Sunday December 19, 2021 “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” Darlene Love
Well, we are beginning one of the most trying but celebratory weeks of the year, the week before Christmas and of course we will be providing you with the soundtrack to your Christmas lists, shopping, partying, wrapping and searching for that perfect fruit cake.
And could there be a better artist to kick off the week than the amazing Darlene Love, the voice of so many groups before she received the solo recognition she deserved for being one of the great singers in rock and roll.
Early in her career Darlene Love was doing background vocals on Phil Spector’s “little symphonies for the kids” as he described his records. She can be heard on Spector produced recordings for people like the Righteous Brothers, she was the lead vocalist for the Blossoms who were the resident ‘girl group’ on the 60s TV show Shindig, and she sang the lead as the Crystals for their number one hit “He’s a Rebel” (written by Gene Pitney for those who might remember him).
Although there are several fine covers of this wonderful Christmas tune, Darlene Love's classic, original version of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” will always be my favorite. The song written by Brille Building legends Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich was first produced by Phil Spector and if you listen carefully you might hear Leon Russell, Glen Campbell, Sonny & Cher and the rest of the group who would go on to become the Wrecking Crew.
Stay safe and well…and get that wrapping paper and tape out, Christmas is only five days away.