Retro Crimbo 2015: Playlist ~ Listen, my bodaciously baubled buddies!

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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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The Bert Kaempfert Orchestra ~ Jingo Jango (1963)

Three Blonde Mice ~ Ringo Bells (1964)

Vince Guaraldi Trio ~ Christmas Time Is Here (1965)¹

Joan Baez ~ The Little Drummer Boy (1966)

The Bob Crewe Generation ~ Winter Warm (1967)

The Free Design ~ Close Your Mouth (It’s Christmas) (1968)

James Brown ~ Santa Claus, Go Straight To The Ghetto (1968)

Claudine Longet ~ Snow (1968)

Peter, Paul & Mary ~ The Marvelous Toy (1969)

Marty Feldman ~ A Joyous Time Of Year (1969)

Jackie DeShannon ~ Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown? (1969)²

The Salsoul Orchestra ~ Christmas Medley (1976)^³

Roberta Flack ~ 25th Of Last December (1977)

Spinal Tap ~ Christmas With The Devil (1984)

Max Headroom ~ Merry Christmas Santa Claus (You’re A Lovely Guy) (1986)

Bugs Bunny & Friends ~ The Halle-Looney Chorus (Medley) (1994)

Kermit The Frog ~ It Feels Like Christmas (2014)

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¹  As featured in the seminal US TV seasonal animated special A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

² The marvellous Ms DeShannon’s cover version of Nina’s original (written by John Barry and Hal David), which was recorded the same year for the soundtrack of the festive-themed Bond movie On Her Majestys Secret Service

^³ A, yes, 12-minute-long medley of songs performed by the backing band for New York disco label Salsoul Records, featuring the tinseled tunes that are (deep breath) Joy To The World; Deck The Halls; O, Come All Ye Faithful; Jingle Bells; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Santa Claus Is Coming To Town; The Christmas Song; White Christmas; Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer; I’ll Be Home For Christmas; Winter Wonderland; The First Noël and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. The single’s B-side of was, of course, the seven-minute-long ‘New Year’s Medley’

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