And so, we reach our final moments together. In the tradition of actual physical Advent calenders, the installment for the 25th is slightly larger.
Today’s song is just over 14 minutes long.
I love you all and I hope you have a very merry, holly, holy Christmas and a brilliant New Year. Please enjoy track number 25; “Advent Calender”.
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This is Jack Caulfield.
On the eve of Saviour’s Day I find myself in the capitol of France feeling rather Christmassy indeed. I’m looking forward to spending the season here for sure, but there is one element of an English Christmas that I will miss dearly.
The Radio Times.
As a young boy I used to go through the Radio Times highlighting the television programmes and movie premieres that I wished to see. It was a brilliant thing and more often than not I’d see all the things I had highlighted.
Of course the fun didn’t come from just watching the programmes it comes from the people you watch it with. There’s something really great about Christmas television; it’s as if all concerned try extra hard during the holiday season and the programmes are always full of Christmas cheer.
My final song before Saviour’s Day hopefully encapsulates some of this sentiment. Please enjoy.
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First of all, let me apologise for being late today. I was getting the Eurostar to Paris and if you’ve seen the news at all lately you’ll have seen it was madness.
Anywho, please enjoy today’s track.
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There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”
At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!
For an extra point can anyone name the Beatles song which has the same chord progression as this song. It’s a tough one, please enjoy.
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There’s a great tradition in Christmas movies to show the inner workings of Santa Claus’ workshop and personally I’m all for it. To see how the great gift machine works is a magical and wonderful experience and one of my favourite parts of these scenes are the elves.
Lovely little creatures who slave away making toys all year long. They’re all so amazing and have fabulous personalities. Imagine for a minute though, that one of these elves had aspirations of being a hardcore gangster rapper. It could happen sure, but what would it sound like?
Please enjoy today’s exploration into that concept.
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The fourth and final interlude on the “Advent Calender” album (we’re into the home stretch now) is also the shortest. Clocking in at 9 seconds, it’s the most powerful 9 seconds you’re likely ever to hear.
Please note, this track only works when heard directly after the last track. Enjoy.
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It’s the classic tradition of the day. Eat lots of turkey with cranberry sauce, stuff yourself with stuffing, and then retire to the living room to watch a film on BBC One. But what film to watch? What film perfectly encompasses the joy and spirit of the season? If you thought it was about an Austrian searching for a toy, you’re wrong. If you think its about a down-on-his-luck guy being shown what life would be like if he wasn’t there, you’re wrong. If you answered the film about an escape by Allied prisoners of war from a German POW camp during World War II, then you’re in luck!
Yes, for some reason this film is always on round Christmas time and so there is always an opportunity to watch it. I never have but perhaps this year I will. Perhaps. Please enjoy today’s song.
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Original trailer from “The Great Escape” (1963).
“Joy to the World!” is a brilliant carol. Full of love, fun, (and of course) joy. I’ve always felt though that the tune itself would be improved by a rap. Thus, here comes my version of the classic carol. I added a rap. And I can’t really sing so the beginning’s kind of creepy. I love the drums though and the bass is pretty sweet by my opinion. I’m no Bono though.
Please enjoy today’s track guys, there aren’t a lot left.
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This year I’ll be spending my first Christmas outside of England. No I won’t be spending it in Japan (as you eagle-eyed readers may have deduced from the title), I’ll be in lovely Paris come the 25th. It doesn’t matter where I go this Christmas, if it’s different from England then it will have different traditions. I’ve never been to Japan, let alone spend Christmas there, but I’ve always been fascinated by visiting a culture vastly different from that in the West. Christmas in Japan?
Also, if you’re interested the opening part of the song is taken from a BBC4 documentary called “Fish!” which is all to do with Japan’s obsession with the underwater dwellers. Plus all the percussion noises are made by my mouth. Anyways, please enjoy.
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This is real. This is me. This is exactly where I’m supposed to be. Raw powerful vocals against a background of nothing. Prepare your hearts and prepare your ears. This is immense. This is Christmas. This is Hark!
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Bizarro, in art from the cover to Superman #202 (December 1967 - January 1968). Art by Curt Swan and George Klein.
Us do opposite of all Earthly things! Us hate beauty! Us love ugliness! Is big crime to make anything perfect on Bizarro World!
In all seriousness an interesting fact about today’s advent wonder is that is was originally inspired by the track “Run” by Gnarls Barkley. I know if you listen to them side by side they sound nothing like each other but that original beat and time pattern was lifted from those crazy Atlanta boys.
Anywho, here’s today’s song. Please enjoy.
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I first wanted to learn the drums when I was in church. It was the Christmas Eve surface and the church had employed a young lad to play some drums during the songs. Now I’d never heard drums in church before and on this night I realised the power of drums to elevate a song. I wanted to learn drums after that night.
This is one of my favourite Christmas songs and so I’m really glad I managed to record, in my opinion, the best cover yet. Please enjoy.
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