Friday, December 18, 2009

"Sock It To Me, Santa!" : THE WEEKEND MIX



When I was a kid, Christmas used to kill me. For those who know me, it will come as no surprise that I was a very hyper and anxious soul on or close to Christmas Eve, much like Ed Grimley, only with better hair. I just couldn't control the excitement, and my grandfather would really get off on it. He was a quiet and patient man, but always had a look of mischief in his eyes.

One year, I asked for "All Things Must Pass," the recently released George Harrison, 3 LP boxed set for Christmas. At the time, my grandfather was V.P. of his company, and would come home with 3-5 wrapped bottles of liquor given to him from clients and co-workers. And every year, he'd ask me to help him place the gifts under the tree. (We lived in the same apartment building two flights apart, so this was a daily holiday task.)

One particular evening, along with the narrow, 8" tall boxes of spirits, he handed me a 12" x 12" box, that to me, were the exact dimensions of the Harrison set. I started to shake. "Is this it? Is this George Harrison? Can I open just this ONE? Please? PLEASE?!! GRANDPA!" This went on for hours, accompanied by his sneaky smile and his reply, "Salvatore. It's a box of handkerchiefs from my secretary."

I didn't believe him. I pressed on. My grandfather continued to enjoy this torture, and my grandmother had started to lose patience with my whining, and eventual hyperventilating. "WILL YOU LET HIM OPEN THAT BOX? HE'S GONNA HAVE A HEART ATTACK!"

My grandfather laughed, "Ok Salvatore. Just that one."

It was a box of handkerchiefs.

"AHEM..."

By request, here is the first of possibly three holiday mixes. Nothing here you haven't heard...or at least I don't think so. But it does include some of my favorites, including the very genius pairing of Phil Lynott & Brian Downey of Thin Lizzy with Steve Jones & Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols for "A Merry Jingle." Plus, it's nice to have them all in one place.

You're welcome Charlie. Thanks for reading.


TRACKLIST

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bruce Springsteen
Sock It To Me, Santa - Marshall Crenshaw
Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday - Jules Shear
A Merry Jingle - The Greedies
Thanks For Christmas - XTC
I Want An Alien For Christmas - Fountains Of Wayne
Christmas Snow - The Buddha Heads
Run Rudolph Run - Keith Richards
Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea
Xmas Song - Jill Sobule
Indian Giver - Squirrel Nut Zippers
You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Thurl Ravenscroft
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday- Roy Wood's Wizzard
Step Into Christmas - Elton John
Merry Christmas Baby - Charles Brown


ZIP FILE


P.S.

"All Things Must Pass" was indeed under my grandparents tree on Christmas morning.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, Sal did you do the artwork on this, it's great!

Zander Pedroia (Zippy's brother)

charlie c. said...

You're welcome Sal!
(will this be "Best" or should I wait?!?)
Best part: "Ok Salvatore. Just that one."

Sal Nunziato said...

Wait? You mean, will the other mixes be better? I mean, unless you're Meanstreets, who dislikes most everything I post, I think you'll like them all. And why wait?

JAYESSEMM said...

Great stuff!

Thanks Sal.

Ho Ho Ho!

charlie c. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kevin m said...

Needed a laugh today and Sal your story provided it. By the way, I like most of your 09 Best of picks. Love the Crowes album (wish they included their version of the Velvets' Oh! Sweet Nuthin...have you heard it?)

Sal Nunziato said...

Thanks Kevin and YES, I have heard "Oh Sweet Nuthin'" Pretty great.

Meanstreets said...

OK Sal, Mr. " know - it - all " & " Burning Wood " followers, a little snow - bound trivia :

Who is " Ringo Starr's " favorite drummer ?

Sal Nunziato said...

Ed Norton?

FD13NYC said...

Bingo from The Banana Splits?

Anonymous said...

Buddy Rich? Ringo Starr?

Anonymous said...

I heard Ringo's favorite drummer was Barbara Eden.

Anonymous said...

Sorry I Missed this. Could You please Repost,Thanks

Sal Nunziato said...

You didn't miss it. The link is still alive.