Christmas In The Time Of Covid 19, Part 9

Whew, Saturday is finally here. I was beginning to think I wouldn't make it.  I worked more hours this week than I have in a long, long while. I'm having to come in before everyone else to monitor temperatures as everyone else arrives, then I have to stay late to shut everything down. And on top of all that, we switched software, so I have to learn all the new stuff and make sure everything works.  Hopefully next week will be easier in that regard, but I'm still happy to be working and able to pay the bills, I know a lot of people aren't so lucky.  You just need a small injection of Christmas music to ease the pains of Covid quarantine and stay-at-home orders.  So today I've got a small record that was issued in 1968 to customers of an Indiana-based electric co-op.  According to this website, this was part of a series that went through the second half of the sixties and right into 1970. (There are also links there to listen to Youtube versions of each release, so that's nice.) This sort of reminded me of the Line Material Christmas records, though not nearly so elaborate or well-produced.  Still well worth a listen, and I wish I had the whole set.  This is Jack Underwood-1968 REMC Christmas Record-A Delightful Story Of A Boy And Girl On Christmas Eve (No Label 7" 45 RPM 855C-6092, Mono, 1968).

MEGA

Christmas In The Time Of Covid 19, Part 8

Another day, another post, though I guess it's been a few days since the last one. Hope you're all holding steady out there.  Some places are starting to talk about opening back up again, and that's pretty scary I think.  We've just started to see the curve turn downwards in some places with strict safer-at-home orders, while other places haven't even really peaked yet.  If we start sticking too many heads out of our shells, there's going to be a second wave hit, and we're going to have to start all this nonsense over again.  I know it's hurting a lot of people to stay home and not have an income, but it's for the good of everyone.  But I'm not here to change anybody's mind, I'm just here to bring a little more Christmas music into your life.  Tonight's share is a curious take on the Christmas story, mostly a spoken word bit, but with some background music.  The whole thing is somehow unsettling to me, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Give it a listen and see what you think.  This is The Evergreens-They Came A Long Way To Christmas (Birthstone 7" 45 RPM 45-1022, Mono, 1960).

MEGA

RIP Big Wheelie

I just found out that Big Wheelie himself, Chuck Vicario, passed away recently from complications due to the novel coronavirus. I wondered why I suddenly saw this old share at the top of my popular pages list, since that list is usually whatever I've most recently posted.  Thankfully someone posted a comment and let me know that he had passed. I never met Chuck or heard him play, but I was very excited in 2018 when I found a Christmas record that he released during his brief residency here in Sarasota, FL. A local indy Christmas record is a pretty rare thing, especially a good one, and this is one of the ones I've really enjoyed. Sad to hear that he had survived so much in his life, only to be felled by a tiny virus. Stay at home, people, that's the only way we're going to beat this thing, and buy healthcare professionals and scientists the time they need to treat people and come up with a cure so life can return to normal. As for Wheelie, we'll miss him, and express condolences to his family and friends. I believe the link is still good if you want to download and listen to his Christmas album, Big Wheelie And The Hubcaps-Christmas Grease (Wheelie Records 109016, Stereo, mid-80s).

1. I Saw Mommy Kissin' Santa Claus *
2. Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me
3. Christmas Song
4. Little Saint Nick
5. Jingle Bell Rock
6. Blue Christmas
7. Rudy The Red Nose Biker *
8. Jingle Bell Twist
9. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
10. Sleigh Ride *
11. Stroll Lang Syne *

(* Denotes Very Unique And Should Be Listened Too! [from the back cover])

MEGA