An alternative (and occasional) music posting highlighting something out of the ordinary. Perhaps of limited appeal, unconventional, experimental or just far-out ! Call it what you like (or switch it off, if you don't like). 

Earlier this month we featured the voice of Lisa Fischer and during research an award winning American documentary called '20 Feet From Stardom' came to light. Another of the many back up singers featured in this film is today's artist Darlene Love.

Her story is fascinating. In the early 60s she sang lead on a number of recordings for which she was not credited: The Crystals 'He's a Rebel' for starters and one part of the Blue Jeans to Bob B. Soxx while as a member of The Blossoms, Darlene Love contributed backing vocals behind many of the biggest hits of the 1960s.

She was very much a part of the recordings made by Phil Spector and his famous 'Wall of Sound': To attain the Wall of Sound, Spector's arrangements called for large ensembles, with multiple instruments doubling or tripling many of the parts to create a fuller, richer tone. Among other features of the sound, Spector incorporated an array of orchestral instruments (strings, woodwind, brass and percussion) not previously associated with youth-oriented pop music. Reverb from an echo chamber was also highlighted for additional texture.

Given the full treatment this popular song was written in 1949 by Carl Sigman (lyrics) and Peter DeRose (music). The song is about winter and is commonly regarded as a Christmas song, although the lyrics make no mention of Christmas. It's 'A Marshmallow World' by Darlene Love. Something jolly [please go full screen to fully enjoy the lights]