Episode 125: Takeshi Terauchi's 1960's Christmas Music
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 125 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Takeshi Terauchi’s Christmas music from the 1960’s. I hope you enjoyed this first episode about the God of Electric Guitar. His records were some of my favorites early on, and I still listen to them whenever I get the chance. Although I managed to get back on pace at the end of last month, things got really hectic again and I’m once more way behind schedule. I’m doing my best to get these three episodes out before the end of the month, and then I’ll dive into my December episodes. Join me next time as I...
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Episode 124: Hiroko Williams' "My Room For Christmas"
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 124 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Hiroko Williams’ 2016 album, “My Room For Christmas.” I hope you enjoyed “My Room For Christmas” as much as I do. It’s such a fantastic album, and Hiroko Williams is absolutely amazing. She’s had a fascinating career, and learning about it really kept me engaged while working on this episode. Be sure to listen in next month for my trio of episodes about the God of Electric Guitar, Takeshi Terauchi. I’ll start out with his 1960s Christmas EP’s, then talk about his 1979 album, “Let’s Go!...
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Episode 123: Mami Horie's "The Swingin' Christmas"
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 123 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Mami Horie’s 2010 album, “The Swingin’ Christmas.” I hope you liked Mami Horie’s album as much as I do. There are some real gems here, and I’m glad I was finally able to share it with you. I can’t help but wonder about what derailed her career, and just how big a star she would have been if that hadn’t happened. On a positive note, based on one of the interviews I read, she seems to have had a happy, successful life despite the early setback. Join me next time for another fantastic album, Hiroko...
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Episode 122: Winter Gift Pops
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 122 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1997 compilation, “Winter Gift Pops.” I hope you enjoyed “Winter Gift Pops.” It’s a fun album and one I’ve been looking forward to sharing. As hard as I tried to get this episode out before the end of September, life got in the way. To say it’s been crazy is an understatement. Like I’ve said several times over the past few months, I’ll be doing my best to get caught up over the next few weeks. Be sure to tune in later this month, or possibly early next month, as I talk about a pair of...
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Episode 121: Yasuko Agawa's "Come In Christmas"
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 121 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Yasuko Agawa’s 1990 album, “Come In Christmas.” I hope you enjoyed learning about and listening to Yasuko Agawa. This album was a really pleasant surprise, and it’s one I’ve listened to multiple times since getting it. I’m still trying to back on track, but I do plan on getting out one more episode before the end of the month, so join me next time when I talk about the 1997 compilation, “Winter Gift Pops.” It’s a fun album you’re sure to enjoy. As always, any feedback on this episode would be...
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Episode 120: Yuzoh Kayama's "White Christmas"
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 120 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about Yuzoh Kayama’s 1983 album, “White Christmas.” I hope you enjoyed Yuzoh Kayama’s “White Christmas.” He’s been a massive star in Japan since the 60s. One difficulty I had writing this episode was the fact that there’s such a wealth of information about him. I did my best to cover the highlights, though. I’ll get to his music from the 60s eventually. I’ll do my best to get caught up before October. I have a couple great albums lined up for the rest of this month. First up is Yasuko Agawa’s...
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Episode 119: 80's Christmas Singles - Part 1
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 119 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about a selection of Christmas singles from the 1980s. I hope you enjoyed this collection of songs from 1984. I was hoping to get a couple other 1984-themed episodes out this month, but between my daughters’ school and sports starting back, a severe lack of sleep, and a dozen other crises popping up throughout the month, I was lucky to get this episode out. As usual, I’ll be spending the next few weeks trying to get back on schedule. In the meantime, enjoy the covers and included artwork from this episode’s...
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Episode 118: Christmas In July - 2024
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 118 of Holly Jolly X'masu! For my fifth annual Christmas in July episode, I’ll once again be covering a mix of tropical, summery, and out-of-season Christmas songs from a variety of artists. I hope this episode added a little Christmas spirit to your summer. These episodes where I pull songs from a variety of records and CD’s are a lot of work, but they’re also a lot of fun. I cut down on the number of songs this time, mainly so I could stretch out the ones I have left into another two or three episodes. I wish I’d had the foresight to start that with my...
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Epiosde 117: Takehisa Kono And The Highways
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 117 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the Christmas music from the obscure Group Sounds band, Takehisa Kono and the Highways. I hope you enjoyed the Highways’ Christmas music. One of the things I enjoy most about collecting Japanese Christmas music is that there’s such a wealth of it to discover. The sonojournals and flexi-discs add another entire layer to it. Almost none of the music that was exclusively released on flexi-disc ever made it to vinyl or CD, and there is very little reliable documentation about them. It’s always exciting when I...
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Episode 116: X'mas Golden Hits
Holly Jolly X'masu
Welcome to episode 116 of Holly Jolly X'masu! In this episode, I talk about the 1970 album, “X’mas Golden Hits,” by the Candle-Light Orchestra and the Singers Three. I hope you enjoyed “X’mas Golden Hits” as much as I do. While some of the albums labeled “Now Sound” can put you to sleep, this is one I can listen to over and over again. It’s loaded with fun arrangements, and the Singers Three never disappoint. Join me back here next time for the Christmas music from the obscure Group Sounds band, Takehisa Kono and the Highways. In my opinion, they’re one of the better...
info_outlineWelcome 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.
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!