‘Tis the season: This morning, I yet again set aside the customary show format to
deliver the “Talking Animals Annual Holiday Animal Song Special.” I noted the title is intentionally unwieldy, which I enjoy in an odd way, mostly because it reflects the tongue-in-cheek, nutty nature of the show. On the other hand, this year, I did not over-explain the premise (a show almost exclusively devoted to playing Holiday-oriented animal tunes), typically a fundamental component of these yearly programs. I did place a greater emphasis on playing new songs—or, at least, touting that I did so! From the get-go: The opening tune I played was “Krampus Night,” from the new Old Crow Medicine Show, OCMS XMAS. Other new releases I sprinkled throughout the hour included “Lion Inna Di Manger,” a selection from Ras Dave’s album, Christmas Inna Babylon, 
and a barn-burner from feisty fiddlers Mark & Maggie O’Connor, “Hold That Tiger Rudolph”—
arguably, two animal songs. We also heard our share of “Rudolph” numbers, including a racing take by Beatles doppelgänger The Fab Four. We also continued our crusade to generate attention for the non-Rudolph contingent of reindeer, and not just confined to the Original Eight. For instance, in one set, we presented Otis Gibbs’ “Lloyd The Reindeer,” followed by “Listen I’m Blitzen,” from Marion & Martin (the Marion being Marion Gwizdala, a past guest on “Talking Animals” https://talkinganimals.net/2024/09/marion-gwizdala-ceo-of-advocates-for-service-animal-partners-inc-asap/. Toward the end of this edition, I explained–and engaged in—the traditional reading of what I call the Dorothy Strauss Christmas message, basically a poignant, inspirational prose poem in the form of a wall hanging that formed the centerpiece of my Mom’s Christmas decorations. The piece was credited to “author unknown” in those days. I later learned it was written by –who briefly served as the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints–in the form of a Holiday speech he delivered.
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