ARTIST: Annie Lennox SONG: Angels from the Realms of Glory ALBUM: A Christmas Cornucopia (2010, La Lennoxa) Annie has been one of my all time favourite vocalists since I first heard Eurythmics blasting from the bedroom stereo of my sister Fi (of Dear Cat & Fi fame) as a kid. This truly magical version of … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 18
A hearty festive greetings and merriment all round people! And welcome to our Christmas Special of Tweet Hee Hee - our weekly round up of all the funniest bits from social media - all of which have a Christmas theme this week to get your last working week before the holidays off to a fine … Continue reading Tweet Hee Hee: Christmas Special
If there's one element of Christmas I have always loved, even as a kid, it was getting the bumper two week Christmas and New Year edition of Radio Times and highlighting all the TV specials and festive episodes of favourite shows I wanted to watch - many of which have become evergreen favourites of mine … Continue reading My Ultimate Christmas TV Specials
ARTIST: John Lennon & Yoko Ono SONG: Happy Xmas (War is Over) ALBUM: Power to the People: The Hits (1971, EMI) This Christmas song holds a great deal of memories for me, in more ways than one. I knew that Christmas was approaching as a kid, when my mum started playing her (now well worn) … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 17
ARTIST: Olly Murs SONG: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday ALBUM: Right Place Right Time: Special Edition (2013, Sony/Epic) We will continue to beg Olly for a Christmas album every year - this year included - until we are blue in the face. And why? Because on the basis of his take on seasonal … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 16
So today marks the start of what is by common consent in the UK, the one time of year when the entire nation suddenly takes a vested interest in its singles chart. Because as of midnight last night, the race to be 2017's official UK Christmas number one is under way. If you're a betting … Continue reading #CrazyStupidPlaylist: My Ultimate Christmas Number Ones
ARTIST: Blue SONG: Lonely This Christmas ALBUM: Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word (2002, Innocent/Virgin) Originally recorded for one of the first ever BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge sessions all the way back at the start of their career in 2001, Antony, Duncan, Lee and Simon gave a soulful, stripped back take on Mud's … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 15
ARTIST: Mike Oldfield SONG: In Dulci Jubilo ALBUM: Elements - The Best of Mike Oldfield (1975, Virgin) Yes, I do realise that festive snow-y town image isn't one of Mike Oldfield, but that's partly because I couldn't find a flattering one of him. His instrumental, nay almost Celtic take on the classic carol that dates … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 14
ARTIST: Steps SONG: Dear Santa ALBUM: Tears on the Dancefloor: Crying at the Disco Deluxe Edition (2017, Steps Music/Fascination) The closest Steps ever got to a Christmas single - again on virtue of video alone - was their million selling 'Heartbeat' in 1998. 19 years later, and as they near the end of their 20th … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 13
ARTIST: McFly SONG: Rockin' Robin ALBUM: Sorry's Not Good Enough/Friday Night (2006, Universal Island) OK. So the Michael Jackson classic isn't strictly a Christmas song. But because there is a robin in it - and one that I imagine is perched on a wintry branch, sporting an Elvis quiff and leather jacket with a tiny … Continue reading Christmas Song Advent Calendar 2017: Day 12
The Niche Reference 