A Christmas Yuleblog

Last year, the fifth album I reviewed was for "Al's Christmas Ale 2005" (click on the link for background info). This year, this is the fifth day of reviewing albums. So it's fitting that "Al's Christmas Ale 2006" is our featured compilation today! Al Aitchison was one of the first FaLaLaLaLa.com members I corresponded with to set up a swap of annual Christmas CDs. This CD you're looking at is the third CD I've received from Al. Each CD from Al has a distinct personality, a feeling, a pulse. It's quite unique. To explain it better, I've asked Al a set of questions I will be asking everyone who submitted a comp: 1.) When did you begin creating your Christmas compilations? My first CD was compiled in 1999. It had a 1950's and 60's rhythm and blues/soul theme and was entitled "Merry Christmas - Rhythm And Blues Treats For Your Holiday Pleasure." The oh-so-glorious 1955 Playboy centerfold featuring Bettie Page...

This is the fifth of six different Christmas comps that I'm reviewing this week. These comps were either sent to me by other Christmas collectors / enthusiasts or download available comps that were created by Christmas collectors / enthusiasts. In a previous review , I explained how FaLaLaLaLa.com brought together Christmas music lovers from all over the world to one spot on the Internet. Many of these people created their very own year-end Christmas compilations and shared them with their family and friends. It was a shock to realize I wasn't the only person creating annual Christmas CDs - but did that make me normal? Al Aitchison was a fellow collector from New York City who posted this message at FaLaLaLaLa.com on December 21, 2004: " Hey, does anyone out there make annual Christmas CD's? I'm always looking to trade with other collectors. I have extra copies of my latest collection. It's unlikely the CD will arrive by Christmas but who cares? It...