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Any Major 1970s Christmas

December 15th, 2016 Leave a comment Go to comments

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It”s a 1970s Christmas at Any Major Dungeons, and this year we”re doing it without Slade, Wizzard or Elton John.

There are a couple of, well, strange songs on this mix. Judy Storey“s rightly obscure song is about a dead woman singing to her husband from heaven, and what could be more Christmassy than a disco carol “” though The Universal Robot Band“s Disco Christmas is actually pretty good, for a novelty record.

Fred Astaire“s song is his final recording, bringing to an end a recording career of more than 50 years (though he lived for another eight years); written by our old pal Norman Gimbel and produced by Dick Clark, it was originally featured in one of those Christmas TV variety specials they used to have, something called The Man In The Santa Suit on NBC.

One might also wonder at the inclusion of The Wombles, the furry creatures who live in Wimbledon, London, to recycle rubbish. They were hugely popular in Britain and parts of Europe in the 1970s, and had a string of pop hits. The idea of a Wombles Christmas song may seem discouraging, but this Mike Batt-composed Christmas song is a proper “70s stomper.

All that oddness is offset by the weirdness of the recently late Leon Russell and Harry Nilsson singing about Christmas. I made this mix before he deaths of Russell and Greg Lake. A quick word about I Believe In Father Christmas. It is often claimed as an anti-Christmas song or even an atheist anthem. By Lake”s own account, it was a lament over the commercialisation of Christmas. Both Lake and ex-King Crimson colleague Peter Sinfield, who wrote the lyrics, agreed on that. Lake told Mojo magazine: “I find it appalling when people say it”s politically incorrect to talk about Christmas, you”ve got to talk about “˜The Holiday Season”. Christmas was a time of family warmth and love. There was a feeling of forgiveness, acceptance.” With his tongue in cheek, he added: Â “And I do believe in Father Christmas.”

And be of good cheer: there is much here that conveys the traditional spirit of Christmas pop, including a near-Monkees reunion.

And more reason to be cheerful: next week (probably on Tuesday) there”ll be another Christmas mix!

As always, the mix is timed to fit on a standard CD-R and includes home-wrapped covers. PW in comments.

1. Elvis Presley – It Won”t Seem Like Christmas (Without You) (1971)
2. Carpenters – It”s Christmas Time (1970)
3. Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz & Peter Tork – Christmas Is My Time Of Year (1976)
4. Gilbert O”Sullivan – Christmas Song (1974)
5. Greg Lake – I Believe In Father Christmas (1975)
6. Mike Oldfield – In Dulci Jubilo (1975)
7. Big Star – Jesus Christ (1975)
8. Showaddywaddy – Hey Mr. Christmas (1976)
9. Mud – Lonely This Christmas (1974)
10. The Wombles – Wombling Merry Christmas (1974)
11. Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmastime (1979)
12. Partridge Family – Rockin” Around the Christmas Tree (1972)
13. Bobby Sherman – Goin” Home (Sing A Song Of Christmas Cheer) (1970)
14. Red Simpson – Truckin” Trees For Christmas (1973)
15. The Band – Christmas Must Be Tonight (1977)
16. Leon Russell – Slipping Into Christmas (1972)
17. Harry Nilsson – Remember Christmas (1972)
18. Emmylou Harris – Light Of The Stable (1979)
19. Roberta Flack – 25th Of Last December (1977)
20. The Impressions – Silent Night (1976)
21. Judy Storey – Christmas Cheer From Heaven (1979)
22. Fred Astaire – Once A Year Night (1979)
23. The Universal Robot Band – Disco Christmas (1977)

GET IT!

Or all in one place

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Comments (9) Trackbacks (0) Leave a comment Trackback

halfhearteddude

December 15th, 2016 at 07:18 | #1

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PW = amdwhah
dogbreath

December 15th, 2016 at 13:06 | #2

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Thanks for another good Christmas mix filled with tunes I remember from when they were first played and then played every year thereafter. Now excuse me while I go fetch the mallet for the Wombles. Cheers & season’s greetings to you & yours!
JOI

December 15th, 2016 at 13:14 | #3

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Was looking forward to your annual seasons greetings, which is another fabulous mix. Thank you !!
And one more in the pipeline. Can’t wait !!

Ich wÃ¼nsche ein frohes Weihnachtsfest !!!!
B.

December 15th, 2016 at 16:22 | #4

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Thank you for all of the great music you share. Several of your “time capsule” posts for various years have struck a chord with me and have brought memories to the surface that I wouldn’t have without those songs. I’ve also discovered a lot of things I wouldn’t have through your posts. Quick question: Do you know where I can find a download for the whole: “The Universal Robot Band â€“ Disco Christmas” album? May sound strange, but I’m always looking for oddball records like that one. Thanks.
Hermann

December 15th, 2016 at 23:28 | #5

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Thanks – specially for Mud (they made good shows on Totp).
some older post are dead – can you reup plese.
Hermann
Matt

December 16th, 2016 at 05:40 | #6

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Major Dude’s Christmas collections are the internet present I look forward to every year. Thanks for this one AND the bonus one next week. I look forward to discovering some new favorites.
Matt

December 18th, 2016 at 22:49 | #7

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I now have Wombling Merry Christmas stuck in my head, so forget all the nice things I said about you!
Larry Holt

December 19th, 2016 at 00:57 | #8

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Thanks-that Partridge Family Christmas album is legit.
RhodB

December 23rd, 2016 at 21:48 | #9

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Thanks for the great Xmas mix. It will get a serious rotation on the big day

regards

Rhod