Normally on Christmas Eve I'd be making something for our family dinner (we have German roots, plus it's convenient for us all to keep this eve tradition - everyone scatters to different families on Christmas Day). Jamie would clear out coz he hates Christmas jingles, and so do I most of the year. But gimme a bit of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong whilst I tidy and cook and I feel cheerful.
I haven't even got St Nick out yet.
This year, though, I just can't. It feels wierd, as it's different this Christmas because Dad's not around. I can't listen to his music like I did in the weeks after his death either. And so I happily listen to one of Jamie's mixes. This one is from Dusk Dubs via Original Gidman. Although Dusk Dubs isn't doing any more shows (since 2020) they have a great back catalogue. I loved this Burial and Fourtet song which I've heard a ton before but it was especially good this morning as I scrubbed and tidied ready to go away.
You can find the whole mix here
On the mix was an awesome mash up of Midnight in a Perfect World by DJ Shadow and Dave Rodrigan . Such a classic tune to mash up.
Here's what Gidman had to say about it:
Another cheeky Mash Up, this time featuring the poem ‘On The Pulse Of A Morning’ by Maya Angelou which was read during the 1993 Presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton (later to be sampled by Mr Good Looking himself LTJ Bukem on the 1995 classic ‘Horizons’). This leads into Burial + Four Tet’s collaboration ‘Moth’ which was released on Four Tet’s label Text Records back in 2009. It’s a 4 to the floor eerie dubbed out house track, that the likes of only Burial can create …..Deep
And a little Erikyah Badhu, who I also love.
Wherever you are, hope your Christmas tunes are making you happy over sad, that you're dancing round the kitchen or the loungeroom, that you are holding your loved ones close, and not getting sucked into Christmas drama. And thanks to @ablaze for hosting three tune tuesdays all year!
Merry Christmas!
With Love,
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George Michael, the very famous english music star, sang "Last Christmas" and it was certainly the last one for him
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Merry Christmas rivers, your dad will still be with you all, albeit not physically
It is still quite fresh :/
Just listen to alternative Xmas music
A simple workaround!
Like Oi to the World by No Doubt
Or for an instrumental: Oatmeal for Xmas (the live version that ends with him saying "oh......Yes!" is fun)
Make new memories!
I grew up with those, btw
P.S. I think the word "cheeky" is a bit funny! Describes these songs? Maybe. I don't have that good a grasp on the word...being mostly American..
But the word also always reminds me of an enemy from a game I played early in my life. One developed in the UK.
He's been living on my shoulder ever since
This year, for the first time since he died, I am listening exclusively to the instrumental Christmas music he decreed for decades. The first 3 years I listened to Christmas music with vocals which had been verboten if Christmas music had to be played. It's been very soothing...
And it's still all the very old singers or groups that my mom had listened to when I was a child.
Hey friend. We feel you completely. That's why we made this song. I lost my mom last year right before Christmas and now it carries a whole new meaning for us. Hope you are well
I know that feeling, my friend. I've lost my dad back in September 2012, and even now still isn't a day that I don't think about him. The thing that comforts me is that I'm still here, and I can continue to make him "proud". A big hug in this different way of celebrating the season.
That's it isn't it? A responsibility to live for them too. 🌲💓
Wishing you a lovely Christmas @riverflows. 💚🎄
And you! 🌟🌲💕🦌
I like very few reimagined Christmas carols, but I dig this one.
I'll add it to my fave Chrissy tunes playlist on Spotify!
Sending you much love this Christmastime, @riverflows. Firsts are never easy :-( Somewhere your dad is dancing. I hope you find a way to dance with him through this difficult season xx
He was there telling us not to get the deck by pool not too wet and helping himself to more trifle. Happy Christmas lovely x