Waits for Christmas

Wonderfully pointless, but intriguing just the same.

There is a plan afoot to get Tom Waits’ ‘Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis’ to No. 1 in Ireland for Christmas.  (You can hear the divine Neko Case version in my Scarves & Gloves mix).

So, if you can purchase from an Irish download site, why not go for it? It’s a very good track. While you’re there, download ‘Martha’ and ‘Down In The Hole’ (Theme from Season 2 of the fantastic The Wire).

More about this at waitsforchristmas.blogspot.com.

It’s Mix Time! Scarves & Gloves (Winter Special)

North Campus, NUI Maynooth, originally uploaded by Enda P.

The OU is the grinch that has stolen my Christmas! No merry-making or end of year lists or frivolous nonsense!

Despite that, I have selected some winter themed music for your perusal. Not many sleigh bells or jingle balls but enjoyable in a cathartic melancholy sort of way.

Er, enjoy!

Scarves and Gloves Winter Selection

Part one

1. Christmas Time Is Here * Vince Guaradi
2. A Christmas Dirge * Nellie McKay
3. Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis * Neko Case
4. Jackie Jackie (Spend This Winter With Me) * Sally Shapiro
5. I Remember When (Emotional Version) * James Fogle
6. It’s Not Really Cold When It Snows * The Russian Futurists
7. Winter, Fire & Snow * Anúna
8. All I Ever Get For Christmas Is Blue * Over The Rhine
9. That Was The Worst Christmas Ever! * Sufjan Stevens
10. Winter Wonderland (Bent Remix) * Perry Como

Download Scarves & Gloves part 1 (55MB continuous mp3)

Part two

1. Heart On Snow * Marc Almond with Russia Orchestra
2. Blowing Snow * Marco Raaphorst
3. Avening * Danna & Clément
4. Little Girl Blue (Postal Service Remix) * Nina Simone
5. Things Fall Apart * Cristina
6. Fairytale Of New York * Stars
7. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas * Aimee Mann
8. 2000 Miles * The Pretenders
9. Spotlight On Christmas * Rufus Wainwright
10. Love Came Down * Harry Simeone Chorale

Download Scarves & Gloves part 2 (67MB continuous mp3)

If you enjoyed these, or even if you haven’t, and feel full of goodwill, you might consider a small donation to Mencap, a charity which does amazing things for young people with learning disabilities. My friend Jonathan has dressed up as a Santa for them and this is supposed to make us want to give money. I’m sure there’s some logic there, but hey, let’s donate and feel all warm and fuzzy inside!