"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.