Christmastime Is Near and You Can Start Celebrating Now With the Contrast Podcast

    Christmastime is almost here, and hopefully you're more in the mood to be celebrating than I am. Actually, I can't imagine there are too many of you out there who are less inclined to feel festive than I am, so this post is for you, the happy folk.
    The astute among you may notice I did not make it into this week's Contrast Podcast. I simply could not get it together. Frankly, I'm waiting for the meds to kick in. Oh, I kid (sorta). This coming week's theme is--you guessed it--a continuation of all things Christmas, so you have that to look forward to as you while away the hours and days leading up to the big day.
    What's the real reason I'm not in the podcast? I couldn't make a decision to save my life. Here are the songs I was considering:
Duke Ellington--"Jingle Bells" mp3 off Jingle Bell Jazz (buy) This is so very much the kind of music that makes Christmas come alive for me. It's one of my all-time favorite arrangements. I wonder how many arrangements there are of Jingle Bells, anyway? Hundreds? Thousands? Well, this is one of the best.
Alvin and the Chipmunks--"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas, Don't Be Late)" mp3 off Billboard's Greatest Christmas Hits: 1955-Present (buy) OK, I know, this is a 180-degree departure from the first song, but I love it. It's my childhood, what can I say. They're the only rodents I ever loved (except Rocky from Rocky and Bullwinkle, I loved him, too).
John Lennon--"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" mp3 off the John Lennon Collection (buy) I seem to be on a John Lennon kick these days, but this tune is so melancholy and beautiful, I can't help but be drawn to it.
James Brown--"Soulful Christmas" mp3 off Hip Holidays Vol. III (buy). Yeah, scoff all you want, but this Pottery Barn cd is filled with great tunes, this being one of them.
Lou Rawls--"Christmas Is . . ." mp3 off Hip Holidays Vol. III (buy) Yep, this one's on there too. I'm telling you, it's a fabulous collection.
    So what do all these artists have in common? They're all dead, save James Brown, although I suppose it's open for debate whether cartoon characters can ever truly die . . .  ho! ho! ho!

tags: duke ellington  the chipmunks  john lennon  james brown  lou rawls  

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