Event Recap Chat with Aaron Henton of Merry & Bright Blog

[Aaron Henton]

Retro music: mainly thrift stores and record stores. There has been a major resurgence in record stores in the past few years, so there are more places to go now. Most of them keep their Christmas stock in the back room until November, but will bring it out if asked.

 

[Jeff Westover]

@sugar142286 mentioned Silent Night as a personal favorite song. Do you have one?

 

[Aaron Henton]

The online forums like FaLaLaLaLa.com are great for information about vintage artists.

 

[Jeff Westover]

FaLaLaLaLa Fireside

Exploring classic Christmas music from the vinyl era and beyond.

fireside.falalalala.com

 

[Aaron Henton]

Favorite song: I probably answer that differently every time I'm asked Today's answer is "Christmas Must Be Tonight" by The Band. Followed closely by Bing's "White Christmas".

 

[Aaron Henton]

Or maybe it's "Christmas Lullaby" by Cary Grant.

 

[GWarren]

Do you have a favourite Bing Christmas television special?

 

[Jeff Westover]

 

[Aaron Henton]

There's one I have on DVD from the early '70s that is really great. His daughter Mary was in her early teens, if that helps date it. I love the '77 one with David Bowie too, but there are some rough edges to that one.

 

[Jeff Westover]

 

[Aaron Henton]

Yeah Jeff! That Cary Grant song is nearly perfect.

 

[Jeff Westover]

I never knew Cary Grant did ANY music, let alone Christmas

 

[Jeff Westover]

I love being surprised like that, thank you!

 

[DecemberisComing]

I didn't realize Cary Grant sang either!

 

[Jeff Westover]

(This is why we call him an expert, folks. Don't try this at home)

 

[Aaron Henton]

I think he did this and the B-side, and that's all. This is really a song for his daughter. Seems like he recorded it right around the time he retired from films.

 

[Jeff Westover]

I'm sure there's a story to be told there.

 

[Jeff Westover]

Folks, I gotta bow out....Aaron, thanks so much...! Please feel free to continue without me.

 

[Aaron Henton]

Oh! Let me mention another favorite. "The Cat Carol" by Meryn Cadell. It's the saddest Christmas song ever. Really.

 

[Meceka]

Thank you, Jeff!