We're in the process of serving up some background on the 37 tracks featured on my latest annual holiday mix, titled Christmas Cheer. Today's post looks at Tracks 11, 12 and 13, which are a couple of reggae tunes and a musical sleigh ride invitation that is well-nigh indescribable. Let's get started!
Track 11 Bling Bling Christmas, by The Silvertones (2002)
Today's first track is a spirited reggae number I ran across several years
ago by a group called The Silvertones. I wasn’t familiar with the group, and because I didn’t know too many holiday reggae tunes at the time I initially
assumed this was some sort of novelty record by a new group that formed
specifically to record this song. Not so. The Silvertones have been playing and
making records together for nearly 60 years and they’re well known amongst folks
who follow Jamaican reggae. Formed in Kingston, Jamaica in 1964, the group had formerly been known as both The Valentines and The Muskyteers. In the early 1970s, they
worked with legendary reggae producer Lee “Scratch” Perry.
As for the title, “bling bling,” often shortened to "bling," is a term that was apparently coined in the 1990s to
refer to expensive, ostentatious jewelry or other items worn primarily to
flaunt one’s wealth. The phrase became popular with the 1999 release of a rap song with the same name by New Orleans rap artist B.G., who recorded for the Cash Money label. Rapper Lil
Wayne also claims credit for using the term on the Outkast record “Hollywood Divorce.” Either way, the term was picked up by the Oxford Dictionary in 2003
and Merriam-Webster in 2006, so it’s now officially part of the language.
The Silvertones' record is kind of neat because while it expresses appreciation for the flashy lights and other glittery aspects of the holiday it also emphasizes that the human element is at least as important as the bling:
It's Christmas Time
again,
The jolliest time of the year.
Friends from here, friends for far,
Everyone come to share.
It's bling, bling time, again,
Sparkling lights are everywhere.
Happy children, they are singing,
Christmas in the air.
And what I like of Christmas,
Is to see the Christmas trees.
Bling, bling lights,
Cutest toys, gifts for you and me.
You may not have a turkey,
Roast chicken, champagne and wine.
Whatever you got to give,
Show me you've got to be fine.
Now with your bling, bling lights,
Chicken and wine,
Have a Merry Christmas Time.
You may not have what
Everybody else has,
Have a Merry Christmas Time.
Track 12 Christmas Parade, by Rupie Edwards (1972)
I mentioned above that I wasn't aware of many holiday reggae tunes until recently, but I surely can't make that claim today. There are, in fact, a good many such songs, including this track by longtime reggae artist and producer Rupie Edwards, called "Christmas Parade":
Edwards is a native of Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, where he was born on July 4, 1945. His family moved to Kingston, Jamaica's capital, when Edwards was still a child. As a young teenager, he entered numerous local talent contests, which led to his discovery at age 17 by a Kingston record producer who arranged for his first single.
In 1965, Edwards formed a group called The Ambassadors, which later became The Virtues. The Virtues released a number of singles including "Burning Love," released in 1966, which Edwards himself produced. The Virtues disbanded in 1968, and while Edwards continued to release his own records for a number of years thereafter, his attention became increasingly focused on producing other artists' work. He is said to have been a particularly skilled judge of talent, and he produced records by such groups as The Heptones, The Ethiopians and The Mighty Diamonds.
Edwards is perhaps best known for his 1974 proto dub song "Ire Feelings (Skanga)," which became a big hit in Britain in 1975 and helped fuel the growing popularity of the ska movement there. Ska influenced a number of punk and new wave bands later that decade including The Clash and The Police. Edwards later emigrated to London himself, transitioning from reggae to Christian music in the later years of his career.
I really like "Christmas Parade." It's a simple tune that strikes me as bright and cheerful and puts me in mind of a community celebration on a warm and sunny afternoon. Such holiday events would have been foreign to me in Boston, but I've enjoyed a few such celebrations since moving to Los Angeles in 1999. It's fun to call friends and family back in Boston when it's 75 or 80° in Los Angeles!
Track 13 On a Sleigh Ride, by Bernie Witkowski and His Silver Bell Orchestra (1958)
I first discovered this little gem seven years ago on the wonderful Ernie (Not Bert) blog, where you can find a wealth of holiday music of nearly every style and description. I was lucky enough to discover this blog when I was just beginning to explore the world of seasonal songs, and it was a great way to get acclimated. I've never written or spoken to Ernie directly, but he seems like a super guy and I always enjoy reading his posts.
This track is from the album The Christmas Record, a collection of holiday polka tunes by a man described as the "King of Polka Kings," Bernie Witkowski.
Inducted into the International Polka Association's Hall of Fame in 1971, Witkowski was born in New York into a family of musicians. He was a fourth-generation clarinet player; played saxophone, flute, accordion, drums and organ; wrote, arranged and directed music; developed a number of popular dance moves, and hosted his own weekly radio show. With his Silver Bell Orchestra, Witkowski played in such venues as the Waldorf
Hotel, the Latin Quarter, the Star Club, and La Conga, and in Monte Carlo, Havana, and Madrid, among other fabulous places. For many years, the group was featured at Madison Square Garden's Harvest Moon Polka Contest.
"On a Sleigh Ride" is an odd little tune, which in a few places sounds almost like a joke. I think that's primarily because of the singer's unusually giddy delivery, especially when listing the names of some of the sleigh riders. Her emphatic elucidation makes it sound as though she's singing to a group of small children or perhaps the elderly. The ridiculous laughter at the end of the song makes the whole effort sound slightly deranged.
But if you enjoy the bounce and rhythm of a good polka tune to kick off your holiday season, this one might be just the ticket.
Thanks for the shout out! Glad you found something you enjoyed!
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