Boston, MA
Rock the house party with this all-Boston holiday playlist
If you don’t think that Boston has a proud history of Christmas music, you weren’t there on that jolly night in 1857 at the Simpson Tavern in Medford, when a regular named James Lord Pierpont wrote a winter-themed drinking song and called it “The One Horse Open Sleigh,” though it soon became much better known as “Jingle Bells.” And this was just a few years after one of the most haunting religious carols, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” was written by a Unitarian pastor in Wayland.
It’s a long jump from those holiday chestnuts to the songs on this year’s all-Boston Christmas playlist, which honors this city’s history of Christmas music, from seasonal depression to bawdy celebration. (You can find every song on Youtube, even if the records are long gone). We go in roughly chronological order and start way back in 1962:
Bobby Boris Pickett: “Monsters Holiday”
You thought he was from Transylvania, but the “Monster Mash” guy really hailed from Somerville. He had his second and last hit with this ’62 number, where the monster gang plans a robbery of Santa Claus’ sleigh. All works out well of course, and Dracula still gets a new cape for Christmas.
Canned Heat & the Chipmunks: “The Chipmunk Song”
In the most bizarre Christmas collaboration ever, the ‘60s blues-rock group (cofounded by Arlington native Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson) crashes an Alvin & the Chipmunks recording session and enlists them for a “Christmas boogie.” Proof that you could get away with anything after playing Woodstock.
The Snowballs: “Come On to the Christmas Party”
Speaking of the Chipmunks, this festive blues number was secretly delivered to Boston radio station WBCN in the ‘80s. Even with the sped-up vocals, it was pretty easy to recognize the J. Geils Band as the true artists. Never appeared on vinyl or CD— but Youtube now hosts the original Chipmunky version and a digitally tweaked one where Peter Wolf sounds more like himself.
Billy Squier, “Christmas Is the Time to Say I Love You”
It wasn’t that hip for rock stars to do Christmas tunes in the 80s, but Wellesley native Billy Squier was having too good a time to care. This is one of the merriest and lustiest of all rock Christmas tunes, though its daredevil high notes make it tough to sing.
Kristin Hersh: “Jesus Christ”
This joyous song, written by indie-rock hero Alex Chilton for his then-band Big Star, is perhaps the king of alternative rock Christmas carols. Even the Monkees wound up recording it, but there is no lovelier version than the one done in the ‘90s by the Throwing Muses frontwoman.
The Gravel Pit: “Marshmallow World”
The local Q Division studio released its own compilation album “Viva Noel” in ’99; the surprise was that many of the artists gravitated toward the more downcast Christmas songs. This fondly remembered band was an exception, stomping their way through a tune originally done by a guy who knew how to celebrate: Dean Martin.
Juliana Hatfield, “Make It Home”
This was Hatfield’s big moment as a singing actress, singing this haunting original tune on the Christmas episode of 90’s TV sensation “My So-Called Life.” If you remember the episode, it’s still near-impossible to hear the song without tearing up.
Boston, “God Rest Ye Metal Gentlemen”
The band Boston aren’t capable of sounding like anything but Boston, even when playing a Christmas carol. This instrumental version, released online in 2013, features plenty of soaring guitar work and big, grandiose drumming.
Letters to Cleo, “Christmas Song”
The beloved Boston band did a full Christmas EP in 2019, but this track comes from their earlier days. Kay Hanley delivers one of her most attitudinal vocals, as she asks the question on everybody’s mind: “Where the (expletive) are my presents?”
Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers: “Drink and Get Drunk”
The local blueswoman does love the bawdier tunes, and this one (from her splendid Christmas Swing album) imagines a holiday romance fueled by whiskey and gin. Just stay sober enough to appreciate her tasty, Delta-inspired guitar work.
Cold Expectations, “Coat of Snow”
Lovely bit of shimmering pop from this current band, whose male/female chorus harmonies project wintry moodiness and hope in the distance. From 2021, but harks back to the best of ‘80s new wave.
The Peppermint Kicks, “It’s a Peppermint Christmas”
Released last year, this is a worthy addition to the local holiday canon. The Peppermint Kicks are two local MVPs — Dan Kopko (Watts, Shang Hi Los) and Sal Baglio (the Stompers), getting in touch with their classic pop roots. This tune is pure high spirits; it starts out sweet and wintery, and turns into a guitar-slinging strut.
Boston, MA
MBTA Green Line trains out from Kenmore to Boston College on B branch through April 30
The Green Line B branch trains will not run between Kenmore and Boston College through April 30, according to the MBTA.
The nine-day outage will allow T officials to work on several infrastructure improvements and maintenance, the installation of Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS) infrastructure, replacement of 130-year-old wooden overhead catenary wire “trough” near the Green Line portals and more.
The MBTA announced free, accessible shuttle buses between the two stops, Kenmore and Boston College during the outage. The buses will not stop at Griggs Street, Allston Street, and Packard’s Corner due to “accessibility issues,” T officials said.
During the weekend of April 25 and 26, the outage will extend through Copley, and shuttle buses will skip Griggs Street, Allston Street, and Packard’s Corner during the same weekend.
Throughout the shutdown all Green Line frequency will be reduced between Copley and Government center.
The MBTA urged riders to use the Orange Line at Back Bay during the outage. The agency also noted riders can transfer to Copley from Back Bay, an approximately five-minute walk.
The route 57 bus will also be free from April 22 through 24 and April 27 through 30 for alternate service between Kenmore and Packard’s Corner, the MBTA stated. During the April 25 and 26 weekend, the T noted the bus will not be a good alternate with not Green Line service at Kenmore.
During the shutdown, riders taking shuttle buses should budget extra travel time, the T said.
“For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Boston College should budget at least an additional 10 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute,” the MBTA stated.
More information is available on-site through transit ambassadors and T staff, virtually through T-Alerts or following the MBTA on X @MBTA, or via the mbta.com/GreenLine.
Boston, MA
Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe flex in Boston: Takeaways from Celtics-76ers Game 2
Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined for 59 points, and the Philadelphia 76ers looked like a completely different team against the Boston Celtics in Game 2.
And unlike Game 1, the Sixers’ defense also showed up, holding Boston to 43 second-half points and 39 percent shooting for the game in a 111-97 road win to tie this Eastern Conference first-round series at 1-1.
Edgecombe scored a team-high 30 points on 12-for-20 shooting, and Maxey added 29 points and nine assists. The Sixers’ backcourt duo combined to shoot 11-for-22 from 3-point range. The Sixers were 19-for-39 from 3 after going 4 of 23 from that distance in Game 1.
Boston was led by Jaylen Brown’s game-high 36 points, but Jayson Tatum was the only other Celtics player who scored in double figures with 19. Boston shot 13-for-50 from 3-point range.
Here are some takeaways with Game 3 set for Friday in Philadelphia.
Celtics offense falls flat
The Celtics knew to expect a different effort from the 76ers.
One adjustment from Philadelphia likely didn’t take Boston by surprise. After taking just 23 3-pointers in Game 1, the 76ers sought out more long balls in Game 2.
Maxey called his own number more often. Edgecombe was aggressive from the start. As a team, the 76ers played with more freedom, firing plenty of shots that they might have turned down in the series opener. Philadelphia made plenty of those looks while shooting 48.7 percent from behind the arc.
Still, the Celtics would have been all right if they had played their usual offensive game. Instead, their offense was their biggest issue. They shot just 39.3 percent on field goal attempts. They missed 37 of 50 3-point attempts. They committed an atypical 13 turnovers.
Trying to come back in the fourth quarter, they had too many empty offensive possessions. Jaylen Brown got blocked while trying to beat the shot clock buzzer and picked up an offensive foul while hitting Maxey in the face. Jayson Tatum missed a contested pull-up 3-pointer early in the shot clock on one possession and threw away a pass on another. Derrick White was left wide open in the left corner but couldn’t find the bottom of the net. The 76ers left the door open early in the fourth quarter by missing several shots, including a couple of layups, but the Celtics couldn’t fully capitalize. Eventually, Maxey sank a series of baskets to create more separation for Philadelphia, and the Celtics largely went away down the stretch. — Jay King, Celtics beat writer
Sixers bounce back in Boston
This is the way the 76ers have to play if they want to extend this series as far as possible.
Maxey and Edgecombe have to dominate their guard matchups, which is exactly what they did in Tuesday night’s Game 2. Paul George needs to be a deterrent to Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. He doesn’t have to eclipse them, because that would be difficult. But he does have to give them a bit of pause. Most of all, the 76ers have to play the focused brand of basketball they exhibited in Game 2 rather than the sloppy and slapstick kind of hoops they played in Game 1.
The Celtics are such a good team that the above equates to near-perfect basketball. But that’s the task the Sixers are facing, particularly without star center Joel Embiid. On Tuesday night, this was a team up to the task. They were focused. They executed on both ends of the floor. They got much better play from their role players. Maxey and Edgecombe were absolutely dominant.
Overall, on both ends of the floor, this is the best game the 76ers have played in months. And they got it at just the right time. Now we have a 1-1 series heading back to Philadelphia. — Tony Jones, Sixers beat writer
Boston, MA
Former Massachusetts doctor faces 81 new sexual assault charges
A former doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston has been indicted on 81 new sexual assault charges, prosecutors announced Tuesday. Dr. Derrick Todd, a rheumatologist, was already facing rape and assault charges in Middlesex County and had been sued by dozens of former patients.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said the new charges stem from accusations made by 22 victims between 17 and 56 years old. Todd faces 21 new rape charges, 59 new counts of indecent assault and battery and one count of assault with intent to rape.
“Many of these women had complicated and gravely serious symptoms and conditions. Some were in excruciating pain. Many were desperate for relief,” Hayden said. “Dr. Todd intently groomed them all into quiet submission.”
With the latest indictments, Todd is now facing more than 100 charges of sexual assault in Massachusetts.
“Almost unimaginable”
The alleged assaults occurred between 2017 and 2023 at Brigham and Women’s Hale Building in Boston and the Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain. Hayden said it’s “almost unimaginable” how Todd was able to violate and betray patients’ trust.
“The scale of victimization and the magnitude of trauma left in the wake of these allegations is something we have never encountered,” Hayden said.
WBZ-TV has reached out to Todd’s lawyer for comment. He could be arraigned in court on the new charges this week, Hayden said.
Charges against Dr. Derrick Todd
Brigham and Women’s fired Todd in 2023 following accusations that he performed inappropriate pelvic and breast exams on his patients. The I-Team reported at the time that police were investigating more than a dozen complaints of sex assault against Todd by his female patients.
In January of 2025, Todd pleaded not guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to rape charges involving two of his former patients at Charles River Medical Associates in Framingham.
Last month, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said a grand jury indicted Todd on three new charges of rape and 17 counts of indecent assault and battery.
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