CD SHOWCASE MEMORIES

HOLIDAY EDITION
From now until 01/06/2016, the regular features of “Wednesday Wrap: CD Showcase Memories” (9p US central) & “CarTunes Saturday: CD Showcase Memories” (8a US central) are pre-empted by highlights from the “CD Showcase – Holiday Edition” radio shows I hosted 12/24/2009, 12/24/2010 & 12/24/2011.

This entry features 3 songs from the 1st hour of my 12/24/2009 radio show: Robert Downey Jr’s “River”, “Deck The Halls” & Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song”.
Also featured:
AMC Pacer, which apparently needs some help pacing, seen by OC,SHer ERIC L….

#1 “River” | Robert Downey Jr
If you watched FOX’s “Ally McBeal” (09/08/1997 – 05/20/2002), you may remember this song. Performed by Downey as Larry Paul, this song appeared in a season 4 (2000-2001; the season Downey was a regular) episode & appears on the album ‘A Very Ally Christmas’, which also has songs performed by other cast members, including Calista Flockhart (“Brothers & Sisters”, “Supergirl”), Jane Krakowski & Vonda Shepard. When I 1st heard this song in the episode, it struck a chord with me, partly because I understood the thoughts of wanting to “escape”. To some extent, I still do, & every Christmas season since I’ve listened to it at least once….

#2 “Deck The Halls” | Philharmonic Orchestra
While I couldn’t find the exact version I played on the show, this song is universal, with many different variations & arrangements. The song is a traditional Christmas & New Years carol with a melody that dates back to 16th century Wales. The current lyrics date back to 1862 England, written by Thomas Oliphant. This is a favorite of mine, a great way (in my opinion, anyway) to get in the mood for decorating & celebrating.

#3 “The Christmas Song” | Nat King Cole
For me, this is 1 of those songs that I know, but don’t always instantly remember the lyrics just by looking at the title. When I was a kid, Mom would put on stacks (yes, stacks) of Christmas vinyl albums from the day after Thanksgiving until after the 1st of the new year. This song was 1 of many I got tired of during that time; however, listening to this (& those other songs) now sparks so many wonderful memories. This song was written in 1945 by Bob Wells & Mel Torme during a blistering hot summer & was recorded by a plethora of household-named artists, with Cole recording it 4 times himself.