Speaking of Radio Shack, here's another record that was produced and sold through their stores. It's also a remaster of something I first shared way back in
2007 and I don't think it's been back since. Lots of big names on this one, though I'm afraid to tell you it's not all that great. Most of these folks turned in a lackluster performance well after their prime hit-making days. That's not to say it's not enjoyable, but I don't know how many times you'll want to give it a spin. It appears to be the soundtrack to a TV special that I haven't seen, and there are other issues of this music with different covers, but this is the only one I have. This is
Christmas Party (Hitbound (for Radio Shack/Realistic) 51-3010, Stereo, 1983).
1. Christmas Party Ensemble-Carol Of The Bells
2. Merilee Rush-White Christmas
3. Three Dog Night-Rocking Around The Christmas Tree
4. Paul Revere & The Raiders-Jingle Bells
5. Paul Revere & The Raiders-The Christmas Song
6. Michael Love And Mary MacGregor-Do You Hear What I Hear
7. Michael Love And Dean Torrence-Jingle Bell Rock
8. The Association-Sleigh Ride
9. The Association-Home For The Holidays
10. Bobby Goldsboro-Winter Wonderland
11. Mike Love-Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
12. Christmas Party Ensemble-We Wish You A Merry Christmas
MEGA
Hi Ernie, For what it is worth, you can view a bad video copy of it on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteScrooge's Rock 'N' Roll Christmas (starring Jack Elam!, 1984 TV)
Hi Ernie, I am glad there is a skip function. I condensed the 42.22 run time below 5 minutes.
ReplyDeleteI was just under 7 when this thing came out. I am so glad I grew up in a limited TV viewing home with a maximum of 2 hours per day, but no more than 11 hours per week. Holiday programming could add to these 11 hours. Quality and importance were what mattered for what I was permitted to see.
Hi Ernie, It is still worth a listen though, So thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteCertainly if you saw it in a store and didn't know the backstory, you'd be all excited about it, as I was. But the music just doesn't live up to the potential. :(
Deletenew stuff! thanx, man!
ReplyDeleteI'm stuck in a rut, I have to share new stuff every year. :)
DeleteYour comments are not promising, but I hafta hear the Association cuts!
ReplyDeleteAnd that''s why the record sold in the first place. People wanted to hear something from their favorite band, and they got this...
DeleteAs bad as you think the record is, I can assure you the "special"--"Scrooge's Rock And Roll Christmas"--was even worse. It was bad enough that, when they reran it (and don't ask me why they reran it), they cut about 45 minutes of it out. That's how Radio Shack ended up with it; they were trying to recoup their losses. Oddly enough, copies under the original title go for far more than they should on eBay (it's not like there was a limited run or anything). And I tend to think that 90% of the people bidding on it know what it is they're bidding on (know that it isn't that good), but they're drawn to it like a train wreck. All that said, the Merilee Rush track is nice (IMHO).
ReplyDeleteI'd love a copy with the original cover, but it's never come my way. And I can't bring myself to watch the special on YouTube, I'd rather not know how bad it is...
DeleteListened to a couple tracks. I'm not overwhelmed by it.
ReplyDeleteListening to all of it can be overwhelming, but not in a good way...
DeleteI like it… Best whishes for your holiday season from Cologne, Germany.
ReplyDeleteThanks! And Merry Christmas to you!
DeleteLooking forward to listening to this one! Lots of Christmas Rock rarities on this, including several acts who did not cut a full-length Christmas album.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but... Let us know what you think after giving it a listen. :)
DeleteYou were right - it's not very good. It might be fun to choose the worst act. My vote goes to Paul Revere and the Raiders, closely followed by Mike Love.
ReplyDeleteWell, anything Mike Love does has issues. He was a bad guy in the Love And Mercy movie we saw last night about Brian Wilson. It wasn't pretty. :(
DeleteGood version of "Sleigh Ride" by the Association that combines some of their '60's Pop-Folk Rock sound with their almost Eagles-styled Country vibe they had in the early-'70's, plus some usual Christmas musical elements. Not sure if I like "Home For the Holidays" yet. If they cut this for Warner Bros. in the '60's with Bones Howe, they would have had a great Christmas single on their hands. Still, the band does a good job on it. Appropriate that you uploaded this album with them on this year, being that Terry Kirkman of the group passed away a few weeks ago. Still it's great to hear some Association Christmas music! One of the best Pop/Rock groups of the mid-to-late-'60's.
ReplyDeleteMerilee "Angel of the Morning" Rush almost gives "White Christmas" a Melanie sound here. Excellent Three Dog Night "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" that actually rocks for a change! Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron and co. add some modern-day Rock touches while staying true to the original vibe of the Brenda Lee arrangement.
ReplyDeleteI am in the minority here who actually likes the Paul Revere and the Raiders "Jingle Bells". It is very funky and has a solid '80's vibe to it. They certainly give an almost Earth Wind & Fire vibe to "The Christmas Song" with just a touch of the blues here. I don't think Mark Lindsay is singing on these cuts, though. They did cut a topical Christmas album of original songs during their late-'60's Columbia Records peak titled A Christmas Present....And Past. Excellent electric guitar solos on "The Christmas Song." It could have rocked harder, though.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if I like Mike and Dean's "Jingle Bell Rock". At least Dean has some great solos on it. Musically, it sounds like a precusor for the arrangement the Eurhythmics would use on "Winter Wonderland" on the first Very Special Christmas album.
ReplyDeleteExcellent almost Phil Spector style arrangement from Bobby Goldsboro on Winter Wonderland. Amazingly, he still sounds like he did on his peak-'60's recordings here. Excellent instrumental break with a harmonica solo in the Stevie Wonder style. Bobby also gets props for singing the Circus Clown verse of the song.
ReplyDeleteWell, you certainly found more on this record to enjoy than I did. Glad you enjoyed it! :)
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