'The Spirit Of Christmas Past'

I came across this strange Christmas compilation during my recent shopping trip to Seaford. I found it in  the Scope charity shop there and decided to take a chance on it for the princely sum of £1. I can't tell you how glad I am that I did! Though it starts with the usual 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby, what follows is a collection of long forgotten Christmas timepieces  that are sure to put even the harshest 'Bah Humbug' merchant back in touch with the spirit of the season.

The retro scene is massive these days as I found out when I attended all four days of this years 'War & Peace Revival' at the old Folkestone Racecourse. Its anyones guess how many copies of this could be sold if even half of those who attended could get a listen to this...

There is truly something for everyone to enjoy here. Theres nostalgic Jazz/ragtime by Fats Waller and Jack Teagarden, emotive tenor singing by Georges Thrill and Paul Robeson, romantic crooners from FJudy Garland and Dinah Shore (the latter being especially emotive as it dates from the Second World War years) and wonderful, childlike pieces like a musical version of the classic Christmas tale 'Twas The Night Before Christmas'...

Best of all for a big kid like me though is 'The Santa Claus Express' by the BBC Dance Orchestra, Dan Donovan and chorus. Its 'Toy Story' put to music with poop poop steam train noises in all the right places and a heartwarming mixture of festive fun and childlike innocence. I had never heard the song before buying this and cannot believe how it appears to have been totally forgotten today unlike other songs from the period like 'Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town' or 'Winter Wonderland' (both also featured here).

Forget, crystal clear quality sound, forget remastering and take yourself on a journey back to the romantic 30's and 40's - complete with historic hisses, crackles and pops. 'The Spirit Of Christmas' is available (just) on Amazoon.co.uk but they haven't many copies left so do yourself a big favour and get this before they run out!

'A Few Christmas Updates'

Now available from Amazon.co.uk!

I have now received my copy of 'A 1950's Christmas - tunes for a cool yule' and can tell you that its a wonderful collection of songs that is guaranteed to send you mentally back to the old days. The album has a very American flavour and thus has a slightly 'showbizz' feel to it but if you love those old B&W Marilyn Monroe films like I do you won't mind that. In fact, listening to it even got me dreaming about spending Christmas with Marilyn and how that would have felt. I am a sucker for anything that makes me think of 'the old days' at the moment and I saw an American lady who looked like Marilyn dressed in 1950's garb at this years 'War & Peace Revival' at RAF Westernhanger. Boy! Did I want to speak to her and ask her to dance with me but I didn't dare (as usual!)...

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'Marilyn' in pink - Oh Boy! Oh Boy! Oh Boy!

Still, I love anything that brings Marilyn to mind and just seeing someone so beautiful who spoke like her (or at least how I imagine she would have sounded with an American accent) made the whole week really special for me! Thank you darlin' -whoever you are xxxx

I don't know, what an old romantic I am, eh? Getting all starry eyed over Marilyn Monroe just by listening to a 50's CD! It is VERY romantic though this double CD and if you are a bit of an idealist like me you can't help but get swept away by the sweeping strings and romantic lyrics of 'Christmas And You' by Dave King. 

Do yourself a favour and buy a copy - Ronnie Hilton's version of 'White Christmas' is also a refreshing delight as well if you are over familiar with good old Bing's version...

Lastly, don't forget that my favourite Christmas Fair takes place this Sat at St Clement's church in High St in the Old Town of Hastings. Sadly, I am called away to a writing festival in London on the day so I won't be able to be there this year (boo!). I will be sending someone in my place to buy up a lot of presents for my Christmas celebrations though so they won't miss out!