Playlist: Christmas Faves II – Part 2

A continuing celebration of my favorite Christmas songs. Updated. Enjoy!

01. Red Simpson – “Truckin’ Trees for Christmas” (1973)

02. The Youngsters – “Christmas in Jail” (1956)

03. Johnny Cash feat. June Carter Cash – “Christmas with You” (1972)

04. Frank Sinatra – “The Christmas Waltz” (1957)

05. Andy Williams – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (1963)

06. Jimmy Smith – “Silent Night” (1964)

07. Frank Sinatra – “An Old Fashioned Christmas” (1964)

08. Cary Grant – “Christmas Lullaby” (1967)

09. Bing Crosby – “Adeste Fideles” (1942)

10. Frank Sinatra – “Jingle Bells” (1957)

11. Chris Rea – “Driving Home for Christmas” (1988)

12. Andy Williams – “Silent Night, Holy Night” (1963)

13. Nat King Cole – “O Come All Ye Faithful” (1960)

14. Harry Belafonte – “Mary’s Boy Child” (1957)

15. Oscar Peterson – “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” (1995)

16. Andy Williams – “The First Noël” (1963)

17. Mariah Carey – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1994)

18. Céline Dion – “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (1998)

19. Frank Sinatra – “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1948)

20. Peggy Lee – “The Christmas List” (1960)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Playlist: Christmas Faves II – Part 1

A continuing celebration of my favorite Christmas songs. Updated. Enjoy!

01. Vince Guaraldi Trio – “Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)” (1965)

02. Tammy Wynette – “Silent Night, Holy Night” (1970)

03. Lauren Daigle – “Light of the World” (2016)

04. Andy Williams – “White Christmas” (1963)

05. Johnny Mathis – “We Need a Little Christmas” (1986)

06. Andy Williams – “Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season” (1963)

07. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “Medley: Jolly Old St. Nicholas / The Little Drummer Boy” (1962)

08. Paul McCartney – “Wonderful Christmastime” (1979)

09. MercyMe – “Joseph’s Lullaby” (2005) 

10. Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra – “Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town” (1959)

11. Henry Mancini – “Carol for Another Christmas” (1966)

12. Perry Como – ‘Here We Come A-Caroling/We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (1959)

13. 101 Strings Orchestra – “Away in a Manger” (Unknown)

14. Lena Horne – “Let it Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1966)

15. Lena Horne – “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (1966)

16. John Denver and the Muppets – “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (1979)

17. Leona Lewis – “O Holy Night” (2013)

18. José Feliciano – “O Come All Ye Faithful” (1970)

19. Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra – “Winter Wonderland” (1959)

20. Duke Pearson – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1969)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

New Faves 12/10/2022 – Part 2

Among my most recent favorite musical discoveries are obscure ‘60s sunshine pop tunes that hit that sweet spot between catchy Mamas and Papas imitation and teeny bopper psychedelic. If I had one hour to spend in an independent record store, I would start at any section marked ‘60s sunshine pop and make time for any album covers hinting at ‘60s baroque pop. I’m also partial to groovy cover versions of familiar songs- always have been- so long as the artist puts their own original stamp on it. When I was the singer in our high school punk band, Twinkie Force, the other members used to bristle at my cover requests and want us to focus instead on our original material which, of course, has been lost to time. But a good cover version can stand the test of time- and even outdo the original.

The days of spinning vinyl in your basement on rainy days and holding album artwork in your hands are over, as are the days of any broad-based popular consensus on what songs deserve to be called hits. Then again, the magical age of ‘60s rock music, while influential, also began to implode as soon as people began to take rock music seriously, write articles and books about it, and take drugs (society is still living with the ruinous results). Perhaps that is why I am attracted to more under the radar music that does not take itself too seriously but respects my time and intelligence, feeds my imagination, and stirs my spirit- even if it is only for three minutes. And music that can do all that is hard to find. Enjoy more of my new faves!

01. Pixies – “Dregs of the Wine” (2022)

02. David McWilliams – “I Love Susie in the Summer” (1967)

03. Glen Campbell – “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” (2008)

04. Cliff Richard and the Shadows – “In the Country” (1966)

05. The Divine Comedy – “Norman and Norma” (2019)

06. Xavier Cugat – “Perfidia” (1941) 

07. Glen Campbell – “Times Like These” (2008)

08. Margo Guryan – “Someone I Know” (1968)

09. 3's a Crowd – “I Don't Want to Drive You Away” (1968)

10. The New Wave – “The Shade of the Sun” (1967)

11. Angel Pavement – “Green Mello Hill” (1969)

12. Journey – “Any Way You Want It (Live)” (2021)

13. The Divine Comedy – “Mother Dear” (2006)

14. The Beautiful South – “Don't Fear the Reaper” (2004)

15. Blondie – “I Love You Honey, Give Me a Beer (Go Through It)” (1980)

16. The Everly Brothers – “Milk Train” (1968)

17. Pulp – “Whiskey in the Jar (Live)” (1995)

18. The Beautiful South – “You're the One That I Want” (2004)

19. Franck: “Panis Angelicus” – Sissel, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (2022)

20. David Bowie – “Modern Love (Moonage Daydream Mix)” (2022)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

... or check out the playlist on YouTube

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Recommended Links:

Journey - "Any Way You Want It" - Live Video from Lollapalooza 2021

Pixies – “Head On”

QUEEN & DAVID BOWIE: Under Pressure

"Fan" Star Trek Original Series Clip to "Common People"

New Faves 12/10/2022 – Part 1

In my ongoing quest for a thrill, a laugh, a pull of the heartstrings, or even something spooky, I made these most recent musical discoveries while strolling along my usual paths of ‘60s pop gems, forgotten sunshine pop, etc., songs which back in the day spun in all their vinyl glory at beach shacks and soda fountains all over the world (and the dancing kids from those groovy times are now gray or dead). I imagine how mind-blowing it must have been to be a ‘60s teen hippie in London, Paris, or L.A. living through the worldwide youth revolution, shaking your hips, and watching your black and white world turn to color with no idea what was to come next. Today’s music does not leave me with such thoughts, and most of my new faves continue to come from faded, bygone eras (usually the ‘60s).

But it was not all fun and games back when music moved the world. While there were bikinis, free love, flutes, and marijuana (which is addictive), hippie hedonism also brought venereal disease, drug addiction, and, in the end, hopelessness which is what happens when we reject a God-centered universe and try to put man at the center of things. Yet despite all the great music (and messages of love), war, famine, murder, rape, and suicide rolled on through the ‘60s and beyond and will never stop so long as there are human beings. So perhaps that is the message I take away from these songs. The good music- from any decade- lasts; enjoy it while you can as you would a fleeting sunrise. And the sun will return tomorrow. Enjoy! 

01. Claudine Longet – “Love Is Blue” (1968)

02. Gene McDaniels – “Point of No Return” (1962)

03. Sweetwater – “In a Rainbow” (1968)

04. The Association – “Happiness Is” (1967)

05. Messer Chups – “Ghost Party” (2015)

06. Bartók: “Romanian Folk Dances, Sz 68 IV: Dance from Bucsum” – Lucie Horsch, Dani Luca (2022)

07. B.B. King – “Better Not Look Down” (1979)

08. The Fourmost – “Baby I Need Your Loving” (1964)

09. Reel Big Fish – “Take on Me” (1998)

10. Cat Stevens – “Don't Be Shy” (1971)

11. Cracker – “Happy Birthday to Me” (1992)

12. Pixies – “Vault of Heaven” (2022)

13. Kai Winding feat. Kenny Burrell – “More (Theme from Mondo Cane)” (1963)

14. Jim Lowe – “Green Door” (1956)

15. KWS – “Please Don't Go (Sunshine Mix)” (1992)

16. David Bowie – “Sound and Vision 2013” (2013)

17. Louis Armstrong - “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” (1968)

18. The Monkees – “Happy Birthday to You” (1968)

19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – “The Drummer” (2022)

20. Raul Malo – “Moonlight Kiss” (2009)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

Mad Men - Final Scene

Monterey Pop

End of an Era

Gimme Shelter