My Christmas Album: John Radzikowski
John is back to drop some music and memories for readers to enjoy
From Brian: It’s Day 2 for John Radzikowski. After stuffing our stockings VCRs or DVD players or video libraries with his Must Watch: Christmas Movies, he’s back to offer us his own personal Christmas Album.
For those of you new to this, the rules are simple. 12 songs. You pick’em. You put them in what order you want them to play. You’re the producer.
When it comes to Christmas and rules, however, John is the classic rule breaker, as you’ll see (again).
But as I said yesterday, I’m not playing the Grinch to John’s Johnny Lou-Who!
He’s full of holiday cheer and waxing nostalgic about Christmases past.
So pick up that needle and let’s get that album playing.
What would the season be without music?
Full disclosure, I am a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas music. I really love the classics, and especially when hymns are sung by a choir. But I will do my best to throw a few on here that I enjoy that are a bit outside the box.
Really, I could just list two albums and be done. Mitch Miller and the Gang’s “Holiday Sing Along With Mitch” and “Christmas Sing-Along with Mitch”.1
These were two Christmas albums (records) from forever ago that my dad had on vinyl and it was what we listened to during the season. I later found them on CD at The Wall in the Viewmont Mall. And now, yes, they are on Spotify!
You can thank me later.
One was fun traditional “Jingle Bells” type songs and the other was all hymns like “O Come All Ye Faithful,” etc.
But, to mix up this list, as was the assignment, I’ll do my best:
1. “The Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole — My favorite Christmas song. In this case, I’ll pick the beloved version by Nat King Cole.
2. “Must be Santa” by Mitch Miller and the Gang
3. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by Mitch Miller and the Gang
4. “Twelve Days of Christmas” by Bob and Doug McKenzie
5. “The Friendly Beasts” by Garth Brooks and guests
6. “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby
7. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” by Thurl Ravenscroft
8. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by Mitch Miller and the Gang
9. “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” by Twisted Sister — John texted after originally submitting his Christmas album: “One addendum to my music list. I just downloaded Twisted Sister’s Christmas album, yes they did a Christmas album a few years back. Never heard it til now. It is fabulous. LOL.”
10. “O Holy Night” by Faith Hill — We will try her version here.
11. “Sleigh Ride” by Mitch Miller and the Gang
12. “Santa’s Gonna Come in a Pickup Truck” (with The Chipmunks) by Alan Jackson
**Bonus song2 (hidden track): “Linus And Lucy” by Vince Guaraldi Trio
Listen to John’s My Christmas Album:
From Brian: You remember yesterday when I wrote about giving John an inch, he’d take a mile? Well, just like his movies, and album, he’s got plenty more to add. So here’s John to bring his Christmas theme to a rousing final conclusion that celebrates everything that’s wonderful about Christmas:
If there is anything I would like to say how I feel about Christmas it is the fact that having your birthday the day immediately after stinks!3
No, I am just kidding. Actually, I really love it. When everyone’s holiday is over until New Years, I get an extra day to enjoy and celebrate with friends and my lovely wife!
I will say, in our family, on my Polish side, Christmas Eve was the real important day, where we would have an amazing meal – no meat allowed on Christmas Eve, the ham or turkey is served on Christmas Day – prepared by my grandma Aggie, with homemade pierogi, fish, and all of that.
The Christmas wafer4 blessed from the church is how we would start the meal, with a prayer and passing the wafer from the eldest to the youngest, breaking off a piece by each. Us young kids would get one gift that night, around midnight (or so it seemed), then head home to bed.
My memories also include the music, decorating, the beautiful lights of my grandma’s tree on Christmas Eve, her white ceramic light-up tree that sat on the same table every year, the little white lights of that tree, admiring the neighborhood houses lit up with NON-LED lights5 on my way to and from grandma’s, the dish of Christmas candies, the huge triple-decker tray of homemade cookies and other Polish treats, and the bowl of mixed nuts.
Then at home, let us NOT forget the Lionel train under the tree. It’s been a staple in my home for my entire 48 years, complete with the Plasticville USA6 village.
And of course, the beautiful full-sized Nativity that St. Mary’s in Dickson City would set up inside the church every year. I loved looking at that all month during Advent while at Mass. I could not take my eyes off it.
But to conclude this theme, I must stress it isn’t about the gifts. Of course, we all love opening presents!
And I do it with the same 8-year-old fervor I did back then, ripping into the paper!
No, I love the season for the lights. For the smell of pine. For the warm nights inside with my wife under the glow of the tree. For quality time with friends and family. For the model train. For the music. For the movies.
But most importantly, for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year.
Enjoying My Must Watch: Christmas Movies and My Christmas Album? Then be sure to subscribe so you get each and every new post and to continue to add to your holiday spirit!
I’d never heard or seen the name “Mitch Miller” until I read John’s introduction. Once I listened to the songs, however, I’m very familiar with Mitch Miller and his Gang from listening to the local radio stations here in Northeast Pennsylvania.
What did I say about John being that friend who if you give an inch, they’ll take a mile. But one of the coolest things about the old CDs were the hidden tracks, so I’m totally letting John add to his Christmas album with this Peanuts classic.
Yes, John’s birthday is December 26th.
Oplatki — unleavened wafers made from wheat flour and water, similar to the altar bread used in Roman Catholic Mass. They are usually rectangular and very thin, and are often embossed with religious images like the nativity scene or the Star of Bethlehem.
I’m thinking John is not a fan of the new LED lights.
I never knew these houses and buildings were a particular brand, and of course, from right here in Pennsylvania. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasticville
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