Let's start with this thing of wonder from Wout Steenhuis and the Kontikis; Hawaiian Christmas:
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| Wout Steenhuis & The Kontikis - Hawaiian Christmas (1981) |
Dutch multi-instrumentalist (but primarily guitarist) Wout released this album of Hawaiian-flavoured Christmas tunes (as well as versions of Greensleeves and Amazing Grace for good measure) in 1981, and as you can see from the sticker it was given away as a free promo with his Hawaiian Paradise LP. I paid £2 for it at a boot sale this summer.
Although 'The Kontikis' are credited, I'm fairly sure that such a band never really existed and that Wout himself was responsible for playing every instrument. Youtube comments suggest he was a "multi-tracking wizard", and he performed on stage alone with just his guitar and instrumental recordings made in his studio.
Top tracks here are It Came Upon A Midnight Clear and The Holly And The Ivy, but the album as a whole is a mellow festive delight; just the thing to go with a couple of large brandies and a mince pie. Or maybe a Piña Colada. Mele Kalikimaka, Wout!
Tracklisting
Side 1.
1. The Holly And The Ivy.
2. Silent Night.
3. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear.
4. Away In A Manger.
5. Ding Dong Merrily On High.
6. Amazing Grace.
Side 2.
1. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
2. Noel Tahitien.
3. Jingle Bells.
4. Shepherds Carol.
5. We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
6. Greensleeves.
Another instrumental album, bought for 50p is Christmas With Love from Geoff Love and his Orchestra:
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| Geoff Love & His Orchestra - Christmas With Love (1972) |
Yorkshireman, composer and arranger Geoff Love is best known for his popular arrangements of easy listening and film music released on budget label Music For Pleasure in the 60s and 70s. Here he turns his attention to a dozen Christmas classics, and I have to say that this collection has gone straight into my Top Ten favourite Christmas albums of all time. From the bouncy Sleigh Ride, through the dramatic God Rest... to the sweeping Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas it's a joy from start to finish and definitely worth rescuing from your local chazza should you spot it.
Tracklisting
Side 1.
1. White Christmas.
2. Sleigh Ride.
3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.
4. Ding Dong Merrily On High.
5. Mary's Boy Child.
6. The Christmas Song.
Side 2.
1. Jingle Bells.
2. Little Donkey.
3. Winter Wonderland.
4. Coventry Carol.
5. The Little Drummer Boy.
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
Tune in tomorrow (Thurs 18th Dec) for Part 4 of the Car Boot Christmas Countdown, featuring possibly the best instrumental Christmas album of all time!
Hear me play my favourite car-boot Christmas picks on the cloudcast using the widget below. Alternatively follow the link to be taken to the mixcloud page.
A Wout Steenhuis album (and a Christmas one at that) that I do not have. Must have a look for it.
ReplyDeleteAh, a Wout fan! I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for more of his records when the boot sale season swings back into action next year.
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