Christmas Song of the Day #12 - Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley

Christmas Song of the Day #12 - Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley

We can't let Christmas go by without a song by Elvis Presley... so here it is... a perennial recurring holiday classic, it's "Blue Christmas". It's back this year with a brand new music video, an animated one that closely follows the lyrics and story of the song. It's a Christmas song for everyone who is physically separated by distance and more so this year, by COVID-19 and all the social distancing requirements we have to practice.

So yes, I think it there will be many "Blue Christmas"es for us all. Enjoy the video and check out tomorrow's entry.

Daily Playlist

Nov. 29 - "Mary Did You Know" - Mat and Savanna Shaw

Nov. 30 - "Being Home For Christmas (2020 version)" - Ivan & Alyosha

Dec. 1 - "Take Me Home For Christmas" - Dan + Shay

Dec. 2 - "Mele Kalikimaka Medley" - Kapena

Dec. 3 - "Rockin 'Round the Christmas Tree" - Brenda Lee

Dec. 4 - "Holidays" - Meghan Trainor featuring Earth, Wind & Fire

Dec. 5 - "12 Days of Christmas" - Pentatonix

Dec. 6 - "O Come All Ye Faithful" - Mat and Savanna Shaw

Dec. 7 - "Oh Santa!" - Mariah Carey featuring Arianne Grande & Jennifer Hudson 

Dec. 8 - "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" - John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band

Dec. 9 - "I Believe in Father Christmas" - U2

Dec. 10 - "Blue Christmas" - Elvis Presley

#TBT

As a bonus a bluesy country-rock version by Ann & Nancy Wilson of HEART.

Christmas Song of the Day #11 - I Believe in Father Christmas - U2

Christmas Song of the Day #11 - I Believe in Father Christmas by U2.

This is a cover song first recorded by Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer back in 1974 and released in 1975. It was a top 10 hit in Britain, but never caught on in America. This U2 cover was recorded back in 2008 and they did a new remaster to it this year with this video. Enjoy.

Daily Playlist

Nov. 29 - "Mary Did You Know" - Mat and Savanna Shaw
Nov. 30 - "Being Home For Christmas (2020 version)" - Ivan & Alyosha
Dec. 1 - "Take Me Home For Christmas" - Dan + Shay
Dec. 2 - "Mele Kalikimaka Medley" - Kapena
Dec. 3 - "Rockin 'Round the Christmas Tree" - Brenda Lee
Dec. 4 - "Holidays" - Meghan Trainor featuring Earth, Wind & Fire
Dec. 5 - "12 Days of Christmas" - Pentatonix
Dec. 6 - "O Come All Ye Faithful" - Mat and Savanna Shaw
Dec. 7 - "Oh Santa!" - Mariah Carey featuring Arianne Grande & Jennifer Hudson
Dec. 8 - "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" - John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band
Dec. 9 - "I Believe in Father Christmas" - U2

Today's Vinyl Spin - Fleetwood Mac

Today's Vinyl Spin goes back to the very successful Fleetwood Mac line-up of Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckinghman, John McVie, Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood. Fleetwood Mac is the first album to feature the then new line-up of the group.

Fleetwood Mac enjoyed moderate success as a blues band and a mainstream rock group with numerous membership changes. In 1974 after former lead singer and guitarist Bob Welch left the group, the duo of Buckingham-Nicks were recruited to take his place. The two new members proved to be the best thing that happened to Fleetwood Mac in terms of a new music direction and commercial success.

The band paved its way to becoming a major concert draw with Stevie, Lindsey and Christine showcasing various songs while McVie and Fleetwood provided a solid foundation. It is one of the few bands that I personally saw in concert not once, but twice.

Their debut album Fleetwood Mac with the new line-up slowly crawled to the #1 position on the charts by 1976 while its singles garnered more and more radio airplay. These included "Over My Head", "Rhiannon," "Say You Love Me," and "Blue Letter". "Landslide" also became a hit after Fleetwood Mac recorded it again for their 1997 live album, The Dance.

I was first introduced to this album by an old college friend back in the day. I always knew of Fleetwood Mac but never paid much attention to them. I had only one track of theirs in my record collection which was "Stop Messin' Around" that appeared on a compilation LP. I later liked the song "Hypnotized" after hearing it on the radio. Was not enough for me to buy their records at the time (I was a starving high school student when this stuff first came out)....

Over the years I have owned 2 vinyl copies of Fleetwood Mac as well as 2 CDs of this. Made at least two cassette tapes off the vinyl and later the CD for portability before the digital age.

Fleetwood Mac is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time by them. It's an enjoyable, refreshing listen whenever I give it a spin.

The back cover of Fleetwood Mac with track list, group members Nicks, Fleetwood, McVie, Buckingham and McVie.

Fleetwood Mac would be the last of their albums to show up on the Reprise label.

Track List

Side 1

1. Monday Morning
2. Warm Ways
3. Blue Letter
4. Rhiannon
5. Over My Head
6. Crystal

Side 2

1. Say You Love Me
2. Landslide
3. World Turning
4. Sugar Daddy
5. I'm So Afraid

"Rhiannon" was one of 4 singles released from the album. All 4 singles have different mixes from the versions on the album. When Fleetwood Mac was issued in a special edition CD in 2004, the single tracks were included as bonus material. Nice move on Warner / Reprise's part.

"Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac....

Today's Vinyl Spin - "Carney" by Leon Russell

On the turntable today: Leon Russell's Carney - Shelter Records, 1972. This is a great album featuring the tracks "Tightrope", "Out in the Woods," "Roller Derby," and the original version of "This Masquerade" which became a hit later for George Benson. Strangest track? "Acid Annapolis". Russell must have been on something!

This is an enjoyable, casual period piece to listen to if you just want some music to kick back to with a carnival like twang.

Track List

Side 1:

1. Tight Rope – 2:59
2. Out in the Woods – 3:35
3. Me and Baby Jane – 3:52
4. Manhattan Island Serenade – 3:25
5. Cajun Love Song – 3:08
6. Roller Derby – 2:22

Side 2:

7. Carney – :47
8. Acid Annapolis – 2:47
9. If the Shoe Fits – 2:21
10. My Cricket – 2:55
11. This Masquerade – 4:22
12. Magic Mirror – 4:56

Gotta love the logotype that appears throughout the package of this LP. Side 1 features a lavender label while the label on Side 2 is green.

The back cover has no track list but a picture of Leon sitting in front of a camper trailer attached to a vintage Rolls Royce. Nice.

"Tightrope" on  YouTube:

Today's Vinyl Spin - Fleetwood Mac "Mirage"

Mirage is Fleetwood Mac's first studio album released in the 1980s that features the hits "Hold Me" by Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks' "Gypsy". Both singles became big hits in 1982 in an album that to me tried to harken back to 1977's Rumours LP that sold in the mega millions and also earned the band their only #1 single "Dreams" and a Grammy Award. 

However listening beyond the obvious singles, there are tracks on the album to love even more. My favorite is the retro sounding "Oh Diane" that features Lindsey Buckingham on lead vocals as well as his rollicking "Can't Hold Back". Christine is also solid with "Love in Store" and the ballad "Only Over You". There is a touch of country in Nicks' "That's Alright" while Buckingham's "Book of Love" reminds me of music from Tusk.

Overall a highly recommended but under-appreciated album from the Mac. :)

Giving Mirage a spin on the ol' Technics.

Artwork featured on the inner sleeve.

"Oh Diane" featuring Lindsey Buckingham, Top of the Pops.*

* video may be taken down without notice.

Classic Hits Night with Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band

The Beatles are an endangered species. Only 2 members of the Fab Four survive today. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are the only two members of the band who actively perform their own hits as well as those they made as a member of The Beatles.

After being a Beatles fan for more than 50 years, I finally got to see one of them perform live. Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, consisting of a roster of highly talented musicians entertained an appreciative crowd at the Blaisdell Center Arena in Honolulu on November 8, 2016.

Ringo and his band ground through 25 classic rock and pop hits that spanned the decades of the 1960s to the 80s. Band members Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather (of Toto), Greg Rolie (of Santana & Journey), Richard Page (Mr. Mister), Warren Ham and Greg Bisonnette shared the spotlight with Ringo as they performed individual hits.

Cover songs like "Black Magic Woman," "Hold the Line", "Bang the Drum All Day" and "Kyrie" were one of many audience favorites that for the most part were just about dead on accurate to their original hit records.

Of course no one can deny Ringo, who belted several of his Beatles and solo hits including "Matchbox", "It Don't Come Easy," "What Goes On," and "Boys" to name a few. Audience members sang along with "Yellow Submarine" and appreciated Ringo's two #1 hits, "Photograph" and "You're Sixteen."

The rousing "Back of Boogaloo", "Don't Pass Me By" from The Beatles White Album and Buck Owens' country hit, "Act Naturally" were highly appreciated. Ringo took turns singing his vocal set stage front as well as behind the drum kit on several hits. He is the world's most famous drummer and he did well on the skins covering the hit songs by his touring bandmates.

Second drummer Greg Bisonnette filled in on sets where Ringo was stage front as well as delivering solid sets with guitarists Rundgren, Lukathar and Page. Rolie was extremely competent with the keyboards.

Overall it was a great night for classic rock with every song being an audience favorite.







More Concert Photos from Mel's Flickr Page

RINGO STARR & HIS ALL STAR BAND
November 8, 2016
Concert Set List - Neil S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, HI.

1. Matchbox
(Carl Perkins cover / The Beatles) - Ringo on vocals, drums

2. It Don't Come Easy
(Ringo Starr song) - Ringo's Top 10 hit from 1971.

3. What Goes On
(The Beatles cover) - From the Beatles album "Rubber Soul".

4. I Saw the Light
(Todd Rundgren cover) - 1972 Top 40 hit

5. Evil Ways
(Willie Bobo / Santana cover) - Greg Rollie

6. Rosanna
(Toto cover) - 1982 hit

7. Kyrie
(Mr. Mister cover)

8. Bang the Drum All Day
(Utopia cover) - Todd Rundgren

9. Boys
(The Shirelles / The Beatles cover) -Ringo

10. Don't Pass Me By
(The Beatles cover) - Ringo

11. Yellow Submarine
(The Beatles cover) - Ringo

12. Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen
(Santana cover; originally by Fleetwood Mac / Peter Green)

13. You're Sixteen
(Johnny Burnette cover) - Ringo #1 hit 1974

14. Back Off Boogaloo
(Ringo Starr song) - Ringo

15. You Are Mine
(Richard Page cover)

16. Africa
(Toto cover) - 1982 Top 10 hit

17. Oye como va
(Tito Puente / Santana hit cover) - Greg Rollie

18. I Wanna Be Your Man
(The Beatles cover)

19. Love Is the Answer
(Utopia cover / England Dan & John Ford Coley hit) - Todd Rundgren

20. Broken Wings
(Mr. Mister cover)

21. Hold the Line
(Toto cover) - 1978 hit

22. Photograph
(Ringo Starr song / #1 hit in 1973)

23. Act Naturally
(Buck Owens cover / Beatles B Side to "Yesterday")

24. With a Little Help From My Friends
(The Beatles cover)

25. Give Peace a Chance
(Plastic Ono Band cover)

Thanks to Daniel for the ticket.

Review in StarAdvertiser.com

Scrivener's Friday 5 - La La La La La - Music

From Scrivener's Friday 5 blog:
"Long-time (and even short-time) participants in the Friday 5 pretty much know that my two favorite topics to ask questions about are food and music. And I’ve had a pretty good music-filled week, so here are five questions inspired by that."

1.What’s your favorite song about a specific city?

Gosh there are plenty of city songs that i like. Here are 10 of them.

1. Honolulu City Lights - Keola and Kapono Beamer + the remake by The Carpenters. The song captures the essence of wanting to go back home to Honolulu.

2. City of the Angels - This song by Journey is my favorite for LAX.

3. The Night Chicago Died - Paper Lace - always loved this fictional account of gangsters and Al Capone. The record went to #1 in 1974. The song could also fit in question #2.

4. Honey's Tune (Hilo's Such A Rainy Old Town) - by Olomana - This song just feels "so Hilo" especially about the rain. You got to have lived there or been on the Big Island of Hawaii to know what I mean.

5. El Paso - Marty Robbins - one of the best story songs ever, this is like an audio movie rolled into 5 minutes. From back in the days of real country music.

6. Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John - a great, uptempo dance song about a tennis team from Philly. Great arrangement and orchestration. #1 in 1975.

7. Echo Valley 2-6809 - The Partridge Family - One of the best songs on PF's Sound Magazine.

8. San Francisco - Scott McKenzie  - hippie song from 1967. "Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair".

9. London's Calling - The Clash for when you're angry.

10. Summer Night City - A Euro-pop song by ABBA from 1979. Location is probably fictitious or wherever there is a hot disco.

2. What’s your favorite song about a real, historical figure?

1. Candle in the Wind by Elton John (1973 - Marilyn Monroe) - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1973 Live in Australia - 1987
2. James K. Polk - They Might Be Giants (1990 on Istanbul Not Constantinople CD single)
3. Hey Jude - The Beatles (Julian Lennon, 1968 - he's not historical but he is part of Beatles history)
4. I'm Henry the 8th I Am - Herman's Hermits (1965) - Fun from when I was a kid.

3. What are your favorite song and favorite group (or solo artist) from the classic Motown era?

Way to much to list just one.

1. My Girl - The Temptations (1965)
2. Superstition - Stevie Wonder (1972)
3. Love Child - Diana Ross & the Supremes (1968)
4. Get Ready - Rare Earth (1970)
5. I Heard it Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye (1968)
6. Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder (1974)
7. Reach Out (I'll Be There) - The Four Tops (1966)
8. Second That Emotion - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (1969)
9. Tears of a Clown - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (1970)
10. War - Edwin Starr (1970)

I would like to include "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight & the Pips but this was released in 1973 on Buddah Records after they left Motown.

Favorite artist - Stevie Wonder (especially after he took creative control of his music in 1970).

Favorite group - Rare Earth (they were on a Motown imprint from 1969 to 1974)

Today Motown is just part of Universal Music and not its own label anymore.

4. What’s your favorite song by a musician (or band) you really dislike?

"The Real Slim Shady" by Eminem - definitely not a fan, but the song is ok.

5. What’s your favorite song with the word “song” in its title?

1. Song on the Radio - Al Stewart (1978) from Time Passages
2. Look What They've Done to My Song Ma - Melaine or The New Seekers (early 1970s)
3. Songs From the Wood - Jethro Tull (1978)
4. This Song - George Harrison (1976) - about being sued for My Sweet Lord.
5. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole "chestnuts roasting on an open fire...."

Flashback Friday: Magneto and Titanium Man

FLASHBACK FRIDAY on MEL'S INTERNET UNIVERSE MUSIC BLOG

We flash back to 1975 and the release of Paul McCartney and Wings follow-up album to 1973's "Band on the Run". This release is called "Venus and Mars" and features a number of memorable tracks including the title song medley and "Rock Show" plus the number 1 hit "Listen to What the Man Said". However one of my favorite tracks on the album is "Magneto and Titanium Man", a song that surely I thought, would be a follow-up single to "Listen". The track was never issued as a lead single but instead showed up as a B-side to I think "Letting Go" which was not a very big hit for Wings.

Nevertheless "Magneto and Titanium Man" remains one of my favorites. The included video with this post was issued a few years ago and is independently made consisting of clips from various Marvel Comics animated programs. Take a look and give the song a listen!