Darlene Love's Christmas Show

It's not Christmas season until I break out the Phil Spector Christmas album from 1963 featuring Darlene Love. I'll be seeing her Christmas show this weekend in the lovely town of Beverly, Massachusetts.
What a swell, early Christmas present. Whoopppeeeeeee!

UPDATE: I now have a new Christmas tradition since Darlene remarked that she'd be back next year. What an incredible voice and what a blowout of a show. Love sang her well-known Christmas songs, her iconic 1960s hits and tunes from her new album. Wonderful band and backup singers. Terrific show all around. I was extremely impressed.

Darlene lent her voice for this hilarious Saturday Night Live short.

Christmas music

My family had three Christmas albums (above) that were played incessantly for weeks until Christmas. The Grants Department Store Christmas album and the Andy Williams album are from 1965.

However, my favorite Christmas music is from the 1963 Phil Spector album featuring Darlene Love. Since 1986, she has performed on Letterman and this year's version was flawless. Hallelujah!

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Christmas Show

My Christmas season shifted into high gear last night when I saw Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at my favorite joint. The best thing about Christmas for me is the abundance of holiday music. You gorge on the stuff and then it's gone 'til next year. No wonder these guys sell out by July. Fantastic, fun band with a horn section AND an upright bassist – who sang the Grinch song to perfection. Their rendition of the Snow/Heat Miser song got the audience groovin' with Xmas spirit.

The Beat

Every Christmas as a teenager, my mom would ask me for a list of 6 albums that I wanted. I would giggle at the thought of her in line with my selections. One of the Christmas commercials that aired in 1982 was for K-tel's "The Beat." I wanted it. I gave my mom the address to send for it and she came through. I still have it. I'm too lazy to make a new Christmas mix so here are some old ones. Enjoy the season!

Click on the album to make it big. Some of the groups on the record:
Go-Gos • Split Enz • Waitresses • Depeche Mode • Duran Duran
Kim Wilde • Bow Wow Wow • Haircut 100 • A Flock of Seagulls

Happy Christmas!

I love this 1965 Ray Conniff Christmas special featuring traditional songs from his 1962 album. It includes Wilbur from Mister Ed and a go-go version of Joy to the World. Play it while making your figgy pudding. Have yourself a joyous Christmas and a groovy new year.

Hot Bulb

Years ago, my family and I made up a game called Hot Bulb
(based on Hot Potato) for my mom's last Christmas. Play this and
I guarantee it'll make your Christmas more memorable and fun.

Here's how to play:
1. The dj plays music with his/her back to everyone.
2. The "hot bulb" (a ball or crinkled-up wrapping paper)
is tossed around randomly. Giggling ensues.
3. The dj (with back to everyone) stops the music.
4. Whoever is holding the "hot bulb" when the music stops,
tells a Christmas memory. Try it, you'll like it.

Devo

While decluttering recently, I came upon my Devo ticket stub (click to enlarge). Apparently, my mom let me see them on a school night.
Things became a little weird in the early 1980s and I loved it.

If something was quirky and made me laugh from its absurdity and wackiness, the better. Enter: Devo. If you like to dance or want a giggle, these will make you, at least, bob your head:

• Whip It
• Girl U Want
• That's Good
• Through Being Cool
• Beautiful World
• (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
• Peek-a-boo
• Freedom of Choice 

At the concert I bought a red flowerpot hat. I also bought a concert t-shirt. The concert was during their strange, plastic-shoulder, potato-body phase. When the t-shirt became too small to wear, I gave it to a friend with the stipulation to give it back when she no longer wore it.

A very Devo Christmas in 1982. The above photo is THIS.

I still have the 3 Christmas gifts I'm holding in the photo above. I used to enjoy wearing "loud" shirts and would often get flak for it – especially in the hallways at school. Gotta let your freak flag fly.

Devo appeared on the totally tubular Square Pegs tv show.

time for Christmas music...

...and watching Rudolph. Enjoy the mix and Happy Christmas!

ding dong ding dong

Enjoy the mix. 🎄 Suitable for every holiday occasion. 😉


Christmas Mix 2023


Christmas Mix 2023, part 2

Is it just me or is there something off about Mister Snowman?

Ronnie Spector

I had the extreme pleasure of seeing Ronnie Spector a few nights ago in a very intimate setting at TCAN in Natick, Massachusetts. She looked gorgeous and sounded gorgeous. Her hair was bigger than huge, thank God, and her band and backup singers were the best.

I've never sat so close to a performer and could not make my smile go away. In between each song she sat and told stories about her career and the song she was about to sing. There was a slide show with video too. One of the top 5 shows I've ever seen. Thanks, Ronnie!

She ended the show with Frosty the Snowman. The Ronettes
were a huge part of Phil Spector's Christmas album from 1963.




• Kids Cha Cha to Be My Baby on American Bandstand
• Appearing on American Bandstand, September 1963
• Say Goodbye to Hollywood, 1977

hold me, love me

I received this book for Christmas when I was 15. Most of what I learned about The Beatles came from reading this book and looking at the pics. I used to only imagine the experience that was Beatlemania.

Now with the web, we have so much info available instantly. What I only read in books I can now see. This video of their 1965 Shea Stadium concert really displays Beatlemania for those who weren't present. I truly believe they came at the right time – just after JFK's death. They helped a lot of people cope with their pent-up pain and anquish. Yay!

A dad can't deal with his kids freaking out. Imagine the energy.


Eight Days A Week complete with wonderful imperfections.
Watch how the smallest girl cries to the rhythm of the song.

'tis the season...

...for listening to some of my favorite Christmas music. Enjoy the mix.

Mapparium in Boston

I took some family members to the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library on Mass Avenue near Berklee. We'll never forget it. GO THERE! Great multi-media show. It's cheap. Beautiful exhibit and exhibit space. Walk around Boston and look at the Christmas lights.

Santa's been naughty, again

This has now made its way to the top of my Christmas wish list.

donkeys or cats?

The cat version makes me want to scratch my own eyes out.


Lou Monte, 1960


The Christmas Cats

Santa smokes?

He comes down the chimney and IS a chimney. Happy Christmas!

Santa's trailer down by the river

I see this trailer every year, and every year I say I'm going to take a photo. Tonight was the night. The vendor went into it and closed the door so I could see the whole mural thang. I think the painted Santa is going to give me nightmares tonight. Trust me, the pics are better blurry. I mean that in a good way. Thanks Christmas tree guy!

spread your tiny wings and fly mmmkay

A sibling received this 45 for Christmas when it came out in 1970. I loved it and would play it over and over. What a beautiful voice.

'Tis the season...

...for lots of Christmas music to put you in the mood. Let it snow!

Happy Christmas

Here's a mix to help you make your season merry and bright.