James' Top 10s - Christmas Songs

 I've got to be honest, Christmas Songs aren't my favourite genre of music. That's mostly because by the time the big day arrives, I've been hearing them for nearly two months.

But fortunately, this year, because our social distancing and lockdowns, I've not been out and about so much, and therefore, don't feel as though I've had them shoved down my throat so much.

And in sitting down to work out my Top 10, I've noticed that I like a lot more than I think I did.

And so, after consideration, I've compiled my Top 10 favourites. They quite likely won't be yours. Som may, but some won't.

What's surprised me is that there are none later than 1964. No Slade, No Mud, No Wizzard....

So here is my Top 10 Christmas Songs.

10 Perry Como & he Fontaine Sisters - It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

If you can't see the video, click here

9 Burl Ives - Holly, Jolly Christmas

If you can't see the video, click here

8 Lou Monte - Dominick The Donkey

If you can't see the video, click here

7 Eartha Kitt - Santa Baby

If you can't see the video, click here

6 Max Bygraves - Jingle Bell Rock

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5 The Ronnettes - Sleigh Ride

If you can't see the video, click here

4 Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick

If you can't see the video, click here

3 Darlene Love - Winter Wonderland

If you can't see the video, click here

2 Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song

If you can't see the video, click here

1 Frank Sinatra - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

If you can't see the video, click here

I hope you enjoyed my choices. Let me know below what are your favourites.

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The problem with comparing yourself to others.

Sometimes, I look around at other people who are doing  what I do and realise that I’m nowhere close to so many of them in terms of talent.

Some, I’m better at what I do (at least I think, in terms of work quality), but they’re still more successful than I am.

And it can lead to hours of overthinking and beating myself up. Often asking the question, “What am I doing wrong?”

I’m beginning to believe that doing that never helps. All it seems to do is make things harder. It doesn’t aid creativity, it doesn’t aid confidence.

I was intrigued to read something the other day that made me think. I subscribe to writer James Clear’s* weekly newsletter and in it this week he was talking about this very subject. And he quoted Martha Graham, one of the most important dance choreographers of the 20^th Century,

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of the time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”

As James went on to expand, “Martha Graham’s advice takes this concept a step further by explaining that not only are you a bad judge of your own work, it is not your job to judge your own work. It is not your place to compare it to others. It is not your responsibility to figure out how valuable it is or how useful it can be. It is not your job to tell yourself, “No.”

Instead, your responsibility is to create. Your job is share what you have to offer from where you are right now.”

And it certainly made sense to me. Instead of beating myself up, it makes sense to just get involved in what I’m doing and enjoy the process.

I’m sure that then, the resultant work will be better because instead of second-guessing each step, trying to make sure I’m better than someone else, I can enjoy what I’m doing for its own sake, resulting in less stress.

I think that then, there will be an automatic improvement in what I do.

It reminds me that perhaps it’s time to once again pick up the book, ‘What To Say When You Talk To Yourself’ and follow some of it’s lessons.

After all, I talk to myself pretty much all day, as does everyone else. Each thought, each time I beat myself up when I tell myself I can’t, it just takes another little slither of self-confidence, which though it may not seem much at the time, will, over time, end up causing me to have so little self-confidence that I won’t try anything.

Luckily, I’m like a terrier. I keep snapping at the ankles of my situations and hate to give in. But the negativity keeps coming back.

And it’s why I read self-improvement books. They’re like a little boost of positivity that I can take whenever I need it.

It’s why I subscribe to newsletters of people that are moving on in life. I like to hear what they have to say.

We’re surrounded by negativity all the time. Just browsing Social Media will show you that. And it’s even worse when it’s us telling ourselves we can’t do something. When we’re beating ourselves over the head with defeatism.

It’s why I often delete people from Social Media; it’s why I constantly take a break from people. What's the point in enduring pessimism?

And when I read a positive book, it gives me the opportunity to take a break from me and listen to someone sharing their perspective on success. Not just of business, but in relationships too.

I was lucky to be raised and surrounded by people of good morals as I was growing up. Sadly, most of them have passed on and I find a lot of that same support in a book, or in a newsletter.

Don’t get me wrong, it may have taken a long time, but it took me until I was in my 50s before I realised that I like the person I’ve become. However, I am still a work in progress.

And I’ll leave you with this thought. 

If you are thinking to yourself, “Ah, but James, you’re no better off than me. You’re nothing to shout about.” Just imagine where I’d be if I didn’t get the input I get when I’m reading the positivity. Things could be a whole lot worse.

* You can find more about James Clear at JamesClear.com

 

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The Music of My Life #12

It's 1980, I am 20 years old. In my car, I've got UB40s 'Signing Off' album, the new Diana Ross album produced by the guys from Chic, and all manner of cool and trendy stuff as befitting someone of my age and standing,

But hidden under my front seat, is a cassette of this, Barry Manilow's 'Manilow Magic'. When I'm not with anyone, this comes out of hiding and into the player.

I'm a sucker for good songs sung well, and this album has that in spades. From 'Looks Like We Made It', to 'Trying To Get The Feeling Again' and my favourite 'Weekend In New England'. Oh yeah...'Copacabana' is there as well.

And looking back now, I wish I'd have been upfront about it. This album is just stunning. I loved it then and still do.

Like I've said before, my musical tastes really are diverse,

If the video doesn't play, click here

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The Burning House and what I'd take

I bought a book a few years ago. which has caused me to evaluate what’s important to me in my life. It’s called ‘The Burning House’ and the premise is that your house is burning. You have to get out fast. Suddenly you are forced to prioritize, editing down a lifetime of possessions to a mere handful. Now you must decide: Of all the things you own, what is most important to you?

So are the things that are important to your life practical, valuable or sentimental. This is what separates us as individuals and makes us the people we are.

At first, I started to think about what I’d hate to lose in my life. Well, all my music for starters. I’ve been collecting for as long as I can remember. I’d be in a terrible mess if I still had all the vinyl I’d bought over the years. Luckily, back in 2002, I started to convert all my records and CDs into mp3 format.

I now have all my music on hard drives, well on one hard drive and two back up hard drives. There is also my playout computer system that has 46,000 songs that I can choose from for my radio shows. These songs are backed up onto 298 mp3 CDs as back up. So basically, It’s all comfortably backed up and can all be accessed from one of 3 hard drives.

Photos play an important part of my life as I’m a nostalgic kind of guy. I have all my photos on CDs and hard drives. All my pre-digital photos have been scanned and they are also on a hard drive. When my Mum and Dad died, I took possession of three suitcases full of their old photos. These photos have played such an important part of my life. When I used to visit my parents, we’d often get the photos out and my Mum would tell me about the people on the photos. They were a part of the history of my family and their friends.

I’ve managed to scan those as well and have them backed up - one of my sons has a back up as well.

Books would be another area where I’d struggle. I’ve thought about that, and at a push, I could leave all of them because the favourite books could all be bought again.

I’m not really someone who values possessions too much, I could pretty much sell 99% of the stuff I have and replace with new.

So it comes down to what is irreplaceable – priceless – the stuff that it would break my heart to lose. When it comes down to it, what would I want to make sure I got on my way out of the door?

Well, the most important things to me, are probably worth very little on the open market, but they probably say more about me than anything else I own.

The most important possessions I have are four reel to reel tapes that belonged to my Dad. On these tapes are basically the songs and tunes that made me the music lover that I became so early in my life and continue to be today.

So what’s on them? Well, my Godfather owned a record shop, and my Dad used to borrow all the chart hits of the time, take them home and record them (A& B sides). The music on these tapes comes from the chart period of 1958 to 1960. I’m sure he had more tapes, but over the years they disappeared (although I don’t remember there being any more).

Besides all the singles, there’s one tape that has a very early Bill Haley LP on one side and a Gene Vincent LP on the other side. The Bill Haley LP has songs dating back to 1953 on it, the Gene Vincent LP is from 1957. I've pretty much spent most of my life collecting the songs on these tapes.

The tapes are all still playable, but the music has degraded over the 50+ years since Dad recorded them.

It’s funny, I’d never really thought about it before, but now it seems to me that 2 hard drives and four reel to reel tapes could contain the goods and chattels of my life that are important.

Before I go, I just want to say that I’m talking about the things of my life, not the people!

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Make someone happy...give 'em a call!

 

It’s amazing how something as simple as a phone call can cheer you up.

Last week, I got a phone call from a friend that I’d lost contact with. The last time I saw him was at a funeral some years back.

When my phone rang last night, I was concerned that something was wrong as I haven’t spoken to him for at least 6-7 years.

So imagine my surprise when he said he saw my name and hadn’t spoken to me for a while so he thought he would.

It was lovely to shoot the breeze with him and really good to catch up. I found out all about his family and what they’re up to. I told him my news.

And at the end of it, I felt lifted.

Here’s the thing though – we don’t have each other’s phone numbers anymore. What he did was find me on Facebook and use the messenger to phone me.

I’ll tell you this. Sometimes that’s all you need to do. Just say hello and chat for 10 minutes.

You’ll be amazed by how much I appreciated that. Thanks John!

With that in mind, and with Christmas upon us,  and with many of us spending time away from friends and family this year, it seems like a good time to be making that call to someone who you haven't spoken to recently.

It could be an unexpected gift for them!

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James' Top 10s - Must Watch Movies

 

There are plenty of fantastic movies to watch. 

For me, however, they tend to be old ones. I was brought up watching films late at night with my Mum or sat in front of the telly with my family in the Winter.

I could easily share a list of films that come from way back when, but I'm delving into my DVD collection to pick 10 great films.

They are quite different but all are worthy of watching and with Christmas just around the corner, this is a good time to settle in.  I most definitely will.

You may notice, that most of them are feel-good movies.

10) The Dish

New South Wales, 1969. Australia's largest satellite dish has been given the task of tracking the Apollo 11 moon mission across the southern hemisphere and of transmitting the all-important television pictures of the landing itself. 

The local townspeople are proud to be part of such a momentous event and are eagerly preparing for a visit from the US ambassador. 

Meanwhile, at the dish control station, workers Cliff, Glen and Mitch greet NASA employee Al, who has come to help out. But then, during a party held in the ambassador's honour, a power cut causes the dish to lose contact with Apollo 11. 

Will they be able to sort the problem out in time for the landing, or are they about to fluff up their big moment?

9) A Knight's Tale

The 14th Century takes on a new look in A Knight's Tale, an exciting, action-packed comedic adventure. Starring Heath Ledger, with hilarious performances from Mark Addy. Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk and introducing Shannyn Sossamon.

Heath Ledger is William Thatcher, a peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a knight and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing that stands between William and his dream of becoming the world champion is the bad boy of the sport, Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell).

Packed with action, comedy, romance and treachery and with a sensational soundtrack including music from Robbie Williams and Queen, this action-packed comedic adventure of medieval gallantry.

8) Blazing Saddles

Cleavon Little plays an escaped black convict who ends up being given the poison chalice job of the new Rockridge Sheriff by scheming railroad developer and politician Hedley LaMarr (Harvey Korman). 

Notionally sent in to protect the ungrateful Rockridge community from marauding gangs, his only ally turns out to be alcoholic former gunslinger The Waco Kid (Gene Wilder). 

Though initially expressing racial prejudice the townsfolk eventually adopt the Sheriff to help them outwit Hedley LaMarr, deciding to construct an exact replica of their town to fool the invading posse. The film descends into postmodern chaos as the action spills out of the film set into wider Hollywood.

7) Memento

An absolute stunner of a movie, Memento combines a bold, mind-bending script with compelling action and virtuoso performances. 

Guy Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, hunting down the man who raped and murdered his wife. The problem is that "the incident" that robbed Leonard of his wife also stole his ability to make new memories. 

Unable to retain a location, a face, or a new clue on his own, Leonard continues his search with the help of notes, Polaroids, and even homemade tattoos for vital information. 

Because of his condition, Leonard essentially lives his life in short, present-tense segments, with no clear idea of what's just happened to him. 

That's where Memento gets really interesting; the story begins at the end, and the movie jumps backwards in 10-minute segments. 

The suspense of the movie lies not in discovering what happens, but in finding out why it happened. Amazingly, the movie achieves edge-of-your-seat excitement even as it moves backwards in time! , and it keeps the mind hopping as cause and effect are pieced together.

6) 12 Angry Men

 At the end of a murder trial in New York City, the jurors retire to consider their verdict. The man in the dock is a young Puerto Rican accused of killing his father, and eleven of the jurors do not hesitate in finding him guilty. 

However, one of the jurors (Henry Fonda), reluctant to send the youngster to his death without any debate, returns a vote of not guilty. From this single event, the jurors begin to re-evaluate the case, as they look at the murder - and themselves - in a fresh light. 

5) Il Postino

On a remote Mediterranean island young Mario Ruoppolo (Massimo Troisi) is hired to deliver letters to exiled love poet Pablo Neruda (Philippe Noiret). 

The two develop a close friendship, and Mario enlists the poet's help to win the heart of the beautiful Beatrice Russo (Maria Grazia Cucinotta). During the courtship, the poet in Mario emerges, and he realises he need not depend on Neruda.

4) Schindler's List

This incredible true story follows the enigmatic Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), who saved the lives of more than 1,100 Jews during the Holocaust. 

It is the triumph of one man who made a difference and the drama of those who survived one of the darkest chapters in human history because of what he did. 

3) Grease

After their summer romance ends, Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) are unexpectedly reunited at high school when the latter moves to Danny's town. 

However, their relationship stalls when it becomes apparent that Sandy is not 'cool' enough to date gang leader Danny. Hit songs include 'You're the One That I Want' and 'Greased Lightning'.

2) Cinema Paradiso

Giuseppe Tornatore's loving homage to the cinema tells the story of Salvatore, a successful film director, returning home for the funeral of Alfredo, his old friend who was the projectionist at the local cinema throughout his childhood. 

Soon memories of his first love affair with the beautiful Elena and all the highs and lows that shaped his life come flooding back, as Salvatore reconnects with the community he left 30 years earlier.

1) Field Of Dreams

Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is encouraged by a mysterious voice to build a baseball pitch on his land. 

According to the celestial guide, this unusual step will result in the appearance of the ghost of his father's hero, the baseball legend Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta). 

Bemused yet intrigued by the heavenly intervention, Ray risks his livelihood installing the pitch, and finds an unlikely, and unwilling, partner to help explain the reasons he is doing so: burned-out radical author Terence Mann (James Earl Jones).

The majority of these films are well known - but if you've not seen it and don't find subtitles, check out Cinema Paradiso - it's a masterpiece!

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The Music of My Life #10

 

The Music Of My Life #10

It's the spring of 1977 and I'm going through a box of my brother's LPs and come across this. I thought I'd give it a play.

Well, what do you know? I fell in love with this brilliant album. Full fo great songs,

I've bought it on album and CD and it's a go-to album when I can't think of anything to play. It always puts a smile on face and gets me singing along.

Gotta be a good sign. I still love to hear it on days like this when I'm going back through my music and reminiscing.

If you can't see the video, click here

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