Comments (8)

By Larry, December 18, 2011 2:41 pm

Ho Ho Hyeaahhh!

Listen/Download – James Brown – Santa Claus Go Straight To the Ghetto

Greetings all.

The time has come, as it does once a year for yours truly to let loose with the Ho Ho Hos and the jingle bells and what not on account of the fact that Christmas is approaching rapidly.

As has been mentioned here before, this is a multi-religious household, with myself representing the (extremely) lapsed-Catholic and my wife repping the Jewish and the Little Corners an interfaith bouillabaisse, their eyes and hearts filled to bursting with the childhood wonder of the season.

Which is really what it’s all about, at least from my vantage point, where what I want is no more or less than their happiness, and my wife’s good health.

You know that I’ve mentioned here (every single Christmas since this blog has been extant) that I have never been a prodigious collector of holiday music. Whether this has to do with my acceptance (almost at the DNA level) of the cheesy/classic seasonal sounds of my childhood, to the point where I can sit back and take some comfort in the sound of the voices of Andy Williams or Jim Nabors (and surprisingly enough, I can), or that seeing limited appeal/value in holiday music, I’d rather spend my money on reg’lar old soul and funk is in the end meaningless, since there always seems to be something cool dropping in from the margins to satisfy the Funky Kringle in us all.

I bring you today’s selection in particular because it is a favorite of bot myself and my wife, and naturally because it is a very groovy, upbeat and cheerful Christmas offering from Mr Please Please Please (HO HO HO?) himself, James Brown.

When I listen to ‘Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto’, I realize that what we get with this record is both funky and danceable, but also poignant, especially in these days where there’s a tent city of homeless families not 10 miles from my warm, toasty house, and Mr Brown was thinking of how this, the most precious of holidays for children especially, could be rough for the poorest among us, and we should remember that while we listen to this song.

We should also remember that James Brown, who gave us such a great Christmas song, left us on that very day five years ago.

So dig the tune (there’ll be many old faves dropping as the week progresses) and remember that not everyone has the wherewithal to have a groovy holiday.

So try to remember that even if you are (like me) not a religious person, that the Christmas season can just be about brotherhood in the general ‘Family of Man’ sense, which is cool too, especially when times are tough (which they are for so many).

See you on tomorrow.

Peace

Larry

Also, make sure that you check out the POAC link below (click on the logo). It’s a fantastic organization that provides services to our local autism community, with education and recreational events, and any contribution you could make would be greatly appreciated.

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (8)

By Larry, December 21, 2010 12:19 pm

Merry Christmas, Godfather!

Listen/Download – James Brown – It’s Christmas Time Pt1

Greetings all.

I hope everyone that is in the Christmas groove, is ready for the holiday.

It behooves me to mention that if you find yourself snuggled up in front of a roaring internet this Friday night at 9PM, you might tune in to Viva Radio and dig the Funky16Corners Radio Christmas Special, featuring an hour of the finest funk and soul in the holiday spirit.

The tune I bring you today is fitting for a couple of reasons.

I remember the Christmas day for years ago when I heard that the mighty James Brown had that very morning slipped the surly bonds of earth and passed on into the great, funky beyond.

James Brown was a towering figure in the history of soul music, and especially important (so much so as to have been indispensable) in the development of funk.

Funky16Corners marked his passing then, and we do so again this year with one of the more mellow, sentimental numbers from his catalog.

‘It’s Christmas Time Pt1’ was released in 1969, and is notable for its subdued, almost hymn-like vibe.
Recorded at the peak of his funky powers, the song sees the Godfather of Soul working in a ballad style, backed only by guitar, bass, organ and the sparest of drums.

So much holiday funk and soul is in an upbeat, often humorous style, it’s nice to hear one of the giants take it at a mellow pace.

I hope you dig it, raise a glass of egg-nog in memory of Soul Brother Number One, and that you all have a great Christmas weekend.

I’m taking the rest of the week off to be festive, but I’ll be back next week with a year-end wrap up mix.

Peace

Larry

If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.

Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press

PS Head over to Iron Leg