Archive  Blog  Book  Contact
Book Cover Image Book Cover Image

Support Kingsley's Books. Touch the covers. See Inside. Thanks!

  •

    0 Hip Hoppin' Christmas

    I'm sure that the love of Christmas music is a personal choice for you. We all have our favorite artists, songs, and styles. But sometimes, we just want to treasure the festive joy of the season. My tastes run from traditional to contemporary. I have Christmas mixes featuring all instrumentals, mostly ballads, primarily old-school, you name it! Every year, I add new songs. Our Christmas Music - Holiday Songs list does not include some of the recent adds, but you should still check it out. You'll see what we played exclusively on the non-commercial Live365 Powerhouse Radio online stream during the 12 days of Christmas in years past. We don't do the stream anymore. Christmas Party Music For 2025, I decided to digitize an all-new Hip Hoppin' Christmas playlist. It's one hour, sixteen minute long. I'll always balance things out, so I do slip in a few traditional tracks. Here it is in order. The mixed master MP3 was produced in radio style. "Nutmeg" - John Legend "Me & Mrs. Claus" - Bob Rivers ("A.T." Tunson on vocal) "Cooler Than Santa Claus" - Morris Day "N Yo City" - Bootsy Collins "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" - DMX (tempo separator) - Mariah Carey holiday greeting "O Holy Night" - Mariah Carey "World Christmas" - R. Kelly "Do You Hear What I Hear" - Destiny's Child "Wonderful Christmastime" - Kelly Rowland "Joy to The World" - Earth, Wind & Fire "O Come All Ye Faithful" - The Gospel Christmas Project "Christmas in Hollis" - Run-DMC (tempo separator) - En Vogue holiday greeting "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - En Vogue "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" - En Vogue "Home for The Holidays" - Kool & The Gang "Winter Wonderland" - Kool & The Gang "Christmas Rappin'" - Kurtis Blow "Here Comes Santa Claus" - Rupaul "Hang Up Your Stocking" - Chipmunks "Chipmunks Song" - The Clark Sisters (tempo separator) - generic holiday greeting "Let It Snow" - Oleta Adams "Feliz Navidad" (live version) - Celine Dion "Nutcracker" - Berlin Philharmonic (hip hop remix) Seasons greetings, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you. If you like my ugly sweatshirt, discover more info at our sister website in the Quikthinking Software Shop! This sweatshirt is only available during the Christmas season. In January, it's gone. Previous Post | Next Post

  •

    0 Morris Day: Cooler Than Santa Claus

    So a few years back, Morris Day said he was coming for Mariah Carey's #1 spot when "Cooler Than Santa Claus" was dropped into the marketplace. What's great about Christmas for music artists? Every year, they get another chance to find new listener-fans for their traditional or contemporary holiday songs. Who Is Morris Day? Morris, with The Time (Jesse Johnson, Jimmy "Jam" Harris, Monte Moir, Terry Lewis, Jellybean Johnson, and later Paul Peterson had plenty of hits. Jerome Benton was eventually added to the crew. Prince and his estate once restricted use of the group name "The Time" after he passed. Prince owned the name. This appears to have been rectified. In 2019, sitting in perfect seats, I had a chance to see Morris Day with Sheila E. See the second video below that I shot during their show. Since Christmas is not really about Santa and presents, I'm including something traditional by Aretha Franklin. Aretha signed her CD "This Christmas" for me at Borders Books and Music in Washington, DC (2008). You'll see an unsigned version. Here's a quick audio segment of "Cooler Than Santa Claus." Your browser does not support the audio element. Now, watch the official "Cooler Than Santa Claus" video. Dance, and smile your way through the holiday season! In Atlantic City, NJ     A Traditional from Aretha Listen to a touch of "Ave Maria" by Aretha Franklin. Your browser does not support the audio element. Discover my review of the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas. One author profiled 31 of them. They are classics. You know them all. I analyze. Have a wonderful holiday season! Bonus. Enjoy this 5 minute Christmas Cover-art delight I did with music.   Previous Post | Next Post

  •

    0 8 Christmas Rebound Memories

    We've shared so much about Christmas music and the artists. How about taking a look back at the abundance of yuletide riches. So far, there are thirty-five Christmas updates in the archive. Here are 8 that you can enjoy again. To see all 35, touch "Categories" next to the little house, then select "Christmas!" Christmas Classic Soul Crooners Merry Christmas II You is New from Mariah Carey James Brown Christmas The Flamingos Flock to the Christmas Song (plus interview) Candy Cane Christmas from Darius Rucker Howard Hewett Christmas Wynton Marsalis Christmas Jazz Jam a Gem Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas   Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas is my short review of this book. Previous Post | Next Post

  •

    0 Christmas Classic Soul Crooners

    Every December Powerhouse Radio connects with and plays a unique collection of non-stop commercial free holiday music for about a week leading into Christmas. Here's a short 30 second video with just a tiny selection of artists. See our complete Powerhouse Radio holiday playlist in our archive. Enjoy! Previous Post | Next Post

  •

    0 Earth, Wind & Fire's Holiday

    For Earth, Wind & Fire lovers, lead singer Philip Bailey's new 2014 autobiography, and EWF's hot new Christmas album Holiday http://amzn.to/14HUnxb are here and available at Amazon. Previous Post | Next Post

  •

    0 Merry Christmas II You Is New from Mariah Carey

    Mariah Carey is in perfect voice for her second Christmas album release and 2010 follow-up to 1994's Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas II You opens with a short, fully orchestrated instrumental ode to "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," segueing directly into the new "Oh Santa." Bouncy, bubbly, and bold, the album opener "Oh Santa" tips the hat to Toni Basil's 1981 cheerleader anthem "Mickey" using a catchy hook to drive the song along. "O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy Medley" is a great showcase for the melodramatic phrasing of Ms. Mariah, who hits this song-pairing out of the park. It's well arranged, creative, and solidly delivered. "Christmas Time Is In The Air Again" sparkles as a pop standard slow arrangement that you might expect from a Sarah Vaughan or Carmen McCrae. A Classy impression from Carey that floats on air. "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)/Housetop Celebration," with the help of a bass line inspired by Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" puts a party face on this happy track. I was blown away by the operatic interlude in "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" featuring Patricia Carey. 3 New Mariah Carey Christmas songs are included in this release, as are 8 traditional holiday songs. The contemporary remix of "Auld Lang Syne" rocks 'house music style.' Fans young, old, and new will certainly enjoy this classy collection. Merry Christmas II You is a rare holiday combination of great songs, top notch arrangements, diverse material, and Mariah Carey, who finally displays her gifted sonic range through nuanced maturity rather than reverting to showy vocal gymnastics as used in the past. When I saw this album was going to be released, I was skeptical. Now that I've heard it, shame on me! Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas II You is excellent. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Intro" "Oh Santa" "O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy Medley" "Christmas Time Is In The Air Again" "The First Noel/Born Is the King Interlude" "When Christmas Comes" "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)/Housetop Celebration" "Charlie Brown Christmas" "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" "O Holy Night" "One Child" "All I Want For Christmas Is You" - Extra Festive "Auld Lang Syne" - The New Year's Anthem Listen to 30 seconds of Mariah Carey's "Auld Lang Syne" - The New Year's Anthem. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

  •

    0 James Brown Christmas

    This December 25th marks the 3rd year since the passing of James Brown on Christmas Day, 2006. The Godfather of Soul believed in the spirit of the holiday. In 1966, he released the album: James Brown & His Fabulous Flames Sing Christmas Songs. Another Christmas collection, A Soulful Christmas, was distributed in 1968. 1994 saw the compilation James Brown Christmas. In 1999, another much weaker collection was released: The Merry Christmas Album. Without compromise, James Brown stuck to his own style on holiday tunes. Here is one interesting exception. Listen to 50 seconds of "The Christmas Song" from James Brown Christmas. You'll have a chuckle at the string arrangements which are out of character for Soul Brother #1. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

  •

    0 Earth, Wind & Fire Cleveland Christmas Karaoke

    "Get Your Hump on this Christmas," a new 2009 'Stoolbend Virginia' holiday hit, features Fox TV cartoon character Cleveland Brown. Cleveland sings the track along with the dynamic instrumental and harmonic backing of Earth, Wind & Fire. "Get Your Hump on this Christmas" is funky, proving once again that if you can dance to it, good taste gets kicked right out of the lyric window. Who listens to the words anymore anyway? You can add this song to other infamous novelty holiday fare. At least Earth, Wind & Fire can proudly boast that they share the billing on this fun Christmas song (but will they want to)? Here are some group members, along with Cleveland. The mp3 single is available at iTunes. Powerhouse Radio's holiday music special begins Thursday, December 17 and will continue through Saturday, December 26. Yes, we'll play this one too, along with many of your favorite holiday classics. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 30 seconds of "Get Your Hump on this Christmas." Previous Post | Next Post

  •

    0 The Christmas Song Video Treat

    As mentioned a week ago when we featured just The Christmas Song audio, "The Christmas Song" by the legendary Flamingos featuring Terry Johnson is a delightful new treat. Read my 2006 interview on PowerhouseRadio.com via the "Flamingos featuring Terry Johnson" link above. Enjoy 90 seconds plus of the promotional video below. Thank you Terry Johnson and company! In the video Terry is wearing the white shirt. Previous Post | Next Post

  •

    0 The Flamingos Flock to the Christmas Song

    The Flamingos featuring Terry Johnson have just released a classy 2009 rendering of "The Christmas Song." You'll like this 'retro harmony' version from these doo wop legends who are in both the Vocal Group and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It's been a long time since their iconic smash, "I Only Have Eyes for You," hit the charts in the late 1950s. "The Christmas Song" is Terry Johnson's first Flamingos release since 1962 and is The Flamingos' first-ever holiday recording. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 30 seconds of "The Christmas Song," and visit Terry Johnson's website featuring: The Flamingos. Bonus: Don't miss my 2006 interview: "Baltimore Flamingo Terry Johnson Soars to the Sky." Previous Post | Next Post

Christmas - PowerHouse Radio Blog
Home | Archive | Blog | Picture Sleeves | Airchecks | Contact | About