XMAS COUNTDOWN VIII: "CHRISTMAS EVE CAN KILL YOU" BY BONNIE PRINCE BILLY AND DAWN McCARTHY

 

There are eight more more days to Xmas and since it was the worst year ever we're counting down the 10 most depressing holiday tunes of all time! Today it's "Christmas Eve Can Kill You", the classic 1972 Everly Brothers tune covered in 2012 by Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Dawn McCarthy. The song was written by Dennis Linde, the prolific Nashville songwriter who wrote "Burning Love" for Elvis and "Goodbye Earl" for the Dixie Chicks.

full list

Christmas Vinyl Countdown: Looking at Some Classic and Not-So-Classic Holiday Records

With the holiday season upon us, let's make like the Ghost of Christmas Past and look back at our historic examination of Xmas vinyl from 2015. Last year we devoted 25 days to listening to and singing the praises of some new and old records, all Christmas-themed. We still have many of these records in the shop, as well as some new classics. You should also check out our 5.99 bins, which are chock-ful of weird and wonderful Xmas records from all periods and genres.

This is a real "Good, Bad, and Ugly" type list, so be prepared for some duds, some crtiticisms, and some hidden gems.

Here's the list. (click on the albums to read our posts):

25. Santa Claus is Canadian by Various Artists
24. Christmas Cheer by Les Paul and Mary Ford
23. Imagene Peise: Atlas Eats Christmas by The Flaming Lips
22. Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Fred Astaire and Friends
21. A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio
20. Country Christmas by Various Artists
19. Elvis' Christmas Album by Elvis Presley
18. Rocky Mountain Christmas by John Denver
17. A Dave Brubeck Christmas by Dave Brubeck
16. Christmas Wishes by Anne Murray
15. An Oscar Peterson Christmas by Oscar Peterson
14. Merry Merry Christmas by New Kids on the Block
13. A Very Special Christmas by Various Artists
12. The Jackson 5 Christmas Album by The Jackson 5
11. Christmas Songs by Bad Religion
10. The Sounds of Christmas from Blacks by Various Artists
9. Christmas with the Chippers by The Chippers
8. Light of the Stable by Emmylou Harris
7. Ace Records presents Rhythm & Blues Christmas by Various Artists
6. It's a Holiday Soul Party by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
5. A Very She & Him Christmas by She & Him
4. Phil Spector's A Christmas Gift for You by Various Artists
3. Burl Ives' Christmas Album by Burl Ives
2. If I Should Fall From Grace With God by The Pogues
1. Christmas 1979 by Wild Billy Childish

25 Holiday Records: 1 : Christmas 1979 by Wild Billy Childish

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

Our last record is by a personal fave of Royal Cat and a special surprise:

#1

Christmas 1979

by Wild Billy Childish and the

     Musicians of the British Empire

Damaged Goods Records

DAMGOOD 296

2007

Billy Childish (Milkshakes, Thee Headcoats, Thee Mighty Caesars) is a favourite of ours here at Royal Cat but we had no idea of this record's existence until we were given a copy as an early Christmas prezzy. Billy Childish is the keeper of the Garage Rock flame in the UK and this is a classic garage Xmas LP from that enchanted isle. We only saw Billy once, in Toronto with The Makers back in the mid-90s but he's been going strong since the late-70s.

It seems that no matter what incarnation of his band he is making music with, Childish always returns to the same basic heroes: Link Wray, The Sonics, The Who, and all of the great garage standards. Many of these are referenced on this record, with the tunes lifted from classic tracks, with new punk rock xmas lyrics pasted on top. They all rock. Some nice harmonies. Some nice feedback. Some nice spoken word intros. Perfect!

Merry F***ing Christmas To You All!

Tracklist:

Santa Claus
Christmas Lights
Knick Knack Paddywhack (Chuck It In The Bin)
Father Christmas Is Dressed In Green
A Poundland Christmas
A Quick One (Pete Townsend's Christmas)
Mistletoe
Dear Santa Claus
Comanche (Link Wray's Christmas)
Merry Christmas Fritz
Christmas Hell
Christmas 1979

Check it out:

25 Holiday Records: 2: If I Should Fall From Grace With God by The Pogues

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

Our next record only has one Xmas song on it!

#2

If I Should Fall From Grace with God

by The Pogues

Rhino/Warner

1988/2015

So this is the Pogues record with "Fairytale of New York" on it. Not the only reason for buying the record, since it is one of the top 3 Pogues records and a classic of its type, but this is the reason the record is on this list. One of the least sentimental, least seasonal love songs/duets ever, it is still a work of beauty. Very punk, even if it is by a band specializing in a punk take on traditional Irish music. Here's the song!

25 Holiday Records: 3: Burl Ives Christmas Album

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

This next record is by a beloved childhood favourite!

#3

Burl Ives Christmas Album

by Burl Ives

Columbia ‎– CS 9728

1968

Burl Ives is a beloved childrens entertainer who also has a great track record as a serious folk musician and dramatic actor. He is kind of the white Leadbelly in the sense that he popularized many traditional folk tunes during the 1950s and 60s folk revival and made them palatable for a middle class white audience. Most of us know him from his kids records and his turn as the Snow Man narrator in the animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer tv special. He sings some classic songs on that show, none of which are included on this record. In fact, this is not the Burl Ives record you should own. It is very traditional and ballad-y, sung in a gentle boring way that lacks any of the pep or inventiveness of many of Burl's performances. 

Tracklist

A1 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

A2 Silent Night, Holy Night

A3 O Little Town Of Bethlehem

A4 O Holy Night

A5 Happy Birthday, Jesus (A Child's Prayer)

B1 Oh What A Lucky Boy Am I

B2 Jingle Bells

B3 Santa Mouse

B4 Ava Maria

B5 The Christmas Story

B6 Medley: Thy Rebuke; Behold

25 Holiday Records: 5: A Very She and Him Christmas

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

Our next record is a modern easy listening classic.

#5

A Very She and Him Christmas
Merge Records
MRG424
2011/2015
green vinyl!

She and Him are the light rock/folk duo made up of Matthew Stephen Ward and Zooey Deschanel. He plays guitar and sings and she plays piano and ukulele and sings. It's very sweet and pleasant. They write a lot of their own music but this is a cover/classic album of Xmas tunes. Zooey has kind of become a Christmas icon since she starred in Elf as the department store employee who falls in love with the titular Will Ferrell character, famously singing a duet of "Baby It's Cold Outside" in the shower. We like this record quite a bit. Chances are, if you hear one of these songs on the radio or a playlist this year, it will be their version.


Tracklist
The Christmas Waltz 2:37
Christmas Day 3:24
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 3:42
I'll Be Home For Christmas 2:26
Christmas Wish 2:58
Sleigh Ride 2:44
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree 2:00
Silver Bells 1:57
Baby, It's Cold Outside 2:17
Blue Christmas 3:24
Little Saint Nick 2:10
The Christmas Song 2:26

25 Holiday Records: 6: It's a Holiday Soul Party by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

R.I.P. Sharon Jones: 1956-2016

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

This next one is fast becoming a new fave!

#6

It's a Holiday Soul Party

by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

Dap-Tone 

2015

What a great couple of years Sharon Jones has had. She's gone from surviving cancer to filling stadiums and she's topped it off with this great Christmas record. We sold quite a few of these this year and it looks set to take on the status of a new modern classic. There's even a Hannukah song!

Tracklist

8 Days (Of Hannukah) 3:42

Ain't No Chimneys In The Projects 2:22

White Christmas 2:17

Just Another Christmas Song 3:08

Silent Night 4:16

Big Bulbs 2:56

Please Come Home For Christmas 2:58

Funky Little Drummer Boy 3:18

Silver Bells 3:19

World Of Love 3:19

God Rest Ye Merry Gents 2:17

25 Christmas Records: 7: Rhythm & Blues Christmas (Ace Records)

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

Okay, we lied! This next record isn't on vinyl!

#7

Rhythmn & Blues Christmas

by "all your favourite stars"

Ace Records

DVCHM 1128

2006

We have been sticking to vinyl on this list but we special-ordered this disc and decided to keep a copy for ourselves. Perfect Xmas eve listening. Ace Records is the famous European label known for reissuing tons of rare rock records and 45s in cd form. Meticulously packaged and researched, all of their products are highly recommended. This Xmas compilation seems just made for us here at Royal Cat Records, with some great blues, RnB, and doowop from the likes of BB King, Lowell Fulsom, and a ton of people you may never have heard of (some are anonymous!)) but you will love it. Highlights? They are all great. Fun vocal novelties, great instrumentation, just perfect!

01

Christmas Celebration - B.B. King

02

Christmas - Smokey Wilson

03

Preview

Xmas Baby - Riff Ruffin

04

Merry Christmas Baby - Mari Jones & Johnny Moore Orch.

05

Christmas Bells - Bobby Nunn

06

Santa Claus Baby - The Voices

07

Christmas Time - The Debonaires

08

God Gave Us Christmas - Oscar McLollie & The Honey Jumpers

09

I Want You With Me Christmas - Jesse Belvin

10

I Wanna Spend Christmas With You Part 1 - Lowell Fulsom

11

I Wanna Spend Christmas With You Part 2 - Lowell Fulsom

12

Merry Xmas - Little Willie Littlefield

13

Gonna Have A Merry Xmas - The Nic Nacs

14

Crazy Santa Claus - The Debonaires

15

My Christmas Baby - Smokey Hogg

16

Christmas Blues - Sylvester Cotton

17

White/Hot Christmas - The Elves

18

Santa Claus Boogie - The Voices

19

Dig That Crazy Santa Claus - Oscar McLollie & The Honey Jumpers

20

White Christmas - Hadda Brooks

Various Artists (Fun Time) - Rhythm & Blues Christmas (MP3) - Ace Records

25 Holiday Records: 8: Light of the Stable by Emmylou Harris

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

Our next record is a gentle country classic!

#8

Light of the Stable
by Emmylou Harris
Warner Brothers Canada
XBS 3484
1980

This is a 1980 Canadian pressing of the 1979 classic by country superstar Emmylou Harris. Emmylou was famously the muse, musical collaborator and romantic ladyfriend of Gram Parson --their romance is legendary and second only to Johnny and June Carter Cash in the annals of western/americana lore. Everybody, especially country stars, does a Christmas record and Emmylou is no exception. She acquits herself well here, with several great performances.

This is a record with a lot of expensive guitars and other stringed instruments on it. Ricky Skaggs plays on several tracks. Lots of strings, pickin' and strummin'. Lots of mandolin. Most of the songs  are fairly conventional country interpretations of the seasonal subject matter. We don't think Emmylou wrote any of these herself, but she puts her own wonderful distinct warbling vocal spin on them. Several are very pretty. The best track is the title track that rounds out the record, with vocal assists from the amazing trio of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Willie Nelson; three of the greatest voices in the genre. This is a quiet record, like it's buried under a blanket of snow.

Tracklist:

A1 Christmas Time's A-Coming
Autoharp – Brian Bowers (2)
Banjo, Mandolin – Ricky Skaggs
Bass – Emory Gordy, Jr.
Guitar [Arch-top] – Brian Ahern
Harmony Vocals – Cheryl Warren, Sharon Hicks
Written-By – Tex Logan
2:45

A2 O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Bass – Emory Gordy, Jr.
Guitar [Gut String] – Brian Ahern
Harmony Vocals – Cheryl Warren, Sharon Hicks
Mandolin, Violin – Ricky Skaggs
Written-By – Lewis H. Redner*, Phillips Brooks
3:39

A3 Away In A Manger
Arranged By – Jonathan E. Spillman*
Bass – Emory Gordy, Jr.
Guitar [Gut String] – Brian Ahern
Mandolin – Albert Lee
Vocals – Nancy Ahern
Written-By – Martin Luther (3)
2:35

A4 Angel Eyes (Angel Eyes)
Acoustic Guitar – Brian Ahern, Rodney Crowell
Bass – Mike Bowden
Clavinet – Tony Brown (4)
Drums – Mike Ware
Electric Guitar – Frank Reckard
Harmony Vocals – Ricky Skaggs, Willie Nelson
Mandolin – Ricky Skaggs
Pedal Steel Guitar – Hank Devito
Percussion – Brian Ahern
Written-By – Rodney Crowell
3:16

A5 The First Noel
Arranged By – B. Ahern*
Harmony Vocals – Cheryl Warren, Sharon Hicks
2:36
B1 Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem
Autoharp – Brian Bowers (2)
Bass – Emory Gordy, Jr.
Fiddle, Acoustic Guitar, Harmony Vocals – Ricky Skaggs
Guitar [Arch-top] – Brian Ahern
Harmony Vocals – Cheryl Warren, Sharon Hicks
Written-By – A. L. Phipps*
3:02

B2 Little Drummer Boy
Acoustic Guitar – Emmylou Harris
Bass – Emory Gordy, Jr.
Bass [Six String] – Brian Ahern
Clavinet – Tony Brown (4)
Drums – John Ware
Electric Guitar – Frank Reckard
Guitar [High Strung] – Rodney Crowell
Harmony Vocals – Cheryl Warren, Sharon Hicks
Mandolin – Ricky Skaggs
Pedal Steel Guitar – Hank Devito
Percussion – Brian Ahern
Written-By – Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis*
4:00

B3 Golden Cradle
Arranged By – N. Ahern*
Guitar [Gut String] – Brian Ahern
Vocals – Nancy Ahern
Written-By – Traditional
2:04
B4 Silent Night
Acoustic Bass, Bass [Six String] – Brian Ahern
Acoustic Guitar – Emmylou Harris
Arranged By – Brian Ahern
Autoharp – Brian Bowers (2)
Harmony Vocals – Cheryl Warren, Sharon Hicks
Pedal Steel Guitar – Hank Devito
Violin, Guitar [Acoustic] – Ricky Skaggs
Written-By – Franz Gruber, Joseph Mohr
3:32

B5 Light Of The Stable
Acoustic Guitar – Brian Ahern, Emmylou Harris
Bass – Emory Gordy, Jr.
Drums – John Ware
Electric Guitar – James Burton
Guitar [High Strung] – Rodney Crowell
Harmony Vocals – Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Willie Nelson
Pedal Steel Guitar – Hank Devito
Piano – Glen D. Hardin*
Written-By – Elizabeth Rhymer, Steven Rhymer
2:25

Check it out:

25 Holiday Records: 10: The Sounds of Christmas from Blacks

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

Another oddball cover hides a generic "greatest hits of xmas."

#10

The Sounds of Christmas from Black’s

by Various

CBS Special Products

1984

This was originally an almost generic product produced by CBS in 1979 and then licensed to various corporations as a give-away/promotion item. And so we have this piece of “Canadiana” featuring a perfectly 80s family cover with a camera front and centre because it’s for Black’s Photography stores. The grandma looks like Bea Arthur. The dad’s hair is very 80s. (Everybody’s hair is very 80s!). 

This is kind of what we think of when we think of Christmas records. A hodge-podge of styles and eras from all over the record company’s catalog. There is a little bit of organization to the album, though. The first side is more peppy, and both sides end with slower, more contemplative tracks. All the tracks are by a-listers, with the possible exception of John Schneider of Dukes of Hazard fame (he’s a king in our book!). The original version of this LP had a more Christmas card sleeve, but we will accept this version as being completely of its time.

Track List

Jingle Bells -Gladys Knight & the Pips

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer -Gene Autry

Happy Holidays -Percy Faith

Santa Claus is Coming to Town -Willie Nelson

Have Yourself a Merry Christmas -Doris Day

White Christmas -Jerry Vale

Ave Maria -Barbara Streisand

What Child is This? -Johnny Mathis

The First Noel -Andy Williams

O Little Town of Bethlehem -John Schneider

O Holy Night -Mahalia Jackson

Hallelulah Chorus -Temple Choir

Check out Andy Williams crooning with a choir to "The First Noel" :

25 Holiday Records: 11: Christmas Songs by Bad Religion

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

Our next record is a modern punk rock Xmas tribute!

#11

Christmas Songs
by Bad Religion
Epitaph

Kudos to this band for tackling some VERY traditional yuletide carols on this record. We never really thought about it before, but the whole punk thing seems kind of at odds with tradition and history in a way. At least, that's how punk situated itself back in the 70s and early 80s. By the time Bad Religion got around to recording this, punk had become pretty mainstream, more of an "alternative lifestyle" than a transgressive art movement or DIY challenge to the status quo of the music industry. Formed in 1980, Bad Religion were part of that first wave of U.S. west coast punk, so nowadays they are something like the elder statesmen of the music. Their music hasn't changed much in all that time and they sort of represent to us what Jello Biafra once called the "fonzie punks" --those frozen in time punks who think the music should look and sound the same way, always.

That's not to say we can't appreciate what Bad Religion does. At Royal Cat we like to bob our heads along and slam dance to "traditional" punk just as much as the next old geezer. And why shouldn't practitioners of this lifestyle have holiday music to share with their kids while they wait for the tattooed and pierced Punk Santa Claus to shred down the chimney on his skateboard? So it only makes sense that even crusty old punkers should have an xmas record like this for themselves. For many years, most of the punkers we knew were so anti-establishment that they wouldn't even admit to liking the holidays one little bit. If you pressed them, they would maybe admit that The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" or Miles Davis' "Blue Xmas" or The Fall's "No Xmas for John Keys" or some other songs about drunks and junkies and capitalism were the only Christmas songs they liked. Now we have this, which is just as bland and background-y as most other offerings of the genre.

So why did this get made? No big deal, the band was just nostalgic for Christmas and thought they could sell some units. According to The Village Voice, lead singer Greg Graffin is a former choirboy: "I remember fun singing events," Graffin says of his childhood performances. "It wasn't about a religious feeling or celebrating a sacred time. It was just really fun performing these songs."

It's a pretty boring record. Inoffensive. All the songs sound the same. Most of them are actually religious. Two have angels in the title and several mention Jesus. They sound very earnest! The presentation is pretty straight-ahead super-fast punk. The band just blows through these, like a cartoonish marching band on speed. But the whole thing is kind of awkward. The machine-gun drums only make sense on "Little Drummer Boy," for instance. The boys do some nice "ah"-ing backing vocals on "What Child is This" and a couple of others. There are some lame guitar solos. Mostly by-the-numbers, highly-polished run throughs (the band is tight). The only standout is the band's original composition, "American Jesus," which is kind of a political, anti-consumerist rant.

Track List:

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
White Christmas
Little Drummer Boy
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
What Child Is This?
Angels We Have Heard On High
American Jesus (Andy Wallace Mix)

We've got it on vinyl in the shop!


Check it out:


 

25 Holiday Records: 12: The Jackson 5 Christmas Album

We're counting down to Christmas Day with a list of 25 records we have in the shop at Royal Cat Records! Why? Because vinyl rules!

All wrapped up with a pretty bow, this collection of infectiously funky poppy songs is perhaps one of the most durable modern takes on the Xmas album.

#12

The Jackson 5 Christmas Album
by The Jackson Five
Motown Records 635 250
1970

We have heard songs from this a lot this year, not just in our store but also in the car, in restaurants, everywhere! It really goes over easy. The Jackson 5 doesn't seem to have the same baggage that Michael Jackson's later career has. Fake Thriller nostalgia gets us mad but these 70s records are from a more innocent time. The Jackson 5 Christmas Album is pretty joyous. I know it was a cynical cash grab created by a bunch of grumpy men at Motown, and that the brothers were mercilessly rehearsed and kept under a close watch by their family, but it all comes together on the side of universal peace, brotherhood, and sweetness. Maybe we can't listen to these songs around the clock, but when you haven't heard them for a year, and then hear them a few times over the holidays, it's a great pick-me-up.

This was the fourth record the Jacksons put out in the same year. They were really on a roll. It's hard to pick out a favourite here, but we like "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and maybe "Up on the Rooftop" the best. They all have something to recommend them.

Tracklist

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 5:10
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town 2:25
The Christmas Song 2:45
Up On The Housetop 3:11
Frosty The Snowman 2:30
The Little Drummer Boy 3:06
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 2:30
Christmas Won't Be The Same This Year 2:30
Give Love On Christmas Day 2:58
Someday At Christmas 2:38
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus 2:59