On the first season of his satellite radio show, Bob Dylan gave a very Dylanesque performance of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”. It’s around the web in audio format that is curiously wonderful to fall asleep to, an adult bedtime story for tonight.
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Sometimes the crazed “festive” holiday thing has the opposite effect: bringing on the blues. If you’re feeling a bit low, we recommend the sweet, fun Festive Funk Machine. Click on any of the robots to start making your own music…add in or “mute” any of the instruments — from violins and bells to baselines and percussion…
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(Video link here.) Paul Simon’s ‘Getting Ready For Christmas Day‘* seems like a fitting ALT song for the run up before Christmas. It’s upbeat, secular, a tad political, full of social commentary and interwoven with excerpts from a 1941 sermon by the Rev. J.M. Gates, an influential preacher and Gospel singer. There’s also a lot of things leaping…
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(Video link here.) The inimitable James Brown perfectly expresses our gratitude and holiday wishes! Thank you for being part of ‘the improvised life’, for reading us, commenting, emailing ideas… And special thanks to our Friends with Benefits; your support has been a tonic (and essential). Related posts: roy arden’s blog: james brown’s dance lessons and…
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Cara de Silva sent us this fab video as a gift after watching our Ode to Joy post. It’s the great Django Reinhardt performing “Christmas Swing” (December 1937, Paris) set to footage from “The Night Before Christmas,” a television special from the 1950’s, sponsored by the Bell Telephone Company, PA., featuring the Mabel Beaton Marionettes.…
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