BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall

Subject: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 04:50 PM

Arghhh!

Today, first of November, and the music at Sears at Fox Run Mall (Newington, NH) has Christmas songs in the mix.

None yesterday (well, hey, it was October), but they are THERE today.

"Home For the Holidays" (well, I can live with that), "Feliz Navidad", not sure of what else. Still some non-mid-winter holiday music, but...

Just a note, as I was saying LAST year, if I hear "Frosty the Snowman" one more time, I'm going to do someone or something some damage. (Can I shoot out the speakers? huh? can I? can I?)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 05:09 PM

That reminds me - have to start relearning my repertoire of carols, soon. ;-)>

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: bobad
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 06:07 PM

I wonder if Dylan's Christmas album will get any store play.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Nov 09 - 06:39 PM

Probably no Dylan at Sears, but who knows. Lately it's been Beatles, which was a bit of a surprise. Mixed in with "I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time" and some stray Sinatra.

I think I'll avoid the rest of the mall until after the holidays.

This year I'm just at the one optical shop -- Sears Optical, not JCPenney Optical as well. (Both licensed businesses within the host store, both owned by my employer, US Vision.)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: DMcG
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 03:20 AM

Nothing wrong with your selection of carols, Walkabout, but there's plenty more where those came from. I've managed to get my church to sing "Peace O'er the World" from Castleton this year. For the past decade or so, I've tried to widen the range of carols sung at the various concerts/churches/whatevers I attend; most years I get one or two traditional-but-less-familiar carols into the set.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: DMcG
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 03:23 AM

I forgot a link: Peace O'er the World

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 03:52 AM

I mean to learn Jim Eldon's masterful reconstruction of the old Yorkshire Carol For Unto Us a Child Is Born. Tune collected from Billy Harrison who didn't have the words, so Jim put them together from the Gospel of Matthew. An absolute classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSeEsS6-HGQ

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 04:14 AM

first sighting (hearing?) of christmas music here, too,

As reported in today's Sydney Morning Herald, referring to Friday 30th October, so it beats previous reports in this thread!

"I just heard my first Christmas carol today on Friday while shopping in Church Street Mall, Parramatta," reports an irritated Sue Norris, of Springwood. "Can anyone beat this? If so, you have my deepest sympathy. It was Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and you can all sing it in your heads now - I don't see why I should suffer alone!"

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 04:27 AM

Thanks for those D. and S. - I'm also interested in Sting's C.D. selection, including "Gabriel's Message" and "Now Winter Comes Slowly" (Henry Purcell).

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 05:15 AM

P.S: I really like the doubling of the melody that accompanies Jim Eldon's singing...it is "masterful" (S); the recording is also good, and I was wondering where the mic is...?

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 05:44 AM

I'm also interested in Sting's C.D. selection, including "Gabriel's Message" and "Now Winter Comes Slowly" (Henry Purcell).

Disavow yourself of this notion, WAV - this is a schlock common-minded cash-in of no cultural value whatsoever. For the Purcell ("Next, Winter Comes Slowly") pick up a copy of The Fairy Queen from your local library and hear it as it's meant to be sung!

Jim Eldon's singing...it is "masterful" (S); the recording is also good, and I was wondering where the mic is...?

I would imagine the mic is on the camera; we get passable results on our crappy little digital camera, such as THIS,which sets reconstructed verses of The Holly and the Ivy to the traditional melody of Searching for Lambs and also doubles the melody in the fiddle accompaniment.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 11:58 AM

'reports an irritated Sue Norris, of Springwood.'

It is possible to live in such a way that one is hardly ever in a mall. I live that way, and so do many of my friends. I sew, I order things by mail, I shop in thrift stores and local shops.

When I have to visit a mall, I nip in, snap up what I need, and nip out.   

I agree that mall music is truly irritating. Fortunately, hearing protectors are available in all drug stores. Hearing protectors don't leave you deaf - they cut out the most high-pitched and irritating frequencies. (I like the Mack's brand, which are soft and moldable.)

Take power in small ways.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: robomatic
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 04:12 PM

I remember when I attended a standard elementary school in conservative old Massachusetts - We had to sing Christmas carols for a seasonal assembly, my only exposure to Christmas up to that time. When we sang "Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the king of I-iz-ra-el" I remember thinking:

"Should I tell them? Israel's a parliamentary democracy!"

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 05:15 PM

Drove past my first Christmas lit house today... descending icicles and red berry lights off the gutters and in the windows... it's truly horrible. Tomorrow I'll take a potter around the vicinity and see if there are any trees up - there's usually one by now.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 06:33 PM

Haven't been to a mall in some time. Shopping on the internet takes care of most of my needs, except grocery. Expect the 'wait for the next available operator' music to become Santa Clausy any day now.

Roasting carolers on an open fire....

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Nov 09 - 09:26 PM

Mall music is TRULY irritating. Before being employed by US Vision, I managed to avoid the mall(s) entirely, except for an occasional foray into Sears for tools or something. I prefer to shop at local businesses, not chains. I glean my wardrobe from yardsales, Goodwill and the occasional thrift shop. I buy my music from the musicians concerned. Etcet etcet.

But...now I have to work at the mall. And it certainly is an interesting experience. Call it fiction fodder, if you will. Despite a mostly hectic work schedule as we are understaffed, I do get to watch the people parade -- and take notes. Retail can be very rich in anecdotes, dialog and, uh, observations of fashion blunders.

I had a "retail experience" not long ago when a customer got upset because I wouldn't replace an eyeglass frame for free after he had specifically declined the one year warranty. (Even with a warranty, it would have cost him $24.) He grabbed his frame back, stomped out of the shop, and paused by the glass demi-wall to turn back towards me and yell, "Bitch!" He also flashed me the peace sign...but only half of it. I told him to have a nice day. (What else can you do?) He had interrupted me with a couple who were looking for glasses. They rolled their eyes at his actions and proceeded to buy three pairs of glasses from me -- and purchased a warranty with each one.

So far the choice of Christmas music in the mix isn't bad -- "Home for the Holidays", "Blue Christmas", "Winter Wonderland". Not my particular favorites, but, then again, they NEVER play my particular favorites -- "Cherry Tree Carol", "Holly and the Ivy" (rising of the sun, running of the deer version), "The King", "The Wren", etc.

I actually LIKE "Home for the Holidays" -- it was one of my favorites when I was young. I hope they don't over do it to the point that I loathe it.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 02:09 AM

Australian malls vs. American malls

well, we certainly do have our large covered shopping centres, I got lost the last time I was at Westfield Parramatta - 3rd largest shopping centre in Australia with 456 shops but I never get lost when I visit Parramatta's Church Street mall - a street permanently closed to traffic

Parramatta was the second British settlement in Australia, it's 15 miles from Sydney & had fertile land, & I grew up in the area, but escaped to the inner city in 1975.

My local mall is the Pitt Street Mall - part of a street in Sydney's CBD also permanently closed to traffic. Currently it's a building site - several arcades & shopping centres are rebuilding - they'll be bigger & better so they can get more money from us - so I avoid it wherever possible, & when I need to buy normal retail stuff I go to Westfield Bondi Junction

I also do a lot of my shopping in smaller shops & second hand shops.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 02:25 AM

To publicise the latest Disney version of A Christmas Carol, Jim Carrey was in Oxford Street yesterday to switch on the Christmas lights . At the same time Colin Firth switched on the lights in Regent Street and "Bob Hoskins led the city's celebrations in St Paul's Cathedral". I'm not quite sure what the city was celebrating though....

Kitty

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 01:41 AM

commercialism?

a hallmark (Disney?) holiday??

official Sydney city celebrations start late Nov - tho commercialism is well on it's way. At my local shopping centre I saw Santa's sleigh ready for his arrival with attendant photosellers sometime soon. There's lots of room for lots of kiddies to queue to get their photos taken!

cynical sandra

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 07:25 AM

Obviously the UK "powers that be" have been sucessfull in downgrading November 5th. It used to be that nothing to do with Christmas happened until after this date.
In fact it used to be that nothing happened until after November 11th!
Perhaps we've downgraded that too.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: MMario
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 08:19 AM

I can remember when nothing happenned until after Thanksgiving (late Nov) he in the States - but that was a long time ago....

Of course, since I was out Christmas Caroling the first week of October, I guess I'm part of the problem.

MMario

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: GUEST,Folk1e
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 11:04 AM

Well I was gobsmacked to receive my first Christmas card of this year ............ it was still OCTOBER!

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 11:19 AM

Christmas lights up and lit on Fore Street.



ARGGHHHHH!

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 06:41 PM

I just saw an egg decorating kit in a local supermarket where we called on our way hpme from a bonfire night firework display.
should I just bypass Christmas and have an early Easter?

Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 10:28 PM

If Red Hatters can wear red with purple, why can't you be zany and dye eggs any time of year, Geoff. It's fun, after all.

Now.

A while back Walkie said something about a song from The Fairy Queen. I recently saw The Fairy Queen, and I noticed that beautiful song about the coming of winter.

This page:

http://icking-music-archive.org/ByComposer/Purcell.php

has a graphic file and a MIDI of it. Trouble is, the piece was a bass solo, so the melody is in the bass clef.

The accompaniment makes me think that that king was right when he said "Too many notes!"

(Yes, I know he was talking about Mozart. It still applies.)

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Janie
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 10:46 PM

Went into Home Depot to purchase a leaf blower this week. No music, but the place was "piled high" with artificial Christmas trees and Christmas lawn ornaments. ( Ditto the garden center at WallyWorld when I drove past last night.)

I was tempted to ask if Paw or Cletus were around.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 12:55 AM

Geoff, 2 local cake/bread shops have hot cross buns all year round - maybe others sell them, too but I haven't done a survey.

Why not decorate those eggs for your christmas tree? Or have them decorating the table?

Or even better, give them as chrissy presents?

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Nov 09 - 08:55 PM

"Rudolf" and "Frosty" will soon be in-coming.

Thanks for the warning!

Run for cover, everyone!

Charley Noble, hunkered down for the duration

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 05:50 AM

Christmas seems to be so meaningless these days why don't we run it all the year round?

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 07:24 PM

If I hear "Frosty the Snowman" one more time, I'm going to have to borrow a security guard's weapon and shoot out the damned speaker -- I don't CARE if it's in the ceiling above the Portrait Studio (full of screaming ankle biters wearing Santa hats).

And that's just the residuals from LAST holiday season!!!

I think I've heard "Holly and the Ivy" recently, but it was the tinkly one, not my favorite version ("rising of the sun/running of the deer), so it was mostly harmless.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 07:31 AM

Christmas tunes are terribly invasive. Playing that retarded sounding crap is offensive to a great number of people. Why should atheists and agnostics have to be forced to listen to that rubbish Christmas? It should be banned all together. There are millions of us non believers who take offense to any recognition of Christmas. If some people care to want and celebrate that holiday crap then fine. Keep it to yourselves in your home. Just keep any recognition of Christmas far away from public areas.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 07:37 AM

Get a life you miserable old git.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Folkiedave
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 10:18 AM

Not me mate. Live and let live.

(Besides I have been wound-up by experts, surprising you falling for it Sweeney).

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 10:24 AM

I read more bigoted stuff than that here on Mucat every day expressed with expressed whatever level of erudition & sincerity. Thus my policy these days is to take them at their word...

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 11:30 AM

At the grocer's yesterday I became freshly aware of how bad some of that Christmas music is. And loud.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Started -- Christmas Music at Mall
From: ToeRag
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 11:47 AM

Why do you say it in so mourn'ful a tone i have
been looking for'ward to this day for months.