A Cheerier Christmas Post
From the reactions I received online and from those I talk to, it seems the reaction to my last post might be that I’m not in the ‘spirit’. And when I read it myself I had to agree. However, I don’t mean it that way. Really!
I’m simply trying to highlight the tracks that are not being played. I certainly feel that the last tracks aren’t going to be heard on the radio (or anywhere else) no matter the station. Let’s do another two that are going to be scarce.
Frosty The Snowman
You’ll probably hear this song but I don’t recall hearing the best version of all – that of the fantastic Ronettes! Two reasons I love this and must have it as a staple every December:
1) Phil Spector – say no more
2) The way she sings the word ‘Frosty’ is straight outa Brooklyn. Listen carefully for that unmistakable accent. Sort of tough sounding and it cracks me up every year on every listen. Even my kids try to get the accent right.
The Winter Song
Yea, I featured this one last year also, but once more, I never hear this. Allow me to repost from my Angel entry last year:
Punky Meadows as a band member is one of the few trivia facts that come to mind when I think of the band Angel. Part of the LA based troupe that included The Runaways. All things considered (timing, the continually evolving state of music and the then current breed of musicians), Angel was one of the right bands at the right time. They were at once theatrical, glam, metal and ostentatious – always dressed in all white. They were ‘hard’ rock and roll that was easily digestible and if not mega-successful, they at least were what we once called a ‘cult band’.
However, conversely to their image, on this track they managed to create a magical triumph of beauty, enlisting the exquisite madrigal vocals of Seraphim and Cherubim. Intoxicating with its restrained swirl of organ, twelve string guitar and exultant bass, it has been perfectly coalesced and tempered just as the introduction of velvet wraiths join in glorious abandon.
Just as I am often entranced by this track, I am just as often perplexed as to why we do not hear this on the radio at this time of year, especially given the subject matter. But, you know my many opinions on the state of radio by now.
By the fireplace, there's a smile on every face.
The ice begins to cling, listen to the children sing.
Looking outside, the city lights all come alive.
People running all around, they fill the streets with a happy sound.
There's a feeling in the air, feel the spirit everywhere.
Winter winds on heaven and earth.
Hear the Angels join the choir, let them take the music higher.
Through winter days on heaven and earth.
The Ronettes: Frosty The Snowman
Angel: The Winter Song
I’m simply trying to highlight the tracks that are not being played. I certainly feel that the last tracks aren’t going to be heard on the radio (or anywhere else) no matter the station. Let’s do another two that are going to be scarce.
Frosty The Snowman
You’ll probably hear this song but I don’t recall hearing the best version of all – that of the fantastic Ronettes! Two reasons I love this and must have it as a staple every December:
1) Phil Spector – say no more
2) The way she sings the word ‘Frosty’ is straight outa Brooklyn. Listen carefully for that unmistakable accent. Sort of tough sounding and it cracks me up every year on every listen. Even my kids try to get the accent right.
The Winter Song
Yea, I featured this one last year also, but once more, I never hear this. Allow me to repost from my Angel entry last year:
Punky Meadows as a band member is one of the few trivia facts that come to mind when I think of the band Angel. Part of the LA based troupe that included The Runaways. All things considered (timing, the continually evolving state of music and the then current breed of musicians), Angel was one of the right bands at the right time. They were at once theatrical, glam, metal and ostentatious – always dressed in all white. They were ‘hard’ rock and roll that was easily digestible and if not mega-successful, they at least were what we once called a ‘cult band’.
However, conversely to their image, on this track they managed to create a magical triumph of beauty, enlisting the exquisite madrigal vocals of Seraphim and Cherubim. Intoxicating with its restrained swirl of organ, twelve string guitar and exultant bass, it has been perfectly coalesced and tempered just as the introduction of velvet wraiths join in glorious abandon.
Just as I am often entranced by this track, I am just as often perplexed as to why we do not hear this on the radio at this time of year, especially given the subject matter. But, you know my many opinions on the state of radio by now.
By the fireplace, there's a smile on every face.
The ice begins to cling, listen to the children sing.
Looking outside, the city lights all come alive.
People running all around, they fill the streets with a happy sound.
There's a feeling in the air, feel the spirit everywhere.
Winter winds on heaven and earth.
Hear the Angels join the choir, let them take the music higher.
Through winter days on heaven and earth.
The Ronettes: Frosty The Snowman
Angel: The Winter Song
posted by WZJN at
05:57
3 Comments:
All right, good to see the Christmas spirit (which Santa is literally chugging from a bottle) is alive and well!
By
Anonymous, at 9:18 PM
Alright - nice to see someone got the inside joke!
By
WZJN, at 10:04 PM
Hi,
I am an Angel fan from back in the "Day" and Thank YOU! for letting me hear the Winter Song again. It was blocked everywhere else. I will be calling my local radio stations this winter to request one cool christmas tune such as the above. You Rock- Peace! diana in PA
By
Anonymous, at 8:06 PM
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