Each year, I look forward to our annual Christmas show. Working in retail for more than three decades may have bled away a bit of my overt enthusiasm for the holiday season...but not by much, really. I still love the Christmas story. I still love the trappings and tinsel, the brightly-lit images, the eyes all aglow, the stars of wonder, the message of peace on Earth, good will toward men. It's a prize and goal that transcends any specific creed: it's a faith that we can be better, that we can be good, that this world and its people can all be saved if we choose to believe in love.
Faith is tested constantly. It persists because that's what faith does.
Has there ever been a time that didn't try men's souls? I think not. Moments of tranquility have been fleeting and elusive throughout history. Yet we persist. That's what faith does for us.
We play the music. We hold our loved ones closely, and cherish our memories of those loved ones we can no longer embrace in a physical sense. They are with us still. They are with us always. This wish, this hope, this belief remains. Although it's been said many times, many ways, it's worth saying again and again and again.
Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Joy to you, and to yours, and to a world looking for light. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl, Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse on The Spark WSPJ-LP 103.3 and 93.7, and on the web at http://sparksyracuse.org/
Spark Syracuse is supported by listeners like you. Tax-deductible donations are welcome at http://sparksyracuse.org/support/
You can follow Carl's daily blog Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do) at
https://carlcafarelli.blogspot.com/
Our new compilation CD This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio, Volume 4 is now available from Kool Kat Musik! 29 tracks of irresistible rockin' pop, starring Pop Co-Op, Ray Paul, Circe Link & Christian Nesmith, Vegas With Randolph Featuring Lannie Flowers, The Slapbacks, P. Hux, Irene Peña, Michael Oliver & the Sacred Band Featuring Dave Merritt, The Rubinoos, Stepford Knives, The Grip Weeds, Popdudes, Ronnie Dark, The Flashcubes, Chris von Sneidern, The Bottle Kids, 1.4.5., The Smithereens, Paul Collins' Beat, The Hit Squad, The Rulers, The Legal Matters, Maura & the Bright Lights, Lisa Mychols, and Mr. Encrypto & the Cyphers. You gotta have it, so order it here.
TIRnRR # 902: The 19th Annual This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio Christmas Show 12/17/17
In Memory Of PAT DINIZIO
THE SMITHEREENS: Waking Up On Christmas Morning (Koch, Christmas With The Smithereens)
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THE SMITHEREENS: Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) (Koch, Christmas With The Smithereens)
DARLENE LOVE: Marshmallow World (Abkco, VA: A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector)
GREG GODOVITZ & THE CARPET FROGS: Christmas All Over The World (Bullseye, VA: Takin' Care Of Christmas)
THE BEATLES: 1963 Christmas Message
THE INSIGHT: Please Come Home For Christmas (Rhino, VA: Blue Yule)
MARGO GURYAN: I Don't Intend To Spend Christmas Without You (Oglio, 27 Demos)
MARVIN GAYE: Purple Snowflakes (Motown, VA: The Ultimate Motown Christmas Collection)
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MICHAEL CARPENTER: Another Xmas Song (https://michaelcarpenter.bandcamp.com/track/another-xmas-song)
THE STAPLE SINGERS: Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas? (Rhino, VA: Bummed Out Christmas)
CHRISTOPHER GREY: I Can't Sleep On Christmas Eve (Volunteer, VA: Ho Ho Ho Spice)
THE BEATLES: 1964 Christmas Message
THE DARKNESS: Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells Ring) (Warner Brothers, The Platinum Collection)
ROY WOOD'S WIZZARD: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (Disky, The Best Of Roy Wood & Wizzard)
SLADE: Merry Xmas Everybody (Polydor, Greatest Hits)
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DAVY JONES, MICKY DOLENZ & PETER TORK: Christmas Is My Time Of Year (Rhino, VA: The Best Of Cool Yule)
THE WAITRESSES: Christmas Wrapping (PolyGram, VA: A Rock 'n' Roll Christmas)
FRANK SINATRA & BING CROSBY WITH FRED WARING & HIS PENNSYLVANIANS: We Wish You The Merriest (Reprise, FRANK SINATRA: The Christmas Collection)
THE BEATLES: 1965 Christmas Message
THE PRETENDERS: 2000 Miles (Sire, The Singles)
MICHAEL MITSCH: Christmas Crystals (unreleased)
THE KINKS: Father Christmas (PolyGram, VA: A Rock 'n' Roll Christmas)
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BIBI FARBER WITH THE MICHAEL LYNCH ORCHESTRA: Gonna Ask Santa Claus (https://michaellynchmusic.bandcamp.com/album/gonna-ask-santa-claus-digital-single-december-2013)
XTC: Thanks For Christmas (Geffen, VA: Just Say Noel)
THE ROYAL GUARDSMEN: Snoopy's Christmas (One Way, Anthology)
THE BEATLES: 1966 Christmas Message
VINCE GUARALDI TRIO: Christmas Time Is Here [vocal] (Fantasy, A Charlie Brown Christmas)
FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE: The Man In The Santa Suit (Virgin, Out-Of-State Plates)
THE HOLLY TWINS [with EDDIE COCHRAN]: I Want Elvis For Christmas (Razor & Tie, VA: Rockin' Christmas)
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ELVIS PRESLEY: Santa Claus Is Back In Town (RCA, Elvis' Christmas Album)
CHUCK BERRY: Run Rudolph Run (Razor & Tie, VA: Rockin' Christmas)
THE BEATMAS: Mary's Boy Child (ISBA, Xmas!)
THE BEATLES: 1967 Christmas Message
BOB SEGER & THE LAST HEARD: Sock It To Me Santa (PolyGram, VA: A Rock 'n' Roll Christmas)
THE GEMS: Love For Christmas (MCA, VA: Have A Merry Chess Christmas)
ROTARY CONNECTION: Christmas Love (MCA, VA: Have A Merry Chess Christmas)
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THE IDEA: It's About That Time (Black Vinyl, VA: Yuletunes)
JAMES BROWN: Hey America (Polydor, James Brown's Funky Christmas)
THE GRIP WEEDS: Christmas, Bring Us (Rainbow Quartz, Under The Influence Of Christmas)
THE BEATLES: 1968 Christmas Message
TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS: Christmas All Over Again (A & M, VA: A Very Special Christmas 2)
THE MONKEES: Riu Chiu [TV version] (Rhino, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones, Ltd.)
TWISTED SISTER: Deck The Halls (Razor & Tie, A Twisted Christmas)
THE BEATLES: 1969 Christmas Message
SI CRANSTOUN: A Christmas Twist (Galley Music, single)
GEORGE HARRISON: Ding Dong, Ding Dong (Capitol, Dark Horse)
THE SPONGETONES: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy (n/a, Mersey Christmas)
THE SPONGETONES: Carol Of The Guitars (n/a, Mersey Christmas)
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