[Note: Technically, these music posts are audio podcasts. I don’t listen to podcasts myself, but I presume that there is a way that you can get your podcast listening app to turn my archive into a big playlist for your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day listening pleasure. That is a total of over twenty hours of this less familiar seasonal music to listen to, with very few repeats. You can see the whole archive by scrolling down the first column and clicking on the small “see all” button.
You can also tip off your friends who might like this music about this opportunity, and they can subscribe to get on my mailing list for next year.]
Today’s playlist
* At Last I’m Ready for Christmas - Stan Rogers - 3:11
* That Spirit of Christmas - Ray Charles - 5:09
Music notes
At Last I’m Ready for ChristmasAs far as I know, the beloved late Canadian folk singer-songwriter Stan Rogers (1949-’83) only ever recorded two Christmas songs; this lighthearted one and his very poignant First Christmas (away from home). This one is far less well-known than the other one, which has become a folkie Christmas season standard. Perhaps that is because this one is only found on a compilation of concert recordings called From Coffee House to Concert Hall that does not include any of his big hits, which was published by his estate over 15 years after Stan died.
I’m not saying that this is a great song, but it is a rarely heard song by a great singer-songwriter. Here are the lyrics:
Last Boxing Day the wife went out the “White Sales” for to see,In trunk-load lots bought half-price paper and tinsel for the tree.I packed it up for use this year in a box I marked so plain.That stuff would sure be handy now, but it’s never been seen again!
[Chorus] At last I’m ready for Christmas, I’ve even finished the tree, At last I’m ready for Christmas, like I thought I’d never be! With my feet propped up by a good hot fire and a matching inside glow; At last I’m ready for Christmas, with nearly two hours to go!
We swore this year we’d start off early, no need to rush around;The intention was to start in August when the prices still were down!But it was dentist-this and new bike-that and the money melts away;So I had to wait for Christmas bonus and did it all yesterday! [Chorus]
We must be fools, just look at that pile, you can hardly see the tree!We said this year we’d keep things simple, then did our usual spree.But it feels so good when the kids go nuts! It’s worth the toil and strain.These kids are only this young once, and they’ll never be so again. [Chorus]
That Spirit of ChristmasI’ve had this Ray Charles Christmas song in my candidate file for a long time. I had ripped it from his somewhat over-produced 1985 vinyl album called The Spirit of Christmas, which only had a couple of songs that I liked. This track was rather long with its repetitive outro. Length was a significant negative factor back in my space-limited days of cassette and CD Sampler days, and I had to passed up on a lot of good songs. I considered shortening it with a fade out, but doing that to a Ray Charles song, even an overproduced and over-long one, seemed too much like sacrilege.
Now that I am less length constrained, I looked around on YouTube and found this remastered version. While I was at it, I checked the various covers of the song on YouTube that have been recorded by other performers. I must admit that I liked some of their arrangements better than the one that Ray had. But, although the singers tried, none could match the sheer presence and expression of his voice. Oh well, despite being overproduced it is still a great song, and Ray Charles at his Ray Charlesiest.
The song was written by the Motown singers Mabel John, Joel Webster, and Parnell Davison, but Ray Charles’ was the first person to record it.
Christmas is the time of yearFor being with the ones we loveSharing so much joy and cheer.What a wonderful feelin’Watching the ones we loveHaving so much fun.
I was sittin’ by the firesideTaking a walk through the snowListening to a children’s choirSinging songs about JesusThe blessed way that he came to us
[Chorus] Why can’t it remain All through the year. Each day the same. Ah, that’s what I wanna hear It’s truly amazin’, that spirit of Christmas.All the kinfolk gather ‘roundThe lovely Christmas tree.Hearts are glowing full of joy;Sense the gifts that we’re givingAnd the love that we’re living. [Chorus]
