SOUNDTRACK: JOHN DENVER & THE MUPPETS-A Christmas Together (1979).
This is a strange recording. Perhaps even more so nearly forty years past its release date when The Muppets are still beloved but aren’t hugely popular. It’s strange because it’s quite an earnest record, and yet it is sung by puppets with weird voices.
So this album is not meant to be funny (with some exceptions), and yet it’s hard not to smile somewhat at the crazy voices involved. But the songs aren’t played for laughs.
So if you can get past the fact that Rowlf the Dog is singing an earnest song, it’s quite enjoyable. In fact, the whole disc is warm and inviting, nonjudgmental and really sweet–pretty much everything that John Denver and The Muppets are known for.
The album features of traditional Christmas carols and original songs.
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” (Denver with the Muppets). This is kind of an unfortunate song to start with if only because it feels much longer than its 4 minutes (as this song always does). Having a different Muppet sing each line helps though. And there are some amusing moments (Beaker of course). But it’s not really played for laughs, exactly. Except maybe for Piggy’s “five golden ring” line, kind of.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (Rowlf the Dog and Denver). Rowlf was always an earnest singer so this pairing makes sense. But Rowlf’s voice is pretty weird. “The Peace Carol” (John and Scooter with the Muppets). I don’t know this song, but it’s quite pretty and they have wisely picked the least strange-voiced Muppets to sing it with him.
“Christmas Is Coming” (Miss Piggy with Scooter, The Great Gonzo and Robin the Frog) This is a round with Piggy on lead and then each one repeating the one line. I was unfamiliar with this song too.
Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat / Please put a penny in the old man’s hat / If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do / If you haven’t got a ha’penny, then God bless you!
“A Baby Just Like You” (Denver with the Muppets) This is a very John Denver song, pretty and mellow. “Deck the Halls” (The Muppets) It’s nice to hear Kermit get a lead vocal. Everyone sings this in turn and it’s quite nice. “When the River Meets the Sea” (Robin and Denver with the Muppets) It’s weird to have a Muppet sing this first verse, but it’s a gentle voice and works nicely with Denver.
“Little Saint Nick” (Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem) Okay, so hearing the Electric Mayhem is always fun. I’m amused hearing all of the voices of the band (this is a song you can be silly with). And of course having Animal shouting “Run! Run! Reindeer!” is pretty darn funny.
“Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913” (Denver) gentle and pretty. “The Christmas Wish” (Kermit the Frog with the Muppets) This is a very sweet song wishing love to all whether you believe or not. Medley: “Alfie, the Christmas Tree” / “Carol for a Christmas Tree” / “It’s in Every One of Us” (Denver with the Muppets) This is a strange story about a tree who loved Christmas. And it’s narrated not sung. This one is skippable.
“Silent Night, Holy Night (Stille Nacht)” (Denver with the Muppets) I was surprised that this was sung in German first. Then Denver recites how the song was written, and it’s quite moving. A very lovely rendition. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (Denver with the Muppets) The disc ends with a bit of fun with the cast singing. And there’s some good Muppets antics: they sing “figgy pudding” Miss Piggy asks, “piggy pudding?” “no, it’s made with figs.” “oh” “and bacon.” And when they sing “we won;t go until we get some” Animal chants “won’t go! won’t go!”
All in all this is a delightful Christmas album.
[READ: December 1, 2017] “Aftermath”
Once again, I have ordered The Short Story Advent Calendar. This year, there are brief interviews with each author posted on the date of their story.
Hello. Welcome. It’s finally here: Short Story Advent Calendar time.
If you’re reading along at home, now’s the time to start cracking those seals, one by one, and discover some truly brilliant writing inside. Then check back here each morning for an exclusive interview with the author of that day’s story.
(Want to join in? It’s not too late. Order your copy here.)
This year I’m pairing each story with a holiday disc from our personal collection
There’s a lot unspoken in this story, which is revealed in little snippets.
Genevieve moved back into the house on Monday. But she decided that it needed a good cleaning first. She called a company named Aftermath to go through the whole house–scour it and make it shine. They asked if there was any kind of biohazard in the house and she said no.
When she returned, everything looked the same, although a little brighter. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 