GA Russell

Merry Christmas, my friends!

Top 10 Plays by Canadians https://www.cfl.ca/2023/12/22/top-10-plays-by-canadians-of-2023/

The league has assembled some highlight reels for the year. Top 10 Touchdowns

Weather Report Rockpalast Offenbach 1978 2 CDs + 1 DVD $19.99 prime https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01949EF7Q ***** Dexter Gordon Complete Columbia Albums Collection 7 CDs $44.28 prime https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B14CSCR9

Florida State has sued the ACC, apparently in an attempt to leave the conference. Florida State sues ACC - Search (bing.com)

A bartender in the old west is busy cleaning glasses when a guy comes bursting thru the swinging doors gasping “Big Earl's a-commin' into town”. Immediately, all the drinkers drop whatever they're doing, run out the door and down the street. The bartender thinks this is a little odd (he's new in town), but whatever. He steps away from the bar, and starts cleaning up tables. Pretty soon, he hears loud foot steps coming towards the saloon. Then the biggest guy he's ever seen rips the doors off, tosses them aside, bends down a little to get thru the doorway. He sees the bartender cowering behind a table, picks him up, tosses him behind the bar, walks over and says, “Whiskey”. Terrified, the bartender gets a glass and a bottle and brings them over. The guy grabs the bottle, breaks the top off with his teeth, and drinks it down, dashing the bottle into shards on the floor. The bartender says, “Can I get you anything else, sir”? “Nope. Gotta run. Big Earl's coming.”

I had no idea he is now a TV character! I thought he was lost to the ages.

When I was ten, my favorite comic book was The Flash. This is a collection of his earliest issues. Much of this I didn't remember. There is a science lesson in a number of stories. He can defy gravity and run up the sides of buildings. He can vibrate and travel through walls. Another comic hero I liked was Martian Manhunter J'onn J'onzz. Anybody remember him?

Disc 3

I've been keeping my eye on This is Hip, the biography of Mark Murphy. Its price hasn't fluctuated much, but I see that it is currently 20% off (click on the coupon), down to $24. So I pulled the trigger for Christmas. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1781794731

Michael, when did Universal obtain Fantasy/Concord? I am aware of their distribution relationship, but not one of any control.

Is there an alternative to PayPal?

The semi-annual Christmas/Father's Day deal is up at Cigars International. Monday may be the last day. The prices for this year's selection are pretty good for smokes which are usually overpriced. https://www.cigarsinternational.com/shop/10-packs-free-20-ci-bucks/2049426/

Every story is a fun page-turner; but really, the quality of the writing isn't very good.

A doctor had sex with one of his female patients, and felt guilty all day long. No matter how much he tried to forget about it, he just couldn't. The guilt and sense of betrayal of his patient were overwhelming. But every once in a while he'd hear an internal, reassuring voice in his head that said: "Don't worry about it. You aren't the first medical practitioner to have sex with one of his patients and you won't be the last. And you're single. Just let it go." But, invariably, another voice in his head would bring him back to reality, whispering, "You're a veterinarian, you sick bastard."

Shaping the Century, vol. 1, 1900 - 1949 26 CDs for $69.95 Decca classical music box https://www.hamiltonbook.com/shaping-the-century-vol.-1-1900-1949-compact-disc

Vic Davalillo, RIP. Longtime MLB outfielder Vic Davalillo dies at 84 (msn.com)

Right. But that looks like a different guy to me.

My favorite Snowfall was my first - Wes Montgomery from Wes' Best on Fantasy. https://www.amazon.com/Wes-Best-Montgomery-His-Brothers/dp/B000LZSZQU/

Is that a legit photo of Bishop? He looks different to me in this photo.

Thanks TTK! I had forgotten that I have a re-release of the Jack Jones Christmas LP. It's been years. I'll have to dig it out. The song that I remember is the song about St. Bernadette. I had no idea that The Supremes (or any other Motown) Christmas album was released as early as '64. I don't think that I started noticing them until a couple of years later.

The Complete Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun (Not really complete. 5 CDs with 159 songs.) $25.73 (36% off) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09WB1C41M/

Concord Holiday Hits 2023 We're thrilled to share with you & your listeners a wide array of selections spanning the December holidays and emotions. From perennial favorites to new classics, we hope you find a few songs you'll enjoy sharing. Included are special tracks like: * Hot charting singles: David Foster & Katharine McPhee "Carol Of The Bells" and Lindsey Stirling "Sleigh Ride" * Brand new Steve Perry 2023 intro for his version of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" * Previously unreleased version of "Blue Christmas" by Stax legend Carla Thomas * Previously unreleased alternate mix of Otis Redding's beloved "Merry Christmas Baby" * Evergreen Vince Guaraldi Trio gems from A Charlie Brown Christmas newest remaster + beautiful renditions by Toni Braxton and newest Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Chaka Khan * Live versions of Andy Williams classics from his Live - Christmas Treasures album * Teddy Pendergrass' 25th anniversary of This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love) from the first Black Artist to have 5 consecutive #1 Albums and first time album available on DSPs * Holiday favorites Bing Crosby, Julie Andrews, Natalie Cole, Charlie Parker, Gene Autry, Jewel, Indigo Girls, William Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Etta Jones, Rita Coolidge, Laurie Berkner, and Lawrence Welk & His Orchestra * Compelling performances from emergent voices Allison Russell, Margo Price, Sierra Ferrell, Devon Gilfillian, Valerie June, Katie Pruitt, and Samantha Fish * A variety of Hannukah and Kwanzaa songs plus Latin classic "La Murga" * Extra fun (some naughty, some nice) from Steve Martin, Tiny Tim, Rufus Thomas, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, August Burns Red, Keb' Mo', My Kid Brother, and Albert King * Holiday soul from Fantasia, Odetta, The McCrary Sisters, The Emotions, The Rance Allen Group, The Swan Silvertones, The Persuasions, and Big Maybelle * Indie goodness from Andrew Bird, Manchester Orchestra, iDKHOW, BAILEN, Sylvan Esso, Best Coast, The Shins, Matt Nathanson, JD McPherson, and Greg Laswell * Instrumental beauty from Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Oscar Peterson, Elf score, John Fahey, Hans Zimmer, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Don Patterson, Tuts Washington, and Danny Wright * Rootsy fun from Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen, Mindy Smith, and Bela Fleck & The Flecktones # Artist and Track Title Time 1. Steve Perry - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (2023 radio intro) 03:07 2. Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus And Lucy (2022 Stereo Mix) 03:06 3. Andy Williams - Happy Holidays / It's The Holiday Season (live) 02:21 4. David Foster & Katharine McPhee - Carol Of The Bells 02:54 5. Teddy Pendergrass - This Christmas (I'd Rather Have Love) 03:47 6. Lindsey Stirling - Sleigh Ride 03:02 7. Otis Redding - Merry Christmas Baby (Alternate Mix / Remastered 2023) 03:08 8. Chaka Khan - The Christmas Song 04:02 9. Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal 2022 / Stereo Mix) 02:46 10. Sierra Ferrell - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree 02:07 11. Kristin Chenoweth - Happiness (Is Christmas) / Christmas Time Is Here (Medley) 04:26 12. Jewel - Winter Wonderland 03:39 13. Andy Williams - White Christmas (live) 02:41 14. Steve Perry - Silver Bells (edit) 03:30 15. Allison Russell - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 03:29 16. Katie Pruitt - Blood Related 03:41 17. Margo Price - River 04:06 18. Carla Thomas - Blue Christmas (Remastered 2023) 03:17 19. Devon Gilfillian - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) 03:00 20. Valerie June - Let It Snow 02:16 21. Teddy Pendergrass - Happy Kwanzaa 05:13 22. I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME - Merry Christmas Everybody 03:26 23. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - Santa Baby 03:21 24. Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers - Strangest Christmas Yet 03:42 25. Albert King - Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin' 03:52 26. Rufus Thomas - I'll Be Your Santa Baby 03:32 27. Tiny Tim - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer 02:26 28. Kristin Chenoweth - Santa, I've Got A Bone To Pick With You! 04:00 29. Keb' Mo' - Christmas Is Annoying 02:13 30. Keb' Mo' - Better Everyday 03:35 31. Indigo Girls - Happy Joyous Hanukkah 03:40 32. The Living Sisters - Hanukkah 04:09 33. Houston Person - Happy Hanukkah My Friend 03:55 34. Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - The Hanukkah Waltz 02:34 35. Brave Combo - Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah 02:50 36. The Swan Silvertones - Go Tell It On The Mountain 02:52 37. The McCrary Sisters - Go Tell It On The Mountain 05:02 38. Sierra Ferrell - Jingle Bell Rock 02:23 39. Andy Williams - The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (live) 02:37 40. The Shins - Wonderful Christmastime 02:27 41. Best Coast - Little Saint Nick 02:16 42. JD McPherson - Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights) 02:00 43. Samantha Fish - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) 03:53 44. William Bell - Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday 02:37 45. Fantasia - This Christmas 03:23 46. The Persuasions - Do You Hear What I Hear? 03:25 47. Toni Braxton - It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year 04:16 48. Odetta - Ain't That A-Rocking 02:04 49. Natalie Cole - No More Blue Christmas' 04:21 50. Andy Williams - Oh, Holy Night 03:04 51. Keb' Mo' - Moonlight, Mistletoe & You feat. Gerald Albright 03:29 52. Booker T. & The M.G.'s - Winter Wonderland (Take 2 / Remastered 2023) 02:08 53. Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - Linus And Lucy 02:54 54. Vince Guaraldi Trio - O Tannenbaum (2022 Stereo Mix) 05:10 55. Andrew Bird - Skating 03:38 56. John Fahey - Joy To The World 01:52 57. Hans Zimmer - Light My Fire 01:14 58. John Debney - Christmas Medley 02:23 59. Robert Shaw & Robert Shaw Chamber Singers - The First Nowell (Arr. R. Shaw & A. Parker) 01:39 60. Cincinnati Pops Orchestra & Erich Kunzel - I'll Be Home For Christmas feat. Tierney Sutton, Indiana University Singing Hoosiers 03:23 61. Cincinnati Pops Orchestra & Erich Kunzel - Precious Moments (from 'Home Alone') 02:45 62. August Burns Red - Home Alone Theme 03:48 63. Lindsey Stirling - Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy 02:39 64. Don Patterson - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer 03:12 65. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - Baby It's Cold Outside 03:17 66. Manchester Orchestra - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 02:37 67. Sylvan Esso - There Are Many Ways To Say I Love You 02:03 68. BAILEN - Christmas Is All Around 02:40 69. Manchester Orchestra - God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen 03:09 70. Matt Nathanson - Farewell, December 04:01 71. Héctor Lavoe, Willie Colón, & Yomo Toro - La Murga 05:34 72. Gene Autry - Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 02:58 73. Gene Autry - Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) 02:43 74. Gene Autry - Up On The House Top 02:35 75. Gene Autry - Joy To The World 01:19 76. Lindsey Stirling - Little Drummer Boy 03:52 77. Teddy Pendergrass - Little Drummer Boy 04:08 78. Jewel - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 03:21 79. Kristin Chenoweth - Why Couldn't It Be Christmas Every Day 04:19 80. Rita Coolidge - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 03:32 81. Andrew Bird - Christmas Is Coming 03:25 82. Indigo Girls - It Really Is (A Wonderful Life) 03:19 83. Big Maybelle - Silent Night 02:20 84. The Emotions - What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas? (Remastered 2023) 03:23 85. The Swan Silvertones - Silent Night 02:34 86. Lawrence Welk & His Orchestra - Deck The Halls 01:11 87. Etta Jones - I'll Be Home For Christmas 03:13 88. Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen - Blue Christmas Lights 02:17 89. The Laurie Berkner Band - Frosty The Snowman 02:36 90. Mindy Smith - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? 03:53 91. Greg Laswell - New Year's Eves 03:22 92. Andrew Bird - Auld Lang Syne 04:31 93. Julie Andrews & Irwin Kostal - My Favorite Things (Part 1) 02:18 94. Bing Crosby - White Christmas 03:23 95. Charlie Parker - White Christmas (Live at Royal Roost / New York, NY / 25 December, 1948) 05:00 96. The Rance Allen Group - White Christmas (Remastered 2023) 02:48 97. Tuts Washington - White Christmas 02:40 98. The Original Five Blind Boys Of Alabama - White Christmas 03:18 99. Oscar Peterson - White Christmas 03:53 100. Gene Autry, Carl Cotner's Orchestra - White Christmas (From The Sergeant Gene Autry Radio Show Broadcast Nov. 8, 1942) 02:25 101. My Kid Brother - White Christmas 03:05 102. Danny Wright - Count Your Blessings White Christmas ("Home For Christmas" Version) 04:21

!! The Christmas Waltz has long been a favorite of mine. I didn't know that My Favorite Things was associated with Christmas as early as 1964. I wonder who was the first to link the two.