Christmas with Frank Sinatra!

The next episode e of the FS Detention Club premieres on December 8 at 2pm, Eastern. This episode features two hours of Sinatra's Christmas music from his three solo Christmas albums. Visit the FS Detention Club for more information. A complete schedule is below.

"New" Christmas Albums for 2017

Our Christmas library gets bigger and bigger each year. We have been busy recording an eclectic mix of albums for inclusion in this year's Vinyl Christmas. This is a great mix of old and new.

My favorite new album is by Tracey Thorn, the vocalist from the band Everything But The Girl. Her album, Tinsel and Lights from 2012 is sublime; perhaps my favorite Christmas album.  I guarantee you will not be hearing any tracks from this album on terrestrial radio.

Brenda Lee, of course, is a staple for holiday classics. But she has other songs beyond "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree."  Ray Charles is new this year, too. Jazz vocalist Kenny Rankin has some wonderful takes on Christmas classics. Another Elvis is in the mix, too.

Plus, a very great (and rare) album from 1978:  Christmas Disco.

Take a listen. Vinyl Christmas runs through December 27 - Only on Vinyl Voyage Radio.

The Song of the Week - "My Favorite Things" by Tony Bennett

We are in full swing now for our Vinyl Christmas here at Vinyl Voyage Radio. For this week, we are spinning a great track from Tony Bennett's  1968 release, Snowfall.  And that track is a jazzed up version of "My Favorite Things."

A new Song of the Week premieres every Wednesday at 10am Central. It then repeats at 10pm and then a few more times throughout the week.

Listen to it played on original vinyl below:

Just in Time for Christmas...

For the last couple of days, I've been able to add some great Christmas albums to our growing archives. Here are the latest additions:

 

From the Archives: The Star Wars Christmas Album

Originally Published in December, 2015

In 1978, the Star Wars Holiday Special premiered on CBS. The show was a very weird variety-type program, the style of which was wildly popular in the 70s. This show featured a storyline involving Chewbacca returning to his home planet to celebrate "Life Day." The special includes the entire cast of Star Wars, including the first ever introduction of Boba Fett. It also features a music video by Jefferson Starship and ends with Carrie Fisher singing the theme to Star Wars.  The special was broadcast once. Only once. And was never released on any form of home media due to the negative reaction the special received.

Two years later, RSO Records, in conjunction with LucasFilm, released Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album. That's right: in spite of all the negativity surrounding the Star Wars Holiday Special, they did it again.

The album was conceived by Meco Menardo, who famously made a Star Wars disco album in 1977 entitled Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk. Appearing on the album is Anthony Daniels as C3-PO, who narrates and even sings most of the songs.  The Christmas songs are all Star Wars related, including the awesomely weird, "What Can You Get A Wookie For Christmas (When He Already Has a Comb)?"



The album opens with a great song called "Christmas in the Stars," with C3-PO lamenting the fact that Christmas always comes so early ever year and he is never ready, even though he tells R2-D2, "Yes, I have a list!"


The album also features a young Jon Bon Jovi, in his first professional recording. Back then he was simply known as "John Bongiovi."  He sings "R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas" with the Bridgewater Raritan High School West Advanced Choir:


Star Wars was released 38 years ago and has always been a prominent part of our pop culture, as is evidenced by the hype surrounding the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Today, the marketing surrounding the film is much more deliberate, managed and audience tested. The wonderful thing about Christmas in the Stars is that something like this would never have been released today. That alone makes this album truly special.  (For a truly interesting take on the making of the album, the Canadian Broadcasting Company did an oral history of the album last year. Listen here.)

Give the album a listen and revel in the kitsch and miscues.  It's okay to laugh and shake your head in disbelief. This is a relic from another time----a time when borderline racist jokes are okay on a Christmas album, such as when C3-PO chides R2-D2 for not knowing what "Japanese" is.  R2-D2 apparently does not know what indigestion is, either. Or Einstein, for that matter.  Give "Bells, Bells, Bells" a listen and be amazed.

*R2-D2 speak*

C3-PO: What is that? That my silly friend, is the sound of bells.

*R2-D2 speak*

C3-PO: What are bells?
I cannot believe the question

It’s like, “what is indigestion?”

Not that bells and indigestion are the same.

I cannot believe the query

That you ask, “what is Einstein’s theory?”

Compared to “what are bells?” seems almost tame.

*R2-D2 speak*

C3-PO:  What is indigestion? Who is Einstein?

Before you ask me, “Who is H.G. Wells?”

 I will help your education with a simple explanation of bells.

You can listen to the entire album below.  This year Christmas in the Stars will be featured on our annual Vinyl Christmas, now playing on Vinyl Voyage Radio through December 27.  

Merry Christmas!

Vinyl Christmas is Here!

From December 20 through December 27, enjoy the most retro Christmas music available. All played on glorious vinyl.

Just as you remember it.

Merry Christmas, from Vinyl Voyage Radio.

Vinyl Christmas, 2016

Vinyl Christmas is coming! 168 hours of the best retro Christmas Music....All on Vinyl. Just as you remember it!

The Vinyl Christmas is Here!

Starting on December 20, Vinyl Voyage Radio is pulling out the greatest Christmas music from its archives. This is music that you may have grown up on: Arthur Fiedler, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and many, many more.

This is the fourth year for the Vinyl Christmas. Each year we have added more Christmas albums to the mix.

This year we have added albums from Perry Como, Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass and Sandler and Young.

If you are tired of the monotony of the Christmas selection on terrestrial radio, give us a listen. Vinyl Voyage Radio is the perfect accompaniment to your 2016 holiday season.


The Vinyl Christmas will run from December 20 until December 27.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Star Wars Christmas Album!

In 1978, the Star Wars Holiday Special premiered on CBS. The show was a very weird variety-type program, the style of which was wildly popular in the 70s. This show featured a storyline involving Chewbacca returning to his home planet to celebrate "Life Day." The special includes the entire cast of Star Wars, including the first ever introduction of Boba Fett. It also features a music video by Jefferson Starship and ends with Carrie Fisher singing the theme to Star Wars.  The special was broadcast once. Only once. And was never released on any form of home media due to the negative reaction the special received.

Two years later, RSO Records, in conjunction with LucasFilm, released Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album. That's right: in spite of all the negativity surrounding the Star Wars Holiday Special, they did it again.

The album was conceived by Meco Menardo, who famously made a Star Wars disco album in 1977 entitled Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk. Appearing on the album is Anthony Daniels as C3-PO, who narrates and even sings most of the songs.  The Christmas songs are all Star Wars related, including the awesomely weird, "What Can You Get A Wookie For Christmas (When He Already Has a Comb)?"



The album opens with a great song called "Christmas in the Stars," with C3-PO lamenting the fact that Christmas always comes so early ever year and he is never ready, even though he tells R2-D2, "Yes, I have a list!"


The album also features a young Jon Bon Jovi, in his first professional recording. Back then he was simply known as "John Bongiovi."  He sings "R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas" with the Bridgewater Raritan High School West Advanced Choir:


Star Wars was released 38 years ago and has always been a prominent part of our pop culture, as is evidenced by the hype surrounding the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Today, the marketing surrounding the film is much more deliberate, managed and audience tested. The wonderful thing about Christmas in the Stars is that something like this would never have been released today. That alone makes this album truly special.  (For a truly interesting take on the making of the album, the Canadian Broadcasting Company did an oral history of the album last year. Listen here.)

Give the album a listen and revel in the kitsch and miscues.  It's okay to laugh and shake your head in disbelief. This is a relic from another time----a time when borderline racist jokes are okay on a Christmas album, such as when C3-PO chides R2-D2 for not knowing what "Japanese" is.  R2-D2 apparently does not know what indigestion is, either. Or Einstein, for that matter.  Give "Bells, Bells, Bells" a listen and be amazed.

*R2-D2 speak*

C3-PO: What is that? That my silly friend, is the sound of bells.

*R2-D2 speak*

C3-PO: What are bells?
I cannot believe the question

It’s like, “what is indigestion?”

Not that bells and indigestion are the same.

I cannot believe the query

That you ask, “what is Einstein’s theory?”

Compared to “what are bells?” seems almost tame.

*R2-D2 speak*

C3-PO:  What is indigestion? Who is Einstein?

Before you ask me, “Who is H.G. Wells?”

 I will help your education with a simple explanation of bells.

You can listen to the entire album below.  This year Christmas in the Stars will be featured on our annual Vinyl Christmas, now playing on Vinyl Voyage Radio through December 27.  

Merry Christmas!

A Vinyl Christmas, 2015

Yes, it is that time of the year--time for the 4th annual Vinyl Christmas here at Vinyl Voyage Radio. We have some great Christmas memories ready to share with you. Tired of the same old songs being played on terrestrial radio?  Look no further: we have songs that have not been played on terrestrial radio. Ever.

The 4th annual Vinyl Christmas begins tomorrow, Tuesday December 21 at midnight and will go through December 26.

This is my favorite time of the year. These songs bring back many Christmas memories. My parents had a reel-to-reel tape deck, playing hours of this music recorded from their vinyl albums. Many of the albums being played on Vinyl Voyage are from their collection.

Here you will hear Burl Ives, Barbara Striesand, Living Voices, 101 Strings, Bing Crosby, Ferrante and Teicher and many, many more.  Browse the albums in our playlist below--you may find something you haven't heard in years! Merry Christmas!

It's Time for a Vinyl Christmas!

Yes, it's that time of the year.  On Sunday, December 21 the Vinyl Voyage will go all Christmas music all the time.  Until Saturday, December 28.

Relive your Christmas memories with great songs from Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Vikki Carr, and many, many more.  Remember those old Christmas compilation albums?  Yes, we have them. Compilations you could buy from Ace Hardware and True Value.  Christmas Memory compilations. These compilations featured great singers, plus orchestras such as Boston Pops, Robert Shaw Chorale, Henry Mancini and the Vienna Boys Choir.

This isn't the music you hear today too much on the radio.  No Mariah Carey here.  Or Wham!

Just pure Christmas memories.

Only on Vinyl Voyage Radio.

Merry Christmas!

Click here for the live feed.

Christmas is Coming, the Vinyl's Being Spun

Yep.  It's getting to be that time of year.  Terrestrial radio started playing Christmas music on November 13 here in Chicago.  Way too early, in my opinion.  Especially when they play the same 10 songs every hour.

Last year, Vinyl Voyage went all Christmas for a week in what we called "Christmas Music that Doesn't Suck."   Get ready, the "2nd Annual Christmas Music that Doesn't Suck" is just around the corner.

Over the last several weeks, I've been scouring the local thrift stores for Christmas vinyl goodies. This year, we are adding a few more to the rotation that now exceeds 450 songs.  That's a lot of Christmas music.  I read last year that the local terrestrial radio station that plays Christmas music has only 150 songs or so on their playlist.  And it is painfully apparent.

New this year:

I can't believe I didn't have this album:  The Carpenters:  A Christmas Portrait. This album came out in 1978 and features the oft-heard, "Merry Christmas Darling."  But it has some other great tunes as well, including several instrumentals.  Nothing beats the voice of Karen Carpenter, in my opinion.

John Denver and the Muppets:  A Christmas Together.  This is a fun album, with some silly renditions of Christmas favorites, plus some serious tunes as well.  I love the Muppet take on "Christmas is Coming."

Ray Conniff and the Ray Conniff Singers: We Wish You a Merry Christmas.  Nothing says early 60s like Ray Conniff.  This was one of the best selling albums of 1962.

Narada: The Christmas Collection, from 1988.  This I just picked up the other day.  Narada, of course, was the New Age label founded in 1983.  The popularity of this album spawned other volumes of Christmas music in later years, all of which were released on CD.  This is the only Christmas album that was released on both vinyl and cd.  This is mostly synthesized music and the instrumentation is very 1980s.  In what was cutting edge at the time, one song boasts of being played on a "Macintosh computer with Mark of the Unicorn Performer 2.0 software." Another song is played on a Commodore 64.  Hey, I had one of those computers in the 80s, too!

Plus, I have many, many more.  Mostly compilation albums.  Back in the 60s and 70s, department stores sold Christmas albums.  Firestone was one of the first.  True Value was another.  I Found a Montgomery Ward Christmas album the other day.

More to come.  I am hoping to get that playlist over 500 songs. We will go all Christmas music for a week starting Friday, December 20, 2013.

Merry Christmas, from Vinyl Voyage Radio

Some of the albums you will hear on the
Vinyl Voyage Christmas.

It's been hard for me to get into the Christmas spirit this year.  And with all of this talk about the so-called "war on Christmas"----I don't see it.  If there is a war, Christmas has won. Radio stations began playing Christmas music just after Halloween.  In fact, Christmas beat the shit out of Thanksgiving this year with stores opening on Thanksgiving so that people can start even earlier their Christmas shopping.

Perhaps Linus was right, Christmas is too commercial.

It's not like when we were children, is it?  Perhaps it is because we are not children anymore.  But we can relive some of that through the power of music.

One thing I have discovered since starting Vinyl Voyage Radio a couple of years ago:  music is a time machine.  Nothing like hearing a song from the past to bring back a flood of feelings from a time long gone.

This year on Vinyl Voyage Radio, we are going to reignite the Christmas past.  Remember all of those holiday songs you grew up on?  Bing Crosby.  Elvis.  Julie Andrews.  Burl Ives.  We've got them all.

For the last few weeks, I have been recording all of my Christmas vinyl into the radio station's computer.  We have dozens of albums with all of the classic songs from your youth.

No, you won't hear Miriah Carey here.  Nor Wham either.  If there is one song I have grown to loathe is Wham's "Last Christmas."  They play it on the local 24/7 Christmas Lite at least once an hour.

But you will hear the Boston Pops led by Arthur Fiedler.  And the Harry Simeone Choir.  Tony Bennett.  Sinatra.  Percy Faith. And Ferrante and Teicher.

All played from glorious vinyl.

Christmas music will play continuously on Vinyl Voyage now through December 26.  So take a listen. Maybe you will hear something that will bring you back to a simpler time in your past.

Merry Christmas.

Christmas Music That Doesn't Suck

About two weeks ago, the local radio station here in Chicago flipped to all Christmas music all the time.  Now, for me, that is way too early. I don't necessarily like Christmas music before Thanksgiving.  I happen to really like Thanksgiving and don't like the fact that Christmas is overshadowing this equally important holiday.  Plus, my wife's birthday falls around this time, so the Christmas encroachment is pretty nefarious.

I do like Christmas music, however.  But good Christmas music, not the kind played on the radio-station-that-shall-not-be named (For those of you who live in the Chicago area, you know what I am talking about.  This station literally sucks the life out of Christmas.)  How many times a day can a person hear Wham's "Last Christmas" before wanting to harm himself or others?

Some of my best memories of Christmas as a kid involves music.  Good music.

My parents had a rather large collection of Christmas albums.  They took those albums and made mix tapes---real mix tapes---on a reel-to-reel player.  It was an eclectic mix of music:  Percy Faith, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and many more.  To put it frankly:  it was Christmas music that did not suck.

For a generation of people, these songs came to represent Christmas.  To this day, whenever I hear "What Child is This?" by Arthur Fielder and the Boston Pops Orchestra I can suddenly smell the burning of pine incense that my parents had from a little log cabin on the fireplace mantle.   Today, such memories have been overshadowed by "corporate Christmas;"  the kind that drones on for twenty-four hours a day on the station-that-shall-not-be-named.

This year on Vinyl Voyage Radio, we are going to try and recapture the magic of Christmas past.  Consider this a "Retro Christmas."  Currently, I am recording all of my Christmas records into the computer so that you, too, can relive the years when Christmas music was good.  Last night, for example, I placed into the computer a vinyl copy of the classic 1958 Christmas album, The Little Drummer Boy by The Harry Simeone Chorale.  You'll hear that, plus much more.  The music will span the 1940s through the 1980s, with much of the emphasis on the 50s and 60s--the "Golden Age" of Christmas music.  Come on, when was the last time you heard a Ferrante and Teicher Christmas song?  Or Percy Faith?  Or Dinah Shore, Perry Como or Mantovani?

Next month, we will begin sneaking in some of this music here and there.  Then, starting December 23, we will go totally Christmas, playing for you Christmas music that does not suck.

This will continue through December 26.  The one thing I have always disliked about corporate radio is that the Christmas music stops promptly at 12 am on December 26.  I still like to hears some Christmas music the next day; I can't be cut off, cold turkey. I need some Christmas music at least for a day or two.

So, there it is:  the Vinyl Voyage Christmas plan.

Hope you like it.