Saturday, December 25, 2021
Martin Short and Paul McCartney Try Out for the Christmas Pageant
Friday, December 24, 2021
Be a Santa, Part 11
It's Christmas Eve, everybody — that magical evening when many families around the world will be spending time together in anticipation of Christmas Day. I've got time to share just a little bit of background about the remaining three tracks on Be a Santa!, my holiday mix for 2021. I'll probably have some additional comments over the next few days before we close out this holiday season, but for now let me wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Here's some thoughts on Tracks 35-37 of this year's mix:
Peace at Least, Rotary Connection (1968)
The Chicago-based band Rotary Connection was founded in 1966 by Marshall Chess, the son of the founder of Chess Records. Most of the groups on the Chess label played either rock or blues and Marshall was hoping to lead his new group in a different direction. His wanted Rotary Connection to experiment with different styles of music, so he recruited musicians of varied backgrounds and styles to join, many pf whom had previously played with other Chess bands.
Among the last to join the new band was the label's receptionist, Minnie Riperton, who would later go on to have a successful solo career that was tragically cut short due to her death from cancer in 1979. Riperton, who topped Billboard's Hot 100 in 1975 with her hit "Lovin' You," was the mother of actress and comedienne Maya Rudolph.
As its founder had intended, Rotary Connection proved to be a difficult band to characterize, although a number of critics have described the group's style as "psychedelic soul." Unfortunately, the lack of a signature sound effectively limited the group's popularity and while their first two albums attracted attention in some quarters, neither sold especially well.
Their third album "Peace," released in late 1968, featured a collection of Christmas songs, nearly all of them original. True to form, the musical style of the album varies from one track to the next; however the emphasis on peace and love never wavers, and it made the album the perfect tonic for the end of traumatic year then winding down. "Peace" was only a modest success commercially, but in many homes its socially conscious message made it among the most consequential holiday albums ever recorded.
Every year, I have the same question
Something that puts me so very uptight
Where does Santa get all those gifts from
Why is he riding so late at night
I know why (I know why)
The kid is high (he's high)
The kid is stoned (stoned)
'Cause he smokes (mistletoe)
I said, I said he smokes (mistletoe)
Oh, he smokes (mistletoe)
Everyone should have a peace at least once a year
But he's an institution
We like him like he is
What would ever happen
If he gave some to the kids
The folks who sell you Gallo wine are really most sincereWhen we say "Merry Christmas and a Happy, Bright New Year!"Thanks to you and you and you — the friends of Gallo WineWe're lucky to have friends like youWe hope you're doing fineAll year long we tell you that Gallo can't be beatBut leave that for another time, right now let us repeatThanks to you and you and you — the friends of Gallo WineWe're lucky to have friends like youWe hope you're doing fine
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Be a Santa, Part 10
Christmas at the Airport, Nick Lowe (2013)
Nick Lowe |
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Be a Santa, Part 9
Continuing with our review of the 37 tracks on this year's holiday mix, here's a look at the next batch of songs and clips:
Excerpt from "A Visit from St. Nicholas," read by Ed Asner (1987)
Asner was also known for his political activism and generous support of a wide range of charitable causes. In the early 1980s, he served two terms as president of the Screen Actors Guild, a job previously held by Republicans George Murphy and Ronald Reagan. During his tenure as SAG's president, Asner actively opposed President Reagan's policies in Central and South America while advocating for union members and the less fortunate in this country and elsewhere.
When I was making my first film, Roger & Me, I was broke, so I wrote to some famous people to ask for help. Only one responded: Ed Asner.“I don’t know you, kid, but here’s 500 bucks,” said the note attached to the check. “Sounds like it’ll be a great film. I was an autoworker once.”
Watch the Documentary "Ed Asner: Loveable Grouch" from this Biography Channel
Watch Ed Asner in the Holiday Film "The Gathering" (1977)
Watch a Collection of Ed Asner's Appearances on David Letterman's "Late Night" and "Late Show"
Hear Ed Asner share some quick thoughts about the U.S. Constitution as "The Grumpy Historian"
Holiday Greetings from Jamie Farr
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Be a Santa, Part 8
Only four more shopping days until Christmas and we've got lots of ground to cover before we complete our look at the tracks on this year's mix. (Got a lot of holiday shopping left to do, too, but that's a whole 'nother Oprah show.) Let's get at it!
Holiday Greetings from Harvey Fierstein (1997)
Billy Burnette |
The artist is credited as Billy Beau, but his real name is Billy Burnette, who went on to have a pretty successful career in pop music. His father, Dorsey Burnette, and his uncle, Johnny Burnette, were two-thirds of the '50s group The Rock and Roll Trio and both worked closely with recording star Ricky Nelson. In 1960, 7-year-old Billy recorded a novelty song with Nelson called "Hey Daddy (I'm Going to Tell Santa Claus on You)." Several other holiday tunes were recorded in that same session including this one, which was release by Billy as a solo artist.