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The 12 Blogs of Christmas: Five. Christmas Music.
Well, I thought yesterday's 'answer every Tweet' day went well, and thanks very much if you participated. I was expecting to look up from doing something else and answer one tweet every couple of minutes, but it turned out to be a full time job. I think I answered around 400 questions. Unfortunately, around 3pm, I realised that for the last half hour or so, the status update on display had stayed the same. Then I noted, about fifty replies later than I should have, that a warning was popping up on the header, saying that I'd exceeded my update limit. (You can see how fixated on that screen I'd got.) Twitter had started to regard me as a spammer, and locked me out. I'm really sorry if you missed out on getting your question answered. I'll gradually answer some of the remaining questions over the next couple of weeks. I was bowled over by how nice, funny, intelligent and creative everyone was. There was one exception, someone who didn't take kindly to me saying I wouldn't co-write with him. Which led to Tom Brevoort being very lovely, and Andy Diggle, Tony Lee, etc., then hanging around complaining about how 'rude' I'd been to them, their pets, and the horses they rode in on. I've rarely felt so warmed and protected by my fellow comic writers, and I absolutely loved chattering away to the audience like that. But next time, let's just do it for just an hour or two and not upset Twitter!
One everyday happening: there's a new interview with me in CBR's X-Position series, talking about the Dark X-Men and my other Marvel work here.
That's David Tennant Monkey. You'd have to ask her why. And why the waistcoat. But I think he's a lovely little chap.
'Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa, Santa Claus!' Now, I must be off: today we're travelling North, to see something I've written, that I must not talk about, being filmed. I'll see if I can sneak some pictures, but it may be a long time before you lot can see them. Tomorrow, we'll be hearing what a bunch of people from the worlds of SF, comics and Doctor Who are doing for Christmas. Until then, Cheerio!
So, to today's business. Firstly, good morning Laurie Pink...
That's David Tennant Monkey. You'd have to ask her why. And why the waistcoat. But I think he's a lovely little chap.
Today's blog is a sampler of Christmas music from various places and various friends of the blog. First up, here: Cornell's Christmas List is my Spotify Christmas playlist. Spotify is a free music service that's entirely legal, and pays royalties to the artists involved. I've used it to plonk together ten of my favourite Christmas tracks. I dare you not to declare, in a big 1970s announcer voice 'Christmas on BBC1!' during 'Troika' or 'In Dulce Jubilo'. As you may know by now, 'Oh Little Town of Bethlehem' is my favourite. And I l0ve The Killers and Saint Etienne. I also like Wham's 'Last Christmas' and 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day' mind you, but there's such a thing as not doing the obvious. And no, they didn't have the Kate Bush one. The one that she rather wonderfully...
Introduces there for Radio One! 'Come see John Peel eating his pudding' indeed!
Carla Ulbrich is the very fun filk singer I met at FenCon this year, who kindly provided us with two Christmas songs in the shape of the following, 'Let It Go' and 'The Nth Day of Christmas' which celebrate the season in respectively angry and mathematical style. Thank you, Carla!
Golau Glau are my new favourite UK electronica act, and are getting a lot of attention in the media. Why not add to their following by popping along and listening to, as kindly provided by the band, their seasonal piece of techno-folk, 'Foolstide'?
Mitch Benn, of course, needs no introduction, being the star of Radio 4, the comedy circuit, and a homecoming gig at Eastercon the other year. I've only really got to know him this year, and I must say he's a lovely man as well as a great performer. He's sent us this:
Thanks very much, Mr. B.
Mitch Benn, of course, needs no introduction, being the star of Radio 4, the comedy circuit, and a homecoming gig at Eastercon the other year. I've only really got to know him this year, and I must say he's a lovely man as well as a great performer. He's sent us this:
Thanks very much, Mr. B.
From my home town, I'd like to include now, a bit of serious choral foot to the pedal: the Faringdon Singers together with Sing Faringdon, playing to standing room only the other day, giving it a spot of the old Hallelujah Chorus:
And finally, never mind The X-Factor or Rage Against The Machine, here's what should be Number One this Christmas. One listen and you'll be singing it all day. And wondering why that man is making such a desperate attempt to escape from Bob Dylan's house...
'Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa, Santa Claus!' Now, I must be off: today we're travelling North, to see something I've written, that I must not talk about, being filmed. I'll see if I can sneak some pictures, but it may be a long time before you lot can see them. Tomorrow, we'll be hearing what a bunch of people from the worlds of SF, comics and Doctor Who are doing for Christmas. Until then, Cheerio!
Labels:
Bob Dylan,
Carla Ulbrich,
Dark X-Men,
Doctor Who,
Golau Glau,
Kate Bush,
Mitch Benn,
Music in Faringdon
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I curse my employers for blocking audio streaming! Will have to have listen later on...
The Twitter-thon was great, fun Paul. Thanks so much for getting that up and running. The fact that you went over your allotted Tweet quota for the day should be seen as a positive thing.
And I have to say that Tony Lee's originating of the #RudepaulCornell hashtag was greatly amusing to read. All in the best possible humour of course! ;D
You got to love Tony Lee. Interviewed him earlier this year and he had me smiling and chuckling throughout most of it. Great guy and among my favourite comics writers.
Paul heres my top ten Christmas Songs in reverse order.
10. I wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
9. Fairy Tale Of New York (The Pogues Version)
8. Driving Home For Christmas
7. Queen - Thank God Its Christmas
6. The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole)
5. Santa Clause Is On The Dole (Spitting Image)
4. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth (Danny Kaye)
3. Step Into Christmas (Elton John)
2. Little Drummer Boy (Bing Crosby & David Bowie
1. White Christmas (Bing Crosby)
Yes, all very sickly sweet and tacky. With exception of Spitting Image. But its the one time or year I let myself get away with it.
Favorite Carols are: Carol Of The Bells and Oh Come All Ye Faithful.
Paul, I'd love to read more about the Dark X-men after the mini is over.
I figured since Dark Reign end shortly, what about making the team the new Freedom Force?
They could be O.N.E. agents. If you like the idea, please pitch this to Marvel X)
Mr.Sword: I had a really good time. Thanks for those, Ian. Anyone else? Anon: we'll all have to see how the future works out!
No room for the Coventry Carol? I'm shocked. It isn't Christmas without it in my household.
What about New X-men?
I'd love to see what you and Kirk can do with them.
You're right, DavidM, I love it too. Anon: thanks, I'd really like to, but there's no vacancy.