Yowls & Yodels from the Yule Vortex (2010)

Here is Andy Cirzan's annual Christmas mix from 2010. I was not able to find the back cover art. I probably have it somewhere on my drives but who knows where.

Songs for the Christmas Season 30

According to Wikipedia, the Christmas season is described as the period of time that includes Christmas and New Year's and even to the day of Epiphany which is usually on January 6 or 7. So I continue on with more holiday music.

First today we have Etta Jones with "Ring the Bells". A very nice holiday original which I have played annually since first hearing the song back in the 90's.





Next is a great seasonal favorite called "It's a Marshmallow World." This version is from 1964 and it's by Brenda Lee and it's one of my favorite takes. I love the little electronic piano or harpsichord sound in the first part of the song.

The Cassette Years: Part 1 (2008)

I've got Andy Cirzan's annual Christmas mix from 2008 so hear it while you can. I don't know if these things will be taken down or not, but as they say, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

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Let's keep the Christmas music going, ay? First up today is The Band doing their song, "Christmas Must Be Tonight," featuring the lead vocals of Rick Danko.





To follow that up will be another one from my own channel, The Dellacroce Sisters doing "Who is Santa Claus?" Definitely a fun tund and in the Christmas spirit.

Andy Cirzan Christmas Mix: The Cassette Years Part 2 (2009)

Here's a little Christmas treat. Last year I started to upload episodes of "The Christmas Club with Johnny & Andy" but as I listened to the episodes I noticed some had segments that were clearly lifted from past shows. I don't know if this was done by J&A or by the station that played their shows. Thus I gave up on that endeavor. In addition, for 2015 and this year their show has been picked up by another station and as a result of not knowing ahead of time, I missed both shows. Luckily I downloaded the unique annual mixes that Andy puts out every year for about the last 8-10 years or so. These mixes are made available for free download for a few weeks and then they are taken down. I'm in the process of uploading the shows I have to mixcloud and I will make them available here. I know, it's Christmas Day today so I'm a little late, but if you're anything like me you will continue to listen to Christmas music well into the winter season. Sides A & B are below for your listening pleasure.

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First up today is another great one from Smokey Robinson & The Miracles called "It's Christmas Time" from 1970.

We'll follow that one up with a very old recording. It's called "On a Christmas Day" by Lead Belly from 1942.

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For today's post I'm taking a couple of songs directly from my very own YouTube channel. First up is a hard-to-find song by The Smothers Brothers called "The Toy Song" from 1965.





And next is a newer recording (just a few years old) by Roman Coppola. Though the tracks from this album are from this decade they could pass for music recording in the mid to late 60's. Very much in the vein of David Holmes style and very groovy.

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Kenny Burrell is one of my favorite all-time guitarists and it's hard to just pick one of his Christmas recordings. The tune that first introduced me to him was "My Favorite Things" from 1966 and there was no looking back afterwards.






Next is a groovy, R&B number by Jimmy Jones and His Valiants called "Christmas is a Drag (Without You). This is a definitely a forgotten holiday favorite.

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A couple of less-familiar holiday songs today. First up is Chris de Burgh's "A Spaceman Came Travelling" which tells the story of the Christ child. Great song from 1975!





Next is one by Edd "Kookie" Byrnes from 1959. Very cool sounding and jazzy, like something you might hear during a film noir flick or perhaps some Peter Gunn. It's basically the tale of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" told in a very 'hip' style.

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First up today is a not-so-jolly view of Christmas time. Perhaps a more realistic view but not a cheery song nonetheless. Still a good one that makes you think a bit. It's by Bobby Goldsboro and it's called "Look Around You It's Christmas."






Next is Burl Ives with "Christmas Child (Loo Loo Loo)." Perhaps not a well known holiday staple but it serves a very nice message and is a pleasant recording.

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Some winter-themed holiday/seasonal songs today. Both songs are from holiday television specials of the 1960's. I love these old songs because they are so light-hearted in nature and just meant for fun and cheer. First is Andy Williams doing "The Skater's Waltz". I'm not sure if this song has ever been recorded other than for this program so pardon the lo-fi sonics.





Next is one from The Lawrence Welk show and a very pleasant tune at that featuring vocal group The Blenders. This is another number very hard to find unless you have the original Welk record. Watch the video for some cool choreography.

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As we get into the final week before Christmas, I will continue to post some of my all time favorite holiday recordings, sans any type of theme to tie the songs together. First up is one of my all-time favorite versions of "What Child is This" by Vanessa Williams. Such a haunting version with some jazzy guitar.




Next is Perry Como with a unique Christmas tune which may be considered obscure these days. Shame though because the song really embodies the spirit of Christmas from the gentle melody to the children's choir and the European style of the music.

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Today's selections feature some well-known pop/easy-listening crooners doing their own interpretations of Christmas songs. First we have Ed Ames doing what is probably my favorite version of "Some Children See Him" from 1970.





And next is Jack Jones from his 1969 Christmas album with an uptempo Gospel version of "Little Altar Boy."

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Once again we will check out some jazz Christmas tunes for this post. First up is "Deck the Halls" by Teo Macero & His Orchestra. I always thought this song was by Herbie Hancock but you learn something new everyday.






And next is "Little Drummer Boy" by Duke Pearson from 1969. This is a great version!

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Today I'm featuring some newer and perhaps lesser known songs for the season. First is a comtemporary folk song by Maria Dunn called, "God Bless Us Everyone." It's a moving song and the lyrics merit close attention.





Next is a jazzy, tongue-in-cheek song by Michael Franks titled, "I Bought You a Plastic Star (For Your Aluminum Tree)."
Note: this is the best version I could find online. Unfortunately it doesn't sound all that great and is rather loud.

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Two today by two unrelated women of the surname Lee. First up is Peggy Lee with her rendition of "Happy Holiday" from 1965. It's a groovy, jazzy number.





That one will be followed by Brenda Lee with her rendition of "Winter Wonderland" from 1964.

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Some of that early 1970's pop/rock sound for our selections today. First, we have The Osmond Brothers with "Sleigh Ride." No, not the familiar holiday tune but an original from them.






And next is The Partridge Family with their take on "Winter Wonderland." Just in case you didn't know, The Partridge Family did not really play anything on this song. Keith Partridge, aka David Cassidy, did sing the lead though.

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A couple of instrumental holiday songs today. First up is a very smooth, jazz version of "Silver Bells" by Kevin Eubanks on acoustic guitar.






And next is another jazz artist, the Ramsey Lewis Trio, with I believe an original composition called "Christmas Blues."

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Some soulful tunes for this blog post. First up is my favorite version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Ray Charles. There is just no funkier version of this song that I know of!






And next is Ella Fitzgerald with "Good Morning Blues" from her 1960 Christmas album.

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Today we have a couple of country classics, the first by Willie featuring his original tune, "Pretty Paper." This is his original version from 1964.





Next up is a Buck Owens classic, "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy" from 1965.

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Today we'll go with some classic rock Christmas tunes that are true holiday staples. First we have Elton John's "Step Into Christmas" from 1973.






Next is a blues number that The Eagles made even more popular than the original by Charles Brown. The song is "Please Come Home for Christmas."

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Today we'll feature some songs by a couple of really great pop vocal groups. First up is The Anita Kerr Singers who sang background on many hit songs and also did their own albums. This song is called "Hurry Home for Christmas" from 1969.






Next we have a group called The Free Design. My first experience with this group was hearing this original Christmas tune called "Close Your Mouth, It's Christmas" from 1970. After hearing this I had to research their non-holiday music and it was equally amazing. These pop vocal groups had such a unique and pleasant sound and the arrangements were so innovative and it's so sad there isn't anything like this anymore.

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How about some blues for Christmas? Up first today will be Elvis' version of "Merry Christmas, Baby" from 1971. His version is so good I had to share the unedited, nearly 8 minute version.






Let's get even more bluesy now with a classic by Sonny Boy Williamson called "Santa Claus" from 1966.

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Today I've got two of the most timeless and newer Christmas songs of the ages. Both of these, though not all that old, have been covered countless times and are standard tunes found in any book of holiday music. First up is Bobby Helms with "Jingle Bell Rock" from 1957.





And second is Brenda Lee with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" from 1958. Both these songs were recorded in Nashville at the time and were considered country music!

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How about a couple of more rockin' Christmas tunes today? First we have from 1968, "Christmas is My Time of Year" by The Christmas Spirit, featuring the familiar vocal of Howard Kaylan of The Turtles fame.






Next we have popular English band Slade doing their timeless holiday song, "Merry Xmas Everybody" from 1973.

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As you know I'm not a huge fan of more recent recorded Christmas music due to much of it seeming to be nothing more than the fulfillment of contractual obligations, which in turn leads to very uninspired-sounding music. But every once in a while pops up a few interesting new songs or new covers. For example, today we have a version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" by Mary J. Blige. I love the jazzy feel of this song and the super fast walking bass lines.






Next up is "Frosty the Snowman" as done by Michael Buble. Again, this one has a very jazzy/big band feel and that walking bass line is just non-stop!

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A couple of Motown holiday tunes today. First up is one of my all-time favorite versions of "Jingle Bells" as done by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles from 1970. Such a fun & great take!






The next selection is not exactly a familiar, classic Christmas favorite. It is, however, an instrumental by Marvin Gaye called "Christmas in the City" featuring the Moog synthesizer and it's from 1972. So funky!

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Today I have two of the season's most timeless and familiar songs by two of recorded music's best-known crooners. First up we have Perry Como's classic, "There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays."






Next up is a song I feel should always be played back-to-back with the first. It's Andy Williams on "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" which has become a Christmas staple since the mid-1960's and deservedly so.