Does anyone remember the 'Hooked On' series of records from the late seventies and early eighties? It was long medleys of songs that were all themed together in some way. I think the first one was Hooked On Classics where they strung together a dozen or more classical tunes played over an annoying beat that likely made the original composers roll over in their graves. It was such a huge hit that many other versions soon hit the shelves line Hooked On Swing or Hooked On The Beatles, and of course a Hooked On Christmas. The US was not the only country the experienced the trend, here's an interesting example from Venezuela that features a side-long medley of Christmas tunes, along with a handful of single-length tunes as well. This is
Unknown Artist-
Supermezclas De Navidad-Hooked On Christmas (Palacio (Venezuela) LPS-99596, Christmas, 1982). I couldn't figure out who the performer is here, but that's not to say the info isn't there. I don't speak the language so perhaps there is something there in the fine print. Also, the sleeve details out all the songs in the giant medley, but I couldn't fit them all into the track tabs. You'll have to pull it up and read it if you don't recognize all of the songs in there.
1. Supermezcla De Navidad (Mosaico Disco Navideño)
2. Nosotros Los Tres Reyes (We Three Kings)
3. El Abeto (Oh Christmas Tree)
4. El Pequeño Tamborilero (Little Drummer Boy)
5. Rock Alrededor Del Arbol de Navidad (Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree)
6. La Despedida (Auld Lang Syne)
7. El Viejo, Jovial San Nicolas (Jolly Old St. Nicholas)
8. El Buen Rey Wenceslas (Good King Wenceslas)
9. Jingle Bells
MEGA
"We Three Kings" to a disco beat? Hey, why not.
ReplyDeleteIt's a work of art.
DeleteIt's the closest thing we have got to a Bee Gees Christmas song, even if it is not from them. The Synthezier is kind of cheesy, though.
DeleteThis is the same material that was issued here in America on Mistletoe/Springboard in 1978 as by the Mistletoe Disco Band and on Pickwick Records a year later as Mirror Image, stretched between two albums, Disco Noel and Yuletide Disco.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have those, and shared them out a long time ago. I'll have to compare and contrast.
DeleteWith the exception of the opening "Jingle Bells", all the other cuts come from the Mistletoe Disco Band Christmas albums. "Little Drummer Boy" was used as the backing track for Enzo Stuarti's vocal on his 1978 Mistletoe album Coming Home For Christmas, available in its entirety on YouTube. Too bad your following can't listen to "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree": it is a musical clash of decades and is a fun track to listen to.
ReplyDeletePretty sure i pulled that out to record it, but never got to it. Maybe next year.
DeleteAlso, did you notice how closely the "P" on the label is similar to the one featured on the latter-day Pickwick releases? Glad that you finally have got some of this music in your extensive Christmas collection. The American Yuletide Disco version of this album is one of my favorite guilty pleasure Christmas albums.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they're here in the archives somewhere, but i doubt if there are any active links.
DeleteThis is a lot of fun. Thank you so much Ernie.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear the Disco Noel and Yuletide Disco albums. Hopefully they will show up somewhere.
If possible, would some kind soul be willing to write out the names of the songs in the opening medley? Being blind I cannot read the artwork. Thank you so much.
I'll see what I can do, it's a long list...
DeleteNo problem either way. I appreciate the music most of all.
DeleteThis is the tracklist for the giant medley on side one:
DeleteJingle Bells
Escuchen! Los Angeles Heraldos Cantan (Hark The Herald Angels Sing)
Alegria Al Mundo (Joy To The World)
Los Doce Dias De Navidad (The Twelve Days Of Christmas)
Paseo En Trineo (Sleigh Ride)
Jingle Bell Rock
Rudolpj, El Reno De Nariz Roja (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)
Tierra De Maravillas En Invierno (Winter Wonderland)
Santa Claus Esta llegando A La Ciudad (Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town)
Frosty El Hombre De Nieve (Frosty The Snowman)
Aqui Vienne Sana Claus (Here Comes Santa Claus)
Vi A Mama Besando A Santa Claus (I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus)
Que Tengas Una Feliz Navidad (Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas)
Pequeno Arbol De Navidad (Little Christmas Tree)
Estare En Casa En Navidad (I'll Be Home For Christmas)
El Pequeno Tamborilero (Little Drummer Boy)
Adornen Los Salones (Deck The Halls)
Blanca Navidad (White Christmas)
La Cancion De Navidad (The Christmas Song)
Adeste Fidelis (Come All Ye Faithful)
Tu Eres Todo Lo Que Necesito Para Navidad (You're All I Want For Christmas)
Campanitas De Plata (Silver Bells)
La Primera Navidad (The First Noel)
Te Deseamos Una Feliz Navidad (We Wish You A Merry Christmas)
Enjoy!
Awesome! Thank you so much for writing out the list of songs. It is truly appreciated!
Delete