Merry Chrsitmas to all my blog readers. I hope you have a peaceful, restful and cheerful time over the days ahead.
Don't drink too much or eat to many mince pies! Well, it is Christmas so...go on then!
Mark & Alyson
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Friday, 24 December 2010
Monday, 20 December 2010
The Fear of (Xmas) Shopping
Ho Ho Ho!
The season of good will is with us though the weather has come with it.
Cardigan town has escaped the worst of the snow this last week. We've had a fair deal over the weekend but certainly nothing compared to other areas of the county and indeed the rest of the country.
I've been out xmas shopping in town and delivering my annual Councillor Xmas greetings leaflet around my ward during the past few days and now only have about a quarter left to deliver. But it's been pretty slippy out there - particularly off the main roads of the town centre.
But that hasn't deterred the shoppers. The town has been pretty busy today which is pleasing to see considering that many of the out-lying areas have been suffering from the snow much more than we have here in the town.
Personally, for one who doesn't enjoy shopping at the best of times, the thought of Xmas shopping usually fills me with dread. Many people simplify the process by shopping early for deals online, but others postpone, until running to stores at the last minute is the only option. In recent years, I've been known to fall into this latter category and have been found out shopping on Christmas Eve and then wrapping it all that evening. With 9 nephews/nieces, older siblings and of course my mother to cater for, it has always been a mini-nightmare.
Fighting the Fear
Thankfully this year I've been that bit more organised. It begins simply by deciding to give my nephews and nieces £10 each. Because with them now ranging from 2-13 years in age, the chances are that I'm either going to buy them something that they don't want or something that they already have. So giving some money should hopefully be my best bet. I certainly recall liking cash as a present when I was younger - I could use it for what I wanted then!
So that has left me with presents to buy for my Alyson, for her parents, for my mother and for her friend Ray. Impressively for me, with 5 days to go, I have now completed the job! This is slightly unheard of for me but it's good news for sure. I've also sent off all of my Christmas cards! I've even bought the bows and name cards for the presents (I'm actually, you may be surprised to read, a decent dab hand when it comes to wrapping presents) and I hope to wrap the presents all up now tonight which leaves me free to complete the delivery of my Councillor Xmas greetings leaflet over the next few days.
So, for once, I've made the whole shopping experience that little bit more reasonable for myself.
But that doesn't mean I like shopping...
The season of good will is with us though the weather has come with it.
Cardigan town has escaped the worst of the snow this last week. We've had a fair deal over the weekend but certainly nothing compared to other areas of the county and indeed the rest of the country.
I've been out xmas shopping in town and delivering my annual Councillor Xmas greetings leaflet around my ward during the past few days and now only have about a quarter left to deliver. But it's been pretty slippy out there - particularly off the main roads of the town centre.
Personally, for one who doesn't enjoy shopping at the best of times, the thought of Xmas shopping usually fills me with dread. Many people simplify the process by shopping early for deals online, but others postpone, until running to stores at the last minute is the only option. In recent years, I've been known to fall into this latter category and have been found out shopping on Christmas Eve and then wrapping it all that evening. With 9 nephews/nieces, older siblings and of course my mother to cater for, it has always been a mini-nightmare.
Fighting the Fear
Thankfully this year I've been that bit more organised. It begins simply by deciding to give my nephews and nieces £10 each. Because with them now ranging from 2-13 years in age, the chances are that I'm either going to buy them something that they don't want or something that they already have. So giving some money should hopefully be my best bet. I certainly recall liking cash as a present when I was younger - I could use it for what I wanted then!
So that has left me with presents to buy for my Alyson, for her parents, for my mother and for her friend Ray. Impressively for me, with 5 days to go, I have now completed the job! This is slightly unheard of for me but it's good news for sure. I've also sent off all of my Christmas cards! I've even bought the bows and name cards for the presents (I'm actually, you may be surprised to read, a decent dab hand when it comes to wrapping presents) and I hope to wrap the presents all up now tonight which leaves me free to complete the delivery of my Councillor Xmas greetings leaflet over the next few days.
So, for once, I've made the whole shopping experience that little bit more reasonable for myself.
But that doesn't mean I like shopping...
Sunday, 19 December 2010
A Homage to Christmas Number Ones
This evening we will find out who has achieved the coveted title of 'Christmas Number One' 2010.
I'm not particularly bothered to be honest. I was very pleased that 'Rage Against the Machine' broke the 5 year stranglehold that X-Factor had on the honour last year but this year, whether it's 'Bird Is The Word' or Matt Cardle that gets it, neither will go down in the pantheon of famous Christmas No.1's.
Or will they...
A definitive list of our festive chart toppers since the charts began in 1952 can be found here but I wanted to pick my own personal favourites.
I've already blogged about my favourite Christmas songs here and 4 of the songs that I mentioned were indeed Christmas Number Ones (those from 1974, 1978, 1984 and 1985) so I won't mention them again here.
The Festive Top of the Pops
I've often incessantly bemoaned the past decade as being the worst ever in pop history for Christmas Number Ones because the songs have no relevance to the season.
Yet, even I must admit looking back, that some of the top positions in years gone by could be accused of the same, but are nevertheless copper bottomed hits.
The Number Ones of the past 58 years fall, as I see it, into two categories - the classic and the comedy.
Comedy Christmas Number Ones
The chart toppers from 1969 (Rolf Harris' Two Little Boys), 1972 (Jimmy Osmond's Long Haired Lover from Liverpool), 1980 (St Winifred's School Choir's There's No-one Quite Like Grandma), 1993 (Mr Blobby) and 2000 (Bob the Builder's Can We Fix It?) all certainly share the quirk of being rather eccentric, novelty tunes.
Added to these is the joyful Numero Uno from 1971. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Benny Hill...
Benny Hill - Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)
Uploaded by EMI_Music. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.
Another 'eccentric' Number One, but a hit all the same, came from 1983 - the unique, Flying Pickets.
The same could again be said for the Yule-tide chart topper of 1986. Another fabulous 'one-off' - this time from Jackie Wilson.
Classic Christmas Number Ones
Whilst they may not have been festive in nature, Christmas has also seen, interspersed by all the novelty acts above, hits from the biggest names of all-time. Elvis scored a Xmas No.1 in 1962 before the Beatles took Christmas by storm, bagging the title an unprecedented four times in 1963, 1964 1965 & 1967. Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody was the only song to ever make the grade on 2 seperate occasions in 1975 and 1991 whilst Cliff Richard accomplished the Number One spot in 1960 (with The Shadows), 1988 & 1990. The Spice Girls then equalled the Beatles' hat-trick in 1996, 1997 & 1998.
But I want to pick out some other classic Christmas Number Ones of my own. To begin, a song I've long liked but only on looking up the information realised that it was actually a Xmas No.1. From 1959, Emile Ford & The Chekmates...
An absolute winner was the 1979 choice from Pink Floyd...
Now, admittedly, this next song shouldn't have made the grade. My Number One Christmas song of all time is 'Fairytale of New York'. But in 1987 it only made No.2. For me personally though, the blow is lessened by the hit that beat it. An Elvis re-make, it's the Pet Shop Boys...
A Very British Sense of Humour
But I think in a way, what these have all showed is that us British don't half enjoy being different when it comes to choosing our Number Ones at Christmas. From Elvis and the Beatles to the Human League and Whitney Houston to Mr Blobby and Rolf Harris.
So perhaps I should reluctantly admit that what we have seen over the past decade is merely a continuation of what has gone before over the previous 50 years.
So, to raise a toast to the eccentric, random, and let's admit it, at times completely insane British sense of humour that shows itself particularly at this time, I close with the Christmas Number One from the year of my birth, 1982.
He too was an Aston Villa fan and during the early 1990s was asked by manager Ron Atkinson to sing 'Nessun Dorma' at half time following a particularly poor first half performance by the team. He went on to run a restaurant named after himself, 'Renato's' in Tamworth but sadly passed away last year, 2009.
But I give you, in tribute to him, from 1982 when his and my Aston Villa won the European Cup, his Christmas Number One.
It's the British Christmas at it's worst, and therefore, looking at all of the above, by definition, it's best!
It's Renee and Renato!
I'm not particularly bothered to be honest. I was very pleased that 'Rage Against the Machine' broke the 5 year stranglehold that X-Factor had on the honour last year but this year, whether it's 'Bird Is The Word' or Matt Cardle that gets it, neither will go down in the pantheon of famous Christmas No.1's.
Or will they...
A definitive list of our festive chart toppers since the charts began in 1952 can be found here but I wanted to pick my own personal favourites.
I've already blogged about my favourite Christmas songs here and 4 of the songs that I mentioned were indeed Christmas Number Ones (those from 1974, 1978, 1984 and 1985) so I won't mention them again here.
The Festive Top of the Pops
I've often incessantly bemoaned the past decade as being the worst ever in pop history for Christmas Number Ones because the songs have no relevance to the season.
Yet, even I must admit looking back, that some of the top positions in years gone by could be accused of the same, but are nevertheless copper bottomed hits.
The Number Ones of the past 58 years fall, as I see it, into two categories - the classic and the comedy.
Comedy Christmas Number Ones
The chart toppers from 1969 (Rolf Harris' Two Little Boys), 1972 (Jimmy Osmond's Long Haired Lover from Liverpool), 1980 (St Winifred's School Choir's There's No-one Quite Like Grandma), 1993 (Mr Blobby) and 2000 (Bob the Builder's Can We Fix It?) all certainly share the quirk of being rather eccentric, novelty tunes.
Added to these is the joyful Numero Uno from 1971. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Benny Hill...
Benny Hill - Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)
Uploaded by EMI_Music. - Music videos, artist interviews, concerts and more.
Another 'eccentric' Number One, but a hit all the same, came from 1983 - the unique, Flying Pickets.
The same could again be said for the Yule-tide chart topper of 1986. Another fabulous 'one-off' - this time from Jackie Wilson.
Classic Christmas Number Ones
Whilst they may not have been festive in nature, Christmas has also seen, interspersed by all the novelty acts above, hits from the biggest names of all-time. Elvis scored a Xmas No.1 in 1962 before the Beatles took Christmas by storm, bagging the title an unprecedented four times in 1963, 1964 1965 & 1967. Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody was the only song to ever make the grade on 2 seperate occasions in 1975 and 1991 whilst Cliff Richard accomplished the Number One spot in 1960 (with The Shadows), 1988 & 1990. The Spice Girls then equalled the Beatles' hat-trick in 1996, 1997 & 1998.
But I want to pick out some other classic Christmas Number Ones of my own. To begin, a song I've long liked but only on looking up the information realised that it was actually a Xmas No.1. From 1959, Emile Ford & The Chekmates...
An absolute winner was the 1979 choice from Pink Floyd...
Now, admittedly, this next song shouldn't have made the grade. My Number One Christmas song of all time is 'Fairytale of New York'. But in 1987 it only made No.2. For me personally though, the blow is lessened by the hit that beat it. An Elvis re-make, it's the Pet Shop Boys...
A Very British Sense of Humour
But I think in a way, what these have all showed is that us British don't half enjoy being different when it comes to choosing our Number Ones at Christmas. From Elvis and the Beatles to the Human League and Whitney Houston to Mr Blobby and Rolf Harris.
So perhaps I should reluctantly admit that what we have seen over the past decade is merely a continuation of what has gone before over the previous 50 years.
So, to raise a toast to the eccentric, random, and let's admit it, at times completely insane British sense of humour that shows itself particularly at this time, I close with the Christmas Number One from the year of my birth, 1982.
He too was an Aston Villa fan and during the early 1990s was asked by manager Ron Atkinson to sing 'Nessun Dorma' at half time following a particularly poor first half performance by the team. He went on to run a restaurant named after himself, 'Renato's' in Tamworth but sadly passed away last year, 2009.
But I give you, in tribute to him, from 1982 when his and my Aston Villa won the European Cup, his Christmas Number One.
It's the British Christmas at it's worst, and therefore, looking at all of the above, by definition, it's best!
It's Renee and Renato!
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, 28 November 2010
IT'S CHRIIIIISSSSTMAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSS!
I love Christmas - loves it I do! It's the inner child in me.
But this year, I make no bones with the fact that I'm more excited about this Yuletide time of year than I have been in years. The reason? Two words - Alyson Rees!
We'll have been together officially for a year as of Boxing Day so this will be our first proper Crimbo together and whilst she lives with her parents in Llanboidy you wouldn't think it such has been her impact on my house these past 12 months! Most notably at the moment is the Christmas Tree and decorations that we've been putting up today around the house! I bought this house Aneddfa, 5 years ago this December. Never in that time have I gone all Christmassy with it - I've never had the time or compulsion too. But this year, it's all change! This Christmas is gonna rock!
My Top Xmas Hits!
A big part of this wintery season for me is always the music. I love Christmas music at this time of year as it really puts me in the mood. It does annoy me when I hear it in October because it tends to lose some of that sparkle when you hear it too early.
Normally I turn the music on, on December 1st and no earlier but this year I'm a few days early because I'm just too damned excited with it all (and it's the first day of advent also!).
Christmas songs from down the years are so numerous and splendid, I have found it near impossible to try and collect in one small space here, a sample of my favourites. But I've given it a go. Now don't be surprised if you find some big hits excluded from this list. There are some songs that for me are oveplayed at Xmas time and which have made them lose their appeal somewhat.
Here, in no particular order are the Cole Xmas Hits which I look out for each year...
First, a wonderful Bing Crosby hit. No, not 'White Christmas' (yawn), but 'It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas'
Then there's the fantastic Brenda Lee and she's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.
Jona Lewie's anti-war 'Stop the Cavalry' is a classic.
The Beach Boys are legendary. Their Xmas hit I think is greatly under-rated. It's 'The Little Saint Nick'.
Andy Williams is rarely wrong and certainly not this time. For 'It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year'
Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews certainly new the temperature 'cos 'Baby It's Cold Outside'.
An under-rated Yule-tide hit comes from Chris Rea - he's 'Driving Home for Christmas'.
My father liked Boney M. I like Boney M. I love their rendition of 'Mary's Boy Child'.
Don't you ever forget Bobby Helms and his 'Jingle Bell Rock'.
Here's a little bit of Celine Dion singing one of the spine-tingling tunes of all time - 'O Holy Night'.
Want some Dean Martin? Want some Snow? You've got it! 'Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow'.
But we can't some Christmas without some Elvis. Less of the white stuff, this is a 'Blue Christmas'
Continuing on the more melancholic vibe, it'll be 'Lonely This Christmas' for Mud.
I blame Aberystwyth University friend Christopher Shaw for this one. Only in the past year have I suddenly realise how awesome David Essex's 'A Winter's Tale' is. A wonderful, haunting melody.
Say what you want, I don't care. I've always been fond of Robson and Jerome's version of 'I Believe'.
Upping the tempo again, another under-rated Xmas hit, this time from Elton John - 'Step Into Christmas'.
Shakin' Stevens can not be overlooked. 'Merry Christmas Everyone'.
Then coming towards my all time top Xmas Hits. Band Aid, 1984 really was something else. Again, shivers down spine time. Do they know it's Christmas?
An all-time hit is Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas'. Wow!
If I had to choose a Mark Cole all-time Christmas Number 1. Then I think there can only be one. It has to be Kirsty McColl and the Pogues 'Fairytale of New York'.
This has been a right-old varied bag of Xmas hits - apt as my musical tastes have always been eclectic. But to finish off, just to show that the good old-fashioned Christmas song isn't dead. Here's a modern hit that should deserve to be in anyone's all-time Xmas hits list for years to come.
From the genius that is Peter Kay, courtesy of Geraldine McQueen, to remind us all that is great about this time of year, it's 'Once Upon a Christmas Song'.
You'll be singing it over and over and over again...
But this year, I make no bones with the fact that I'm more excited about this Yuletide time of year than I have been in years. The reason? Two words - Alyson Rees!
We'll have been together officially for a year as of Boxing Day so this will be our first proper Crimbo together and whilst she lives with her parents in Llanboidy you wouldn't think it such has been her impact on my house these past 12 months! Most notably at the moment is the Christmas Tree and decorations that we've been putting up today around the house! I bought this house Aneddfa, 5 years ago this December. Never in that time have I gone all Christmassy with it - I've never had the time or compulsion too. But this year, it's all change! This Christmas is gonna rock!
My Top Xmas Hits!
A big part of this wintery season for me is always the music. I love Christmas music at this time of year as it really puts me in the mood. It does annoy me when I hear it in October because it tends to lose some of that sparkle when you hear it too early.
Normally I turn the music on, on December 1st and no earlier but this year I'm a few days early because I'm just too damned excited with it all (and it's the first day of advent also!).
Christmas songs from down the years are so numerous and splendid, I have found it near impossible to try and collect in one small space here, a sample of my favourites. But I've given it a go. Now don't be surprised if you find some big hits excluded from this list. There are some songs that for me are oveplayed at Xmas time and which have made them lose their appeal somewhat.
Here, in no particular order are the Cole Xmas Hits which I look out for each year...
First, a wonderful Bing Crosby hit. No, not 'White Christmas' (yawn), but 'It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas'
Then there's the fantastic Brenda Lee and she's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree.
Jona Lewie's anti-war 'Stop the Cavalry' is a classic.
The Beach Boys are legendary. Their Xmas hit I think is greatly under-rated. It's 'The Little Saint Nick'.
Andy Williams is rarely wrong and certainly not this time. For 'It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year'
Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews certainly new the temperature 'cos 'Baby It's Cold Outside'.
An under-rated Yule-tide hit comes from Chris Rea - he's 'Driving Home for Christmas'.
My father liked Boney M. I like Boney M. I love their rendition of 'Mary's Boy Child'.
Don't you ever forget Bobby Helms and his 'Jingle Bell Rock'.
Here's a little bit of Celine Dion singing one of the spine-tingling tunes of all time - 'O Holy Night'.
Want some Dean Martin? Want some Snow? You've got it! 'Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow'.
But we can't some Christmas without some Elvis. Less of the white stuff, this is a 'Blue Christmas'
Continuing on the more melancholic vibe, it'll be 'Lonely This Christmas' for Mud.
I blame Aberystwyth University friend Christopher Shaw for this one. Only in the past year have I suddenly realise how awesome David Essex's 'A Winter's Tale' is. A wonderful, haunting melody.
Say what you want, I don't care. I've always been fond of Robson and Jerome's version of 'I Believe'.
Upping the tempo again, another under-rated Xmas hit, this time from Elton John - 'Step Into Christmas'.
Shakin' Stevens can not be overlooked. 'Merry Christmas Everyone'.
Then coming towards my all time top Xmas Hits. Band Aid, 1984 really was something else. Again, shivers down spine time. Do they know it's Christmas?
An all-time hit is Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas'. Wow!
If I had to choose a Mark Cole all-time Christmas Number 1. Then I think there can only be one. It has to be Kirsty McColl and the Pogues 'Fairytale of New York'.
This has been a right-old varied bag of Xmas hits - apt as my musical tastes have always been eclectic. But to finish off, just to show that the good old-fashioned Christmas song isn't dead. Here's a modern hit that should deserve to be in anyone's all-time Xmas hits list for years to come.
From the genius that is Peter Kay, courtesy of Geraldine McQueen, to remind us all that is great about this time of year, it's 'Once Upon a Christmas Song'.
You'll be singing it over and over and over again...
Merry Christmas!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)