Welcome to episode 114 of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1963 album, “Merry Christmas Everyone – Folk Dance Party,” produced by Teruaki Kawamura and the Japan Recreation Association.

I hope you enjoyed “Merry Christmas Everyone.” Despite the objections to it and the song’s problematic history, I’ve always been fascinated with Japan’s relationship to “Turkey In The Straw.” I’ve had a few people tell me I should avoid it altogether, but as I stated in the episode, it’s something you really can’t avoid if you’re collecting Japanese Christmas music. It was on one of the very first Japanese Christmas albums I bought, so I’ve known about its history for almost as long as I’ve been collecting. I knew I’d be covering it eventually, and considering how the Japan Recreation Association, Winfield Niblo, square dancing, and “Turkey In The Straw” are all tied to one another, I figured this was the best episode for broaching the topic. Racism and discrimination are always wrong, but history is never cut and dried, and the fact that the song helped bring about positive cultural and social changes in Japan is an important, or at least interesting footnote in any discussion about it.

Join me back here next time for the 1962 compilation, “Young Christmas.” It’s one of the more difficult albums to find. It features some of the most popular young artists of the time, and it’s a real treat you’re sure to enjoy.

As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.

Remember, I’ve added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you’d like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Episode 114: Teruaki Kawamura’s “Merry Christmas Everyone”

Welcome to episode 112 of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this episode, I talk about the Tokyo Cuban Boys’ 1966 album, “Christmas Dance Party.”

This is a wonderful album. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do. For a popular, prolific band with a career spanning nine decades, you’d think I’d have been able to find a little more biographical information about them. Their Wikipedia entry is short and repetitive, while their profile on their official website is mostly just a list of dates. I will talk about them a bit more when I cover Chiemi Eri, but most of that will be about her relationship with one of the band members and it’s not entirely relevant to the rest of the band.

Join me back here next week for a mini-episode about singer, actor and activist, Akihiro Miwa. Then join me later in the month for Teruaki Kawamura’s “Merry Christmas Everyone – Folk Dance Party.” It’s a fun album that doesn’t show up very often. And listen in again on the 25th when I cover the 1962 compilation, “Young Christmas.” It’s one of the more sought-after records and one that, at one point, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to afford. They’re loaded with some great music you’re sure to enjoy.

As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.

Remember, I’ve added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you’d like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Episode 112: Tokyo Cuban Boys’ “Christmas Dance Party”

Welcome to episode 110 of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this episode, I talk about the children’s book and album, “Superman Santa,” from 1986.

I hope you enjoyed “Superman Santa.” While I would have loved a Casiopeia Christmas album, this was still a lot fun. It has an amusing premise and enjoyable music, and the book really adds to the experience. I’ll post the pictures below.

Join me back here next month for a pair of great episodes. Up first is the 2004 compilation, “Christmas For Anyone?” It has an interesting blend of jazzy tunes and a cover that has to be seen to be believed. Then join me on the 25th for “Christmas Dance Party” by the Tokyo Cuban Boys. It’s a Mood Kayo treasure that’s sure to please everyone.

As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.

Remember, I’ve added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you’d like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Welcome to episode 108 of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this episode, for my special Pro Wrestling Spectacular, I’m pitting the 1970s Christmas albums of pro wrestlers the Destroyer and Thunder Sugiyama against one another in order to determine which deserves the title of the Christmas World Heavyweight Champion.

This was a fun episode for me. I hope you enjoyed both wrestlers’ albums as much as I did. I watched a ton of wrestling when I was younger and went to the closed-circuit broadcasts of Wrestlemanias 3-6, watching all the action on the jumbo screens at Dayton’s Hara Arena. One of my fondest memories from my early teenage years was going to a TV taping to see Hulk Hogan during the height of Hulkamania. I’ve also been lucky enough to meet a bunch of wrestlers, including Koko B. Ware, Rob Van Dam, Taz, and newly-inducted WWE Hall of Famer, Paul Heyman. I don’t follow it quite like I used to, but I still enjoy seeing all the big events.

This episode was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. I’ve been doing research for it off and on for about two years. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep track of all the blogs and articles I read. There were several things I wanted to double-check, but I couldn’t find where I’d read them originally so I had to leave them out. As promised in the episode, here’s Thunder Sugiyama’s debut single, “Crossroads.” I’m also including a match from each of them, both of which feature their mutual friend, Abdullah the Butcher.

Thunder Sugiyama – Crossroads

10.12.1975 – PWF United States Heavyweight title: The Destroyer (c) vs Abdullah The Butcher

12.11.1972 – Abdullah The Butcher/Ciclon Negro vs Masio Koma/Thunder Sugiyama 2 of 3 Falls

April is Jazz Awareness month, so join me next time for the 1998 album, “Jingle Jazz.” It has an unassuming and generic cover, but some of the finest Christmas Jazz you’re likely to hear. Then join me on the 25th for the 1986 children’s book and album, “Superman Santa.” It’s a lot of fun and one you won’t want to miss.

As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.

Remember, I’ve added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you’d like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Welcome to episode 106 of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this episode, I talk about Akiko’s 2017 album, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

I hope you enjoyed this second episode about Akiko. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” has really grown on me since getting it, and while working on this episode. It’s a fine album with some great performances, and one I’ll be listening to more in the future.

Join me back here next week for my special April 1st episode. I’ll be talking about the 2008 album, “Whistle Christmas!” by Whistle Man. It’s a unique album you’re sure to enjoy. Then join me on April 6th for my Pro Wrestling Spectacular. This year is Wrestlemania LV. It’s the biggest wrestling event of the year and in conjunction with that, I’ll be covering the Christmas albums from the Destroyer and Thunder Sugiyama. I have a poll running, so click here to listen to samples from each of the albums and vote on which wrestler you feel deserves to be crowned the Christmas Heavyweight Champion. This listen in to hear the results.

As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.

Remember, I’ve added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you’d like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Episode 106: Akiko’s “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

Welcome to episode 104 of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this episode, for Black History Month, I talk about the 1993 album, “Merry Christmas Wish,” by the American R&B trio, A.S.A.P.

I hope you enjoyed “Merry Christmas Wish.” I was thrilled when I found it, mainly because of how few English versions there are of these songs I’ve been collecting over the past several years. This is a fun, solid album and it lets me throw some Japanese songs into my regular Christmas playlist without any pushback from my kids, who sometimes get annoyed when they don’t understand the lyrics.

Be sure to join me next month when I cover a pair of albums by jazz singer Akiko for Women’s History Month. Up first is her 2007 album, “A White Album.” Then join me on the 25th for her 2017 release, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” They’re both great albums and you’re sure to like them.

As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.

Remember, I’ve added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you’d like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Episode 104: A.S.A.P.’s “Merry Christmas Wish”

Welcome to episode 102 of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this episode, I talk about Mari Yoshiko’s 1962 album, “Singing Christmas Party.”

I hope you enjoyed “Singing Christmas Party.” I’m playing catch-up after last month so I don’t have much to add here. I did manage to get a record with her version of “Toy Cha Cha Cha,” which I mentioned in the episode, but I haven’t had the time to rip the vinyl so I couldn’t include it as a bonus song in this episode, which I’d hoped to do.

Be sure to join me back here next time for the 2009 album, “Acoustic Xmas” by Coffee Haus. It’s great, light Jazz album. Then join me on the 25th when I talk about A.S.A.P.’s 1993 album, “Merry Christmas Wish.” After last year, I didn’t think I’d be able to find another album to cover for Black History Month, but I was lucky enough to find this one. It’s a great album and one you’re sure to enjoy.

As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.

Remember, I’ve added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you’d like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Episode 102: Mari Yoshiko’s “Singing Christmas Party”

Welcome to episode 100 of Holly Jolly X’masu! In this episode, I talk about the phenomenal 1971 album, “White Christmas,” from the obscure Korean band, Last Chance.

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe this is my 100th episode. It’s been a lot of work, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I want to thank you all for listening in, and I hope you’ve enjoyed it half as much as I have. I also hope Last Chance’s “Jingle Bells” really knocked your socks off. I can only imagine how awesome it would have been seeing them perform it live.

As I mentioned in the episode, here’s the link to Rare Earth’s 21-minute version of “Get Ready.” Do yourself a favor and listen to it all the way through.

Rare Earth – Get Ready – Full 21 ½ minute version

Join me back here in January as I kick off my fifth year of the podcast. I’ll be back to my normal schedule of two new episodes per month unless something special comes along. Up first, I’ll be talking about a handful of Christmas singles from the 1990s. I have a pretty large collection of CD-singles, so this will be the first of several episodes covering them. Then join me on the 25th as I talk about Mari Yoshiko’s “Singing Christmas Party” from 1962. It’s an album that doesn’t come up for sale often and it was a real struggle to finally get a copy. Both episodes should be a lot of fun, so be sure to listen in.

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As always, any feedback on this episode would be appreciated. If have any suggestions, or if you’d like to recommend a song or album for a future episode, drop me a line and let me know.

Remember, I’ve added a button to my Ko-fi page. If you’d like to support me one cup of coffee at a time, a donation is only $3. I’ve also opened a Redbubble store. I only have a couple designs up, but keep an eye on it as I’ll be trying to add more. Half of any proceeds or donations received will be donated to support the people of Ukraine, while the rest will be used to purchase new Japanese Christmas music to review for future episodes. You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And if you get a chance, leave me a review on iTunes. Thanks!

Episode 100: Last Chance’s “White Christmas”