Monthly Archives: December 2021

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 16

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 16

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The string arrangement on today’s song is incredibly beautiful but when paired with the singer’s soft expressive voice it becomes one of the most stunning versions of this carol I have ever heard. Not many artists reinvent traditional Christmas tunes when they choose to record them but this artist did just that with this remarkable performance.

“This star drew nigh to the northwest
Over Bethlehem it took its rest
And there it did both pause and stay
Right o’er the place where Jesus lay“.

Sleeping

Sleeping At Last’s Ryan O’Neal circa 2010. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Sleeping At Last: “The First Noel” (2017, traditional).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 15

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 15

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December 12th marked the 106th birth anniversary of Francis Albert Sinatra. A singer, an actor, a member of Hollywood’s Rat Pack and an overall entertainer & artist, the man was a legend who continues to enthrall fans with his towering reputation and existence. No one had a life like Sinatra.

Today’s tune may technically be considered a children’s Christmas song and Sinatra’s fellow New Jersey-ite Bruce Springsteen may have a more popular version in the rock genre. But The Chairman Of The Board turned this classic into a sophisticated big band grown up track that endures nearly 75 years after its original recording in 1947. It is still Frank Sinatra’s world and we are all just living in it. How lucky are we?

“He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake“.

Frank

Frank Sinatra circa 1955. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” (1947, written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 14

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14

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Classic crooners get me every time. Today’s singer is one of my favorites, not to mention a staple from my childhood holiday seasons. Growing up in an Italian-American household made this man’s music mandatory. And I am eternally grateful for that.

“When we finally kiss goodnight
How I’ll hate going out in the storm
But if you’ll really hold me tight
All the way home I’ll be warm”.

Dean

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dean Martin: “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let Is Snow!” (1966, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 13

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day 13

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It just would not be Christmas without watching “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”. I enjoy all the music but the songs by the jovial singing snowman are my favorites.

burl

Burl Ives and his counterpart, Sam The Snowman, circa 1964. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Burl Ives: “Holly Jolly Christmas” (1964, written by Johnny Marks).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 12

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

13

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

This song is a yearly tradition I learned from David Letterman. He reintroduced this woman’s tremendously versatile incredibly powerful voice to his audience in the 1980’s & continued to do so every year until he retired in 2015. It created a ripple effect that finally helped this singer get the recognition she so greatly deserved. And that is just one of the many debts I owe that witty sarcastic smart wonderful funny talented adorable man.

“Pretty lights on the tree
I’m watching them shine
You should be here with me
Baby please come home“.

dave

Darlene Love with David Letterman circa 2010. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Darlene Love: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1963, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 11

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

day 11

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Sam Cooke is considered to be one of the preeminent soul artists in music history. During his career as a singer, songwriter, arranger & business man, Cooke was successful in nearly everything he did. He started performing as a gospel singer with The Soul Stirrers, then embraced secular music as the original soul crooner before playing a significant role in the civil rights movement. His influence was worldwide and inspired many artists, including Motown legend Marvin Gaye.

He was devastated by Cooke’s untimely death in 1964 but Gaye continued Cooke’s legacy of making stunning music with a social conscience. That extended to today’s holiday song which Gaye co-wrote in 1972 to express what his brother & others in service to our country in Vietnam were longing for every day, especially during the Christmas season.

“I’d give anything to see
A little Christmas tree
And to hear the laughter
Of children playing in the snow
To kiss my baby under the mistletoe“.

Sam

Marvin

Top: Sam Cooke circa 1960. Bottom: Marvin Gaye circa 1971. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Marvin Gaye: “I Want To Come Home For Christmas” (1990, written in 1972 by Marvin Gaye and Forest Hairston).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 10

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day 10

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We may not have a lot of music from Otis Redding because he died entirely too young but the songs he did give us are absolutely astonishing. That includes his cover of today’s holiday classic which he recorded in his signature soulful style. What a gift this man was to music.

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white“.

Otis

Otis Redding in June 1967. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “White Christmas” (1967, written by Irving Berlin).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 9

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

day 9

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I cannot remember a time when The Peanuts characters were not part of my world. I had sheets with their adorable faces on them when I was a kid, along with a lunch box & various other toys & collectibles. I still have many of those cherished items today. Every one of the beautiful characters Charles M. “Sparky” Schulz gave us became part of my heart at an early age. They remain my safe place, my familiar place, my constant and my home. And I am convinced that love affair started the first time I watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” which premiered on December 9, 1965. This season would not be the same without this TV special & its exceptional music. Today’s song is my favorite from that wonderful soundtrack.

Linus

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Vince Guaraldi Trio: “Christmas Time Is Here” (1965, music by Vince Guaraldi, lyrics by Lee Mendelson).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 8

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 8

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song was released 50 years ago on December 1, 1971. We lost the enigmatic singer behind it 41 years ago today. His death remains one of the saddest moments of my life. But this track along with the rest of his legendary catalog helps me & the rest of his fans across the universe remember how alive his spirit and his heart remain in our world. Merry Christmas, John.

“So this is Christmas 
And what have you done
Another year over
A new one just begun“.

John

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

John Lennon & Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band with The Harlem Community Choir: “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (1971, written by John Lennon & Yoko Ono).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 7

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sleigh

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Any holiday tune from The First Lady Of Song is fabulous without question. But today’s is my favorite.

“We’re snuggled up together
Like two birds of a feather would be
Let’s take that road before us
And sing a chorus or two“.

ella

Ella Fitzgerald circa 1945. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ella Fitzgerald: “Sleigh Ride” (1960, written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!