105 The 9th Annual Christmas Stocking Summer Music Spectacular
The promo said it and it’s still true: it’s the summer, so it’s time to enjoy some holiday music. Everything I talked about is on my Twitter feed @XmasStocking. And make sure you join our Facebook and Google+ communities! All the episodes, Christmas Stocking merch and more are at MyChristmasStocking.net. And tell me your Christmas plans or Christmas memories–or wish someone Merry Christmas at (323) 487-1225. Or email it, along with music and show ideas, to TopElf at MyChristmasStocking dot NET,
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“Jingle Bell Swing” by Mark Smeby from “En attendant Noël…” (from the Free Music Archive) and “Christmas”
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“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Seth and Betsy from the “Christmas” EP (from Noisetrade)
“O Come All Ye Faithful” by Peter Furler featuring David Ian from “Peter Furler Christmas featuring David Ian”
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“West Coast” by The Connection from the album “A Christmas Gift for”
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“We Three Kings/O Come, O Come Emmanuel” by Groove for Thought from “Songs of Good Cheer”
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“Angels We Have Heard On High” by Evan Wickham from the EP “Christmas Music Vol. 1” (from Noisetrade)
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“Blood Oranges in the Snow” by Over the Rhine from “Even The Snow Turns Blue: An Over the Rhine Christmas Compilation” (from Noisetrade) and “Blood Oranges in the Snow”
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Background music:
“Cumbia de Tannenbaum (Club Mix)” by Juan Oskar from “Christmas is for Grownups Too” (I found it on Mevio.com)
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“Christmas Medley by Gina and Kev” by Gina Kellenberger and by Kevin Zerbe
“xmas songs plastic sputnik arcade punk remix” by Hally from “The 8bits of Christmas” (from the Free Music Archive)
“Decking the Halls in 1966” by Juan Oskar from “Christmas is for Grownups Too” (I found it on Mevio.com)
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“Joy to the World” by Bing Futch (from MacJams.com)
“Goodbye Charles” by Over the Rhine from “Even The Snow Turns Blue: An Over the Rhine Christmas Compilation” (from Noisetrade) and “Snow Angels”
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More information:
Hamley’s top toys for Christmas 2015
The official site for the Capitol Christmas Tree 2015
65 The WPIX Yule Log
From Christmas 2011: Ever since I discovered there was a period of time around Christmas Eve/Day that there was just a shot of a burning fireplace on TV, I’ve been fascinated. How did that happen? Introduce the show like Brian did at MyChristmasStocking.net and listen to some episodes, too. Email TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.net. Follow us on Twitter.com/XmasStocking. Join us on Facebook. And add the Christmas Stocking to your circles on Google+.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“Do You Hear What I Hear” by Lisa McClowry from “Do You Hear What I Hear ” (World Stage International)
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
Background music:
“Silent Night (Jazz Trio Version)” by John Stebbe (from MacJams.com)
“Ode to Joy” by Lenny Marcus from “The Jazz of Beethoven”
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Michael Ryan from “A Classical Guitar Christmas”
More information:
Wikipedia teaches us both about the real Yule log and the television Yule Log.
You can learn much more about the WPIX Yule Log from the official fan site. Where can you find the original Yule Log this year? Or perhaps you’d just like to download it to your phone.
54 Christmas in the Late 20th Century
From Christmas 2010: The world went from black and white TV just catching on to the internet beginning its domination, but did Christmas change very much? We travel down memory lane. Join us on The Christmas Stocking’s Facebook page! Lots happening. Lots going on at Twitter.com/XmasStocking, too. Not much time to tell the world your Christmas wish at MyChristmasStocking.net. Click the Call Me button and enter your phone number. My voicemail will call you. Or email your answer to TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“We Three Kings” by Pink Martini from “Joy to the World”
(Heinz Records)
Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album
Background music:
“Surf’s Up Emmanuel” by Brian Bunker Christmas (from GarageBand.com)
“Oh Holy Night” by Brian Bunker Christmas (from GarageBand.com)
More information:
Retrohousewife.com goes back to Christmases in the 40’s to recent times. I’ll just link to the 50’s and you can go from there.
Some Christmas toys from the past. And more, from a slightly British perspective.
Here’s a Toys ‘R’ Us commercial from the 70’s. Here’s an M&M’s commercial from the 80’s. Much more warm and fuzzy than these days.
I could link to a bunch of Amazon pages that would help The Christmas Stocking, but I think this one from TopTenReviews will be easier for both of us. One fan’s opinions of the best of the 90’s doesn’t gibe with mine.
Wikipedia has a good list of Christmas hits from the 20th century.
52 “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
December 5, 2010
Filed under Christmas, Episode, Holiday, Podcast, Xmas
Tags: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Bill Melendez, Charles Schulz, Charlie Brown, Christmas, Holiday, Lee Mendelson, Peanuts, Podcast, Tree, TV
From Christmas 2010: I love the dancing twins, the pink aluminum Christmas tree, and everything else about A Charlie Brown Christmas. We go behind the scenes. Many ways to get involved. I post a ton of Christmas info on Twitter.com/XmasStocking, and will reply if you message me. The Facebook page is hopping, too. Email TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET. And what do you want for Christmas? Go to MyChristmasStocking.net, click the Call Me button and enter your phone number. My voicemail will call you privately and for free.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Featured music:
“Sing Hallelujah (Christ Is Born of Mary)” by 1 Less Stone (from Soundclick.com)
Background music:
“The First Nowell” by David Shelley from “Christmas Sax – Seasonal Favorites With Smooth Jazz”
(Classic Fox Records)
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album
“O Come All Ye Faithful” by Michael Ryan from “A Classical Guitar Christmas”
More information:
Infoplease.com, MentalFloss.com, Wikia.com and, of course, Wikipedia.com have some more about the production.
Amazon has many DVD versions, including this one
The original ending of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
The Washington Post has an excellent overview of the special with an interview with Lee Mendelson. If only it had come out before this podcast!
16 Rockefeller Center Tree and The Grinch!
November 27, 2007
Filed under Christmas, Episode, Holiday, Xmas
Tags: Christmas, Christmas Tree, Dr. Seuss, Grinch, Holiday, New York, New York City, Places, Podcast, Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Tree, TV, Xmas, Xmas tree
From Christmas ’07: This year, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City has some 21st century improvements. And there is no improving on the Grinch! Let us know about your Christmas tree, or your Grinch, at MyChristmasStocking.net. Email me at TopElf at MyChristmasStocking.NET.
Click here to download the show to your device.
Background music:
“O Christmas Tree” by Jenny Crook (from “Christmas Harp – Elegant Expressions of Christmas with Celtic & Concert Harps”)
(Classic Fox Records)
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
More On This Album
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra (from “Christmas Fantastique”) I found it at FeelsLikeChristmas.com
(Nelidova Records)
“Pat-a-Pan” by US Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants (from “Light One Candle”)
(Altissimo!)
Buy at Napster
Buy at Rhapsody
More On This Album
Featured Music:
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Medley” and “Caroling Caroling Medley” by Tennessee Ernie Ford (from “Family Christmas”) (IMI)
More On This Album
More information:
A detailed biography of Dr. Seuss can be found on the official Seussville site.
Find out about the Dr. Seuss National Memorial.
Want to buy the How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Anniversary Edition: A 50th Anniversary Retrospective?
Want to buy the video version of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (50th Birthday Deluxe Remastered Edition)?
imdb.com’s entry on the TV special.
Wikipedia has entries on Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and the Grinch himself.
The Christmas Stocking 