Over the past few years, I've been doing myGETTING IN THE MOOD posts. Sharing Christmas songs and albums I love. I thought it was time to do a new version, sharing some of my favorites Christmas songs. Many of them not traditional. Unique songs and unique versions of traditional songs.
So, let's get right to it...
1. The Kinks- "Father Christmas"....The poor kids anthem, and a classic Kinks riff...
2. Billy Squier- "Christmas is a Time to Say I Love You"...Showing my age...The days when MTV played music...Totally underrated Christmas song...
3. Dead Sara- "Snow in Los Angeles" Released a few years, I immediately fell in love with this song. The awesome Singer of Dead Sara is now also singing with Linkin Park.
4."White Christmas" is not only a classic but hands down one of my favorites. I'm not sure I've come across a bad version, but I love This is the coolest, grooviest, and my favorite version of "White Christmas" by Booker T. & the MG's
5. "Blue Christmas" This one is an old standard...It always makes me think of those I wish were still with us. I don't like Elvis...And since one of my favorite bands did it a few years ago, I'll go with them...Our Lady Peace...
6. The Pretenders- "2000 Miles"...I just flat-out love this song...My favorite song from the Pretenders...
7. JD McPherson's"All the Gifts I Need" from his album"SOCKS" has an oldies vibe but it's from 2018. The album is all original, humorous, with heart and rockin'.
8. "Be Good at Christmas" by Katie Malco. And after this, checkout more of Katie Malco. She isn't talked about enough and her 2020 album "Failures" is the best album that was released in that God awful year!
9. Daniel Mustard- "Since Santa Ain't Coming"...I shared this many years ago...An anti-Christmas song, from a guy who just months before recoding it was homeless. He was discovered by Opie and Anthony and know as "Homeless Mustard." Opie helped and funded him getting a couple EP's recorded. Awhile back Mustard fell off of social media. I hope he's still making music somewhere.
10. This next one is unique, but I think it's a great take on the classic. Phoebe Bridgers (featuring Fiona Apple and Matt Berninger : "7 O'clock News/Silent Night"
11. Pearl Jam- "Let Me Sleep (It's Christmas Time)"Back in the early '90s none of us expected these guys to do a Christmas song, but they did, and it's excellent...
12. "Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis" -Tom Waits...It's a beautiful song about, just what the title says...There is also a great remake by Neko Case...
13. A classic we all love from Charlie Brown, "Christmas Time Is Here"...This version comes from sister and brother duo, Jocelyn and Chris Arndt. They do a lot of Bluesy-Rock stuff but this is acoustic, nice and mellow.
14. A song that I'm sure has parts that offend people these days, but it a beauty, sung by an ugly fucking dude. The Pogues classic, "Fairytale of New York."
It's almost Thanksgiving, which means we gotta start getting in the Holiday mood. This is something I did back in 2012, and it was definitely time to update. The short little Rankin/Bass specials aren't on here. This is just straight feature movies.
First: I'm throwing out a SPOILER ALERT!!! Ok you've been warned.
Second: Before getting into watching the flicks on this list, watch "Home for the Holidays." Holly Hunter and Robert Downey Jr. along with a great cast, in the rare Thanksgiving Movie. It's hilarious. Seriously funny. There's lots of heart and gives a great look at family dynamics that holiday movies don't often show.
Now, to the list...
1. "A Christmas Story" - How could it not be? Not just because I'm from Cleveland and there was a bunch of the movie shot here. It's just a great flick that seems so relatable. No matter what age or generation. My kids love it as much as I do, and I love it as much as my Dad does. It takes us back to a better time, where things seemed purer and innocent, even if they weren't we didn't have 24-hour coverage of everything, with instant everything.
2. "It's a Wonderful Life" - Again, a classic, that takes us back to a better time. (minus how racist the world was then) Also a movie that brought in some religion. I'm not the most religious guy, but these days most TV shows and movies are afraid to mix in any type of religious views. Plus, Donna Reed was in my childhood spank bank. I'll admit it, she was an old school smoke-show!
3. "The Santa Clause" -Who knew Tim Allen would make such great Santa. Early on I wasn't as in on this movie as the kids, but as time has gone on, it's become one of my and my wife's favorites. (It used to be #9 on this list.)
4."Scrooged" - The 1988 "modern" version of the story of Scrooge. Bill Murray plays a TV exec that needs a holiday wake up call. This has always been one of my favorites ever since my oldest brother turned me on to it. Unlike so many Bill Murray roles, his schtick doesn't get old. The visiting ghosts are all great as well!
5. "Christmas in Connecticut" - Honestly, I don't know why I love this movie, but I do. My mom turned me onto it one year when I was kid...My brothers were older and out for the evening. My Dad was working, it was just us decorating the tree, eating Chinese food, and she popped this flick on. Another old, black and white film, taking us back in time. Comedy and romance and Christmas.
It's rarely on TV. Normally once or twice during the season, and at least one of those is an odd time slot. It's on my DVR, and the wife bought me a copy a few years ago.
6. "Home Alone" -Maybe this is too high, but it's still fun to watch. The kids love it, and always find time to watch it throughout the year...Not just Christmas time. We all had the little bit inside of us that wished we could get left home alone and do just what we wanted. Let alone take down a couple of bad guys.
7."Elf" - When this came out, I didn't expect to like it. I was a little burned out on the whole wacky Will Ferrell thing, but shit he was funny. And every year I seem to enjoy it even more. Lots of laughs, and lots of Christmas spirit and lots of spaghetti with maple syrup!
8. "Miracle on 34th Street" (the original) - Again we journey back in time. Maybe I'm an old soul, because I love these old black and white classics. The movie telling us to believe long before the "Polar Express." Oh, and Maureen O'Hara, another, classic, old school, hottie!
9. "The Santa Clause 2" - Tim Allen back on the list for a second time. Of this trilogy of movies, this one is my wife's favorite. It's a great look at the magic of Santa and Christmas and totally unrealistic, which is great, because reality sucks!
10. "Violent Night" - David Harbour in a different take on Santa Claus. He's tough and gruff, and bitter, and like the rest of us, has a job to do, and just trying to get through. Then shit pops off. It has the keys to a good Christmas movie. It has comedy, heart and Christmas Magic...And violence...real violence. Our whole family enjoyed this one together.
11. "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" - This one has slipped on the list. Not going to lie, been a little burnt out on it, but that's my own damn fault for putting it on too much. Without a doubt my favorite of the "Vacation" movies. Chevy Chase at his best, being the family man that we all hope we're not, but wish we had a little bit more of his heart in us. So many great lines in this!
12. "The Family Man" -Nicholas Cage in a "It's a Wonderful Life" reversal of sorts. Douchebag Cage gets a taste of the life he could have had, had his choices not taken him down another path and now what life does he want? Plus, Tea Leoni is sexy!
13. "Christmas with the Kranks" - Tim Allen makes his way on the list again. Based on the book "Skipping Christmas" this good Christmas comedy. Allen convinces his wife (Jamie Lee Curtis) to bypass all their holiday traditions and spending and take a cruise. Then we find out they live in the country's most intense Christmas celebrating and decorating neighborhood, led by Dan Akroyd. There's good humor and good heart.
14. "Uncle Nick" - Another new addition to the list, my buddy Hotch turned me onto this a few years ago. As I laughed, I told myself, 'the kids can't see this.' Maybe it's the Clevelander in me, (it takes place in Cleveland) but sometimes dark is good. This is a dark Christmas movie. Some call it an anti-Christmas movie. I don't. It just shows a side of Christmas and some people's lives that everyone tries to ignore or hide, especially in the Holiday Season.
15. "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas" - I just loved this so much as a little kid...I can't take it off my list. Just fond memories of these little Muppets. Maybe because music was big in our house. It will always and forever remind me of my mom. To be honest, I haven't watched it or listened to the songs since my mom died. I tried listening to the CD...Yeah, I'm old...But I couldn't get through. Maybe this year. Alone, in the basement, in the dark, hiding my tears from my family. It really is great and a great Christmas story.
15. "Love Actually" -Total chick flick I know. I never would have seen it, had it not been for my wife...But guess what? It's good...It's funny...It's sad...It's happy...It's Christmas. Seriously, I'm surprised at how much I actually can tolerate it, let alone like it.
16. "Fatman" - Fresh off of Amazon. I thought my wife, our oldest daughter and I were going to watch this as a goof and just pick it apart. I mean Mel Gibson as Santa!?! Then I loved it! It's violent and dark and a whole different spin on Santa. Spoiler Alert: Santa is a bad ass! Seriously, it was a fun watch.
17. "Fred Claus" - The tale of Santa's brother Fred. A totally different cat than his "perfect" brother Nick. Eventually Fred learns some lesson, as does Nick. And so does the villain, played by Kevin Spacey...Shocker, Kevin Spacey plays a villain well.
18. "Noelle" - A new (2019) take on the Kringle family dynamic, and what happens when the fat man can't go on. It's fun and silly, and good wholesome family movie.
19. "The Polar Express" - My family would kill me if this wasn't on the list. They all love this. It's non-stop Christmas magic. Amazing animation. Tom Hanks...that fucking bell. Yes, that bell. We've bought one for each of the kids. During COVID times we rented a theater with a screening for 20 people for our two daughters' birthdays. Yep, 2 December birthdays before Christmas...This is why I'm broke come January.
20. "Home Alone 2, Lost in New York" - Sequels are never as good, but this one smartly took Kevin out of his home and dropped him in the "Big Apple." He gets into his usual trouble and learns his lessons and saves the day. His abuse of the Hotel staff is fabulous.
21. "Bad Santa" - I don't go out of my way to see this one, but If it's on I'll watch it. There's so many funny lines and hearing a mall Santa say some of the things Bill Bob says, any of us who have worked retail or in the food service industry, can all relate to...We've wanted to say it too. And Lauren Graham...
22. "Die Hard" - Yep, I did it. I don't care. It's funny, its action, its heart, it's got Christmas spirit and Christmas music. It's Christmas movie. This is my blog, share your opinion on your own page.
23. "A Christmas Story Christmas" - I think many of us were skeptical of this sequel to a true classic. Well, it was done right. It paid tribute to its roots and honored the original. Just like the original the story is told by Ralphie, and we follow Ralphie through his trials and triumphs, but like the original, it's as much about "the Old Man" as it is Ralphie. It hits the heart strings just right.
24. "Surviving Christmas" - Rich douche, shockingly played by Ben Affleck buys an average family to be his family to spend the holidays with. Annoyingly calling James Gandolfini and Catherine O'Hara Dad and Mom. Driving their kids nuts, trying to have the sibling he never had. It's overlooked and bagged on, but it has some good laughs and good heart.
25. "Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas" - This always has and always will be a favorite in our house. When our oldest was just a little peanut she fell in love with it, and it's been passed on to her younger siblings, and you'd think us parents would have gotten sick of it, but over time it became one that we look forward to and we suggest to them for us all to watch. It's five different segments featuring Mickey and his pals. Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto. it's wonderful and full of Christmas love.
I think it's pretty clear I'm a guitar guy, and there has been plenty of guitar on this list, and today we are adding more.
Joel Paterson : "Hi-Fi Christmas Guitar"
Paterson is an exception guitarist with a love for Christmas music as he released his second Christmas Album this year., "The More the Merrier." I haven't gotten it yet but I'm hoping Mrs. Claus brings it to me! For Hi-Fi Christmas we'll start with "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus."
Now we'll move onto his soulful take on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
How about "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm."
His take on "Jingle Bells" is such a great groove! Oh and he does "Jingle Bells Rock on this album too.
As we know, I always go with "White Christmas if it's on an album, and I need to keep hearing it, because it doesn't look like we're gonna have snow in Erie for Christmas. But in fucking April we'll have 6 feet.
Let's do one more, because I love me some good guitar playing! "Christmas Time Is Here."
It's been a busy week or so and I haven't been able to get back to the list, but Christmas is fast approaching so it's my duty to get you the quality Christmas tunes! With number 8 we're going to rock a bit.
Bad Religion: "Christmas Songs"
There's something wonderfully ironical about Bad Religion rocking out Christmas songs, and they don't shy away from religious ones. Lets get started with "O Come , O Come Emmanuel."
As you should know by now, "White Christmas" is one of my favorite Christmas songs, so we have to hear their version!
And this next one, takes me back to the days at St. James Elementary School, but we didn't do it like this..."Angels We Have Heard On High."
If your looking to spice up your Christmas music playlist, and get a little umph, this is the way to go. Enjoy!
Well for volume 7 we are going back...Back to my youth, back to Cleveland, Ohio. The Singing Angels is a Cleveland youth choir that was formed in 1964. My parents had a Christmas album of theirs and every year while we opened presents, The Singing Angels were the soundtrack to our unwrapping. A few years back, while missing my mom, I started searching itunes for that album. I couldn't find the exact one, but I found a 2005 version with almost all the same songs. The Singing Angels always hit me in the feels.
The Singing Angels: Somewhere in My Memory
Here is the closing number on the Album, "We Wish You the Merriest."
Here is "One Little Candle."
Next, we have "Away in a Manger." My Catholic upbringing peaking through with this album.
We'll close with "Merry Christmas Darling." This one isn't on the updated album, but it's on that one I remember so fondly, and this is my blog so I can do what I want.
That concludes this trip down memory lane. If you enjoy any of this, checkout The Singing Angels.
We are onto volume 5 and this one is all old standards done by some of the great crooners. You can thank my parents for this one, as this was one of my father's went to when decorating or wrapping presents.
The Rat Pack: "Christmas With the Rat Pack"
Let's start at the beginning with Dean Martin and "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!"
Next, we'll go to Sammy Davis Jr. and "Christmas Time All Over the World."
And you can't have The Rat Pack without "old blue eyes" himself. Here's Frank Sinatra with "The Christmas Waltz."
Of these guys, I'm a big Dean Martin fan, so we'll go with one more of his numbers..."I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm."
The album is all oldies and goodies. pour yourself a drink, kick back, relax and enjoy.
Track List:
1. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Dean Martin)
2. Mistletoe and Holly (Frank Sinatra)
3. Christmas Time All Over the World (Sammy Davis Jr.)
4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Frank Sinatra)
5. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Dean Martin)
6. The Christmas Waltz (Frank Sinatra)
7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Dean Martin)
8. Jingle Bells (Sammy Davis Jr)
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Frank Sinatra)
10. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Dean Martin)
11. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Frank Sinatra)
12. Winter Wonderland (Dean Martin)
13. The Christmas Song (Sammy Davis Jr)
14. The First Noel (Frank Sinatra)
15. White Christmas (Dean Martin)
16. I'll Be Home for Christmas (If Only In My Dreams) {Frank Sinatra}
So, our latest edition of Getting in the mood: Best Christmas Albums we're going a different direction. This is the first on our list that isn't an album full of standards.
JD McPherson: "SOCKS" has an oldies vibe and nods to tradition Christmas songs, but it's from 2018 and is so much more. Original, humorous, with heart and rockin'. Let's start with the opening track, "All the Gifts I Need."
I mentioned humous...When I heard the next song, "Bad Kid," I honestly laughed out loud at some of the lyrics. And it has a great groove to it.
We can't skip the title track, "Socks" a true anthem for the kids out there, unsatisfied with some of their gifts.
And who hasn't had the "Ugly Sweater Blues"
I also mentioned this album having heart. If you didn't hear any of it yet, here's some of it. "What's That Sound?"
Besides Socks, JD McPherson has released a number of Christmas singles. He also does non-Christmas music. He's doing a Christmas tour this month, if he passes by your town, check him out.
Here we are again, getting in the mood. Be sure to check the previous two posts, as well as the Getting in the Mood posts from 2020. Today we are on number three of my picks of the best Christmas Albums. If you didn't get the hint from number two, I'm a big guitar guy and I love Surf guitar and Surf Rock. So today I give you...
The Ventures:"Christmas Joy"
Let's start with their take on "Winter Wonderland"...What a groove.
Next up, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Not how you typically would expect to here this one, which is why I like it. A totally different feel and vibe to it.
Now lets get to that oldy but goody, "Sleigh Ride." If you're talking about Surf Rock and Christmas, this is exactly what you want to hear. Straight rocking, big drums, plucky groove and all.
How about one more for good measure. "Jingle Bells" opening up the album with a strong bass line, bring in the drums, organ and guitars boys...
