by Mel (Tue Dec 22, 2009)
In 1995 I spent my first Christmas in a country that didn't celebrate
Christmas: China. Well, I say it didn't
celebrate Christmas - it didn't recognise the Jesus, Mary and Joseph element,
but when it came to Christmas tat, it had fallen for it, hook, line and sinker.
Strings of heinous fairy lights? Check.
Terrible dancing Santas on a podium? Check.
Badly made cuddly rabbits dressed as Father Christmas? Check.
Badly spelled, gaudy Christmas cards? (‘Wish You Hoppy Christmus') Check.
And in a bid to muster some Christmas spirit, I bought it all. I tried
very hard not to think about how far away my friends and family were, and let's
see now, oh yes, I got drunk.
But one really good thing came out of that first, miserable Christmas. Whilst
looking for a CD of Christmas carols, I came across a CD with a groovy cover
designed by Keith Haring. The
list of songs looked good, so I snapped it up and headed back to my un-festive
apartment.
Reader, it was possibly one of the best Christmas purchases I have ever
made. Fifteen funky and unusual versions of Christmas classics. Headed up by
The Pointer Sisters singing ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town‘, through the
Pretenders singing 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,' Madonna sexily
crooning 'Santa Baby' to Stevie Nicks singing 'Silent Night.' And my personal
favourite, Run D.M.C. rapping 'Christmas in Hollis,' I do love that track.
My CD stayed with me for years. Every year I cranked it up, drank mulled
wine and wrapped presents. You know, I'm sure it plays a part in reducing
seasonal stress.
Then last year, it disappeared. High and low I hunted. Nothing. Nada.
Rien. I buried the pain deep for most of the year, but now, as the nights draw
in, and Christmas is just around the corner...
I found it on Amazon. I also
found that my cherished CD was the first in a series of compilations, released
in 1987. It was a benefit album to support the Special Olympics. Now it may have
said all of that on the sleeve of my original CD, but my Chinese character
reading skills are, err, non-existent.
So isn't that marvellous? Not only is it a cooler than cool album, it's
for a worthy cause. If you make only one CD purchase this Christmas, it should
be this one.
Groove on Girlfriends!
