My Favorite Christmas Albums:

from my blog at:

https://www.afiendishthingy.com/blog/Entries/2020/12/my-favorite-christmas-albums.html

Below is a list of my favorite Christmas Albums; although there are many excellent various artist compliations out there (especially on the Rhino and Bear Family labels), this list focuses on albums that were conceived as whole entities, hence most are by individual artists.

1. Various Artists, produced by Phil Spector - A Christmas Gift For You (originally released 1963). This album, along with #2 below, has been part of our family’s Christmas eve listening for decades.
2. Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas (originally released 1965). For anyone, but especially Baby Boomers, this music is essential listening.
3. The Fab Four (Beatles Tribute Band)- A Fab Four Christmas/Have Yourself a FAB-ulous Little Christmas (2002). Covers of Christmas songs, Beatle-Style. Captures the joy and spirit of both Christmas and the Beatles.
4. J.D. McPherson - Socks (2018). If this disc doesn’t have you smiling and bopping around the house, you must be six feet under.
5. Cyndi Lauper - Merry Christmas…Have A Nice Life! (1998). Fun collection,mixing originals with covers. Some bouncy tunes along with some sentimental ones too.
6. Rotary Connection - Peace (1968). This soulful collection Features Minnie Riperton.
7. The Smithereens - Christmas with The Smithereens (2007). Power Pop Christmas Rock!
8. The Grip Weeds - Under The Influence Of Christmas (2011) More Power Pop Christmas Rock!
9. Nat King Cole - The Magic Of Christmas (1960, rereleased as “The Christmas Song”)
10. Emmylou Harris - A Light In The Stable (1992, expanded with new tracks in 2002). If you’re looking for a Roots/Bluegrass Christmas album, this is the one. Guest appearances by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Neil Young.

What are your favorite Christmas albums?

Humbug Hitmakers: Recording Stars (1950-2000) who never made a Christmas Record

(taken from my blog at: https://www.afiendishthingy.com/blog/Entries/2020/12/hitmaking-humbugs-recording-stars-1950-2000-who-never-made-a-christmas-record.html )

I collect Christmas records. I have in my collection, hundereds of discs, containing Christmas recordings by probably over a thousand artists. In my years of collecting, it struck me that, despite the ubiquity of pop star Christmas recordings, there were a few stars who never succumbed to the commercial pull to put out a holiday song. Below is my list of hitmakers who never released a Christmas/Holiday song.

Criteria for inclusion:

To make this list, an artist/band had to have had multiple Top 20 hits, singles or LP (US pop/C&W/R&B charts) between 1950-2000, and have never issued a Christmas/Holiday record (generic winter-themed songs that have become holiday standards, such as “Winter Wonderland” count). The Christmas recording could be released any year (hence, Dylan is not on this list). I included that criteria because many artists release Christmas recordings in the waning years of their careers. Limited edition/fan club releases OK (hence, the Beatles are not on the list).

The Humbug Hitmakers List:

Patsy Cline- Patsy did do a couple of duets of “Winter Wonderland” and “Let It Snow” for a TV show in 1959-60

Hank Williams- no, the depressing “First Fall of Snow” doesn’t count.

The Dave Clark Five

The Hollies- they did sing “Winter Wonderland” on the Ready Steady Go TV program in 1966

Led Zeppelin

The Yardbirds- although original member Eric Clapton has released a Christmas LP

The GO-GO’s- although Belinda Carlisle did make a Christmas record

Muddy Waters

The Byrds

Buffalo Springfield

Sam & Dave

Carl Perkins

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young- although Neil Young has guested on some Christmas recordings by friends.

Pink Floyd- they did do an original Christmas song as a one off for a BBC radio show.

Buddy Holly- had his career not been tragically cut short, I’m sure he would have recorded a Christmas song, probably an original composition.

I'm sure I have missed a few Humbugs; feel free to add your own Humbugs below.

Anyone know when GA runoff winners are sworn in?

The election is January 5, and EV’s are certified January 6. All it takes is one rep and one Senator to object to an elector/slate, and the joint sessions adjourn to separate chambers to debate and vote on sustaining/overruling the objection. Pence is “presiding” in a ceremonial role, and AFAIK can’t break ties in this particular process.

With the GA seats vacant as of January 3, that would give a 50-48 majority to the GOP (assuming they win both NC and AK) unless Dems win and new senators are immediately sworn in, brining it to 50-50. IIRC, ties to objections to electors mean the objection is not sustained...can anyone verify?

ALERT: 538 includes anti-trans national push poll, dropping Biden's avg. to +8.5%

I was quite shocked to find that 538 had included a national poll of 3500 LV’s from Spry Strategies showing Biden +2% .

I’ve never heard of Spry Strategies, so I clicked through to the data page and found this:

Biden's 180 day Judicial Commission will doom his agenda and the healing of America

Biden must be talked out of his 180 Day Judicial Commission to study court reform. After ACB was rammed through the senate, the momentum for court expansion will be strongest in January, and must be pursued. If Biden wants an advisory commission, form it on November 4 as part of his transition process, with recommendations due on February 1. Giving six months to study, will allow momentum for expansion to dissipate and opposition to get organized and strike fear into the senate.

The former Obama staffers who run the Pod Save America podcasts and Crooked Media channel have been advocating for Dems to wield their power “swiftly, brutally and ruthlessly” and I agree with them wholeheartedly- it should be Shock and Awe from January 21.

Let the Biden administration’s efforts on COVID take Center stage, but the congressional leadership must hit the ground running on Court expansion/reform, stimulus, voting rights, Healthcare and green jobs From day one- those are the issues that benefit all Americans and keep Dems in power.

MUST SEE TWEET FOR ALL WHO FEAR TRUMP WILL "STEAL" THE ELECTION:

This is what I’ve been saying for months- Joe’s team is on top of this:

https://twitter.com/jheil/status/1318586655985598471?s=20

600+ lawyers, 1000’s of volunteers.

(Sorry about the all caps title, but I wanted to get the attention of all the “talk me down” posters here)

Sunday, Nov. 1- GOP buys time on all networks to showcase Trump's softer side, w/dancing:

An all-star extravaganza, featuring Rudy, Bannon, Barrett, McEnnanny, Kellieanne Conway, Mitch, Stephen Miller, De Vos, Mnuchin, Pence, and of course, Hair Furor...

Here’s an exclusive preview:

Faulty premise: Republican legislatures cannot appoint alternate slates of electors

You keep posting this Evidence-free nonsense, so I will keep posting evidence based refutations:

Yes, the Constitution states that the legislatures determine how electors are appointed; federal law gives the final say to the governor, because the legislatures in the states have directed that electors be determined by the winner of the popular vote in that state.

Let’s take PA; the legislature passed a law into the Election Code stating the electors are appointed by the governor in accordance with the winner of the popular vote, as certified by the Secretary of State. To change this, the legislature would have to amend the election code, which...requires the signature of the governor.

So...the panicked, nightmare scenario where the GOP legislature overrules the will of the people is not going to happen.

But don’t take my word for it; how about Laurence Tribe, one of nation’s top constitutional experts, quoting existing law and prior court rulings, including from SCOTUS:

http://www.dorfonlaw.org/2020/09/state-legislatures-cannot-act-alone-in.html

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e70e52c7c72720ed714313f/t/5f625c790cef066e940ea42d/1600281722253/State_Legislature_Paper.pdf

https://verdict.justia.com/2020/09/30/no-republicans-cannot-throw-the-presidential-election-into-the-house-so-that-trump-wins

And some other experts, who also support their assertions with existing law and legal precedents:

https://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2020/Pres/Maps/Sep25.html#item-2

The only way Trump can retain power is through extra-legal, perhaps violent means, such as using armed federal agents to seize uncounted ballots or otherwise disrupt the initial counting of votes. This would require the complicity and cooperation of hundreds, if not thousands of federal agents, acting in multiple states, and risking incarceration and possible death from being shot by state police defending vote tallying sites. It would also result in millions of protestors in the streets, and the total collapse of the stock market and the economy.

I don’t know what your agenda is repeatedly posting these panicked conspiracy theories; yes Trump will attempt to disrupt and distract the vote counting process, but the evidence shows that the theories on how he can “steal” the election just don’t hold water.

Have any of those arrested in Portland been arraigned/indicted yet?

I’ve read that 18 protestors were arrested and are still in custody pending arraignment on federal charges including failure to disperse and destruction of property.

I ask this because:

1) In order to file charges, doesn’t there have to be a report from the arresting officer? That officer would have to be named, as would any other officers listed as witnesses or assisting in the arrest.

2) the arrest and court records would available to the public, would they not?

3) the leak of the memo from Chad stating his troops are not trained In crowd control could be used as a Defense.

4) the fact that as acting director of DHS, Chad’s term has exceeded the 210 day limit prescribed by law - so, wouldn’t he have no authority to direct his stormtroopers, and thus their presence would be unlawful?

We will soon see if there is any serious attempt at using the courts to prosecute protestors, in which case, I think the People will gain the upper hand.

Adam Schiff details the essential steps to repairing government institutions post-Trump