IS IT CHRISTMAS YET?

Anyone who has checked in with this blog over the years will recognize that this mix follows a familiar pattern - a leisurely paced, slightly mellow mix which leans heavily on soul music and country tunesmiths from a bygone era. I'll be honest - these were some of my favorite mixes to cobble together. I loved how often these two divergent sounds showed just how much they had in common. As each December typically spirals into craziness, it was always nice to throw these types of compilations, sit back, relax, and listen. I hope you enjoy my last crack at it.

1. White Christmas - Baby Washington
2. The Old Year Is Gone - Johnny Paycheck
3. Tomorrow Is Christmas Day - Buck Owens & Susan Raye
4. Hello Darling - Change of Pace
5. Santa's A Hippy - Don Sneed Jr.
6. Santa Can't Stay - Dwight Yoakam
7. Black Christmas - The Emotions
8. Captain Santa & His Reindeer Space Patrol -  Bobby Helms
9. Christmas Time Is Here Again - The Flirtations
10. Here It Is Christmas Time - The Old 97's
11. Santa's Got A Brand New Bag - Gary Walker
12. Little Christmas Angel - Hank Thompson
13. A Funky Christmas To You - J Hines & The Boys
14. Winter Wonderland - Linda Lewis
15. Christmas Without Daddy - Loretta Lynn
16. One Waking Moment - Magnolia Mountain
17. Winter Blues - The Mountains & The Trees
18. My Christmas Tree - The Temptations
19. The Wexford Carol - The Chieftains & Nanci Griffith
20. Country Christmas Blues - Rick Fines
21. Joy To The (Entire) World - The Rendition
22. Christmas Everyday - Smokey Robinson
23, Christmas Morning Comin' Down - The Tall Pines
24. Ring Ring Ring - Scarlet Tanager
25. Santa Don't Pass Me By - Jimmy Donley
26. Out Of The East - Charley Pride
27. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Charlie Haden & Hank Jones

Download as a zip file, or stream the songs below:

WE SPELL IT S-A-N-T-A C-L-A-U-S

Here's a greasy, scuzzy little mix that chugs, sneers, and stage dives along while taking no prisoners. Lots of originals and some well worn classics all sharing a few things in common - attitude and innuendo (and usually a breakneck pace). Recommended for after the headache-inducing corporate commitments, impossibly large family gatherings, and awkward cocktails with the neighbors. Wax the hair back, grab those smokes hidden in the pantry, and be prepared for anything. Well, be careful not to put a fist through the drywall.

1. Xmas in Motherwell - The Plimptons
2. Rocket Ship Santa - The BellRays
3. Step Into Christmas - The Wedding Present
4. Sweet Christmas - Shonen Knife
5. Stop The Calvary - Severe
6. Holiday Hymn - Orange Juice
7. Christmas All Summer Long - Deer Tick
8. Until The World Lets Me Go - Jessica Jalbert
9. One Winter's Night - The Brood
10. Santa's Too Drunk To Drive - The Hot Rods
11. Hurray For Santa Claus - The Fleshtones
12. Money has No Heart - Apollo Ghosts
13. The Night Before Christmas - The Fighters
14. Don't Believe In Christmas - The Dyes
15. Dear Santa Claus - Billy Childish
16. Silver Bells - Cuckooland
17. Santa's Midnight Run - The Untamed Youth
18. Santa Ain't Coming For Christmas - Rocket 455
19. Santa Clause Is Coming To The USA - The Kicks
20. Don't Come Home For Christmas - Jom Comyn
21. Rock n Roll Santa - Yo La Tengo
22. Battle of Snowmen Mountain Pt 2 - By Surprise
23. Snowed In On Christmas - The New Anxiety
24. Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight) - Helen Love
25. Father Christmas - Two More Weeks
26. Reindeer n' Whiskey - The Iguanas
27. Buy Me a Beer For Christmas - The Poor Bastards
28. Hangover 1/1/83 - The Waitresses

Download as a zip file, or stream the songs below:

CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE

IT'S TIME FOR SOME EXCITING CHRISTMAS COMIC STORIES!

LET THOSE BELLS RING OUT

Yes I know - the sleigh bells sound great around December 3rd. By December 20th? Not so much. You know what? Too bad. This mix is chock full with 34 songs bursting at the seams. Old-timey, lounge, Mummers string bands - it doesn't matter - bells always work.  Layers of bells. Even a fairly terrible holiday tune stands a fighting chance with some bells added in for good measure. Zuzu knows...

1. Santa Won't Be Blue This Christmas - Jimmy Charles
2. Wonderful Christmas Time - The Bandana Splits
3. Jingle Bells Polka - Polish-American String Band
4. Up On The House Top - Walt Jacobs
5. White Christmas - Esquivel
6. Hey! I'm Your Gift Today - Betty & The Cavaleros
7. The Man In The Red Suit - The Peppermint Kandy Kids
8. That Holiday Feeling - Juliette
9. Rockin' Santa - Ebony Moods
10.Christmas Chimes Are Calling Santa - Rankin/Bass
11. Winter Wonderland - The Funk Brothers
12. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - The Ventures
13. Happy Holiday - The Sherwoods
14. Rockin' On a Reindeer - Harry Lee
15. Festive Noel - Alan Moorehouse
16. Manteau De Froid - Les Breastfeeders
17. Outer Space Santa - Lawrence Welk
18. Auld Lang Syne - Aqua String Band
19. Here We Come A Caroling - Columbia's Musical Treasures
20. Champagne of Christmas - The Fleshtones
21. Christmas Is Coming At Last - The Rhythm Kings
22. Rockin' Santa Claus - The Martels
23. Let's Get It Together This Christmas - Harvey Averne Band
24. Santa Claus Boogie - Voices
25. Cold Cold Winter - Pixies Three
26. Space Age Santa Claus - Hal Bradley Orchestra
27. Sleigh Ride - Gordon MacRae
28. 'Twas The Night Before Christmas - Steve Lawrence
29. Silver Bells - Sam (The Man) Taylor
30. Twinkle Twinkle Little Me - The Supremes
31. Christmas Lights - The Yule Logs
32. Monsters Holiday - Bobby Boris Pickett
33. Merry Christmas, Teddy Boy - The InfiniTeens
34. Children Go - Super Desserts

Download the zip folder, or stream the songs below: