Yellowknife (Nov 19/04) - It may not rank with We are the World or Tears are Not Enough, but it might have a spot next to William Shatner's recording of Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.

Yellowknifer's Mike W. Bryant in happier times. Bryant and the entertainment editor's butchering of Jingle Bells is one of the lowlights of RAANT's charity CD, A Christmas Gift. - Jennifer Geens/NNSL photo

The curiosity factor alone should help the Recording Arts Association of the NWT (RAANT) raise some money for charity through sales of its first Christmas CD.

Over the past month, Rick Poltaruk, president of the association, lured Yellowknife dignitaries and media folk into his basement recording studio to sing -- or speak as the case may be -- a Christmas track.

A Christmas Gift, the resulting compilation CD, goes on the market this week at $10 a pop. Artisan Press gave RAANT a good deal on the printing costs, and all proceeds will go to the Centre for Northern Families.

"It's the best worst Christmas album I've ever done," said Poltaruk.

Premier Joe Handley reads the classic editorial Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus and Mayor Gord Van Tighem recites T'was the Night Before Christmas.

Carol Morin from CBC sings O Holy Night, William Greenland from CKLB sings The Little Drummer Boy. Even MLA Jane Groenewegen is on the record singing Do You Hear What I Hear.

Lowlights include Yellowknifer's duo of the Fishin' Technician and Pleasure Zone Lady warbling Jingle Bells -- see apology -- and virtually CJCD's entire staff and crew singing The Twelve Days of Christmas.

"By the time they get to the 12th day, they're out of synch, out of tune and they're having so much fun," said Poltaruk.

"I've never heard such total chaos."

CJCD, CBC Radio and CKLB have promised to play excerpts from the CD.

RAANT will donate an autographed copy of the CD to tonight's Celebrity Auction. Copies will be available through the Centre for Northern Families or RAANT.