Got a Christmas gig- need suggestions for songs

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 21 Oct 2003 8:50 am

I have to play at a Christmas party and need about 30 songs for the occasion. I know a few Christmas tunes, but not that many.

Any suggestions?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 21 Oct 2003 9:25 am

Hmmm... hiring Perlowin for a Christmas gig... What were they thinking?

Anyway, do you want the "usual fare" or do you want the unusual, off-the-wall fare?

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 21 Oct 2003 10:21 am

Mike, you might consider getting Paul Franklin's Christmas CD. He produced it and was completely free of commercial studio control. It really shows him at his best with a tone of his choice. My favourite is "We Three Kings".[This message was edited by Andy Greatrix on 21 October 2003 at 11:25 AM.]

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 21 Oct 2003 11:33 am

Hmmm... hiring Perlowin for a Christmas gig... What were they thinking?

Hey, Sen. Joe Lieberman has been hired to play Santa Claus for the party.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 21 Oct 2003 12:33 pm

...Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Father Christmas"...or "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer"...depends on the crowd...

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 21 Oct 2003 2:32 pm

The crowd is mnostl a bunch of people in thier 60's and 70's, I got the gig because I know one of them I will be playing lead rather than steel, along with another guitarist, in a program of dinner jazz style duets.

We will be playing a lot of conventional tunes like Rudolph, Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride etc. I'll probably use my hollow body guitar for the occasion.

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 21 Oct 2003 2:38 pm

Happy Christmas War is Over -- John & Yoko

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Terry Edwards
Fessy D-10; Nash 1000
Martin D-21; Flatiron F-5

[This message was edited by Terry Edwards on 21 October 2003 at 03:38 PM.]

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 21 Oct 2003 2:53 pm

My only thought, if playing classic Christmas songs, is never to wind into one off by request without having practiced it a few times. Some of those Christmas songs are real compositions... complete with twists and turns.
I work with one band that falls for that every year. On the spur of the moment they break into "Winter Wonderland", or something, then there's an apolcalyptic trainwreck in the bridge. I'm supposing they'll do it again this year.

The non-religious Christmas related song I got the biggest kick outta playing last year was "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."
Swingin' tune.
-John

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 21 Oct 2003 2:56 pm

How about something weird like
I'll be Home For Christmas
The Christmas Song
Let it Snow
These are great tunes and I always wait too late to learn the ones I want to do. This year I'll have at least two more. Playing for a Christmas party is one of the most fun gigs of the year for me. Why not learn something really cool?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 21 Oct 2003 3:45 pm

Let's see, I used to do these 'way back when...

White Christmas
Blue Christmas
Jingle Bell Rock
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Silent Night
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Jingle Bells
Scarlet Ribbons
Oh Tannenbaum
Sleigh Ride
The First Noel
Suzy Snowflake
We Three Kings
I'll Be Home For Christmas
Away In A Manger
Deck The Halls
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Oh Holy Night
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

...and probably a few more I can't recall!

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 21 Oct 2003 4:03 pm

As a simpleton who only understands 4/4 country shuffles and heartbreak 1-4-5 ballads, I would consider myself inadequate to suggest to such an all-comprehensive musician as Mr. Perlowin ANY addition to his Christmas reportoire. ESPECIALLY when he's gonna be playing his hollow bodied git-tar.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 21 Oct 2003 4:35 pm

Mike. I don't recall ever doing a christmas party where every song was a christmas tune. Unless it's a specific clause of the gig, I would think it ok to play other songs as well.

By the way folks, I've played that hollow body guitar on gig. It's a fine ax, tho it tends to feed back when you get a little frisky with the volume.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 21 Oct 2003 4:39 pm

Thanks guys. Especially you Donny. This is really helping.

Harry Williams · Post by **Harry Williams** » 21 Oct 2003 5:18 pm

"Frosty" is one of my perennial fav's - charming, great chords and lyrics. For something less secular, try "Coventry Carol" it would sound great on the PSG.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 21 Oct 2003 6:18 pm

Mike, have you ever heard my recording with Beats Walkin' of "I'm Gettin' Nuthin' for Christmas"? It's right up your alley...

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 21 Oct 2003 7:30 pm

Mike...one of my jazzier faves is "Christmas Time is Here" by Vince Giraldi from the "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown" movie. If you need a midi file, email me. I heard a wild version of it recently by Steve Vai also.[This message was edited by Rick Schmidt on 21 October 2003 at 08:32 PM.]

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 21 Oct 2003 8:23 pm

Hi Mike, Try to find a copy of Buddy's Sounds of Christmas CD. Good selection. Best regards, Jody.

Shaan Shirazi · Post by **Shaan Shirazi** » 22 Oct 2003 5:12 am

I just started my Buddy Emmons Christmas Lessons last night, hopefully I can have four or five songs playable by December.

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The Pickin' Paniolo

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 22 Oct 2003 8:00 am

Don't forget Jerry Byrd's Christmas in Hawaii ...

Christmas Island & Mele Kalikimaka are good choices for a steel guitar Christmas set.

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www.horseshoemagnets.com

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 22 Oct 2003 10:19 am

a bunch of people in thier 60's and 70's

"Grandma got run over by a Reindeer".......

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 22 Oct 2003 1:19 pm

Oh yeah...forgot. That Karen Carpenter song (I Wish You Merry Christmas?) is a good one too, and it has a ton of good chords!

I've also got a Marsalis "jazz version" of "Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairies" on CD that's 'way cool!*

*(I trying not to sound like an old geezer!)

Mike---send me your address and I'll send you a video of some christmas guitar---classical style, but pretty cool stuff, too![This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 22 October 2003 at 02:21 PM.]

Dale Bessant · Post by **Dale Bessant** » 22 Oct 2003 2:11 pm

Buck Owens.....Santa looked a lot like Daddy...good ol'country Xmas tune...

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 22 Oct 2003 3:45 pm

Just get a Christmas fake book and read them, Mike. Click here.

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 22 Oct 2003 3:47 pm

0r here

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 22 Oct 2003 4:33 pm

First, I want to thank everybody for their suggestions, and a special thanks to Donny.

Bobby, thank you too. The link you supplied contained the book's table of contents with 189 songs listed. I've yet to examint it closey, but I'm sure I'll find all I need there.

There is no need to keep this thread open any longer, and you can close it at any time.