Sensational '70's (Christmas) Tune for Wed, Dec. 17th, '08

Many of David Bowie's collaborations and partnerships over time resulted in fine and sometimes groundbreaking work, most notably his series of albums with Brian Eno in the late seventies. But if there's a sheer 'what the heck?' moment in that list, it would have to be "Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy," done for a Bing Crosby Christmas special not long before his death as a duet with the old crooner. Even if the concept seems strange (and certainly the stilted sketch explaining that Bowie had come to visit Crosby on a wintry night didn't help), it's actually not too odd an idea given Bowie's open and admitted debt to both classic mid-century crooners like Crosby and more modern interpreters like Scott Walker. The medley itself, mixing the Christmas carol with a brief verse about wishing for seasonal calm, isn't either singer's finest hour, but their voices mix together well enough, while the music is suitably low-key and enjoyable.