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Larry Saklad - Christmas on the Block

from Midnight Clear: WSTW BONUS TRACKS ONLY by Various Artists

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Written by Alan Mann
(c) 1983 Alan Mann. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission of Alan's family. "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." - Robin Mann, Alan's sister

Alan Mann (RIP 1988) was late getting home to his girlfriend, and somewhere in West Phila-Overbrook, he 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, he thought "theirs 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 its first low-fi release and subsequent early MTV video, which has been requested by loyal fans throughout these passing years (including Yoko Ono, who gave it her full support). But Alan never had the chance to produce a true studio quality recording of it before he was gone. Larry Saklad relays how not two weeks before he passed, Alan Mann spoke at length with him near 24th on Walnut outside his mgr's brownstone in PA about re-joining the Alan Mann Band.

"Ultimately, this has been a labor of love," Saklad says, "and I'm mighty happy about how this record turned out! Albeit 30 years later..."

Newly remixed on October 28, 2014

lyrics

There's a streetlight that sits above the night
and it shines its 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

credits

from Midnight Clear: WSTW BONUS TRACKS ONLY, released November 26, 2014
Larry Saklad (Mann's Free Arts Band): vocals, keyboards, guitars, programming
Kenn Kweder: blues-harp
Kim De Meo: vocals

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Hometown Heroes Wilmington, Delaware

Hometown Heroes airs every Sunday night on 93.7FM WSTW in Wilmington, DE from 8pm to 10pm (EST). We play all music from local, original artists and bands.

Christmas Finds a Way is the new holiday album from Hometwon Heroes. All proceeds will benefit Toys for Tots (toysfortots.org). ... more

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