Big Rock Candy Mountain

...Then Danced Through The Night

2009-12-24T08:30:00.000-06:00

Well. We've reached the end of our annual Holiday madness. Hope we've helped to make your Season a little brighter, or, at least, more entertaining. Our Top 50 Records list begins Monday.

Shane MacGowan turns 52 tomorrow, what many folks recognize as Christmas Day.

We wrote this last year, but our feeling hasn't changed:

"As the world continues to revolve, and uncertainty and worry become the de riguer fallback for those concerned about their jobs and the state of the world, The Pogue's "Fairytale of New York" seems not so distant a tale. It's a story of people in hard and desperate times, making their way as best they know, searching for the "rivers of gold". Shane and the immortal Kirsty MacColl imbue their characters with such longing, such humanity (and all it entails), such anger, disappointment, and, yes, hope, that one can't help but find a bit of themselves in each line. The musical backdrop provided by the Pogues swells with beauty and sadness, pulling you in and sweeping you along. It's not really the story of two drunken Irish immigrants looking for a pot of gold in a far off land. It's a story of all of us, and the dreams we build."

Our favorite Christmas song, then. Happy Holidays, and we'll see you on Monday.

Once Upon A Time...

The Pogues: Fairytale Of New York (mp3)

Whatever your religion, or mode of celebration, we wish you the very best in the coming year. Thanks for spending some time 'round this little part of the world. It's a big old goofy world, and we're all tryin' to make our way. Be good to each other.

Sexy Christmas Baby

2009-12-23T08:30:00.020-06:00

Darlene Love was robbed. Just sayin'.

Fruitcake! We've got Fruitcake! We've got lots and lots of Fruitcake! (hum along). Man, we love fruitcakes. Can't get enough of 'em. Yummy, yum yum yum.

With a day to go, we've got a whole fruitcake of tunes to serve up. Christmas Eve, we'll have our favorite Xmas song (a no-brainer, really), and we'll follow that up (after a few days' rest) with our Top 50 List. Pretty exciting, innit it?

Assorted nuts today, to go with the Fruitcake. Beat noir from Morphine (Mark Sandman's death is still one of the saddest moments in recent musical history), Bluegrass from The Stanley Brothers, Irish punk Holiday drinking from Monkhouse, and garage kings outta Columbus, The New Bomb Turks doing an essential version of an old classic.

What, you want more? Ok. How about some old timey Country and Western from Al Dexter, 60's organ-drenched soul garagers The Galaxies, and Darlene Love and the E Street Band, doing their best 80's bar band Xmas lights strung bar band rave-up (And no, we're not apologizing. It's a great song, despite the soundtrack it's from.... It's fucking Darlene Love!)

Bonus Re-Posts (and you'll have to wait 'til next year for more) today are a swinging, jumpin', jivin', rockin' affair. Dig it, cats: Cordell Jackson, Wanda Jackson, The Staple Singers, The Youngsters, The Kaisers, Rufus Thomas, and The Marquees! Does it get much better than this??

Santa Is A Fruitcake!

Morphine: Sexy Christmas Baby Mine (mp3)

The Stanley Brothers: Christmas Is Near (mp3)

Monkhouse: Guinness And Wine (mp3)

New Bomb Turks: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (mp3)

Al Dexter and His Troopers: Merry Christmas To All (mp3)

The Galaxies: Christmas Eve (mp3)

Darlene Love and The E Street Band: All Alone On Christmas (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Cordell Jackson: Rock'n'Roll Christmas (mp3)

Wanda Jackosn: Rockabilly Santa Claus (mp3)

The Youngsters: Christmas In Jail (mp3)

The Staple Singers: Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas (mp3)

The Marquees: Santa Done Got Hip (mp3)

The Kaisers: Merry Christmas Loopy Lu (mp3)

Rufus Thomas: I'll Be Your Santa Baby (mp3)

Sometimes a blanket, a hot meal, or a new pair of warm socks is Christmas gift enough. Please consider how the change in your pocket might affect those less fortunate. Please support whatever charities you are able to this Holiday Season. Times are tough for all of us, but if we've got internet access a place to store MP3's, we're probably better off than some. Sorry for the speech, but I'm just sayin'....

Xmas Lights Spin

2009-12-22T08:30:00.001-06:00

So. A little less conversation, a little more Xmas action. One more post after today and then we hit our extra special Christmas Eve post. After that, it's our Top 50 Records Of The Year, and other various and sundries. Then it's back to normalcy. We hope y'all have enjoyed our little bit of Holiday insanity. We do this every year, and Mrs. Mountain has been eternally patient.

More mixed bag of toys today (and probably tomorrow).

We got an email from a feller who shared a couple of great Christmas tracks from Country/Blues/Bar Band geniuses, Better Off Dead. We're officially converts, based on their Christmas songs alone. Both tunes are the kind of boozy, slightly nihilistic, Yuletide cheer(s) we love so dearly round these part. Essential Christmas listening, we say. The tracks come from the record "A King Family Christmas", which was a benefit album for musicians who were victims of Hurricane Katrina. So well worth your time. And the songs kick serious Big Rock Candy Mountain-style ass.

Following that, we've got a little revved-up hot-rod punk from The Groovie Ghoulies, more punk from Goldblade, featuring the immortal Poly Styrene (Yes! That Poly Styrene!), and, finally, a bummer trimming from indie legends, The Radar Brothers.

For our Bonus Re-Posts, we've got some of our favorite bands/artists hitting the Holiday tip. Most of these tunes are...well...kinda bummers. But that's ok. Nuthin' says Christmas like a lonely night with a drink in hand and the Xmas lights a'spinnin'. Your Holiday bonuses are brought to you by Red Red Meat (now Califone), The Palace Brothers, Mary Gauthier, Okkervil River, The Willard Grant Conspiracy, and Mark Eitzel. Oh my. That's a hell of a line up. Enjoy, but don't hate yourself.

Xmas Lights Spin!

Better Off Dead: All I Got For Christmas Was Drunk (mp3)

Better Off Dead: Alchoholiday (mp3)

Goldblade W/ Poly Styrene: City Of Christmas Ghosts (mp3)

Groovie Ghoulies: Christmas On Mars (mp3)

The Radar Brothers: This Xmas Eve (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Red Red Meat: There's A Star Above The Manger Tonight (mp3)

Palace Brothers: Christmastime In The Mountains (mp3)

Mary Gauthier: Christmas In Paradise (mp3)

Okkervil River: Listening To Otis Redding At Home During Christmas (mp3)

Willard Grant Conspiracy: Christmas In Nevada (mp3)

Mark Eitzel: Xmas Lights Spin (mp3)

Have a Swell Season.

Funky Santa Train

2009-12-21T08:30:00.001-06:00

So what is your favorite Xmas song? We're partial to "Good King Wenceslas", so far as traditional-type Holiday songs go. But our very favorite is...well, regular readers already know, I suspect. And newer visitors can probably guess. But if you haven't a clue, stayed tuned, as we'll get to it later this week. Gosh...

What to say about today's Xmas jingles? Some funky Soul and boogie Blues, that's what. Oh, and one of 'em's about a Christmas train. How Big Rock Candy Mountain is that? Oh, and, also, one of the these songs is most definitely Not Safe For Work, or for the young'uns. You can probably guess which one. So thanks to The Soul Saints Orchestra, Carey Bell, the eternally filthy Rudy Ray Moore, and Mel Brown and His Homewreckers for a little Joy to the World today.

Bonus Re-Posts are all kinds of delicious Country and Western treats. I mean, how can you possibly go wrong with Tinsel tunes from Jim Lauderdale, Roger Miller, Jerry Reed, Dolly Parton, John Prine, and Merle Haggard? You can't go wrong at all. And for those wondering where the classic Ernest Tubb and George Jones Christmas songs are...well, every time we post something by them, we get a smack down from their record labels. We're already on thin ice as it is. Sorry. But we hope we've more than made up for the glaring blank spot in our Holiday posts.

Funky Santa Train!

Soul Saints Orchestra: Santa's Got A Bag Of Soul (mp3)

Carey Bell: Christmas Train (mp3)

Rudy Ray Moore: Night Before Christmas, Part 2 (mp3)

Mel Brown And The Homewreckers: Don't Plan No Party This Christmas (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Jim Lauderdale: Holly And Her Mistletoe (mp3)

Roger Miller: Old Toy Trains (mp3)

Jerry Reed: Christmas Time's A Comin' (mp3)

Dolly Parton: Hard Candy Christmas (mp3)

John Prine: Silent Night All Day Long (mp3)

Merle Haggard: Goin' Home For Christmas (mp3)

Got any change left? Please consider dropping it into those ubiquitous red buckets, or charity of your choice. Thanks.

Christmas Dinner

2009-12-20T08:30:00.002-06:00

Jingle bells, Batman smells...Did I mention we have an Aluminum Christmas tree? It's slightly trippy if you stare at it too long.

Just a reminder that our World-renowned Best Of 2009 list is coming up (the week between Xmas and New Year's). We're still evaluating, re-ranking, deleting and adding, so we don't yet have a true preview of what y'all can expect. Oh, wait. Our number one record of the year is set in stone. So, there's that. Betcha can't wait.

Oh, yes, Christmas tunes.

Goin' back to the well, and hittin' up the Hee Haw Holiday Ho Ho's. Charley Pride, Bobby Bare, Tennessee Ernie Ford,Bill Anderson, and Cathy Sharpe are here to twang it's way into our Grinch-ish hearts. A little sentimental, a little rockin', and a whole lotta love, by cracky.

We're going alternately naughty and loopy with our bonus-reposts today. Suspicious characters such as Johnny Guarnieri, C.W. Stoneking, King Coleman, Mae West, and Eddy Clearwater (with Los Straightjackets) all step out of the asylum for Christmas break with tales of pot-smokin' Santa's, greed, sex, and insanity. Oh yes. And the Eddy Clearwater song offers a little hope, which aint such a bad thing at all.

Twang-Time Santa!

Charley Pride: Santa And The Kids (mp3)

Bobby Bare: Christmas In My Smokey Mountain Home (mp3)

Tennessee Ernie Ford: Christmas Dinner (mp3)

Bill Anderson: Po Folks Christmas (mp3)

Cathy Sharpe: North Pole Rock (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Johnny Guarnieri: Santa's Secret (mp3)

C.W. Stoneking: On A Christmas Day (mp3)

King Coleman: Blue Grey Christmas (mp3)

Mae West: Put The Loot In The Boot Santa (mp3)

Eddy Clearwater w/Los Straightjackets: Good Time Coming (mp3)

Please consider giving what you can, helping out your local, independent businesses, and having a peaceful Holidays.

Sit and Spin Santa

2009-12-19T08:30:00.001-06:00

Less than a week to go, and we wanna know...How are you celebrating Shane MacGowan's birthday on December 25th?

Hope y'all enjoyed the Black Diamond Heavies yesterday. We're returning to the Holiday posts today, so it's safe to breathe again.

Another slightly mixed bag of toys today. Some punk, some Blues, some trash-a-billy. You now, the usual.

It'd probably be wise to kick things off with a snazzy little number by everyone's favorite Canadian punk rawkers, Fucked Up. Fucked Up have a new Christmas single out (A cover of "Do They Know It's Christmas" featuring a whole slew of special guest stars), which we highly recommend. But we're not gonna post that one here, as it's for some very good charities. You can check out the info here and how to buy here. Today's Fucked Up tune is an older Holiday single, "David Christmas".

Hard to follow that up, but we've got some down'n'out Christmas Blues from Walter Davis and Washboard Pete. And, of course, what Yuletide would be complete without the mighty, trashy, rockabilly kings Flat Duo Jets?

Bonus re-posts this time 'round features some true classics from previous years. The Dirtbombs, The Legendary Tiger Man, El Vez, and Rocket From The Crypt (man, that's a hell of a lineup!) all contribute their special brand of Xmas garbage can nihilism for your enjoyment.

Santa's A Nog Addict!

Fucked Up: David Christmas (mp3)

Walter Davis: Santa Claus Blues (mp3)

Flat Duo Jets: It's Christmas Time (Hey, We're Gonna Rock) (mp3)

Washboard Pete: Christmas Blues (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

The Dirtbombs: My Last Christmas (mp3)

The Legendary Tiger Man: Fuck Christmas, I Got The Blues (mp3)

El Vez: Santa Claus Is Sometimes Brown (mp3)

Rocket From The Crypt: Cancel Christmas (mp3)

Have a Good Holiday.

Black Diamond Santa

2009-12-18T08:30:00.025-06:00

Our usual round of Christmas songs are on hold today. Plenty more to come (daily!) over the next week But, hey, while you're here, we would strongly urge y'all to check out our interview below (with songs!). It's all about the best live band in the good ol' U. S. of A.!

As regular readers have already guessed, it's Deep Blues Friday! And no band personifies the aesthetic better than the band we're interviewing today.

But first, we'd like to remind y'all that the Deep Blues Film Fest is coming up in late January. Some kick-ass films will be shown, along with musical performances by some of the best musicians out there, including Mountain faves Possessed By Paul James and Reverend Deadeye. And if you can't make the Fest, please consider becoming a member of the Deep Blues Festival. It's cheaper than a sweater, and you'll be supporting an essential Festival that's helping to keep an American tradition alive, well, and free from corporate homogenization. Just sayin'.

In keeping with the spirit of giving, and providing you with only the finest in audio sugarplums, we give our Christmas gift to you, a Black Diamond Heavies interview.

The Black Diamond Heavies are, depending on who you ask,"Reverend" James Leg on Fender Rhodes piano/vocal howling, and Van Campbell on junker jalopy drums. The sonic maelstrom they produce is an orgy of groove-sleaze, blooze rawk trash.

The Black Diamond Heavies have a new live record out,"Alive As Fuck" , and it's a culmination of all the band have been working towards, an album of pure sex and rhythm, loud and swerve-inducing funky.

We've written about The Black Diamond Heavies before (several times). Here's what we said:

The Black Diamond Heavies hail from, ahem, "the Southern States of America" (Nashville?), and make an unholy mess of rumbling sweat-drenched gut-bucket blues noise. A duo (yes, one of those...), vocalist/pianist James Leg sounds like the bastard son of Howlin' Wolf and rips off shreds of filthy Fender Rhodes scunge. The whole affair goes swingslut soul. Drummer Van Campbell keeps it slime-oozed tribal and rumbles yr ass like god on vacation in hell. They're, like, heavy, maaaannnnnn. A fucked up excursion into the dark heart of the crossroads, swinging like a sharecropper's reaper through the brush and twisted weeds of the devil's favorite swampland. Tasty like a green-fuzzed peach.

The Black Diamond Heavies are our Band Of The Year.

James Leg, the "pianist" and vocalist of the band was kind enough to answer a few questions from us. Enjoy.

A BRCM Interview With The Black Diamond Heavies
(In Which We Learn About Beds and Nightmares)

Big Rock Candy Mountain: Generic first question: Who are you, what do you do, and why should we care?

James Leg: I'm John Wesley Myers..(aka James Leg); I play the bones(keys) and sing/shout in the Black Diamond Heavies.....
hehe..and I (respectfully)don't care if anyone cares or not...hehe

BRCM: Tell us about your...ahem..."organ" . Any metaphors are welcome.

JL: My organ has been described as "mighty", "carnal", "frightening", and "electrifying", but in fact its not an organ at all... (And its not a fucking keyboard)...its a fender rhodes piano... I have a stable of these beauties.
Guess that makes me a pianist..the Black Diamond Heavies have a 72 inch pianist.
Say.

BRCM: We've had the privilege of seeing you perform live a few times, both at the Deep Blues Festival and in a smaller club. As an unabashed fan, we think you're one of the best live bands in the country. Make you case for the uninitiated as to why seeing the Black Diamond Heavies in a live setting is a religious experience. No pressure...

JL: Thanks! I'd like to think the appeal of our music and show is its sincerity. Its very honest, visceral music..we feel it, we aint fakers..it comes straight from our soul. In turn its easy for an audience to feel.. I think anyway. Honest music has become a rare commodity these days. Shit is so contrived and styled. When I see a band I wanna believe it...and I wanna believe that band believes it.
The Black Diamond Heavies are believers.

BRCM: God or Satan?

JL: Well I reckon you cain't have one without the other. Hell I suspect they're prolly the same dude. Prolly a damn gemini.

BRCM: How did you come to be involved with the Deep Blues Festival? What are some of your best experiences at the Festival?

JL: We met Chris Johnson, the founder of DBF, several years ago via some online groups dedicated to "real" blues music..we are, at our core, just music fans...and Chris is a real wealth of knowledge when it comes to the real blues and is prolly the nicest, most genuine cat I've ever had the pleasure of knowing...can't say enough good things about him man. He and his family are very special to us. We did a neighborhood picnic a few years back that Chris put on for his friends and neighbors, the next year it became the Deep Blues Festival and we been back ever since.
Our best moments at DBF are spent with all the friends and family that we see in different cities when touring... havin everyone all in one place at the same time...its like the old "Homecoming" Service my Dad's church used to have every few years. Good food for the soul.
I gots some stories sure, but I' don't know if I should tell'm..hehe. Its best to just come up and dig it all as it plays out.

BRCM: You perform a mix of revelatory covers and originals. How do you decide what songs fit well within the Black Diamond Heavies aesthetic and how do your own songs reflect your influences, while maintaining your own identity? For example: Ike and Tina's "Nutbush City Limits", an obvious fan favorite, becomes a whole different beast when done by y'all. But it's hardly the be-all-end-all of what you do.

JL: We've had second thoughts often about whether or not to even do cover songs, but at the end of the day we do this mostly for our own enjoyment and goddam there's some great songs that are just fun as hell to rock. The main, and maybe only, criteria in the selection is that we're into it...that's why you may hear a Nina Simone song or a Van Halen song or a Stooges song at our shows...but we always give our take on'm... there's somethin funny and fucked up about seein a 2 piece band with no guitar do an AC/DC song.

BRCM: We, and our readers, tend to be big Tom Waits fans. Your vocal delivery seems to draw inspiration from Mr. Waits, along with Howlin' Wolf, Captain Beefheart, and Louis Armstrong. Are any of these accurate inspirations, or are we hearing things that aren't there? Tell us more about your vocal style and lyrical approach.

JL: You know, all these cats you mention have amazing control of their pipes..so many cool-ass sounds comin out of'm..and I'm flattered to even be mentioned alongside these monsters, but honestly I just do what I do the way I know how to do it. If anybody, I'm a disciple of Howlin Wolf...he's the one for me, but I can't do Howlin Wolf and it'd be bullshit if I tried...so I just do my thing.
Once Van (drummer Van Conner) gets to hittin the shit out of them drums and our train starts movin...croonin aint even possible...the intensity of the music demands a growl.

BRCM: AM or FM?

JL: Hmm....well...
FM's got Two-fer Tuesdays, Threefer Thursdays, and Four-play Fridays..
..and AM's got Art Bell and Coast To Coast with George Nory(sp?).
I'll have both please.

BRCM: Vinyl or Digital?

JL: You cain't roll a joint on a download.
Buy vinyl!
That shit ALWAYS sounds better.

BRCM: Home or the "Open Road"?

JL: Home? There is no home. We're fucking highway pirates. Beds give us nightmares.

BRCM: What's the optimal way to hear The Black Diamond Heavies?

JL: Wif yo ears.

BRCM: What 's next for the band? New album? Tour schedule? World Domination? Etc.

JL: Yeah we gotta Euro touro from now till Christmas. We go into the studio right after new years for to make a new full length. Then a world tour I reckon..do what we do.

BRCM: Now if that aint enough to convert ya' (and it should be), here's some fuckin' heavy rock'n'roll to shake yr ass and move your spirit. From their new record "Alive As Fuck", and previous records "Every Damn Time" and "A Touch Of Someone Else's Class". Shake your moneymakers, kids. This is the best thing you'll hear all year.

From Vinyl!

Black Diamond Heavies: Bidin' My Time (mp3)

Black Diamond Heavies: Solid Gold (mp3)

Black Diamond Heavies: Oh, Sinnerman (mp3)

Black Diamond Heavies: Stiched In Sin (mp3)

Hah! No Christmas songs today. I know, I suck. I'm a dirty, stinkin' bastard. But we figger the Black Diamond Heavies are gift enough for today. We'll load you up with plenty of Holiday goodness over the next week, so you've got that. But, really, take the time to "discover" The 'Heavies. It's the best Christmas gift we could give. See you tomorrow with more Holiday goodness.

Beer Goggle Santa

2009-12-17T08:30:00.001-06:00

Ding Dong Merrily and whatnot!

Gotta head out for a muckity muck corporate Christmas Party, but I couldn't forget y'all, now could I?

Oh, and make sure you stop back tomorrow for A Very Special Big Rock Candy Mountain Deep Blues Friday Post (with Xmas songs too!).

The following tunes have no logical connection to each other, other than that they're kick-ass Christmas tunes for the discerning listener sick of the Starbuck's crap we're force-fed on a daily basis.

Mickey Gilley's "Don't All The Girls Get Prettier At Closing Time" is one of our favorite Country drinking songs, so we were tickled red and green when he updated it updated it to "Don't All The Girls Get Prettier At Christmastime". How true it is. How true. Silkworm were one of our favorite bands of the 90's, particularly the Joel RL Phelps years, and here they give us a loose-limbed Christmas tune from the family from hell. Canadian folk legend Stompin' Tom Connors takes the torch, and explains exactly why he's "Down On Christmas". And, finally, Texas Swing revivalists Asleep At The Wheel give us all the reasons "I Hate Christmas". It's not as harsh as it sounds.

And for today's Bonus Re-Posts, we're continuing the killer diller dancin' Santa posts from yesterday. Each tune guaranteed to send you spinnin' and twistin' under the mistletoe! How have you ever enjoyed the Holidays without these, we'll never know!

Santa's A Pretty Girl (At Closing Time)!

Mickey Gilley: Don't All The Girls Get Prettier Around Christmas Time (mp3)

Silkworm: Merry Christmas (mp3)

Stompin' Tom Connors: Down On Christmas (mp3)

Asleep At The Wheel: I Hate Christmas (mp3)

Bonus Dancin' Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts Part 2

Big John Greer: We Wanna See Santa Do The Mambo (mp3)

Oscar McLollie and His Honey Jumpers: Dig That Crazy Santa Claus (mp3)

Tommy Scott: Santa Claus Shuffle (mp3)

Mark Anthony: Mama's Twistin' With Santa (mp3)

Aw, hell. Please support your local, independent blogger. Buy a Big Rock Candy Mountain T-Shirt. 15 bucks. Cheap! Shameless, I know.

Rumble Santa

2009-12-16T08:30:00.000-06:00

We've been neglectful in thanking all the folks who have commented or e-mailed over the past few week. So thanks to all y'all! We wouldn't be here without you. And to you new folks, stick around. We've got our big annual BEST OF LIST coming up between Christmas and New Year's Eve (never could understand how anyone could compile a complete list in late November/early December. Too many smaller labels churning out great records right to the bitter end. And we're still adding and subtracting from our master list). After that, we're committed to providing y'all with the finest in Trash/Country/Blues and random whatnot goodness throughout the coming year.

Now then. Them young people love that rocking and rolling, especially 'round the Holiday Season, what with the heavy petting and the Spin The Bottle games. And Christmas is the season for giving, we've been told. And who wants to be a Grinch-ish prude this time o' the year?

So today's Yuletide post is a stocking-full of teenage Santa Claus rumble. A veritable sock-hop's worth of Xmas rock: loud, fast, and out of control, by (sugar plum) gum.

And our bonus re-posts are even more crazy boppin' Santa swingers! Man, if you're party aint rockin' after these tunes, you just aint feelin' the Spirit, maaaaan.

Santa's A Fool For the Jingle Swing!

Eddie and DeHavelon: Christmas Party (mp3)

The Trashmen: Dancin' With Santa (mp3)

Jimmy Charles: Christmasville U.S.A. (mp3)

The Rumbles: Wildest Christmas (mp3)

Debbie and The Darnells: Santa Teach Me To Dance (mp3)

Ron Winters: Snow Girl (mp3)

Bonus Dancin' Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts, Part One

The Enchanters: Mambo Santa Mambo (mp3)

The Twistin' Kings: Xmas Twist (mp3)

Dexter Gordon: Jingle Jangle Jump (mp3)

The Davis Sisters: Christmas Boogie (mp3)

Yeah, times are tough. But if you've got an extra single or five-spot to throw towards the charity of your choice, it'd probably help someone out a lot more than that "ironic" sweater that you were gonna get your cousin. Just sayin'...

Santa's a Cry Baby

2009-12-15T08:30:00.000-06:00

Got plenty of Holiday cheer? Well, we're here to bring you down. Oh, yes.

We had so much positive response from last year's session involving downer tunes for the Yuletide season, we decided to add some new weepers to the mix.

Nothing beats a cheese log at Xmas, so Jimmy Martin, Jimmie Davis, Johnny Paycheck, and Doye O'Dell have joined forces to send y'all spiraling into the nether regions of depression and/or fits of laughter.

To make up for the treacle, we've got some super nifty bonus re-posts. Three of the Mountain's biggies, no less. Each one essential. Yep, it's a jungle rhythm theme with classic Christmas tunes from The Marquees, rockabilly maestroJack Scott, and god's favorite band, The Replacements. Can it get any better than that?

Santa's A Weepy Bastard.

Jimmy and Lisa Sara Martin: Daddy, Will Santa Claus Ever Have To Die (mp3)

Jimmie Davis: Forgive Me Santa (mp3)

Johnny Paycheck: Mommy For Awhile On Christmas Day (mp3)

Doye O'Dell: Dear Mr. Santa (mp3)

Bonus Jungle Rockin' Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

The Marquees: Christmas In The Congo (mp3)

Jack Scott: There's Trouble Brewin' (mp3)

The Replacements: Bundle Up (mp3)

Blah, blah, blah. It's Christmas in a bad economy. Give what you can, support who you can support.

Santa On The Moon

2009-12-14T08:30:00.000-06:00

We're running at breakneck pace towards Shane MacGowan's birthday (or, Christmas, as the case may be.). We're not exactly a religious person, so why are we doing all this? Because we love you, that's why. And what's Christmas without a little love?

So, what the hell are we gifting all y'all with today? A little Doo-Wop and R'n'B, that's what.

The mighty Marvin and Johnny are up first. Pre-rock R'n'B legends Amos Milburn and Hank Ballard round out the low-down festivities today.

For our Bonus Re-Posts we're heading off into outer space for a little rocket-fuel Santa courtesy of The Bellrays and Sonny Cole.

Santa Is A Jukebox Junkie!

Marvin and Johnny: It's Christmas (mp3)

Amos Milburn: Let's Make Christmas Merry, Baby (mp3)

Hank Ballard and the Midniters: Santa Claus Is Coming (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

The Bellrays: Rocket Ship Santa (mp3)

Sonny Cole: Santa To The Moon (mp3)

Fa la la la la...You know the drill.

Christmas Kisses

2009-12-13T08:30:00.001-06:00

Is this the beginning of the 12 days of Christmas? How does that work anyway?

Sticking with the Country/Rockabilly today. Why not?

Cowgirl deluxe Marti Brom kicks us off in fine hillbilly boogie style. Buck Owens follows up with a little Bakersfield-style Holiday twang. And Big Bud swings the rockabilly cats round the Christmas tree (not the version you think it is.).

Bonus re-posts feature some favorite honky tonkers and boot-scootin' scuffers from Hank Thompson, Boxcar Willie, Jim Reeves, and the Prairie Ramblers. Each song a certified gold classic!

Santa Rides A Bucking Bronco!

Marti Brom: Kisses For Christmas (mp3)

Marti Brom: Sleigh Bell Rock (mp3)

Buck Owens: Christmas Time's A Comin' (mp3)

Buck Owens: Here Comes Santa Claus Again (mp3)

Big Bud: Rock Around The Christmas Tree (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Hank Thompson: I'd Like To Have An Elephant For Christmas (mp3)

Boxcar Willie: Hee Haw Honey (mp3)

Jim Reeves: Senor Santa Claus (mp3)

Prairie Ramblers: Cowboy Santa Claus (mp3)

Please support your local, independent Western clothing emporium.

Santa's Semi Six Pack To Go

2009-12-12T08:30:00.000-06:00

Less than two weeks to go 'til Xmas. What presents do we have in store for y'all between now and then? Stay tuned.

Today, a couple of tunes from white trash cowboys, The Saddle Tramps, which feature two of our favorite activities. One's a truckin' song, and the other is a dysfunctional family Holiday drinkin' tune. That just about sums this little ole site pretty well, doesn't it?

Bonus Re-posts today continue our survey of some of our favorite Xmas drinking songs from years past. The Dalhart Imperials, The Hot Rods, The Iguanas, and Paul Sanchez bring Santa's whiskey and chaser this time around.

Santa's Got 18 Wheels and a Six Pack

The Saddle Tramps: Christmas Behind The Wheel (mp3)

The Saddle Tramps: For Christ's Sake It's Christmas (mp3)

Bonus Boozy Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts Part 3

Dalhart Imperials: Old Man Spivey's Egg Nogg (mp3)

The Hot Rods: Santa's Too Drunk To Drive (mp3)

Paul Sanchez: Drunk This Christmas (mp3)

The Iguanas: Reindeer'n'Whiskey (mp3)

Please consider dropping some change into those red buckets with the bell ringer this Christmas season.

A Very Childish Christmas

2009-12-11T08:30:00.001-06:00

You know, we heard a rumor that Big Rock Candy Mountain T-Shirts make great stocking stuffers. Just sayin'.

What was that? You want some more of that sweet-ass Xmas music we've been bandying about 'round these parts? I think we can oblige.

It's no secret we're a bit obsessive about one Mr. Billy Childish and his various bands (Thee Headcoats, Buff Medways, Pop Rivets, The Milkshakes, etc., etc., and many more etc.'s.) The man's a punk/trash/blues genius. But we didn't need to tell you that. You knew that already. And Christmas wouldn't be complete without a little Hall Deckin' by Billy. Bassist Nurse Julie even steps to the mic for a track. Don't we post something by him just about every year? Maybe there's a reason for that...

And keeping with the Childish (Christmas) family tree, we'd be remiss if we didn't include Miss Holly Golightly, she of Thee Headcoatees and various and sundry brilliant side projects. We have a big crush on Holly Golightly.

And for our Bonus Re-Posts, we're gonna keep it an all-Childish/Golightly day with some classic tracks from previous years' posts involving the two. Good god, that's yummy.

Santa's A Punk For Christmas

EDIT: Link on "Quick One" is fixed- sorry about that)

Holly Golightly w/The Greenhornes: Little Stars (mp3)

Wild Billy Childish and the MBE's: Dear Santa Claus (mp3)

Wild Billy Childish and the MBE's: A Quick One (Pete Townsend's Christmas) (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Thee Headcoatees: Santa Claus (mp3)

The Buff Medways: Merry Christmas Fritz (mp3)

Billy Childish and the MBE's: Christmas Lights (mp3)

Holly Golightly: Christmas Tree On Fire (mp3)

Billy Childish and the MBE's: Christmas 1979 (mp3)

Please support your local, independent autistic DIY'ers this Yuletide.

Nutcracker...Sweet

2009-12-10T08:30:00.000-06:00

Are your nuts cracked yet this Xmas season? Well, we're doing our best.

Have you grabbed your very own Big Rock Candy Mountain T-Shirt, yet? Better hurry, since they're a limited edition print, and going fast. You can click here, or clicky click on the image in the sidebar.

We're feeling poppy today, which might come as a surprise to our regular visitors. What might also come as a surprise is that we think The Pet Shop Boys and Saint Etienne are super-fantastic. Yes indeed. Neil Tennant of The Pet Shop Boys is one of his generation's great observational songwriters, and Saint Etienne make some of the finest pop this side of Crowded House. So why not a little Festive love from these groups? Why not indeed.

And while we're at it, how 'bout the ultimate power pop band, Big Star? We're guessing y'all already have their Holiday classic "Jesus Christ", so we're gonna toss the alternate demo version your way, which is starkly beautiful and adds a whole new layer to the song. And why not add Teenage Fanclub's swirling indie version and The Health and Happiness Show's countryfied rendition to the mix? Yup.

And, lest we forget, we've got Part 2 of our Drunken Holiday Re-Posts. Today, we've got some tootin' tannenbaum tipplers from Robert Earl Keen (a classic!), Sherwin Linton, The Rimshots, and the Tiger City Jukes. All are guaranteed to send you scrabbling for the nearest bottle to get you through the Holiday season.

Santa's a Ginger Snap

Pet Shop Boys: It Doesn't Often Snow At Christmas (mp3)

Saint Etienne: My Christmas Prayer (mp3)

Big Star: Jesus Christ (demo) (mp3)

Teenage Fanclub: Jesus Christ (mp3)

The Health and Happiness Show: Jesus Christ (mp3)

Bonus Boozy Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts Part 2

Robert Earl Keen: Merry Christmas From The Family (mp3)

The Rimshots: Santa Stole My Whiskey (mp3)

Tiger City Jukes: Watch Out! Santa's Been Drinking (mp3)

Sherwin Linton: Santa Got A DWI (mp3)

Please support your local, independent Candy Cane manufactures 'round this time of the year.

Merry Christmas Darlin'

2009-12-09T08:30:00.000-06:00

Happy Mule-tide!

Our Xmas tunes are below, but first....

How 'bout that nifty image above? What's that, you say? Well, by gum, it's our very own Big Rock Candy Mountain t-shirt, designed by our pal Mark Logan and Little Blue Earth. Pretty nifty, isn't it? Now, you too can be the coolest kid on the block with your very own Big Rock Candy Mountain t-shirt! And, if we must repeat ourselves, and if we do say so ourselves, the design fuckin' rocks. You can order your very own t-shirt here , or look over to the sidebar. You know you want one, and it's just in time for Christmas, so what are you waiting for?

Now that you've taken some time to go get yerself a shirt, it's time for our Daily Holiday Post!

We've only got one feller today (though we're gonna more than make it up to y'all in our re-post section). But we sorta figger that James Hand stands alone among all artists. He's the last of the great Honky Tonk Singers, and we've gushed over him many times in the past (and again in our upcoming Best Albums Of The Year Posts). So, "Merry Christmas Darlin'" is our sole "new" post for the day.

But, of course, we've got our bonus re-posts, songs previously featured on Big Rock Candy Moutain, but are too great to leave alone. And what's Christmas, really, without a little booze? Or a lot of booze? So today we've got the first of a 3-Part Holiday boozefest. Today's Nog nippers include Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, The Dwarves, The Minus 5, and Clyde Lasley. All of these folks are committed to your Festive drunkenness. And there's more to come. Two more parts, no less.

Santa Loves You!

James Hand: Merry Christmas Darlin' (mp3)

Bonus Boozy Stocking Stocking Re-Posts

Clyde Lasley and The Cadillac Baby Specials: Santa Came Home Drunk (mp3)

Dwarves: Drinking Up Christmas (mp3)

Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen: Daddy's Drinking Up Our Christmas (mp3)

The Minus 5: Your Christmas Whiskey (mp3)

Please support your local, independent T-shirt manufacturers. Just sayin'.

Santa's Swingin' Balls

2009-12-08T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hairy Krishna, folks!

Is it too early, or too obvious, for a Kay Martin post? Nah, there's never a good reason not to post Kay Martin during the Holidays.

For those who haven't stumbled across her elsewhere, Kay Martin (with her Body Guards!) is a bit of a naughty kitten, but methinks her stocking is rarely filled with coal.

Best known, amongst her many "party" records, is the immortal "I Know What He Wants For Christmas...But I Don't Know How To Wrap It" from 1962. It's a swingin', sleazy little affair, straight outta the "adult" night clubs of the era. Plenty of greasy organ, drums, and stripper horns, all in service to Martin's throaty, suggestive come-ons. If you own only one Christmas record, this is probably the one you most need (a google search will quickly net you the full monty).

Two of the following tracks were actually taken from her record "At Las Vegas" (appropriately enough), and one of those tunes ("The Night Before Xmas Binge") doesn't feature Martin, but instead features one her band members in a rather silly but fun little number about too much booze on Christmas Eve. We've all been there.

For our bonus re-posts, we've got two of the most infamous Kay Martin tunes from the "I Know What He Wants For Christmas..." record, which we had already posted all the way back in 2005. But it seemed appropriate to offer 'em up again. They're super snazzy and Yule-tastic!

Santa Hangs His Balls In Your Xmas Tree!

Kay Martin and Her Body Guards: I Know What You Want For Xmas (mp3)

Kay Martin and Her Body Guards: My Santa Daddy (mp3)

Kay Martin and Her Body Guards: The Night Before Xmas Binge (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Kay Martin and Her Body Guards: Come On Santa Let's Have A Ball (mp3)

Kay Martin and Her Body Guards: Santa's Doing The Horizontal Twist (mp3)

Please support your local, independent Holiday burlesque.

Boogaloo Santa

2009-12-07T08:30:00.000-06:00

Happy birthday Tom Waits! There's a good possibility we'll have a little something by Tom in our re-post area.

After the bummer that was yesterday's Xmas post, we feel like gettin' our groove on with a little Holly Daze dance party. Boogaloo indeed.

So get your Winter Solstice groove on with the twistin', swingin', and/or funkin' sounds of J.D. McDonald, Huey "Piano" Smith, The Marcels, and The Robin Sisters.

As we said at the top, we're gonna celebrate Tom Waits' birthday with a special edition of our bonus re-posts. Tom gives us his own unique take on "Silent Night", joins up with the Blind Boys of Alabama for a stompin' take on "Go Tell It On the Mountain", and, of course, gives us the immortal down'n'outer "Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis".

Santa's Got Boogie Shoes

J.D. McDonald: Boogaloo Santa Claus (mp3)

Huey "Piano" Smith: Doing The Santa Claus (mp3)

The Marcels: Merry Twist-Mas (mp3)

The Robin Sisters: Chimney Top Twist (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Tom Waits: Silent Night (mp3)

Blind Boys of Alabama w/Tom Waits: Go Tell It On The Mountain (mp3)

Tom Waits: Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis (mp3)

Please support your local, independent dance hall DJ's.

Santa Got Lost

2009-12-06T08:46:00.000-06:00

Hey, let's put the tma back in Christmas.

It's a three-hanky day here at the Holiday Mountain.

Lyle Lovett gets a little sad and creepy on "Christmas Morning". Del Reeves is wondering where the hell the damn presents are this year. And "Truck Driving Man" composer Terry Fell gives a swell companion piece to Haggard's "If We Make It Through December".

The whole point to our bonus re-posts is that they're some of our favorites from years' past, so we can probably forgo introducing each song as one of our favorites, and let it be understood. So, in keeping with today's theme, honey-twanged Mike Ireland rides a gorgeous Country melody into the depths of loneliness. And the Everly Brothers...well, those soaring harmonies only serve to accentuate one of the prettiest and saddest of all Xmas songs - "Christmas eve can kill ya when you're trying to hitch a ride to anywhere."

Santa's Got A Box Of Kleenex

Lyle Lovett: Christmas Morning (mp3)

Del Reeves: Santa Got Lost (mp3)

Terry Fell: Let's Stay Together Til After Christmas (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Mike Ireland: Christmas Past (mp3)

The Everly Brothers: Christmas Eve Can Kill You (mp3)

Please support your local, independent bell ringers this Holiday season.

Pogo Claus

2009-12-05T08:30:00.000-06:00

Fuzzy NoDavid, folks!

Our Xmas ornaments today are gonna lean toward the loud and fuzzy today. Get ready to rattle your speakers, Kringle-style!

Punk/Hardcore gods Fear kick off the proceedings today with a 45 second blast of classic Christmas nihilism. Cow-punk sludgesters Lazy Cowgirls follow that up with a gasoline-fuzzed ode to a funky Santa. And the sleaze-snarling garage punkers Fireworks are pissed about their placement on Santa's list.

In keeping with today's caroling cover-stars, our bonus re-posts (from previous years' Holiday goodness) are gonna be even more loud, fast, and out of control reindeers. We've got Deke Dickerson's Untamed Youth bringing the road race to Christmas, the venerable Dead Moon crunching and sneering through the shopping Season, and trash kings The Fleshtones taking the big beat to Santa.

Does it get any better than this? Normally, no. But stay tuned. We're just getting started.

Fear: Fuck Christmas (mp3)

Lazy Cowgirls: Sock It To Me Santa (mp3)

Fireworks: Last On Santa's List (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

The Untamed Youth: Santa's Gonna Shut 'Em Down (mp3)

Dead Moon: Christmas Rush (mp3)

Fleshtones: Super Rock Santa (mp3)

Please support your local, independent Fuzzbox manufacturer this Xmas-time.

Motel Santa

2009-12-04T08:30:00.006-06:00

The Xmas songs y'all are here for are at the end of this post.

But, since it's Friday, it must be Deep Blues Friday. So why not take the time, while you're here, to check out our interview with, and some tunes by, one of America's great songwriters before heading on down for the Holiday tinsel. It'll be well worth your time.

We've written about Jim Mize before, and it's no secret he's one our favorite artists. He's a master lyricist, honed by the South, with a voice...well, here's what we said before, which we think still sums it up pretty well:

Mize is a..juke and VFW honed singer and musician in the vein of other Mountain favorites like Seasick Steve, Tom House, Cast King, and James Hand. He's been in the trenches too long to be pretty. He's taking you to a darker place, a wellspring of down and out beyond the cliches of the genre. His voice has a cracked weariness that matches his neon-lit, southern observations. Dark albums that rock, taking you to closing time with a shot glass and loneliness.

'Course we're barely scratching the surface.

We got a chance to meet Mr. Mize at the Deep Blues Festival, and he agreed to answer a few questions for us. Have a read and take a listen. It's really good shit.

A BRCM Interview with Jim Mize
(In which we learn about Ghosts)

Big Rock Candy Mountain: Tell us a little about yourself, where you're from and what you do. What type of music do you play, if you feel it even fits into a category?

Jim Mize: Well let's see; I'm from Conway Arkansas. I grew up in different areas of the state. I love this state and the south. I do limited touring; mostly neighboring states and cities. My home place for playing is the White Water Tavern Little Rock; it's been around for yours; you can smoke in there. I play mostly my catalog in which I've heard described from country blues; southern rock to Springsteen style. I hate to be categorized but I guess that's just part of the communication process.

BRCM: How did you come to pick up a guitar and start playing music?

JM: We lived near Memphis in the early 60's; got the Memphis TV broadcast; man, they had several music shows. And the radio; just AM; loved the mood that would come out of the thing. Picked up a Sears guitar in the 4th grade; hit my brother over the head with it; and haven't looked back since.

BRCM: Your music has a distinctly Southern feel, both in echoes of Blues and Country. Do you feel the South is a distinct influence on your work, or a merely a by-product of place and circumstances?

JM: Oh, the south is very influential on my music; hell that's all I know. I feel I could say a prayer with it. We believe in ghosts down here.

BRCM: Do you have definite influences, musically? If so, who best informs your ethos?

JM: My influences or taste, change a lot but I try and stay true to myself; I'm digging AA Bondy, John Paul Keith, Tom Waits, Chris Issac and gospel music on our community radio.

BRCM: Your lyrics have a literary quality to them. Do you cull from the written word when composing your lyrics? Who are your literary heroes?

JM: Lyrics; I should cull more than I do; Sometimes when I listen to a Lucinda Williams, Tom Waits or Townes Van Zandt; I'll turn the radio off and digest the mood of that particular song. It's like, thank you for sharing that with me.

BRCM: In keeping with your lyrics, many of your songs deal with folks gone sour in the world, loss, bad behavior done by folks who aren't necessarily bad, but have been pushed into Carver-esque circumstances. Do you pull from real life experience, or are they scenarios completely made up? Or a little bit of both?

JM: I believe there is a constant battle between good and evil, especially in our selves. Those battles influence our decisions; it makes us drunks; cheaters; hopeless idiots on one side and strong, humble and purposeful on the other. I pull from real life and observations. Like you feel so sorry for someone you don't even know. It's like you see them hurting.

BRCM: You're a Veteran who's played VFW halls over the years. How, if at all, does your approach differ between a VFW venue and jukejoint/honky tonk or, even, The Deep Blues Festival?

JM: Try and play to the audience; The VFW halls you try to stay clear of approaches by ugly women; juke joints you don't care. I'll usually play half and half; covers that I like and originals when they get drunk and don't care.

BRCM: Speaking of The Deep Blues Festival, how did you come to play there, and how was the experience?

JM: The Deep Blues Fest was a blast. I even picked up a couple of new dance steps from Dale Beavers. Fat Possum/ Big Legal Mess wanted some of their people to play and I have never been to Minn. Good times. I went to a hip hop club Sunday night and danced; one girl thought I was making fun of her when I danced. Hoped they liked my music and will invite me back. Loved the audience.

BRCM: You seem, lyrically, to have a connection to hotels and motels. Do you spend a great deal of time traveling, and do you find that this informs your writing? What is it about a motel...?

JM: I didn't realize there were so many hotel/ motels references; I use to work at a motel years ago; I remember many of those characters especially in the hotel bar.

BRCM: The musical landscape is continually changing, but some things seem to remain constants. Genres like Blues and Country seem to linger, but the approach varies. With a whole movement building around incorporating the Blues and Country into a more aggressive, almost punk sound. Do you find that this helps revitalize the forms, or do we lose something in the translation?

JM: For me it makes the music more exciting; I enjoy listening to someones interpretation.

BRCM: What is your favorite drink?

JM: Makers Mark / water; Big Legals official drink.

BRCM: If you went to the crossroads, who would you expect to meet there?

JM: The fucking devil; who else?

BRCM: What's next? We heard your plans for a 7" were scrapped. Do you have plans for more recording or touring in the future?

JM: Right now I'm going through band changes. I'm in writers mode. Oxford American Magazine interviewed me and is releasing a compilation of Arkansans from past and present on a CD which is exciting.

Now if that doesn't convince you, check out the following songs, pulled from his records No Tell Motel and Release It To The Sky.

Jim Mize: High (mp3)

Jim Mize: After The Storm (mp3)

Jim Mize: Let's Go Running (mp3)

Jim Mize: Release It To The Sky (mp3)

Now for the Christmas fun.

Mixed bag today. A little Rockabilly from Johnny Rabb, of the Neanderthals, who just wants to get lucky. The legendary Hasil Adkins takes on a classic, and gives it the Haze treatment. And the Street Walkin' Cheetahs (who we'll hear from again) sum up perfectly most folk's attitude towards the Season.

Santa Makes The Boom Boom Pow!

Johnny Rabb: Gotta Get Lucky For Christmas (mp3)

Hasil Adkins: Blue Christmas (mp3)

The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs: I Wanna Die For Christmas (mp3)

Please support your one-man-band Carolers this Festive Season.

Yippee Ki Yay Santa

2009-12-03T08:30:00.000-06:00

Holy Night! You thought things couldn't get better round these Egg-Nogged blasted nether regions of the Holiday internets. Well, it just ramped up, and the gifts just keep on a givin'! Today's re-post alone will be set your Holiday lights a-spinnin'! Oh, yes.

But let's kick things off with what most of y'all are here for, the Honky Tonk decoration that makes your aluminum tree just right.

Little Jimmy Dickens starts the holly jollies with one our fave rave Xmas tunes 'bout a little shaver on Christmas morn', "Barefooted Little Cowboy". Follow that up with a bluegrass/rockabilly raver from Benny Martin, a two-stepper from Charlie Stewart, and a weeper from Lulu Belle and Scotty, and you've got fiddlin' little party set for the decorating the Christmas tree.

Oh, but then it gets better. Our re-posts today come courtesy of a Semi-crazy Santa. Yup, we're re-gifting some classic Christmas truckin' tune. Red Simpson. Dave Dudley. Dale Watson. Is there anything more to be said? Santa's a mean mother trucker, and he's got 18 wheels to prove it.

Santa's Fiddlin' With Himself!

Little Jimmy Dickens: Barefooted Little Cowboy (mp3)

Benny Martin: Santa Claus Is From The South (mp3)

Charlie Stewart: Santa Claus Won't Come This Year (mp3)

Lulu Belle and Scotty: The Empty Xmas Stocking (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Red Simpson: Truckin' Trees For Christmas (mp3)

Red Simpson: Santa's Comin' In A Big Ol' Truck (mp3)

Dave Dudley: Six Tons Of Toys (mp3)

Dale Watson: Santa And My Semi (mp3)

Please support your local Truck Drivers this Holiday Season.

Blue Lights

2009-12-02T08:30:00.000-06:00

Ho Ho Ho, ya ho's!

If we were feeling soulful yesterday, today we've got the damn Christmas Blues, oh yes. 'Course the Blues lend themselves to bad Holidays, all trouble and woe, and my baby left on Christmas Day, etc.

Doesn't get much better, when Lightnin' Hopkins, Guitar Slim, and Cecil Grant lend their own problems to the mix. Christmas just aint Christmas without problems and complications, don't ya just know it.

For our bonus re-posts, we're gonna stay Blue with some Holiday house-rockers from past Xmas posts. And, yes, two of 'em have some pretty obvious double entendre's. Jimmy Butler's "Trim Your Tree" has long been a favorite with readers. But Roosevelt Sykes, and Cecil Grant provide their own low-down, dirty-dog Yuletide joy.

Santa's Got A Big...Guitar!

Lightnin' Hopkins: Santa (mp3)

Guitar Slim and Jelly Belly: Christmas Time Blues (mp3)

Cecil Grant: Hello Santa Claus (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Jimmy Butler: Trim Your Tree (mp3)

Roosevelt Sykes: Let Me Hang Your Stockings In Your Christmas Tree (mp3)

Eddie C. Campbell: Santa's Messing With The Kid (mp3)

Please support your local, independent jukejoint this Holiday Season.

Soul Santa

2009-12-01T08:30:00.000-06:00

Got-damn, we're rolling along with our Holiday fest! And no sign of slowing down, cuz we've got a whole sack full o'treats in store for y'all, right up until Shane MacGowan's birthday (Christmas, for you non-heathens).

Just a quick note: Songs are "up" for a limited time only (about 10 days each), so grab 'em quick before the Grinch of Bandwith takes 'em away. You can request a re-post, but we can't make any guarantees.

Today we're feeling a little soulful, and we figger even Santa's got a little funk in him.

How about some legends, then? Solomon Burke, Nathaniel Mayer and Brook Benton kick out the groove to give a deep down sleigh ride full of soul, baby, soul.

And for our bonus re-posts, we wanna re-gift you with the Black Godfather himself, Mr. Andre Williams. Y'all already know that Andre's a bad, bad man. On "Poor Mr. Santa" he gets downright filthy. Not safe for work or the kiddies, dontcha know! "Christmas Wish" is just downright funky, with Andre frontin' a Holiday female chorus.

Santa's Shakin'!

Solomon Burke: Presents For Christmas (mp3)

Nathaniel Mayer: Mr. Santa Claus (mp3)

Brook Benton: Soul Santa (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffer Re-Posts

Andre Williams: Poor Mr. Santa (Andre Williams Is Naughty) (mp3)

Andrew Williams: Christmas Wish (mp3)

Please support your local, independent Xmas house party!

Giddy-Up Santa

2009-11-30T08:30:00.000-06:00

And...we're back with more hall decking and boughs of holly. Better than a fruitcake, but maybe not as good as cheeseball. Hey, we try.

Headin' for the Western part of Country and Western today, courtesy of Leon McAuliffe and Eddie Hazelwood.

For our bonus re-posts we're gonna go all Beatnik Elf on your Holly Jollies with a veritable hep-ster's paradise of finger-poppin' Yuletide swing, daddy-o. Patsy Raye, Babs Gonzales, Donny Burns, and Edd "Kookie" Byrnes all step to the mic with some be-bop Xmas love. Santa's in the cafe, rockin' the black beret!

Swinging at the North Pole!

Leon McAuliffe and His Western Swing Band: A Cowboy's Christmas Song (mp3)

Eddie Hazelwood: Blue Shadows On a White Christmas Tree (mp3)

Bonus Stocking Stuffers!

Patsy Raye: Beatnik's Wish (mp3)

Babs Gonzalez: Be-Bop Santa Claus (mp3)

Danny Burns: Cool Yule (mp3)

Edd Kookie Byrnes" Yulesville (mp3)

Please support your local, independent Egg Nog manufacturers.