While there is a lot of Christmas compilation CD’s in the shops at the moment (Platinum Christmas, Now The Christmas Album, etc) you can guarantee that if you buy one they’ll be at least one song on there that you can’t stand, ruling out the option of just sticking it in the stereo and leaving it to play through. So, I have found that the best option is to make your own compilation tapes, with the order and everything worked out before hand, or spend some time downloading some mp3’s and make up a Christmas Party play-list. But what music should you put on? The first problem with those annul Family bashes, is that ...  Read the complete review

As a bit of a record anorak-turned-DJ (now retired - sort of) for more years than I care to remember, one of the things I've always loved about Christmas is dusting down the records that always have to be tucked away come the new year to wait for the next festive season. In the last few years, the choice of Christmas compilation CDs has been mind-boggling, and from mid-November you can't walk into the average HMV, Virgin megastore or Woolies without tripping over a brightly coloured rack laden with same. But with advances in technology, why not compile your own rather than pick up one of the ready-mades and complain "Why have they left out ...  Read the complete review

Christmas time is the party season, and the ultimate test is to arrange music which will suit everyone from kids to grandparents. Follow my guide and you can't go wrong!! Basically there are categories of songs which contribute to a great party!! 1) *** Dance Routine Songs *** These are the ones which the kids can learn and the teenagers know (but won't admit it) and the young at heart love! Everyone can join in, here's a selection: Black Lace Classics - The Music Man - Agadoo - Superman Gap Band - Oops upside your head Rocky Horror - Time Warp ...  Read the complete review

I don't really have an album or a playlist of songs I'd like to hear for Xmas, but if I was in charge of an Xmas compilation by a label for people like myself, I'm sure I'd include atleast these gems, even though their relevance to Xmas is pretty much equal to zero. Manic Street Preachers: You Stole The Sun From My Heart - This is such a happy song really. It's kind of like New Order in the percussion department, with an uplifting tune and lyrics. It's good because you don't want to depress yourself over Xmas. But if you are or want to make yourself feel worse (feels good when you feel bad to me, ironically), some earlier Manix ...  Read the complete review

Buying a compilation Christmas album is a tricky thing to do. There are so many variants that come so close to deserving your hard-earned money, yet fail cause they're missing that 'must have' track. Each year I attempt to buy one and fail miserably. Perhaps Napster could be the answer but this is not a very festive alternative. Seasonal tunes are strange, artists that normally create nauseous reactions have merry little ditties that are dear to me (Wham for example). Anyway until that perfect album comes into being I won't be shelling out. My top 10 Yuletide favourites are in no particular order. 1) I was born on Christmas day - Tim Burgess and ...  Read the complete review