OOP Vinyl Curiosities: Intergalactic Touring Band (1977) - Sci-Fi Concept album featuring progressive and classic rock guest artists

OOP Vinyl Curiosities:

Intergalactic Touring Band (1977)
Science Fiction Concept Album (Passport Records)
Featuring guest performances from dozens of notable progressive rock and classic rock artists,
including Annie Haslam, Larry Fast, Anthony Phillips, Percy Jones, Dave Cousins, Rod Argent, Ben E. King, Meatloaf, Clarence Clemons, and many more.
Mp3 @256 kbps

Ok, today I have a real vinyl curiosity, the Intergalactic Touring Band from 1977, which was a science fiction concept album featuring dozens of well-known guest artists from progressive and classic rock. The album purports to be a concert from the future by the illustrious Intergalactic Touring Band, an immensely popular band that spreads musical goodwill throughout intergalactic space, and the songs present a sort of history of civilisation and their journey to colonize the stars and interact with robots and alien species. The project was put together by Danny Beckerman and Will Malone, who are known mainly for making orchestral arrangements for other artists (Prior to this, their primary connection to progressive rock was their orchestral arrangement work on Rick Wakeman's concept albums Journey to the Center of the Earth (1974) and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur (1975), and perhaps got the idea to put together their own epic concept album from those experiences). Beckerman and Malone wrote all the songs, did most of the arrangements, and managed to put together a stellar lineup of talent to participate, including progressive rock notables synthesizer wizard Larry Fast (Synergy), Annie Haslam (Renaissance), Percy Jones (Brand X), Dave Cousins (The Strawbs), Anthony Phillips (Genesis), and Jim and Brian Cuomo (Fireballet), as well as as classic rock stalwarts Ben E. King, Rod Argent, Meatloaf, Arthur Brown, and Clarence Clemons, and jazz great John Tropea, the London Symphony Orchestra, and many others. The album came complete with a glossy booklet that told the story and contained all the lyrics, etc. So, it seemed to be a rather impressive project.

Unfortunately, the resulting music on the album is much less impressive. It is certainly an interesting side excursion, worthy of a listen or two just to check it out, but despite its progressive rock guest artists, the songs on the album are much more of a somewhat cheesy, theatrical pop-rock, complete with supposedly futuristic robotic sounds and instruments (synthesized voices, effects, etc.), with just the barest hint of prog thrown in. The songs are just not very memorable and most of the guest artists are not given much to do or are relegated to sub-standard pop songs.The main problem is probably that Beckerman and Malone wrote all of the songs instead of having the guest artists contribute their own material, and for the most part, the songs just don't work very well. There is some humor thrown in, and yes, it is a bit amusing to listen to, but mostly for fun, or as a campy experience. So, no, this is not a great album or a lost gem at all, but it was a very interesting project, that just didn't quite work out. Not surprisingly, the album disappeared pretty quickly after it was released in 1977. I picked it up not long after in the cut-out bin just based on the musicians that were included. It did have somewhat of a resurrection in 2003, when it was briefly re-issued on CD, and apparently the album does have its fans (as the reviews on Amazon.com as well as a surprisingly positive review on Prog Archives.com and a fan website can attest to). But, it is currently not available for sale in any form (except as used vinyl or CD), so it should be OK to post here. Anyway, here is the full album, from a needledrop rip from the original vinyl album, as well as the full story and lyric booklet for perusal. So, get ready to blast-off to the 1970's vision of the future with the Intergalactic Touring Band.
     
Tracklist:
 1. Approach (Overture)
 2. Silver Lady
 3. Universal Zoo/Why
 4. Starship Jingle
 5. Heartbreaker
 6. Reaching Out
 7. First Landing
 8. Space Commando
 9. Robot Salesman
 10. Love Station
 11. A Planet Called Monday/Epilogue
 12. Keeper Keep Us

The Intergalactic Touring Band - Fictional band members (Actual band members)
    Hope Larson (Brian Cuomo)— Lase Keyboard Panel
    Ixol Phaane (Larry Fast)— Computerized Keyboard Synthesis
    Justice Conrad (Peter Sobel)— Globe Lase Base
    Krys (Pete Marchetti)— Holographic Percussion
    Raif Reed (David Scance)— Lase Guitar

Partial Credits (notable performers);
Brian Cuomo (Fireballet): IGTB Band - Keyboards
Larry Fast (Synergy, Nektar, etc.): IGTB Band - Synthesizers
David Scance: IGTB Band - Guitars
Peter Sobel: IGTB Band - Bass
Paul Marchetti: IGTB Band - Drums and percussion
Guests:
Rod Argent (The Zombies, Argent): Lead vocal on "Silver Lady"
Arthur Brown (Crazy World of): Lead vocal, "Universal Zoo"
Ryche Chlanda (Fireballet, Nektar): Electric guitar on "Robot Salesman"
Clarence Clemons (E Sreet Band): Saxophone solo on "Love Station"
Dave Cousins (The Strawbs): Lead vocal on "Heartbreaker"
Jim Cuomo (Fireballet): Lead vocal on "Robot Salesman"
Annie Haslam (Renaissance): Lead vocal on "Reaching Out"
Percy Jones (Brand X): Fretless Bass on "Why" and "Keeper Keep Us"
Ben E. King: Lead vocal on "Love Station"
Meatloaf: Lead vocal on "Keeper Keep Us"
Peppi Marchello (Good Rats): Lead vocal on "Starship Jingle"
Anthony Phillips (Genesis): Acoustic guitars on "Reaching Out"
Marge Raymond (Flame): Silver Lady vocal on "Silver Lady"
Rick Parfett and Frank Rossi (Status Quo): Lead vocals on "A Planet Called Monday"
John Tropea: Electric guitars on "Love Station"; Guitar solo on "Love Station"
Members of the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Harry Rabinowitz
Danny Beckerman, Will Malone, David Bedford, and Stephen Galfas: Orchestral arrangements

New Link (updated 05/23/23)
Intergalactic Touring Band (1977).rar

 

BB Chronicles 2020 Christmas Collection - A Coping with Covid Christmas

BB Chronicles 2020 Christmas Collection - 

A Coping with Covid Christmas

 

A Christmas Sampler Collection

Various Artists

Mp3 @ (mostly) 320 kbps (but some 192kbps)

Well here are we are, at the end of another year, and what a (terrible) year it has been. But at Christmastime, we can try to put all that behind us and try to enjoy the Holidays as best we can, although under the present circumstances, it may be a very different holiday season than usual, or that we would want. Due to the raging global pandemic and social distancing requirements, most of us are having to scale our holiday festivities way back, with little socializing or spending time with family and friends. But we sttill have the music of the season, and once again, as is my every other year tradition, I have put together a Christmas holiday collection of seasonal music. Although I did not expect to be able to do it this year, I hunkered down and explored my treasure chest of holiday gems and came up with a another wonderfully delightful assemblage (if I do say so myself) of rather fine contemporary Christmas-related music from an assortment of great and little-known artists. Due to the current situation and atmosphere, this year's collection features numerous songs that capture the distance, isolation, or stay-at-homeness of this season, but also features numerous bright and cheery songs to lift the spirits. Once again, my collections tend to feature newer, more original songs, with just a few old standards thrown in. This year also marks 10 years since my first of these collections and my 6th overall compilation (because only done in even years). So, to honor that first 'Echlechtic Chollection', there are a couple of throwbacks to that set, including the studio version of Dave Edmunds' 'Run Rudolph Run' (the first collection used a live recording), and the wonderful 'Christmas Face' by Fisher, which not only is a perfect song for this particular collection in mood and spirit, but also is just a truly beautiful song that deserves more exposure and notoriety (I have never heard another artist cover this song, but it should have become a Christmas standard by now). Also, once again, I have liberally lifted some tracks from other recent Christmas compilations (such as White Christmas-2019 from Power Pop Criminals blog as well as some samplers from Noisetrade, etc.). Also featured are a couple more tracks from The Grip Weeds excellent Christmas album (Under the Influence of Christmas-2011), and other power pop gems, several indie artists you've surely never heard of (but are quite wonderful), as well as some familiar old pros with a mix of old and new classics. Closing out the collection is a beautiful, insprational 'Christmas is Here' from JJ Heller. Hope you enjoy this year's collection. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All.

 
Tracklist: Song Title - Artist (Year - Album)
01. For The Holidays - The Grip Weeds (2011 - Under The Influence of Christmas)
02. Talkin' Christmas - The Blind Boys of Alabama (2014 - Talkin' Christmas)
03. Have a Very Merry Christmas - The Sun Kings (2015 - Jingle Jangle Pop)
04. Holly Herald - Jethro Tull (2003 - Christmas Album)
05. Underneath the Christmas Tree - The New Favorites (2017 - Happy Holidays)
06. Christmas is All Around - Sleeping At Last (2014 - Christmas Collection)
07. It's Christmas - Ben Woodward (2014 - HGTV+Noisetrade Ultimate Holiday Soundtrack)
08. Christmas Face - Fisher (2012 - December)
09. Christmas Time is Here - Jerry Douglas (2009 - Jerry Christmas)
10. Happy Xmas - Alanis Morissette (2020 - Single)
11. Christmas in the Room - Sufjan Stevens (2012 - Silver and Gold)
12. Last-Minute Christmas Song - Sun Machines (2018 - Single)
13. Holiday at Home - Abigail York (2014 - HGTV+Noisetrade Ultimate Holiday Soundtrack)
14. Winter Eclipse - Beta Radio (2014 - HGTV+Noisetrade Ultimate Holiday Soundtrack)
15. All I Want for Christmas is You - The 88 (2010 - Single)
16. Blue Christmas - Chris Isaak (2004 - Christmas)
17. Christmas Time - Christopher Holland (2019 - Golden Hour)
18. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Kenny Rankin (1999 - A Christmas Album)
19. Run Rudolph Run - Dave Edmunds (1982 - Party Party)
20. Winter Wonderland - David Grisman - (1983 - David Grisman's Acoustic Christmas)
21. Christmas Night - Dwight Twilley (2005 - Have a Twilley Christmas)
22. Welcome Christmas - The Grip Weeds (2011 - Under The Influence of Christmas)
23. Carol of the Bells - The Last Bison (2013 - Sleigh Ride)
24. Christmas is Here - JJ Heller (2016 - Unto Us)

BB Chronicles 2020 Christmas Collection

BB's Christmas Collection-2018 - A BB Chronicles Christmas Compilation

BB's Christmas Collection 2018
A BB Chronicles Christmas Compilation
Various Artists & Recordings
Mp3 @ mostly 320 kbps (a few @ 192)

Taking a short Holiday break from the Progressive Rock features: It's the Christmas season and time for another of my biennial Christmas compilations (because every year is just a bit too much for this type of thing, every other year just about right). This year I've got a another wonderful overstuffed hodgepodge of eclectic selections for your seasonal enjoyment. This 2018 edition highlights cuts from several new holiday releases (2017-2018) from popular artists, including Eric Clapton, Michael McDonald, The Mavericks, Ingrid Michaelson, and Cheap Trick, as well some oldies, classics, and a healthy dose of power pop. A few of the traditional Christmas songs are included, but (as usual), the bulk are non-traditional. One mini-theme this year embraces some attempts to raise previous novelty songs to full-fledged serious Christmas fare, as with The Chipmunks' 'Christmas Don't be Late' (done as a ballad by She & Him), SNL's cheesy 'I Wish It Was Christmas Today' (with full rock treatment by Cheap Trick), The Beatles fragment 'Christmas Time is Here Again' (fleshed out as a mashup with 'Flying' and "Baby You're A Rich Man' by The Weeklings), and Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' (polished up into a power pop beauty by Sloan). Also included is a nod to my recent progressive rock features, with a couple holiday tracks from Yes veterans Jon Anderson and Chris Squire, as well as a holiday remembrance to the departed Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Also, I have to give a special Thank You (and apology?) to Angelo from the Power Pop Criminals blog, because I leaned heavily on (stole?) several tracks from his own 2017 Power Pop Christmas Compilation (Very Merry Christmas), as he really knows Power Pop and does these things so very well (with inclusion of great songs by bands I never would have known), so great job there (and check his blog for all the previous years of great compilations and other stuff). Being pressed for time, I put this together really quickly, but I think it turned out great (at least I am really enjoying it). Anyway, hope you all check this out and enjoy it. Merry Christmas to all and wishes for a very Happy Holiday season!

Tracklist [# title-artist(album-yr)]:
01. At Christmas Time - Dan Fogelberg (The First Christmas Morning-1999)
02. Christmas Time Is (Coming 'Round Again) - The Mavericks (Hey! Merry Christmas!-2018)
03. Christmas Time - Jeremy (Very Merry Christmas-PPC Compilation-2017)
04. Christmas Time is Here Again - The Weeklings (Very Merry Christmas-PPC Compilation-2017)
05. It's Christmas - Eric Clapton (Happy Xmas-2018)
06. What Christmas Means To Me - Stevie Wonder (Someday at Christmas-1967)
07. Merry Christmas Time - Somerdale (Very Merry Christmas-PPC Compilation-2017)
08. Happy, Happy Christmas - Ingrid Michaelson (Songs for the Season-2018)
09. Something Bout This Time Of Year - Mike Daly (Very Merry Christmas-PPC Compilation-2017)
10. Christmas Dream - The Grip Weeds (Very Merry Christmas-PPC Compilation-2017)
11. Merry Xmas Everybody - Sloan (Very Merry Christmas-PPC Compilation-2017)
12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Crash Test Dummies (Jingle All The Way-2002)
13. Joy to the World - Aretha Franklin (Joy to the World (2006)
14. Riu Chiu - The Monkees (The Christmas Album-2007)
15. Christmas Christmas - Cheap Trick (Christmas Christmas-2017)
16. Remember (Christmas) - Harry Nilsson (Son of Schmilsson-1972)
17. The Christmas Dance - Ringo Starr (I Wanna Be Santa Claus-1999)
18. The Flower Carol (Good King Wenceslas) - David Grisman Acoustic Christmas-1983)
19. White Christmas - Eric Clapton (Happy Xmas-2018)
20. Christmas Don't Be Late - She & Him (Christmas Party-2016)
21. I Wish It Was Christmas Today - Cheap Trick (Christmas Christmas-2017)
22. Ding Dong Merrily On High - Jon Anderson (3 Ships-1985)
23. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Michael McDonald (Season of Peace:The Christmas Collection-2018)
24. A Very Merry Christmas - The Beatphonics (Very Merry Christmas-PPC Compilation-2017)
25. Day Of Days - Jon Anderson (3 Ships-1985)
26. Run With the Fox - Chris Squire (Chris Squire's Swiss Choir-2007)
27. Winter Wonderland (feat. Jake Shimabukuro) - Michael McDonald (Season of Peace:The Christmas Collection-2018)
28. Hey! Merry Christmas! - The Mavericks (Hey! Merry Christmas!-2018)

One other note: I've always thought Stevie Wonder's 'What Christmas Means to Me' was a great contemporary Christmas song that has been underappreciated and underutilized (few covers). So, I was delighted to see it get some respect and inclusion in multiple new Christmas releases this year, including new versions done by Pentatonix, John Legend, and Michael McDonald, and intended on including the best of these new versions on my new compilation. However, after hearing them, none quite captured the essence and spirit (or coolness) of the original version, so I (of course) went back and included the original 1967 Stevie Wonder version instead. Sometimes you just can't improve on the original.

New Link! Updated 09/29/23
BB's Christmas Collection-2018.rar

 

Big Star's Third Live - Various Artists - 2012-05-28 - London, UK

Big Star Third Live
Various Artists
May 28, 2012
Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre
London, UK
Audience recording, very good quality (Pike1957 recording)
Mp3 @ 320 kbps

Wrapping up this celebration of Big Star and their music, as mentioned in the previous post, despite the death of Alex Chilton in 2010, and the earlier deaths of original members Chris Bell and Andy Hummel, Big Star has lived on in various forms, with surviving member drummer Jody Stephens, and through all the friends and supporters gathered over the years. Starting with the Alex Chilton Tribute shows in 2010, and then with the creation of various all-star assemblages of Big Star's Third Live shows, Big Star's music is still being heard live, still vibrantly vital, and more popular than ever. Organized and coordinated primarily by Chris Stamey (The dB's), who worked and played with Chilton for a number of years, Big Star's Third Live came together as a series of shows featuring the full horn, wind, and string arrangements of the original Third album sessions, and performed by many friends and colleagues of Chilton and Big Star. At that time, these full arrangements  had never been performed live before (as Third was an entirely studio creation, never performed live). So, Stamey and friends, featuring a core ensemble of musicians such as Stephens, Mitch Easter (Let's Active), Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow (The Posies, Big Star), and a host of revolving special guests and friends, put on these shows featuring the music of Big Star (many other Big Star songs in addition to Third). Several of these shows were performed in 2012, 2014, and 2016. And just recently, a deluxe 2CD/1DVD album, Thank You Friends: Big Star's Third Live...and More, from one of the most recent shows (2016-04-27, Glendale, CA) has been released (and is excellent, highly recommended), featuring Stamey et al, as well as Jeff Tweedy and Pat Sansone (from Wilco) and a host of other guests on a great recording of a great show. Here, however, I have a show from 2012, in London, which features Stamey, Stephens, Easter, Auer, and Stringfellow and gang (with full orchestra), plus guest stars such as Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), John Bramwell (I Am Kloot), Sharon Van Etten, Skylar Gudasz, Brett Harris, Django Haskins (the Old Ceremony), Robyn Hitchcock, Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo), Sondre Lerche, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), as well as a special appearance by Ray Davies (The Kinks). It is a special show, a fine tribute to the band, and a fitting finish to this Big Star featurette in The Chronicles. Once again, thanks to dbs-repercussion blog for making this (and many other Big Star-related shows) available.

Tracklist: (lead vocalists for each song noted in parentheses):
Part I
01 - [intro]
02 - Nature Boy (John Bramwell)
03 - [announcement]
04 - Kizza Me (Mitch Easter)
05 - O Dana (Ira Kaplan)
06 - For You (Jody Stephens)
07 - Nightime (Alexis Taylor)
08 - Jesus Christ (Mike Mills)
09 - Big Black Car (Jon Auer)
10 - Take Care (Ira Kaplan)
11 - Stroke It Noel (Norman Blake)
12 - Femme Fatale (Sondre Lerche)
13 - Downs (Robyn Hitchcock) [Mike Mills bouncing a basketball as percussion!]
14 - Dream Lover (Sharon Van Etten)
15 - [announcement]
16 - Blue Moon (Jody Stephens)
17 - Holocaust (Django Haskins)
18 - You Can't Have Me (Sharon Van Etten)
19 - Kanga Roo (Brett Harris)
21 - Thank You Friends

Part II
22 - [intro]
23 - I'm In Love With A Girl (Sondre Lerche)
24 - Thirteen (Skylar Gudasz, Brett Harris & more)
25 - Give Me Another Chance (Norman Blake)
26 - I Am The Cosmos [Chris Bell cover] (Jon Auer)
27 - There Was A Light (Ken Stringfellow)
28 - You And Your Sister (Brett Harris)
29 - Daisy Glaze (Ken Stringfellow)
30 - The EMI Song (Smile With Me) (Ira Kaplan)
31 - The Ballad Of El Goodo (Sondre Lerche)
32 - September Gurls (Mike Mills)
33 - [Ray Davies intro]
34 - Til The End Of The Day [Kinks cover] (Ray Davies)
35 - [Ray Davies chat]
36 - The Letter (Ray Davies)
37 - [audience]
Encore:
38 - Back Of A Car (Jon Auer)

Big Star's Third Live_2012-05-28_London.part1.rar
Big Star's Third Live_2012-05-28_London.part2.rar
Links updated 09/21/21

Last Waltz 40 Tour - Warren Haynes, Michael McDonald, Don Was, and Friends - 2017-01-24 - Atlanta, GA

The Last Waltz 40 Tour
(Warren Haynes, Michael McDonald, Don Was, and Friends)
January 24, 2017
Symphony Hall at Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta, GA

Audience recording, good quality
Available in both Lossless (FLAC) and Mp3 (320 kbps) versions

Here's something I've been meaning to post for awhile now, just haven't gotten to it (sorry for the lack of posts recent weeks). It's Warren Haynes and Friends tribute to the Last Waltz, and their Last Waltz 40 Tour. This began as a one-time tribute show last year, and was so successful they announced a tour scheduled for select cities in January and February, 2017. Well those were also a success, so more recently they announced a second leg of the tour, which is currently playing now in selected US cities throughout April and May. And as part of this current leg of the the tour, original Band member Garth Hudson will be joining in for some of the shows. But this is from the first leg, in January (if any shows from the current leg with Garth become available, I'll try to post that as well). Of course, I've previously presented much from the Band (including the full Last Waltz show here), and another 40-year tribute show from last year (Midnight Ramble Band available here), so here now is Warren's assemblage of friends and musicians honoring the legacy of the Band and that iconic show from 1976 with a whole new interpretation with current talented musicians, but still featuring the classic style and sound of the original Band. Check it out, and if the tour stops near where you live, may be worth checking out live.

Set I
01 Up On Cripple Creek
02 Shape I’m In
03 Stage Fright
04 Georgia On My Mind
05 Life Is A Carnival
06 It Makes No Difference
07 South In New Orleans
08 Wheels On Fire
09 Who Do You Love*
10 King Harvest
11 The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

Set II
01 Chest Fever
02 Ophelia >
03 Caravan
04 Helpless
05 Mystery Train
06 Rag Mama Rag*
07 Mannish Boy
08 Caledonia Mission**
09 Forever Young**
10 The Weight
11 I Shall Be Released
-encore-
12 Such A Night
13 Don’t Do It

Warren Haynes - guitar, vocals
Michael McDonald - keys, vocals
Jamey Johnson - guitar, vocals
John Medeski - organ, keys
Don Was - bass
Terrence Higgins - drums
Mark Mullins and The Levee Horns
with
Dave Malone - guitar, vocals * (s1t08-09, s2t06)
Bob Margolin - guitar, vocals ** (s2t08-09)

FLAC - Last Waltz 40 Tour_2017-01-24_Atlanta_FLAC.part1.rar
            Last Waltz 40 Tour_2017-01-24_Atlanta_FLAC.part2.rar

mp3 - Last Waltz 40 Tour_2017-01-24_Atlanta_mp3.part1.rar
          Last Waltz 40 Tour_2017-01-24_Atlanta_mp3.part2.rar
Links updated 08/31/21

BB Chronicles Christmas Collections - 2016

New BB Chronicles Christmas Sampler Collections 2016!

OK, I have some new Christmas sampler compilations this year. I really did not think I was going to be able to put anything together this year (just because of busyness and time, etc.), but once I started looking for songs to include it came together pretty quickly, and there were lots I wanted to include. So much so that I actually created 2 compilations this year. At first, it seemed that I most of what I was listening to were pretty melancholy, downbeat songs, but then I wanted to put in some more cheery, bright ones, so I ended up dividing them into two different collections, one being bluesy, sad, or melancholy Christmas songs, and the other being more bright and cheerful (lots of power pop, etc.). So, here are the two new compilations I came up with for this year. hope you enjoy them both.
Merry Christmas to All!

BB's Blue Christmas - 2016
(A collection of not-so-happy seasonal songs)
A BB Chronicles Christmas Compilation
Various Artists
Mp3 @ 192-320 kbps

OK, so sometimes the holidays and the winter Christmas season are not so cheery for whatever reasons. And there are plenty of seasonal songs that reflect some of these blues, anxieties, frustrations, and overall sadness. But that's not to say that the songs themselves are bleak. On the contrary, many are quite beautiful melodies, and enjoyable to hear, but they just depict a bit darker side of the holidays. So, this collection embraces those aspects, with some quite lovely and beautiful tracks, blues and ballads, to some interestingly strange ditties and oddities, culminating in a sign of hope and peace. Once again, the collection features lesser known tracks and gems, as well as more original than traditional songs.

Tracklist:
01. Christmas Time Is Here - Shawn Colvin (1998 - Holiday Songs and Lullabies) 
02. Please Come Home For Christmas - Aaron Neville (1993 - Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas)
03. River - Linda Ronstadt (2000 - A Merry Little Christmas) 
04. In The Bleak Midwinter - Jerry Douglas (2009 - Jerry Christmas)
05. Winter Song - Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson (2008 -  TwitterXmasSingle
06. Whatever Happened to Christmas? - Aimee Mann (2007 - One More Drifter in the Snow)
07. Blue Christmas - Bright Eyes (2002 - A Christmas Album) 
08. Christmas Time In The City - Mary Chapin Carpenter (2008 - Come Darkness, Come Light: 12 Songs of Christmas)
09. Christmas Eve Can Kill You - The Everly Brothers (1971 - Stories We Could Tell)
10. That Was The Worst Christmas Ever! - Sufjan Stevens (2003 - Songs for Christmas)
11. Christmas Spirit - Julia Lee And Her Boyfriends (1947 - Hipster's Holiday)
12. Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern) - Miles Davis ft. Bob Dorough (1962 - Jingle Bell Jazz)
13. Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis - Tom Waits (1978 - Blue Valentines)
14. Christmas in Prison - John Prine (1973 - Sweet Revenge)
15. Colorado Christmas - Steve Goodman (1987 - Unfinished Business)
16. Christmas in Cape Town - Randy Newman (1983 - Trouble in Paradise)
17. All Alone On Christmas - Darlene Love (1992 - Home Alone 2 Soundtrack)
18. Always Winter Never Christmas - XTC ( 1992 - XTC Music and Friends)
19. Don't Believe in Christmas - Pearl Jam (2002 - Ten Club 2002 Single)
20. Even Santa Gets the Blues - Chuck Leavell (1998 - What's in That Bag?)
21. All I Want for Christmas - Timbuk3 (1987 - Single)
22. Peace on Earth - Mike Oldfield  (1999 - The Millennium Bell)

New Link! Updated 09/29/23
BB's Blue Christmas - 2016.rar

BB's Bright Christmas - 2016
(A collection of cheery seasonal songs)
A BB Chronicles Christmas Compilation
Various ArtistsMp3 @ 192-320 kbps

OK, so now after bringing you down a bit with the Blue Christmas Collection, here's some much brighter and cheerier selections to lift you up through the holidays. This collection again features many lesser-known holiday gems from BB Chronicles-favored artists (and a preponderance of power pop in this particular compilation) in many different styles and sounds, and featuring more original or non-traditional songs than you usually hear in these samplers, but all designed to liven up your holidays with some great upbeat holiday music.  Enjoy! and Happy Holidays!

Tracklist:
01. Christmas All Over Again - Tom Petty (1992)
02. Christmas Time - The BoDeans (1987)
03. Thanks For Christmas - Pugwash (2002)
04. Little Road To Bethlehem - Shawn Colvin (1998 - Holiday Songs and Lullabies)
05. Merry Christmas All - The Grip Weeds (2011) 
06. (There's No War On Christmas) When Christmas Is In Your Heart - The Mockers (2012)
07. In Dulci Jubilo - Mike Oldfield (1975)
08. Waking Up On Christmas Morning - The Smithereens (2007)
09. Merry Christmas Will Do - Material Issue (1991)
10. Louisiana Christmas Day -  Aaron Neville (1993 - Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas)
11. Christmas is MyTime of Year - The Monkees (1976)
12. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Linda Ronstadt (2000 - Merry Little Christmas)
13. Silent Night - Stanley Jordan  (1986 - Standards)
14. Hey Santa - Chuck Leavell (1998 - What's in That Bag?)
15. Rockabilly Christmas Ball - Dwight Twilley (2005 - Have a Twilley Christmas)
16. Children Go Where I Send Thee - Nick Lowe (2013 - Quality Street)
17. Hot Christmas - Squirrel Nut Zippers (1998)
18. Everybody Loves Christmas - Eddie Money & Ronnie Spector (1997)
19. Love Came Down At Christmas - Shawn Colvin  (1998 - Holiday Songs and Lullabies)
20. Mary Did You Know - Jerry Douglas  (2009 - Jerry Christmas)
21. Christmas Stars - Dwight Twilley (2005 - Have a Twilley Christmas)
22. Snoopy's Christmas - The Royal Guardsmen  (1967)
23. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day - Nick Lowe (2013 - Quality Street)

New Link! Updated 09/29/23
BB's Bright Christmas - 2016.rar


Be sure to check out my Christmas collections from previous years (even number years) and other Christmas-themed posts here

BB's Christmas Chronicle - 2014 (Christmas Music Sampler)

BB's Christmas Chronicle - 2014
A Christmas music sampler from BB Chronicles
Various Artists
mp3 @ 192-320 kbps

OK, here's this years Christmas sampler collection, containing various Christmas -themed songs, old and new, some I've been listening to for years, others I've only recently discovered. Once again, featuring a mix of original and traditional, serious and silly, but all very enjoyable, and not your usual assortment of artists and songs found on most of these types of collections. Hope you like it. Merry Christmas to all.

Tracklist
1. Tiny Tree Christmas - Guster/Ryan Miller (From Target's 'The Christmas Gig' - 2010)
2. Joy Boogie - Chuck Leavell (From 'What's in That Bag?' - 2001)
3. Please Come Home For Christmas - Chuck Leavell (Chuck Leavell (From 'What's in That Bag?' - 2001)
4. Swingle Jingle - Lionel Hampton (From 'Swing Into Christmas' - 2001)
5. I Told Santa Claus - Fats Domino (From 'Christmas Gumbo' - 1993)
6. Christmas Pics - Barenaked Ladies (From 'Barenaked for the Holidays' - 2004)
7. The Christmas Waltz - She & Him (From 'A Very She & Him Christmas' - 2011)
8. The Nutcracker Suite - Brian Setzer Orchestra (From 'Christmas Rocks! The Ultimate Christmas Collection' - 2008)
9. The 12 Days of Christmas (Live) - Straight No Chaser (From 'Holiday Spirits' - 2008)
10. Christmas Rule - Jorma Kaukonen (From 'Christmas' - 1996)
11. Good King Wenceslas - The Fab Four (From 'A Fab Four Christmas' - 2002)
12. Deck The Halls - The Roches (From 'We Three Kings' - 1990)
13. What Child is This - Jorma Kaukonen (From 'Christmas' - 1996)
14. Ring Those Christmas Bells - Peggy Lee (From 'Swing Into Christmas' - 2001)
15. Hark" The Herald Angels Sing - The Fab Four - (From 'A Fab Four Christmas' - 2002)
16. Run Run Rudolph (Live) - Bill Kirchen (From 2010-12-16 - Northampton, MA show)
17. Swingin' For Christmas - Gene Ammons (From 'Swing Into Christmas' - 2001)
18. White Christmas - Brian Setzer Orchestra (From 'Christmas Rocks! The Ultimate Christmas Collection' - 2008)
19. Sleigh Ride - The Roches - (From 'We Three Kings' - 1990)
20. Go Tell It On The Mountain - Simon & Garfunkel (From 'Wednesday Morning 3 A.M.' - 1964)
21. Christmas Must Be Tonight - The Band (From 'Islands' - 1977)
22. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful - John Fahey (From 'The New Possibility: John Fahey's Guitar Soli Christmas Album' - 1968)
23. Auld Lang Syne - David Grisman (From 'Acoustic Christmas' - 1983)

New Link! Updated 09/29/23
BB's Christmas Chronicle 2014.rar

Also, if you haven't already done so, don't forget to check out my other Christmas compilations and Christmas-themed music posts from previous years. All available here: 
http://bbchron.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas

BB Chronicles Holiday Sampler 2012 - No Rest for Ye Merry Gentlemen

No Rest for Ye Merry Gentlemen
A BB Chronicles Holiday Sampler
(A collection of different versions and variations of 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen', performed by a variety of artists in a variety of styles)
Various Artists
mp3 @ 192-320

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays everyone! Here I have this year's Holiday collection, but this one is something different. I know that many disdain the annual holiday-themed music blitz, but as I've said before, I love Christmas and holiday music, and one of the things I love about it is hearing all the different and varied versions of some of the same perennial holiday classics. When an artist can provide a new and interesting interpretation of a familiar and well-worn standard, while still maintaining the qualities we love of the original song, it is just a joy to hear. With that in mind, what I decided to do for this year's compilation was to show some of the many different styles and interpretations of a single traditional Christmas Carol, that I find very appealing. Yes, that's right, this collection consists of a single song, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, done many different ways and styles. So, here we have 7 vocal and 7 instrumental version of that famous song, from the traditional to the bizarre, ranging from orchestral to solo guitar, accapella to choir, classical to jazz, and then some, but each with some very appealing and interesting aspects. I realize that this won't appeal to everyone, and might seem tedious to some (the same song over and over), but I really think that these are all good, some even great, versions, and it is really amazing just how varied and different the same song can be. OK, so this may not be a collection you want to consistently play straight through all the time, but certainly there are multiple different versions that you can really enjoy. Now, there were many traditional carols that I could have used for this type of exercise, but I chose GRYMG because it seemed to have among the best variety of different types of versions and styles (at least that I was familiar with), from the traditional vocal to the jazz improvisations, yet this is probably not one of the very 'top' or most famous of the carols, that is, it is not one that simply everyone does.
      But first, before we start, a little about the carol itself. This is a 'traditional' English carol, thought to have been written sometime around the early-mid 1700's by an unknown author (sometime before 1760, which was the first known published version). There has been some confusion over the meaning of the title and first line, 'God rest ye merry, gentlemen', as there should be a comma after merry. Thus, it does not really refer to 'merry gentlemen', but rather that God should keep you merry, followed by gentlemen, with 'rest' here referring to 'keep or make'. Another interesting note is that in the original published versions in the 1700's, the lyric was 'you' not 'ye, and it appears that it was changed to 'ye' in more modern times to give the carol a more quaintly old-fashioned feel. 
Anyway, hope you enjoy these. Go through and pick out your favorite (and least favorite) styles and versions. And are there any other versions you know of that you like better than these? Let me know.   

Tracklist: Artist - style
(All songs are variations on 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)
1. London Symphony Orchestra w/Chorus - Traditional Orchestral (with choir)
2. The Whiffenpoofs (Yale Accapella group) - Traditional vocal (Accapella)
3. Acoustic Christmas - Instrumental (Acoustic instruments)
4. Aimee Mann (2006-12-11 - KCRW) - Contemporary vocal (Pop-rock)
5. John Fahey - Instrumental (Solo guitar)
6. Barenaked Ladies (w/ Sarah McLachlan) - Folk-Rock vocal
7. Chuck Leavell - Instrumental jazz (Solo piano)
8. Chicago - Pop vocal
9. Smokey Mtn Christmas - Instrumental (bluegrass-appalachian)
10. The L.A. Gospel Singers - Gospel-R&B vocal
11. Steve Laury - Instrumental (Smooth Jazz)
12. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Pop-soul vocal
13. Chick Corea Elektric Band - Instrumental (Jazz)
14. Brian Setzer Orchestra - Instrumental (Big Band Swing-Rock)

BBChronicles Holiday Sampler-2012_No rest.rar

BTW, my personal favorites of these are: Barenaked Ladies, for vocal version (I think this swingin' folk-rock version (w/Sarah M.) is the best overall version I've heard. It just has a very cool updated 'Kingston Trio' style to it with the upright bass, guitar and great vocals); and Chuck Leavell's (Former keyboard player for Allman Brothers and his own band Sea Level) beautiful solo piano version (Check out his excellent Christmas album "What's in That Bag?", that features several jazzy piano instrumentals of classics, as well as some funky, rollickin' vocal and original tracks, too. One of my favorite Christmas albums). Also alot of fun are John Fahey's solo guitar track (also from a very good Christmas album: The New Possibility), and Brian Setzer's swingin' Big Band versions.   

BB Chronicles Christmas Chollection 2010

BB Chronicles Echlectic Christmas Chollection 2010 (repost)

A unique mix of live and rare versions of Christmas, Winter, and Holiday Season songs from various artists.
Various recordings (FM, SBD, audience) of varying quality (mostly good to excellent)
mp3 @ 128 to 320 kbps

Here, once again, is my compilation of some lesser-known holiday songs that I put together a couple years ago. I'm reposting it again for the Holiday season for those that may not have already gotten it.  I do have another somewhat different collection that I am also putting together, and I hope to have that ready to post later this week. But for now, here is my previous (but still very good) collection. Here are a few notes about the collection (also posted previously).

I put this together from various versions and tracks I have compiled over the last several years. All of the versions here are live, otherwise unreleased, or available as free downloads, thus some of the versions are not the best quality (compared to the commercial releases). But, I think it is a fun and entertaining collection. I know there are many who are not that fond of Christmas songs in general, and modern versions of the same traditional songs in particular. But I happen to love the seasonal Christmas songs, and love to hear new and different versions of old classics, as well as original new Christmas-related songs. Thus, this collection features a mixture of old and new songs, heartfelt and jovial, serious and silly, but most probably by artists and versions you may not have heard before. Some of these tracks have been included in various other well-dispersed Christmas boots (Like Santa's Boots & Upon This Night), but there are several others that are unique to this compilation. I have purposely not included some of the more famous tracks & artists, but have gone with lesser-known versions and other stuff that I really like.

I start  things off with a couple by the wonderful Aimee Mann (from a radio broadcast promoting her 2006 unconventional Christmas album, One More Drifter in the Snow, and as you might expect from her, it's not the most cheery Holiday album, but still very good), first a rather somber, but spirited 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman', followed by one of her own powerful originals, 'Calling Mary'. Next up is one I consider a Christmas Classic, but is not very well-known. It is the very beautiful, but melancholy 'Christmas Face' by Fisher. I first heard this over 10 years ago on the old mp3.com site, and it is just a gorgeous song. Fisher has survived their entire career solely on internet sales of their music, and they regularly offer their Christmas songs, including this one, for free download at their website. This is a seasonal favorite at my house. As good a start as those songs are, however, it was really time to lighten things up, so who better to bring some fun to the Holidays but The Barenaked Ladies, and their 'Jingle Bells' is a riot, perhaps the best version of this song ever (It starts all slow, overly serious, and pretentious, but then bursts into all out childish fun and glory, even including the perennial grade school variation verse [you know, 'Batman smells...' etc.]). Then things get even more ridiculous as Horatio Sanz and his SNL buddies take the stage with their ultra-cheesy, yet somehow cool, 'I Wish It was Christmas Today' taken from the original SNL broadcast (This may have been Horatio Sanz' finest moment on SNL). Then the 'Ladies are back with a clever and original ditty,'Elf's Lament' (from their excellent 2004 Barenaked for the Holidays album), a twisted take on a labor dispute at Santa's Workshop. Next, we return to somewhat more traditional holiday fair with Marti Jones' version of 'Rockin Around the Christmas Tree'. For those not familar with Marti, she was a wonderful female vocalist who had a string of fine albums in the '90's (Again, this is one of the best versions of this song I've heard). Then there is Bruce Cockburn with a gritty 'Early on one Christmas Morn', followed by Jackson Browne actually doing a cover of the little-known Timbuk3 satirical holiday protest song 'All I Want For Christmas is World Peace'. Next, is Steven Page (from BNL) in a fun duet with Rita MacNeil (Canadian TV hostess?) from her TV show. Next is another internet oldie, a song I discovered from the old mp3.com site over 10 years ago, a vocalist that went by the name C. Basinet doing 'Santa Baby' (I don't know anything about her, or what happened to her after this, but again, this is one of the best versions I have heard of this song). Then we have slightly different versions of some traditional songs done by Dave Alvin and Brian Setzer's Swing Orchestra, and a Greg Lake solo version of ELP's 'I Believe in Father Christmas', followed by a hilarious rebuttal by The Kinks, who have quite a different take on 'Father Christmas' (Unfortunately, the quality of this live version is sub-par, but it was the only decent unofficial recording of this classic I could find. If you have the original studio version, by all means substitute it in place here). Next is a short Christmas ditty from Yo La Tengo, a moving rendition of 'Please Come Home for Christmas' by Fiona Apple, and Rick Danko's 'Christmas Must Be Tonight'. Another underrated vocalist, Shawn Colvin, contributes a touching 'Merry Little Christmas', followed by a beautiful, stirring version of Joni Mitchell's classic 'River'. The Christmas portion of the collection comes to a rousing finish with Darlene Love's yearly revisit of 'Christmas (Please Come Home)' for the David Letterman Show (this was the 2006 version) of what has become a twenty-something-year TV holiday tradition. Then we move on to New Year's as Dave Edmunds rings it in with Chuck Berry's 'Run Rudolph Run' from an MTV NYE Bash (I think Edmunds studio version of this song is THE definitive version, even better than Chuck's own). Then Graham Parker gets serious and enlightens us about the 'New Year's Revolution', a great and compelling song. And finally, we close the whole thing out with a suitably austere and touching 'Auld Lang Syne' by Fisher. Anyway, so there it is, hope you like it. Let me know what you think of this compilation relative to other offbeat Christmas collections out there.

Hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season.
Tracklist
01. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Aimee Mann (2006-12-11 - KCRW Santa Monica)
02. Calling Mary - Aimee Mann (2006-12-11 - KCRW Santa Monica)
03. Christmas Face - Fisher (free download - www.fishertheband.com)
04. Jingle Bells - Barenaked Ladies (2004-12-14 - WTMX Chicago)
05. I Wish It Was Christmas Today - SNL (H.Sanz, J.Fallon, C.Kattan, T.Morgan - TV)
06. Elf's Lament - Barenaked Ladies (2004-12-14 - WTMX Chicago)
07. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Marti Jones (1995-12 - Birchmere FM)
08. Early On One Christmas Morn - Bruce Cockburn (1992-12-20 - NY FM)
09. All I Want For Christmas Is World Peace - Jackson Browne (1993-12-12 - NY FM)
10. Baby It's Cold Outside - Steven Page & Rita MacNeil (1993 Canada TV)
11. Santa Baby - C. Basinet (2000? - from old mp3.com site)
12. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Dave Alvin (1992-12-25 - Hollywood FM)
13. Sleigh Ride - Brian Setzer Orchestra - 2009-12-12 - Thackerville)
14. I Believe in Father Christmas - Greg Lake (1994-12 NY TV)
15. Father Christmas - The Kinks (1977-12-13 - Pawtucket)
16. It's Christmas Time - Yo La Tengo
17. Please Come Home For Christmas - Fiona Apple (live)
18. Christmas Must Be Tonight - Rick Danko (1997-12-08 - Wash. DC)
19. Merry Little Christmas - Shawn Colvin (1998-12-24 KGSR Austin FM)
20. River - Shawn Colvin (1998-12-24 KGSR Austin FM)
21. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love (2006-12-22 - Letterman Show TV)
22. Run Rudolph Run - Dave Edmunds (1986-12-31 - MTV RocknRoll Ball)
23. New Year's Revolution - Graham Parker (1994-12-18 FM)
24. Auld Lang Syne - Fisher - (free download - www.fishertheband.com)

New Link! Updated 09/29/23
BBChronicles_Christmas_2010.rar.

Some other Christmas-themed offerings still available here on the blog are:

A couple of  Bruce Springsteen Live Holiday Collections available Here

Chicago's Live Christmas Show from 1998 available Here