Demand Euphoria!
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Monday, December 13, 2021
Sunday, December 12, 2021
When I sing, I believe. I'm honest.
I would like to be remembered as a man who had a wonderful time living life, a man who had good friends, fine family – and I don’t think I could ask for anything more than that, actually. –
Welcome to our 11th Annual tribute to Ole Blue Eyes - Acme's tip of the hat to The Chairman of the Board.
The First Noel -
The First Noel is a traditional English carol most likely from the 16th or 17th century, but possibly dating from as early as the 13th century. It appeared in Some Ancient Christmas Carols (1823) and Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern (1833), edited by William Sandys.
Mistletoe & Holly -
The song was written by Frank Sinatra, Dok Stanford and Hank Sanicola, and published by the Barton Music Corporation in New York.
Jingle Bells -
The words and music for this Christmas classic were written by James Lord Pierpont, a popular American composer, in 1857 with the title of One Horse Open Sleigh. Pierpont was a member of a staunch Unitarian Church family, and his father was a minister. It was originally written for a local Sunday school entertainment on Thanksgiving Day in Savannah, Georgia. Its catchy tune was soon taken up by Christmas revelers. Every December, an old battle known as "The Jingle Bell Wars" rages on. The folks of Medford, Massachusetts, claim their town is the real birthplace of the famous holiday tune, as Pierpont was still living there in 1850 when it was allegedly written at the local Simpson Tavern. This isn't a battle the South is prepared to lose: Savannah's tourism guide maintains Jingle Bells was penned in the very church it premiered. That doesn't stop Medford from holding an annual Jingle Bell Festival or dubbing itself "The Jingle Bell City."
I'll Be Home For Christmas -
This was originally recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, and it quickly became one of America's most popular holiday songs along with White Christmas, which Bing had put onto disc the previous year. The song particularly struck a nerve with overseas GIs and their families awaiting their return from serving their country in World War II. The GI magazine said Crosby accomplished more for military morale than anyone else of that era.
Acme would like to have brought you their annual presentation of the 1957 Christmas episode of The Frank Sinatra Show - Happy Holidays with Bing and Frank but it has been taken down from the intraweb (you can find it if you have a passport membership through your local PBS station, but I digress ....) So we will leave you with a little yuletide cheer from the Rat Pack -
More from those fellows in the next few days
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening. A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland.
Demand Euphoria!
The First Noel -
The First Noel is a traditional English carol most likely from the 16th or 17th century, but possibly dating from as early as the 13th century. It appeared in Some Ancient Christmas Carols (1823) and Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern (1833), edited by William Sandys.
Mistletoe & Holly -
The song was written by Frank Sinatra, Dok Stanford and Hank Sanicola, and published by the Barton Music Corporation in New York.
Jingle Bells -
The words and music for this Christmas classic were written by James Lord Pierpont, a popular American composer, in 1857 with the title of One Horse Open Sleigh. Pierpont was a member of a staunch Unitarian Church family, and his father was a minister. It was originally written for a local Sunday school entertainment on Thanksgiving Day in Savannah, Georgia. Its catchy tune was soon taken up by Christmas revelers. Every December, an old battle known as "The Jingle Bell Wars" rages on. The folks of Medford, Massachusetts, claim their town is the real birthplace of the famous holiday tune, as Pierpont was still living there in 1850 when it was allegedly written at the local Simpson Tavern. This isn't a battle the South is prepared to lose: Savannah's tourism guide maintains Jingle Bells was penned in the very church it premiered. That doesn't stop Medford from holding an annual Jingle Bell Festival or dubbing itself "The Jingle Bell City."
I'll Be Home For Christmas -
This was originally recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, and it quickly became one of America's most popular holiday songs along with White Christmas, which Bing had put onto disc the previous year. The song particularly struck a nerve with overseas GIs and their families awaiting their return from serving their country in World War II. The GI magazine said Crosby accomplished more for military morale than anyone else of that era.
Acme would like to have brought you their annual presentation of the 1957 Christmas episode of The Frank Sinatra Show - Happy Holidays with Bing and Frank but it has been taken down from the intraweb (you can find it if you have a passport membership through your local PBS station, but I digress ....) So we will leave you with a little yuletide cheer from the Rat Pack -
More from those fellows in the next few days
Demand Euphoria!
Saturday, December 11, 2021
The ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour (253)
Thank you for joining us today
Before our feature presentation, ACME would like to start the evening with another Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny cartoon, the 1960 From Hare to Heir, (featuring Yosemite Sam,) directed by Friz Freleng.
This cartoon was included in the 1983 compilation film Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island as the final cartoon for Sam's wish.
Happy Holidays! I'm sure you are just starting to run around doing your holiday shopping. So why not sit back and relax (quick, find the most comfortable seat on the sofa,) get a snack (perhaps, some popcorn,) and a beverage before our film starts, and let's hear from our second guest programmer this evening and it has nothing to due with the fact that it's her birthday today. (And I did not have to harangue her for several weeks to get her actual choices. Mrs. Dr Caligari did it for me.)
Demand Euphoria!
Before our feature presentation, ACME would like to start the evening with another Looney Tunes Bugs Bunny cartoon, the 1960 From Hare to Heir, (featuring Yosemite Sam,) directed by Friz Freleng.
This cartoon was included in the 1983 compilation film Daffy Duck's Movie: Fantastic Island as the final cartoon for Sam's wish.
Happy Holidays! I'm sure you are just starting to run around doing your holiday shopping. So why not sit back and relax (quick, find the most comfortable seat on the sofa,) get a snack (perhaps, some popcorn,) and a beverage before our film starts, and let's hear from our second guest programmer this evening and it has nothing to due with the fact that it's her birthday today. (And I did not have to harangue her for several weeks to get her actual choices. Mrs. Dr Caligari did it for me.)
Here are her holiday choices:
Christmas Tree Farm Taylor Swift -
Taylor Swift grew up on a Christmas tree farm that was run by her parents at their Pine Ridge Farm home in Reading, Pennsylvania. Taylor Swift's childhood job on the Christmas tree farm was "picking the praying mantis pods off of the trees so the bugs wouldn't hatch inside people's houses."
Nice work if you can get it.
Baby It's Cold Outside Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer -
One of the classic Tin Pan Alley duets, Baby It's Cold Outside has become a holiday favorite, but it was originally a party song written by Frank Loesser for him and his wife, Lynn, to perform for the purpose of entertaining guests. The Loessers knew their way around a song: Frank composed Guys and Dolls and many other musicals; Lynn, a former nightclub singer, co-produced the musical The Most Happy Fella, which Frank wrote.
Mistletoe Justin Bieber -
Justin wrote the reggae-laced Christmas tune with The Messengers, who are a Canadian songwriting and producing duo comprising singer/lyricist Nasri Atweh and multi-instrumentalist/arranger Adam Messinger. They have linked up with Justin on a number of occasions before, including co-penning his hit singles Pray and Never Say Never.
Underneath the Tree Kelly Clarksons -
Accompanied by various instrumental sounds, the song prominently incorporates a Phil Spector-like Wall of Sound treatment along with sleigh bells and bell chimes to resonate a holiday atmosphere
All I Want For Christmas Is You Mariah Carey -
The song was co-written and co-produced by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff, who started off as Whitney Houston's arranger and has co-produced and co-written many of Carey's hits, including One Sweet Day and Hero. He also won a 1999 Grammy award for co-producing Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On.
Christmas will be shortly here. ACME wants you to join them in celebrating the holidays with your friends at The ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour - the official soap of our nation's bald eagles. Remember if your bald eagle's talons are filthy, do we have a soap for you! We're sure you're busy with all of your holiday plans. Take a break - why not put The ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour on in the background and watch this nearly forgotten holiday film: the 1952 Ralph Richardson, Celia Johnson, and Margaret Leighton drama, The Holly and the Ivy -
Wynyard Browne's original play opened at London's Duchess Theatre in 1950. Maureen Delaney and Margaret Halstan reprised their stage roles for this movie.
Before you go - (I hope this is still up) There was a special free concert Norah Jones gave in support of her new Christmas album, I Dream of Christmas -
Outside, atop the Empire State Building, Baby, it's really cold outside!
Demand Euphoria!
Friday, December 10, 2021
Guess the theme
Our holiday theme today is one of our favorite holiday games -
Trim Up the Tree -
The song was originally written and recorded for the classic 1966 Dr. Seuss TV Holiday Special How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The lyrics were actually written by Dr. Seuss.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year -
The song was written by George Wyle and Eddie Pola. Wyle, born Bernard Weissman, began his career playing piano professionally in the Catskills. He went on to eventually co-write the theme song to Gilligan’s Island.
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree -
First released in 1958, the song didn't dent the charts that year or the next, but in 1960, after Brenda Lee scored a few hits, it caught on and went to #14 in the US. It charted again in 1961 and 1962 and went on to become a Christmas classic.
Let It Snow
Although this song is associated with Christmas, there is no mention of the holiday in the lyrics. It's about making the most of a snowy day by spending it with a loved one by the fire.
Winter Wonderland -
One version of the song features the original lyrics, "pretend that he is Parson Brown," while later versions went with, "pretend that he's a circus clown." Today many recorded versions actually include both lines.
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) -
Mel Torme and Bob Wells were songwriting partners, and used to take turns going over to each others' homes to write songs. One particularly hot July day, Mel drove over to Bob's house in Teluca Lake, California. When he got there he walked into the house, couldn't find Bob, but found a spiral notepad of paper with some words on it: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Yuletide Carols being sung by a choir, folks dressed up like Eskimos." When Mel found Bob, he asked him, "What's this?" and Bob said, "It's so blistering hot here, and thought it would be fun to see if I could write something about a totally different season, the winter season, Christmas season, and see if I could mentally, virtually cool off." Mel said, "Not only have you also cooled me off, but I think you've got a song here!" And the duo wrote the rest of the song in about 35 minutes.
I'll be Home For Christmas -
This was written by Walter Kent (music) and James Kimball "Kim" Gannon (words). Though Kent and Gannon collaborated on other songs, none reached the same level of popularity as I'll Be Home for Christmas. Buck Ram previously wrote a poem and song with the same title, and following a lawsuit he was credited as a co-writer of the song.
Demand Euphoria!
Trim Up the Tree -
The song was originally written and recorded for the classic 1966 Dr. Seuss TV Holiday Special How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The lyrics were actually written by Dr. Seuss.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year -
The song was written by George Wyle and Eddie Pola. Wyle, born Bernard Weissman, began his career playing piano professionally in the Catskills. He went on to eventually co-write the theme song to Gilligan’s Island.
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree -
First released in 1958, the song didn't dent the charts that year or the next, but in 1960, after Brenda Lee scored a few hits, it caught on and went to #14 in the US. It charted again in 1961 and 1962 and went on to become a Christmas classic.
Let It Snow
Although this song is associated with Christmas, there is no mention of the holiday in the lyrics. It's about making the most of a snowy day by spending it with a loved one by the fire.
Winter Wonderland -
One version of the song features the original lyrics, "pretend that he is Parson Brown," while later versions went with, "pretend that he's a circus clown." Today many recorded versions actually include both lines.
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) -
Mel Torme and Bob Wells were songwriting partners, and used to take turns going over to each others' homes to write songs. One particularly hot July day, Mel drove over to Bob's house in Teluca Lake, California. When he got there he walked into the house, couldn't find Bob, but found a spiral notepad of paper with some words on it: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Yuletide Carols being sung by a choir, folks dressed up like Eskimos." When Mel found Bob, he asked him, "What's this?" and Bob said, "It's so blistering hot here, and thought it would be fun to see if I could write something about a totally different season, the winter season, Christmas season, and see if I could mentally, virtually cool off." Mel said, "Not only have you also cooled me off, but I think you've got a song here!" And the duo wrote the rest of the song in about 35 minutes.
I'll be Home For Christmas -
This was written by Walter Kent (music) and James Kimball "Kim" Gannon (words). Though Kent and Gannon collaborated on other songs, none reached the same level of popularity as I'll Be Home for Christmas. Buck Ram previously wrote a poem and song with the same title, and following a lawsuit he was credited as a co-writer of the song.
Demand Euphoria!
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Yuletide by the fireside and joyful memories there ....
December 9, 1965
A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first animated television special based on the popular newspaper comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz, and also the first Christmas special for the franchise. Acme is proud to ask you to join us in watching the perennial showing of this depressing little special.
The original broadcast included some brief animated sections which included the logo of Coca-Cola, the show's original sponsor. These have been edited out of subsequent broadcasts and the video release. Right after the opening title, Linus crashed into a sign advertising Coca-Cola after being tossed by Snoopy. The closing carol originally included the complete verse (instead of fading out) with a final on-screen "Merry Christmas from your local bottler of Coca-Cola" right after the United Feature Syndicate credit at the end.
A short documentary about the development of the Charlie Brown Christmas special: A Christmas Miracle: The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas -
When they first saw the show, CBS executives were horrified at the idea of an animated Christmas special with such a blatant message. They also strongly objected to the fact that the show had no canned laughter. In addition, they greeted Vince Guaraldi's jazz score as an intrusion in the special that audiences would never accept. However, when CBS learned to their astonishment of the special's spectacular ratings earned on its initial broadcast and the glowing reviews for it, the network promptly contracted the producers for more specials.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Vince Guaraldi Trio -
Producer Lee Mendelson wrote the lyrics for Vince Guaraldi's Christmas Time is Here music, and his son Glenn, along with his then sixth-grade class, sang the vocals.
Christmas Charlie Brown mashups
In honor of our depressed little pal: Let's all get in the mood and have a depressing Christmas -
1913 Massacre Woody Guthrie -
Trust me just don't listen to the song! This song is about a true event. Guthrie wrote in many different styles, and was very effective at telling a story in the form of a song. Anna Canoni, who is a director at the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives, explains: "The telling of a specific story is what is very evident in Woody's songwriting in general. There's a song called "1913 Massacre," where he talks about this one specific event. It is one of the most moving songs that I have ever heard. It's absolutely amazing. This is also one that Woody recorded, it's very powerful hearing him sing it. It is a song about miners having their holiday party, when the bossmen hanging around outside yell into the party room that there is a fire and then locked the door. In an attempt to escape, everyone raced towards the door and because it was locked, 73 children died in the stampede. And it was this practical joke, this mocking moment, that struck a chord with him."
River Joni Mitchell -
At the start of 1970, Joni Mitchell's relationship with her boyfriend Graham Nash was crumbling. On top of this, she was feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the mass adulation her recordings were receiving. The songstress needed to get away, so she took off on a trip to Europe, metaphorically skating away on a river to escape the crazy scene. While Mitchell was in Crete, she sent Nash a telegram to tell him their romance was over.
I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up for Christmas Aimee Mann-
You know what, maybe may not want to listen to this one
Pretty Paper Roy Orbinson -
This was written by Willie Nelson, who at the time was a successful songwriter but relatively unknown performer. It's a Christmas song where the singer goes about preparing for the holiday, but notices an unfortunate homeless person who can't afford the luxuries of the season. Unsure how to handle this, the singer decides he is just too busy and carries on with his preparations.
And what could be the saddest Christmas song written:
Christmas Eve Can Kill You -
Christmas, I love you but you're bringing me down.
Before you go - since you're in the mood, let's all get together and listen to William S Burroughs read his Christmas story, The.Junky's Christmas.
Francis Ford Coppola produced this short Claymation film based on William S. Burroughs short story The Junky’s Christmas. The piece was directed by Nick Donkin and Melodie McDaniel.
Demand Euphoria!
A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first animated television special based on the popular newspaper comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz, and also the first Christmas special for the franchise. Acme is proud to ask you to join us in watching the perennial showing of this depressing little special.
The original broadcast included some brief animated sections which included the logo of Coca-Cola, the show's original sponsor. These have been edited out of subsequent broadcasts and the video release. Right after the opening title, Linus crashed into a sign advertising Coca-Cola after being tossed by Snoopy. The closing carol originally included the complete verse (instead of fading out) with a final on-screen "Merry Christmas from your local bottler of Coca-Cola" right after the United Feature Syndicate credit at the end.
A short documentary about the development of the Charlie Brown Christmas special: A Christmas Miracle: The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas -
When they first saw the show, CBS executives were horrified at the idea of an animated Christmas special with such a blatant message. They also strongly objected to the fact that the show had no canned laughter. In addition, they greeted Vince Guaraldi's jazz score as an intrusion in the special that audiences would never accept. However, when CBS learned to their astonishment of the special's spectacular ratings earned on its initial broadcast and the glowing reviews for it, the network promptly contracted the producers for more specials.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Vince Guaraldi Trio -
Producer Lee Mendelson wrote the lyrics for Vince Guaraldi's Christmas Time is Here music, and his son Glenn, along with his then sixth-grade class, sang the vocals.
Christmas Charlie Brown mashups
In honor of our depressed little pal: Let's all get in the mood and have a depressing Christmas -
1913 Massacre Woody Guthrie -
Trust me just don't listen to the song! This song is about a true event. Guthrie wrote in many different styles, and was very effective at telling a story in the form of a song. Anna Canoni, who is a director at the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives, explains: "The telling of a specific story is what is very evident in Woody's songwriting in general. There's a song called "1913 Massacre," where he talks about this one specific event. It is one of the most moving songs that I have ever heard. It's absolutely amazing. This is also one that Woody recorded, it's very powerful hearing him sing it. It is a song about miners having their holiday party, when the bossmen hanging around outside yell into the party room that there is a fire and then locked the door. In an attempt to escape, everyone raced towards the door and because it was locked, 73 children died in the stampede. And it was this practical joke, this mocking moment, that struck a chord with him."
River Joni Mitchell -
At the start of 1970, Joni Mitchell's relationship with her boyfriend Graham Nash was crumbling. On top of this, she was feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the mass adulation her recordings were receiving. The songstress needed to get away, so she took off on a trip to Europe, metaphorically skating away on a river to escape the crazy scene. While Mitchell was in Crete, she sent Nash a telegram to tell him their romance was over.
I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up for Christmas Aimee Mann-
You know what, maybe may not want to listen to this one
Pretty Paper Roy Orbinson -
This was written by Willie Nelson, who at the time was a successful songwriter but relatively unknown performer. It's a Christmas song where the singer goes about preparing for the holiday, but notices an unfortunate homeless person who can't afford the luxuries of the season. Unsure how to handle this, the singer decides he is just too busy and carries on with his preparations.
And what could be the saddest Christmas song written:
Christmas Eve Can Kill You -
Christmas, I love you but you're bringing me down.
Before you go - since you're in the mood, let's all get together and listen to William S Burroughs read his Christmas story, The.Junky's Christmas.
Francis Ford Coppola produced this short Claymation film based on William S. Burroughs short story The Junky’s Christmas. The piece was directed by Nick Donkin and Melodie McDaniel.
Demand Euphoria!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)