Pop Artifact! "Space 1999" action figure

Pop Culture Roundup: Dec. 15, 2006

Entertainment Weekly has a several pics from the upcoming Quentin Tarantino-Robert Rodriquez trashfest "Grindhouse."



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From Bedazzled: Kate Bush singing "December Will Be Magic Again" from her 1979 BBC Christmas special.

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Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun died Thursday.

Atlantic's roster included huge stars: Professor Longhair, the Drifters, Led Zeppelin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Cream, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Dusty Springfield, Genesis, AC/DC, the Bee Gees, Bette Midler, the Allman Brothers Band, the Three Tenors, Hootie and the Blowfish, Kid Rock, James Blunt, and Gnarls Barkley.

Launched in 1947 as a short-term outlet for Ertegun's fixation with the jazz and blues that was largely unknown to most Americans, Atlantic has grown into one of the world's biggest record companies. Ertegun was founding chairman, surviving various ownership changes since he and his partners sold the label in 1967 for $20 million.

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Fred Marsden, drummer of Gerry and the Pacemakers (and brother to Gerry), died last Saturday.

The group disbanded in 1967. Gerry Marsden reformed the Pacemakers in 1973 but without Fred, who had given up the music business to be a telephone operator and later established the Pacemaker driving school.

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Neato Coolville digs out the Shogun Warrior toy he got for Christmas back in 1977. I got one, too, probably that year.

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Warners wants Guillermo del Toro to direct a new Tarzan flick. Del Toro's next project, however, may be a film based on DC Comics' Deadman character.

Best Tarzan sites.

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I Gotta Hear This Dept.: Former "Doctor Who" Tom Baker has recorded a version of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me" for charity. Preview and order it here.

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Attendance at Baltimore's Geppi Entertainment Museum, dedicated to all things pop culture, could be better.

The major problem (which affects not only Geppi’s Museum, but the Sports Legends Museum, located under GEM, as well) – location, location, location. GEM and Sports Legends are located literally a stone’s throw (by someone who really can’t throw) from Camden Yards and the Ravens’ stadium – blocks away from the Inner Habor, the city’s tourist hub.

“Other than a game day, we’re in a landlocked position,” GEM owner Steve Geppi told the Gazette.

Another factor that contributed – fewer people going to Orioles games – 2.1 million in 2006, compared to 3 million in 2005. While attendance numbers were not given for GEM, Sports Legends only brought in 1/3 of its expected attendance during its first year of operation.


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There's an official video for the "Within You Without You/Tomorrow Never Knows" mashup of the Beatles' Love album over at YouTube.

Best Beatles sites.

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There'll be an original Doctor Who Christmas story in England's Sunday Times Dec. 24. Don't know if it'll be available online.

Best Doctor Who sites.

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Pop Artifact: Pete the Pepper toy



Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 14, 2006

Bat Blog readers share some images of cool old Batman toys.

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The Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph interviews cartoonist Darwyn Cooke, whose take on Will Eisner's "Spirit" debuted in comic book shops yesterday.

Before his death, Eisner signed off on the idea of a new Spirit series. DC approached Cooke not long after.

"I was really pretty flattered - and pretty scared - that they had thought of me for it," he says.

It took a while to decide to take the job, he says. There was no way, after all, that he could top Eisner and his groundbreaking storytelling skills. The key to doing the series, he decided, was to take the Spirit out of the era he was known for and craft modern-day adventures. "Because then I'm not doing an homage and I'm not trying to live up to something that's already there."


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Via BoingBoing: Disneyland fans will want to check out The Ghost Relations Department: a "Haunted Mansion" blog.

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Bob Dylan plans a very special holiday episode of his "Theme Time Radio Hour" show.

In addition to music, the two-hour show will also feature a complete reading by Dylan of the classic poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas," as well as his recitations of other holiday-themed anecdotes and insightful commentary on holiday traditions around the world.

This special episode of "Theme Time Radio Hour" will be devoted to the theme of "Christmas and New Year's," with a song list that spans the decades, including "Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas" by The Staples Singers, "Sock It To Me Santa" by Bob Seger, "Jingle Bells" by Johnny Paycheck and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" by Nancy Wilson, among many others. The two-hour holiday episode of "Theme Time" will debut on Wednesday, December 20 at 10 a.m. ET on XM's Deep Tracks channel (XM 40), with additional encores airing on XM through the end of the month.


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Speaking of Bob, he's reportedly seeking an injunction to prevent the release of "Factory Girl," an upcoming docudrama about 60s model/actress Edie Sedgwick.

BOB Dylan wants to send "Factory Girl" to the glue factory - charging the upcoming Edie Sedgwick biopic falsely suggests he was responsible for the Andy Warhol ingenue's suicide.

The famed folkie's pit bull lawyers have fired off a letter to producers Bob Yari and Holly Wiersma, and screenwriter Aaron Richard Golub, demanding the flick not be released - or even screened - until they see it to determine if Dylan, who they say has "deep concerns," has been defamed.


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Action Figure Insider has the skinny (and pics) on upcoming Justice League figures for 2007. Oooh, I need that Miracle Man figure.

New and upcoming action figures Dec. 14, 2006

Complete List of Marvel Legends Action Figures
Complete List of DC Direct Action Figures

Here's a look at action figures available via your local comics shop or via the TIP!-supporting links below:

DC Direct Action Figures

Alex Ross JLA series 5 action figures
--Brainiac
--Lex Luthor
--Green Arrow
--Martian Manhunter
--Red Tornado
--Translucent Martian Manhunter

Batman Through the Ages
--Box Set

Batman/Superman Series 4
--Batzarro
--Bizarro
--Superwoman
--Batwoman
--Batman Beyond
--Kryptonite Batman

DC Direct Reactivated Action Figures
--Batman
--Wonder Woman
--Lobo
--Superman

DC 13-inch Figures
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Green Lantern
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Lex Luthor
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Two-Face
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Superman
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Shazam

Elseworlds Action Figures Series 2
--Red Son Batman
--Red Son President Superman
--Kingdom Come Jade
--Kingdom Come Spectre and Norman McKay
--Gotham By Gaslight Batman

Elseworlds Action Figures Series 3
--Supergirl
--Batgirl
--Nightstar
--Kingdom Come Aquaman
--Red Son Green Lantern

First Appearance Series 4
--Blue Beetle translucent
--Blue Beetle
--Brave New World Atom
--Warlord
--Brave New World Martian Manhunter
--Brave New World Aquaman

Infinite Crisis Action Figures Series 1
--Powergirl
--Omac
--Mongul
--Earth Prime Superboy
--Alexander Luthor

JSA Action Figures
--Mr. Terrific
--Hawkgirl
--Dr. Midnite
--Hourman
--Golden Age Atom 2-pack

Hanna Barbera Series 2 Action Figures
--Captain Caveman
--Fred Flintstone and Dino
--Johnny Quest
--Magilla Gorilla
--Penelope Pitstop and Muttley
--Tom and Jerry
--Yogi Bear
--Flintstones at the Drive-In

Hanna Barbera Series 3 Action Figures
--Fred Flintstone Quittin' Time
--Twinkle Toes Fred Flintstone
--Great Grape Ape
--Huckleberry Hound
--The Jetsons
--Secret Squirrel
--Snagglepuss

Hasbro Spider-Man Origins Figures
--Set of 8
--Spider-Man
--Spider-Man Venom costume
--Green Goblin
--Doctor Octopus
--Iron Spider-Man
--Wolverine
--Captain America
--Daredevil

Lost series 2 action figures
--Crash site box set
--Sawyer
--Jin
--Sayid
--Desmond
--Sun
--Mr. Eko

Marvel Figure Factory Sets
--Angel
--Beast
--Black Costume Spider-Man
--Deadpool
--Invisible Woman
--Silver Surfer

Marvel Legends Action Figures

Hasbro Marvel Legends Figures Series 1
--Emma Frost
--Ultimate Iron Man
--Movie Beast
--Planet Hulk
--Banshee
--Hercules

Hasbro Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 2
--Wolverine
--She-Hulk
--Yellow Jacket
--Quick Silver
--Lord Asgard Thor
--Magneto Xorn
--X3 Jean Grey
--First Appearance Storm

Marvel Legends Series 15
--Mandarin
--Beta Ray Bill
--Moon Knight
--Spider-Woman (variant)
--Quicksilver (variant)
--Thor-Buster Iron Man
--Wasp (variant)
--Captain Marvel (variant)

Marvel Legends Icons 13-inch Action Figures Series 3 Action Figures
--Spider-Man
--Spider-Man Variant
--Beast
--Beast Variant

Hasbro Marvel Legends Icons 13-inch Series 1 Action Figures
--Wolverine
--Thor

Marvel Legends Masterworks Sets
--Spider-Man Vs. Green Goblin
--Fantastic Four Vs. Mole Man
--Hulk Vs. The Thing
--Galactus Vs. Everybody

Marvel Select Figures

Best of Marvel Select Figures
--Grey Hulk
--Thanos
--Ultimate Spider-Man
--Green Goblin

Marvel Studios
--Dr. Doom with Mask
--Dr. Doom unmasked

Star Wars Transformers
--Millennium Falcon With Han Solo and Chewbacca

Pop Artifact! Plastic Indians

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 13, 2006

A very happy birthday to the excellent Bedazzled blog--one of my daily stops! Lot's of good stuff there. Like this! Johnny Cash singing "Silent Night."

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Via Boing Boing: The cast of "Battlestar Galactica" depicted in Simpsons-form.

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Comics Worth Reading offers up a great rule-of-thumb (or whatever other part of the anatomy you might choose) to artists designing "costumes" for female characters: "If you would not allow your favorite 16-year-old female relative (daughter, cousin, niece) to wear it, don’t draw it."

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I never did trust Henry Kissinger.



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Deal alert: Phil Spector's Back to Mono--a four-CD set including a buncha great girl group singles, plus his classic Christmas record--$12.99 at Amazon.

New comics Dec. 13, 2006

See complete lists:
DC Archives
DC Showcase
DC Trade Paperbacks
Marvel Masterworks
Marvel Essentials
Marvel Trade Paperbacks
Upcoming Trade Paperbacks - Graphic Novels


Comics Shipping Dec. 13, 2006

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT060047 BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL #120 (MR) $2.99
AUG060053 CRYING FREEMAN VOL 4 TP (MR) $14.95 $10.17 at Amazon.
OCT060021 ESCAPISTS #6 (OF 6) $2.99
MAY060038 MAIL VOL 1 TP (MR) $10.95
OCT060012 OUTER ORBIT #1 (OF 4) $2.99
MAR060017 PATH OF THE ASSASSIN VOL 1 SERVING IN THE DARK TP (MR) $9.95
AUG068094 STAR WARS LEGACY (NEW PTG) #1 (PP #736) $2.99
MAY060045 STAR WARS LEGACY (NEW PTG) #2 $2.99
OCT068110 STAR WARS LEGACY (NEW PTG) #3 $2.99

DC COMICS

OCT060282 100 BULLETS #79 (MR) $2.99
OCT060176 52 WEEK #32 $2.50
OCT060154 BATMAN #660 $2.99
OCT060235 BATMAN STRIKES #28 $2.25
OCT060238 CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #8 $2.25
OCT060287 DMZ #14 (MR) $2.99
SEP060268 EMMA VOL 2 $9.99
AUG060271 EX MACHINA #25 (MR) $2.99
OCT060189 FIRESTORM THE NUCLEAR MAN #32 $2.99
AUG060290 FOUNTAIN SC (MR) $19.99 $13.59 at Amazon.
OCT060257 GEN 13 #3 $2.99
OCT060258 GEN 13 VAR EDITION #3 $2.99
OCT060200 GREEN ARROW #69 $2.99
OCT060194 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #7 $2.99
OCT060208 JLA CLASSIFIED #30 $2.99
SEP060235 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4 $2.99
SEP060236 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA VAR ED #4 $2.99
OCT060213 MARTIAN MANHUNTER #5 (OF 8) $2.99
SEP060269 MOON CHILD VOL 5 $9.99
SEP060243 NEW TEEN TITANS TERRA INCOGNITO TP $19.99 $13.59 at Amazon.
OCT060220 OMAC #6 (OF 8) $2.99
OCT060160 ROBIN #157 $2.99
OCT060281 SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE SLEEP OF REASON #1 (OF 5) (MR) $2.99
OCT060226 SPIRIT #1 $2.99
OCT060259 STORMWATCH PHD #2 $2.99
OCT060260 STORMWATCH PHD VAR EDITION #2 $2.99
SEP060209 SUPERMAN THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD VOL 2 TP $19.99 $13.59 at Amazon.
OCT060230 TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED #3 (OF 8) $3.99
SEP060251 TRIALS OF SHAZAM #4 (OF 12) $2.99
OCT060265 WILDSTORM FINE ART SPOTLIGHT JIM LEE $3.50

IMAGE COMICS

JUN061705 BATTLE POPE #12 (MR) $3.50
OCT061846 CRYPTICS #2 $3.50
OCT061871 ELEPHANTMEN #5 $2.99
JUL061701 FEAR AGENT #9 $2.99
OCT061873 GIRLS #20 (MR) $2.99
MAY051533 HELLSHOCK DEFINITIVE ED VOL 1 TP $19.99
APR061819 HUNTER KILLER #10 $2.99
OCT061881 PIRATES OF CONEY ISLAND #3 (OF 8) $3.50
OCT061862 PORTENT VOL 1 TP $12.99
AUG061780 STRANGE GIRL #12 $2.99

MARVEL COMICS

OCT062132 AMAZING SPIDER-GIRL #3 $2.99
OCT062143 AVENGERS NEXT #3 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT062145 BLADE #4 $2.99
OCT062148 BULLET POINTS #2 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT062230 DARK TOWER DOOR POSTER $12.99
OCT062229 ESSENTIAL OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNIVERSE UPDATE 89 VOL 1 TP $16.99
OCT062182 EXILES ANNUAL #1 $3.99
OCT062152 FANTASTIC FOUR THE END #3 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT062154 GHOST RIDER #6 $2.99
OCT062223 HEROES REBORN AVENGERS TP $29.99 $19.79 at Amazon.
OCT062200 MAGICIAN APPRENTICE #4 (OF 12) $2.99
OCT062163 MARVEL ADVENTURES FANTASTIC FOUR #19 $2.99
OCT062184 NEW X-MEN #33 $2.99
JAN051876 ULTIMATE GALACTUS BOOK 1 NIGHTMARE TP $12.99 $10.39 at Amazon.
OCT062236 ULTIMATE MARVEL FLIP MAGAZINE #20 $4.99
OCT062237 ULTIMATE TALES FLIP MAGAZINE #20 $4.99
OCT062129 ULTIMATE X-MEN #77 $2.99
SEP062187 UNIVERSE X VOL 1 TP NEW PTG $29.99 $24.95 at Amazon.
OCT062186 WOLVERINE #49 $3.99
OCT062221 WOLVERINE ORIGINS & ENDINGS TP $13.99 $13.59 at Amazon.
OCT062178 WONDER MAN #1 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT062188 X-23 TARGET X #1 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT062189 X-23 TARGET X DJURDJEVIC VAR #1 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT062190 X-FACTOR #14 $2.99
OCT062193 X-MEN PHOENIX WARSONG #4 (OF 5) $2.99
FEB062085 YOUNG AVENGERS VOL 1 SIDEKICKS TP $14.99 $10.19 at Amazon.

COMICS

SEP063076 BETTY #161 $2.25
JUL063503 BUCKY O HARE AND THE TOAD MENACE GN $9.99
STAR17974 COURIERS VOL 1 GN $12.95
OCT063597 DAMNED #3 (MR) $3.50
JUN063351 DEVILS PANTIES #7 $4.95
SEP063274 DORK TOWER #35 $3.49
JUN062816 GARGOYLES #2 $3.50
OCT063441 HARD BOILED COMICS #2 (MR) $2.95
OCT063445 JOE & MAX #1 $2.99
SEP063079 JUGHEAD AND FRIENDS DIGEST #16 $2.49
OCT063717 LONE RACER GN $12.95 $10.36 at Amazon.
OCT063599 MAINTENANCE #1 (MR) PI
SEP063080 PALS N GALS DOUBLE DIGEST #108 $3.69
OCT063413 SANCTUARY #2 (OF 6) (MR) $3.95
SEP063085 SONIC X #15 $2.25
FEB063361 STREET FIGHTER II #5 POWERFOIL SVEN CVR C $12.50
SEP063622 STREET FIGHTER LEGENDS SAKURA DOGAN CVR A #4 (OF 4) $3.95
SEP063623 STREET FIGHTER LEGENDS SAKURA LEE CVR B #4 (OF 4) $3.95
OCT063484 TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED MOVIE ADAPTATION #3 (OF 4) $3.99
OCT063600 WASTELAND #5 (MR) $2.99

Pop Artifact! Howdy Doody night light

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 12, 2006

Via Blog@Newsarama: First the mainstream press discovered comics aren't just for kids. Now they've learned comics are expensive.

“We’re coming into a time, not limited to comics, where people are willing to pay more for really beautiful collections of things that are important to them — the complete New Yorker, Calvin & Hobbes,” says DC Comics publisher Paul Levitz. “A niche has opened up for almost an objet d’art kind of book.”

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Veteran comics artist John Severin is set to illustrate a revived Bat Lash series from DC. It'll be plotted by the character's creator, Mad genius Serio Aragones.

Best DC Comics Sites.

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Mike Sterling asks the age-old question.

(BTW: Veronica)

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Neato Coolville checks out the 1976 Sear Wish Book. Man, I remember getting sooo... excited when those things would show up in the mail.

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Click today's date on the BBC's online Doctor Who advent calendar and see a trailer for this year's holiday ep.

Best Doctor Who Sites.

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More Doctor Who: The show's soundtrack is the top download on British iTunes' soundtrack chart. The soundtrack CD is due out soon in the U.S. You can pre-order it now for $13.99 from Amazon.

Marvel Comics March 2007 solicitations



See the complete list here.

New Spider-Man 3 pictures





See the Best Spider-Man Sites on the Web.

DC Direct March 2007 solicitations





See the complete list here.

See a complete list of DC Direct Action Figures.

New CDs Dec. 12, 2006

Complete Motown Singles V.1: 1959-1961 by Various Artists

Destroyed Room: B-Sides & Rarities by Sonic Youth

Touch Don't Touch - Music for Theremin by Barbara Buchholz and Lydia Kavina

You Know My Name by Chris Cornell

More Upcoming CDs.

DVD new releases Dec. 12, 2006

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (Unrated Widescreen Edition)

James Bond Ultimate Edition Vol. 4 (Dr. No / You Only Live Twice / Octopussy / Tomorrow Never Dies / Moonraker)

James Bond Ultimate Edition Vol. 3 (Goldeneye / Live and Let Die / For Your Eyes Only / From Russia With Love / On Her Majesty's Secret Service)

Law & Order Criminal Intent - The Second Year

The Andy Griffith Show - The Complete Final Season

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete First Season

More upcoming DVD releases

DC Comics March 2007 solicitations



See the entire listing here.

Pop Artifact! Plastic cowboys

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 11, 2006

The official Doctor Who site has an online advent calendar. Click to get free wallpapers, etc., including a clip from the upcoming "Who" spinoff "The Sarah Jane Adventures" (click #9).



Best Doctor Who sites.

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More Doctor Who: 21 percent of British boys are hoping to receive a cyberman mask for Christmas.



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Cartoonist Martin Nodell, who co-created the original Green Lantern, passed away over the weekend. Comics historian Mark Evanier has a nice tribute.



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"Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi is slated to do a "Shadow" film.

A "Shadow" movie has long been a dream project for Raimi, and the crime-fighter's influence can be seen in Raimi's 1990 movie, "Darkman."

"I've been a passionate Shadow fan ever since I was a kid and have long dreamed of bringing this character to the screen," Raimi said.


Best Shadow sites.

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Matt Damon is open to playing Capt. Kirk in a new "Star Trek" movie, but hasn't been cast in the role--contrary to rumors.

"If the script was good, I'd do it," Damon said in an interview while promoting his latest film, The Good Shepherd. "But, yeah, I heard that [rumor]. I think J.J. Abrams or somebody said that at press junket or something, and it got picked up [by the media and Star Trek fans]."

Best Star Trek sites.

Best Christmas Albums. Period.

It's here: That time of year you can play your favorite Christmas albums without seeming like an obnoxious loon.

But, it's sad really, that some of these releases only get a three- or four-week window for airplay--some of the music is so enjoyable. Or maybe we just enjoy it more because we hear it so infrequently. Plus there's that whole nostalgia factor...

At any rate, people who love and collect music tend to have a favorite batch of holiday albums they put on year after year. I'm no different, of course, and here are some of my season standbys:


A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector

Nothing says "Christmas" more than an album produced by a meglomaniacal accused murderer with a Napoleon complex. But, seriously, this is a great, charming album with lots of upbeat, exhuberant tracks from Darlene Love, the Ronettes, the Crystals and others--all backed by the fabulous Wall of Sound.


Complete Columbia Christmas Recordings by Gene Autry

I had Gene's original "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" album as a kid and listening to it was an annual tradition. His take on these seasonal favorites is so gentle and warm, plus his great spoken introductions--he nails what the season is all about: Family and friends and kids having fun.

This remastered, expanded collection was created in conjunction with the Autry estate and includes his original "Rudolph" album along with other Christmas tunes, including a couple of duets recorded with Rosemary Clooney.


White Christmas by Bing Crosby

C'mon! Do I really need to explain why everyone needs this? The seminal version of "White Christmas," anyone? Plus, better yet, "Mele Kalikimaka," baby.


Christmas Island by Leon Redbone

I got this one five or six years ago and it's become probably my most-played Christmas album. It's joyful and warm, just like Autry's Christmas recordings. The old timey arrangements and Redbone's one-of-a-kind mumbly vocals evoke a time when the snow was deeper, the air was colder, the fire was warmer and Christmas day seemed to last forever.


Elvis' Christmas Album

For crying out loud, read what I said about Bing Crosby's album up above! If you can hear music, you need this. It's nostalgic and campy but fun and beautiful to boot. Plus, it really shows the King's vocal range, from the the reverent gospel vocals of "Peace in the Valley," the blue crooning of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" to the rocking "Santa Bring My Baby (Back to Me)."


Beatles Fan Club Christmas Recordings 1963-70

Some day Apple will put this out as an official release and rest of the world (not just we Beatlemaniacs) will be able to experience the zany, funny Christmas recordings the Fabs' used to send out to their fan club members on flexi-disks each December.

If you haven't heard 'em, don't go in expecting a lot of Christmas carols and holiday standards. The "songs" that do appear--"Christmas Time is Here Again" and "This is to Wish You a Merry, Merry Christmas"--are dashed off and fragmentary. These releases are more about humor than music.

The records are full of "Goon Show"-style jokes and general goofing around. The group's exhuberance and joyfulness come through loud and clear. You can hear how much they enjoyed being Beatles. Until they didn't. The 1968 and 1968 recordings, you can tell, were all recorded individually, apart from one another. But the Fabs still cared enough about their fans to make an effort.

Like I said, they haven't been officially released. But Google around a bit and you can find sound files for them. For more historical info on the Beatles' Christmas recordings, plus cover art from the flexis, go here. (The pic above is the cover of the compilation LP of Christmas recordings the Beatles Fan Club sent out to fans in 1970, after the group had broken up).


Christmas with the Beach Boys

The original 1964 Beach Boys Christmas LP featured lots of Four Freshman-style takes on holiday standards over big band and string arrangements along with a handful of excellent Brian Wilson-penned originals. The best-known of those, of course is "Little Saint Nick," but others, like "The Man With All the Toys," are great too.

This expanded version includes later, not as good, Christmas recordings by the band along with some outtakes but why not have the works?


Christmas with the Chipmunks

As a toddler, I threw a copy of this LP across the room and smashed it to bits. I'm not sure if that was due to my age or whether I was annoyed by the Chipmunks' sped-up, screechy singing. Either way, destroying the record meant that I was missing out on a lot of goofy, nostalgic fun. I should buy the CD so my kids can annoy me with it.


A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra

Nothing says Christmas like an LP of songs sung by a short-fused, pugilistic egomaniac with possible mob ties. Really, though, Christmas songs are some of the best songs around, and Sinatra was one of the best singers. The combination is pretty much what you'd expect. Nice to have on while you sip a glass of eggnog or something stronger. Plus, you gotta dig Frank's hipster ad libs, ring-a-dings and singing-behind-the-beat brilliance.


Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald

See what I said with Sinatra re: matching great music with a great singer. This one's a beauty.


A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Original Sound Track Recording Of The CBS Television Special

It's Christmas, right? This one is a must if just for the melancholy "Christmas Time is Here." Plus you get the rollicking "Linus and Lucy."


Merry Christmas by the Supremes

Don't they look cute in their Santa hats? The sound great, too, especially on the hip "Little Bright Star," which coulda shoulda been a Motown hit as great as any other.


Someday at Christmas by Steve Wonder

Not content with standards, Stevie put a few originals on his Christmas LP, too, including the upbeat "What Christmas Means to Me."


The Ventures' Christmas Album

I don't know if these surfers ever saw snow, but they twang'n'reverb a good carol. Part of the fun of this one is spotting the then-current pop tune the group quotes before launching into the Christmas song--like the Beatles' "I Feel Fine" that turns into "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." What an insane, inspired idea.

That's not all, obviously. I have plenty more where that came from. But that'll do for this year. I'll round out the list with a few 2006 releases I haven't heard, but which look interesting:

Cool Yule by Bette Midler

Christmas Time Again by the DBs and Friends (reissue/expanded)

Happy Holidays by Kelly Willis (reissue/expanded)

Christmas with Dino by Dean Martin (reissue)

Christmas is 4 Ever by Bootsy Collins

Merry Christmas, Baby by Lou Rawls (reissue)

Songs for Christmas by Sufjan Stevens

Sly and the Family Stone albums set for reissue in March

The Sly and the Family Stone will be out in remastered, expanded form March 20.

More info from Sony Legacy:

In 1967, this interracial, mixed-gender combo harnessed all the disparate social and musical trends of the era and burst on the scene with a debut album that completely shook up the musical landscape with its fusion of soul, rock, R&B, psychedelia, and an emerging genre, soon to be dubbed “funk.” The sound was powerful and joyous, delivering everything one hoped to find in music -- the thrill of the new, a galvanizing groove, and lyrics that actually said something. This thrilling combination saw Sly permanently perched at the top of the album and single charts of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and quickly established his legacy as one of the most innovative artists in music history. 2007 will mark 40 years from the band’s first release, and Legacy is celebrating with a long-awaited upgrade of the Sly & the Family Stone catalog. Each of the seven studio albums will be available in limited-edition, lavish digipaks. Each title will feature restored and expanded packaging, including rare photos, memorabilia, and new liner notes by a diverse group of writers and artists. A bounty of bonus tracks -- many of them previously unreleased -- will be spread across all seven titles.

The reissue program includes:

--A Whole New Thing
--Dance to the Music
--Life
--Stand!
--There’s a Riot Going On
--Fresh
--Small Talk