Watching the candles burn - the eight nights of Chanukah will be back before you know it!

"Seconds pass slowly, and years go flying by," so sayeth one of the many poetry gods I listen to (now if only he'd release his next damn album, but I digress).  2022 was no exception as one of those fly-by years, and with December (and occasionally late November based on the Hebrew calendar) comes a tradition I began in 2012 and have resuscitated annually ever since like clockwork. Starting this Sunday evening, the first night of Chanukah 2022, I invite you to join me for eight consecutive nights of my most bodacious and audacious shares of the year. Nothing really out of the ordinary this time - the usual spigot of un/under-released vinyl, bootlegs, live offerings and demos. 

You might be asking what initially motivated me to begin this tradition altogether.  For one, it gives me a convenient excuse to share several mind-blowing "gifts" instead of just one big reveal on Christmas.  Secondly, Chanukah represents personal relevance to me.  We all know you were envious of that kid down the block who had a yarmulke festooned to their head, who was given the privilege of lighting the menorah, and of course, reveling in eight glorious nights of presents.  Once again, I'm paying it forward.  Previous Chanukah entries have featured Wire, Velocity Girl, Jellyfish, Husker Du and Teenage Fanclub, but name recognition is hardly a guarantee.  As in past years, there will definitely be familiar faces, but also several entrants that have never garnered face-time on W/O.  Bear in mind that what's crucial and/or specal to my ears may not be of equal essence to yours, but kindly, try to humor me.

At the top of each Chanukah upload will be a thumbnail photo of a menorah, with the appropriate number of lit candles to denote each succeeding evening until all eight slots in the candelabra are occupied on the concluding night, coincidentally this year on Christmas day. Here are a few details to bear in mind:

• Look for the first Chanukah posting this Sunday evening, and then for the remaining seven nights 'round supper time all next week. 
• Mystery Monday will be taking a break this coming Monday (Dec. 19) so as not to disrupt or distract from the continuity of the eight consecutive nights of the holiday.
• Some offerings will be made available in FLAC (in addition to standard MP3).
• On an arguably related note, I'm in the throes of restoring fifteen years worth of dead download links. Go here and here for full details.

And as always, download responsibly.  Have fun (you will).