Year after year, now that I live in the south, I go through the motions of dreaming of a White Christmas, knowing full well that the odds are slim to none (and slim just left town). But hope springs eternal. And, sometimes, hopes are realized.
How many years ago was vinyl declared dead...doomed to the extinction of the dinosaurs and 8-track tapes? True enough, those circular creatures, those stacks of wax, have been on life support for a long time. But, in recent years, we've seen a gradual increase in the number of vinyl releases. And, this Christmas, there's a virtual blizzard on the way.
The latest news is that Relient K's "Let It Snow Baby...Let It Reindeer", which has become a perennial holiday seller since its initial release in 2007, is coming to vinyl for the first time. It will be a 2-LP set on opaque red vinyl (standard weight) and includes three songs that were only available as downloads and not included on the original CD. Expected shipping date is mid-November and pre-orders are now being taken by Gotee Records. Don't dilly dally as the vinyl issue is limited to 1000 copies.
How many years ago was vinyl declared dead...doomed to the extinction of the dinosaurs and 8-track tapes? True enough, those circular creatures, those stacks of wax, have been on life support for a long time. But, in recent years, we've seen a gradual increase in the number of vinyl releases. And, this Christmas, there's a virtual blizzard on the way.
The latest news is that Relient K's "Let It Snow Baby...Let It Reindeer", which has become a perennial holiday seller since its initial release in 2007, is coming to vinyl for the first time. It will be a 2-LP set on opaque red vinyl (standard weight) and includes three songs that were only available as downloads and not included on the original CD. Expected shipping date is mid-November and pre-orders are now being taken by Gotee Records. Don't dilly dally as the vinyl issue is limited to 1000 copies.
Side A
1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. Sleigh Ride
3. Merry Christmas, Here’s to Many More
4. Angles We Have Heard On High
5. Deck The Halls
6. 12 Days Of Christmas
Side B
7. Silent Night/Away In The Manger
8. I Celebrate The Day
9. In Like A Lion (Always Winter)
10. I’m Getting Nuttin' for Christmas
11. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Side C
12. Santa Claus IS Thumbing To Town
13. Handel’s Messiah
14. I Hate Christmas Parties
15. Boxing Day
Side D
16. Auld Lang Syne
17. Good King Wenceslas
18. Silver Bells
19. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
20. O Holy Night .X
1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2. Sleigh Ride
3. Merry Christmas, Here’s to Many More
4. Angles We Have Heard On High
5. Deck The Halls
6. 12 Days Of Christmas
Side B
7. Silent Night/Away In The Manger
8. I Celebrate The Day
9. In Like A Lion (Always Winter)
10. I’m Getting Nuttin' for Christmas
11. We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Side C
12. Santa Claus IS Thumbing To Town
13. Handel’s Messiah
14. I Hate Christmas Parties
15. Boxing Day
Side D
16. Auld Lang Syne
17. Good King Wenceslas
18. Silver Bells
19. God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman
20. O Holy Night .X
I know we've mentioned the Motown Christmas album, a new collection featuring new recordings from the current Motown roster, that will be available on both vinyl and CD this Christmas. And we covered the Seeburg and Mannheim Steamroller vinyl in our previous post. But I'm not sure if I've mentioned "An Americana Christmas" here before (though its been on our List for some time). Its the first ever collection of its kind and its scheduled for release October 14 on Limited Edition collector grade (180g) vinyl. The track sequence hasn't been finalized, but we do have a list. And cover art! In addition to classics from Bob Dylan, Emmy Lou Harris, The Band, Johnny Cash and more, "An Americana Christmas" features three all new recordings from Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell and Luther Dickinson. Pre-orders are available now through Elusive Disc, CD Universe, and a handful of more obscure online retailers. I'm guessing it'll turn up on Amazon soon. Then again, maybe not.
| 1. Christmas Makes Me Sad (Rodney Crowell) 2. Little Town of Bethlehem (Buddy & Julie Miller) 3. Hark the Angels Sing (Luther Dickinson) 4. Here It Is Christmas Time (Old '97s) 5. Les Trois Clohes (Ben Keith with Neil and Pegi Young) 6. Away In the Manger (Bright Eyes) 7. The Gifts He Gave (Johnny Cash) 8. Run Run Rudolph (Dwight Yoakam) 9. The First Noel (Emmylou Harris) 10. Christmas Must Be Tonight (The Band) 11. Everything Is Cool (John Prine) 12. It Must Be Santa (Bob Dylan) |
Not the cover art; just something to look at. If you thought, with all the vinyl falling from the sky, I wouldn't find at least one Blues LP, well...you just don't know me very well. "A Blues Christmas LP" (imaginative title, eh?) is on the release schedule for November 11, thanks to the Alternative Distribution Alliance. Hey, I don't make this stuff up. ADA is a group that helps independent labels and studios achieve more flexible means of distribution--means of distribution that all the big labels have at their disposal given the dough they're raking in on Ariana Grande and the like. In this case, ADA is helping Alligator Records find a way to reach vinyl junkies who might otherwise have missed Alligator's Christmas CDs. They've had two mighty fine holiday CDs--"The Alligator Christmas Collection" and "Genuine Houserockin' Christmas" (they also released a Cajun set, but that's not reflected in the upcoming release). Take the best of each and, hey, let's make a record! There's something about Blues on a phonograph record that beats CD and digital up and down with a big stick all to heck. It's just more "real", somehow. And I think this is the first time ever on vinyl for these tunes. No cover art yet, but we've got the track list.
1. Merry Merry Christmas - Koko Taylor
2. I'm Your Santa - Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
3. Christmas Train - Carey Bell
4. Stay A Little Longer Santa - Shemekia Copeland
5. Christmas Snow - Michael "Iron Man" Burks
6. Back Door Santa - The Holmes Brothers
7. Santa Claus - Little Charlie & The Nightcats
8. Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues - Roomful of Blues
9. Christmas Party - W.C. Clark
10. Christmas Fais Do-Do - Marcia Ball
11. Deck the Halls With Boogie-Woogie - Katie Webster
1. Merry Merry Christmas - Koko Taylor
2. I'm Your Santa - Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials
3. Christmas Train - Carey Bell
4. Stay A Little Longer Santa - Shemekia Copeland
5. Christmas Snow - Michael "Iron Man" Burks
6. Back Door Santa - The Holmes Brothers
7. Santa Claus - Little Charlie & The Nightcats
8. Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues - Roomful of Blues
9. Christmas Party - W.C. Clark
10. Christmas Fais Do-Do - Marcia Ball
11. Deck the Halls With Boogie-Woogie - Katie Webster
WB/Rhino had to get in on the fun, of course. They've scheduled at least 5 vinyl LPs for the season...so far. Slated for a November 4 release, expect vinyl re-issues of Dwight Yokam's "Come On Christmas", "The Everly Brothers Christmas", "The Leevee's Hanukkah Rocks LP" and, most impressively, the original "Soul Christmas" album, first released in 1968.
| 1. Back Door Santa - Clarence Carter 2. The Christmas Song - King Curtis 3. White Christmas - Otis Redding 4. I'll Make Every Day Christmas (For My Woman) - Joe Tex 5. Silver Bells - Booker T. & The MG's 6. Gee Whiz, It's Christmas - Carla Thomas 7. Merry Christmas Baby - Otis Redding 8. Presents For Christmas - Solomon Burke 9. Jingle Bells - Booker T. & The Mg's 10. Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday - William Bell 11. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve - King Curtis |
I did say "5 vinyl LPs", didn't I? Well, I'm scratching my head about the fifth. I think it's both old and new...and old...and new. For the past several years, WB has been releasing compilations under the "Gift Wrapped" heading. It's always released in a variety of formats with some songs only available on certain formats and not others, and some formats only available through specific retailers, and some that, heck, you can't find anywhere no matter how hard you try. There was vinyl that was only promotional, vinyl that was only give-away, vinyl you could only buy, different vinyl they didn't even tell you about (all in addition to the CDs and mp3s). Its been a weird series featuring Christmas music from Alternative acts like DEVO and underground classics like "The Lights And The Buzz" from Jack's Mannequin. I tried to follow the series for a while, but finally gave up on it. Good music, but too much work. Well, it's b-a-a-a-c-k! Slated for an October 21 release, "Gift Wrapped: Tis The Season" features a lot of tracks they've used before, but I think there are a few they haven't. Like I said, though, who the heck knows? This is a vinyl set. I have no idea if there will be a CD or mp3 and, if there is, whether they'll have all the same songs. For the curious, here's the LP track list (no cover art yet).
Side A:
1. Merry Something To You - By Devo
2. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - By Tegan And Sara
3. Alone This Holiday - By The Used
4. Last Christmas - By Stardeath And White Dwarfs
5. Christmas In The City - By Everest
6. Suzy Snowflake - By Soul Coughing
Side B:
1. A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn't So) - By The Flaming Lips
2. The Lights And Buzz - By Jack's Mannequin
3. Santa Claus - By Throwing Muses
4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - By The Spill Canvas
5. 30 Days - By Never Shout Never
6. December - By Regina Spektor
Side A:
1. Merry Something To You - By Devo
2. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - By Tegan And Sara
3. Alone This Holiday - By The Used
4. Last Christmas - By Stardeath And White Dwarfs
5. Christmas In The City - By Everest
6. Suzy Snowflake - By Soul Coughing
Side B:
1. A Change At Christmas (Say It Isn't So) - By The Flaming Lips
2. The Lights And Buzz - By Jack's Mannequin
3. Santa Claus - By Throwing Muses
4. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - By The Spill Canvas
5. 30 Days - By Never Shout Never
6. December - By Regina Spektor
Tired yet? Well, we're not finished, not nearly. Expect collectors' grade (180g) vinyl re-issues of Trans Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Attic" (2-LP set), sometime in October, and "Light Of The Stable"--a timeless Christmas album from Emmy Lou Harris first released in 1979--on October 21. You want to know why artists keep making Christmas albums? "Light Of The Stable" is why. That album will live forever--one of the best things ever put to vinyl--and, because of it, Emmy Lou will be young forever.
1. Christmas Time's A-Coming
2. O Little Town of Bethlehem
3. Away In A Manger
4. Angel Eyes
5. The First Noel
6. Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
7. Little Drummer Boy
8. Golden Cradle
9. Silent Night
10. Light of the Stable
1. Christmas Time's A-Coming
2. O Little Town of Bethlehem
3. Away In A Manger
4. Angel Eyes
5. The First Noel
6. Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
7. Little Drummer Boy
8. Golden Cradle
9. Silent Night
10. Light of the Stable
Now get your boots on because the vinyl storm is about to get deep. All of the following titles (in most cases, classics) are coming on vinyl from Universal on September 30. Track listings are best available information, to date. Covers are (mostly) borrowed from Elusive Disc.
 BING CROSBY/MERRY CHRISTMAS 1. Silent Night 2. Adeste Fideles 3. White Christmas 4. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 5. Faith Of Our Fathers 6. I'll Be Home For Christmas 7. Jingle Bells 8. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town 9. Silver Bells 10. It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas 11. Christmas In Killarney 12. Mele Kalikimaka |  ELLA FITZGERALD/WISHES YOU A SWINGIN'... 1. Jingle Bells 2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 4. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? 5. Sleigh Ride 6. The Christmas Song 7. Good Morning Blues 8. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! 9. Winter Wonderland 10. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer 11. Frosty The Snowman 12. White Christmas |
Side A:
1. Overture and "A Holly Jolly Christmas"
2. Jingle Jingle Jingle
3. We Are Santa's Elves
4. There's Always Tomorrow
5. We're A Couple of Misfits
6. Silver and Gold
7. The Most Wonderful Day of The Year
8. A Holly Jolly Christmas
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Finale
Side B - instrumentals:
1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
2. There's Always Tomorrow
3. Jingle Jingle Jingle
4. We're A Couple of Misfits
5. Silver and Gold
6. We Are Santa's Elves
7. Most Wonderful Day of The Year
8. A Holly Jolly Christmas
9. Medley: The Night Before Christmas Song/A Merry Merry Christmas/When Santa Claus Gets Your Letter/Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
10. I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
1. Overture and "A Holly Jolly Christmas"
2. Jingle Jingle Jingle
3. We Are Santa's Elves
4. There's Always Tomorrow
5. We're A Couple of Misfits
6. Silver and Gold
7. The Most Wonderful Day of The Year
8. A Holly Jolly Christmas
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Finale
Side B - instrumentals:
1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
2. There's Always Tomorrow
3. Jingle Jingle Jingle
4. We're A Couple of Misfits
5. Silver and Gold
6. We Are Santa's Elves
7. Most Wonderful Day of The Year
8. A Holly Jolly Christmas
9. Medley: The Night Before Christmas Song/A Merry Merry Christmas/When Santa Claus Gets Your Letter/Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
10. I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
 JACKSON FIVE/CHRISTMAS ALBUM 1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 3. The Christmas Song 4. Up On The House Top 5. Frosty The Snowman 6. The Little Drummer Boy 7. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 8. Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year 9. Give Love On Christmas Day 10. Someday At Christmas 11. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus |  JAMES BROWN/A SOULFUL CHRISTMAS 1. Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto 2. Santa Claus, Santa Claus 3. Believers Shall Enjoy 4. Soulful Christmas 5. Tit For Tat 6. Christmas Is Coming 7. Say It Loud 8. In The Middle 9. Lets Unite The Whole World At Christmas 10. You Know It 11. Santa Claus Gave Me A Brand New Start |
 FRANK SINATRA/A JOLLY CHRISTMAS 1. Jingle Bells 2. The Christmas Song 3. Mistletoe And Holly 4. I'll Be Home For Christmas 5. The Christmas Waltz 6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 7. The First Noel 8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 9. O Little Town Of Bethlehem 10. Adeste Fideles 11. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear 12. Silent Night |  NAT KING COLE/THE CHRISTMAS SONG 1. The Christmas Song 2. Deck the Halls 3. O Come All Ye Faithful 4. O Tannenbaum 5. O Little Town of Bethlehem 6. I Saw Three Ships 7. O Holy Night 8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 9. A Cradle in Bethlehem 10. Away in a Manger 11. Joy to the World 12. The First Noel 13. Caroling, Caroling 14. Silent Night |
2-LP set 1. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (Billy May)
2. Winder Wonderland (Peggy Lee)
3. Christmas Trumpets/We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas (Ray Anthony)
4. Christmas Is (Lou Rawls)
5. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (Jimmy McGriff)
6. I'd Like You For Christmas (Julie London)
7. Holiday On Skis (Al Caiola)
8. (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With the Bag (Kay Star)
9. Jingle Bells/Jingle Bell Rock (Hollyridge Strings)
10. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Dean Martin)
11. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus/Jingle Bells Bossa Nova (Eddie Dunstedter)
12. Christmas Kisses (Ray Anthony and His Bookends)
13. I'll Be Home For Christmas/Baby, It's Cold Outside (Jackie Gleason)
14. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Nancy Wilson)
15. Cha-Cha All the Way (Capitol Studio Orchestra)
16. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - (Nat King Cole)
17. The Nutcracker Suite (Les Brown & His Band of Renown)
18. Ring Those Christmas Bells (Fred Waring)
19. Violets For Your Furs (The Continental)
20. Toys For Tots (Peggy Lee / Nat King Cole / Nancy Wilson)
21. Jingle Bells (Johnny Mercer)
2. Winder Wonderland (Peggy Lee)
3. Christmas Trumpets/We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas (Ray Anthony)
4. Christmas Is (Lou Rawls)
5. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (Jimmy McGriff)
6. I'd Like You For Christmas (Julie London)
7. Holiday On Skis (Al Caiola)
8. (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With the Bag (Kay Star)
9. Jingle Bells/Jingle Bell Rock (Hollyridge Strings)
10. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (Dean Martin)
11. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus/Jingle Bells Bossa Nova (Eddie Dunstedter)
12. Christmas Kisses (Ray Anthony and His Bookends)
13. I'll Be Home For Christmas/Baby, It's Cold Outside (Jackie Gleason)
14. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? (Nancy Wilson)
15. Cha-Cha All the Way (Capitol Studio Orchestra)
16. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - (Nat King Cole)
17. The Nutcracker Suite (Les Brown & His Band of Renown)
18. Ring Those Christmas Bells (Fred Waring)
19. Violets For Your Furs (The Continental)
20. Toys For Tots (Peggy Lee / Nat King Cole / Nancy Wilson)
21. Jingle Bells (Johnny Mercer)
2-LP set
| 1. Sleigh Ride/Jingle Bells (Al Caiola) 2. Jingle All the Way (Lena Horne) 3. Merry Christmas Baby (Lou Rawls) 4. Warm December (Julie London) 5. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!/Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (Eddie Dunstedter) 6. The Merriest (June Christy) 7. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth (The King Cole Trio) 8. The Christmas Waltz (Nancy Wilson) 9. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm/Jing-A-Ling, Jing-A-Ling (Les Brown/Frank Devol) 10. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (Jimmy McGriff) 11. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Dean Martin) 12. Snowfall/Snowfall Cha-Cha (George Shearing/Billy May) 13. Jingle Bell Rock (Wayne Newton) 14. Frosty the Snowman (The Ventures) 15. Christmas Island (The Dinning Sisters & Bob Atcher) 16. Exotic Night (Martin Denny) 17. Happy Holiday (Peggy Lee) 18. Sleigh Ride/Santa Claus' Party (Ferrante & Teicher/ Les Baxter) 19. Auld Land Syne (Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians) 20. What Is Santa Claus? (Stan Kenton) |
Holy Jingle Bells, Batman! And there may or may not be MORE holiday vinyl re-issues from Universal this year, by the Chipmunks, Ann Murray, Peggy Lee, Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, and/or Rosemary Clooney. Goodness gracious, I'm exhausted. And broke. Well, it wouldn't be Christmas if they weren't coming for your wallet. Don't tell me vinyl is dead. (Psst: And its still only August!) For people who get their jollies dropping the needle, this is going to be....
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVAH!!!!!!
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVAH!!!!!!
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