Episode 008: Eight Shattered Ornaments

Episode 008: Eight Shattered Ornaments

01 The Rolling Stones - Cosmic Christmas (UK 1967) This unlisted track ends the first side of The Stones' sole psychedelic effort.

02 Claudine Longet - I Don’t Intend to Spend Christmas Without You (France 1967) Thanks to our friends at RPM International for contributing this fantastic Christmas love song by France's soft-voiced starlet.  This single only offering is a sparkly pop wonder with pristine production typical of the time. 

03 The Rotary Connection - Christmas Child (US 1968) Minnie Riperton and company offer this groovy holiday original written by producer Charles Stepney, taken from their 1968 Christmas album Peace.  A combination of soulful takes on classics and originals make it a perfect soundtrack to the season.

04 Twice As Much & Vashti Bunyan - Coldest Night of the Year (UK 1968) This British duo of Dave Skinner and Andrew Rose recorded two albums for Immediate records of which this classic wintry tune graces their second.  Originally by Nino Tempo and April Stevens, the duo teamed up with folk chanteuse Vashti Bunyan during per pop singer days to produce their version of this perfect pop nugget. 

05 The Chamber Brothers - Merry Christmas, Happy New Year (US 1969) Along with Sly Stone, the Brothers Chamber were one of the first bands to send psychedelic soul to the pop charts.  This single only offering is indebted to the aforementioned legend, combining his trademark fuzz guitar groove with rotating lead vocals into a psych-funk holiday workout.

06 Paul Revere & The Raiders - Rain, Sleet, Snow (US 1967 - Mono Mix) A fuzz-laden holiday banger from one of America's  greatest garage pop successes, this ode to the pangs of working for the US Postal Service  during the holiday season is taken from their 1967 Christmas LP.

07 The Majority - All Our Christmases (UK 1968) Beginning life as Majority One, these British lads laid down many a fine single as well as a stellar LP during their brief two year career.  This waltzy number shows a strong Hollies harmony pop influence.

08 Wild Silk - Toymaker (UK 1969) Mysteriously released as Basil in the US, this UK obscurity is a classic example of toytown psychedelia.  Thought not explicitly about Christmas, there is only one night of the year in which this toymaker must frantically work to meet his deadline.  The band released four singles of fine UK pop over their two year existence.

09 Saturday’s Children - Christmas Sounds (US 1966) A sweet holiday pop number by this Chicago area band who recorded three singles for the Dunwich label from 1966 to 1967 before calling it quits.

10 Bee Gees - First of May (UK 1969) The Australian brothers' 1969 concept album Odessa shows a band in flux from their Beatle-esque pop-psych era into more orchestrated pop territory before finding their true calling with soul and funk-rock in the 70's.  This beautiful number tells the heartbreaking tale of lost love using Christmas trees as a metaphor. 

11 Robin Gibb - Lord Bless All (UK 1970) During the brief time that this brother Gibb left The Bee Gees due to lead vocal disputes, he recorded a solo LP that proved years ahead of its time.  Though not the most consistent set, it showed some of the earliest drum machine experiments in rock.  This gorgeous track washed in reverb showcases what Robin would have continued to experiment with had he not returned back to his original band later in the year,

12 Simon & Garfunkel - 7 ‘O Clock News/Silent Night (US 1966 - Mono Mix) We end things with this somber take on a holiday classic by the masters of folk-rock.  This striking rendition closes their classic Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme album.