binchesbrew-blog

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My Fav Christmas Traxx

Well, ‘tis the season of Christmas music or X-mas music or seasonal selections. No matter how you celebrate the holidays, it’s hard to escape all the radio stations, department stores, co-ops and coffee shops pumping out the same hits every single day. I love the seasonal standards. But I also know people have very strong opinions about this. So, for my first “real” post, I’ve come up with a list of a few songs  that I hope can allow you to approach the holidays with new ears. Or, if anything, help you discover some new songs you haven’t heard yet...or at least too many times. Also, it’s my blog, I do what I want.

Ok! 1.  The Ventures - “Sleigh Ride” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVwceVBY-HE I like to kick off the holiday season with a track from this album. The classic ‘60s surf rock band from Tacoma, Washington known for their instrumental hits like “Pipeline” and the theme to “Hawaii 5-0″ released “The Ventures’ Christmas Album” on Dolton records in 1965. And keeping with the times, they incorporated popular hits from the era into the Christmas arrangements. For example, check out the intro to “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” or the tease of their own “Walk Don’t Run” in “Sleigh Ride.” This whole record is instrumental and it’s perfectly orchestrated. It’s one I never get tired of hearing. 2. Slade - “Merry Christmas Everybody” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apoFZv5J6xo       This ‘70s glam rock track is ridiculous, nonsensical, glorious and charming all at the same time. And the chorus manages to carry it all the way home. I love this song. You might know Slade as the original authors of “Come on Feel the Noise,” an anthem that would later unfortunately be covered by ‘80s hair-metal whatevers, Quiet Riot. P.S. Slade’s version is better.   3. Wizzard - “I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnczB6LXkqE Keeping with the glam rock motif. Next up is Wizzard’s “I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday” from 1973. A tender, beautifully crafted pop song by the band’s primary songwriter and former ELO member, Roy Wood. Good work, Roy. Music video’s weird though.  4. The Ronettes - “Frosty the Snowman”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76sh1BWCQSc 

I recently saw this song on a “strangest Christmas songs of all time” list and thought that was ludicrous. Thus, I decided to - hopefully - redeem it by including it in my list. The song comes from “A Christmas Gift to You from Phil Spector” compilation record and is essential for any collection.   5. The Kinks - “Father Christmas”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPPCPqDINEk  A power pop classic. You can’t go wrong with this one. It has a nice edge to it, especially if you’re not too stoked on the holidays.  6. Nick Lowe - “Christmas at the Airport”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiSf083QM_U  Sometimes your Christmas travel plans don’t work out too well. Sometimes, weather complicates things. Sometimes you need the warm, soft grandfatherly voice of Nick Lowe to make you feel better. 7. Vince Guaraldi Trio - “Christmas Time is Here” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvI_FNrczzQ  This list is nothing without something from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” This song and this record need no explanation.  8. Nat King Cole - “The Christmas Song” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6usS7Yi3PLE  Legend has it, Nat King Cole would smoke nearly a pack of cigarettes before recording because he thought it made his voice sound smoother. Even if that’s not true, something must’ve worked for him because despite being one of the most generic song titles of all time, it’s definitely one of the smoothest.   9. Dean Martin - “Marshmallow World” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BOu3IMMzFc Oh, Dino. You drunken buffoon. At least you can croon your way onto my list with this one. 10.   Harvey Danger - “Sometimes You Have to Work on Christmas (Sometimes)” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8Zq1jRrHDc Lastly, it’s important to note that not everyone gets to spend the holidays with their loved ones. Sometimes, you have to work through it. Sometimes the holidays can feel lonely. And it sucks. But other times you get to look forward to the future. To better holidays. To better politicians. To fewer dying rock stars. Y’know, normal stuff.     So, that’s that. My fav holiday trax. Just so you know, I think I come up with a different top 10 each year. But that’s between you and me. 

[binchesbrew-blog]

Hello

My name is Jackson and I think I’m going to start a music blog. Not really sure what I’m doing here, I guess we’ll just have to see. Am I late to the blogging game? Hopefully I can make this work. I haven’t decided if this will be solely a blog dedicated to music or a journal for me to talk to yet. More on that later. I’m currently living in Boise, Idaho with my significant other. Both of us are starting to figure our shit out before we move to our next destination. So what else is an unemployed 23 year-old wannabe reporter/musician living in the middle of nowhere to do? Start a blog I guess. Well, here’s to that.