— Greetings of the Season —

Well everyone, the holidays are upon us again. I did up a letter via email a few years ago that I thought was a lot of fun, and really well received, and I thought the time was right to do it again. I got to thinking about Christmas, and memories, and I realized, I was of a generation who’s memories are often permanently etched on film — and now of course, digitally…. For the rest of time!!!! That in mind this message is full of hotlinks to YouTube clips that are some of my favourite memories — new and old— of Christmas. Yes, it will take some time. Yes, you should probably watch your volume. But I think in the end you’ll be smiling just as much as I am writing it. Grab soemthing warm to sip and enjoy. Simply click on the underlined sections to link to the videos. (not sure on mobile, I’m assuming tap). Each one opens a new window, so watch your tabs.

— The Muppets —

What would an archive of Christmas videos from me be, without the Muppets, and I’m starting with a classic. This clip is one the final scenes from ‘A Muppet Family Christmas’. It was at the height of the Muppets original popularity, and it showcased the whole gang from Henson’s Creature Shop: Including those from the Muppet Show, Sesame street, and Fraggle Rock(with Doc and Sprocket — though I think they could have worked a Dozer or 2 in) — As well as a really special cameo near the end. It’s THIS show that I gauge all other Christmas specials by. Good humour, BAD humour, and all the characters of my childhood in the quintessential over crowded Muppets medley. It was a win all around.

Another classic song comes from “A Muppet Christmas Carol”. This was a special treat for me. It’s been a tradition in my family to watch ‘A Christmas Carol’ every Christmas eve—The George C. Scott version—So it was a really nice for me when my favourite team got together and presented their version of it. The typical Muppet humour was there. Gonzo (narrating as Dickens) shone with his sidekick Rizzo the Rat, the costumes and new characters were classic, but innovative all at the same time. And most of all, the Muppet music was spot on. ‘No cheeses for us meeces’.

The Muppets have made a comeback thanks to Jason Segel and the first movie a few years ago, but even before that, they’d started making a return on YouTube. Many of you have seen their cover of Bohemian Rhapsody (if you haven’t I recommend it as soon as you’re done with all this), but they followed it up with smaller clips like this one, performing one of my favourite pieces, the ‘Carol of the Bells’. My mentor really gets a chance to shine — When he manages to find an appropriate instrument, properly up to the task.

We can’t forget the good folks, and monsters, of Sesame Street. One of my other favourite Christmas specials was this gem from the nice people at PBS. This was, to my knowledge, the only Christmas special they ever did, “Christmas Eve on Sesame Street”. Full of some really nice songs, a great interpretation of the ‘Gift of the Magi’ led by Bert and Ernie, and all your favourites (Kermit, Grover, Big Bird, Susan, Gordon, Maria…even My. Hooper!) including this guy — Cookie Monster, OLD skool! This is back in the days when he said COWABUNGA! (that’s right, before Bart Simpson).

Perhaps one of the best known Muppets Christmas moments involved a special they did with John Denver. I don’t recall seeing it at the time (though thanks to YouTube I've seen enough), but it was paired with an album that I’ve always known about. This is another perfect Muppet moment, all huddled around their guest, with quick jokes, one liners, exaggerations, and trademark unison swaying. Also, Fozzie at his Fozziest

That also happens to segue nicely into my next section….

— The 12 Days of Christmas —

There is no Christmas song that can be, or HAS been, played with as much as The 12 Days. I present just a FEW examples that stick out for me, but I’m sure you could spend hours looking up different versions.

The first is what really inspired me to write this letter the first time ‘round. It started me looking for clips on YouTube, getting me stuck in what I lovingly call THE VORTEX. A collegiate vocal ensemble called “Straight no chaser” had recently gone viral for their cover of a popular tune from the 80's, and as all that happened just before Christmas this was found as well. Always makes me smile, and reminded me of another 12 Days parody from my youth.

I got into stand-up at a young age with the benefit of some Newhart and Cosby (I know, I’ll address it in the new year) records that my grandparents had. I loved it, so I enjoyed going to bed every Sunday night, when I could listen to the Sunday Funnies on CHUM FM. It was a weekly stand up show that showcased some classic as well as new comedy, and they did specials for all of the major holidays. I looked forward to the Christmas show every year because I got to hear this classic. This is a live performance cover of it, but I think they do a great job — the poor guy with the lights. Please enjoy, ‘The 12 Pains of Christmas’.

Anyone who enjoyed comedy and grew up in Canada knows Bob and Doug MacKenzie from SCTV. They recorded a great version of this song specifically for those of us in the Great White North. Full of classic Canadian cliches, and frankly, not quite complete, this track is a really funny version. The boys experimented with an animated television show recently and they combined the audio track from the record, and the animation from their TV show to make this video.

My next entry is just a very funny clip I found of a British comic/actor (I’m assuming). The poor man has certainly found a way to cope with some of the unavoidable pain that sometimes accompanies the holidays. Jeremy Lion performs his very own, very special, 12 days (there IS some language, fair warning).

What would gift getting be without the thank you notes. So prim. So proper. So exasperated? Heather Bambrick plays this every year in her performance/show on Jazz FM, but I’d heard it before that. It’s a great response to receiving such bizarre gifts in such exorbitant numbers.

— My Childhood —

My first time writing this letter a few years ago, I got really nostalgic about all the specials I saw as a kid, and I was overjoyed to find a lot of these clips available on YouTube. Things so old and random a lot of people I ask about them don’t remember them — even after seeing them—and some so main stream they bring smiles to all of our faces. Here’s just a few examples.

The one special I could never get out of my head, was something that couldn't have aired more than once, but I was entranced by it. It was sheer promotional material but it was full of some really artistic moments, and some great writing. It was the California Raisins Christmas special “A Claymation Christmas”. Hosted by 2 dinosaurs (…. yeah, I dunno), One intellectual and trying to teach us about the history of some of our most loved carols, the other the sidekick who couldnt’ stop eating. They were constantly being interrupted by groups who all thought they had the right version of “The Wassail Song” — but didn't. And it was these small vignettes that served as the segues into clips for each carol. Some of my favourites were the camels in “We Three Kings”, the figure skating walruses, and the classic “Carol of the Bells” (it’s ALWAYS the percussionsists!). There were a few others, so I recommend searching a bit, but of course, the whole thing wraps up with the Raisins themselves, with so much Christmassy soul.

Every Christmas at school we were brought into the gym for the school assembly and shown a short animated film. I-LOVED-it! Very basic animation, little voice acting, but FUNNY! I looked back on those viewings fondly for a long time, and after much… and I mean MUCH searching, I managed to find it. And it STILL makes me laugh. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, The Great Toy Robbery.

This was in a special I didn’t see, but I know the song from the radio as far back as I can remember. A mix of my favourite (for more than just the obvious reason) carol, and a new tune arranged with it. You all know it, so just take a moment to enjoy Bing Crosby and David Bowie — “Peace on Earth” (quick side note: I found this parody while looking for that link. If you watched that, you have to see this.)

I’d be remiss if I didn't mention the perennial favourites. We all know “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. The classic Vince Gauraldi soundtrack, the dance scene, Linus and his recitation of the Christmas Story (“Lights please?”), and of course the perfectly circular mouths when the gang finally accepts Charlie Brown’s pathetic little tree (It fills out surprisingly nicely) and sings together, but as there’s way too many to mention, I’m going to link you to my favourite moment. A struggle all we musicians face at one time or another. The other special that simply MUST be mentioned is the classic from everyone’s childhood (it’s 50 years old now!) “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”. Again, there are too many moments to post here so I had to pick one — “I’m cuuuuuude”. Another must see each year for a while was mopey, lazy, chubby Garfield. With his overall attitude about life in general, you can imagine what his feelings about Christmas were. Of course, he comes ‘round in the end — what kind of special would it be otherwise?

A quick aside: I have to take a moment to wish you all, sincerely, a very special Christmas and Holiday season. I hope you all get to spend it with your family, and loved ones whether you celebrate fully or not. The past few years have been, well, certainly not easy for me personally. I’m man enough to admit that I’m not as over things as I want to be, but I’m certainly feeling far more myself than I have in quite a long while. That’s what made me want to reach out to you all, and just maybe bring you some smiles, and hopefully good memories of your own. I hope I’ve managed to do that.

There are a few that I haven’t mentioned. No one can forget the Grinch, or even Frosty the snow man. Both worth remembering, but I chose to close with something that needs some back story. Those of you who know me know of my affection for the work of Aaron Sorkin. ‘The West Wing’, ‘The Newsroom’, and ‘SportsNight’ never really had much in the way of Christmas memories, but Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip certainly did, so I’ll give you a brief background of what you’re about to see, and close on that.

‘Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip’ was a show that only had one season. It was the day to day stories of the cast and creative crew of a sketch comedy show in LA, loosely based on the idea of Saturday night live. This clip is of the musical performace of the show (within the show)’s Christmas episode. During rehearsals all week Danny, the producer, was hearing a particularly good trumpet player in their house band. He did some digging and found out that it was a sub player, as their regular guy was out sick. After a little more digging he found out the real story. It turns out musicians all over LA were calling in sick to their lucrative studio and session gigs to give sub work to musicians from Louisiana—Guys who were often better players—Getting them enough time and experience to get them their union cards, and some steady work. They were letting them crash on their couches too, anything they could to help them out. This was the first Christmas after hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans. So, Danny gathered up all of these musicians that he could find, and gave them this segment. This is, by far, the most beautiful arrangement of “O, Holy Night” I have ever heard. It gives me chills every time. And I think this clip is a wonderful representation of what Christmas means to me. The only thing that makes this better now, is that a dear friend recently managed to find that someone had lifted and transcribed it. I can’t wait to get my hands on it and hopefully arrange it for a percussion ensemble I happen to know. There are some plot moments in this clip, try to ignore them, but please enjoy this arrangment of “Oh Holy Night”.

Thanks so much for your time. I hope you enjoyed all of these as much as I do. And again everyone, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to you all!

—Jay