Holly Jolly X'masu: Recent Episodes
Scott Leopold
Welcome to episode 133 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1963 album, “$100 Million Christmas In Stereophonic Sounds,” featuring Hiroshi Ishimaru conducting the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.
I hope you enjoyed Hiroshi Ishimaru’s “$100 Million Christmas In Stereophonic Sounds.” It’s really a fantastic album. I’m sorry that this episode is a little lighter on content than most episodes. I had a lot going on around Christmas and really needed to take a mental break for a couple weeks. I’m also struggling to get over a stomach bug, so that made it hard to devote a lot of time to researching and writing this episode. I’m going to try to get another episode out before the end of the month, and then start working on recording and digitizing the records I got for Christmas.
Be sure to listen in next time when I talk about singer and actress Mari Henmi’s 1971 album, “Mari Henmi & X’mas Evening.” It’s an interesting album, sort of a one-woman musical play. It has some great performances so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. All proceeds will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 132 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this New Year’s Eve bonus episode, I talk about the 1979 album, “Christmas Carol With Go Go,” by Korean guitarist Ra Eum Pa.
I hope you enjoyed “Christmas Carol With Go Go.” It’s been a rough week so I had to rush through this episode. Given a couple more weeks, I might have been able to find that blog that talked about Ra Eum Pa, but I gave up after two to three hours of searching. I was in the middle of an allergic reaction when I recorded it, so I sound a bit off as well.
Have a happy New Year, and be sure to tune in next time when I talk about the 1963 album, “$100 Million Christmas In Stereophonic Sound,” featuring Hiroshi Ishimaru conducting the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. I misidentified it as a Mood Kayo album during this episode, but it’s actually a fantastic orchestral Christmas album and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 131 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this special Christmas Day episode, I talk about the truly amazing 1971 album by the Warner Beatniks, “Rock Christmas Rock.”
I hope you enjoyed “Rock Christmas Rock,” and that you were able to make it part of your Christmas celebration. It’s one of the most unbelievable albums in my collection, and I’m lucky to have a copy.
Have a Merry Christmas, then be sure to listen in next week for my special New Year’s Eve episode. I’ll be talking about the 1979 album, “Christmas Carol With Go Go,” by Korean guitarist Ra Eum Pa. It’s another fantastic album you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 130 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the Kodama Press sonojournal, “X’mas Dance Music,” featuring Yasushi Ashida and his Mellow Notes.
I hope you enjoyed listening to and learning what little I was able to uncover about Yasushi Ashida. The music here really is fantastic. Collecting these old sonojournals and flexi-discs has been an adventure unto itself. While I know what I’m getting into with some of them, others are a complete surprise. Finding gems like this really makes it worthwhile.
As promised in the episode, here’s the contents of the sonojournal:
Join me back here on Christmas Day for another great, new episode. It’s become something of a tradition for me to feature the best, most exciting albums from my collection on Christmas Day, and this year is no exception. This time I’ll be covering one of the ultimate holy grails of Japanese Christmas records, “Rock Christmas Rock” by the Warner Beatniks. This is one that will truly blow you away, so make sure you listen in.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know. Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 129 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the Tokyo Ocean Orchestra’s 1971 album, “White Christmas.” I hope you enjoyed the enigmatic Tokyo Ocean Orchestra as much as I do. I really love this, not just because it’s an 8-track, but because it helps show that there is still plenty of undiscovered Christmas music out there. I’ve been lucky enough to find several records and tapes that have no digital footprint and are truly unknown works of art. Be sure to check out my next episode where I cover another artist who is now virtually unknown, Yasushi Ashida and His Mellow Notes. They were featured in a Kodama Press sonojournal in 1960 and left behind an absolutely spectacular collection of Christmas music. It’s one you don’t want to miss. As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know. Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 128 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this special X’mas Stars On 78 episode, I talk about a selection of my Christmas 78s. I hope you enjoyed this look at older Japanese Christmas records. The work and care that goes into these really make me appreciate them even more. Even though I’ve been collecting them for nearly five years, every time I listen to one, I can’t help but think about how remarkable it is that they’re still available. The best example of this is my Fumiko Noso record from 1909. The fact that this brittle disc of shellac has survived 115 years without any major damage is impressive enough, but it’s also lived through numerous earthquakes, tsunamis, two world wars, and a nuclear attack, not to mention being shipped halfway around the world. Being able to listen to records like that is one of the most fulfilling things about this hobby. Towards the end of the episode, I mentioned how Yuji Koseki’s record was the perfect bookend to the episode. Other than having it end with another version of “Firefly Light,” and spacing out the two versions of “Jingle Bells,” the other coincidences weren’t planned. Before I started writing this episode, I didn’t realize he was born the same year Noso’s “Firefly Light” was released, and that Ichiro Fujiyama, the singer who most helped boost the success of Koseki’s Pop songs, had started out by taking piano lessons from Noso and her father. I loved that it worked out that way. As for the picture discs, I have quite a few more that I’ll talk about eventually. Keep an eye on my social media for pictures of them. As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know. Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 127 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Takeshi Terauchi’s 1983 album, “Electric Merry Christmas.”
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about Takeshi Terauchi’s life and career, and listening to his Christmas music. The term “legend” tends to get thrown around a lot, but Terry truly lived up to the name.
As you all know, December is the high point of the year for me. I have several great episodes lined up. I’m debating whether to add another to the mix. First up, though, is one I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. I’ve managed to collect quite a few 78s, and next episode I’ll be sharing a selection of them with you. They offer a fascinating look at the sort of Christmas music that was available prior to and just after the Christmas pop music explosion of the 1950s. I’ll share more details on my other December episodes next time around, so be sure to tune in.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 126 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Takeshi Terauchi’s 1979 album, “Let’s Go! Terry X’mas.” I hope you’re enjoying my coverage of Takeshi Terauchi. If you like Christmas Rock, you can’t go wrong with Terry. “Let’s Go! Terry X’mas” has a great, late 70s vibe to it, with its blend of Rock, Country, Funk and Disco. It’s one of those albums that should appeal to just about everyone.
Join me next time for the conclusion of my Takeshi Terauchi episodes. I’ll be talking about his 1983 album, “Electric Merry Christmas.” It continues his string of fantastic Christmas albums, and you’re sure to enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know. Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 125 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Takeshi Terauchi’s Christmas music from the 1960’s.
I hope you enjoyed this first episode about the God of Electric Guitar. His records were some of my favorites early on, and I still listen to them whenever I get the chance. Although I managed to get back on pace at the end of last month, things got really hectic again and I’m once more way behind schedule. I’m doing my best to get these three episodes out before the end of the month, and then I’ll dive into my December episodes.
Join me next time as I continue my look at Takeshi Terauchi. I’ll be talking about his 1979 album, “Let’s Go! Terry X’mas.” Then listen in for my third episode about Terry when I’ll be discussing his 1983 album, “Electric Merry Christmas.” They both great albums you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know. Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 124 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Hiroko Williams’ 2016 album, “My Room For Christmas.”
I hope you enjoyed “My Room For Christmas” as much as I do. It’s such a fantastic album, and Hiroko Williams is absolutely amazing. She’s had a fascinating career, and learning about it really kept me engaged while working on this episode.
Be sure to listen in next month for my trio of episodes about the God of Electric Guitar, Takeshi Terauchi. I’ll start out with his 1960s Christmas EP’s, then talk about his 1979 album, “Let’s Go! Terry X’mas,” and finish up with his 1983 album, “Electric Merry Christmas.” He’s truly a legend in Japan and you’re sure to enjoy his music.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
And don’t forget to order your limited-edition Kringle Krew ornament. All of us at the Christmas Podcast Network wanted to do something special this year, so we came together to offer our listeners the chance to help us spread some holiday cheer. Not only do you get the beautiful ornament pictured below, but 100% of the proceeds go to the Red Sled Santa Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income, at-risk, medically-challenged, and terminally ill children during the holiday season. We have a limited number of these ornaments available, so be sure to order yours now, and help us bring a little love and magic to some children in need. From all of us at the Christmas Podcast Network, thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can help create unforgettable Christmas memories.
Welcome to episode 123 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Mami Horie’s 2010 album, “The Swingin’ Christmas.”
I hope you liked Mami Horie’s album as much as I do. There are some real gems here, and I’m glad I was finally able to share it with you. I can’t help but wonder about what derailed her career, and just how big a star she would have been if that hadn’t happened. On a positive note, based on one of the interviews I read, she seems to have had a happy, successful life despite the early setback.
Join me next time for another fantastic album, Hiroko Williams’ “My Room For Christmas” from 2016. It’s another wonderful vocal album that took forever to get. Then listen in next month as I devote all of November to guitar legend Takeshi Terauchi. I’ll be covering his Christmas releases from the 1960s, and his two albums from the 70s and 80s. Trust me when I say you don’t want to miss them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
And don’t forget to order your limited-edition Kringle Krew ornament. All of us at the Christmas Podcast Network wanted to do something special this year, so we came together to offer our listeners the chance to help us spread some holiday cheer. Not only do you get the beautiful ornament pictured below, but 100% of the proceeds go to the Red Sled Santa Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income, at-risk, medically-challenged, and terminally ill children during the holiday season. We have a limited number of these ornaments available, so be sure to order yours now, and help us bring a little love and magic to some children in need. From all of us at the Christmas Podcast Network, thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can help create unforgettable Christmas memories.
Welcome to episode 122 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1997 compilation, “Winter Gift Pops.”
I hope you enjoyed “Winter Gift Pops.” It’s a fun album and one I’ve been looking forward to sharing. As hard as I tried to get this episode out before the end of September, life got in the way. To say it’s been crazy is an understatement. Like I’ve said several times over the past few months, I’ll be doing my best to get caught up over the next few weeks.
Be sure to tune in later this month, or possibly early next month, as I talk about a pair of really great vocal Jazz albums from the 2010s. Up first is Mami Horie’s “The Swingin’ Christmas” from 2010. Then join me the following episode for Hiroko Williams’ fantastic 2016 album, “My Room For Christmas.” You’re sure to enjoy them both.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
And don’t forget to order your limited-edition Kringle Krew ornament. All of us at the Christmas Podcast Network wanted to do something special this year, so we came together to offer our listeners the chance to help us spread some holiday cheer. Not only do you get the beautiful ornament pictured below, but 100% of the proceeds go to the Red Sled Santa Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping low-income, at-risk, medically-challenged, and terminally ill children during the holiday season. We have a limited number of these ornaments available, so be sure to order yours now, and help us bring a little love and magic to some children in need. From all of us at the Christmas Podcast Network, thank you for your generosity and support. Together, we can help create unforgettable Christmas memories.
Welcome to episode 121 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Yasuko Agawa’s 1990 album, “Come In Christmas.”
I hope you enjoyed learning about and listening to Yasuko Agawa. This album was a really pleasant surprise, and it’s one I’ve listened to multiple times since getting it.
I’m still trying to back on track, but I do plan on getting out one more episode before the end of the month, so join me next time when I talk about the 1997 compilation, “Winter Gift Pops.” It’s a fun album you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 120 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Yuzoh Kayama’s 1983 album, “White Christmas.”
I hope you enjoyed Yuzoh Kayama’s “White Christmas.” He’s been a massive star in Japan since the 60s. One difficulty I had writing this episode was the fact that there’s such a wealth of information about him. I did my best to cover the highlights, though. I’ll get to his music from the 60s eventually.
I’ll do my best to get caught up before October. I have a couple great albums lined up for the rest of this month. First up is Yasuko Agawa’s “Come In Christmas” from 1990. It’s a wonderful vocal jazz album. After that is the 1997 compilation, “Winter Gift Pops.” It’s one I’ve been looking forward to covering, and you’re sure to enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 119 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about a selection of Christmas singles from the 1980s.
I hope you enjoyed this collection of songs from 1984. I was hoping to get a couple other 1984-themed episodes out this month, but between my daughters’ school and sports starting back, a severe lack of sleep, and a dozen other crises popping up throughout the month, I was lucky to get this episode out. As usual, I’ll be spending the next few weeks trying to get back on schedule. In the meantime, enjoy the covers and included artwork from this episode’s singles.
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Tokyo Hot Club Band – A Thorn In Your Eyes
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Miki Asakura – Hero & Heroine
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The Checkers – Heartbroken By Julia
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Momoko Kikuchi – Love Letter On The Snow
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Yoko Oginome – December Memory
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Ikue Sakakibara – Lover
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Kunio Muramasu – X’mas Rock
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Meiko Nakahara – Meiko’s Special Party Versions
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Salon Music – Spending Silent Night
Join me next time for Yuzoh Kayama’s 1983 album, “White Christmas.” I’m hoping to have it out the first week of September. Then join me later in the month for a pair of great albums from the 90’s. Up first is Yasuko Agawa’s “Come In Christmas” from 1990. The join me on the 25th for the fantastic compilation, “Winter Gifts Pop” from 1997. They’re both great albums you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 118 of Holly Jolly X'masu! For my fifth annual Christmas in July episode, I’ll once again be covering a mix of tropical, summery, and out-of-season Christmas songs from a variety of artists.
I hope this episode added a little Christmas spirit to your summer. These episodes where I pull songs from a variety of records and CD’s are a lot of work, but they’re also a lot of fun. I cut down on the number of songs this time, mainly so I could stretch out the ones I have left into another two or three episodes. I wish I’d had the foresight to start that with my earlier episodes. Like usual, I’m posting the titles and album covers from this episode below.
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Mayumi – Merry Christmas In Summer
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Monday Michiru – Tahitian Xmas
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Daisuke Kawakami – Summer Day Silhouette
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Midori Kinouchi – Christmas A Month Late
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Ayana Taketatsu – Every Day Merry Christmas
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Tomoko Omoto – Christmas Under A Coconut Tree
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Modern Choki Chokies – Santa Is Waiting In Town
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Minoru Komorita – My Neighbor Is Santa Claus
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Masayoshi Takanaka – Island Christmas Wish
Don’t forget, August is 80s month, so join me next time for a selection of singles and stray tracks from the 1980s. I have a couple slots left, so if you have any 1980s J-X’mas songs you want to hear, let me know. Then join me on the 25th for Yuzoh Kayama’s 1983 album, “White Christmas.” They should both be a lot of fun, so be sure to tune in.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 117 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the Christmas music from the obscure Group Sounds band, Takehisa Kono and the Highways.
I hope you enjoyed the Highways’ Christmas music. One of the things I enjoy most about collecting Japanese Christmas music is that there’s such a wealth of it to discover. The sonojournals and flexi-discs add another entire layer to it. Almost none of the music that was exclusively released on flexi-disc ever made it to vinyl or CD, and there is very little reliable documentation about them. It’s always exciting when I find something new. I have plenty of other flexi-discs to cover including some of the scarcest and most sought-after flexis.
Be sure to listen in on the 25th for my 5th annual Christmas in July special. I have some really great tropical and summery Christmas songs lined up, and you’re sure to enjoy them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 116 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1970 album, “X’mas Golden Hits,” by the Candle-Light Orchestra and the Singers Three.
I hope you enjoyed “X’mas Golden Hits” as much as I do. While some of the albums labeled “Now Sound” can put you to sleep, this is one I can listen to over and over again. It’s loaded with fun arrangements, and the Singers Three never disappoint.
Join me back here next time for the Christmas music from the obscure Group Sounds band, Takehisa Kono and the Highways. In my opinion, they’re one of the better GS bands out there, despite only being found almost exclusively on flexi-discs. Then join me on the 25th for my fifth annual Christmas in July special. I’ll be covering some great tropical and summery Christmas tunes that you’re sure to enjoy!
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 115 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1962 compilation, “Young Christmas.”
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I hope you enjoyed “Young Christmas.” It’s one of my favorite albums, not just because of the music, but also because of how scarce it is, and how lucky I was to get such an affordable copy. When I started researching this, I didn’t realize this would turn into a True Crime episode, at least in part. There was a lot more I could have added to Katsumi Shigeru’s story, but after multiple cuts and edits, I still had to adjust the tempo on that part of the episode to get it to fit within the running time of the song.
I lost a fair amount of sleep, but I’m glad I was able to get this out before the end of the month. I’m still a little behind schedule, but I’m going to try to get a few things done this week so that I’m not scrambling at the last minute with my Christmas In July episodes. If things work out, I might add another episode to my July schedule.
That said, join me back here next month for at least two really fun episodes. Up first is the 1970 album, “X’mas Golden Hits” by the Candle-Light Orchestra and the Singers Three. It has a great New Sound vibe, and if you liked Kayo Ishu’s “Scat Christmas,” you’re sure to enjoy this one. Then join me on the 25th for my fifth annual Christmas In July special. I’ll cover a selection of tropical and summery Christmas songs. It’s always an enjoyable episode and you won’t want to miss it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 114 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1963 album, “Merry Christmas Everyone – Folk Dance Party,” produced by Teruaki Kawamura and the Japan Recreation Association.
I hope you enjoyed “Merry Christmas Everyone.” Despite the objections to it and the song’s problematic history, I’ve always been fascinated with Japan’s relationship to “Turkey In The Straw.” I’ve had a few people tell me I should avoid it altogether, but as I stated in the episode, it’s something you really can’t avoid if you’re collecting Japanese Christmas music. It was on one of the very first Japanese Christmas albums I bought, so I’ve known about its history for almost as long as I’ve been collecting. I knew I’d be covering it eventually, and considering how the Japan Recreation Association, Winfield Niblo, square dancing, and “Turkey In The Straw” are all tied to one another, I figured this was the best episode for broaching the topic. Racism and discrimination are always wrong, but history is never cut and dried, and the fact that the song helped bring about positive cultural and social changes in Japan is an important, or at least interesting footnote in any discussion about it.
Join me back here next time for the 1962 compilation, “Young Christmas.” It’s one of the more difficult albums to find. It features some of the most popular young artists of the time, and it’s a real treat you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 113 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this special mini-episode, I talk about the 1957 Christmas single from Akihiro Miwa.
I hope you enjoyed learning about Akihiro Miwa and listening to his music. His “Jingle Bells” is one of my favorites. Like I said in the episode, I was only able to scratch the surface about all he’s been through and accomplished over the years, so be sure to Google him if you want to learn more about him.
Join me back here next time when I talk about Teruaki Kawamura’s 1963 album, “Merry Christmas Everyone.” It’s a fun, Christmas-themed folk dance album released by the Japan Recreation Association. Then join me on the 25th for one of the most sought-after Christmas compilations of the 1960s, “Young Christmas.” It features some great performances by a bunch of young, rising stars. It’s a wonderful record, and one you don’t want to miss.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 112 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the Tokyo Cuban Boys’ 1966 album, “Christmas Dance Party.”
This is a wonderful album. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do. For a popular, prolific band with a career spanning nine decades, you’d think I’d have been able to find a little more biographical information about them. Their Wikipedia entry is short and repetitive, while their profile on their official website is mostly just a list of dates. I will talk about them a bit more when I cover Chiemi Eri, but most of that will be about her relationship with one of the band members and it’s not entirely relevant to the rest of the band.
Join me back here next week for a mini-episode about singer, actor and activist, Akihiro Miwa. Then join me later in the month for Teruaki Kawamura’s “Merry Christmas Everyone – Folk Dance Party.” It’s a fun album that doesn’t show up very often. And listen in again on the 25th when I cover the 1962 compilation, “Young Christmas.” It’s one of the more sought-after records and one that, at one point, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to afford. They’re loaded with some great music you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 111 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 2004 compilation, “Christmas For Anyone?”
I hope you enjoyed “Christmas For Anyone?” I’d say that it’s another of those unassuming albums loaded with a stellar lineup of lesser-known musicians, but that cover is anything other than unassuming. It’s a great collection, though, and one I’d already listened to multiple times before starting on this episode.
Join me back here next week for an album I bought way back in the early days of my collecting. It’s one I’m excited to share, “Christmas Dance Party” by the Tokyo Cuban Boys, from 1966. It’s a Latin-tinged Mood Kayo album, and it’s likely one of the best things you’ll hear all month.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 110 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the children’s book and album, “Superman Santa,” from 1986.
I hope you enjoyed “Superman Santa.” While I would have loved a Casiopeia Christmas album, this was still a lot fun. It has an amusing premise and enjoyable music, and the book really adds to the experience. I’ll post the pictures below.
Join me back here next month for a pair of great episodes. Up first is the 2004 compilation, “Christmas For Anyone?” It has an interesting blend of jazzy tunes and a cover that has to be seen to be believed. Then join me on the 25th for “Christmas Dance Party” by the Tokyo Cuban Boys. It’s a Mood Kayo treasure that’s sure to please everyone.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 109 of Holly Jolly X'masu! April is Jazz Awareness Month, and in this episode, I talk about the 1998 album, “Jingle Jazz.”
I hope you enjoyed “Jingle Jazz” as much as I do. I love a good Christmas Jazz album, and this one is one of the better, more recent ones in my collection. I know a fair number of people who won’t give Jazz a chance. Jazz encompasses such a wide array of styles, though, that that’s almost like saying they won’t give music a chance. I don’t listen to enough to be able to tell you which specific genres of Jazz I like, but there’s quite a bit that appeals to me, from Smooth Jazz, to really bizarre, improvisational Jazz. “Jingle Jazz” is diverse enough that it tends to hit all the sweet spots.
Join me back here next week for something a little different. I’ll be talking about “Superman Santa,” a children’s book and record set from 1986. It actually fits the theme of month, at least a little, in that the music was composed by Minoru Mukaiya and Issei Noro from the Jazz Fusion band, Cassiopeia. It’s a lot of fun and one you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 108 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, for my special Pro Wrestling Spectacular, I’m pitting the 1970s Christmas albums of pro wrestlers the Destroyer and Thunder Sugiyama against one another in order to determine which deserves the title of the Christmas World Heavyweight Champion.
This was a fun episode for me. I hope you enjoyed both wrestlers’ albums as much as I did. I watched a ton of wrestling when I was younger and went to the closed-circuit broadcasts of Wrestlemanias 3-6, watching all the action on the jumbo screens at Dayton’s Hara Arena. One of my fondest memories from my early teenage years was going to a TV taping to see Hulk Hogan during the height of Hulkamania. I’ve also been lucky enough to meet a bunch of wrestlers, including Koko B. Ware, Rob Van Dam, Taz, and newly-inducted WWE Hall of Famer, Paul Heyman. I don’t follow it quite like I used to, but I still enjoy seeing all the big events.
This episode was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. I’ve been doing research for it off and on for about two years. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep track of all the blogs and articles I read. There were several things I wanted to double-check, but I couldn’t find where I’d read them originally so I had to leave them out. As promised in the episode, here’s Thunder Sugiyama’s debut single, “Crossroads.” I’m also including a match from each of them, both of which feature their mutual friend, Abdullah the Butcher.
Thunder Sugiyama – Crossroads
10.12.1975 - PWF United States Heavyweight title: The Destroyer (c) vs Abdullah The Butcher
12.11.1972 - Abdullah The Butcher/Ciclon Negro vs Masio Koma/Thunder Sugiyama 2 of 3 Falls
April is Jazz Awareness month, so join me next time for the 1998 album, “Jingle Jazz.” It has an unassuming and generic cover, but some of the finest Christmas Jazz you’re likely to hear. Then join me on the 25th for the 1986 children’s book and album, “Superman Santa.” It’s a lot of fun and one you won’t want to miss.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 107 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 2008 album, “Whistle Christmas,” by Whistle Man.
I hope you liked “Whistle Christmas!” as much as I do. Like I said in the episode, this is definitely better than my other April Fools offerings. I’ve mentioned before that I tend to listen to these albums at least a dozen times while researching and writing an episode. That can be a struggle occasionally, but it really wasn’t a problem this time around. There are only one or two songs I ever skipped while listening to it, and a few that I’ve added to my regular J-X’mas playlist.
Join me back here next week for my special, double-length Pro Wrestling Spectacular. Wrestlemania LV is this year, and to coincide with that, I’ll be covering the 1970s Christmas albums from pro wrestlers the Destroyer and Thunder Sugiyama. I have a poll running, so click here to listen to samples from each of the albums and vote on which wrestler you feel deserves to be crowned the Christmas Heavyweight Champion. This listen in to hear the results.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 106 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Akiko’s 2017 album, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”
I hope you enjoyed this second episode about Akiko. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” has really grown on me since getting it, and while working on this episode. It’s a fine album with some great performances, and one I’ll be listening to more in the future.
Join me back here next week for my special April 1st episode. I’ll be talking about the 2008 album, “Whistle Christmas!” by Whistle Man. It’s a unique album you’re sure to enjoy. Then join me on April 6th for my Pro Wrestling Spectacular. This year is Wrestlemania LV. It’s the biggest wrestling event of the year and in conjunction with that, I’ll be covering the Christmas albums from the Destroyer and Thunder Sugiyama. I have a poll running, so click here to listen to samples from each of the albums and vote on which wrestler you feel deserves to be crowned the Christmas Heavyweight Champion. This listen in to hear the results.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 105 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Akiko’s 2007 album, “A White Album.”
I hope you enjoyed “A White Album.” Japanese Jazz from the 1960s was one of the main reasons I started collecting, but a lot of fantastic Christmas Jazz albums have come out of Japan over the past twenty years as well. It’s always fun discovering something new.
Join me back here on the 25th for Akiko’s second Christmas album, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” It features more stripped-down arrangements and puts a lot more focus on Akiko’s vocals. It’s another great album you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 104 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, for Black History Month, I talk about the 1993 album, “Merry Christmas Wish,” by the American R&B trio, A.S.A.P.
I hope you enjoyed “Merry Christmas Wish.” I was thrilled when I found it, mainly because of how few English versions there are of these songs I’ve been collecting over the past several years. This is a fun, solid album and it lets me throw some Japanese songs into my regular Christmas playlist without any pushback from my kids, who sometimes get annoyed when they don’t understand the lyrics.
Be sure to join me next month when I cover a pair of albums by jazz singer Akiko for Women’s History Month. Up first is her 2007 album, “A White Album.” Then join me on the 25th for her 2017 release, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” They’re both great albums and you’re sure to like them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 103 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 2009 album, “Acoustic Xmas,” by Coffee Haus.
I hope you enjoyed “Acoustic Xmas” as much as I did. I really like this album and will still play it all the way through when I’m in the mood.
I’m still working to get back on schedule so I haven’t been very active on social media. I’m hoping things settle down in March.
Join me back here on the 25th when, for Black History Month, I’ll be discussing the 1993 album, “Merry Christmas Wish” by the American R&B trio, A.S.A.P. It’s a great album filled with soulful covers, mostly of Japanese Christmas hits, and one you won’t want to miss.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 102 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Mari Yoshiko’s 1962 album, “Singing Christmas Party.”
I hope you enjoyed “Singing Christmas Party.” I’m playing catch-up after last month so I don’t have much to add here. I did manage to get a record with her version of “Toy Cha Cha Cha,” which I mentioned in the episode, but I haven’t had the time to rip the vinyl so I couldn’t include it as a bonus song in this episode, which I’d hoped to do.
Be sure to join me back here next time for the 2009 album, “Acoustic Xmas” by Coffee Haus. It’s great, light Jazz album. Then join me on the 25th when I talk about A.S.A.P.’s 1993 album, “Merry Christmas Wish.” After last year, I didn’t think I’d be able to find another album to cover for Black History Month, but I was lucky enough to find this one. It’s a great album and one you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 101 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about a selection of Christmas singles from the 1990s.
It’s been a rough month, but I’m getting this one out just under the wire. After a ridiculously hectic and restless December, I needed a little time off, so this will be the only episode I get out in January, but I’ll try to have my next episode out early next week. After that, I’m hoping to be back on track.
Join me back here next time for Mari Yoshiko’s “Singing Christmas Party” from 1962. It’s a real rarity, but it’s a lot of fun, so you’re sure to enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 100 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the phenomenal 1971 album, “White Christmas,” from the obscure Korean band, Last Chance.
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe this is my 100th episode. It’s been a lot of work, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I want to thank you all for listening in, and I hope you’ve enjoyed it half as much as I have. I also hope Last Chance’s “Jingle Bells” really knocked your socks off. I can only imagine how awesome it would have been seeing them perform it live.
As I mentioned in the episode, here’s the link to Rare Earth’s 21-minute version of “Get Ready.” Do yourself a favor and listen to it all the way through.
Rare Earth – Get Ready – Full 21 ½ minute version
Join me back here in January as I kick off my fifth year of the podcast. I’ll be back to my normal schedule of two new episodes per month unless something special comes along. Up first, I’ll be talking about a handful of Christmas singles from the 1990s. I have a pretty large collection of CD-singles, so this will be the first of several episodes covering them. Then join me on the 25th as I talk about Mari Yoshiko’s “Singing Christmas Party” from 1962. It’s an album that doesn’t come up for sale often and it was a real struggle to finally get a copy. Both episodes should be a lot of fun, so be sure to listen in.
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As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 99 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the mind-blowing 1971 album, “Rock-In X’mas,” by Love, Live, Life + X.
Merry Christmas! I hope this lived up to your expectations and helped liven up your day. Other than some really obscure cassettes and small or private label albums, there aren’t too many Japanese Christmas albums that are harder to come by than this one. This was a real holy grail for me, and I’m glad I can finally share it with you.
Join me back here on New Year’s Eve for my special 100th episode. For this year’s New Year’s bonus episode, I’ll be covering the 1971 album, “Last Chance’s Explosive Sound: White Christmas – Instrumental Music For Go Go Dancing,” by the obscure Korean rock band, Last Chance. It features one of the most amazing versions of “Jingle Bells” ever recorded. You really don’t want to miss it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 98 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Kayo Ishu’s 1968 album, “Scat Christmas.”
I hope you loved “Scat Christmas” as much as I do. Kayo Ishu is great, and this is one of my favorite Japanese vocal albums. I have a few other albums done in a similar style, including a few with Singers Three, but this is the best of the bunch.
As promised in the episode, here are links to videos of the “11PM Theme.” The second one features a brief shot of Kayo Ishu singing it.
Nippon Television “11PM Theme” 1970s
11PM Theme (Keitaro Miho)
Be sure to join me back here on Christmas day for one of the rarest Japanese Christmas albums out there—Love, Live, Life’s “Rock-In X’mas,” from 1971. It’s truly one of the most mind-blowing Christmas albums ever recorded. Then join me on New Year’s Eve for my 100th episode where, like I do every New Year’s, I’ll be covering a non-Japanese album. This one is a real treat and almost as impressive as Love, Live, Life’s album. I’ll say a little more about it next time.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 97 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1968 album, “Christmas Song / New Year’s Song.”
This was a much more enjoyable album than I thought it would be. I love it when a record exceeds my expectations, and this one really blew them away. This tends to be my busiest, most hectic time of the year, and my podcast is one of those things that I’m often tempted to put to the side. When I really like an album, though, it encourages me to keep going. I picked five really great ones this month, so I’ve actually been able to stay ahead of schedule.
Be sure to join me back here next week for an album I spent over two years tracking down, Kayo Ishu’s “Scat Christmas,” from 1969. It occupied the #1 spot on my wishlist for so long, I didn’t think I’d ever get a copy. Then listen in on Christmas Day for one of the most amazing albums you’ll ever hear. It’s one of the most sought-after Japanese Christmas albums, and an absolute Christmas masterpiece. And be sure to listen in on New Year’s Eve for my special 100th episode where I’ll be covering another exceedingly rare album that will really blow you away.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 96 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio,” performed by the Meiji Gakuin University Glee Club at their 10th anniversary Christmas concert.
I really enjoyed working on this episode and getting this album. It’s completely out of my comfort zone so it was something of a challenge for me. I’m happy with how it turned out, though, and I hope you enjoyed it as well.
Join me back here next week for a real treat. I’ll be talking about the 1968 album, “Christmas Song / New Year’s Song.” If you like Now Sound music, it will be right up your alley. Then join me on the 18th for Kayo Ishu’s wonderful vocal jazz album, “Scat Christmas.” Then listen in on Christmas Day for one of the rarest, wildest Japanese Christmas albums you’ll ever hear, and stick around for an equally funky bonus episode on New Year’s Eve.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 95 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Shoji Suzuki’s 1961 album, “Swingin’ Christmas.”
I truly hope you enjoyed this episode. This is one of my favorite albums and played a huge part in my collecting journey. I’d love to say it’s the best album in my collection, but I actually have several others that blow it away. I’ll be covering one of those on Christmas Day.
I mentioned Shoji Suzuki’s biggest hit, “Suzukake No Michi,” and I wanted to share a video of it with you. This is from 1987 and features the Rhythm Aces lineup that appeared on this album—Shoji Suzuki on clarinet, Toshio Suzuki on piano, Jimmy Takeuchi on drums, Ryusei Matsuzaki on vibraphone, and Yoichi Kobayashi on bass. I loved finding this and being able to see the entire band performing.
Shoji Suzuki and his Rhythm Aces – Suzukake no Michi – 1987
As hard as it is to believe, December is just around the corner, which means I’ll have a new episode each week. Throughout the month, I’ll be covering some of the best and most interesting albums in my collection. I’ll start off with the Meiji Gakuin University Glee Club’s 10th anniversary performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. After that, I’ll cover a really groovy late 60s album, “Christmas Song/New Year’s Song.” Then tune in for Kayo Ishu’s outstanding vocal jazz album, “Scat Christmas.” I’ll close out the year with a pair of extremely rare albums from the early 70s that have to be heard to be believed.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 94 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Shoji Suzuki’s 1963 album, “Merry Christmas.”
This is a great album and I can’t tell you how excited I was when I first learned that Shoji Suzuki had made another Christmas album. Of the two, “Merry Christmas” seems to be the harder one to come by. I believe I’ve only seen two copies come up for auction. The first time I saw it, I settled in for a protracted bidding war, but I managed to get it for a reasonable price.
The market for Shoji Suzuki records seems to fluctuate with no rhyme or reason. I’ve seen copies of “Swingin’ Christmas go for $30-50, while other copies sit for weeks, being relisted over and over with no buyers. The prices for some records are pretty consistent, but with others it’s impossible to tell. I asked one of the guys in Japan about it, and he said he just hopes that when he finds a record he needs, there aren’t several other bidders looking for it at the same time.
I hope you’re enjoying these episodes about Shoji Suzuki. Tune in next week when I talk about his “Swingin’ Christmas,” which is one of my all-time favorite albums. Then listen in each week in December as I cover some of the best and most interesting albums in my collection. I’ll start off the month with the Meiji Gakuin University Glee Club’s 10th anniversary performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. After that, I’ll cover a really outstanding late 60s album, “Christmas Song/New Year’s Song.” If you like Now Sound music, you’ll love this album. Then listen in for Kayo Ishu’s outstanding “Scat Christmas.” I’ll close out the year with a pair of extremely rare albums from the early 70s that have to be heard to be believed.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 93 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1959 compilation, “X’mas All Star Jazz Parade.”
This is a great album and I hope you’ve enjoyed it. This really kicks off my Christmas season, and I have some phenomenal music headed your way. I’ll be focusing on Shoji Suzuki the rest of this month. Although Akira Ishikawa sparked my interest in Japanese Christmas music, Shoji Suzuki’s music is easily as responsible for turning it into an obsession. Join me next time for his 1963 album, “Merry Christmas,” then listen in on the 25th for his “Swingin’ Christmas,” which is one of my absolute favorite albums.
Then be sure to listen in each week in December as I cover some of the best and most interesting albums in my collection. I’ll start off the month with the Meiji Gakuin University Glee Club’s 10th anniversary performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. After that, I’ll cover a really outstanding late 60s children’s album, “Christmas Song/New Year’s Song.” Trust me when I say it’s one you have to hear. Then listen in for Kayo Ishu’s outstanding “Scat Christmas.” I’ll close out the year with a pair of albums that have to be heard to be believed.
Don’t forget to check my show notes for each episode. I’ll be posting the covers of the singles associated with that episode’s album. This time around, it’s Shoji Suzuki’s “Blue Christmas” coupled with Motomichi Ito’s “Jingle Bells.” As far as I can tell, it’s the only single taken from “X’mas All Star Jazz Parade.”
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 92 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this special Christmas Podcasters Day episode, I talk about “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” from 1962.
I can’t tell you how much I love this special. It’s one of those things from when I was kid that has really stood the test of time. Jule Styne and Bob Merrill’s music is a big reason for that, as are the performances of Jim Backus, Jack Cassidy and the rest of the cast. I was really only able to scratch the surface about the special and the people involved. If you’d like to learn more, do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy of Darrell Van Citters exceptional book, “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, The Making Of The First Animated Christmas Special.”
Since this is Christmas Podcast Day, make sure to check out a few of the other podcasts out there. You can find us all at christmaspodcasts.com, but we’ll also be posting links to each other’s shoes throughout the day.
Be sure to join me back here next month as I talk about the music of Japanese clarinetist Shoji Suzuki. Up first is the 1959 compilation, “X’mas All Star Jazz Parade.” After that, I’ll be covering his 1963 album, “Merry Christmas.” Then join me on the 25th for “Swingin’ Christmas” from 1961. It’s one of the first Japanese Christmas albums I found online, and one that really got me hooked on finding more. All three are exceptional albums and you won’t want to miss them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 91 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 2010 compilation, “Christmas Songs,” from producer Goro Ito.
I hope you enjoyed at least a few of the tracks on “Christmas Songs.” A few of them are real stand-outs and make this album one that’s worth tracking down.
Be sure to join me back here on November 1st for Christmas Podcast Day, which is the day a bunch of us Christmas podcasters release special episodes to kick off the season and encourage our listeners to check out some of the other great podcasts out there. I’ll be talking about one of my favorite Christmas specials, “Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol.” It’s one you won’t want to miss.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 90 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Yuki Izumine’s 2008 album, “Let It Snow!”
I’ve mentioned before that part of why I started collecting Japanese albums was to find new Christmas Jazz albums. I’ve managed to add a ton of fantastic Jazz to my collection, and they’re some of my favorite albums to share with you. My episodes between now and Christmas will feature more Jazz than normal, including one album that took me over two years to track down, and another that’s considered one of the holiest of Holy Grails among Japanese Christmas albums. So if you’ve enjoyed the Christmas Jazz I’ve covered so far, you’ll really love what I talk about in November and December.
Be sure to join me back here on the 25th for “Christmas Songs” from 2010. It’s a great compilation with some really fun and interesting selections. Then be sure to listen in on November 1st for Christmas Podcast Day, when a bunch of us Christmas podcasters release special episodes to kick off the season and encourage listeners to check out some of the other podcasters out there. My episode will tread somewhat different ground than I normally cover, but you’re sure to enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 89 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1992 compilation, “Winter Tales 2,” from the MIDI label.
I hope you’ve enjoyed MIDI’s wintry compilations over the last two episodes. Despite the repetitiveness, there are some real gems included on them. I’m looking forward to revisiting a few of the artists when I cover their other Christmas songs.
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get this episode out this month, but I made it just under the wire. I’m caught up for the moment, and I’m hoping I’ll have enough time to stay ahead of schedule the rest of the year. I have some great episodes planned and I’m going to do my best to get to them all.
Join me back here next month as I cover a couple of really great albums. Up first is Jazz singer Yuki Izumine’s 2008 alubm, “Let It Snow!” Then join me for another fantastic compilation, “Christmas Songs,” from 2010. Plus, keep in mind that November 1st is Christmas Podcast Day. A bunch of us Christmas podcasters will be releasing special episodes. Stay tuned for further details.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 88 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1988 compilation, “Winter Tales,” from the MIDI label.
As I said in the episode, this is a really solid album. You’d be hard pressed to find a more varied group of artists, but the resulting product flows together well. There really isn’t a bad track here. I hope you found at least a few you enjoyed.
Be sure to join me back here in a few days for the 1992 follow-up, “Winter Tales 2.” Then listen in next month as a I cover a great Jazz album from 2008, Yuki Izumine’s “Let It Snow!”, and another great compilation, “Christmas Songs,” from 2010. You’re sure to enjoy them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 87 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1983 movie, “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,” and its soundtrack.
As I said in the episode, this one has been a long time coming. August was the first time since I started my podcast that I missed putting out an episode. I haven’t even been able to stay active on social media due to a lack of time and an excess of pain. I’m finally on the mend, though, so I hope to be back on track soon.
If you haven’t seen “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,” I truly recommend it. It has some outstanding performances, a wonderful score, and tackles a wide variety of themes. Plus, getting to see David Bowie and Ryuichi Sakamoto on screen together is a real treat.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 86 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this special Christmas in July episode, I talk about a selection of summery Christmas songs from a variety of artists.
As I said in the episode, I really enjoy putting these episodes together. It gives me a chance to share some songs that might not fit in another episode, and artists I wouldn’t be able to cover otherwise. At this point, I think I’ve found all the low-hanging fruit, so it will take a lot of digging to find other Summer Christmas songs. I have plenty for next year, and should be good for the following July, but I’ll have to work hard to find more than that. Just to recap, I’ve posted the titles and album covers for the songs from this episode below.
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Pauro Cesar Trio – Merry X’mas In Summer
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Akiko Ozawa – Christmas In August
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Masako-san – Summer Christmas
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You Hayami – Summer Holy Night
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Momoiro Clover Z – Midwinter Sunshine Summer Time
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Conny, Dibbs, Boz & Friends – Surfers Christmas Wish
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Sexy Zone – It Snows In Sexy Summer
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Mariko Nagai – Midsummer Eve
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Natsuko Upper Crust – X’mas & Sun
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Tenchi Souko and Honey Knights – Aloha Santa
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Snyder – Rise ’80 – Midsummer Eve
I hope you enjoyed this year’s Christmas in July. This is probably my most eclectic selection of songs yet. I can’t overstate how thrilled I was to finally get a few of them.
August is 80s month, so be sure to join me back here for a couple of great 80s episodes. In my first August episode, I’ll be paying tribute to the legendary Ryuichi Sakamoto who passed away earlier this year. I’ll be covering the 1983 movie, “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence,” and its soundtrack. Then join me on the 25th when I cover the MIDI label’s 1988 compilation, “Winter Tales.” I’ll follow that up in September with their 1992 compilation, “Winter Tales 2.” If I get a little extra time, I’ll try to put out a bonus episode. Whatever the case, I’ll be covering some fantastic music and a true classic movie, so be sure to tune in.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 85 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the Christmas music from the Spacemen.
These really are three of my favorite records. They helped embody the excitement of collecting when I first got started. It felt like the more I searched for and researched them, the closer I’d get to finding a copy. I’d find listings at record shops where they’d gotten one in months earlier, but had sold out before I even knew the shop existed. I even exchanged emails with one collector who had finally found copies of his own, and who assured me I’d love them if I ever got them. They seemed so out of reach for so long, I was honestly shocked when I got all three over the course of three months.
I hope the Spacemen sent you over the moon. They were a great, if short-lived band whose distinctive sound helped them stand out from their contemporaries. Join me back here on the 25th for my fourth Christmas in July episode. If you haven’t listened to the others, you’re in for a real treat. “Christmas in Summer” songs are somewhat popular in Japan, and each year I’ve collected a selection of them to cover for Christmas in July. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to do another one this year, but I managed to win copies of two songs that I’d nearly given up hope of owning, so I’m not only able to do one this year, but I found enough others to set some aside from next year. I haven’t finalized my selection, but I have a couple really rare songs lined up that you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 84 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the 1964 compilation, “Golden Christmas Party.”
This is a great album and I was awfully glad to add it to my collection. The fact that Michishiro is on it yet the guys in Japan didn’t know about it really surprised me. It gives me hope that I’ll be able to uncover some more rarities. I’ve found a few things on 8-track and Laser Disc that they don’t include on their lists, but I’m not quite willing to invest in those. Of the two, I’d probably get an 8-track player long before I’d consider Laser Discs, although neither are in my plans at the moment. I’m content to focus on vinyl, shellac, flexis, cassettes and CD’s.
Speaking of which, I’ve managed to carve out some time to get caught up on my vinyl backlog. I still have a sizeable pile to get through, but I’ve added quite a few albums and singles to iTunes in the past week. A lot of that effort has been in preparation for my Christmas in July episode. Be sure to tune in for that on the 25th because I’ll be including a few really rare tracks you can’t hear anywhere else. Up first, though, is another real treat. I’ll be covering the Christmas music of the Spacemen. Their Christmas output consists of just one EP and two singles, but it’s some of the coolest Christmas music to come out of Japan in the 1960s.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 83 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about Yoshiyas Ueda and Swing West’s “Electric Guitar Christmas.”
I keep saying I’m a sucker for these flexi-discs. Whether it’s a sonojournal, a promotional flexi, a musical greeting card, or a cardboard postcard, I have a hard time passing on them when they show up for sale. They’re poorly documented overall, and a lot of them are hidden gems, containing great music from unknown artists. I’ve been lucky enough to get some of the most sought-after flexis and I look forward to sharing more of them with you.
I was pretty fascinated with Swing West, especially as I learned more about them and how so many members of the band went on to do bigger and better things. While those individuals would have a huge influence on the Japanese recording industry on their own, Swing West is mostly forgotten today, which is a shame considering how great their music was, and how innovative and adventurous some of their arrangements were. While there isn’t much of their music online, I did find a video for Masayuki Yuhara’s version of “Ame no Ballad,” which I’ve posted below.
Masayuki Yuhara – “Ame no Ballad” – 1971
I hope you enjoyed learning about Swing West and their Christmas music. Join me on the 25th when I talk about the 1964 compilation, “Golden Christmas Party.” I’ve mentioned before how I’ve been lucky enough to find a few albums that my friend Santa-ro didn’t previously know about. This is one of those and the bulk of the music on it was never included anywhere else. It’s a real treat, and you’re sure to enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 82 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the 1959 album, “Blue Christmas – Trumpet Mood Collection,” by Keiichiro Ebihara And The Lobsters.
I’ve had a lot of “most wanted” albums since I started collecting. This one spent nearly a year in my top three. Thankfully, it proved to be as good as it was elusive. Cleaning it up proved to be a struggle and you can still hear a lot of noise in my files. It took me about as long to digitize it as it did to finally get a copy. I’d work on it, not be happy with the results, then put it aside for several weeks and try it again, each time taking a different approach. I finally let it sit for a few months then came back and gave it one last shot. The results weren’t perfect, but I can live with them.
That said, I hope you enjoyed Keiichiro Ebihara and the Lobsters. I would have liked to have given more background on him, but the side I found when I first got the album is one of several I’ve used for research over the past few years that have disappeared when I went back to check them again. I believe I did a decent job stitching together a somewhat accurate picture of his life based on the liner notes and the few other sources I found.
Join me back here next month as I cover a pair of fun albums from the 1960s. Up first is the sonojournal Electric Guitar Christmas 10, featuring the music of Yoshiyas Ueda and Swing West. Then join me later in the month for “Golden Christmas Part,” which is a compilation from 1964 featuring music by the Blue Coats Orchestra, Yoji Yamashita and the Five Sons, and the Doshiro Quintet. From what I can tell, none of the music on either album has ever been rereleased, so you won’t find it anywhere else.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 81 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about Hiro Tsunoda’s 1991 album, “Ballad X’mas.”
This was a fun episode to work on. I love Tsunoda’s voice, and the non-Christmas songs on his album gave me something a little different to talk about. It also let me discover Zapp’s version of “Ooo Baby Baby.” As a native Daytonian, I was surprised to learn a few months ago that Zapp was pretty big in Japan. I was lucky enough to cross paths with Roger Troutman once back in my teens. We were driving past when he was walking out of Troutman Studios. I hollered, “Roger, I want to be your man!” (The song was huge at the time.) He laughed and waved. The fact that he reacted at all was a big thrill for me.
As I mentioned in the episode, I would have loved some Christmas music from a 1970s-era Hiro Tsunoda. “Ballad X’mas” is great, but I think an album from 15-20 years earlier would have turned into a Christmas funk classic. Also, as promised, here are a few videos, including Zapp’s “Ooo Baby Baby” and Randy Crawford’s “Almaz.”
Hiro Tsunoda and the Space Band – Mary Jane (1972)
Hiro Tsunoda – I Love You (B-side to “Mary Jane”)
Hiro Tsunoda and the Space Band from the 1974 One Step Festival
Randy Crawford – Almaz
Zapp – Ooo Baby Baby (1989)
I hope you enjoyed learning about and listening to Hiro Tsunoda. He has a lot of other great music, so you might find yourself going down a rabbit hole on YouTube after checking out the videos. Thanks again to Rocket Brown for introducing me to him. If you get a chance, check out Come Along Radio, where Rocket plays and talks about some of the best music City Pop has to offer.
Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t quite back on track with my release dates. This was supposed to be my May 11th episode, but instead was pushed back to the 25th. I’m shooting for a Memorial Day release for my next episode, where I talk about Keiichiro Ebihara and the Lobsters’ “Blue Christmas – Trumpet Mood Collection” from 1959. It’s a fantastic album and a smooth way to start your summer.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 80 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about Lisa Ono’s 2004 album, “Boas Festas 2 – Feliz Natal.”
This is coming out a lot sooner than normal after my last episode. Despite all the setbacks I’ve been facing over the past few months, I wanted to make sure I got both episodes out this month. I’m hoping things calm down and I’m able to get back to a more regular release schedule.
As I said last time, I really hope you enjoyed Lisa Ono’s music as much as I have. Every once in a while when I’m preparing for an episode, after hitting play on an album for the 15th time, I’ll be ready to move on to something else. As much as I’ve listened to both of these CD’s this month, I never grew tired of them.
Be sure to join me next month for a pair of great albums. Up first is Hiro Tsunoda’s “Ballad X’mas” from 1991, along with a couple Christmas singles. Then join me on the 25th for one of the oldest Japanese LP’s I have, “Blue Christmas – Trumpet Mood Collection,” by Keiichiro Ebihara and His Lobsters from 1959. They’re both a lot of fun and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 79 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about Lisa Ono’s album, “Boas Festas,” from 2000.
Over the past three years, I’ve pointed out multiple times that I don’t speak Japanese and have, therefore, apologized for some of my pronunciations. This time, I have to point out that I don’t speak Portuguese, so if my friend Ernesto is listening, I’m sorry for mangling some of the names. That said, I can’t overstate how thrilled I was to discover Lisa Ono’s music. Her Christmas CD’s have become two of my favorites and are now permanent parts of my regular Christmas music playlist.
I hope you enjoyed this first episode about Lisa Ono. It’s been hectic the past few months and I’m way behind schedule, but I’ll be getting the next one out as soon as I can. Be sure to tune back in as I wrap up my discussion about Lisa Ono’s life and career, and give a brief history about Bossa Nova music in general..
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 78 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the Korean funk classic, “Woodpecker Merry Christmas,” from 1985.
As I said in the episode, this certainly didn’t align with my expectations. I have a couple others that did, though, so when I mention “Korean Christmas” in the future, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.
My main disappointment here was all the skips. This is one of two albums I’ve gotten where the skips were this bad. The other is an LP by a Japanese pop group from the 80s. With that one, I was able to get the song I was looking for on a single, so it wasn’t too big a deal. Still, playing a record and having a three-minute song only run 55 seconds because it’s nothing but skips can be frustrating.
Join me back here later this month when I cover Lisa Ono’s Christmas albums. She grew up in Brazil and developed an affinity for Bossa Nova music. Her albums are fantastic and feature some Brazilian Christmas songs I wasn’t familiar with previously. She has a wonderful voice and a great, loungey sound and I’m sure you’ll love her music.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 77 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about Mieko Hirota’s Christmas music.
One of the most fascinating things about collecting Japanese records has been discovering these phenomenal singers and musicians I’d had no knowledge of before. Mieko Hirota was an amazingly talented performer, and while she’d had some exposure in the US, I’d never heard her name until three years ago.
As much as I’ve enjoyed the Christmas aspect of my collection, I’ve gotten just as much pleasure exploring other aspects of these artists’ careers. If not my podcast, I likely wouldn’t have been exposed to a lot of the City Pop, Jazz and other great Japanese music I’ve found myself listening to over the past few years.
Mieko Hirota has been one of the real highlights. She recorded some of the best vocal Japanese Christmas music of the 1960s, and the rest of the songs I’ve heard from her were equally as good.
I hope you enjoyed Mieko Hirota as much as I have. She left an indelible mark on the Japanese music industry, and now that I have a little more experiencing collecting, I can see why her Christmas releases demand the prices they do. I’ve mentioned that I’ve fallen behind over the past month or so. I’m hoping to get back on track in April, starting with my next episode which will go live on the 1st. It’s one that needs to be heard to be believed.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 76 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about Hideko Kojima’s 1970 album, “Christmas On Hammond – Jingle Bells.”
This month has been a bit tumultuous, to say the least. I’ve had a lot of issues that have kept me from working on my podcast, and just about anything else. I wanted to make sure I got these two episodes out, so I’ll be cutting my blog posts short. I will point out that Hideko Kojima’s album was one of the most pleasant surprises of my collection. I didn’t expect much of it, but it ended up being an exceptional album. I just hope I can get a skip-free copy at some point.
I hope you enjoyed Hideko Kojima’s music and what little background I was able to provide. Over the past few months, I’ve reached out to several people who may or may not have been the artist I was covering at the time. For the most part, I haven’t heard back from any of them. At some point, I’d love to get some feedback from one of them. That said, I hope you’ll join me later this month for the second of my Women’s History Month episodes. Next time around, I’ll be covering Mieko Hirota’s 1960s Christmas music. She was an exceptional singer and you’re sure to love her records.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 75 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about Chris Hart’s 2022 album, “Christmas Hearts 2.”
I hope you enjoyed this second look at Chris Hart’s music. Like I said last year, I really admire the way he followed his dream and turned it into a successful career in Japan.
Be sure to join me in March as I cover a pair of fantastic female artists for Women’s History Month. Up first is Hideko Kojima’s “Christmas On Hammond – Jingle Bells” from 1970. It’s a fun, funky album that really exceeded my expectations. Then join me on the 25th as I talk about the Christmas music of Mieko Hirota. She was one of the biggest female pop stars of the 60s and influenced some of the biggest artists in the Japanese music industry.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 74 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the Christmas flexi-discs released by the confectionary company, Juchheim.
When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to spin on my record player was “It’s A Super Spectacular Day” from the 1980 Mad Magazine Super Special. A few years later, it was superseded by “I’m A Boinger” from the Bloom County collection, “Billy And The Boingers Bootleg.” Thanks to those and a few other I had, I’ve always had an affinity for flexi-discs.
When I started collecting Japanese flexis, I bought up all the affordable ones I could find. I soon got the point where most of the ones I’d see show up for auction that I didn’t already have were the really scarce ones. I’ve managed to get quite a few of them, and some of the music on them is outstanding.
The Chieko Sogawa and Motoyuki Suzuki flexis are some of my favorites. They feature top-notch jazz from extremely obscure artists that you literally can’t hear unless you buy the original disc. It’s the sort of thing that got me into collecting.
I hope you enjoyed this episode and my glimpse into the world of Japanese Christmas flexi-discs. Some the music that can only be found on flexi-disc really rivals the best of my vinyl albums, and I look forward to sharing them eventually. Join me back here on the 25th for what will likely be my last Black History Month episode, at least until Chris Hart releases another Christmas album. I’ll be talking about Chris Hart’s “Christmas Hearts 2,” which features another mix of popular Japanese and Western Christmas tunes, as well as an original or two. If you liked his first album, you’re sure to enjoy this one as well.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 73 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the Riichi Maki’s 1971 album, “New Sounds Of Christmas.”
I have several albums that were extremely difficult to acquire, but none of them really compare to this one. Thankfully, the effort was worth it, as this is a great album. I would have liked to have learned a little more about Riichi Maki, although I’m glad I was able to find at least a little information about him. Several of the artists I’ve looked up recently have far less information online.
Similar to Riichi Maki, there’s not much information available about the original picture disc, either. From what I’ve been able to translate, the back cover just talks about Christmas music and celebrations around the world without revealing much about how the record came about. My friends in Japan couldn’t reveal much more about it. It looks fantastic, though, and my daughters were awfully impressed when I got it.
I hope you enjoyed hearing about Riichi Maki and his exceptional music. Be sure to listen in next month for a pair of fun episodes. Up first is a Valentine’s Day-themed episode where I talk about the Christmas flexi-discs released by the chocolate and confectionary company, Juchheim. Then join me on the 25th when, for Black History Month, I’ll be talking about Chris Hart’s latest Christmas album. Both episodes should be a lot of fun, and you won’t want to miss them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 72 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the Royal Hawaiian Boys’ album, “Hawaiian Time Vol. 3: Christmas In Hawaii.”
I’m in a rush to get this out so I won’t have much to say here. My 2022 was awful. I gave a friend this analogy: Years ago, we saw Lebron James play in the high school championships, right before he joined the NBA. It was literally like watching a top NBA star playing against high school kids. In terms of awfulness, that’s how 2022 was in comparison to 2020 and ’21 for me. This year’s keeping the trend going, so I’m a little behind schedule.
That said, I hope you enjoyed learning about the Royal Hawaiian Boys and Poss Miyazaki. There’s plenty of Hawiian-style Japanese Christmas music out there, so you’ll be hearing more like it eventually. Join me back here next week for Riichi Maki’s “New Sounds Of Christmas.” I had to overcome all sorts of obstacles to finally get a copy, but the end result was worth it, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy hearing it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 71 of Holly Jolly X'masu! For my special New Year’s Eve episode, I’ll be talking about the 1960 album, “The Blue Diamonds’ Christmas.”
Growing up, when we weren’t listening to Christmas music, my mom almost always had the Oldies station playing. I was always partial to the Everly Brothers and their wonderful harmonizing. When I first heard the Blue Diamonds, the Everlys were the first thing I thought of. It was no surprise that Ruud and Riem got their start emulating Don and Phil. The more I listened to it, the more I started thinking of it as the Christmas album the Everlys should have recorded. Yeah, they have a Christmas album, but it doesn’t compare to the de Wolff brothers’ album. I’d rank “The Blue Diamonds’ Christmas” right up there with Bobby Vee’s “Merry Christmas.”
Thanks for listening in over the past year. I hope you’ll join me in 2023 as I continue to cover the best in Japanese Christmas music. I have some great episodes lined up, featuring fantastic albums you literally can’t hear anywhere else. Join me in January as I cover a pair of great instrumental albums. Up first is “Christmas In Hawaii” by the Royal Hawaiian Boys. Then tune in on the 25th as I talk about Riichi Maki’s “Now Sound Christmas.” Both albums are loaded with wonderful music you’re sure to enjoy!
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 70 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the virtually unknown 1988 City Pop compilation, “Christmas Lovers” from BBM Records.
This is one of those albums that gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it. I’d spent hours listening to City Pop Christmas songs and playlists on YouTube, and I was familiar with all the really popular songs and most of the more obscure ones as well. Everything here was entirely new to me, and each of the songs was fantastic. How it’s flown under the radar for so long escapes me. It was the same feeling I had the first time I listened to ZE Records’ “A Christmas Record” in the late 90s.
While the artists here are all extremely obscure and don’t seem to have done anything beyond this one album, I hope I help to shed a little light on their work. This has become one of my favorite Japanese Christmas albums, and I feel it holds its own against the other better-known 1980s compilations.
Be sure to join me back here next week for my special New Year’s Eve episode. This time, I’ll be covering the Blue Diamonds, who were known as the Indonesian Everly Brothers. It’s a short, wonderful album on par with the Christmas music from their American contemporaries. If you like early American Rock, you’re sure to enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 69 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the phenomenal 1987 compilation, “Mint Sound’s X’mas Album.”
When it comes to Japanese Christmas compilations from the 1980s, Yen Records’ “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” seems to get most of the attention. It’s a great, groundbreaking album, but I don’t think it holds a candle to Mint Sound’s. I actually prefer “Winter Lounge” to “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” but I think this one outshines them both. It has a great mix of songs and you never forget that you’re listening to a Christmas album. A few of the songs from Yen Records are a bit on the esoteric side.
One thing I think about when listening to my Japanese albums is how much return value they have. In other words, is this something I’d listen to repeatedly, or only when I’m dusting it off for the podcast? On the original vinyl, there’s not a single song I’d skip over. I’ve listened to the entire album dozens and dozens of times, and it holds up well to repeated listens. This is one of a dozen or so albums that I’d recommend to anyone wanting to start a collection of Japanese Christmas music.
That said, be sure to listen in on Christmas Day for an even bigger treat. As I started collecting Japanese Christmas music, I developed an appreciation for City Pop. I kept hoping to find a previously unknown City Pop Christmas collection. One of the guys in Japan uncovered just that about a year ago, and I finally managed to get a copy. It’s a spectacular collection you can’t hear anywhere else, and you’re sure to enjoy it!
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 68 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the King Orchestra’s 1978 album, “Jingle Bell – Christmas Karaoke Collection.”
Despite some disappointment, I was glad to finally add this album to my collection. When I first started buying these records, I built a fairly substantial wishlist, and any time I finally get one of the albums that’s been on it from the beginning, I get a feeling of satisfaction. That might change when I listen to it, but at least I can enjoy the achievement for a little while.
As I mentioned in the episode, these first two of the month were done while battling COVID. It wore me out more than I thought it would. I didn’t realize how much it impacted my recording until I was editing this episode and had to cut out tons of lengthy pauses and deep breaths. I’m hoping to be fully back on track in the next week or so.
I hope you enjoyed some of the music here, and the background about King Records. Join me next week for one of my absolute favorite Japanese albums, “Mint Sound’s X’mas Album.” It’s a spectacular compilation from 1987, loaded with a fantastic array of mostly original songs. It’s one of the first albums I bought, and one that really got me hooked on collecting Japanese Christmas music. This is one episode you don’t want to miss!
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 67 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the Hibari Children’s Chorus’s 1965 album, “Good Child’s Christmas Party.”
How can you not love that album cover?
Although not what I planned, this episode will go down in infamy as my (hopefully only) COVID episode. I tested positive last week and it really kicked my butt. You might be able to hear it in my voice a bit throughout the episode. I’m still on the mend, but I’m hoping to be back to at least 90% in the next day or two, and that I won’t have any delays throughout the month.
This episode and the next might be a little light on biographical content, although that’s partially by design. My next two will be more involved and with everything going on in my life, I needed to pick a couple easier albums for my first two episodes this month. I definitely didn’t need COVID getting in the way.
I hope you enjoyed this episode, COVID notwithstanding. Be sure to listen in next week as I cover the King Orchestra’s “Jingle Bell – Christmas Karaoke Collection.” Then join me later in the month as I cover a pair of phenomenal 1980s compilations. Up first is “Mint Sound’s X’mas Album,” which for my money is the best major label Japanese Christmas compilation of the decade. Then join me on Christmas Day for a virtually unknown minor label compilation. It’s loaded with City Pop and has a fantastic 80s sound that you’re sure to love!
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 66 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be wrapping up my “Big In Japan” month with a selection of records from a variety of artists who found their biggest or initial success in Japan.
This is easily one of the episodes I’ve been most excited to record. While the nostalgia invoked by Bob McGrath, and the relative notoriety of Jennifer Connelly’s record were big deals, those paled in comparison to everything I was able to uncover about Paul Anka’s “Christmas In Japan.” I’ve mentioned before that I’m not in the best position to uncover facts about Japanese Christmas music that my friends in Japan don’t already know, so when I do, it’s a huge accomplishment for me. I’ve always liked Paul Anka, so the fact that his record was involved made it even more meaningful.
As promised in the episode, here are the English lyrics to “Vive Le Vent”:
Long live the wind, long live the wind Long live the winter wind
Which goes whistling, blowing
Through the tall green Christmas trees, oh!
Long live the weather, long live the weather, Long live the winter weather
Snowballs and new year’s day
and happy new year Grandma!
Along the long road All white from the white snow
Walks an old man
With his cane in his hand
And all above the wind
Which whistles in the branches
Blows on him the romantic tune
That he sang as a young child, oh!
Merry, Merry Christmas To the thousand candles
Which delight toward heaven
The night’s bells.
Long live the wind, long live the wind
Long live the winter wind
Which brings to old kids
Their memories of yesterday, oh!
And the old man Goes down toward the village
It’s the time when everyone is good
And the shadow dances near the fire
But in each house
There floats a festive air
Everywhere the table is set
And you hear the same song, oh!
I ran a little long in spots this episode, so I had to edit out a few bits. One thing I regretted cutting was the fact that “Christmas In Japan” was released on both 45 and 78. I’ve seen one copy of the 78 for sale. Unfortunately, I didn’t bid on it. I’ll keep looking, though.
Jimmy Osmond’s record was a fun one to pick up. It was also surprisingly hard to find. I had a copy sitting in my wish list on one of the record sites for a couple months, but when I went to buy it, their copy had sold. It took over a year for another copy to show up. Since then, I’ve seen dozens of them, but there was a long stretch where I’d started to worry that I’d never see another.
From a pure nostalgia standpoint, Bob McGrath’s EP was one of the biggest highlights of my collecting career. Of the human characters on “Sesame Street,” Bob was always my favorite. Hearing his “Jingle Bells” the first time took me back to my childhood. When a copy of his “White Christmas” single showed up a month or two ago, I couldn’t pass on it.
I resisted getting “Jennifer’s X’mas” for quite some time. Now that I have it, I don’t regret it, although I’m glad I didn’t pay as much as some others have.
Jennifer Connelly on “The Graham Norton Show”
I hope you’ve had as much fun listening to and learning about these artists who were “Big In Japan” as I did collecting and researching their music. Join me back here next month as I celebrate Christmas with four weekly episodes. Up first is the Hibari Children’s Chorus and their 1965 album, “Good Child’s Christmas Party.” After that, I’ll be covering the King Orchestra’s 1978 album, “Jingle Bells – Christmas Karaoke Collection.” Then join me later in the month as I talk about one of the greatest Japanese Christmas compilations to come out of the 1980s, “Mint Sound’s X’mas Album.” Finally, on Christmas Day, listen in as I cover a virtually unknown City Pop Christmas compilation. It’s one of the coolest records in my collection and one you don’t want to miss.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 65 of Holly Jolly X'masu! For my second “Big In Japan” episode, I’ll be talking about the Ventures and their 1965 album, “The Ventures’ Christmas Album.”
I was on the fence about covering this album since it was originally a US release, but considering how big the Ventures have been in Japan for nearly six full decades, I wanted to make sure I included them in my “Big In Japan” month. I’ve taken some liberties with my editing this episode, but I hope you’re still able to enjoy the album, and that it encourages you to seek out more from the Ventures.
Be sure to listen in on the 25th as I wrap up my “Big In Japan” month with a selection of records from a variety of artists, including a couple of the more sought-after Japanese Christmas records. This is one episode you don’t want to miss!
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 64 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In the first of my “Big In Japan” episodes, I’ll be discussing American figure skater Janet Lynn’s 1973 album, “A Joyful Christmas With Janet.”
I’ve always been intrigued by the “Big In Japan” phenomenon. It wasn’t something I gave a lot of thought to when I first started collecting Japanese Christmas music, though. However, not long after I started checking the various Japanese sites for other albums I could get, I started seeing Janet Lynn’s album show up. I had no idea who she was at the time, but I was curious when I saw her album because it seemed a bit out of place. The album’s cover, with Janet’s face smiling out from the middle of a wreath, didn’t fit in with most of the Japanese albums I was seeing.
After a small bit of research, I was able to uncover the basics of Janet’s life and her “Big In Japan” status. I decided to get her album and that I would eventually cover it as part of a series of “Big In Japan” episodes. It took me nearly two more years, but I finally got the other records I was hoping to cover.
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about Janet Lynn and my “Big In Japan” overview. Join me back here next week as I talk about the Ventures and their 1965 Christmas album. Then join me on the 25th for the real highlight of the month, when I’ll be discussing several other artists who were “Big In Japan.” I have a few really rare and enjoyable records lined up and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 63 of Holly Jolly X'masu! For Christmas Podcast Day, I’ve remastered one of my earliest episodes, where I discussed Jackey Yoshikawa’s 1966 album, “Christmas With Blue Comets.”
November 1st is Christmas Podcast Day. It kicks off the peak season for Christmas podcasters, and a lot of us try to do something special to mark the day. This year, I’m revisiting my fifth episode. I’ve added a new introduction, replaced the original music with the re-recorded songs at the correct speed, and replaced the intro and exit music with a few songs from Jackey’s 1967 EP, “Roseate Christmas.”
Listening to the original episode, I cringed a bit, but I also enjoyed hearing how much I’ve improved over the past two years. I’ve also gotten a lot better at editing so, even though this one was a chore, it wasn’t nearly as bad as if I’d re-edited it a couple years ago.
Since the original episode came out, I’ve added to my Jackey Yoshikawa collection as well. I managed to get the LP with the “lounge” cover, and the “Jingle Bells” EP, which contains four tracks from the album. There was a third variant of the LP, and a single with the same cover as the EP, but I haven’t bothered with those.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this revamped look at Jackey Yoshikawa. I hope you’re also able to find the time to check out some of the other great Christmas podcasts out there. As I said, this is the start of the busiest time of the year for Christmas podcasters. I have a bunch of episodes lined up for the next two months. Tune in the rest of the month as I talk about artists who were “Big In Japan.” Then join me in December as I look at some really spectacular albums, including an unknown gem of a compilation.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 63 of Holly Jolly X'masu! For Christmas Podcast Day, I’ve remastered one of my earliest episodes, where I discussed Jackey Yoshikawa’s 1966 album, “Christmas With Blue Comets.”
November 1st is Christmas Podcast Day. It kicks off the peak season for Christmas podcasters, and a lot of us try to do something special to mark the day. This year, I’m revisiting my fifth episode. I’ve added a new introduction, replaced the original music with the re-recorded songs at the correct speed, and replaced the intro and exit music with a few songs from Jackey’s 1967 EP, “Roseate Christmas.”
Listening to the original episode, I cringed a bit, but I also enjoyed hearing how much I’ve improved over the past two years. I’ve also gotten a lot better at editing so, even though this one was a chore, it wasn’t nearly as bad as if I’d re-edited it a couple years ago.
Since the original episode came out, I’ve added to my Jackey Yoshikawa collection as well. I managed to get the LP with the “lounge” cover, and the “Jingle Bells” EP, which contains four tracks from the album. There was a third variant of the LP, and a single with the same cover as the EP, but I haven’t bothered with those.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this revamped look at Jackey Yoshikawa. I hope you’re also able to find the time to check out some of the other great Christmas podcasts out there. As I said, this is the start of the busiest time of the year for Christmas podcasters. I have a bunch of episodes lined up for the next two months. Tune in the rest of the month as I talk about artists who were “Big In Japan.” Then join me in December as I look at some really spectacular albums, including an unknown gem of a compilation.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 62 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the 2010 compilation, “We Wish You A Happy.”
A lot of my collecting requires leaps of faith. So many of the albums I buy aren’t available online, so I can’t sample them in advance. This is especially true of the older ones, but even a lot of the music from the 1990s and later still can’t be streamed. I learned early on that the bloggers I rely on for recommendations have vastly different tastes than I do, so while a recommendation from them may be a start, I try to look for something else in their comments or the album’s content to convince me that I might like a particular album.
“We Wish You A Happy” was one where I had nothing to go on other than recommendations a clip of Riddim Saunter’s “Guest Of A Christmas.” I was glad I put my doubts aside and got it, though, because it turned out to be an enjoyable album.
I hope that at least a couple of the songs here suited your tastes. I felt there was enough variety that nearly anyone could find something to enjoy. I have some great and unique albums lined up, so be sure to tune in in November. Up first, for Christmas Podcast Day on November 1st, I’ll be revisiting one of my earliest episodes. I’ve remastered Episode 5, where I talked about Jackey Yoshikawa’s “Christmas With Blue Comets.” You’ll get to hear more of the albums plus a few songs from Jackey’s later Christmas EP. Then listen in the rest of the month as I talk about artists who were “Big In Japan.” I’ll be talking about everyone from figure skater Janet Lynn, to the Ventures, Jimmy Osmond and others, including a couple of hard to find records that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 62 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the 2010 compilation, “We Wish You A Happy.”
A lot of my collecting requires leaps of faith. So many of the albums I buy aren’t available online, so I can’t sample them in advance. This is especially true of the older ones, but even a lot of the music from the 1990s and later still can’t be streamed. I learned early on that the bloggers I rely on for recommendations have vastly different tastes than I do, so while a recommendation from them may be a start, I try to look for something else in their comments or the album’s content to convince me that I might like a particular album.
“We Wish You A Happy” was one where I had nothing to go on other than recommendations a clip of Riddim Saunter’s “Guest Of A Christmas.” I was glad I put my doubts aside and got it, though, because it turned out to be an enjoyable album.
I hope that at least a couple of the songs here suited your tastes. I felt there was enough variety that nearly anyone could find something to enjoy. I have some great and unique albums lined up, so be sure to tune in in November. Up first, for Christmas Podcast Day on November 1st, I’ll be revisiting one of my earliest episodes. I’ve remastered Episode 5, where I talked about Jackey Yoshikawa’s “Christmas With Blue Comets.” You’ll get to hear more of the albums plus a few songs from Jackey’s later Christmas EP. Then listen in the rest of the month as I talk about artists who were “Big In Japan.” I’ll be talking about everyone from figure skater Janet Lynn, to the Ventures, Jimmy Osmond and others, including a couple of hard to find records that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 61 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing Kaoru Akimoto’s 1968 album, “Tenor Sax Mood White Christmas.”
I’ve collected a variety of things throughout my life. No matter what I’ve been collecting at the time, I’ve always had a handful of items that seemed just beyond my reach. In each case, I’ve managed to get at least a couple of those things I never thought I’d own. Sometimes, they turn out to be a huge disappointment. Luckily with my record collecting, each of the albums I’ve gotten that I never thought I’d own have lived up to or exceeded my expectations. Whether it’s been Kaoru Akimoto, Jun Fukamachi, Chiemi Eri, or any of the others that either seemed to rare or expensive for me to get, or that one collector or another had told me to not even bother looking for because, they assured me, I’d never be able to get—they’ve all turned out to be at least as good as I was hoping.
I hope you’ve found Kaoru Akimoto to be as satisfying an album as I did. It’s a wonderful album and one I’ve listened to more than a lot of the others, mainly because of how early I got it in my collecting. As I said in the episode, though, there are a lot of even more spectacular albums out there. I’ve only covered a handful of the best ones so far, and the best ones truly are yet to come. Join me back here next week when I discuss Niw! Records’ 2010 compilation, “We Wish You A Happy.” It’s a fun, more contemporary album and one you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 60 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the 1990 compilation, “White Album ‘90.”
This is a fun album overall and I enjoyed listening to it again while preparing for this episode. Some of the tracks are real standouts, and if I were to do a “best of” playlist, I’d include at least three of the songs from this album. I’m still not sure why it took as long as it did to find a copy, but it was definitely a worthy addition to my collection.
It’s been hectic lately. I won’t say I’m back on track, but I’m glad I was able to hit my deadline for this episode. While not every song on here will appeal to everyone, I hope everyone found at least a couple they enjoyed. Be sure to listen in next month as I cover a pair of wildly different albums. Up first, I get back to the sort of music that really drew me into Japanese Christmas music with Kaoru Akimoto’s “Tenor Sax Mood White Christmas” from 1968. It’s a wonderful Mood Kayo album, and one that, when I started collecting, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to get. Then join me on the 25th for NiW! Records’ 2010 compilation, “We Wish You A Happy.” It’s a great collection from a wide array of more recent Indie bands. You won’t want to miss them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 59 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing Mika Kanai’s 1997 album, “Clam Chowder.”
I’m sometimes surprised by how hard it is to find various albums. Some seem to never show up for sale, while others are readily available from sellers on Amazon and other sites, but for exorbitant, unrealistic prices. “Clam Chowder” was in the former category. No matter how much I searched, there just weren’t any copies to be had.
More frustrating, though, are the albums I’ve passed on in the past and not seen since. Seven of my top ten most-wanted albums fall into that category. I’ve seen copies of each of them at some point and either didn’t attempt to buy them, or gave up on an auction, figuring another copy would show up for a more affordable price at some point. Based on what they’ve sold for, most of those seven aren’t particularly rare or sought-after, but I still kick myself for missing out on the copies I had a chance to buy.
Listen in again later this month when I talk about the 1990 compilation, “White Album ‘90.” It’s another album that took well over a year to find. It has an interesting blend of songs and styles, and you’re sure to enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 58 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the 1988 compilation, “The Night Before Christmas.”
My lack of free time really hit a critical point this month, which is why this episode is a few days late. I’ve been looking forward to covering this album because it’s really one of the best 80s compilations. It’s also the only place you can find most of the songs on the album. Only Kazuo Zaitsu and Hidemi Yamamoto’s songs were released elsewhere.
I hope you’ve enjoyed at least a few of the songs on “The Night Before Christmas.” It really does have something for everyone. Join me back here in September as I talk about a couple albums from the 1990s. First up is Mika Kanai’s “Clam Chowder” from 1997. It’s more of a winter-themed album, but it includes a couple Christmas songs, and I couldn’t resist getting it due to the title. Then join me on the 25th as I cover another compilation, “White Album ’90,” from 1990. It features an eclectic selection of songs and was one of those albums that took me over two years to track down. You don’t want to miss them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 58 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be talking about the 1988 compilation, “The Night Before Christmas.”
My lack of free time really hit a critical point this month, which is why this episode is a few days late. I’ve been looking forward to covering this album because it’s really one of the best 80s compilations. It’s also the only place you can find most of the songs on the album. Only Kazuo Zaitsu and Hidemi Yamamoto’s songs were released elsewhere.
I hope you’ve enjoyed at least a few of the songs on “The Night Before Christmas.” It really does have something for everyone. Join me back here in September as I talk about a couple albums from the 1990s. First up is Mika Kanai’s “Clam Chowder” from 1997. It’s more of a winter-themed album, but it includes a couple Christmas songs, and I couldn’t resist getting it due to the title. Then join me on the 25th as I cover another compilation, “White Album ’90,” from 1990. It features an eclectic selection of songs and was one of those albums that took me over two years to track down. You don’t want to miss them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 57 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing Ken-Ichi Sonoda’s 1981 album, “White Christmas – Happy Christmas Party.”
As much as I like this album, I was really hoping to find more background on Ken-Ichi Sonoda. Between the sparse amount I could find online, and a complete lack of free time, this episode is a little light on content. I’m hoping this turns out to be a rare exception.
I have most of my schedule for the rest of the year planned out and I might be working in a few surprises. Next month I’ll be covering a pair of 1990s albums, while October will feature a classic Mood Kayo album and a compilation from 2010. In November, I’ll be focusing on artists who were Big In Japan, while December will feature two of the coolest 1980s compilations ever produced.
Be sure to listen in later this month when I talk about a fantastic compilation from 1988, “The Night Before Christmas.” It includes some great, rarely-heard songs, including one from Hitomi “Penny” Tohyama, who I mentioned way back in 2020. It’s an overlooked classic that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 56 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this special Christmas In July episode, I’ll be discussing a variety of summery Christmas songs from a diverse group of artists. This year’s episodes was fun to put together, although I ran into a lot of speed bumps along the way. The order containing several of the songs was delayed by more than a week, then work and family life pushed me back even further. Lastly, a staff shortage at the grocery store took away several hours of editing time on the 25th, so I had no way to get this out on time. Better late than never, though.
Arisa Mizuki - The Windiest Afternoon Of The Year - 1993
Yukio Aoshima - Christmas Under A Coconut Tree - 2000
Mikiko Noda - Christmas On The Beach - 1989
Shoko Sawada - Sea, Coral And Christmas - 1993
Yu Hayami - Christmas On The Beach - 2004
Onyanko Club - Summer Christmas – 1985
Masato Honda - Santa Claus In Summer - 1998
Kiyotaka Sugiyama - Summer In Christmas - 2001
Kiyotaka Sugiyama - Southern Hemisphere December - 1989
Before Christ Butterfly - Surfing Christmas - 2007
Naomi & Goro - Santa On Surfboard - 2003
CoConut Boys - Gold Coast No Christmas - 1983
Hi-Fi Set - Off-Season Santa Claus - 1983
I hope you’ve enjoyed this year’s Christmas In July. This year’s selection featured some great songs, and a few have become real favorites of mine. August is 80s month around here, so join me in a few weeks for a pair of fun albums from Japan’s Bubble Era. First up is Ken-Ichi Sonoda’s Dixieland Christmas album, “White Christmas – Happy Christmas Party,” from 1981. Then join me on the 25th for a fantastic compilation from 1988, “The Night Before Christmas.” It includes some great, rarely-heard songs, including one from Hitomi “Penny” Tohyama, who I mentioned way back in 2020. They’re both top-notch albums and you don’t want to miss them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 55 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be Yumi Matsutoya’s Christmas songs.
When it comes to Japanese Christmas music, there are a handful of really key artists. Over the past forty years, one of the most influential is Yumi Matsutoya. She’s certainly not the most prolific when it comes to Christmas music, but she helped to revive public interest, and she furthered the success of Japanese Christmas pop songs. While original Christmas pop songs were being written in Japan as early as the 1950s, until the late 1970s they were more the exception than the rule. From 1978 to 1983, a string of Christmas hits written by young Japanese pop and rock artists helped convince the public and the music industry that there was more to Christmas than “Jingle Bells,” “Rudolph,” and Bing Crosby. Yuming was one of the most successful of the bunch.
From 1974 to 2002, Yuming regularly produced Christmas, or Christmassy songs. “MISSLIM,” “Streamline ‘80” and “Surf and Snow” were albums I bought or knew about early on. I found out about the others as I researched her more. I’ve bought copies of most of the albums featuring her Christmas songs, but the rest came from her “Seasons Colours Song Collection” 4-CD set.
I was eager to talk about her music and the impact it has had. One of the things I enjoyed most about researching her was finding videos of some of her old performances. She’s always had a great stage presence, but it’s the older videos, particularly from the 70s and 80s, that I enjoy the most. One I regret not being able to find was a video of her performing “Christmas Waiting At The Lodge” while riding a ski lift. It’s from a late-70s or early-80s television special, and it reminded me of one of John Denver’s specials from the same period.
Christmas Waiting At The Lodge
Let’s Move In Together
Before The Diamond Dust Fades
Angel Cryin’ X’mas
Wings Of Winter
Snow, Moon And Flowers
December Rain
I hope you’ve enjoyed Yumi Matsutoya’s music. If you’d like to hear more from her, there’s plenty to be found online. A lot of unauthorized videos have been taken down lately, but she has her own YouTube channel and more music is being added there regularly. Her Christmas music is just the tip of the iceberg.
Join me back here on the 25th for my third Christmas In July episode. I don’t expect it to be late, but I’ve run into a lot of snags, including delays to my latest order of records, so there’s a chance it won’t hit until the 26th. I have a great selection of summery Christmas songs lined up and you’re sure to enjoy them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 54 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing Yumi Matsutoya’s classic 1980 album, “Surf & Snow – Volume One.”
For as big as Yuming is, and considering how easy it is to find reviews, critiques and opinions about her online, I was surprised by the sparse amount of biographical information about her. The highlights are covered, but not nearly to the granular degree of other artists, even ones far less popular or accomplished. I still managed to learn a decent amount about her, which always makes my research more enjoyable. One thing that’s always amused me about “Surf & Snow” is that she never released a Volume Two. Mel Brooks is finally getting around to “History Of The World Part 2,” so I guess there’s always hope.
While researching this episode, I was pleased to find some live videos of Yuming performing some of the songs that I’d never seen before. I wanted to share those and the fantastic video of “Koibito ga Santa Claus” from that 1986 special with you here in the show notes.
I Want To Be A Mermaid
Dazzling Grass Baseball – At A Small Ballpark
Koibito ga Santa Claus / My Lover Is Santa Claus
I hope you’ve enjoyed my introduction to Yumi Matsutoya and her music. She’s a true icon in Japan, and considering the wealth of music she’s produced, and the breadth of styles she’s covered, you’re bound to find something of hers to enjoy. Join me back here later this month as I cover the rest of her Christmas music. Then join me on the 25th (or thereabouts) for my Christmas in July episode. I’ve run into several delays so it might be a day late, but I’ll be doing what I can to get it out on time. I’ve compiled a great collection of summer-themed Christmas songs and you want to miss it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 53 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing Naomi Sagara’s 1975 album, “White Christmas.”
I’ve mentioned before how collecting Japanese Christmas albums can sometimes be a real crap shoot. So many of them, especially older ones, have no presence online, so I often have no idea how they’ll sound once I finally get them. This was another of those cases where I pleasantly surprised with the results. While some of the songs are dated, I truly enjoy the entire album and it’s one that I’ve returned to multiple times since getting it.
As I said in this episode, I was really taken by Naomi Sagara’s voice. There’s a pleasing quality to it I really enjoy. I looked up several of her songs on YouTube and was also impressed by her stage presence in her live performances. Despite the difficulties she faced, her reputation as a performer appears to have rebounded and her songs maintain a following to this day.
The World Is For Two People
Why Not, As Long As You’re Happy
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about Naomi Sagara and listening to “White Christmas.” Join me next month for Christmas in July. I’ll be starting things off with something a little different. Instead of a Christmas album, I’ll be covering Yumi Matsutoya’s City Pop classic, “Surf & Snow – Volume One.” It’s a fantastic album with a mix of summer and winter-themed songs, including one of the biggest and most popular Japanese Christmas songs, “Koibito ga Santa Claus.” Then join me on the 25th for my third annual Christmas In July episode. I have some really fun songs lined up for it. If I can find a little extra free time, I might even throw out an extra episode or two.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 52 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing Naozumi Yamamoto’s 1973 album, “Xmas Home Party.”
Over the past two years, I’ve bought a few albums that didn’t live up to my expectations. Most of them were still thoroughly enjoyable albums. In each case, though, an overzealous, ill-informed, or even dishonest review or blog post led to me expecting something other than what I received. In the case of the blogger who sung Yamamoto’s praises and gave the impression that everything he did sounded like “Branded to Kill,” I suspect he didn’t listen to anything other than that score. The scores I listened to sounded wildly different from one another, ranging from the sort of Jazz you find in “Branded to Kill,” to Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western-esque soundtracks, traditional Japanese music, and more standard orchestral scores, similar to what you’d hear in Hollywood dramas and melodramas of the same era. He was a remarkably talented composer and conductor, so at the end of the day, I’m just happy he produced a Christmas album so that I was able to enjoy it and learn more about him.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Naozumi Yamamoto and his music as much as I do, all expectations aside. I also hope at least a few of you make an effort to check out some of Seijun Suzuki’s movies, particularly “Branded to Kill.” It’s a wild, challenging film. It might not be for everyone, but if it sounds like the sort of thing you enjoy, you’ll
Join me back here on the 25th for Naomi Sagara’s 1975 album, “White Christmas.” Contrary to Naozumi Yamamoto, it’s one that really exceeded my expectations. You don’t want to miss it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 51 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing Goro “Smiley” Asahina’s 1967 album, “Dancing Through Blue Christmas.”
Just speaking as a collector, this is the sort of album I live for. Not only is it virtually unknown, both here and in Japan, but it contains an original song that can only be found here. Finding songs and albums like this are a huge thrill. As a result, the episodes where I cover music that can truly only be heard here are even more enjoyable.
I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to “Dancing Through Blue Christmas,” and learning at least a little about Goro “Smiley” Asahina. He’s a unique figure, at least among the musicians I’ve researched, in that he was so closely tied not just to the US military, but to one base in particular.
Be sure to join me back here in June as I kick off the summer months with a pair of truly enjoyable albums. Up first is “Xmas Home Party” by Naozumi Yamamoto. He’s joined by the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and famed pianist Norio Maeda. Then join me on the 25th for Naomi Sagara’s 1975 album, “White Christmas.” She was an extremely popular singer throughout the 1970s with an outstanding voice. They’re both great albums, and you’re sure to enjoy them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 50 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing the 1977 compilation, “Merry Christmas (Bouquet of Hearts Present Series),” from King Records.
When I started buying records a couple years ago, I had one very short-term goal: To buy the half dozen albums I’d heard about while trying to find Akira Ishikawa’s “Drum Christmas Drum.” Off the top of my head, those were “Drum Christmas Drum,” Jun Fukamachi’s “Now Sound Christmas,” Jimmy Takeuchi’s “White X’mas Drum Drum,” Chiemi Eri’s “Chiemi Sings Christmas Carols,” Jackey Yoshikawa’s “Christmas With Blue Comets,” and Takeshi Terauchi’s “Bunnies’ Christmas Party.” I hadn’t heard any of the albums all the way through, and you couldn’t even find clips online for two of them. I knew next to nothing about the albums and the artists behind them, and didn’t have much of an idea of how to find out more about them.
After I got “Merry Christmas (Bouquet of Hearts Present Series),” the associations I made and the work we did on it helped me gain the skills I needed to find the records I was looking for, and discover far more than I had ever hoped for. It also gave me the confidence I needed, maybe not to start my podcast, but in myself and my ability to do the research I’d need to do to keep it going.
When I started my podcast, I had doubts about ever getting through the first year, whether I’d ever have enough albums for a dozen full episodes, and whether I’d be able to keep up the grueling pace of one episode per month. Now I’m releasing my 50th episode and I’ve barely scratched the surface. I’ve mentioned several times that every album I cover is from my personal collection. I have a literal wealth of records left to cover, including many of the most noteworthy and influential albums and singles that have shaped Japanese Christmas music over the past 70 years. I likely would have never found a lot of those if not for the things I learned from acquiring this album.
I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to “Merry Christmas (Bouquet of Hearts Present Series),” and learning about some of the songs and musicians featured on it. Join me back here later this month as I talk about another virtually unknown album I unearthed, Goro “Smiley” Asahina’s “Dancing Through Blue Christmas.” It’s a fantastic record and one you don’t want to miss!
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 49 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be wrapping up my discussion about Eiji Kitamura and his Christmas music, with his fantastic 2001 album, “Santa Clarinet.”
While Akira Ishikawa’s “Drum Christmas Drum” kicked off my interest in Japanese Christmas music, the Jazz, Group Sounds and Mood Kayo albums of the 1960s really cemented my obsession, while the City Pop Christmas music from the 1980s broadened my collecting horizons and led to me finding an even wider variety of music.
One of the things I love about Eiji Kitamura is that he serves as a bridge from the earliest days of Japanese Pop music to today. He got his start around the same time Hibari Misora’s “Hitoribocchi no Christmas” gave birth to Japanese Christmas Pop, so he has been an eyewitness to the genre as it’s evolved. That’s part of why I’d love to see him do an album where he covers all the big Japanese Christmas songs, from Kai Band’s “Anna,” to Yumi Matsutoya’s “Koibito ga Santa Claus,” Keisuke Kuwata’s “Merry X’mas In Summer” and “White Lovers,” and, of course, Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve.” I have a couple Jazz albums with covers of a lot of those songs, but having one from Eiji Kitamura would be something special, considering his long history in the industry.
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about Eiji Kitamura. Join me back here next month for my special 50th episode, where I’ll be talking about the 1977 compilation, “Merry Christmas (Bouquet of Hearts Present Series),” from King Records. It’s a great album in its own right with an interesting history, but it’s also an instrumental album for me personally, not just in the way it helped me improve my research and collecting strategy, but in the long-standing connection it’s given me with a like-minded collector in Japan. It’s a double LP and will take a lot of work to prepare, so at this point I’m not sure what else I’ll cover next month, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 48 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this first of two episodes about legendary clarinetist Eiji Kitamura, I’ll be discussing his 1965 EP, “Dancing Christmas,” and his 1988 album, “Golden Christmas Songs.”
As I mentioned in this episode, Eiji Kitamura’s music is some of the earliest Japanese Christmas music I came across. While my attempts to get all three of his albums were frustrating at times, I was thrilled to finally own them all. It was just as enjoyable learning about him and finding that, at 93 years old, he’s still performing and recording.
One of the most delightful surprises I’ve had while collecting was finding that he played on Tatsuo Otsuka’s “Christmas Serenade.” I first saw the cover for the album in early 2020, and it took well over a year to finally get a copy. As with Eiji Kitamura’s albums, it was worth the wait.
I have to apologize for how late I am releasing this episode. The past month has been a string of hassles and crises. While I didn’t have as much time to work on my podcast as I’d have liked, I was able to make some headway on the huge backlog of music I’ve been needing to digitize and prepare for future episodes. Until a few days ago, I was nearly done, but a new bundle of records put me a little further behind. I can’t complain, though, as several of the records I’ve gotten recently are real holy grails. I’ve managed to remove several of the biggest items from my wishlist of albums, and I can’t wait to cover them at some point.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this introduction to Eiji Kitamura. Join me back here later this month as I finish discussing his career and his Christmas music.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 47 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing the 1992 album “Non-Stop Silent Night,” by Pochettes & Reindeers.
Seldom does one ever come across an album of this caliber, capable of eliciting a truly visceral reaction from audiences, even upon repeated listening. The quality and craftmanship are unparalleled. It truly stands out from the other albums in my collection. I can honestly say that when compared to Akira Ishikawa, Jun Fukamachi, Jimmy Takeuchi, Nobuo Hara and Shoji Suzuki, it’s in a league of its own.
I hope Pochettes really made your day. Despite my full schedule, listening to this CD again inspired me to rush this episode out and help you start the month off right. Join me back here later this month for a pair of episodes about Eiji Kitamura. He’s one of the most noteworthy Japanese clarinetists of the 20th century, and you’re sure to enjoy his music.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 46 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, in honor of Women’s History Month, I’ll continue my coverage of Iruka’s music by discussing her 1990 album “Noel – Fantastic Winter Story.”
As much as I liked Iruka’s albums when I first got them, I’ve grown to appreciate them even more as I’ve researched her life and listened to them repeatedly over the last few weeks. I think both albums are great, and each appeals to me in a different way. “Noel” has a more polished and mature sound to it, while “From the Bohemian Forest” is representative of several of the 1970s styles of music I enjoy. They’re both albums I’ll be including in my regular Christmas music listening in the future.
I was quite impressed with Iruka as a person. She’s lived an interesting life and her commitment to her charity work is extraordinary.
On a personal note, I’m nearly back on track schedule-wise, at least with my podcast. I’m hoping to stay on track for the next few months. I have a large backlog of records to record and digitize, so I’ll be jumping into that once I have a little work done on next month’s episodes.
Join me back here next month as I talk about legendary clarinetist Eiji Kitamura. In my first episode next month, I’ll be covering his 1967 EP “Dancing Christmas,” and his 1988 album, “Golden Christmas Songs.” Then, on the 25th, I’ll be covering his 2001 album, “Santa Clarinet.” If you’ve enjoyed my Jazz or Mood Kayo episodes, you’ll love his albums.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 45 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, in honor of Women’s History Month, I’ll be discussing Iruka’s 1977 album “From the Bohemian Forest.”
As you’ve likely noticed, I’m still way behind schedule. I was hoping to have this episode out on the 18th. I’m doing my best to get caught up and will hopefully be back on track next month.
Over the course of my collecting, I’ve found that some albums are a real crapshoot. Their covers don’t always give an indication of what you’re going to get, and since a lot of them can’t be found online, I’ll sometimes buy a record and have no clue how it’s going to sound until I finally drop the needle. “From the Bohemian Forest” was one of those cases.
As you can see above, this looks like a standard children’s album. However, the music was much better than I’d imagined. After I listened to it the first time, I told a friend that it was similar to “John Denver & the Muppets – A Christmas Together.” Not that I was making a direct comparison, but it features a mix of familiar and unfamiliar songs, as well a story involving a tree that segues into a song, packaged in a way that’s geared toward children but belies a more mature and enjoyable style of music. All in all, it was a great addition to my collection.
In the episode, I mentioned Iruka’s song “Nagori Yuki,” and the animated special for “Jeremy Tree.” Here are links to each of them:
Nagori Yuki
Jeremy Tree
Join me back here on the 25th (or thereabouts), when I cover Iruka’s 1990 album, “Noel – Fantastic Winter Story.” It’s another great album and one I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 44 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, in honor of Black History Month, I’ll be discussing Chris Hart’s 2015 album “Christmas Hearts – Winter Gift.”
As I mentioned in the episode, Chris Hart’s journey from his early life in California to his success in Japan is a wonderful and inspiring story. I really enjoyed learning more about him, and I hope you found him as interesting as I did.
I’ve been behind schedule all month for a variety of reasons. As I was writing and recording this episode, the Ukrainian invasion was starting. After I had started editing, I decided that, until the war ends, I’ll be donating 50% of any Ko-fi donations or Redbubble sales I receive to help support the people of Ukraine. I’ll mention it in my next episode and in social media.
Join me back here next month for a pair of albums by Iruka. She got her start as a folk singer and is also known for her children’s books. On the 11th, I’ll be covering her 1977 album, “From the Bohemian Forest.” Then on the 25th, I’ll be discussing her 1990 album, “Noel – Fantastic Winter Story.” She’s a wonderful singer and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 43 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I’ll be discussing the 2016 album, “Christmas Songs” by the R&B Pop artist, May J.
When I first started collecting Japanese Christmas music, I didn’t buy much contemporary music. My main focus was the 1960s through 1980s. As I got more, though, and started doing my podcast, I started checking out more recent music. I’ve found some great albums, so I’m glad I expanded my horizons a bit. I’ve mentioned before that, for a while, I relied on some sharing sites to find new music. Part of what intrigued me about May J.’s album was the fact that, not only was it not on any of those sites, but as soon as one site would upload it, it would either be taken down immediately, or the site itself would actually be taken down. I’m guessing the Mouse was the main reason for that, which is why I only include a brief sample of the one song in this episode.
You may have noticed that this episode came out later than I planned, and that I’ve been absent from social media for the most part. Some of that is due to the post-Christmas malaise that normally sets in, but my personal life has also been extremely hectic. I’m hoping to be back on track shortly.
I hope you enjoyed May J.’s album. Join me back here on the 25th as I discuss Chris Hart’s 2015 album, “Christmas Hearts – Winter Gift,” for Black History Month.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 42 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Chewing Gum’s wonderful 1974 album, “Christmas Best Hits.”
I’ve been lucky enough to get some fantastic records over the past two years, and this really is one of the best. There’s not a song on the album I don’t enjoy. I also listened to their greatest hits CD while preparing this episode and was impressed by everything I heard. Their earliest music is not only enjoyable, but is all the more impressive when you consider how young Rika and Mami Matsuda were when they started writing and performing.
At first, I didn’t realize that their later singles as Bar Balloon, Lucky Lips and MORE were on the CD. After listening to them, I was surprised they weren’t bigger hits. The sisters showed they could produce City Pop just as fine as the Folk Pop they’d been performing for the previous decade. I tried to find a couple of their later singles on vinyl, but they appear to be fairly scarce.
I hope you were as delighted by Chewing Gum as I was. I’ve been looking forward to covering this album for quite a while. Next month I’m planning on just two new episodes. Join me on the 11th for the 2016 album, “Christmas Songs,” by May J. Then listen in on the 25th as I discuss Chris Hart’s 2015 album, “Christmas Hearts – Winter Gift,” for African-American History Month.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 41 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode I’ll be talking about Christmas songs by Japanese Folk singers. I’ve pulled these songs from half a dozen different records from the late 60s and early 70s. Some are familiar standards, but the real standouts here are the original songs.
I’ve been wanting to do this episode for quite a while now. When I initially started collecting these albums, the bulk of what I bought were full albums. I had a fairly short list of records I wanted to get and only a couple of those were singles. I figured I’d only end up with enough albums for two or three dozen episodes at most, and I planned on tacking on those singles to whichever album seemed most appropriate. As I found more music that I liked, though, I realized I’d have to start buying more singles in order to get the music I wanted.
Initially it was just 7” 45s. I started picking up the occasional 12” single, and then eventually a bunch of mini-CD singles. I then started finding songs that only appeared as deeper cuts on full-length albums, so I started collecting some of those as well. Before I knew it, I had hundreds of these songs.
I realized that I was going to have to start planning episodes that didn’t focus on a single album. I figured themed episodes would be the best approach, and I’ve already done that a couple times with my Christmas in July episodes. As I got closer to this month with my planned Folk albums, I decided to do one dedicated to these other Folk tracks I’d accumulated.
Thankfully, the Folk songs I’ve collected are all pretty great, so putting together this episode was fairly easy. I’d already listened to a lot of the songs here dozens of times, and listening to them a few more times was certainly no chore. Research for this episode was a little frustrating due to the lack of information for several of the bands, but it’s often hit-or-miss with some of these artists.
I did find a page dedicated to Japanese Folk bands, so I’ll be going back to that and trying to find additional Christmas Folk. I was surprised by just how many Japanese Folk bands there were. As thorough as that site seems to be, it actually left out a couple of the artists I have in this episode.
As for Maki Asakawa, I really wish she’d done more Christmas music, as she was just spectacular. I’d love to do a full episode about her. At some point, I might pick another album and then cover it as a bonus episode.
I hope you enjoyed this sampling of Folk music. As much as I enjoy the albums I find, I don’t always have the time to go back and listen to them repeatedly. The songs from this episode are some of those that I have a made a point to revisit quite a few times. Join me next episode for one of those albums I can listen to year round—“Christmas Best Hits,” by Chewing Gum. It’s one of the best Japanese Christmas albums you’re likely to hear, and one of my personal favorites.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 40 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the Shadracks’ 1970 album, “Merry X’mas With The Shadracks.” It’s a fun album full of Christmas standards by the Japanese Folk band.
I’m sometimes surprised by the records I come across while searching for Japanese Christmas albums. One unexpected gem was an EP I stumbled across about a year ago called “Christmas on Campus.” It was listed as a folk album, but I couldn’t get much more from the description. When it finally arrived about a month later, I found it to be a delightful but all-too-brief four-song collection of Japanese Folk singers from 1969. That sent me on a quest to find more of the same.
I’d seen the cover for the Shadracks’ album on a few different sites, but had never given it much attention, so I was surprised to see it turn up in my first searches for Japanese Christmas Folk music. Naturally, when I went back to the shops that had it, those copies had sold. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for another copy to show up, and I was glad once I finally added it to my collection.
I hope the Shadracks have whetted your appetite for Japanese Christmas Folk. While I haven’t found too many full albums, I have found some great singles and stray tracks on other records. I’ll share some of those with you next time. It’s an interesting collection of songs from a diverse group of artists and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 39 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this year-end bonus episode, I talk about Singaporean Christmas music.
One of the things I’ve really enjoyed over the years is finding just how much “undiscovered” Christmas music is really out there. Forgotten old nuggets from the US are becoming increasingly rare due to how many people have been searching them out and sharing them over the past few decades, but there’s tons of new Christmas music being created each year, and some of it is quite good.
Outside of the US, there’s a wealth of music to be found. I primarily focus on Japanese music, but during my searches, I find records from all over the world that I’ve seen listed anywhere else. I’ve seen records from all over Europe, Korea, Trinidad, Indonesia, Africa and elsewhere. If I had unlimited funds, I’d pick up a few of them.
Other than a few domestic releases each year, I seldom buy Christmas music anymore outside of my Japanese purchases. These Singaporean albums really struck a chord with me, though, and I wanted to get copies I could listen to without skips, scratches, pops and hiss. There are a few other Singaporean and Indonesian records I’ve heard with some great music on them, but the ones I discussed in this episode really are the cream of the crop, as far as I’m concerned.
I’d have liked to have found a decent amount of biographical information about each of the bands. The lack of information about the Silverstones and the Spiders was disappointing, but I was glad I was able to find as much as I did about the others, and I was happy to see that Ernie Djohan is still going strong.
I hope you enjoyed this foray into Singapore, and that it helped enliven your New Year’s celebration. Join me back here next month as I kick off 2022 with a pair of fantastic folk albums. First up is “Merry X’mas with the Shandracks” from 1970. Then, on the 25th, I’ll be covering one of my absolute favorite albums, “Christmas Best Hits,” from Chewing Gum. It’s an absolutely wonderful album and you don’t want to miss it.
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed Ohashi Trio as much as I did. Be sure to listen in next week to my special Halloween episode where I discuss the 1978 sci-fi thriller, “Blue Christmas – Blood Type: Blue,” and its soundtrack.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 38 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1978 album, “Snow Flakes,” by the Paradise Garage. It’s a groovy collection of Yuletide Disco!
One of the best parts of this hobby is that feeling I get when I finally get an album I’ve spent months trying to acquire. The excitement I felt over “Snow Flakes” wasn’t quite on the same level as Jun Fukamachi’s “Now Sound Christmas,” but it was close. I had a couple near misses along the way. One was due to the fact that I stopped checking one site entirely due to the sticker shock I had from shipping on one order. After two weeks of not checking, I looked again and found that I’d missed a copy by less than a day. When it finally turned up again, I was intent on getting it. Thankfully, the person I was bidding against wasn’t as relentless.
I’ve had a couple albums that, while good, didn’t live up to my expectations. I’ve been lucky enough that most of the albums I’ve gotten turned out better than I hoped. “Snow Flakes” is one of those rare albums that turned out exactly as I expected. I had high hopes, so that’s not a bad thing. It’s a solid collection of Disco tunes that avoids the cheesy, fabricated sound of so many similar collections, and it took me back to the days of KC, Alicia Bridges and the Village People streaming out of my Snoopy transistor radio.
Thanks for listening, and I hope the Paradise Garage helped you boogie through your Christmas. Be sure to join me on New Year’s Eve for my special bonus episode where I discuss a handful of Singaporean Christmas records. Until then, remember to keep on truckin’.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 37 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1982 album, “Non Stop! Christmas,” by Pochettes.
As I mentioned in the episode, I didn’t know what to expect when I got this. Having worked with an airbrush for several years in high school and college, I liked the cover. I was hoping for a bit more Disco, but I wasn’t entirely displeased overall. I’m sure not everything on the album will appeal to everyone, but I’m hoping each of you listeners enjoys at least some of what’s on it.
While most of the songs in the medley are standards, here’s the full list in case you missed any:
- Jingle Bells (0:23)
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (0:33)
- Joy To The World (0:06)
- The Twelve Days Of Christmas (0:26)
- Sleigh Ride (0:15)
- Jingle Bell Rock (0:29)
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (0:29)
- Winter Wonderland (0:30)
- Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town (0:45)
- Frosty The Snowman (0:44)
- Here Comes Santa Claus (0:23)
- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (0:58)
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (0:57)
- Little Christmas Tree (0:58)
- I'll Be Home For Christmas (0:58)
- Little Drummer Boy (0:50)
- Deck The Halls (0:30)
- White Christmas (1:00)
- The Christmas Song (0:46)
- Oh Come All Ye Faithful (0:37)
- You're All I Want For Christmas (0:58)
- Silver Bells (0:22)
- The First Noel (0:47)
- We Wish You A Merry Christmas (0:29)
I talked quite a bit about Stars On 45, and I mentioned Holly & the Ivy’s “Christmas on 45.” Here are links to videos for them. If you were alive in the early 80s, these should bring back some hopefully fond memories.
Stars On 45 – “Stars On 45” (Original Single Version)
Stars On 45 – “Stars On 45” (Original 12-Inch Version)
Holly & The Ivy’s – “Christmas On 45”
Thanks for listening, and I hope you had some fun with this episode. Join me back here on Christmas Day for some top quality, genuine Disco from the height of the Disco Era, as I talk about the absolutely groovy 1978 album, “Snow Flakes,” by The Paradise Garage. I guarantee, you’ll dig it!
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 36 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Koichi Oki’s 1975 album, “The Man from YUKIGUNI.”
This album was something of a gateway drug for me. It not only solidified my interest in Japanese Christmas music overall, but it led me to discovering the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra’s music, and it introduced me to the Electone. Electone and other electronic organ albums were quite popular in Japan from the mid-60s until the early 80s. As I mention in the episode, Michishiro was the Electone pioneer. He put out multiple albums, well into the 1980s, including four solo Christmas albums, and a collaboration with Keitaro Miho. The Keitaro Miho album was one of my earliest purchases, and I’ve gotten two of Michishiro’s solo album.
In addition to those, though, I also have albums by Mori Midori, Hideko Kojima, Keiko Ohta, Kodama Mari and Hidemi Saito. Mori Midori’s album is one of my favorites, while Hidemi Saito’s is the earliest Japanese electronic organ Christmas album I’ve found. I’ll get to them eventually.
Reading about Koichi Oki, I also found out about his son Yuichi and the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. They’ve only released a few Christmas songs, but the rest of their music is worth searching out. Their energetic and sometimes over-the-top performances are a blast to watch, and if you enjoy Ska, you’ll love their music. And as mentioned in the episode, Yuichi Oki remastered “The Man From YUKIGUNI” last year and released it digitally. Here’s a link to where you can find it:
The Man From YUKIGUNI
Thanks for listening, and I hope “The Man From YUKIGUNI” has helped add to your yuletide season. Tune in next week when I cover the 1982 album, “Non Stop! Christmas” by Pochettes. Then join me on Christmas Day for “Snow Flakes” by The Paradise Garage. It’s one of my favorite albums and one you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to the remastered edition of Episode 4 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I discuss the granddaddy of all Japanese Christmas compilation albums: King Records’ “Merry, Merry X’mas,” from 1963. This revered classic really established the gold standard for Christmas compilations in Japan.
I considered redoing the whole episode, but due to time constraints, that wasn’t plausible. Instead, I redid my introduction and included the full songs from my recently-obtained vinyl copy of the album. You can’t imagine how thrilled I was to finally get this. I’d bid on it several times before but dropped out when bidding got over $50. I paid far less than that for the copy I finally won. The cover isn’t in great shape, there’s no obi, and the record is extremely warped, but it plays beautifully, which is the most important thing.
I’ve also managed to get two of the singles that were included on the album. I have “Silent Night” by Yasuo Tanabe and Michiyo Azusa, and the Peanuts’ “Jingle Bells.” I also managed to get the “Merry X’mas” flexi-disc journal featuring the Peanuts and Hajime Hara & Crazy Cats. It’s one of the more sought-after flexi-disc journals, so I was lucky to get a copy. I don’t have Yukari Ito’s Christmas EP yet, but it goes for almost as much as the album. As far as I can tell, the other songs were never released as singles, although a couple show up on other later compilations.
It was interesting redoing this episode. I’ve made a lot of changes to how I write and edit an episode, so it was a bit of a challenge readjusting. One big change I made was to take out the clip of “March on the River Kwai,” since I don’t own a physical copy. I did find a couple copies for auction, and based on the starting bids, I don’t think I ever will own a copy. I do have “Mothra’s Song” on a CD, though, so I kept it in.
I also got a kick out of looking back on how far I’ve come since this episode came out. A couple days before it was released, I had just ordered a copy of one of my first true Holy Grails, Jun Fukamachi’s “Now Sound Christmas,” which brought my Japanese Christmas collection up to 40 whole items. Since then, I’ve managed to track down a lot of my most-wanted albums, and I’m to…well, a fair deal more than 40 LP’s, CD’s and singles. I’m also closing in on my 40th episode. Considering how much I struggled to get out one episode per month at first, I’m pretty pleased with how things are currently going.
I hop you’ve enjoyed this refreshed and expanded episode. Join me here every Saturday this month for all new episodes, as well as a special bonus episode on New Year’s Eve. I have a lot of great music lined up to help you enjoy your Christmas, most of which you can’t hear anywhere else.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 35 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I discuss Satoru Oda and his 1964 album, “Tenor in X’mas.” It’s a wonderful mood album by the acclaimed tenor saxophonist.
For the longest time, this was one of my favorite Japanese Christmas albums. To be honest, though, for the longest time it was one of the few Japanese Christmas albums of which I’d found a decent download. Most of the small handful of 1960s Japanese Christmas Jazz albums I’d found online were in fairly bad shape. The copy I found of Satoru Oda was complete and clean, with no skips and just a small amount of noise and clicks. While I’ve gotten rid of my downloads, finding those albums really sparked and maintained my interest in Japanese Christmas music.
Part of the appeal of these albums is that they’re almost entirely unknown in this part of the world. A lot of the ones I’ve found are obscure in Japan as well. I enjoy discovering and learning about them. A really frustrating aspect of my collecting, though, is finding an artist like Satoru Oda and not being able to uncover any biographical information about him online. I’ve read the same sentiment from several Japanese bloggers. A few have pointed out that, when they first started collecting, there was a decent amount of information about some of these musicians online, but those articles and interviews are now gone. As difficult as that makes my research, it’s also a terrible loss when you consider how notable and influential some of them were during the height of their career. While I come up short on some of them, I do appreciate being able to share what I find with you.
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed Satoru Oda as much as I did. And for those of you in the US, I want to wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Join me here in December as I cover some of my favorite albums. Setting the theme for most of the month is my main episode on Christmas Day, the 1978 Disco classic, “Snow Flakes” by The Paradise Garage. Up first, though, is Koichi Oki’s “The Man From YUKIGUNI.” It’s one of the best Electone Christmas albums around. Then tune in again on December 18th for another Disco album, “Non Stop! Christmas” by Pochettes. And if I have the time, I’ll work in another album before the end of the year.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 34 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the Lotus’s 1965 album, “Christmas Guitar Beat.” It’s a fantastic collection of Yuletide and Surf Rock gems.
This is one of a handful of Japanese “Christmas” albums I know of that don’t have a lot of Christmas music on them. The Christmas songs that are on here are pretty great, and this would have been a genuine classic if it had been entirely Christmas. As it is, it’s a curious memorial to a talented group of young guys who didn’t quite manage to leave the sort of mark on the music industry they were hoping to.
I have to say that I have mixed feelings about albums where I can’t find much biographical information about the bands. On the one hand, it makes the episode a lot easier to put together. On the other hand, I feel like I’m letting my audience down by not being able to tell them more about the artists behind the music. Even when I draw a blank on Wikipedia, I can usually find some obscure blog post or an old interview or news article about the artists I’m covering. With the Lotus, the few sites that mentioned them all seemed to have copied the same scant bits of information from one another. One positive note is that the music is good enough to speak for itself.
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed the Lotus and their mix of songs. Join me back here on the 25th when I discuss Satoru Oda’s “Tenor in X’mas,” from 1964. It’s wonderful Mood Kayo album, in the same vein as Nakamura Hachidai and Hidehiko Matsumoto’s “Christmas Tenor Mood,” and one you’re sure to enjoy.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 33 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Yujiro Ishihara’s 1966 album, “Xmas Carol.” It’s a fantastic vocal album that should appeal to any fans of Perry Como or Andy Williams.
Before finding the LP, I first came across the flexi-disc version, which was released at the same time. Due to some misinformation, at first I thought it was a double-LP, then a set of two 45’s. I finally found an extremely affordable copy of it online which showed the flexis. I wasn’t collecting flexi-discs at the time, so I passed. The copies I’ve found since then are a little more than I’m willing to spend.
After receiving and listening to the album, without knowing anything about Ishihara, I developed a picture of him in my mind of a Ricky Nelson type who transitioned from teen idol roles to similar family-friendly fare as he got older. I was really surprised to read about his long career in tough guy roles, and his Sinatra-esque reputation in the industry.
One disappointing aspect of my research was that I couldn’t find a lot about his actual singing career. Wikipedia was light on the details, providing little more than a few lists of his albums and singles. He apparently started out as a brash, rebellious sort, before settling into more of a crooner role. However, he did maintain his rough, onscreen persona throughout his acting career.
Thanks for listening, and I hope you appreciated Yujiro Ishihara as much as I do. Join me back here on the 18th when I discuss the 1965 album, “Christmas Guitar Beat,” by the surf rock band, The Lotus. Then tune in on the 25th for Satoru Oda’s splendid “Tenor in X’mas” from 1964.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to Episode 3 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I discuss the classic 1976 album, “Christmas,” from For Life Records. This was my introduction to Japanese Christmas compilation or omnibus albums, and it got me hooked on tracking down similar releases.
I was hoping to have this episode out much sooner but had a lot of delays due to issues related to the stay at home order. Once I finally had an opportunity to record it, I ran into even more problems. After recording the whole episode, I found that the input on my mic was turned all the way down. No matter what I did, I couldn’t make it sound decent, so I re-recorded it. My voice was rather hoarse the second time around, and I adjusted the audio a bit during editing, so that affected the sound quality a bit. Amusingly, in a couple spots it sounds like my voice was taken off an old vinyl record. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, the program I use to edit the show crashed multiple times. Thankfully, I was able to recover it each time.
Below, I’ve included pictures of some of my favorite Christmas compilations from my personal collection, including For Life’s “Christmas,” and the two Firestone albums I mentioned in the episode, “Popular Christmas Classics” and “Home for the Holidays.” The other two albums are two of the best Japanese Christmas albums from the 80s, “Mint Sound’s X’mas Album,” and “Winter Lounge.”
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend an album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 32 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this special Halloween episode, I discuss the 1978 movie, “Blue Christmas – Blood Type: Blue,” and its soundtrack.
Once I finally tracked down a copy, I really had no idea what to expect from “Blue Christmas.” At times, it’s a gritty, tense, and unnerving thriller. At other times, it’s uneven and somewhat outlandish, with some improbably bad acting and several unnecessarily explicit references to Hitler and the Holocaust. The good outweighs the bad, though, so I’m glad I was able to see it.
Blue Christmas Trailer
While the editing could have been a little tighter, Okamoto’s direction is fine. I love the overall look of the movie and there are some truly gorgeous scenes.
As long as nobody is speaking English, the cast is great. The bulk of the non-Japanese actors were amateurish at best. The main cast was splendid, though.
Tatsuya Nakadai as Kazuya Minami
Yusuke Okada as Kidokoro, and Harumi Arai as Yuko Takamatsu
Hiroshi Katsuno as Oki Taisuke
Keiko Takeshita as Saeko Nishida
Masaya Oki as Harada
John
Super-powered Alan
George
Reno
The Humanoids!
The Christmas scenes were great, as were the closing shots of Oki and Saeko’s tragic end.
Char’s “Blue Christmas” really grew on me, especially after watching the movie all the way through six times, then scanning through multiple times for notes and screen captures. Given the choice, I’ll listen to the Japanese version, but I’m glad I got both copies.
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed my recap of “Blue Christmas” and its music. While not strictly a horror movie, it was a fun way to bring a little eerie, Halloween feeling to the podcast. Join me back here next month for a couple albums from the 1960s. First up is Yujiro Ishihara’s 1966 album, “Xmas Carol.” It’s a fine vocal album and one any fan of Perry Como or Andy Williams should enjoy. Then tune in on the 25th for Satoru Oda’s splendid 1964 album, “Tenor in X’mas.” It’s a wonderful Mood Kayo sax album, and one you don’t want to miss.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 31 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Ohashi Trio’s 2013 album, “Magic.”
When I first got this CD, I listened to it repeatedly for a couple weeks. I thought it was fantastic. I did slightly regret the fact that I couldn’t get the DVD, as I’d have liked to have seen the short film, “Tree House.” Unfortunately, not only could I not get the DVD, but I’ve yet to see the video turn up online. The video for “Magic” appears to have been made from footage from “Tree House,” or at least shot concurrently, so you can get something of a feel for the film.
Unlike the bulk of the albums I’ve covered, I was able to find videos for nearly every song on the album. The only one missing is “Hallelujah.”
Koibito ga Santa Claus
Magic
Love the Season
All I Want for Christmas Is You
River
Starman
Snow Drop
Mori no Christmas
Please Come Home for Christmas
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed Ohashi Trio as much as I did. Be sure to listen in next week to my special Halloween episode where I discuss the 1978 sci-fi thriller, “Blue Christmas – Blood Type: Blue,” and its soundtrack.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 30 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this special Ko-fi patron-sponsored episode, I talk about the 1965 album, “Christmas Young Party,” by Columbia All Stars.
As I state in the episode, this is an album I searched for for quite a long time. It definitely didn’t disappoint. I’ve actually had it for several months, and I even shared the cover on Instagram back in April. I was going to feature a children’s album I actually received in my latest shipment, but I decided to go with Columbia All Stars instead. It’s a much better album, and it better reflects how much I appreciate the support. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate any feedback I receive.
As promised, here’s the video for Karou Chiga’s “Midnight Guitar.”
Also, don’t forget to check out Christmas on Vinyl, both on Instagram and Mixcloud.
Thanks for listening, and I hope “Christmas Young Party” brought you a little yuletide cheer. In my neck of the woods, it looks like it will finally start feeling like fall later this week. That always gets me in the mood for more Christmas music. I’ll be working on my next episode throughout the week, and picking up Norah Jones’s “I Dream of Christmas” this Friday. Between that and the albums I didn’t get to listen to enough last year, I should have plenty of Christmas music to listen to when I’m not listening to Christmas music for the podcast. Speaking of which, be sure to tune back in on the 25th when I discuss Ohashi Trio’s 2013 album, “Magic.” It’s one of the best and most original Christmas albums from the 2010’s, so you don’t want to miss it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 29 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I discuss Koga Records’ 2020 compilation, “Happy Christmas from Shimokita.” This is a great collection of songs produced during the height of the pandemic last year. It’s a mostly upbeat, optimistic compilation, which makes it stand out from most of the similarly-themed Christmas music I heard last year.
I started collecting Japanese Christmas music close to two years ago now and I’ve managed to get a pretty wide variety of albums. I haven’t covered a lot of contemporary music as of yet, so I was looking forward to this episode. While most of the bands here lean toward Rock or Punk, it’s still a fairly eclectic collection with a diverse blend of styles and sounds.
As I mention in the episode, a couple of the songs have music videos. I really enjoy the video for Moshimo’s “Holy Night.” It conveys a lot of what’s in the lyrics and gives an idea of their energetic performances that have added to their popularity.
Moshimo “Holy Night”
Rocket K “Can’t I Kiss Dear Mr. Santa”
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed “Happy Christmas from Shimokita.” You can find most of the bands on YouTube and social media, so if you like what you heard, be sure to look them up. I’ll be back on the 25th with Ohashi Trio’s 2015 album, “Magic.” Prior to that, though, I’ll be releasing a special patron-sponsored episode thanks to the Ko-fi donations I received last month. Both albums are great, so be sure to check them out.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Any proceeds or donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 28 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Criola’s spectacular 1992 album, “Criola Winter Songbook.”
I heard this online a few years ago and fell in love with it the first time I played it. When I found they had another Christmas song on their third album, I knew I had to track it down as well.
I love Criola’s sound. Pianica Maeda seems to bring a similar feel to everything he’s involved with. When I got “Winter Songbook,” the album “Cactus Man” by his band Piranians was included. If you enjoyed these last two episodes, it’s worth seeking out as well.
As I mentioned in the episode, my favorite discovery while researching this album was the history behind the song “Tannenbaum.” It comes from John Simon’s 1971 album, “John Simon’s Album.” I might have to pick up a copy at some point. Here’s the video for his version of the song:
John Simon's "Tannenbaum"
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed Criola as much as I do. Join me here next month as I cover a pair of more recent albums. “Happy Christmas from Shimokita” is a wonderful compilation produced and released during the pandemic, while Ohashi Trio’s “Magic” from 2015 is one of the best Christmas albums I’ve heard in recent years. I’ll also be doing a special patron-sponsored episode thanks to some recent Ko-fi donations.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 27 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1993 compilation, “Cool Christmas,” produced by Toro Takeuchi and released by Pony Canyon.
I forget where I first saw the cover for “Cool Christmas,” but I was instantly intrigued. I spent months trying to track down a copy and finally found it listed on eBay. Once it arrived, I couldn’t have been more pleased. The Mood Kayo and Jazz albums of the 60s helped get me hooked on Japanese Christmas music, and this was the first more contemporary Jazz album I’d found. I’ve listened to it quite a few times since then, and I’m always impressed by the quality and diversity of the music in its short, 36-minute runtime.
Thanks for listening, and I hope you found “Cool Christmas” to be as much of a delight as I did. After playing catch-up the last few months, I’m finally ahead of my game, so both of this month’s episodes should be out on time. With any luck, I’ll be able to get a jump on my October episodes as well. Be sure to join me back here on the 25th for “Criola Winter Songbook” from 1992. It’s a fantastic album with a couple great original tunes, as well as several unexpected covers.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 26 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I discuss “Summer Lounge,” the summer-themed 1987 compilation, produced by Masamichi Sugi.
Come on down to fabulous Summer Lounge, where cool summer breezes blow!
Right after I covered “Winter Lounge” back in November, my friend J-Canuck who runs the Kayo Kyoku Plus blog, posted the video for “Holiday Company,” and mentioned that it came from a follow-up album to “Winter Lounge.” Shortly after that, I started seeing copies of the 45 of “Holiday Company” for sale, but it wasn’t until months later that I finally started seeing copies of “Summer Lounge.” I wanted to get a copy, but I didn’t want to pay too much. After a few tries, I got a copy in my price range. As luck would have it, as soon as I won the auction, a copy of the CD showed up for sale. I’m satisfied with the vinyl, though.
“Summer Lounge” is a fun album and I wanted to work it in at some point. When I decided to start making August 80’s month, I figured this was as good a time as any. With the Olympics, school, and several other issues that came up, I fell way behind on the podcast and was worried that I wouldn’t get this out on time. Thankfully, I’m now all caught up. At least for the time being.
While I knew about the “Holiday Company” video, I wasn’t sure if any of the other songs had videos. I found fan-made videos for a few of them, but I was only able to find authentic videos for “The Hottest Summer in the World,” by Princess Princess. Check out both the official video and a TV performance below.
Holiday Company – Pops All Stars
The Hottest Summer in the World – Princess Princess:
Official Video
Television Performance
One thing I like about these two albums is the artwork. While “Summer Lounge” doesn’t have quite as much as “Winter Lounge,” what’s there is nice. The cover is great and you have to love Santa. The inner sleeve also includes pictures of all the participating acts.
Thanks for listening, and I hope you’ve enjoyed this little summer break. I’ll be back next month with a couple 90s episodes. “Cool Christmas” from 1993 will arrive on the 25th. I’ll work in another episode at some point, although I haven’t finalized my schedule yet.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 25 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Yen Records’ 1983 compilation, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
This was the first Japanese Christmas compilation I heard, a full year or so before I started buying records. I was able to listen to it online and I was taken by how strange and non-Christmassy most of the songs sounded. I read a couple reviews that characterized it as both the epitome of 1980’s Japanese Christmas, and typical of the era. This album is anything but typical. As much as I enjoy it, I was both gladdened and relieved when I started listening to more music from the 80’s.
While “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” satisfies my occasional desire for experimental New Wave and Technopop Christmas music, I’m generally more drawn to City Pop, and more mainstream New Wave and Rock. I’ve managed to track down a wealth of songs and albums from a variety of genres, including some deep cuts, forgotten singles and B-sides. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about all this is finding those songs that haven’t seen a release since they first appeared on vinyl. I’ll eventually be covering them here.
Thanks for listening, and I hope “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” helped to satisfy your 80’s cravings. I fell a little behind, but I should be back on track by the end of the month. Be sure to tune in toward the end of this month for some more 80’s goodness as I discuss Masamichi Sugi’s 1987 compilation, “Summer Lounge.” It’s not a Christmas album, but it is a follow-up to “Winter Lounge,” and I thought it would be a fun way to round out the summer.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 24 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Misia’s 2020 album, “So Special Christmas.”
After seeing her perform in the Opening Ceremonies of the Tokyo Olympics, and finding out she had released a Christmas album just last year, I decided I wanted to get out an episode in time to coincide with the games. Unfortunately, life got in the way. Shipping on my order took longer than expected. After that, my old knee injury reared its head. As I was finally getting back on my feet, summer was wrapping up and the school year was starting. Needless to say, I’m running behind.
I’ve posted the link to a video of Misia’s “The Glory Day” below. And if you think about it, please consider making a donation to the Special Olympics.
Misia - The Glory Day - Live - 2004
Thanks for listening, and I hope you’ve Misia’s music and learning a little more about her. Despite all the delays, I’m still intending on getting my two planned 80s episodes by the end of the month. Join me on the 25th as I discuss Zen Records’ “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” from 1984. Then listen in the following week for some more 80s goodness.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 32 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I wrap up my coverage of Ryoko Moriyama with 1981’s “The Christmas Album – Greetings from Ryoko Moriyama.”
The Christmas Album – Greetings from Ryoko Moriyama - 1981
It’s been a real pleasure presenting these albums to you. Like a lot of these artists, I wasn’t familiar with Ryoko Moriyama before discovering her Christmas albums. She’s truly been one of the high points in my collecting and podcasting journey.
Naotaro Moriyama – Wasremono - 2001
Thanks for listening, and I hope you’ve enjoyed Ryoko Moriyama’s music as much as I have. I hope this month’s episodes have also helped you enjoy your Christmas in July. I’d wanted to get them out a little earlier, but unexpected delays pushed them back to the last half of the month. Be sure to listen in next month as I discuss Zen Records’ “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” from 1984. It’s one of the more eclectic Christmas compilations from the 80s and and you don’t want to miss it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to Episode 22 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this year’s Christmas in July episode, I once again cover a variety of summer-themed or summery-sounding Christmas songs from a diverse group of artists. I had a lot of fun tracking down these songs, adding them to my collection, and then learning a bit more about the artists behind them. A couple of these are literally the only copy I’ve found of the record or CD, so I’m glad I was able to share them.
Johnny Yoshinaga - April Santa Claus - 1986
Stardust Revue - June Jingle Bell - 1986
Hiroshi Murai - June ・ 25th ～ The Day Farthest From X'mas - 1990
Ai Kawashima- Summer Christmas - 2004
Midori Karashima - Summer Christmas Night - 1997
Radish - Santa Claus Summer Vacation –1988
Tetsu100% - Midsummer Santa Claus - 1989
Misato Watanabe – Midsummer Santa Claus –1994
Teresa Teng - Merry Xmas In Summer - 1987
Masae Ohno - X'mas Summer - 1983
Megumi Shiina - Hot Summer In December - 1988
- 2005
Natsu Summer - Tropical Christmas - 2016
E.S. Island - Midsummer Christmas - 1982
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed this Christmas in July episode as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Beginning next month, partly to help me schedule future episodes, I’ll start covering 80s albums every August, 90s albums every September, and albums from the 00s, 10s and 20s every October. To kick things off, I’ll be covering Yen Records’ seminal 1984 compilation, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” I’m going to try to work in at least one bonus episode as well, so be sure to tune in.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 21 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I cover Ryoko Moriyama’s 1975 album, “Christmas Hymnbook II.” This is the third of four episodes dedicated to Ryoko Moriyama, and the second of her two hymnbook albums. This album features more traditional hymns in her classical style, and has a couple wonderful songs that were new to me. It’s easily as good as her first hymnbook album and is a great way to take your mind off the summer heat.
Christmas Hymnbook II - 1975
Thanks for listening, and I hope you’re enjoying Ryoko Moriyama’s music as much as I do. I look forward to covering her last Christmas album later this month. Be sure to listen in. And don’t forget that my regularly-scheduled Christmas in July episode should be available on the 25th. I have some really great songs planned for that, and you don’t want to miss it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 20 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I cover Ryoko Moriyama’s 1974 album, “Christmas Hymnbook.” This is my second of four episodes dedicated to Ryoko Moriyama, and the first of her two hymnbook albums. On these albums, she shows off her classical style and delivers a couple of the most wonderful vocal Christmas albums to come out of Japan. These albums deliver a diverse selection of Christmas hymns from around the world. You’ll be familiar with some of them, while others will likely be ones you’ve seldom if ever heard before.
Christmas Hymnbook - 1974
Thanks for listening, and I hope you’re enjoying Ryoko Moriyama’s music as much as I do. I look forward to covering her two remaining Christmas albums in the coming weeks. Be sure to listen in. And don’t forget that my regularly-scheduled Christmas in July episode should be available on the 25th. I have some really great songs planned for that, and you don’t want to miss it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to episode 19 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I cover Ryoko Moriyama’s 1969 album, “Ryoko’s Christmas.” Ryoko Moriyama is one of the most beloved and influential singers in Japan. Known as the Joan Baez of Japan and the Queen of College Folk, she has a career that has spanned six decades. She is still active today and will soon be re-embarking on a retrospective concert tour that was delayed due to COVID.
Ryoko’s Christmas - 1968
I’d been wanting to get her Christmas album for quite a while. When my sister donated to my Ko-fi page for Christmas, I decided to finally get it. I knew she’d released a few Christmas LP’s, as well as an earlier EP (I mistakenly stated it was from 1967 in the episode—it’s actually from 1968). I got what I thought was a later re-release of her 1969 album, only to find out it was a Christmas greatest hits album. Considering how often her original album has been released, though, the confusion was understandable.
Ryoko’s Christmas - 1969
It took me a while to figure it out, but I was finally able to determine which album each of the songs had come from, and just how much of her music I was missing. The 1976 album includes 21 songs, taken from three different albums. Those albums include a total of 40 songs, so I was missing nearly half her Christmas songs. And that’s not including her 4-song EP, or her 10-track LP from 1981. Her albums are generally affordable, though, so I decided to get all five. I considered getting them on CD, but from what I could tell, the songs from her EP have never been rereleased, while the three earlier albums have only been released in their entirety in a pair of extremely costly boxed sets.
Christmas Album - 1976
The pictures above are the ones I purchased. The pictures below are a variety of covers from the rereleases of the 1969 album. I believe this is all of them, not counting the CD releases. I’ll post pictures of her other albums with their respective episodes.
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed Ryoko Moriyama’s music as much as I have. I look forward to covering her other albums in the coming weeks. Be sure to listen in. And don’t forget that my regularly-scheduled Christmas in July episode should be available on the 25th. I have some really great songs planned for that, and you don’t want to miss it.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to a special bonus episode of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this episode, Gerry D. from the “Totally Rad Christmas!” podcast joins me to talk about the 1987 album, “G.M.O. Christmas Songs.” It’s a great collection of video game-style Christmas songs.
This was a fun album and one I desperately wanted to get on vinyl, not just because of how amusing it would have been to have this all-digital album in an analog format, but because the vinyl came with a poster of the cover. I missed out on the auctions I found for those, so I had to settle for the CD.
Featured on the album are songs arranged by Tomoji, Nobuyuki Nakamura, Yasuhiko Fukuda, and Noritaka Ubukata. Their clever arrangements are sure to appeal to anyone who grew up playing video games in the 80s.
As always, thanks for listening. For my regular episode later this month, I’ll be covering Ryoko Moriyama’s 1969 album, “Ryoko’s Christmas.” It’s the first of her four full Christmas LP’s, and one you don’t want to miss
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to the fifth episode of season two of Holly Jolly X'masu! This month, I look at a pair of early 70s boy bands, Juke Box and Finger 5. I grew up listening to our old 45 of the Jacksons singing “Rockin’ Robin,” watching the Osmonds on TV, and seeing people like Leif Garret, Shaun Cassidy and the Bay City Rollers in Teen Beat, Tiger Beat and the other magazines sharing the newsstands with my comic books each month, so I’ve really been looking forward to discussing them.
I’ve been plagued with PC issues over the last several weeks, so I’m far behind where I’d like to be. I was hoping to get a bonus episode out this month, although I may have to push it off until early next month. I also haven’t been able to get scans of the interior of the Juke Box record, so I’ll have to post those on Instagram once I get the chance.
One of the things that fascinated me about these two bands was how they came along at the dawn of the modern Idol culture in Japan. Their careers weren’t quite as regimented as today’s Idols, but they really helped to shape what came after them, for better or worse.
I also enjoyed reading about Finger 5. While their dad took his inspiration from the Partridge Family, I personally saw more of the Jacksons in their experience, as the dad formed and managed the band at first. They were also an actual family and not just musicians hired to play the part. Even when the older brothers decided to go on hiatus, they remained a family act, bringing in cousins to take their place. And just like sitcoms of the era taught me, once you bring in a cute, younger cousin, things are never quite the same.
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed these two records as much as I did. Next month, I’ll be discussing Ryoko Moriyama’s 1969 album, “Ryoko’s Christmas.” It’s a great album by a wonderful singer who is quite possibly the most prolific Japanese singer, at least when it comes to Christmas music. Be sure to listen in.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to the fourth episode of season two of Holly Jolly X'masu! This month, to celebrate my one-year anniversary, I’ll be discussing Jimmy Takeuchi and the Exciters’ White X’mas – Drum Drum Drum. It’s a great album, and their “Jingle Bells” has been part of my intro from the start.
From what I can tell, the album was released in 1976. It took some sleuthing, but based on the catalog number, I’m pretty sure that’s accurate. As you can see from my scan, the cover isn’t in the best of shape. Considering how much I paid, I can’t complain. I considered getting another copy just to have a better scan for this episode, but every affordable copy I found had similar damage. I did find a copy one 8-track and nearly got that, but I don’t have a player so it just would have been a curiosity.
Like I stated in the episode, Jimmy Takeuchi worked with and had ties to lots of the artists whose albums I’ve been buying over the past year or so. In addition to the ones I mentioned, he also crossed paths with Naomi Sagara and Yukari Ito, who were the first two hosts of the Sounds in “S” television show. Yukari Ito had a pair of songs on King Records’ 1963 album, Merry, Merry X’mas, which I covered back in June; while Naomi Sagara’s 1975 album, White Christmas, is one of the better vocal Christmas albums of the 70s. As for Shoji Suzuki, below is the cover of his Swingin’ Christmas, with Jimmy in the center on drums.
As I started working on this month’s episode, I had a hard time believing that it’s been a full year since I started this. I genuinely appreciate all my listeners, but particularly those of you have have been around since the first episode. While my collecting is a result of trying to find Akira Ishikawa’s album, the podcast is a product of COVID and a need to stay busy during the quarantine. Looking back over the past year, it’s hard to believe how much has changed in such a short amount of time.
On a positive note, I feel much more comfortable with the podcast now, and I’m looking forward to broadening what I do with it. I’ve expanded my collection to the point that I have plenty of albums to choose from. However, I also intend to try some other new things, including have a guest or two and having some more themed episodes.
Thanks for listening, and for helping me make it through a whole year. Next month, I’ll be discussing a pair of early 70s boy bands, Juke Box and Finger 5. I might even try to work in a surprise or two. Be sure to listen in.
As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to the third episode of season two of Holly Jolly X'masu! This month, for Women’s History Month, I’ll be discussing Peggy Hayama’s 1964 album, Peggy’s Christmas – Winter Wonderland.
When I first started researching her, I didn’t know much about Peggy Hayama. The more I read about her, though, the more I was impressed. She not only had a wonderful career, but she led an exemplary life. She overcame adversity on several occasions, and despite some extended absences from performing, whether due to health issues or starting her family, her popularity never seemed to suffer as a result. Her greatest comeback was the one she achieved later in her life. After devoting nearly a decade to caring for her ailing husband, she managed to not only become president of the Japanese Singers Association and embark on her role as an advocate for home caregivers, but she returned to the Oricon music charts with one final hit after an absence of nearly 40 years. She was an exceptional performer and a genuine role model.
I wanted to include videos of some of her most notable hits, including her first single from 1952, “Domino.”
Domino (video from 1985)
Her biggest hit, “Having Left Tosa,” was released in 1959. I’ve seen multiple translations of the title, but “Having Left Tosa” is the English translation from Japan Today, which is likely a bit more accurate than Google.
Having Left Tosa (1959)
Her next-biggest hit and her song that will likely have the longest-lasting cultural impact is her translation of “Do-Re-Mi” from “The Sound of Music.”
Do-re-mi
My mom is a big Doris Day fan, so I had to include “Que Sera Sera.”
Que Sera Sera (video from 1996)
Another huge hit for Peggy was “School Days.”
School Days (video from 1965)
Lastly, the song that got her back on the charts, “Dawn Melody.”
Dawn Melody (2010)
Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed learning about and listening to Peggy Hayama as much as I did. Next month, for my one-year anniversary, I’ll be discussing Jimmy Takeuchi’s White X’mas – Drum Drum Drum. I’ve had several people ask me about the funky, drum-heavy “Jingle Bells” that plays in my intro each episode. This is the album it came from. It’s a great album with a wonderful blend of Jazz, Rock and Soul. You don’t want to miss it.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to the second episode of season two of Holly Jolly X'masu! This month, I’ll be honoring Black History Month by discussing Sam “The Man” Taylor’s 1968 album, In Christmas. Producing a podcast about Japanese Christmas music doesn’t leave me with many options for Black History Month, but this is an exceptional one.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Sam Taylor certainly fits that bill. He helped mold Rock and Roll’s early sound yet is virtually unknown outside of the industry. From what I can tell, he had a wonderful career, despite the dearth of public acknowledgement in America.
While he achieved fame and acclaim in Japan, I wanted to do what I could to shed some light on him in his homeland. He was an accomplished saxophonist whose remarkable talent found him constantly in demand, and allowed him the opportunity to play with some of the biggest names in American music.
What I’ve heard of his non-Christmas music is exceptional. His “Harlen Nocturne” is considered the definitive rendition by some fans, and his mist-themed albums are an aural delight. In Christmas is, obviously, his album I’m most familiar with. It’s one of my favorite instrumental Christmas albums, regardless of genre, and knowing a little more about Sam “The Man,” his history, and his ties to some of my favorite songs and entertainers, makes me appreciate it even more.
I wanted to provide a sampling of some of the covers I’ve found of In Christmas, starting with my personal copy, as well as the various singles and EP’s taken from the album. I should note, this is not a comprehensive collection. I’ve seen Some of the LP covers re-used for both EP’s and singles, and the CD cover was also used for either an EP or LP release. There’s at least one single or LP that has Sam up on stage. The bottom line is that it was a popular enough album for repeated releases in a variety of formats.
I also wanted to provide links to some of his best-known recordings, including “Harlem Nocturne” and “Sh-boom”:
“Harlem Nocturne” – Sam “The Man” Taylor
“Sh-Boom” – The Chords
“Shake, Rattle and Roll” – Big Joe Turner
“Money Honey” – Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters
As always, thanks for listening. Next month I’ll be celebrating Women’s History Month by discussing Peggy Hayama’s 1964 album, Peggy’s Christmas – Winter Wonderland. It’s a great album by a wonderful singer whose career spanned several decades. You don’t want to miss it.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to the first episode of season two of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I kick off 2021 talking about Ginji Ito’s 1983 album, Winter Wonder Land – I Thank You. This winter-themed album contains a trio of Christmas songs. It’s a fun, lighthearted start to the new year.
One thing I discovered as I started collecting Japanese Christmas music was that some of the best songs didn’t come from actual Christmas albums. While some Western artists will occasionally include a Christmas song on a regular album, or a mention Christmas in a song that really has nothing to do with it, having a Christmas song appear on a non-Christmas album appears to be much more common in Japan. The best example of this is Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve.” Arguably the most popular Japanese Christmas song, it came from his album Melodies, which was a straight City Pop album. I think a big part of that has to do with how most Japanese view Christmas as a romantic, secular holiday. While “O Holy Night” isn’t likely to appear on a non-Christmas album, finding a Christmas love song on an album is fairly common.
Winter-themed albums are also fairly common in Japan. With entire albums dedicated to the winter season, it’s even more likely to find a few songs mentioning Christmas or Santa Claus. A couple of the more notable ones are Yumi Matsutoya’s Surf & Snow – Volume One, and Seiko Matsuda’s Snow Garden, both of which produced hugely popular Christmas songs. While I generally stick to more traditional Christmas albums, I’ll eventually devote episodes to a few of these winter or non-Christmas albums, particularly the ones that produced the biggest Christmas hits.
While researching this episode, I couldn’t find much about how Ginji Ito’s albums fared on the charts. I know that several of the songs from Winter Wonder Land remain popular with his fans, but they’re not songs that I ever see included on lists of the most popular Christmas songs in Japan. This album is also almost entirely absent from video sites, such as YouTube and Daily Motion. A friend in Japan was able to find a video for just one of the songs on a Japanese site I’d never heard of. It’s a fun album and I genuinely enjoy each of the songs, so it’s a shame it’s not more accessible. That said, I always like featuring albums that generally can’t be heard elsewhere, and this really fits the bill.
As always, thanks for listening, and I hope this episode helps you start the new year on the right foot. Join me in February for a special episode for Black History Month. There aren’t many Japanese Christmas albums that fit the theme, but noted American saxophonist Sam “The Man” Taylor’s 1968 album, In Christmas, release only in Japan, makes the cut, even if on a technicality. It’s a wonderful album and one you don’t want to miss.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to Episode 12 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this special bonus episode, I talk about the pitfalls and pratfalls associated with collecting foreign records. In particular, I discuss a pair of albums I thought were Christmas albums but turned out not to be.
This episode was completely unplanned. I’ve had the idea to cover this topic for a while, but it’s not something I had added to my schedule. However, when I finished the Jun Fukamachi episode, I found that I’d gone over the size limit on my hosting plan. Rather than re-edit the episode and leave something out, I decided to bump my plan up to the next level. With plenty of storage to spare, I figured I ought to try to put out another episode. That brings me to twelve episodes for my first season.
I don’t plan on doing this often. It takes a lot of time and effort to research some of these albums, and there’s only so much time in a month. If I do additional bonus episodes in the future, they’ll likely be along these lines. In other words, records or topics that don’t fit in with the normal theme of the show. It could be anything from Korean, Indonesian or Finnish Christmas music, or possibly non-Christmas Japanese music, and likely with less background information to go along with them.
As for the albums I cover in this episode, despite them not being Christmas albums, I do have a bit of fondness for them. The research I did on them was frustrating at the time, but it helped me get better at finding new music and tracking down information about some of these albums and artists. Tropical Winter was also responsible for exposing me to more Japanese artists, and led to me discovering what is now one of my favorite albums, Mayo Shono’s Ai Ai Ai.
I had a lot of fun with Ladda Sriworanan’s Oh, My Dear just because it was such a challenge. I greatly appreciate the help I received on it. I was glad to finally find more details about her life. That really helped round out the whole experience. For the record, I don’t intend to post any full pictures of the album cover, as this is a family-friendly podcast.
While I didn’t spend nearly as much time researching this episode as I normally do, I did uncover some facts about the artists I wasn’t aware of before. The biographical information about Ladda Sriworanan was the biggest find, but I also found a lot of details about the Japanese singers that I hadn’t heard before. Hopefully, that kept this episode somewhat interesting.
Tropical Winter images and videos:
Kumiko Yamashita - Sekidou Komachi Doki
Mayo Shono – Jungle Kong
Hitomi “Penny” Tohyama – SFO-Oakland
Bloody Mary – Shock’n Roll Summer
Juicy Fruits Jenny – Wa Gokigen Naname (Jenny in a Bad Mood)
Mayo Shono – Fugitive
Kumiko Yamashita – Koi No Midnight DJ
Shigeharu Mukai – Pineapple Rain
Penny Tohyama – Baby, Baby, Baby
Oh, My Dear videos:
Dearest
Wishing
Parents
Evil Debt
The Dominion of Heart
Thanks for listening, and I hope you were able to have a little fun with this episode. This wraps up my initial season and, thankfully, puts an end to 2020. For those of you who have been listening, I want to offer my sincerest thanks and best wishes for a better 2021. Remember to join me back here on the 25th of each month, and if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to send them my way.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line at hollyjollyxmasu@gmail.com and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful New Year!
Welcome to Episode 11 of Holly Jolly X'masu! For my first Christmas episode, I’m discussing one of the most amazing albums ever created, Jun Fukamachi’s Now Sound Christmas. It truly is remarkable. It showcases Fukamachi’s wide-ranging musical talent and is a listening experience unlike any other.
As I mention in the episode, Now Sound Christmas was extremely hard to come by. Like a few other albums I’ve gotten, it took a blend of persistence and luck. One thing my Christmas music collecting friends will talk about is the thrill of crate diving—in other words, digging through the dusty old crates of Christmas albums at their local record shops or thrift stores, those boxes that only get dragged out of storage two or three months each year, or when they find a sympathetic clerk. They talk about how excited they get when, while flipping past the same old copies of Ed Ames, Roger Whitaker and Andre Kostelanetz they’ve seen a thousand times, they finally stumble across some rare import or obscure Jimmy Smith album. For me, all my “crate diving” is done online. That doesn’t make it any less exciting, though, when I find a listing for an album I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance to purchase or bid on. I don’t always win, but finding them at least gives me hope that I’ll get them eventually.
Now Sound Christmas is one of those I didn’t think I’d ever own. The fact that even the obscure, shady sites had no hint of it was one of those factors that convinced me I’d have to start buying some of these albums. I was so anxious while waiting for it to arrive that I lost sleep. Considering how bad my insomnia has been since the pandemic started, that made for a really rough couple of days. As I’ve mentioned, when it arrived, one of the things that fascinated me was staring at the liner notes, wondering what background or other interesting information they might contain. I finally translated them while preparing for this episode and found that they’re basically a promo for the album. The first few paragraphs tell record store owners how cool the album is and they really need to carry it this Christmas season, mainly because synthesizers are the hip, new thing. There’s then a bit of history for each of the traditional songs. Nothing groundbreaking, but it was cool to finally know what they said.
This quickly became one of my all-time favorite Christmas albums and is the centerpiece of my Japanese music collection. The only thing that really comes close is Chiemi Eri’s “Chiemi Sings Christmas Carols,” and possibly my autographed copy of pro wrestler Thunder Sugiyama’s Christmas album, both of which I’ll get to eventually. For me, Now Sound Christmas ranks right up there with A Christmas Together, by John Denver and the Muppets. For those who don’t know me, that’s really saying something. This is an album that, in years to come, will be one of those I turn to first every Christmas season. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.
As always, thanks for listening. Next month, I’ll be kicking off my second season with Ginji Ito’s Winter Wonder Land. It’s a fun, lighthearted album. With any luck, it will help usher in a brighter 2021. Be sure to check it out. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to send them my way. Also, be sure to check out some of the other Christmas podcasts mentioned in this month’s episodes. They’re a great way to keep Christmas going year-round.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line at hollyjollyxmasu@gmail.com and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks, and Merry Christmas!
Welcome to Episode 10 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I discuss the fantastic 1986 compilation, Winter Lounge. Compiled by musician and producer Mari Sugi, it’s one of the best Christmas compilations to come out of Japan in the 1980’s—a decade during which the Japanese music industry excelled at creating Christmas compilation albums.
One thing I didn’t have time to get to get to during the episode was just how frustrating it was for me to acquire this album. After talking about how much I like 80s music, a friend in Japan suggested I track this down. Winter Lounge was released on both vinyl and CD (there was also a special edition CD/DVD combo, but I’ve never seen that for sale). A couple months after I started looking for it, by sheer luck I found copies of each for sale. A Chinese seller on eBay had the CD for $10. Record City had the LP for a much lower price, but I decided to get the CD since it would likely sound better and I wouldn’t have to go through the process of digitizing it. This was right as the quarantines were ramping up, and it took over a month for the CD to arrive. Once it got here, it was the wrong CD. The seller, in a rush to get as many orders out as possible before they shut down flights to the US, had quickly slapped labels on a bunch of CDs and sent them out without double checking. He apologized, told me to keep the CD he’d erroneously sent, and said he’d track down the right CD and send it out to me as soon as he could. Thinking I’d never actually see it, I went ahead and ordered the LP from Record City. I knew it would still be there, because, when they listed it on their site, they misspelled it as “Wunter Lounge.” I don’t remember exactly how I found it or what I had searched on, but I stumbled across it one night after combing through hundreds of pages of their inventory. This was around the same time I found the CD. I was confident that nobody would buy it before I had had a chance to, and, sure enough, when I checked again, it was still available. It arrived a couple days later, and from the first time I played it, I absolutely loved it. As luck would have it, a month or two later, long after I’d given up on the idea of ever seeing the CD, I checked the mail and found a small cardboard package. Sure enough, my CD had finally arrived. It’s a great enough album that I didn’t mind ending up with both copies.
Interestingly, the first time I was exposed to Winter Lounge, I wasn’t a fan. While trying to find a copy to buy, I found a link to the video for “Yellow Christmas.” I only had a few Japanese albums at the time and wasn’t as familiar with the music or the artists as I am now. The video is rather campy and a product of its time. It’s grown on me a little, mainly because I at least recognize a few of the people in the video, but it’s still rather goofy.
Yellow Christmas
I nearly gave up on Winter Lounge after watching it the first time. Thankfully, when I looked it up again later, a video for “Christmas In The Air” showed up as a suggested video. I clicked on the link not expecting much, but ended up absolutely loving the song. I figured if the rest of the album fell halfway between the two, it would be worth getting. It ended up being much better than I expected, and it’s an album I’ve returned to many times since.
Christmas in the Air
Kiss, Kiss, Bang! Bang!
As always, thanks for listening. Next month, for my Christmas episode, I’ll be featuring one of the rarest, most sought-after, and most innovative Christmas albums ever produced: Jun Fukamachi’s Now Sound Christmas. Be sure to listen. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever heard. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to send them my way. Also, be sure to check out some of the other Christmas podcasts mentioned in this month’s episodes. They’re a great way to keep Christmas going year-round.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to Episode 9 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about an overlooked classic from 1972, “Merry Christmas From Sellstars,” by Takao Hirata and Sellstars. This is an album I discovered quite by accident. Its unassuming cover, which looks like a big square of loose-leaf paper, is one I passed by several times before curiosity finally got the best of me. I’m glad I gave it a chance because it’s a wonderful album.
Takao Hirata and Sellstars were a two-hit wonder from early 70s Japan. They managed to put together a fantastic album whose overall quality more than makes up for its brief, 31-minute runtime. The main attractions are the two medleys, but the remainder of the album is nearly as enjoyable, delivering an early 70s, Sergio Medes-esque Yuletide sampler that stays just funky enough to avoid falling into an Easy Listening lull. It’s a great blend of styles and I’ve listened to it countless times since I got it.
After toiling in obscurity for a few years, Takao Hirata burst onto the scene in 1971 with a huge hit, “The Devil is Hard,” then had a whirlwind of a year in 1972, releasing four full LPs and an even bigger hit, “The Bee Musashi Is Dead.” Their star quickly faded after that, but they remained popular enough with their fans to stage a fairly successful comeback in the 90s, and they enjoyed several years of success on the concert trail.
As I mention in this episode, “Merry Christmas From Sellstars” really exemplifies why I collect these albums and do this podcast. One of the things I’ve always enjoyed most about collecting Christmas music is when someone online uncovers a forgotten, long lost song or album. Occasionally, something really great will come to light, like Joseph Washington Jr.’s “Merry Christmas from Joseph,” an extremely obscure, 1980’s R&B album that got a proper re-release a few years ago. With the Japanese Christmas music, almost everything I’ve purchased would be considered obscure or unknown in the US. What pleases me the most, though, are the albums that are little known and hard to find even in Japan.
While “Merry Christmas From Sellstars” is far from the most obscure album I’ve found, it’s one that I’m certain hasn’t been heard much, if at all, in the US. It’s never been rereleased and can’t be streamed. It’s not listed on Discogs and you’re probably not going to see it on eBay. Tracking down and buying the nearly 50-year-old vinyl is truly the only way to hear it. For me, playing an album like this the first time is a real delight, especially when the music turns out to be as good as this is. An even bigger thrill, though, is putting together a podcast episode about it and sharing it with others. I might not have the biggest listenership in the world, and I don’t have any illusions about making money from this, but I truly enjoy getting to present these artists to those of you who are listening.
As I mentioned in the episode, here’s the link to the video of Chieko Baisho’s “Reminiscence,” followed by Takao Hirata and Sellstars’ hits, “The Devil is Hard,” and “The Bee Musashi Is Dead”:
Chieko Baisho, “Reminiscence”
Takao Hirata and Sellstars, “The Devil is Hard”
Takao Hirata and Sellstars, “The Bee Musashi Is Dead”
As always, thanks for listening. Next month, I’ll be featuring the 1986 compilation, “Winter Lounge.” There were some fantastic Christmas compilations put out in Japan in the 80’s, and this is one of the best. It features a diverse array of artists and includes one of my favorite Japanese Christmas songs. You don’t want to miss it. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to send them my way. Also, be sure to check out some of the other Christmas podcasts mentioned in this month’s episodes. They’re a great way to keep Christmas going year-round.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to Episode 8 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the phenomenal 1968 album, “Christmas Tenor Mood” by the Nakamura Hachidai Quintet and Hidehiko Matsumoto. I’ve been looking forward to this album, not just because of how great the music is, but because of its pedigree. As I doing my research, I discovered that Hidehiko Matsumoto was one of the premiere tenor sax players of the 20th century. What really pleased me most, though, was finding out that Nakamura Hachidai had co-written “Sukiyaki.”
A few months ago, I looked up “Sukiyaki” on YouTube one night. This was right in the middle of the initial quarantine and we were starting to deal with everything my oldest daughter was going to be missing out on during her senior year of high school. She loved the song when she was younger, which could be part of why I wanted to hear it that night. For whatever reason, I clicked on the lyric video.
The Japanese title is “Ue o Muite Arukou,” which translates to “I Look Up As I Walk.” The song starts:
I look up as I walk
So the tears won’t fall
Remembering those spring days
And tonight, I am all alone
With all that was going on, the lyrics really got to me. I’ll admit, I had to look up a bit. It struck me that the song fit what everyone on the planet was going through at that moment. We were facing a global crisis and having to deal with circumstances nobody envisioned. Countless people in every country were having to get through each day, one step at a time, looking up as they walked, or doing whatever else they could to cope and get by. And we were all trying to remember a better, normal spring.
I look up as I walk
Counting the stars with tearful eyes
Remembering those summer days
And tonight, I am all alone
I thought it was uncanny how well that song fit, and that I chose to listen to it just when I did. I listened to it quite a bit over the following week. Not long after that, I was exchanging emails with a friend in Japan. We were comparing notes on how COVID was impacting us. If any good thing came from all this, it’s that it gave every single person on the planet some common ground. It might be awful, but it’s something we’re all experiencing at the same time. After telling me about how things were going for him, he told me there was a song that was helping him get through it. He said, “It’s a Japanese song, but you might know it as ‘Sukiyaki.’” I couldn’t get over the fact that the two of us were about 6,500 miles apart, and from completely different cultures, but we’d both turned to the same song for some relief from the insanity we were both facing.
Happiness lies beyond the clouds
Happiness lies above the sky
A couple months later, as I started researching this episode, I was delighted to discover its connection to “Sukiyaki.” Seeing how Nakamura Hachidai kept popping up over the last few months, I started to reflect on how important these shared experiences are. While COVID is terrible, my hope is that we all retain a sense of commonality once we get past it. It might not have disrupted everyone’s lives to the same degree, but everyone on the planet has been impacted to some degree. It’s given us all something to talk about, cry about and even laugh about together. With any luck, it will lead to at least a little togetherness and understanding.
I look up as I walk
So that the tears won’t fall
But the tears well up as I walk
For tonight I am all alone
As always, thanks for listening. Next month, I’ll be featuring the 1972 album, “Merry Christmas from Sellstars,” by Takao Hirata and Sellstars. This is probably the most obscure album I’ve featured so far and I’m pretty excited about it. It’s a blend of late 60s Now Sound music and early 70s Funk. It’s a lot of fun and one you’ll want to hear. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to send them my way. Also, be sure to check out some of the other Christmas podcasts mentioned in this month’s episodes. They’re a great way to keep Christmas going year-round.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
Welcome to Episode 7 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I cover the 2014 compilation, “Flying Dog Christmas,” from Flying Dog records. I figured this would be a good choice for August, expecting to be in the dog days of summer, but ended up recording it during a stretch of fall-like weather.
I didn’t realize it at the time I chose it that all the songs were taken from Anime. I’ve never really gotten into Anime so I’m not familiar with any of the shows or characters. Forgive me if I messed up some of the pronunciations.
I also have to apologize for how I sound, at least in the first part of the episode. I was coming out of a horrible stretch of insomnia when I recorded it and I didn’t realize how much I sounded like a zombie until I was editing it.
As we enter the Ber Months, I’ll be covering some absolutely exceptional albums. I’ve been learning the ropes over the last few months and feel a lot more comfortable with this than I did back in April. I’ve also added some really remarkable albums to my collection and I’m eager to start sharing them with you. As much as I enjoy the music I’ve already discussed, I’m extremely excited about the albums I have in store. A couple of them are albums I’ve mentioned already, or that are somewhat familiar to real diehard Christmas music collectors, others are albums that are obscure even in Japan. I’ll be discussing everything from Jazz and Funk, to early 70s Now Sound Pop and one of my favorite 80s compilations. A bit further down the road, I’ll be covering a couple of early 70s boy bands and one of the top Japanese female vocalists of the 20th century.
As always, thanks for listening. Next month, I’ll be featuring the album, “Christmas Tenor Mood” by the Nakamura Hachidai Quintet and Hidehiko Matsumoto. This is one of the best Japanese albums I own. It’s an exceptional Christmas Jazz album, and something you don’t want to miss. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to send them my way.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend an album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!
One thing my less technologically-inclined friends have asked me is how to rip copies of their own vinyl records. Okay, what they actually ask me is if I can do it for them, but for the more adventurous out there, I thought I’d post some instructions and pointers.
The first thing you need is a decent turntable. That’s something I’m still working on, as ours is a bottom-of-the-line Jensen that I got on sale and, with a coupon, paid less than $30. I still get halfway decent audio files, but the sound from the built-in speakers is pretty bad and the tone arm is extremely light, to the point that I used some dental wax to attach a penny to the tone arm just above the stylus to keep it from continually jumping out of the groove. Also, as I discovered recently, the speed is off. This left me having to re-record everything I’ve ever ripped—a total of 45 records, including LP’s, EP’s, maxi-singles and singles, mostly Christmas, but some non-Christmas stuff as well. Everything sounds better, although I was really surprised by how low everyone’s voices are now.
There are lots of options out there, as far as turntables go. The main thing you need is a way to hook it up to your computer. Lots of them nowadays have a standard USB connector, which makes it easy. We had a turntable several years ago that used a printer connection. It was a hassle to use because we’d have to disconnect the printer. It also didn’t have built-in speakers and wouldn’t let you listen through the computer while you were playing the records. You would have to record them as an audio file (the included software didn’t work), and then play them back via your media app of choice. It was awful. One reason was that you had no way of knowing if you were getting a good recording, or if you had a dirty record, skips, etc. until after you’d recorded it. Even if you had a clean, brand-new album, the files you got from it were terrible. No matter what you chose for the input settings, the audio was always extremely soft, and sounded even worse after amplifying it.
Before that, we had my parents’ old turntable. This was a higher-quality record player than we have now, but I had to get special converters to let me hook it up to the computer and, at the time, the files I got from it were virtually unusable. I gave up after a couple tries.
Once you’ve successfully connected your turntable to your PC, you’ll need a program that records audio. The standard, at least as far as I’m aware, is Audacity. It’s a free program and relatively easy to use. You’ll probably have to play with the input settings a bit until you get them right, but once you do, you’re ready to go.
The first thing I’ll do when I get a new album is put it on the turntable and clean it with my brush. Actually, that’s not true. The first thing I’ll do is take it out and admire it. I’ll give the vinyl a thorough inspection, looking for obvious scratches, warping or defects. Then I’ll take out the sleeve, look at the artwork and any inserts, then read through all the liner notes. I’m not sure why I spend so much time on the liner notes since I can’t read a lick of Japanese, but I like to be thorough. After that, I’ll put it on the turntable and give it a cleaning.
Next, I’ll hit record on Audacity and let the record play. I like to sit back and listen, and watch the sound profile in Audacity. Clicks are pretty easy to see, and skips tend to have a similar appearance, so doing this gives me an idea of how much cleanup will be needed. The main thing, though, is to sit back and enjoy the music, and listen for any big problems.
Once the record ends (I record both sides as a single file), I’ll export it as a WAV. This is a lossless audio format. What that means is that all the audio your computer picks up is saved in the file. This is opposed to MP3’s, which are compressed files. Depending on your settings, you lose either a little or a lot of the sound when you compress a file into an MP3. However, they’re much smaller than a WAV or other lossless format. This lets you load thousands of songs onto your phone, MP3 player, or digital player of choice. You have to decide whether you want to carry around thousands of songs with a lower fidelity, or fewer songs that sound better.
Getting back to recording, if I have more than one record to record, I’ll record them all at once. Once I’m done, I’ll take them all to the local record store and have them cleaned. They have a high-end, professional cleaner which will get rid of a lot of the clicks and hiss, and will even fix the occasional skip as long as it’s due to dirt or dust and not a scratch or defect in the vinyl. After this, I’ll go home and record them all again. This may sound like unnecessary extra work, but on a couple records, I’ve had bits of songs that recorded better the first time around. Since I had both files, I was able to splice in the parts I needed to from the original recording. I figure it’s a safety net and lets me listen to them at least twice before doing any cleanup work.
After I’ve made both copies, I’ll work on turning them into MP3’s. This is where I do any needed editing and cleanup. Audiophiles out there will point out that I’d get better audio quality from a lossless format as mentioned above, but I invariably load everything onto my phone, and if all I had were WAV’s or FLAC’s, I wouldn’t be able to carry around nearly as much music. Plus, I encode my podcast at 128 KBPS, so MP3’s work out fine for that. If you don’t understand any of what I just wrote, don’t worry about it. A 320 KBPS MP3 will suit your needs.
As long as the recording takes, the editing and tagging takes even longer. I’ll open one of the WAV files with Audacity, then cut and paste the first song into a new file. I’ll listen to the song, and as I go, I’ll remove any clicks as best I can. Audacity has a click removal tool that will get rid of most clicks for you. One thing you don’t want to do is apply it to the entire song. This tends to remove too much, and can even wipe out some or all of the percussion in a song. This is particularly dangerous with some of the Japanese music I’ve recorded because of some of the instruments they use. Their sound profile is almost indistinguishable from a click. I had one song that had a lot of hand clapping. I ran click removal on the whole track, played it back and found that all the clapping was gone. That’s why I now go through the entire song, removing just one or two clicks at a time.
If click removal doesn’t work on a particular click, I’ll try to remove it manually. I put my cursor on the click and zoom in 8-12 times. I then highlight the click and delete it. I delete the smallest amount I possibly can in order to have as little an impact on the audio as I can. I’ll then listen to the results. If it’s noticeable or sounds worse than the original, I’ll undo the delete and leave the click in.
One thing I need to mention is noise removal. When you listen to an album and hear a background hiss or static, your first instinct is to want to remove that. Audacity has a tool that will do that for you. You first take a sample of the noise you want to remove, then select some or all of the song and run the tool again. Audacity will go through and remove anything that sounds like your sample. There are pros and cons with this. On the positive side, you can end up with a much cleaner-sounding song. The hiss might be entirely gone. On the negative, you could lose a lot of fidelity. The full, rich sound you started with might now be crisp and tinny. Even worse, depending on your settings, you could end up with something that sounds like how voices always sounded on the radio or the other end of the phone on old television programs. I’ll use it in some cases, especially if a record is in worse shape than I expected, but in general I’ll leave them alone. Almost all the vinyl I’ve recorded has been 30-60 years old. Of those, I think only three of them have been in truly mint condition. Knowing that, I’m not bothered by a small amount of noise, considering the source. A lot of my records have either never been re-released, or are not available to download in the US. The copies I’ve made are all pretty good and are literally the best copies of the songs I can ever hope to get, so if there’s a little bit of hiss leading into and out of them, and possibly in the quieter portions of the songs, I’m perfectly okay with that.
Once you’re satisfied with your editing job, the next step is to export the file as an MP3. In Audacity, you just go to File => Export => Export as MP3. You’ll get a window where you choose the destination folder and enter the file name. If you haven’t set your preferences in advance, there’s a drop-down where you can choose your quality. For stereo, always go with fixed-rate 320 KBPS. This will give you the least amount of compression and the highest-quality MP3 you can get. You’ll appreciate it later, especially if you have any old MP3’s recorded at 128 KBPS or lower. When you hit save, a window will pop up where you can enter a variety of MP3 “tags.” This is all the descriptive information about a song or album, stuff like title, artist name, genre, etc. I just fill out the basics at this point. One helpful tip: Once you hit Okay and your file is created, delete the audio tracks from that window, go back to your original window, cut and paste the next song to the window you used to create the first track, and when you export it, all the MP3 information will still be there, which cuts down on a lot of typing.
After you’ve created all the files for the individual songs, you’ll need to tag the MP3’s. I use a program called TagScanner. It’s from a Russian site, but it’s a safe, reliable, free program. If you want to use another program, go right ahead, but I’ve yet to find something that works as well as TagScanner. For the general information like album title, genre, album artist and cover art, I’ll select all the songs, enter the information and hit save. I’ll then go back and edit the specific details for each song.
As far as cover art goes, if you can’t find a picture of the album cover online, you’ll need to create one on your own. Even if you can find a picture online, if you prefer high-quality album art (like I do), you’ll still want to make your own. Taking pictures of the cover with your camera or phone won’t really work. You won’t get a perfectly square picture. I scan each cover four times with a resolution of 600 pixels/inch, giving a quarter turn between each scan. I’ll then edit each scan. Since my scanner isn’t a true flatbed scanner, there will be some shadows on one end of the scan. I’ll crop each scan to remove the shadows. I’ll then import all four (or more, if needed) into Microsoft’s Image Composite Editor (ICE). This will stitch the scans together for you. I’ll sometimes have to edit the final results, but it saves a huge amount of time compared to when I’d have to edit them together on my own, lining up each scan down to the pixel level. It was tedious and took forever.
Once you have an acceptable cover, resize it to whatever size you want to use for your files. I prefer 1600x1600 with a resolution of 96 pixels/inch. You might want something smaller, but I like to have high-quality cover art.
After all this, move your files into whatever folder you use to store your music, then import it into your program of choice, whether iTunes, MediaMonkey, Groove Music, Realplayer or whatever. You’re ready to go, and can finally start listening to your music!
That might sound like a lot of work. Truth be told, it really is. Recording a single LP typically takes around 40 minutes. I always do that at least twice. For your average, non-mint album, editing and cleanup takes at least double the time it took to record it. Scanning and creating the cover art takes at least half an hour. Tagging an album is usually around 5-10 minutes. All in all, a single album can take me 3.5 hours of work, not counting the time it takes to go the store and have them cleaned. An album that needs a lot of cleanup can take double that. In the end, I think it’s worth it.
Welcome to Episode 6 of Holly Jolly X'masu! This being my first Christmas in July episode, I wanted to do something special. I covered a variety of summer-themed or summery-sounding Christmas songs instead of a single album. Considering the current state of the world, I wanted to stick with mostly upbeat songs. I’ll feature the downbeat songs next year.
For anyone who’s ever wondered about the origins of Christmas in July, the earliest reference comes from the 1892 opera, Werther, which featured a scene with children rehearsing a Christmas song in July. In my house when I was a kid, that was just a normal day, but in the opera, it prompts one pre-ghost Scrooge of a character to remark, “When you sing Christmas in July, you rush the season.”
The first known celebration of Christmas in July allegedly took place in 1933 at Keystone Camp in Brevard, NC. The camp’s founder, Fannie Holt, decided to stage a Christmas celebration for her campers, complete with Santa, a tree, presents, carolers and even fake snow. The tradition evolved from there and the camp still celebrates it to this day.
The idea first gained some national attention in 1940 with the release Preston Sturges’ Christmas in July. Despite the title, the movie doesn’t feature an actual Christmas celebration, but instead is about a man who mistakenly believes he won $25,000 in a contest and then goes on a Christmas-like shopping spree, buying gifts for his family and friends.
A handful of other local celebrations took place in the 1940s. By 1950, advertisers in America had taken hold of the idea and were using it as a summertime marketing tool. The idea has grown from there, so that now you have networks showing Christmas movies and specials, people decorating their houses, and podcasters creating special episodes. However you choose to observe it, it’s a fun way to divert your attention from the summer heat.
In this episode, I feature ten Christmas songs from ten different artists, each with a summery or tropical feel, or a direct mention of summer. I would include links to where you can buy them, but none of them are available new or streaming in the US. I’ve included the songs, artists and albums below. You can find some of them on Amazon, although you’ll likely have to pay quite a bit to get them.
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Halcali – Strawberry Chips (Sutoroberīchippusu / ストロベリーチップス), from their 2003 single, Strawberry Chips
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Akiko Kobayashi – Midsummer Silent Night (Manatsu No Silent Night / 真夏のsilent Night), from the 1989 album, Merry Christmas To You, by Funhouse Ladies Vocal.
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Yuki Uchida – Tight T-Shirt (Tīshatsu De Gyutto / Tシャツでギュッと), from her 1995 album, Merry Christmas For You.
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Ginji Ito – Santa Claus In A Red Bikini (Makkana Bikini No Santakurōsu / まっ赤なビキニのサンタクロース), from his 1982 album, Baby Blue.
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Junko Yamamoto – St. Martin's Summer (Sento Māchin No Natsu / セント・マーチンの夏), from her 1994 album, Junko Yamamoto.
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Eri Hiramatsu – Holy! Hot Christmas ~Eve No Toubousha~, From her 1993 album, Ichiya Ichidai Ni Yumemikei.
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MAX – Midsummer Eve (Manatsu No Eve / 真夏のイヴ), from their 2001 album, Feel So Right.
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Mutant Monster Beach Party – Boys, Cars, Surf And Christmas, from the 1993 CD re-release of the 1987 classic, Mint Sound's X’mas Album.
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Kuwata Band – Merry X'mas In Summer, from their 1986 single, Merry X’mas in Summer. One thing I need to point out about this song is that, in the episode, I said it was originally by Teresa Teng. This was based on multiple sources I found beforehand that listed her as the lyricist and referred to her cover as the original. As it turns out, Keisuke Kuwata wrote the song and Kuwata Band was the first to perform it. Teresa Teng wrote the Chinese lyrics and released it on her album, Drunken Tango, later that same year.
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Hi-Fi Set – Christmas In July (7 Tsuki No Kurisumasu / 7月のクリスマス), from their 1984 album, Pasadena Park.
As mentioned in the show, here’s the link to Robbie Nevil’s version of Merry X’mas in Summer, as well as a link to Halcali’s video for Strawberry Chips:
Robbie Nevil's "Merry Christmas In Summer"
Halcali's "Strawberry Chips"
As always, thanks for listening. Next month, I’ll be talking about the 2014 compilation, Flying Dog Christmas. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to send them my way.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend an album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. Thanks!
To help celebrate Christmas in July, I decided to have an authentic Kentucky Christmas dinner with my family. If you listened to episode two, you’ve heard of Kentucky Christmas and its origins. If you haven’t, I’ll summarize. Thanks to a brilliant marketing ploy, KFC (or perhaps just one enterprising and creative franchisee), convinced the entire nation of Japan that America’s favorite Christmas dinner is Kentucky Fried Chicken. It quickly became the Christmas Eve meal in Japan, and to this day you need to reserve your bird and/or table months in advance.
After a hearty course of the Colonel’s secret herbs and spices, the traditional Christmas dessert in Japan is the Christmas cake. This is a shortcake frosted with whipped cream and topped with fresh strawberries. Sometimes they’ll have mint leaves and other berries as well.
Since Japanese bakeries are few and far between in Dayton, we decided to go homemade. My wife baked the cake this morning. After it cooled, and while she went to get the chicken, I glazed it with an orange liqueur syrup, frosted the bottom layer, added a layer of sliced strawberries, spread on some more whipped cream, put on the top layer, covered the whole thing with more whipped cream, then topped it with whole strawberries. We were in the 90s today and the kitchen wasn’t much cooler, so I stuck it in the freezer until she got home. I then garnished it with mint leaves and put it back in the fridge until we were ready for it.
Dinner was nice, although I’m more of a Lee’s man. I put on Tatsuro Yamashita’s 1993 album, “Season’s Greetings,” for us to enjoy while we ate.
Afterwards, we cut into the cake and enjoyed it with an after-dinner coffee. It was light and not too sweet. Everyone loved it! I told my wife we’d have to do it again next year. I might even get the kids some small gifts, just to make the day more fun.
Merry Christmas in July, everyone!
We got a new car recently and we finally got a chance to take a road trip. My wife had been telling me she wanted to hear more of the Japanese Christmas music I’ve been getting. She’s heard some of it while I’ve been recording records and she’s listened to my podcast, but otherwise, she’s only heard the occasional song when she’s walked past as I’ve been listening to it on my PC. I told her I’d load a bunch of it on the new car’s hard drive and we could listen to it while we were driving.
Due to my disastrous discovery that everything I’ve recorded from vinyl has been at the wrong speed (off by as much as 10-15%), I only added songs taken from CD, which left out some of my best music but still gave us a pretty broad selection to choose from. As we were driving along, I remembered a couple points that I’d intended to make in my first post but had forgotten about.
A big part of the appeal of Japanese Christmas music for me is that it’s an entire culture’s catalog of Christmas music that, for the bulk of people outside of Japan, is virtually unknown. While most people in Japan don’t view it from the Christian perspective, Christmas is still a very popular holiday. For most, though, it’s an entirely secular, romantic holiday, which has a big influence on a lot of the music. Being alone or lonely, or finding oneself newly-single on Christmas is a recurring theme and could almost be a genre of its own. And while a lot of songs incorporate jingle bells, melodies from other traditional Christmas songs, and other things that would let a non-Japanese listener instantly identify them as Christmas songs, there are plenty that, stylistically, don’t sound Christmassy at all. The only way you’d know they’re Christmas songs is by reading they lyrics or catching a stray mention of Christmas, holy night or eve. I should point out that Christmas Eve is, in general, a much bigger deal than Christmas Day for most in Japan, and a lot of songs, or song titles, mention Eve and may not have any actual mention of Christmas.
While a lot of the albums I’ve gotten have included traditional Christmas songs, or have been made up entirely of them, the really good, original Japanese songs really help keep my interest up. “Christmas in the Air” by PSY-S, “Christmas Eve” by Tatsuro Yamashita, “Christmas No Hi” by Original Love, “I Believe” by Miho Fukuhara, and a few others have become some of my favorite Christmas songs. They’re fun songs with great melodies and a couple are even entirely in English. Not everything I find measures up, but I uncover really good songs often enough to keep me searching. Most years, I get burnt out on Christmas music sometime around the end of January and have to take a break until June or July. This year, though, my interest hasn’t waned. If anything, I’m more enthused about it now than I was back in January. It might drive my girls nuts, but I think it’s a good thing.
Another aspect of Japanese Christmas music I’ve really come to enjoy is the wide variety of novel and collectible records. A couple months ago, a friend told me that everyone in Japan puts out a Christmas album. He was specifically referring to Christmas compilations, and just searching Ebay and the record stores, I didn’t get a real sense for what he was saying. However, as I started finding other Japanese retailers and auction sites, I finally saw what he meant. When he said everyone puts out a Christmas album, he meant that literally almost every company in Japan at some point has put out a Christmas album of some sort. I’ve found compilations from curry shops, car dealerships and other small businesses. The record labels put out tons of them. I found one blog that just covers Japanese Christmas compilations. A lot of them just repackage the same dozen or so Western songs (they’re almost identical to any of a dozen or so bargain compilations that come out in the US each year, usually with more interesting covers), but some have a little more variety. I’ve seen a few collections of old R&B Christmas songs from the US. These veer more towards older Blues and less toward Motown. Some repackage songs just by Japanese artists, while others feature a mix of both Japanese and Western songs. In any case, I already have most of the songs on the compilations by the record labels, but it’s fun to see the different covers. The only ones that really intrigue me are the ones from the smaller businesses. None of the labels or covers I’ve seen have been in English so I have no idea what’s on them. However, I’m not going to spend $50 or more to find out.
The idea of everyone putting out a Christmas album goes back at least to the 1960s. Before the compilation CD’s became the standard, flexi-discs were the way to go. Anyone who grew up in the 80s or earlier likely remembers getting flexi-discs in magazines, on cereal boxes, in the mail, etc. From what I can tell, they were even more popular in Japan. The record labels seem to have used them to promote the LP’s the songs came from, or as fan club releases. I’ve seen single flexi-discs and sets of up to four that came out at the same time as the corresponding LP. Some are just the flexi-disc in a sleeve, but others have more elaborate packaging, including a couple I’ve seen that come inside short books promoting the artists. They’re really cool!
Even better are the corporate flexi-discs. Banks, car companies, whiskey and malt liquor companies, rail lines and seemingly everyone else would send out flexi-discs at Christmastime. From what I’ve seen, these have a song or two and possibly a Christmas message from the company. The ones I’ve found have all been in Japanese so I have no idea what the songs are or who sings them. The artwork on the sleeves is the real attraction. While a couple have been pretty generic, most of the ones I’ve seen are really great. Some are photos of people in 60’s garb dancing in front of Christmas trees. The best ones tend to have stylized, mid-century Christmas graphics, usually incorporating Santa Claus. I’ve yet to see any of these on Ebay, so I’m not likely to get one anytime soon.
Something else I’ve found are singles and alternate covers from other albums. There were at least three different covers to Akira Ishikawa’s “Drum Christmas Drum.” Lots of other artists released one or more singles to go along with their albums. While I’ve seen a couple of the alternate covers, I’d never heard of a lot of the singles. The songs don’t appear to be any different, but it’s fun to see just how much is out there. Sam “The Man” Taylor seems to have released so many Christmas singles and EP’s in Japan that you could get the songs from his LP several times over just by buying those. Most of the singles I’ve found are songs I already have on CD, so I’m not too interested in those. However, I will say that I couldn’t resist Chiemi Eri’s “Jingle Bells/Silent Night” when I found it at Record City a few months ago.
Probably the least common “record” I’ve seen are the playable cardboard Christmas cards. I think I’ve seen three total, all from the 50s. The listings say they still play, although I don’t know that I’d trust them to my record player. One was from a seller in England and, despite being a Christmas card, didn’t have a Christmas song on it. The other two were from Japan. One had a Christmas song, while the other had what I believe was a song about winter, but not necessarily Christmas (the translation wasn’t very good). These would be really cool from a collectible standpoint, but I wouldn’t want to risk $80 for one song that might not even survive being played the first time.
On top of all this, there’s a fun sense of discovery. When I first started collecting Christmas music, it seemed as though every year, the more notable collectors and bloggers online would uncover a dozen or so forgotten old albums. These were predominantly American artists. The music was great but one of the things I really enjoyed were some of the posts about how the person who’d found the album felt when they found it in a dusty box under a table at the thrift store or record shop, took it home and listened to it for the first time, knowing they were one of the few, if not the only person to hear it in years or even decades. As fun as that was, I was just experiencing it vicariously through them. It wasn’t until I got that first shipment of Japanese records that I got a real taste of that on my own. Sure, that first batch of albums were fairly to extremely popular in Japan, so there were 125 million or so other people likely hearing at least a few of those songs on the radio each year, but I was one of the few people outside of Japan listening to them.
I likely won’t have the chance to dig through the crates at a Japanese record store anytime soon, so all my “digging” takes place online. However, the more I dig, the more I find. As fun as it was to hear some of the bigger Japanese songs for the first time, and to eventually get records or CD’s of a few of them, what’s really great is finding out about a record that would even be considered rare or obscure in Japan. I’m talking about albums that received a limited release on vinyl 50-60 years ago and haven’t been re-released since, or Christmas albums by bigger artists that have faded into obscurity over time. Most of these never show up on eBay. The stray copy might appear on one of the Japanese sites every few years or so, but there are a few I can’t find any historical listings for online. Some of these I’ll probably never find for sale or get to listen to, but I’ve been lucky enough to get copies of a few of them.
There’s one album I got recently (I’ll talk about it more in a few months), that, honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever own. When it finally arrived, my hands were actually trembling as I opened the cardboard sleeve it arrived in. I removed the album from its protective plastic sleeve and just looked at the cover for a few minutes, reading over the track listing and scanning through the Japanese liner notes, wishing I knew what they said. I took out the record and carefully looked at each side, inspecting it for scratches or flaws. I finally put it on the turntable, sat back and just soaked in this amazing music*, savoring the feeling that I was probably the only person on the planet listening to it at that moment. It was one of those moments that made my 20+ years of collecting Christmas music worthwhile.
*Okay, the moment might have been spoiled if the music sucked, but in this case, it was truly one of the most remarkable albums I’ve ever heard.
A friend sent me an email and said, “You realize nobody actually says that, right?” I was shocked! Okay, not really. Right off the bat, I’ll admit that, when I named the podcast, I was fully aware of the fact that “X’masu” is not a common pronunciation in Japan. You’ll hear Kurisumasu and Christmas, but almost everyone just says X’mas (and, yes, writing it with the apostrophe is the most-accepted form). However, X’masu isn’t technically wrong. It is used by some. Rarely, or even very rarely, but it’s still a valid form of “Christmas.”
But, I wasn’t looking for a technicality when I was coming up with a podcast name. I spent hours trying to come up with something. I needed a title that would incorporate Christmas and Japan. I also needed something that would turn up in search results.
I considered using the Japanese title of some Christmas song or another, but remembering how to spell “Akahananotonakai,” let alone pronounce it was a little daunting. I also took into consideration the fact that very few English-speaking listeners were going to randomly google Akahananotonakai (or something along those lines) and stumble across my podcast. I tried coming up with something the played off a famous line from a Christmas movie, but the handful of things I came up with were so embarrassingly bad, I’m not going to repeat them here.
I finally looked at the top ten or so most-played Christmas songs on the big, nationwide media conglomerate’s website (or at least the website of one of the local affiliates) and started playing around with those. I basically just put Kurisumasu, X’mas, or some reference to Japan into each of them. The only one I really liked was “Holly Jolly X’mas.” However, if you’ve ever done a search on “Holly Jolly X’mas,” you’ll understand why I didn’t want to go with that. Just like when I was trying to find Christmas songs by the Japanese singing duo The Peanuts, and was doing searches on “Peanuts Christmas songs,” the number of results I got were huge, but none of them were what I was actually looking for. I quickly realized that, not only would “Holly Jolly X’mas” not stand out, it would be utterly lost in a massive ocean of results.
I dug a little deeper and found a blog that talked about Japanese Christmas customs. It said that Christmas was also known as Kurisumasu, X’mas and X’masu, but parenthetically mentioned that X’masu was very rarely used. However, a parenthetical “very rarely” was good enough for me. Well, almost. I searched a little more and found an actual Japanese site that stated essentially the same thing. Still not common, but at least it was validation from an actual Japanese site that X’masu was an accepted synonym for Christmas.
I decided to go with it. It tied into one of my favorite Christmas songs, and wasn’t something that would be lost among other search results. At least on sites that didn’t substitute “X’mas” for “X’masu.” Plus, since the main goal of my podcast is to introduce Japanese Christmas music to a non-Japanese audience, it helps it stand out from other similarly-named podcasts.
“Dad, why are you listening this? You don’t even understand it!”
I’ve heard that a lot over the last few months. While my daughters have liked a few of the Japanese songs (Christmas and non-Christmas) I’ve played for them, in general, they just don’t get it. To be fair, they don’t get why I like Christmas music in general as much as I do. They’ve heard me play it incessantly at Christmas then sporadically throughout the rest of the year their entire lives, but they still haven’t picked up an affinity for it the way I did as a kid. There’s still time.
As far as Japanese Christmas music goes, that’s another story. I’ve pointed out before that my Christmas music tastes are very broad and somewhat eclectic. When I started collecting it in earnest back in the early 2000s, it wasn’t long before I got to the point where I had a voluminous amount of both classic songs and traditional styles. I’m talking about Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, carillons and pipe organs, high school choirs, choruses and handbells. A lot of it was really good, but a lot of it was also very bland and, frankly, kind of bad. A nice album cover doesn’t always contain good music.
Each year as the sharing blogs ramped up, I found myself searching for stranger and more obscure music. I’d always liked the less run-of-the-mill Christmas music, and as my collection of bland music grew, I really yearned for something different, whether it was bizarre instruments or less mainstream styles like Barbershop or Punk. I would download the occasional foreign-language album. A lot of it was folk songs or choirs singing traditional carols in their native language. The quality varied. I downloaded a handful of Japanese songs and albums, but like the bulk of the rest, after listening to a few samples they ended up forgotten and filed away on my hard drive.
As I’ve recounted a few times before, at some point in the early 2010s, someone online mentioned Akira Ishikawa’s “Drum Christmas Drum.” I won’t rehash all that here. I will say that, in addition to some of the stranger stuff, I also really enjoy Jazz. What I could find online by Akira Ishikawa at the time sounded great. I listened to his albums “Uganda,” “Get Up!” and a few others, and imagined what an entire Christmas album by him would sound like. Over the next 7-8 years, as I continued searching for his album, I found a lot of other really great Christmas Jazz. A lot of it was by American artists, but I eventually found some really fantastic Japanese albums as well, including Shoji Suzuki’s “Swingin’ Christmas,” and “Latin Christmas” by Yasunori Nakajima and The Latin Rhythm Kings. When I first heard those albums, I was struck not just by how great they were, but by the fact that they were virtually unknown in the US. There are plenty of great albums that have fallen into obscurity over the years, but the cream of the crop tends to be rediscovered at some point. These, however, were top-notch albums that hadn’t even had the chance to be forgotten. Every time I played them, I couldn’t help taking a bit of pleasure in the notion that I was listening to something that virtually nobody else outside of Japan had ever heard.
Once I started buying Japanese albums, I started experiencing that feeling of novelty with most of the records I was getting. I’ve been lucky enough that the bulk of the albums I’ve bought have been very good. The Jazz and instrumental albums, and the compilations from the 80s have been exceptional, but even records like the EP from Juke Box, an early 70s boy band, have had some really great music on them. It’s a lot of fun to sit down and listen to a record the first time, knowing that you’re one of the relatively few people in the country to have ever heard it.
At the same time, the guys I talk to online about Christmas music have encyclopedic knowledge about American Christmas music. I know a fair bit more about it than your average bear, but they tend to astound me with the breadth of their knowledge. It can be intimidating at times, especially when you think you’ve stumbled on a “new” long lost song, or bit of information, and they mention they’ve known about it for years, or correct what you’ve said and fill you in with far more detail. When it comes to Japanese Christmas music, though, they don’t have that same level of knowledge. I’m hardly an expert on the topic, but I’ve picked up quite a bit while researching the albums I have, so it’s given me my own little area of expertise. It’s not much, but it makes the hobby a little more enjoyable.
The main reason, though, is that so much of the music I’ve found is really fantastic. It’s really breathed new life into my passion for Christmas music, and has given me something really positive to focus on during these trying times. Not just listening to the music, but recording the albums, editing out the clicks, pops and noise, scanning and cleaning up the covers, tagging the MP3’s, and researching the songs and artists so I can talk about them on my podcast. It’s a lot of work, but it’s far better than staring at the ever-increasing death and infection counts from COVID, or watching people argue online about social distancing and how they refuse to wear masks. It’s also given me the opportunity to meet some really great people, including some online who share a passion for either Japanese music in general or Japanese Christmas music specifically, plus the people at my local record store where I go to have my albums cleaned (at some point I’ll break down and get a cleaner of my own).
As much as I love the music, occasionally while listening to a new album, one of the girls will come through the living room, listen for a second and say, “That’s not so bad.” It may not sound like much, but from a teenage girl, that’s actually pretty high praise and helps make this all worthwhile.
Merry Christmas in July, all. For the month of July, I’m planning a special Christmas in July episode. I’m also planning on releasing a blog post each Friday this month. I’ll cover a variety of things including (hopefully) our planned Kentucky Christmas dinner. I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th, and that you all are able to take some time to put a little Christmas into your July.
Welcome to Episode 5 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Jackey Yoshikawa’s “Christmas With Blue Comets.” This record holds special meaning for me. The cover on the version I bought was also used for their 7” Christmas single. I loved the cover the first time I saw it and was determined to somehow own a copy. When I was contemplating my first purchase of Japanese vinyl, finding this album for sale helped convince me to go ahead and take a chance. The album lived up to the cover. The others I purchased in that same lot were equally good, which really sparked my fascination with Japanese Christmas music.
I’m releasing this on Leon Day. As I explain in the episode, Leon Day is the unofficial halfway mark to and from Christmas. For some, it’s a fun tradition. People will bake Christmas cookies, start shopping or planning crafts, or possibly play some Christmas music (around my house, that wouldn’t differentiate it from any other day of the year).
While researching this episode, I found that there was a real-life Leon Day as well. It turns out, he was one of the most talented players in the Negro Leagues. Considering all that’s going on in the country right now, I wanted to devote a small portion of this special episode to the late Mr. Day.
Getting back to Jackey Yoshikawa, I hope you enjoy his music as much as I do. “Christmas With Blue Comets” is one of my favorite Japanese Christmas albums and, in my opinion, can hold its own against the Ventures or any other similar band. At the same time, it’s accessible and mainstream enough that it should appeal to just about everyone.
Jackey Yoshikawa and His Blue Comets on The Ed Sullivan Show
Next month, I’ll have a special Christmas in July episode where I’ll cover Japanese Christmas songs that mention summer, or have a more summery feel. I have some fun songs lined up already, but if you have any suggestions or recommendations, feel free to send them my way.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend an album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. Thanks!
Welcome to Episode 4 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I discuss the granddaddy of all Japanese Christmas compilation albums: King Records’ “Merry, Merry X’mas,” from 1963. This revered classic really established the gold standard for Christmas compilations in Japan.
Despite being a landmark album in Japan, it’s not well-known elsewhere. I happened upon an Ebay auction for it while looking for other albums that might interest me. It was in near mint (NM) condition and was listed for over $1100. I followed the auction just to see if it would actually sell for that much. I never found out because, after being relisted once, the seller closed the auction before it ended. However, during that initial auction, he sent me a private offer to buy it for “only” $1000. I thought he was nuts until I looked into it a little more and found that very good (VG) copies typically go for $700 or more. And that’s on the rare occasions when they actually come up for sale.
Here’s the $1000 record:
The CD is a little more affordable. It came out in 1991 and was packaged in an outer box/slipcase. I spent months trying to find one to no avail. The one I finally managed to get was listed in “acceptable” condition (that tends to be noticeably worse than VG) without the outer box. It was in better shape than I expected and plays fine. Just tonight, I finally found a couple listings for the CD with the box. They were both over $100, which made me feel better about how relatively inexpensive my CD was.
The $20 CD:
As excited as I was to review this album, I had an even harder time with this episode than the last one. We’ve been terribly busy lately so finding time to work on it was difficult. This morning, I woke up early and finally managed to get it recorded. The audio levels were fine, although there was a phantom popping sound running throughout the recording that I had to through and remove manually. After seven hours of recording and editing, I was down to adding in the last bit of music at the very end of the episode. That’s when Audacity crashed. I wasn’t worried at first because the same thing happened with the last episode. I was able to recover it then without much of a problem. This time was different. After six or seven restarts, it was clear I wasn’t going to get it back. I was certain I had lost the entire thing and would have to start from scratch.
I took a break, copied all my data files to another computer, and after a couple of restarts it was able to recover it to the point that I had almost everything back. I had to edit a few songs back in, but a 10% loss is much better than a 100% loss.
One thing I meant to point out last episode is that, with the exception of some special songs like “Mothra’s Song” and “March on the River Kwai,” all the incidental instrumental music I use in the podcast is also Japanese Christmas music. I try to pick something a little more obscure so it’s not readily obvious what’s playing. If you recognize one of the songs, drop me a line and I’ll mention you in an upcoming episode.
Speaking of which, I’m going to try to get out a second episode this month. June 25th is Leon Day, which marks the halfway mark to and from Christmas. I’m already hard at work on the next episode, so hopefully it will be done by then.
In the meantime, I’m always on the lookout for new music. I have some really great stuff lined up, and I’m hoping to add a couple other really great albums to my collection soon. Also, as mentioned in this episode, I’ve included the Japanese lyrics to “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” below.
Any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If you’d like to recommend an album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.
Remember, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. Thanks!
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Japanese lyrics by Kanbe Takao
So
Merry Christmas from you
Merry Christmas from me
Santa Claus is coming to town
Hey! You will probably hear it
The sound of bells will be there soon
Santa Claus is coming to town
For resting children unable to wait
Surely bringing wonderful presents
So
Merry Christmas from you
Merry Christmas from me
Santa Claus is coming to town
So
Merry Christmas from you
Merry Christmas from me
Santa Claus is coming to town
Hey! You will probably hear it
The sound of bells will be there soon
Santa Claus is coming to town
We’ve counted down to Christmas Eve on our fingers
This evening is nostalgic in childhood memories
So
Merry Christmas from you
Merry Christmas from me
Santa Claus is coming to town
For resting children unable to wait
Surely bringing wonderful presents
So
Merry Christmas from you
Merry Christmas from me
Santa Claus is coming to town
Hi, all!
I just wanted to check in and let anyone who's following me know that new episodes are coming. We've had a lot to deal with thanks to COVID-19, but things are starting to get back on track.
I was hoping to have my third episode out this weekend, but it likely won't be until the middle of the week. I'll be covering one of my absolute favorite Japanese Christmas albums, so it should be worth listening to.
In the meantime, I've gotten several new albums and CDs, and I've been working on digitizing the vinyl for use in future episodes. I made a quick collage of some of the album covers below:
Welcome to Episode 2 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I discuss several Japanese Christmas songs that became hits after their inclusion in commercials.
As promised in the episode, here's a link to a YouTube video with a collection of the Japan Rail commercials with Tatsuro Yamashita's "Christmas Eve." The first one is the 1988 commercial with the breakdancing.
Also, here's a scan of my copy of the 1999 KFC exclusive CD, "Tatsuro Yamashita Presents X'mas Songs."
Lastly, I've added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you'd like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. Any donations received will be put towards purchasing new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. Thanks!
Welcome everyone to the first episode of Holly Jolly X'masu. In this episode, I tell a little bit about myself and what led to me deciding to do a podcast about Japanese Christmas music.