Yule Log From Hell 2006 - Yule Shoot Yer Eye Out!

In 2006 I was still was still creating CDs for the YLFH so the mixes were only about 80mins and they didn't have the same format as they do today. Also I would include a track sheet with little commentaries about each song. Since I still have the mix files handy this will give you a glimpse into the evolution of The Yule Log From Hell. Enjoy YLFH 2006 "Yule Shoot Yer Eye Out"

 

Keep in mind that I wrote this track listing and it's comments in 2006...just to give you a timeline perspective:

 

1. Whatever Happened to Christmas – Aimee Mann: I can never get enough of Aimee Mann. Her solo work (post “Till Tuesday) is phenomenal. So needless to say I was excited when I heard she was releasing a xmas CD. Now if she can only do CD with her husband (Michael Penn…another fave).
2. Holiday for Bells – Bert Kaempfert: Bert has the distinction of turning down a certain group from Liverpool when they came into Decca records in January 1963 for an audition. Well it certainly hasn’t hurt his career (or there’s either, for that matter). From the Album “Christmas Wonderland”
3. Jingle Bell Rock – The Beatmas: Speaking of Liverpool…After hearing the Fab Four’s xmas cd I went on the hunt to find more “Beatle”esque holiday music and found this little ditty. Never heard of them before but it’s a cool cut.
4. Oh Holy Night – Eric Cartman (Trey Parker): It’s hard to believe that a crudely drawn cartoon show about a bunch of foul-mouthed kids from Colorado has been on the air for 10 years…oh I know why…because it’s freakin’ funny!!!!
5. Holly Leaves & Christmas Trees – Elvis Presley: When you get tired of hearing “Blue Xmas” you might want to check out this one. This is an alternate take (#8 to be exact) then the one that was included on his holiday album.
6. Island Christmas – Michael Franks: A fave on the “smooth Jazz” radio stations. Listen to the lyrics…we should all be that lucky
7. Medley: Winter Wonderland / Silver Bells / White Christmas – The Carpenters: Tell me you can’t get enough of Karen’s voice. Too bad they only did 1 holiday album.
8. Last Christmas – Jimmy Eats World: This song has become this generations “White Xmas” (not that George Michael is doing anything (musical) these days).
9. Christmas Bells – Cast of “RENT”: I recently saw this show with my daughter (she loves this show). Based on Puccini’s “La Boheme”. This song reminds me of the big quintet number from “west side story”. In context with the story this is not the most jovial holiday tune but they can’t all be (I guess).
10. Baby it’s Cold Outside – Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme: Of all the versions floating around of this song (how did this get associated with xmas anyway???) this is the version I remember from my childhood. I used to have this on vinyl (long gone) and up until last week couldn’t find it anywhere (not even on the “best of” cd…wtf???). I recently discovered this on some obscure holiday CD from the UK. Thank you LimeWire!
11. Fezziwig’s Annual Christmas Ball – Cast of “A Christmas Carol”. From 1995 – 2004 this show ran (seasonally) at the Theatre at Madison square Garden (at one time it was called the Paramount). I saw it several times throughout the years with various casts (the last one being Tim Curry as scrooge). Written by Alan Menken (of “little mermaid” fame). Another song from this show (“a place called home”) also turned up at DisneyWorld’s “Mickey’s ‘twas the night Before Xmas” show (in front of Cinderella’s castle).
12. Medley: Joy to the World/Jingle Bells/Away in a Manger/We Wish You a Merry Chrismas – Arthur Feidler &the Boston Pops: Scouring through my father-in-law’s vinyl collection I came across this little gem. I though I had every Boston Pops album in the world. I did an extensive search for this on CD before entering into a restoration project (the LP was pretty worn out). I feature another cut from this album later on this CD.
13. O Holy Night – Billy Vaughn: I try not to double up on tunes but what the heck. I also found this piece of vinyl in my father-in-law’s record collection as well. Kinda reminds me of Montavoni.
14. Jingle Bells – Frank Sinatra & Bing Crosby: Sometime in the 50’s Bing & Frank did a several holiday radio shows. The audio was rescued from some obscure record that I found at the in-law’s house. I’m 3 for 3. Sounds like Bing and Frank liked to hit the sauce a lot.
15. Jul det Cool – Mc Einer: Several years ago I used to work for a Swedish software company. I like the interesting sampling of “sleigh ride”. Swedish hip-hop. Never thought there could be such a thing.
16. Merry Xmas everyone – Shakin’ Stevens: This UK fave has been getting some airplay in the states thanks to satellite radio. This guy never made a splash in the US. Isn’t that always the case?
17. Turkey Lurkey Time – Cast of “CAMP”: from the show “Promises, Promises” written by one of the greatest songwriters – Burt Bacharach. This particular version comes from the movie “Camp” (about a group of teenagers at a summer camp for kids who are incurably hooked on Broadway).
18. Snoopy & the Red Baron Christmas – The Royal Gaurdsmen: A holiday follow up to their hit “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron”. This one was hard to find.
19. Hurry Home for Christmas – Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme w/the Boston Pops: another Steve & Eydie holiday chestnut. This one from the same LP as #12.
20. Just another New Year’s Eve – Barry Manilow: in December 1976 Barry had a 3 week run at the Uris Theatre (now called the Gershwin)on Broadway. Of which was recorded and released as “Barry Manilow Live” in 1977. He wrote this song during the run because they were playing the New Years Eve show there. This recording was from the first performance. Since then Barry performed this song every year for the next 15 or so on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC. The last several years Barry went away and was replaced by a bunch of crap! I must be getting old. I’m a sucker for the classics.
21. Merry Xmas Everybody – Hermes House Band: Not to be confused with track 16. I stumbled across this song on a compilation from the UK called “Pop Christmas”. Very raucous. But very cool.
22. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Judy Garland: For years I could never understand why you never hear this version anymore. Well for one thing everyone tends to change the lyrics. This song was originally featured in the MGM classic “Meet Me in St. Louis”. This version is included here. This is the real deal.