OK!
Here is the Christmas Mix I mentioned the other day. Included in the archive file are graphics for album cover and back [note – images link to huge print-ready .bmp files]:
Every year (this will be the third, “Krampus Nacht Drei”) we throw a Christmas party the first weekend after Krampus Nacht. Krampus is a devil-like character in the Germanic tradition. You see, Saint Nicholas conquered the devil and keeps him around in chains as service. He has the charge to punish the bad little children. If you are good, when you leave out your shoes on the 5th of December Nikolaus will give you fruit, nuts and candy. If you are bad, Krampus will leave you coal. He may even beat you with black birch switches or even put you in his basket and dump you in the river or take you back to hell. So be good, little ones!
The Krampus character is but one of a variety of Saint Nicholas / Sinterklaas / Santa Claus’s helpers in different cultures: There is Black Peter, Knecht Ruprecht, and even some little devils called Krampusse (who would later become our elves who make toys).
Austrians and Germans would send postcards with “Gruß vom Krampus” [Greetings from the Krampus] on them, reminding each other to be good in the face of temptation (oh, and Fröhliche Weihnachten I suppose as well). These cards were red and black and have a standard set of images: Krampus (horns, long tongue, pitchfork, chains, etc), black birch switches, nuts, brooms, baskets.
I have a collection of these images that I have yanked from websites. Look for posts with them in the coming weeks as Christmas approaches.
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Wenn Böses und Schlimmes
im Sinn Dir liegen,
Solst Du so eine Düte Kriegen!
This is a refreshing Christmas track listing. The reason I am so anti-Christmas music starting at T-giving is that the play the same 10 tired ass songs around here over and over.
Thanks! I made this 2 years ago and realized that I’m going to have to make another mix this year.
If any Nat King Cole or Bing Crosby or such appear, I’ll promise they will be songs you likely haven’t heard before (or versions).
I have a fab version of “Jingle Bells” by Bing and the Andrew sisters where Bing messes up a chorus and flubs “Holy Jesus Christ.” The take then ends in giggles. I can only listen to that version anymore.
sweet. Though I have to say, Santa Baby by Eartha is on my PLEASE SWEET BABY JESUS NOT AGAIN list.
Both the Kitt and the Presley were guilty pleasures that were on for personal reasons.
1. It ain’t Xmas without Elvis.
2. I can’t stand the Madonna version of “santa baby*” and it seems to be the only version I ever hear anymore. Included so those who aren’t in the know of the original are now.
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*which is funny, because I usually love madonna of this period (I’m Breathless, etc)
Righteous. I have never heard that version of “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm”, the only version I have is a trip-hop remix.
Nice to see “Baby It’s Cold Outside” on there.
Thanks.
It is imperative that you understand how much I am digging this mix. Imperative, I tell you!