Dixieland Band From Santa Claus Land - Jimmy Dorsey
Dig That Crazy Santa Claus - Oscar McLollie & His Honey Jumpers
Deck Them Halls - Ira Ironstrings
Christmas Finds Me Oh, So Sad - Charles Brown
Christmas Date Boogie - Joe Turner with Pete Johnson
Zat You Santa Claus? - Louis Armstrong
Born In Bethlehem - The Staple Singers
Go Power At Christmas Time - James Brown
Winter Snow - Booker T. & The MG's
White Christmas - Rance Allen Group
Scarlet Ribbons - Bobbie Gentry
Reindeer Boogie - Hank Snow
Old Toy Trains - Roger Miller
Santa's Comin' In A Big Ol' Truck - Red Simpson
Jolly Old Saint Nicholas - Tom T. Hall
Gonna Wrap My Heart in Ribbons - Hank Thompson
The Bell That Couldn't Jingle - Burt Bacharach
Listen To The Bells Ring - Lisa Mychol
Can You Dig It? - Brenton Wood
What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas? - The Emotions
Stone Soul Christmas - Binky Griptite
The First Noel - The Infant Kings
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Los Straitjackets
Santa Claus Is "Ska"ing To Town - The Granville Williams Orchestra
Happy New Year - The Ace Record Label
Christmas Auld Lang Syne - Bobby Darin
Jingle Bells - Chet Atkins

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CHRISTMAS OVERDOSE

This mix is pretty self explanatory - every song title features "Christmas." How great is the "Fab Four" cover of White Christmas?

The First Song (Christmastime) - Band Of Horses
The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes
Christmas Eve - Teenage Fanclub
Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World
Happy X-mas (War Is Over) - Damien Rice
Rockin Around The Christmas Tree - Brian Setzer
White Christmas - The "Fab Four"
Christmas Time Again - Bad Manners
The Friday Before Christmas - The Electric Soft Parade
This Christmas - The Dismemberment Plan
Bells Of Christmas - The Beach Boys
Christmas Day - Squeeze
I Want An Alien For Christmas - Fountains of Wayne
Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas - Eels
Christmas Rappin - Kurtis Blow
Merry Christmas Everybody - Noel Gallagher
Don't Believe In Christmas - The Sonics
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Joey Ramone
Come On Christmas - Cheap Trick
It Won't Be Christmas For Long - Trudgernaut
Christmas Party - The Walkmen
Merry Christmas Will Do - Material Issue
Thanks For Christmas - XTC
My Christmas Prayer - Saint Etienne
When I Get Home For Christmas - Snow Patrol

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AIR YOUR GRIEVANCES

A mostly indie rock affair with some clever remixes and valiant covers. The title and artwork refer to that legendary holiday for the cynic and hipster doofus in all of us.

FRANK: Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reach for the last one they had - but so did another man. AS I RAINED BLOWS UPON, I REALIZED THERE HAD TO BE ANOTHER WAY.

KRAMER: What happened to the doll?

FRANK: It was destroyed. But out of that, a new holiday was born - A Festivus...for the rest of us!

Have a safe and happy Festivus on December 23. Air your grievances with loved ones, keep the tinsel away from the aluminum pole, endure feats of strength, donate to the Human Fund, and remember: Festivus - Yes! Bagels - No!

Jingle Bells (Remix) - Dean Martin
Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys
November - Azure Ray
The Shining (Remix) - Badly Drawn Boy
Frosty The Snowman - Fiona Apple
Back Door Santa - Jet
Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto - James Brown
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Death Cab For Cutie
Right Back From Where We Started From - Maxine Nightingale
Calendar - Bishop Allen
Still Still Still - Sunfall Festival
River - Travis
Valley Winter Song - Fountains Of Wayne
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - The Smithereens
Alan Parsons in a Winter Wonderland - Grandaddy
On a Freezing Chicago Street - Margot & The Nuclear So & So's
Thing Of Beauty - Hothouse Flowers
Julsang - Suburban Kids with Biblical Names
Holiday Hymn - Orange Juice
Here Comes Santa Claus - Los Straitjackets
Handle With Care - Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins
Happy X-mas (War Is Over) - The Alarm
2000 Miles - Coldplay


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SONGS FOR SLEIGH RIDES AND CAMPFIRES

A bit more of a folk and twang vibe on this mix, which feels like a companion to the North Country Blues mix from 2005. Dylan kicks things off, and the common tie with this mix was the inspiration that Dylan had upon all of these artists, whether they were peer, friend, or follower.

She Belongs To Me - Bob Dylan
Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis - Neko Case
Talking Christmas Goodwill Blues - John Wesley Harding
Steamboat Whistle Blues - John Hartford
Annie - Pete Townshend & Ronnie Lane
Frost Heaves - Jay Farrar
Have The Stones Ever Done A Christmas Song? - The Gourds
Snow Day - Matt Pond PA
Cold and Bitter Tears - Ted Hawkins
We Winter Wrens - Dolorean
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - T-Bone Burnett
Peace, Love And Understanding? - The Holmes Brothers
Santa Baby - Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison
Blackberry Winter - Aram & The Watson Twins
Girl From The North Country - The Waterboys
Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty
Hey Parker, It's Christmas - Ryan Adams
Buffalo Gals - Bruce Springsteen
Glad to Be Alive - Blue Rodeo
Silent Night - Low

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AND THE STREET CORNER BRASS BAND PLAYED

If I ever open a bar, Shanne Bradley by The Pogues will be played on the hour during the holiday season - let's not kid ourselves - The Pogues would be featured every day. The next time any of you see me in person remind me to relay my chance encounter with Shane MacGowan at a pub in Philadelphia - needless to say, good times were had by all. A neat little mix with some Nick Drake devotees kicking things off (Damien Rice and the Dream Academy - their song is about Nick), a couple of Atlantic R&B tunes that flirt with disco, some choice covers (Neil Young's Winterlong, Big Star's Jesus Christ)and the always mighty Joe Strummer with a lovely R&B cover that graced his last album before his untimely passing.

Silent Night - Lisa Hannigan and Damien Rice
Life In A Northern Town - The Dream Academy
Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald
Christmas Song - The Drifters
Shanne Bradley - The Pogues
Jesus Christ - Teenage Fanclub
Maybe This Christmas - Ron Sexsmith
Up On That Cloud - Blue Rodeo
Sodom, South Georgia - Iron & Wine
Winterlong - Matt Pond PA
Christmas Gift - Margie Joseph
Christmas In Prison - John Prine
Written In The Snow - The Autumn Defense
Frozen - Daniel Lanois
Bring You Happiness - Luther Vandross
Sweet Secret Peace - Neil Finn
Peace On Earth - U2
Solitary Swedish Houses - Chappaquiddick Skyline
Splitting Up Christmas - Kevin Devine
Dublin Sky - The Dublin Sky
Silver And Gold - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
Mull Of Kintyre - Wings
Egg Nog - Luna

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IT'S A DIGITAL CHRISTMAS, BABY!

Three days after the twins were born and already suffering from a lack of sleep, my first trip out for diapers included a pit stop at the local record shop to pick up a half a dozen CDs. I can still recall what I bought that day (Neko Case, Kelly Willis, Peter Bruntnell, The Band, Miles Davis, Dock Boggs). Ah - the good old days. I fought the temptation for years, and then succumbed fully - I became a subscriber to emusic.com shortly after Mary was born, realizing that it just made good sense to download songs for a fraction of what a CD still costs. Do I miss the brick and mortar stores? Sure. Will I still buy some physical CDs? Of course. But I'm in the full throes of the digital revolution now, even if I still refuse to buy any of that junk that iTunes offers up as respectable sound files. The majority of selections found on this mix (one of my favorites) were compiled in the span of a few hours bouncing around emusic.com one cold December night in 2006.

Deilig Er Jorden - Kings of Convenience
Doing The Santa Claus - Huey "Piano" Smith
Two-Step 'Round The Christmas Tree - Suzy Bogguss
Christmas Swing - Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grapelli
Christmas Present Blues - Jimmy Reed
Meet Me Under The Mistletoe - Dick Robertson
Feliz Navidad - Pete Escovedo & Ray Obiedo
Midnight Clearance Sale/ The Three Dories - Ashley MacIsaac
Daddy's Drinking Up Our Christmas - John Guliak
Christmas Island - Guy Lombardo & The Andrew Sisters
Winter Wonderland - Chet Baker
Christmas Time In My Hometown - Bobby Helms
Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney - Ella Fitzgerald
Christmastime - Aimee Mann
Hark The Herald Angels Sing - The Peasall Sisters
Christmas Lights - Triangle Park
Santa Claus Likes Rich Kids Better - Young and Sexy
Ipod X-mas - Hello Saferide
Christmas Time In Texas - Dale Watson
Santa Clause Blues - Champion Jack Dupree
If We Make It Through December - Merle Haggard
Let's Make Everyday Like Christmas - Charles Brown
Merry Christmas, Baby - Booker T. & The MG's
Merry Christmas Everybody - Slade
Let There Be Peace On Earth - Papa Don Vappie
Happy New Years Baby - Johnny Otis

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CHRISTMASTIME IN THE CITY

This mix has a lot of great R&B chestnuts, and is anchored by two killer tunes - I absolutely love the opening original track performed by the late great Ted Hawkins. The song was taken from a poorly recorded live album which was perhaps a half step up from a porrly recorded audience bootleg. Through the magic of some clever sound file programs, I was able to salvage the volume and tone. I wish he had gotten around to recording a studio version of the song. RIP Ted! Oh, and the closing tune will probably be played at my funeral - the mighty Sandy Denny on lead vocals for this track.

Golden Sun - Ted Hawkins
Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong
Winter Wonderland - Leon Redbone
White Christmas - Otis Redding
Jesus, I'll Never Forget - The Soul Stirrers
This Will Be - Natalie Cole
Winter - Bebel Gilberto
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Ella Fitzgerald
Sleigh Ride - United States Air Force Academy Band
Silent Night - Mary Wells
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Dionne Warwick
This Christmas - Donny Hathaway
What Christmas Means To Me - Stevie Wonder
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Lena Horne
Presents For Christmas - Solomon Burke
Everyday - Buddy Holly
Santa Claus - The Sonics
Soulful Christmas - James Brown
Santa's Blues - Charles Brown
Go Tell It On the Mountain - Jimmy Calire Trio
Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday - Sweet Inspirations
New Year's Eve - Jim Cuddy
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? - King Curtis
Who Knows Where The Time Goes? - Fairport Convention

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WINTER IN MY BLOOD

A mix with a strong religious / spiritual undercurrent but featuring music no doubt shaped by, or serving as the inspiration for music from the Basement Tapes or the Anthology of American Folk Music. In other words, holiday music for an old weird America. Double irony here in that i am the least religious person walking the planet.

Listen To The Shepard - Jim Lauderdale & Ralph Stanley
Houses On The Hill - Whiskeytown
Everything Is Cool - John Prine
Northern Winds - Steve Earle
Acadian Driftwood - The Band
The Maker - Willie Nelson
Cathedrals - The Handsome Family
Whatever Happened To Christmas? - Aimee Mann
Jesus Was An Only Son - Bruce Springsteen
Silent Night - Dr. John
Winter's Song - Cowboy Junkies
I Am The Light Of This World - Jorma Kaukonen
Christmas Time's A-Comin'/Rudolph - John Fahey
When God Made Me - Neil Young
My Sweet Lord - George Harrison
A Lot Of Good Ones Gone - Peter Wolf
Merry Chistmas Baby - Southern Culture on the Skids
Chimes Of Freedom - The Byrds
Angel Band - The Stanley Brothers
Silent Night All Day Long - John Prine
Long As I Can See The Light - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Christmas In Gloucester - Souls of the Sea
Fiesta - The Pogues

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FUNKY HOLIDAY THROWDOWN

As you can see, 2006 was the year I lost my mind with these mixes. As I branched out with some more thematic offerings, I was left with this hodepodge of material that seemed not to gel with the other mixes. A bit more of a traditional rock element here, with some funkier R&B selections. Oh, and a Prince cover by the bass player of Yo La Tengo - I love music...

We Wish You A Merry Christmas - The Ventures
Last Night It Snowed - Ass Ponys
Funky Funky Christmas - Electric Jungle
Welcome To The Goodtimes - The Black Crowes
5 Degrees Below Zero - Richmond Fontaine
Jingle Bell Rock - Los Straitjackets
All the Right Reasons - Dressy Bessy
Cold Night - Galaxie 500
Jingle Bells (Tino Remix) - Celia Cruz
Hotel Chelsea Nights - Ryan Adams
Joy, Peace & Happiness - Count Basic
Christmas In Blighty - Semi-Tough
CBGB's - Syd Straw
Champagne Supernova - Oasis
Rainy Night In Soho - The Pogues
Another Lonely Christmas - Dump
Peace - Exodus Quartet
This Year - The Mountain Goats

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AN OLD WORLD CHRISTMAS

In 2006, I branched out from the traditional offerings and put together a few classical mixes. Handel's Messiah selections are the centerpiece here - but I needed some Bach and Mozart! Always Bach and Mozart!

Bach
Christmas Oratorio BWV 248: Sinfonia in G Major

Vejvanovsky
Sonata Natalis in C Major

Handel
Messiah selections:
And the Glory of the Lord
And He Shall Purify
For Unto Us a Child is Born
All We Like Sheep
Hallelujah
Pastoral Symphony
Worthy is the Lamb

Gottschalk
Souvenir de Porto Rico

Mozart
Ave verum corpus K. 618

Bach
Cantata No. 214 - Tonet, ihr Pauken! Erschallet, Trometen!

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CHRISTMAS WITH THE ITALIANS

The second all classical mix from 2006 featuring Vivaldi and some lesser known fellow countrymen. How did I do two of these in 2006 and still not get around to an all-jazz (non-Guaraldi) mix? I am slipping. I guess that's on tap for 2009.

Manfredini - Sinfonia Pastorale
Largo
Adagio
Andante

Locatelli - Concerto grosso in F Minor
Largo
Grave I
Vivace
Grave II
Largo, Adante
Andante
Pastorale, Andante

Vivaldi - Concerto grosso in D Minor
Allegro I
Allegro II
Lento e spiccato
Allegro III

Manfredini - Concerto grosso in C Major
Pastorale, Largo
Largo
Allegro

Corelli - Christmas Concerto
Vivace I
Allegro I
Adagio
Vivace II
Allegro II
Largo

Boccherini - Symphony No. 26 in C Minor
Allegro vivo assai
Pastorale, Lentarello
Minuetto, Allegro
Finale, Allegro

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SNOWSTORMS AND STARS

Another in my series of "non-holiday" holiday mixes featuring an array of indie rock artists, with a bit of assistance from some heavyweights (Beatles, Beach Boys, U2). Perhaps not the mix you play during a Christmas cocktail hour, but the mix you put on for yourself after everyone leaves and you're relaxing by yourself. The standouts for me here are the beautiful and ethereal selections by Sigur Ros and the shoegazing legends Galaxie 500.

Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles
Town And The City - Teenage Fanclub
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
Holiday Road - Matt Pond PA
My So-Called Celibate Life - The Pernice Brothers
The Winter Is Coming - Elf Power
Snowstorm - Galaxie 500
Thank You Louise - Ryan Adams
Winter Wooskie - Belle & Sebasatian
Eskimo - Damien Rice
Staralfur - Sigur Ros
Listen, The Snow Is Falling - Galaxie 500 Featuring Naomi
Seasons (Ocean Remix) - Neil Halstead
Winter - Teenage Fanclub
Winter A-Go-Go - Yo La Tengo
Pisshole In The Snow - The Pernice Brothers
Grace - U2
The Stars Shine In The Sky Tonight - Eels
Do You Realize? - The Flaming Lips

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SNOWFLAKE SERENADES

A holiday collection that probably features the most instrumentals that I've placed in one mix. The usual assortment of everything, with perhaps a bit more blues and jazz than previous entries. Looking back at the tracks there is no doubt in my mind I had just finished watching a Wes Anderson movie as I note the presence of the mighty Mark Mothersbaugh on this mix a few times, as well as Van's "Everyone" - the Moondance song which played over the end credits of a film I associate with this time of year - The Royal Tenenbaums.

Thanksgiving - Vince Guaraldi
Santa Claus, Santa Claus - Louis Jordan
Amazing Grace - Cyrus Chestnut
Baby, It's Cold Outside - Zooey Deschanel & Leon Redbone
Snowflake Music - Mark Mothersbaugh
Jingle Bell Cha Cha - Pearl Bailey
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Lena Horne
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
Sleigh Ride / Santa Claus Party - Ferrante & Teicher / Les Baxter
Home For The Holidays - Perry Como
Please Come Home For Christmas - Little Johnny Taylor
Greensleeves - Coleman Hawkins
I'll Be Home For Christmas - Linda Ronstadt
Here Comes Santa Claus - Gene Autry
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Crystals
Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms
The Bells - Bobby Powell
Santa Claus Is Back In Town - Elvis Presley
Christmas In Las Vegas - Los Straitjackets
Merry Christmas Baby - Charles Brown
Winter Wonderland - Lavay Smith
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Bing Crosby
Christmas Waltz - Nancy Wilson
White Christmas - Darlene Love
Winter Snow - Isaac Hayes
O Come All Ye Faithful - Marcus Roberts
The Secret Of Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald
Everyone - Van Morrison
Margaret's Theme - Mark Mothersbaugh

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NORTH COUNTRY CHRISTMAS BLUES

According to my lovely wife, "the best Christmas mix you have made to date...I like every single song on here and never tire of hearing it." She may be on to something - John Prine at the top of his game, Otis and Carla, Mack and Rufus, lots of great contemporary folks (Calexico, Jurado, Reigning Sound). This mix also contains evidence that the very sad spectacle known as Rod Stewart was once very great indeed.

Sixteen, Maybee Less - Iron & Wine / Calexico
Jesus, The Missing Years - John Prine
Girl From The North Country - Bob Dylan
Christmas Must Be Tonight (Alternate Version) - The Band
Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin' - Mack Rice
Jesus Christ (With Signs Following) - The Gourds
Merry Christmas, Baby - Otis Redding
If Christmas Can Bring You Home - Reigning Sound
Blew It Again - Blue Rodeo
I'll Be Your Santa - Rufus Thomas
Christmas Morning - Lyle Lovett
Speaking To The Angel - Ron Sexsmith
Who Took the Merry Out Of Christmas? - Staple Singers
Violence In The Snowy Fields - Dolorean
Glad Bags and Handrags - Rod Stewart
Silver Bells - Booker T. & The MG's
Northbound - Damien Jurado
Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday - Sweet Inspirations
A Long December - Counting Crows
New Year's Day - Slaid Cleaves
Moonlight Mile - Alvin "Youngblood" Hart
New Year's Resolution - Otis Redding & Carla Thomas

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HAPPY CHRISTMAS! FEED THE PEOPLE!

A smattering of songs from other decades make their way into this playlist, but one glance at the tracks and you know that lots of 80s nostalgia (both good and bad) peppers this mix - after much searching one night I located the extended "Happy Christmas" remix of Band Aid's instant classic.

Christmas Weekend - Los Straitjackets
Father Christmas - The Kinks
Glad Tidings - Van Morrison
Last Christmas - Wham!
Only You - Yaz
Let My Love Open The Door - Pete Townshend
Pipes Of Peace - Wings
Livin' Thing - ELO
The Auld Triangle - The Pogues
White Christmas - Stiff Little Fingers
Jesus Christ - Big Star
Joy To The World - Aretha Franklin
Mary's Boy Child - Boney M
Merry Christmas Baby - Bruce Springsteen
Christmas In Hollis - Run DMC
Put A Little Love In Your Heart - Al Green & Annie Lennox
Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) - The Ramones
Christmas Is Coming - Vince Guaraldi
Christmas Is All Around - Billy Mack
Do They Know It's Christmas? (Happy Christmas Remix) - Band Aid

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