One problem with running a multiple-weblog weblog is that it's easy to post something to the wrong weblog. Confusing, huh? Tell me about it. Like just now I posted something meant for the miscellaneous flotch sidebar, only I posted it here. Duh. Easily fixed, I guess, but still it makes me feel stupid.

Does anyone else ever listen to Christmas carols in midsummer?

Nick does it from time-to-time. It'll be hot afternoon in July, and I'll walk into his office to hear the Robert Shaw singers wistfully proclaiming "O Holy Night" or asking "What Child is This?".

But I do it too.

This morning I could have chosen any CD, and what did I pick? I picked this (awesome) Christmas mix that I made a couple of years ago. I've already listened to it twice and just started it playing for a third time.

Ye Shepherds Shrink Not With Afright (a mix by J.D. Roth)

1. Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light (Glad)
2. Carol of the Bells (Trans-Siberian Orchestra w/Metallica)
3. Let it Snow! (Luscious Jackson)
4. Let it Snow! (Bing Crosby)
5. Ave Maria (supposedly Jewel, but I'm skeptical)
6. O Holy Night (Jewel, for sure)
7. Children Go Where I Send Thee (Kingston Trio)
8. Here Come Santa Claus (Elvis Presley)
9. Holly Jolly Christmas (Alan Jackson)
10. The First Noel (Crash Test Dummies)
11. O Come All Ye Faithful (Martina McBride)
12. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (Jewel)
13. Coventry Carol (Loreena McKennit)
14. Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming (Charlotte Church)
15. Angels We Have Heard on High (The Roches)
16. I Saw Three Ships (Sting)
17. Merry Christmas Baby (Otis Redding)
18. Santa Baby (Vonda Shepard w/Calista Flockhart)
19. Sleigh Ride (Squirrel Nut Zippers)
20. River (Joni Mitchell)
21. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (young Frank Sinatra)
22. Song for a Winter's Night (Sarah McLachlan)
23. O Holy Night (Tracy Chapman)
24. Suzy Snowflake (Soul Coughing)
25. What Child is This? (Caedmon's Call)
26. The Christians and the Pagans (Dar Williams)
27. Still, Still, Still (Mannheim Steamroller)
28. Silent Night (Enya)
29. Hallelujah Chorus (featuring Andrea Bocelli and Cecilia Bartolli)

It's not that I'm in the mood for Christmas — I'm not — it's just that sometimes it feels good to sing along to songs which are so intimately familiar. This mix is particularly fun because it mixes traditional arrangements of popular standards with some beautiful choral sacred music and some very non-traditional interpretations of some carols. Too, there are modern gems like this:

The Christians and the Pagans
by Dar Williams

Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday,
Jane and I were having Solstice; now we need a place to stay."
And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree,
He watched his son hang candy canes all made with Red Dye No. 3.
He told his niece, "Its Christmas Eve, I know our life is not your style,"
She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and its been awhile."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said,
Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch,
Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a witch?"
His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen,
And it was Jane who spoke, she said, "It's true, your cousin's not a Christian,"
"But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share,
And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere,"

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
And where does magic come from? I think magic's in the learning,
'Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother."
Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked like Tim and like her father.
He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year,
He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas, and your daughter's here."
He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve, saying,
"Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table,
Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able,
Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and
Making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.

I probably make one mix CD every month. Most of these are failures: a mess of songs that have no right being on the same disc. Some, like the one above, are brilliant, with songs that complement each other, arranged in the perfect order, and with perfectly timed segues. (I love making segues!)

I always hope that each mix will turn out to be brilliant, but that's rarely the case.

If I ever post a mix of which you'd like a copy, just let me know. I'd be happy to make one for you.

On this day at foldedspace.org

2005 — Bookworm   I consume about one book a week. It's my goal to return to the one-hundred book per year level, but it's going to require a concentrated effort.

2004 — Curving Like a Trout   The first two paragraphs of Crossing to Safety provide a fine example of what is right with this book.