Santa Songs

The video: The Rhythm Strings from The Hague(Netherlands) play "Santa Claus Boogie" or possibly "Santa Claus Twist" (it's "boogie" on YouTube but their discography shows "twist")

Oh Lonesome Me

Written, recorded and made into a huge hit by Don Gibson in 1958. Reshaped and revised in 1970 by Neil Young.
Plenty of Canadian content here with versions by both Neil and that teen heartthrob from New Brunswick Ted Daigle. Johnny Cash recorded his version back in his Sun Records days. The swingin' 60s are represented by San Francisco's The Beau Brummels and Frank's daughter with her musical guru Lee Hazlewood. The most recent version is by Southern Culture On The Skids from just last year.
On the video we have rockin'&rollin' Bob Luman with Joe Maphis on guitar. That was recorded for the Townhall Party TV show from beautiful Compton California (long before NWA).

Music To Watch Girls By

On the previous post, Spaceagepop alluded to the Ronnie Aldrich track "Music To Watch Girls By". So, I dug around through the archives to see how Ronnie compares on this one. Bad news for Ronnie as this song was also recorded by the amazing "Exotic Guitars". The Exotic Guitars (legend has it) were actually Al "Surfin' Hootenany" Casey. Ronnie has way too many strings on his version and with Mr. Casey's guitar and a more diversified backing, Exotic Guitars wins this one easily.
A search over at eMusic uncovered a version by extremely obscure Norwegian saxophonist Helén Eriksen. The only info on Helén that I could find was a couple of sentences on her record labels web site - Curling Legs. Her's is a good version too and makes for a nice piano/guitar/saxophone 1-2-3 punch.
This tune was originally written by Sid Ramin & Tony Velona as a jingle for Pepsi Cola and then became a Top 40 hit for The Bob Crewe Generation.
On the video we have The Venice Beach Muscle Club recorded live at the Queens Public Library. They obviously are patterning their version after the Exotic Guitars. But just one question.... aren't you supposed to be quiet in a library?

Voodoo Moon

"Aldrich's albums are usually pretty lame--er, tame--but if you haven't heard one, it's worth spending up to three bucks to own your own little bit of authentic 60s experience. Not the Haight-Ashbury-Woodstock-Jimi Hendrix kind of experience, but the experience most people had. Put on Ronnie's take on "Music to Watch Girls By" and you can imagine yourself strolling down the aisle at the A&P or shopping for school clothes at J.C. Penney. Or riding an elevator to your dad's office. Or waiting at the Omaha Airport. Who needs Eastern philosophy to get blissed out?"
quote from SPACEAGEPOP.COM
What is it with Ronnie Aldrich? He's supposed to be the blandest of the bland and yet I like this crap! Especially his version of "Woodstock" - I must get that one on here soon. And it's not just easy-listening duo pianos. I've tried Ferrante & Teicher and I get no kicks out of those guys. I guess it's just one of those strange things where my brain actually hears something totally different than anyone else.
Here we have a Cuban song written by Obdulio Morales. The Joe Loss Orchestra is an English band famous for having had Elvis Costello's father as a vocalist at one time. They of course are totally out-classed by Ronnie Aldrich. And on the video we have Carmen Cavallero.

I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)

Right now "box.net" is not working. I have the files uploaded but it will not create a widget. I'll try again tomorrow. In the meantime, check out the video with Hank and Anita Carter.
Update: Customizing widgets is still not working in "box.net" but I've been able to contruct this one by hand. We have here Hank William's 1952 hit in a variety of styles. I especially like Faron Young's Williamesque version. Faron started his career as a William's imitator and you can hear the Williams influence here. The Jeff Walker version is, I believe, the Jeff Walker of metal band Carcass. Here he sounds like Shane MacGowan. There are a huge number of versions of this song on eMusic and I listened to the previews and I picked out the most interesting. Only Linda Ronstadt's version is not available there.
The video is great - Hank died in 1952 so you think of him as pre-TV but it's nice to see that this appearance has been saved.

The Dark End Of The Street

Songwriters: Dan Penn & Chips Moman
If I remember correctly, this song was written for James Carr who recorded it first. The story goes that Dan & Chips wrote this song while taking a break from a poker game they were in. Most folks consider the James Carr version the very best although some (including myself) prefered the Percy Sledge version. To give us some variety I've added the pop/rock version of Linda Ronstadt and from way back in left field, Barton Carroll.
More info on the song can be found here.
And for those who subscribe to the theory that soul music is just country music for black folks, on the video (audio only) we have Porter & Dolly.

I Go To Sleep

I had this post planned about a month ago but a flurry of poker tournaments has kept me away from the PC. This is the song that Ray Davies wrote while his wife was in the maturnity ward with their first child. He made a demo of it and sent it off to Peggy Lee(?). Peggy Lee recorded it and the The Applejacks were the 1st to record it in England. Then 1/2 of the Sonny & Cher duo recorded it on her first solo LP. All this activity occuring in 1965.
The song then went into hiatus until The Pretenders covered it on their 2nd LP in 1981. The more recent recordings were by Les Oisives/Carbel (both with accordionist Sylvie Jourdan - Les Oisives in studio and Carbel live) and Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble (Decemberists connections).


Watch CARBEL "I go to sleep" (live) ...pour Soizig Le Lay. in Entertainment Videos and Music Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com