On the day designated for airing of grievances and feats of strength, there was no way we couldn’t celebrate Festivus, for the rest of us. But who knew there were a half dozen songs about the holiday that made itself known through a 1997 episode of “Seinfeld”?
There were a lot of other holidays to celebrate this week, though, from solstice to Wednesday’s double whammy of Hannukah and Christmas. Of the latter, there were a dozen variations on “Little Drummer Boy,” including one especially recorded for us by Wayne Coyle of Flaming Lips (via Cameo).
A tribute, following the deaths last week of Mark Brewer of Brewer & Shipley, folkie David Mallett and Replacements replacement guitarist Slim Dunlap, got us started.
Here’s the setlist:
Capital Radio December 23, 2024. 1- 4:33 p.m. www.cygnusradio.com
“Washington, D.C.,” The Magnetic Fields
“Song from Platte River,” Brewer & Shipley
“Garden Song” Dave Mallett
“Achin’ to Be,” The Replacements
“I’ll Be You,” The Replacements
“Busted Up,” The Replacements
“Ring Out, Solstice Bells,” Jethro Tull
“The Winter Solstice,” Sufjan Stevens
“Festivus,” The Weeklings
“Festivus,” Andrew Bird
“Festivus!” Mountain Sons
“Festivus,” Albert & the Sleigh Riders
“Festivus [for the Rest of Us Remix],” Oliver Ridley featuring Matt Cusson
“Grievance,” Pearl Jam
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Your Grievieance,” Clem Snide
“Tower of Strength,” Gene McDaniels
“God Give Me Strength,” Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach
“Winter Wonderland,” Chet Baker
“Xmas Time (It Sure Doesn’t Feel Like It),” The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
“Shopping on Christmas Eve,” Keb’ Mo’
“Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence,” Ryuichi Sakamoto
“Good Morning Blues [The Real Tuesday Weld Clerkenwell Remix],” Count Basie & His Orchestra
“Little Saint Nick,” Davie Allen & the Arrows
“O Fir Tree Dark,” Bing Crosby
“Here It Is Christmas,” Red Sovine
“Sleigh Bell Rock,” Three Aces & a Joker
“All I Want for Christmas is You,” Josh Rouse
“You’re All I Want for Christmas,” Dean and Britta and Sonic Boom
“Beatnik’s Wish,” Patsy Raye & The Beatniks
“Hung Fire,” Hiss Golden Messenger
“The World at Christmas Time,” Susan Cowsill
“Xmas Bell Rock,” Barry & the Highllights
“Merry Christmas from the Family [live],” Robert Earl Keen
“Hanukkah and Christmas Hand in Hand,” Huffamoose
“Can I Interest You in Hannukah?” Stephen Colbert & Jon Stewart
“8 Days (Of Hannukah),” Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
“Feast of Lights,” They Might Be Giants
“Hanukkah Joyus Holiday,” Jay Levi
“Festival of Lights (Hanukkah Song),” The Minus 5 with Mike Mills
“Hanukkah Dance,” Woody Guthrie
“Hanukkah Blessings,” Barenaked Ladies
“Latke Clan,” The LeeVees
“Little Drummer Boy,” Frank Sinatra
“Little Drummer Boy,” Bright Eyes
“Little Drummer Boy,” Sean Kingston
“Little Drummer Boy,” The Fab Four
“Little Drummer Boy / Peace on Earth,” Bing Crosby & David Bowie
“Little Drummer Boy,” Wayne Coyne
“Little Drummer Boy,” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
“Little Drummer Boy,” Corporal Blossom
“Little Drummer Boy,” Sufjan Stevens
“Little Drummer Boy,” Los Straitjackets
“Little Drummer Boy,” Ray Charles
“Little Drummer Boy / Silent Night / Auld Lang Syne,” Jimi Hendrix
“Fairytale of New York [Extract of 2nd Demo],” The Pogues
Capital Radio returns Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. ET on www.cygnusradio.com. The show can also be heard via the cygnusradio.com app, available free at iTunes or GooglePlay. Older shows are available at Substack.com/@rogercatlin.
