Words Songs Arty

  20th Anniversary Album 2024

In 2004 I decided to gently supplement the traditional Christmas Carols offering with something just a little alternative. Two decades on The Real Christmas Story album returns, digitally enhanced but otherwise unharmed. Listen as you may to the conglomeration of musicianship that became a best seller, crafted in The Black Country region of the English Midlands. A delicate mix of the enthusiastically traditional and the cautiously irreverent, it has something for everyone, no matter how hard their hearing. So please, sit back, relax, join in even, with this joyous celebration of the Christmas Story.

The REAL CHRISTMAS STORY-THE MUSIC

^{Click arrow to play. For the story of the album and track by track background , scroll down page below Track 9. All tracks marked *are © Ash James. All instruments,arrangements are © Ash James.}

Track 1. Census-oh those Romans! Christmas Marimba Bells *, Party In Nazareth*

Track 2. The Birth-Shepherds. O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Away In A Manger and While Shepherds Watched.

Track 3.The Birth in Bethlehem-Wise Men. The Camel Carol*,We Three Kings, In The Bleak Midwinter.

Track 4. Sacrifice and Circumcision. The Cowboy Carol*,Circumcission Blues 1 and 2*.

Track 5.Simeon and Anna. Rejoice*, Once In Royal David`s City.

Track 6. King Herod. Slaughter of the innocents*, Rachel Weeping*, When a Knight Won his Bavarian Spurs*.

Track 7. Return To Nazareth. Nasturtium Canticle*, Interlude in E*, Ding Dong Merrily On High.

Track 8. Rejoice. Good King Wenceslas, O Come All Ye Faithful.

Track 9. White Christmas.

A collectors edition CD from 2004 inside the Santa-Red Case.

Above, the song line-up, from full-band thrash to instrumental delight-the Christmas Story in Music and Words.

Above, the original covers in their dual-tone offering and their `20 years ago` hip two-tone plumage.

And below, the original 2004 pre-edit explanation, complete with print errors.

The Real Christmas Story Music and Story update 2024.

For the track by track background and credits, see below

Track 1 Credits: Census-Oh those Romans!

Christmas Marimba Bells. Composed by © Ash James and recorded by L`ensemble En Orient @The Calais Water Festival, December 20th,2003.

Party In Nazareth composed by © Ash James and recorded by DJ Zak Lemon @ The Glamfest Academy of Mirrors, London, September 3rd, 2004.

The Real Christmas Story

The `Real Christmas Story` shown below each track credit, alludes to writings (gospels) as recorded in the gospel`s of Luke and Matthew. They were most likely made within the first 100-150 years following the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. They are a simple reminder of events that provide the basis of Christmas celebrations.

A census had been called by Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, so that everyone could be counted for tax collection purposes. Luke writes that Mary and Joseph travelled from their home in the small town of Nazareth, to register in Bethlehem, the home town of Joseph`s ancestor, King David, and that the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary telling her she was to give birth to the baby Jesus. This child, says Luke, would be the Son of God.

Track 2 Credits. The Birth-Shepherds.

O Little Town Of Bethlehem. Composed by Brooks and Redner and recorded by Victor Gormley and the London Cornetta, @The Royal Conservatory, Tooting, June 2nd, 2004.

Silent Night. Composed by Joseph Mohr and recorded by the Temperance Orchestra, soloist Siobahn O`Tokkery, S`seniug Chapel, Cork, May 30th, 2004.

Away In A Manger. Composed by Kirkpatrick, recorded at Shepherds Bush Empire in 1952, by The English Primary Schools String Quartet, with Gillian Bangs on piano.

While Shepherds Watched. Composed by Tate and Handel and recorded by The Dutch Forces Concert Band, Peace and Loverman Studios, Notkoping, Netherlands, April 3rd, 1974.

The Real Christmas Story. Luke states that it was so crowded in Bethlehem that Mary and Joseph were unable to find suitable accommodation. Improvisation was called for, and Jesus was born in a stable, the most lowly and humbling of settings. His make-shift crib was a manger, normally used as a food stall for the animals. This miraculous birth to the virgin Mary was a sign of his divinity and, through Joseph`s family lineage, a direct link to the great King David; a long-held Jewish prophecy had therefore been fulfilled. Local Shepherds were amongst the first to visit. These men says Luke, poor though they were, recognised Jesus as a saviour. They believed he would become the greatest shepherd of all: to the people of the world.

Track 3 Credits. The Birth-Wise Men 1.

The Camel Carol. Composed by © Ash James and recorded by The Dodgey City Live Wire`s, Kansas, USA, February 14th, 2002.

We Three Kings. Composed by J Hopkins and recorded by soloist Norman Pillar, FRCE,RSE,@ Bilston Cathedral, Wolverhampton, England, 12th December,2004.

In The Bleak Midwinter. Composed by Rossetti and Holst and recorded by Roger Badley for the Andy`s Handy Andes `Patagonia On A Budget` Menorca Radio series, August 1993.

The Real Christmas Story. Matthew`s gospel informs that a number of men of significance arrived unexpectedly, in Jerusalem. They may have been royalty, or noble foreigners, though certainly very familiar with astronomy, as they had followed a star in the eastern sky-a sign to them that a King of the Jews had been born.They were keen to follow this star to Bethlehem, to seek out the baby Jesus. The incumbent royal, seated in Jerusalem and a puppet of the occupying Roman forces, was King Herod. He found out about their plans and tried to trick them into revealing the whereabouts of Jesus “When you find him let me know so that I too may go and worship him”. But the visiting travellers became wise to his treachery, knowing that Jesus would be seen by him as a as a rival. So they took a secret route to Bethlehem, and brought the baby in the manger symbolic gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. They then returned to their own lands, avoiding Herod and his plotting.

Track 4 Credits. The Birth-Wise Men 2.

The Cowboy Carol. Composed by © Ash James and recorded by The Wally Wild Wind Quintet @The Barn-Fest, Kidderminster, 12th August, 2000.

Circumcision Blues 1 and 2. Composed by © Ash James and recorded by Dr Kevin Grudge ft.DJ Zak Lemon@The Academy Of Mirrors, Westminster, London, September 3rd, 2004.

The Real Christmas Story. Luke states that after eight days the baby Jesus was circumcised, as was the tradition with Jewish boys. Ouch! Mary and Joseph also travelled to Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice of two Turtle Doves (or possibly pigeons) as instructed by Jewish Law, both in thanks for the birth and as an act of purification for Mary.

Track 5 Credits . Temple Times.

Rejoice. Composed by © Ash James and recorded by The West Yorkshire Police Show Band, @The Behind Bars, Tingley End, Ilkley, sometime in 2004,

Once In Royal David`s City.Composed by Alexander and Gauntlett, and recorded by The Pushkin Sisters, @Beijing Night Club, Sparkbrook, Birmingham, December 24th, 2002.

The Real Christmas Story. In The Temple in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph met with the much-respected Simeon. He believed his life could only truly have been worthwhile once he`d met the `Saviour of the World`. Upon holding the baby Jesus he proclaimed him to be a child who would bring salvation. An old prophetess named Anna was also nearby. She rarely left the Temple, praying for a leader to set Jerusalem free from the Romans. As soon as she saw Jesus, she too believed her prayers had been answered. By now, the baby had been recognised and worshipped as the Son Of God by the poor, the rich, and the faithful. He was also of David`s lineage. But many remained suspicious, not least the Roman-approved King Herod. Bloodshed was just around the corner.

Track 6 Credits. Never Trust A Herod

Herod`s Slaughter.Composed by ©Ash James, mixed and recorded by DJ Zak Lemon at the Whooa Hooha Nights, Brighton Beachfront, July 12th, 2004.

Rachel`s Weeping, Composed by © Ash James, recorded by DJ Zak Lemon (as above).

When A Knight Won His Bavarian Spurs. Composed by Struther and Vaughan Williams, with adaptations composed by © Ash James and recorded by The Salvation Army Oompah Dub Band, corner of Tempest and Dewsbury Road`s next to the telephone box, Beeston, Leeds, December 23rd, 2003.

The Real Christmas Story. Whilst Luke records that the family returned home to Nazareth in Galilee, Matthew recounts the grim details of Herod`s retribution. Not knowing who the young `King` and perceived rival born in Bethlehem may have been, he ordered the murder of all babies and young boys in that village and the surroundings. Mary and Joseph had been warned in a dream of this intention, and told to flee to Egypt for their safety. They lodged with a family for a year before learning of the death of Herod, and were able then to travel home to Nazareth. However, the newly appointed Roman surrogate-King Archelaus, seemed just as unhinged as his deceased father, so they decided to avoid any journeys to Jerusalem-for the moment. Matthew also refers to the famous biblical figure, Rachel-her weeping may have been reported to both exemplify the terrible pain and loss of such a massacre, and to symbolically infer other travails, including Roman repression.

Track 7 Credits. Return To Nazareth.

Nasturtium Canticle.Composed by ©Ash James and recorded by the Nasturtium Monks from The Friary, Lye Cross, West Mercia, England, December 24th, 2004

Interlude in E. Composed by ©Ash James, recorded by The Buddy Buys, Blair-Bush City Limits, Panhandle, Texas, USA.

Ding Dong Merrily On High. Composed by Arbeau and Woodward, and recorded by Kevin Grudge ft.DJ Zak Lemon@The Academy Of Mirrors, Westminster, London, September 3rd, 2004.

The Real Christmas Story. Matthew saw great significance in the flight from Egypt-as a prophecy had foretold, a great leader would be born who had suffered such a persecution. This was therefore no ordinary baby. Worth singing (and Ding-Donging Merrily On High) about.

Track 8 Credits. Rejoice

Good King Wenceslas. Composed by J M Neale and T Helmore, with introductory teeny piece by Ash James, recorded by The Salvation Army Oompah Dub Band, corner of Tempest and Dewsbury Roads next to the telephone box, Beeston , Leeds, December 23rd, 2003.

O Come All Ye Faithfull. Composed by F Wade and recorded by The Severn Valley Accordian Band near Aggborough Stadium, Kidderminster, December 1st, 2001.

The Real Christmas Story. As Jesus grew, so did his independence from both the accepted and enforced norms of the day. Luke refers to a journey he made to Jerusalem with his parents, at The Feast of The Passover. Mary and Joseph were horrified to lose him as they began their way home. They found him three days later in The Temple, listening to rabbi`s and amazing them them with his questions and understanding. Many years later, the `Good King` Wenceslas, a 10th century Duke of Bohemia, and he of the famous carol, was therefore following a well-worn path in serving all people similarly, and with humility, irrelevant of their background.

Track 9 Credits. White Christmas.

White Christmas. Composed by Irving Berlin, and recorded by Maurice Dannser on the original mighty Wurlitzer Organ, Tower Ballroom, Blackpole, Worcester, December 20th, 1942 , by kind permission of Mrs Pauline Spittle.

The Real Christmas Story.

Jesus`s life and example has been an inspiration to humankind for over two thousand years. Whatever we may believe or aspire to be, the messages of goodwill to all people, the desire to speak truly, with humility, compassion, and most of all, with love, are some of the greatest gifts we can share: and in so doing perhaps, we embrace `The Real Christmas Story.`

May your days be `Merry and Bright`.

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