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christmas-on-the-block
"Christmas On The Block" © Alan Mann 1983 [rip '88] by permission- Mann family.
2011- 320k mp3 by Larry Saklad of Mann's Free Arts Band, featuring Kenn Kweder blues-harp, Kim De Meo vocals, mastered by Ryan Schwabe
*slide-show video~ http://youtu.be/5ErBRbakWi4
There's a streetlight that sits above the night
and it shines it's grey light on the midnight air
and the houses twinkle on the block
but there's one house that shines a special way out there
It's Christmas in the city
and the trees are lighted pretty
but the prettiest Christmas tree of all,
They can see all the colors that we cannot
and theirs' is the most beautiful Christmas on the Block
Though they cannot see the light of day
and their night is forever the fact still remains
In this world of confusion there is peace
There is hope in despair sometimes the beauty is a beast
And they cannot see the lightning
and they cannot see the thunder
But they know what no-one understands
The beauty is a blessing, love is all we got
And theirs' is the most beautiful
Christmas on the Block
In the darkest corner of the night
only dreams illuminate their eyes
They can see all the colors that we cannot
And theirs' is the most beautiful
Christmas on the Block
The cannot see the lightning
and they cannot see the thunder
but they know what no-one understands
The beauty is a blessing, love is all we got
And theirs' is the most beautiful
Christmas on the Block
____________Press Release_____________
Former Alan Mann & The Free Arts Band member, Larry Saklad, is ready to release a brand new recording of Christmas On The Block, both in honor of this legendary local favorite and to Alan’s 28th anniversary of it’s first release in 1983. Saklad was Mann’s original piano/keyboard man who also released another recording of this song in ’95, tracked & mixed @ Art Inst Of Phila and aired on Street Beat, then local show hosted by Cyndy Drue (WMMR, now @ WMGK); years later he felt it was overproduced and not authentic to the original, which this new recording aimed at correcting and succeeds, including Alan’s favorite- a 12 string Guild guitar! All that’s missing is the second grade kids singing ala Mann’s track.
The story goes something like…
… Alan Mann was late getting home to his girlfriend, and somewhere in West Phila-Overbrook, had a vision of the wonderful lights decorating a School For The Blind, feeling both the irony and magic of how that must be for those students, that “their’s is the most beautiful Christmas On The Block”, and had the whole song written by the time he arrived.
History and tradition have surrounded this folk song ever since it’s first low-fi release and subsequent early MTV video, which also recieved full support from Yoko Ono, and had loyal fans’ requests thru-out these passing years. But Alan never had the chance to produce a true studio quality recording of it before he was gone. Larry relays how not two weeks before, Alan Mann spoke at length with him near 24th on Walnut, Phila, outside his mgr’s brownstone, about re-joining the Alan Mann Band, that he missed piano…
“Ultimately,” states Saklad, “this has been a labor of love, and the only listener that really matters is Alan himself, who I can only hope is mighty happy about how this brand new recording turned out!” albeit 28 years later.
Released by:
KidGrin Records [indie]
Release date: Nov 29, 2011
Release date: Nov 29, 2011
- Larry Saklad
- RDJMBX
- Larry Saklad
Larry Saklad on December 13, 2011 19:02
thnx for all help~ request airplay of this local favorite & new rcdg, best wishes, ~Larry
12/12 updates+ live w/ Kweder @ Dobbs 12/11~
Michael Tearson- thanks for the Christmas on the Block 2011 CD, Larry. what a lovely piece of music! Some Christmas Songs You Probably Don't Know By Heart #1 (of 2) radiothatdoesntsuck.com. it'll debut on site stream 4 times Tuesday 9am 3pm 9 3am Wed. then avail on demand & free. great seeing you tonight (12/11)! song is next to last and spotlighted. RTDS - Radio That Doesn't Suck - "Format-free radio, or radio free of form!" Hi bit rate 192 Hi Def radio! http://rtds.ca
Kathi Ransome- Larry, many thanks for the Cd, I promise to give it a good home and might even possibly wear it out, listening to it. It was really magic hearing you and Kenn perform "Christmas on the Block" last night. I got goosebumps and chills....of course. Thank you so so much. Much Love... the pleasure was all mine, Larry! the audience was so with you for that song, it touched everyone, especially Alan's friends and fans. Nice work!
Len Allen- that was awesome......great job Larry and Kenn.......really enjoyed that song
Andi Charkow- Nice singing last night!
Allan Rosen- ^Yes Larry^...you sound great and a perfect song too! Heshey Schlachterman seemed really happy to see so many familiar faces, just great vibes everywhere.
Bob Crawford- It was great hearing it live! It's my favorite Christmas song by far! I still have the 45!!!!
Larry Saklad- a really specially great XX, thankyou Kathi & Kenn & all us @ The Legendary Dobbs. so many many friends- the bitter erased by the oh-so-sweet, raise our glasses to GOOSEBUMPS (it's my next album yaknow)
Wendy Barnhart Galluzzo- singer Free Arts Band '77-9, WOW! I can feel the LOVE all the way here in the desert of AZ,,,Way to go Larry, I know how important this song was for you to do in such a way to make everyone stop- take a moment to feel & remember,,,RIP dear Alan
Ross Landy WBZH- Hey Larry -- mind if I play this on my show tonight? [oh yeah!] it'll be on Journey to Midnight tonight, 9pm - 12 eastern time WBZH 1370-AM Pottstown, PA (www.wbzh.net). Support this great song while you support community radio! Thanks!
Dan Herman- Hi Larry, I have chosen to spin Christmas On The Block in my final show 2011. This show is a bit of an RCB tradition, indie segments + originals. Fans can hear Radio Crystal Blue: (1) FeedPlayer http://sites.google.com/site/radiocrystalblue & www.radiocrystalblue.net (2)Podcast: RSS www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu/rss & www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
Greg G on the Z- Thanks for passin' this along! I am a huge fan of Alan Mann especially his "Christmas On The Block". It'll be spun on my Rockin' Roots Christmas show Wed Dec 21st [Roots-Rock/Americana radio show "Roots Rock Review" airs every Wednesday 6- 10pm EST Z88.9FM, 95.1FM, 100.7FM broadcasting from NJ, streaming 'live' www.z889.org ] - Larry Saklad
Larry Saklad on December 07, 2011 18:07
12/07/2011~ Robin Robison (Alan Mann’s sister), “You did a fantastic job with Christmas On The Block” & “would love for you to do this, anything to keep his name, voice, memory alive”.
Kenn Kweder, “Excellent job Larry!!! way to go!”
Helen Leicht debuts it Wed 12/7 (she assured me) aired 9am-10 hr! http://xpn.org/playlists/xpn-playlist
XPN Playlist 12-07-2011 9am…
Peter Gabriel – Sledgehammer – So
*Larry Saklad – Christmas On The Block – single
Howlin’ Wolf – Rockin’ Daddy – The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions…11/26~ it’s coming together, Tues 11/29 release!! Mark Rogers of WSTW heard an adv copy, “Hey Larry, it sounds great! Very nice job” and will premier it!
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