FaLaLaLaLa

Here we are in the throws of summer.  Actually, around my part of the world it’s been pretty mild for the past week or so (which I personally prefer).

While I’m not big on celebrating Christmas in July myself, my good friend Ernie does his best to grab some Christmas spirit and spread it around in the middle of the year.

As is his tradition, he is sharing Christmas songs that can be found on non-Christmas albums.

As is my tradition, I am linking to him.

Go see Ernie and enjoy!

So, according to the FaLaLaLaLa calendar, today is the day we like to call “Christmas-And-A-Half”.

It’s 6 months from last Christmas and 6 months until next Christmas.

So, how do we celebrate?  Staying inside with a cold drink and dreaming wistfully of the winter months to come.  (Though I’ve heard some blaspheme the day by going golfing….)

I have to say I don’t have any new music to post for the “celebration”.  So just go through the archives and find something appropriate.

Also, wish Happy Birthday to our good friend, Ernie (who I’m certain will have some treats for us all come Christmas-In-July!).

(Photo: perfect_hexagon)

While lots of people love to celebrate Christmas year round, we at FaLaLaLaLa feel that the season is more special since it’s only part of the year. The anticipation is part of the joy.

So there won’t be really any posts until November or so (except perhaps for Christmas In July and Christmas-And-A-Half).

But feel free to poke through the old posts or check out the forums to find lots of musical goodies. And then we’ll see you for the 2010 season.

The King of Jingaling

Well, there’s nothing like major technical problems 4 days before Christmas….

It’s been a bit of a long day around here but it looks like we’re gradually getting back to normal.

I’ve moved to a new server but haven’t gotten everything migrated over yet.  (Please be patient, oh denizens of the forums….)

The site may continue to go through changes before your eyes, please be patient with us.

Thanks.

I’m going to share this post from my good friend Ernie because he says pretty much all you need to know:

Several years ago, I found and shared this LP. It was quite the find, full of original music that actually sounded like Christmas music, but it was tracks you’d never heard of.

I had no idea who Robert Way was, or when this music had been released. From the cover, I knew it had something to do with Mobil Oil, and I figured it was similar to those tire company collections that used to be all the rage.

I shared it out for a number of years, and finally got an email from first the artist’s daughter, and eventually the man himself, Robert Way. He explained that he had gotten out of music not long after this LP came out, and had only recently started recording again.

Well, this year, Mr. Way decided to remaster and re-release this great LP, so I’m here to encourage you to go buy it. You can find his website here, or you can go straight to this link to get this great album. It’s not expensive, and all the money goes right to the man who made the music, not some greedy record company. Tell him Ernie (Not Bert) [and The King of Jingaling...] sent you!

Oh, while you’re there, be sure to download a copy of his LP Thoughts On The Carols. It’s free!

Double Oh, you can download a radio promo LP by Mr. Way over at WFMU. It’s not Christmas, but it’s Robert Way.

New England Sleigh Ride is some beautiful Christmas music that plays out like a miniature symphonic suite or song cycle. The arrangements and harmonies are so unique. This music is highly recommended!

Our buddy Steve Mack (who provided the wonderful illustration for the 2005 ADVENTure In Carols) is posting a new Christmas card image each day from December 1st until Christmas.  He’s got a wonderful classic style, full of innocence, humor and fun.

Check them out.

If you find yourself on a United flight during the month of December, you might want to read something besides the emergency pamphlet and the SkyMall catalog….

FaLaLaLaLa has been featured in the December issue of Hemispheres, the United Airlines In-Flight Magazine.

I thought they did a pretty good job and am glad I didn’t come off as a complete lunatic (just a partial one).

The article is online, so go take a read (and then maybe have a cocktail and a hot towel…).

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

(P.S.  I love the illustration they chose for the article.  Check out the website of the artist, Andrew Holder.)

I have posted at length about this album for years now, but I want to put in another plug.

This was the first LP I transferred to CD years ago because it’s one of my favorite albums of all time.

Last year was a great year for me because the folks at Collectors Choice Music (who are the best label for classic Christmas rereleases) decided to release this on CD.  It’s still not available for MP3 download anywhere, so if you want it you need to order the CD and I HIGHLY recommend you do!

It’s hippy shakin’, groovy retro orchestral pop Christmas goodness!

Go to Collectors Choice or Amazon to hear clips and buy yourself a copy.  And take a listen to my interview with conductor/arranger Stu Phillips about the Hollyridge Strings.

Al Alberts (born Al Albertini), former singer of The Four Aces and longtime host of Philadelphia TV staple “Al Alberts’ Showcase” passed away today.

“Uncle Al”, as he was widely known, played a large role in my childhood.  We regularly watched his Showcase on Sunday mornings at my Grandmother’s apartment after church.  Granted, most of the time we watched with a wry irony as lots of tone-deaf toddlers mimed their way through songs too cute for words.

But as the show would close and Al would take center stage (or sit coolly by the piano) and croon “Try A Little Love”, it would all make sense.

The man had great talent and loved to share his spotlight with kids all over Philly.  Many will be missing him.

Here’s a song from “A Merry Christmas” by The Four Aces.

Mantovani Christmas Carols

I know many people will find it hard to believe that this classic Christmas albums is only now entering the digital age, yet it is. Collectors’ Choice Music, who released Christmas Favorites by The Hollyridge Strings last year, will be releasing this Mantovani gem sometime in late November.

You can find TONS of Mantovani Christmas music on CD, but it’s mostly later recordings, live concerts, radio broadcasts and compilations.  Truthfully, it’s hard to sift through it all.  But now you can breathe a sigh of relief as you enjoy this classic album.

We should all thank the folks at Collectors’ Choice, who take classic Christmas music very seriously.  However, special thanks goes to Chip Arcuri over at The Yule Log.com who has been working behind the scenes to help get this (and other classic Christmas LP’s) released into the digital realm.