Childhood memories of Christmas music

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the traditional music.

Christmas music wouldn't be Christmas music without Johnny Mathis.

My parents made sure that when my older sister got married and moved out, we would still have music in the house.  They purchased a Zenith stereo record player. 

They subscribed to the Columbia Record Club.  

They let me select the monthly purchase -- sometimes.

Johnny Mathis' Christmas album, pictured above, was an annual favorite.  

We had it on vinyl.

When I married and moved out, I made sure my family had a copy of it in our music library.  For years, it was on the shelf between Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland and my favorite Steppenwolf album -- the one with "Magic Carpet Ride."

Now, I have a CD version of Merry Christmas and for the past two weeks, it's been in my truck. I often listen to music on my commute to work. (Yes, I sing along. Sometimes, very loudly!)

One of my favorite winter songs is included, "Sleigh Ride."  

Music of any kind often brings back memories.

This music brings back memories of a special place.  Home.

And you can't go back.

The Mangham, LA of today is much different in many ways than it was in the sixties.

Most places are.

We still have great memories.

And the wonderful memories will live on forever.

________________

Here's another favorite memory:

The Stones turn fifty

To commemorate their 50th anniversary the Rolling Stones commissioned Shepard Fairey to update their classic Tongue and Lips logo, originally designed by John Pasche in 1971.

For comparison purposes, here's the old version:

What do you think?  Like? Not?  Comments welcomed!

Remembering Leroy Anderson

Who? You know.

I bet you know the words to some of his songs already -- may have danced to some of them, too. Do you tango?

Do you type?

Ever listened to a clock?

Danced with your cat?

You know Leroy, he's great! Oh, and he pronounces it: "la - ROY", the classical way. He went to Hah-vahd you know.

He's shown here in this photo with Arthur Fiedler of the Boston Pops for whom he wrote a number of pieces. A large portion of his body of work was referred to as "light orchestral" compositions. He would appear as a guest conductor for the BP and of course conduct his own pieces.

Read my article at this link for the rest of the story:

http://technorati.com/entertainment/music/article/remembering-leroy-anderson/