Greg Mitchell has authored more than a dozen books (see most of them here) and directed four recent PBS films, including the current “The Atomic Bowl.” Long ago he was the longtime Senior Editor at the legendary Crawdaddy. Subscribing to this newsletter is still FREE—so if you want to help fund, maybe purchase one of those books, thanks. Or recommend this Substack to a friend!
Sorry to say, my prediction, going back many weeks, that the heralded Epstein File Release would offer little new—due to Trump cabal redactions, delay and suppression—proved true. Amazed that so many surprised and disappointed. Bill Clinton in a hot tub. Hubba Bubba.
On the other hand, Heather Cox Richardson:
Former senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), who as the 2012 Republican presidential nominee talked to supporters about “makers” and “takers” in an embrace of the economic ideology of the Reagan years, published an op-ed in the New York Times today that appeared to acknowledge the political ideology of the past forty-five years has failed. He called for addressing the economic inequalities in the United States by placing higher taxes on the rich, people like him.
Bari Weiss is so pathetic leading CBS into the pits that perhaps she will not last long as the new news chief. Her first “town hall” with Erika Kirk flopped and now she has a new one, but look and see if the image on the promo graphic looks familiar. Yes, it’s a well known photo not exactly apt for the subject, as it shows teenage girls screaming for the Beatles at the airport on their arrival in NYC in 1964.
Okay, now we will launch our annual “favorite Christmas (rock and soul) songs” feature, seeking contributions from readers, some of which we will post with your name provided. So that we don’t get mainly re-treads, here is a list of most of the songs picked in the past. You can submit your selection in the Comments section, or in an email or message to me.
Otis Redding, “Merry Christmas Baby,” Louis Armstrong, “Christmas in New Orleans,” The Wailers, “Sound the Trumpet, ” Albert King, “Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin,” Clarence Carter, “Back Door Santa,” Robert Earl Keen, “Merry Christmas From the Family.”
The Eurythmics, “Winter Wonderland,” The Band, “Christmas Must Be Tonight,” The Pretenders, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” Leonard Cohen, “Silent Night,” The Kinks, “Father Christmas,’ Dwight Twilley, “Christmas Night,” Tom Petty, “Christmas All Over Again,” Sam Phillips, “Cold Dark Night.”
Chuck Berry, “Run Rudolph Run,” Mike Finnigan, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” Sheryl Crow, “Merry Christmas, Baby,” Ringo, “Come on Christmas, Come On,” The Mockers, “When Christmas Is In Your Heart,” Steve Earle, “Christmas in Washington.”
Two by John Prine here, :”Christmas in Prison” and “Silent Night All Day Long.”
A little-known beauty from Steve Earle, “Nothing But a Child.”
From Tunes to Toons
Bramhall:
Telnaes:
Handelsman:
Matson:
Bramhall again:
Photo Finish
From my camera to you, “The Gates, Central Park.”
Lists of Christmas songs can go on indefinitely. I have some likely and unlikely ones.
I Believe in Father Christmas by Emerson Lake and Palmer, with that lovely Troika riff framing the song.
A Christmas Song by Jethro Tull.
Drive the Cold Winter Away by Horslips.
John Fahey’s Christmas Album.
Little Drummer Boy/ Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne by Jimi Hendrix.
While not specifically a Christmas song, Aspirations by Gentle Giant works.
And of course, any and all Nat King Cole Christmas songs.
I realize I’m dating myself with this list, but hey, someone’s got to date me!
What? No John Lennon?