The long awaited film about people like us--obsessive Christmas music collectors and the music we love--is officially Live! "Jingle Bell Rocks!" is a documentary from Mitchell Kezin, Canadian film maker and, frankly, one of us. Don't let the "d" word scare you off, though. This ain't no dry, moldy, historical marathon, "is it over yet", snoozathon (yeah, Ken Burns, I'm looking at some of your recent work). "Jingle Bell Rocks!" is alive with color and sound and people like us. Ever wonder if you're the only one with Christmas on the brain 365 days a year? Well, you're not. Ever been at a loss for words trying to explain to loved ones WHY you absolutely had to duck into a random record store--for five hours? "Jingle Bell Rocks!" could be the very thing you need to show them. And, while we know much of what comes out every year is created in a cheap and cynical money dive, what inspires the musicians who create those Christmas songs that were clearly not intended for commercial success--those little unknown gems that set our little Christmas collecting hearts aflutter when we "score"? There may not be just one answer, but we nonetheless all have a shared experience.
I loved music of all genres and I found Christmas music a great way to communicate with people. I couldn't convince any album rock fan to listen to Count Basie 11 months of the year. But give them a Christmas tape with Basie's "Jingle Bells" in the mix and, suddenly, they developed a budding appreciation for Jazz. You know, yourself, there are so many people in your life who hate Christmas music with a passion. But that's only because they're bombarded by the same crap every December. Often, the only way to disabuse people of the notion that "Christmas music sucks" is through those mix tapes you and thousands like you compile every year. Yes, thousands. All over the world. For years, before the Internet became what it is, I figured I was the only one. Then, one day, I got into a bidding war on eBay over the Ssgt. Barry Sadler Christmas record, "I Won't Be Home This Christmas". After the auction (which I won), the competing bidder contacted me to say this was a record he really needed for his annual mix and could I send him the mp3. This was the first I learned that my annual obsession was not unique. I actually sent Dr. Jim the record (on loan) so he could complete his mix properly. We became good friends and still exchange comps. After that, future eBay purchases introduced me to other members of the clan of Christmas compers, each with their own unique spin on the music of the holiday. These are wonderful, generous souls from all walks of life who share a passion--a fever, fellow babies ("As God is my witness...."}. In "Jingle Bell Rocks!", through Mitchell's own story and search, you'll meet a few of these folks and learn the stories behind some of the greatest Christmas songs ever recorded. No, not "White Christmas" or "Winter Wonderland". Nothing so mundane. But Miles Davis and Bob Dorough's "Blue Xmas", The Free Design's "Close Your Mouth (It's Christmas)", Clarence Carter's "Back Door Santa" and more.
This movie is, on a very fundamental level, about us. It is for us. And you owe it to yourself to see "Jingle Bell Rocks!" early and often. There are screenings throughout December at select locations. You'll find the full list of screenings on the Jingle Bell Rocks web site. If you can't make a screening, you can order the film from the same web site or from Amazon (either VOD or DVD). And I thoroughly recommend this write-up from our friends at Merry & Bright.
In connection with "Jingle Bell Rocks!", Mitchell has asked some of the true veterans of the Christmas comping art to make a mix of 12 of their favorite Christmas songs and these will be popping up throughout the Internets in the days leading up to Christmas. If you ever wondered what records other Christmas collectors cherish and why, here's a peak behind those curtains. The first of these, "Snow Job" from John Soss, appeared on Entertainment Weekly earlier this week. I don't know John; never had the pleasure. So that experience was new for me. I know Roy Forbes, though, and Roy's "12 Tunes of Christmas" debuted on FM Dust, yesterday. Roy even gave me a plug. Thanks, Roy. And today saw the all-female artist "Jingle Belles Rock" mix from Jillian Mapes (another new comper to me) appear on Flavorwire. I could embed one of those, here. But then you wouldn't get the chance to read why this music means so much to them. So hit those links and enjoy some of the best of the best. As I learn of more mixes, I'll try to let you know. In the meantime, go get you a copy of "Jingle Bell Rocks!" Hell, get a dozen. They make great stocking stuffers.
I loved music of all genres and I found Christmas music a great way to communicate with people. I couldn't convince any album rock fan to listen to Count Basie 11 months of the year. But give them a Christmas tape with Basie's "Jingle Bells" in the mix and, suddenly, they developed a budding appreciation for Jazz. You know, yourself, there are so many people in your life who hate Christmas music with a passion. But that's only because they're bombarded by the same crap every December. Often, the only way to disabuse people of the notion that "Christmas music sucks" is through those mix tapes you and thousands like you compile every year. Yes, thousands. All over the world. For years, before the Internet became what it is, I figured I was the only one. Then, one day, I got into a bidding war on eBay over the Ssgt. Barry Sadler Christmas record, "I Won't Be Home This Christmas". After the auction (which I won), the competing bidder contacted me to say this was a record he really needed for his annual mix and could I send him the mp3. This was the first I learned that my annual obsession was not unique. I actually sent Dr. Jim the record (on loan) so he could complete his mix properly. We became good friends and still exchange comps. After that, future eBay purchases introduced me to other members of the clan of Christmas compers, each with their own unique spin on the music of the holiday. These are wonderful, generous souls from all walks of life who share a passion--a fever, fellow babies ("As God is my witness...."}. In "Jingle Bell Rocks!", through Mitchell's own story and search, you'll meet a few of these folks and learn the stories behind some of the greatest Christmas songs ever recorded. No, not "White Christmas" or "Winter Wonderland". Nothing so mundane. But Miles Davis and Bob Dorough's "Blue Xmas", The Free Design's "Close Your Mouth (It's Christmas)", Clarence Carter's "Back Door Santa" and more.
This movie is, on a very fundamental level, about us. It is for us. And you owe it to yourself to see "Jingle Bell Rocks!" early and often. There are screenings throughout December at select locations. You'll find the full list of screenings on the Jingle Bell Rocks web site. If you can't make a screening, you can order the film from the same web site or from Amazon (either VOD or DVD). And I thoroughly recommend this write-up from our friends at Merry & Bright.
In connection with "Jingle Bell Rocks!", Mitchell has asked some of the true veterans of the Christmas comping art to make a mix of 12 of their favorite Christmas songs and these will be popping up throughout the Internets in the days leading up to Christmas. If you ever wondered what records other Christmas collectors cherish and why, here's a peak behind those curtains. The first of these, "Snow Job" from John Soss, appeared on Entertainment Weekly earlier this week. I don't know John; never had the pleasure. So that experience was new for me. I know Roy Forbes, though, and Roy's "12 Tunes of Christmas" debuted on FM Dust, yesterday. Roy even gave me a plug. Thanks, Roy. And today saw the all-female artist "Jingle Belles Rock" mix from Jillian Mapes (another new comper to me) appear on Flavorwire. I could embed one of those, here. But then you wouldn't get the chance to read why this music means so much to them. So hit those links and enjoy some of the best of the best. As I learn of more mixes, I'll try to let you know. In the meantime, go get you a copy of "Jingle Bell Rocks!" Hell, get a dozen. They make great stocking stuffers.
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