If you speak the language, you know that "BFRSD" means Black Friday Record Store Day and, this year, that's November 29. Normally, I find the RSD Christmas product to be a little thin (or maybe I tell myself that because there are no participating stores within 150 miles of here), but last year saw a good number of holiday related titles and, this year, the early list is a whole elves-a-poppin experience.
For me, the most exciting coming BFRSD Xmas release, at least at first blush, is a new Christmas single from JD McPherson. If you got "Socks" last year, you're already familiar with the B-side of this 7"--"Holly Carol Candy & Joy". But the A-side is brand new--"Red Bows For A Blue Girl". This one's an "RSD First" release limited to 1500.
For me, the most exciting coming BFRSD Xmas release, at least at first blush, is a new Christmas single from JD McPherson. If you got "Socks" last year, you're already familiar with the B-side of this 7"--"Holly Carol Candy & Joy". But the A-side is brand new--"Red Bows For A Blue Girl". This one's an "RSD First" release limited to 1500.
Back in 2016, LA Punk band The Regrettes gave us all an exceptional take on "Marshmallow World" for BFRSD. They're back on board this year with the new 7" "Holiday-ish" (with the Demo version on the flip). Both sides feature Dylan Minnette of the Alt Rock Wallows (though, to be honest, I know him best from his role in "Goosebumps"). This is another "RSD First" release and limited to 2000.
 THE REGRETTES |  ERIC CLAPTON |
Another big release from last year was Eric Clapton's "Happy Xmas". And Eric contributed a die-cut single to last year's RSD festivities. I guess people can't get enough of Slowhand's Christmas doodles, because he's got another one this RSD, fronting a 12" vinyl single pairing "Home For The Holidays" with "For Love On Christmas Day". No new songs, there, but a new doodle. And this is an "RSD EXCLUSIVE" release, limited to 1500.
As we mourn the passing of Peter Tork, we can also enjoy the vinyl release of The Monkees' holiday album "Christmas Party". BFRSD 2019 gives you the opportunity to go one step further with a double 7" set in a gatefold cover "Christmas Party Plus". One 7" in translucent red, the other in translucent green. One featuring the original "Riu Chiu" and the 1976 release of "Christmas Is My Time of Year" and the other featuring two versions of "Unwrap You At Christmas" (one with Andy Partridge on lead vocals). This one is an "RSD EXCLUSIVE", though the total of the run has not been announced (nor is the cover art yet available).
One of the most popular of last year's BFRSD releases was the vinyl version of "Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas". It completely sold out and very quickly. You'll get another chance this year when Varese Sarabande releases a Picture Disc version of the soundtrack on RSD. This "RSD First" release is limited to 2500.
We'll be getting more holiday Picture Discs as well, this RSD, with yet another release of Jimi Hendrix' "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" (RSD EXCLUSIVE limited to 4500) and Sammy Hagar's "Santa's Goin' South For Christmas" (RSD EXCLUSIVE limited to 2000).
We'll be getting more holiday Picture Discs as well, this RSD, with yet another release of Jimi Hendrix' "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" (RSD EXCLUSIVE limited to 4500) and Sammy Hagar's "Santa's Goin' South For Christmas" (RSD EXCLUSIVE limited to 2000).
 HENDRIX  HALL & OATES |  HAGAR  WILLIE COLON & HECTOR LAVOE |
It will be the first time on vinyl for the 2000 Hall & Oates album "Home For Christmas" come BFRSD. Limited to just 1000, this one is an "RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release". It comes on translucent red vinyl.
Pardon me for being excited about a release that won't interest fans of the usual suspects. "Asalto Navideño" by Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe was originally released in 1970. It may be one of the best Salsa Christmas albums of all time and even spawned a sequel, "Asalto Navideño II". If you can find a copy of the original at a used record store or wherever, it probably sounds like it was used as a door mat, having been so well played. This Craft Recordings release on translucent red vinyl is an "RSD EXCLUSIVE" limited to 2000.
Pardon me for being excited about a release that won't interest fans of the usual suspects. "Asalto Navideño" by Willie Colon and Hector Lavoe was originally released in 1970. It may be one of the best Salsa Christmas albums of all time and even spawned a sequel, "Asalto Navideño II". If you can find a copy of the original at a used record store or wherever, it probably sounds like it was used as a door mat, having been so well played. This Craft Recordings release on translucent red vinyl is an "RSD EXCLUSIVE" limited to 2000.
For those who like their Christmas music a little more raucous and, let's say, subversive, we've got a brand new single from Twiztid. Their 7" "RSD EXCLUSIVE", limited to just 1500 will feature the all new "A Very Twiztid Christmas" on the A-side and a Young Wicked Remix of the popular "My Ornaments" on the flip. But wait, there's more. Buyers will find a download code and Christmas card inside and 160 of those Christmas cards will be autographed. It's totally random...no telling in advance whether you'll get the autographed card with your copy. Just sayin'.
We'll also be getting a 7" single from Acid Witch, a physical vinyl release of last year's digital single "Black Christmas Evil" ("Black Christmas" on one side, "Christmas Evil" on the other). This one, which is pressed to red vinyl, is an "RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release" limited to just 750.
We'll also be getting a 7" single from Acid Witch, a physical vinyl release of last year's digital single "Black Christmas Evil" ("Black Christmas" on one side, "Christmas Evil" on the other). This one, which is pressed to red vinyl, is an "RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release" limited to just 750.
 TWIZTID |  ACID WITCH |
You can celebrate the season with the first vinyl release of Canned Heat's "Christmas Album". Another "RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release", "The Canned Heat Christmas Album" comes on white vinyl housed in a die cut can shaped cover and is limited to just 1000.
There's also going to be a vinyl release of 1998's "Christmas Caravan" by Squirrel Nut Zippers. This "RSD EXCLUSIVE" is limited to 2000.
There's also going to be a vinyl release of 1998's "Christmas Caravan" by Squirrel Nut Zippers. This "RSD EXCLUSIVE" is limited to 2000.
 CANNED HEAT  PETER HOLSAPPLE |  SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS  BLIND WILLIE JOHNSON |
Another "RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release" is the 7" color vinyl single from the Peter Holsapple Combo, featuring a cover of The Band's "Christmas Must Be Tonight" on the A-side and a cover of the dB's "Holiday Spirit" on the flip. That one is limited to just 700.
As a Blues fan, I have loved the idea of the 10" vinyl Blues singles that have become a staple of BFRSD, even if most of them have nothing to do with the season. This year, we'll get one from Blind Willie Johnson. Recorded in December 1927, Blind Willie's "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground" is a haunting reaction to the crucifixion of Christ. This "RSD EXCLUSIVE" is limited to 1500.
As a Blues fan, I have loved the idea of the 10" vinyl Blues singles that have become a staple of BFRSD, even if most of them have nothing to do with the season. This year, we'll get one from Blind Willie Johnson. Recorded in December 1927, Blind Willie's "Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground" is a haunting reaction to the crucifixion of Christ. This "RSD EXCLUSIVE" is limited to 1500.
As you can see, there's quite a lineup this year for Black Friday Record Store Day. I'm sure I've missed a few and it's still early. But you can view the full list, as well as locate a participating record store near you, at the official Record Store Day website.
But I did want to call your attention to a pair of non-seasonal entries that I'm also quite excited about. Although not a Christmas or holiday album, you can count down to the New Year and share a cup of kindness with The Marshall Tucker Band with the RSD release of "New Year's In New Orleans", a live performance from 1978. Their "New Year's Countdown/Auld Lang Syne" is included on both the 2-CD and 2-LP "RSD First" issues. The double vinyl set comes in a gatefold cover and is limited to 1000 copies; the double CD set is limited to just 900.
And, while I haven't scanned the full tracklist sufficiently to say there's no holiday material on it, how could any former radio disc jockey not be excited by an entire 2-CD and/or 2-LP set of jingle perfection? "The Jingle Workshop" features the music of Raymond Scott, an early pioneer of electronic music, and these recordings were made between 1951 and 1965. You'll find such classics here as "Go Greyhound - Leave The Driving To Us" and "Stop At The Esso Sign". There are vocals and instrumentals plus outtakes and rehearsal tracks. I believe this is the first such collection of this Raymond Scott commercial magic and the inserts includes rare photos and a 1964 interview with the man himself. An "RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release", the 2-LP set is limited to just 900, the 2-CD set to just 300.
But I did want to call your attention to a pair of non-seasonal entries that I'm also quite excited about. Although not a Christmas or holiday album, you can count down to the New Year and share a cup of kindness with The Marshall Tucker Band with the RSD release of "New Year's In New Orleans", a live performance from 1978. Their "New Year's Countdown/Auld Lang Syne" is included on both the 2-CD and 2-LP "RSD First" issues. The double vinyl set comes in a gatefold cover and is limited to 1000 copies; the double CD set is limited to just 900.
And, while I haven't scanned the full tracklist sufficiently to say there's no holiday material on it, how could any former radio disc jockey not be excited by an entire 2-CD and/or 2-LP set of jingle perfection? "The Jingle Workshop" features the music of Raymond Scott, an early pioneer of electronic music, and these recordings were made between 1951 and 1965. You'll find such classics here as "Go Greyhound - Leave The Driving To Us" and "Stop At The Esso Sign". There are vocals and instrumentals plus outtakes and rehearsal tracks. I believe this is the first such collection of this Raymond Scott commercial magic and the inserts includes rare photos and a 1964 interview with the man himself. An "RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release", the 2-LP set is limited to just 900, the 2-CD set to just 300.
 MARSHALL TUCKER BAND |  RAYMOND SCOTT |
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