Friday, December 12, 2008

Funky Friday - The Ghost Of Christmas Past

This fantastico bespoke hand-made illustration was kindly created by Paul McDonald of Odd Sock Illustration

I don't know about you, but while I was sprouting up during the seventies, Christmas in our house was a typically traditional ritual that followed a similar tinsel-plated template from year to year.

The same medley of decorations were randomly scattered about the tree mixing classic seventies pieces - felt baubles in orange or pink, super-modern amber plastic hoops filled with some sort of shiny sci-fi tape loops that dangled alongside retro-deco's from the fifties - cough-candy style twisted aluminium strips (purple or red on one side, silver on the other), real glass baubles and Japanese lanterns. All finished of with Woolworths candyfloss-type-fibreglass to add some soft-focus embellishment to the lights.

The Martini (red) and the drinks cabinet would be cracked open on Nan's arrival, and when it came to lunch, stalagmite style red candles, the candlebra and 'special cutlery' from an embossed box had their annual day trip to the table. Which, was typically centred around a Christmas cake wrapped in fancy band of gold foil and frilled red paper, with, perhaps a snow scene on the icing.

If you're wondering what in the name of Jacob Marley is the point of this winterland ramble? Well, it's that, the cosy essence of Christmas was the familiar similarity of the occasion. And, in much the same that way we'd fire up this Frank album while Martini's were a'pouring - I feel it could become,perhaps a seasonal tradition, to repost my homemade winter mixture created for Christmas last year....

A Mondo Funky Mixmas



Marc Bolan - Christmas Message
Clarence Carter - Back Door Santa
Keith Mansfield - Snowman Stomp
Jingle Bells - Booker T and the MG's
Ramsey Lewis Trio - Here Comes Santa Claus
Oscar Peterson - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Stu Hamm - Sleigh Ride
Up With the People - Jingle Bell Beat
Anita Kerr Singers - Jingle bell rock
Soulfoul singers - Santa Claus is coming to town
Soulful Strings - Sleigh Ride
Edwin Starr - Snowflake Boogie
The Rhodes Kids - Winter Wonderland

16 comments:

Cocktails said...

Just had to put up the office Christmas tree this morning. It would have been way more enjoyable had we been bunging up the baubles to the sounds of Back Door Santa.

Nice mix!

ib said...

Nice illustration.

Mondo said...

Some of the later tracks may tickle your tinslel too Cocktails, The Rhodes Kids, Anita Kerr - have a vibe similar to some of your folky and easy listening posts...

S'great IB isn't it - have you checked out Paul's site? This is a particular fave

Cocktails said...

I did indeed enjoy the rest of the mix. Your web stats might show that I've played it several times this morning!

Keith said...

Cool tunes. I loved them. I know some people hate Christmas music, even people who celebrate Christmas. I think there is so much awesome holiday music out there. I am reminded of all the great Christmases I had as a child. It wasn't just all the cool toys that we had back in the 70's either. The decorations were always awesome. I remember the tree that my grandmother would put up. Today it would be considered tacky by most, but I really digged it back then and even more so today. I miss that tree.

Mondo said...

Cocktails - if you click on the highlighted link above the Divshare embed - you can dowload it, and have your very own copy for Christmas..

You're right Keith and I've still got some of my parents 1970s decorations in use today, although their 50s ones have wasted away - I still don't know why mini Japanese lanterns were part of the package though

Cocktails said...

I know. But I'm at work and I've been told off for having too many non-work related Mondo mixes on my hard drive. Consider that a top compliment!

dickvandyke said...

Lovely picture you paint PM.

Merry Christmas ... and to Nan's everywhere. Past and present.

Mondo said...

Bless you Cocktails you're a star - you can get the full set here you know, and the one that got me blog-walloped here ..

Here, here DVD let's a raise a glass of sweet sherry (or milk stout - whatever it is) to them all..

Piley said...

Mondo... for once you've been beat! The mix is good, GREAT in fact, but that picture is incredible! How lucky were you to get your own personalised 'odd sock' pic??!

Lovin BOTH of your works fellas!

P

marmiteboy said...

Happy birthday you old git. Not as old a git as me mind.

Anonymous said...

hehehe...

thank you my friend :)

Have a good one!

Peace and blessings.

planet mondo said...

Paul McDonald dropped the original at my place in the week, looks even better in real life - and check this he's Basildon boy and used to work with Paul Tunks at Our Price...

Thanks MB, you've pipped me by a couple O' months..

Hey hey Vince - loving that mixmas of yours festive funky and seasonal stompers...

Paul McDonald said...

Thanks Piley...glad you like the work!!

Hoops Hooley said...

This is fantastic stuff! (I've taken the liberty to embed your mix in my blog but please let me know if that's not in order.) Cheers.

Furtheron said...

Happy Christmas - good selection