"Too Cool for Yule"
When I was younger, I made mixtapes for my friends, my siblings, my work colleagues, and often, just for me. For those under 35 who might not have had the experience of methodically pouring over your record and tape collection or waiting patiently by the radio for the replay of that one tune that really captures the essence of the person you are making the tape for, the hours you can spend with your two-slot cassette player are some of the most intimate and lonely, exhilarating and exhausting, optimistic and indulgent, and simply joyful experiences you can have (just ask your parents). Each tape is a story of a person. Some are goofy. Some are sobering. Some are topical. And some are just a hodgepodge of inanity. But each one is special. Every mixtape is a piece of your heart and glimpse of the “you” you are when no one is looking.
For the past 13 years, I have published a “Too Cool for Yule” playlist, as my love letter to the County and the people we serve. And while (sadly) Spotify has replaced the cassette tape, making the process easier, like much of 2020, this playlist was more difficult than ever to create.
How can I truly honor those that have left us too soon, the sacrifices we have all had to make, and the growing uncertainty of what next year will bring? How can I capture both the compassion and caring our neighbors have shown for one another throughout the pandemic, and our fervent wish for brighter days to come? So this was my attempt:
From the mournful twang of Pete Seeger to the unbridled joy of Little Richard. With solemnity from the Boston Camerata and the eccentricity of Tom Lehrer, we hope this playlist has something for everyone. If you are alone for the holidays, please know, we are here for you. And let us hit pause for a moment to reflect on the immortal words of John Prine:
No Libra sun, no Halloween
No giving thanks for all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is, though old so new
To fill your heart like no three words could ever do
I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
As one of my wise colleagues recently told me, even though many of us cannot celebrate the holidays this year, if we’re lucky, there will be many, many more to come.
Stay safe, stay hopeful.
Diane
What an enjoyable holiday playlist: nice mix of musical styles. Thanks for sharing!
You are most welcome, Ingrid. Glad you are enjoying it.
“Too Cool for Yule” is very cool. Thank you, Diane, for sharing this eclectic playlist. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Diane. We LOVE putting this list together. And the more eclectic … the better. 😉
Really enjoyed the playlist. Thank you for sharing this!