Spiked!
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Previous Show—Thanks for the Turkey (November 29, 2002) | Next Show—Stocking Stuffers(December 27, 2002)
KDHX FM 88.1
December 13, 2002
Spike Jones was born on December, 14, 1911. Since this is also my pre-Christmas show, I decided to focus mostly on Jones' Christmas parodies.
PLAYLIST
| Selection |
Source |
Performer(s) |
Comments |
| The Sheik of Araby |
Spike Jones' Greatest Hits |
Spike Jones and His City Slickers |
Recorded 7/28/42, with vocals by Del Porter and Carl Grayson, with Willie Spicer on the Bridaphone |
| Chloe |
Spike Jones' Greatest Hits |
Spike Jones and His City Slickers |
This and the next cut are typical examples of Jones' demolition of then-current "top 40 hits". This one dates from January of 1945 and features vocals by Red "Swamphead" Ingle. |
| Holiday for Strings |
Spiked!
| Spike Jones and His City Slickers |
Recorded November, 1944. The original was a bit hit for conductor/arranger David Rose, and also served as the theme song for the Gary Moore and Red Skelton TV shows. Other Rose hits included "The Stripper" and the theme for "Bonanza". |
| Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer |
A Spike Jones Christmas |
Spike Jones and His City Slickers |
The actual record credits vocals to "Rudolph and the Reindeers", but Jones fans will also recognize the characteristic "baby voice" of George Rock. |
| All I Want for Christmas |
A Spike Jones Christmas |
Spike Jones and His City Slickers w/George Rock |
This is probably one of Jones best-known songs and a seasonal favorite on the Dr. Demento radio show. |
| I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus |
Spike Jones Greatest Hits |
Spike Jones and His City Slickers w/George Rock |
A note or two on George Rock: they man who produce that tiny voice was, in person, quite large, which made for a very funny visual in Jones' stage shows. Rock's daughter, Georgy Rock, lives in St. Louis where she is active as a professional singer. |
| The Nutcracker Suite |
Spike Jones is Murdering the Classics |
Spike Jones and His City Slickers |
The Jones version of "The Nutcracker Suite" actually runs to 20 minues and includes lots of sappy, saccherine choral interludes about a little girl having a Christmas dream. Fortunately, RCA issued the seven minutes of silly stuff all by itself back in 1971. |
Acronyms and other mysteries defined:
OC: Unless otherwise indicated, the Original Cast recording of a Broadway show,
along with the date.
OS: Unless otherwise indicated, the Original Soundtrack recording of a film,
TV show, etc.
Stage Left Home
Back to Playlists |
Previous Show—Thanks for the Turkey (November 29, 2002) | Next Show—Stocking Stuffers(December 27, 2002)
KDHX FM 88.1
|