Retro Crimbo 2014/ Playlist: Listen, my present wrapping peeps!

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In the words of Moby Grape… listen, my friends! Yes, it’s the (hopefully) monthly playlist presented by George’s Journal just for you good people.

There may be one or two classics to be found here dotted in among different tunes you’re unfamiliar with or never heard before – or, of course, you may’ve heard them all before. All the same, why not sit back, sip a glass of mulled wine, munch on a mince pie and listen away; for in the words of Noddy Holder, ittttttt’s… well, I’m sure you know what comes next…

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CLICK on the track titles to hear them

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Anthony Daniels ~ Christmas In The Stars (1980)¹

Rosemary Clooney ~ Count Your Blessings (Instead Of Sheep) (1954)²

Vel Mares ~ Jingle Bells

Dora Bryan ~ All I Want For Christmas Is A Beatle (1963)

The Supremes ~ Children’s Christmas Song (1965)

Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 ~ The Christmas Song (1968)

Keenan Wynn ~ One Foot In Front Of The Other (1970)³

Mike Oldfield ~ In Dulci Jubilo (1976)

Julie Andrews ~ The Secret Of Christmas (1982)

The Two Ronnies ~ Alice In A Winter Wonderland (1984) 

Jon Anderson ~ 3 Ships (1985)

Bob Rivers ~ The Restroom Door Said ‘Gentlemen’ (1988)

John Denver and The Muppets ~ Medley:
Alfie, The Christmas Tree/ It’s In Everyone Of Us (1979)⁴

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¹ The opening track on Meco (Domenico Monardo)’s legendary Star Wars-‘referencing’ disco pop novelty album Christmas In The Stars

² As featured on the soundtrack album of festive favourite flick White Christmas (1954), which this year celebrates its sixtieth anniversary

³ From Rankin/Bass’s classic Christmas stop-motion masterpiece Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

⁴ From the soundtrack album of the TV special John Denver And The Muppets: A Christmas Together; the song It’s In Everyone Of Us originally featured in the 1970s musical Time (which had to wait until 1986 to debut in the West End), yet fans of the box-office blockbusting, body-swap comedy classic that’s Big (1988) may too recognise it – curiously but wonderfully, it cropped up in that movie as the instrumental Visiting Home

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