Monthly Archives: December 2023

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 15

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 15

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree inside an old food tin featured in Country Living Magazine. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s pick is one of my favorite Christmas songs but I hardly hear it during the holiday season which absolutely baffles me. My favorite version of it was recorded by the transcendent Anthony Dominick Benedetto, better known as Tony Bennett. We lost this beautiful man earlier this year, but thanks to a career spanning 70 years, we will thankfully never be without his legacy or his voice. 

In addition to his numerous mainstream recordings, he released a few holiday albums as well. I love them all but today’s song is from 2008’s A Swingin’ Christmas (Featuring The Count Basie Big Band). However, anything by this legend should be on your playlist if you consider yourself to be a music connoisseur. And for a female take on this classic, the best one I have found is by Rosemary Clooney, of course.  

“It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
Merry Christmas“.

Tony Bennett 1
Tony 2
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Tony 4
Tony Diana
Tony Rosemary

1. Tony Bennett in his early career days circa late 1950’s, early 1960’s. 2. Bennett circa 2000. 3. With Frank Sinatra sometime in the 1970’s. 4. With Amy Winehouse for their collaboration on 2011’s Duets II. 5. With Diana Krall for their 2018 album. 6. Bennett and Clooney in 1950 (this photo by CBS via Getty Images). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Tony Bennett: “The Christmas Waltz” (2008, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

Rosemary Clooney: ”The Christmas Waltz” (1996, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 14

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 14

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree with pinecones galore featured in Country Living Magazine. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song was first recorded in 1947 by the band of one of the songwriter’s, Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers. The lead vocal is by singer & pianist Charles Brown, who went on to co-write and sing another successful holiday hit as a solo artist with “Please Come Home For Christmas” in 1960. 

My favorite version of today’s track is by my great love, Bruce Springsteen, released as part of 1987’s compilation album, A Very Special Christmas (it was also the B-side to his cover of “War” of all tracks in 1986). His rendition is followed closely by the cover by my other great musical love, Otis Redding. No surprise there. But I got so comfortable with these three renditions, I did not look for any others. Until this year. And what a shock to find two more unbelievably great versions by two unequivocal music legends.

Tina Turner recorded hers in 1964 when she was singing with her first husband. It is a rousing, funky, powerful no holds barred rendition delivered in a way only Tina could. Needless to say, it is glorious. We may have lost this force of a woman earlier this year, but finding this gem of a cover proves that music is the gift that just keeps giving, no matter how long it takes to find it.   

The King took on this song for himself as well. His website calls his version “as unlikely as it was welcome in the antiseptically “wonderful world of Christmas” and is that ever an understatement. I was so used to hearing the ballads and rock inspired tunes by Elvis, not to mention his gospel tracks, that this just reminded me why he is called The King. There was nothing-NOTHING-he could not sing, including a bluesy piano & guitar driven version of a great old Christmas tune. Shame on me for not finding it until 2023, but thank goodness I finally did. 

All five renditions are below for you to choose your favorite. And if you cannot choose, you have five great additions to your seasonal playlist.  

Johnny Moore
Tina circa 1973
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Picture 1: Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers. Picture 2: Tina Turner circa 1973. Picture 3: The jacket for Otis Redding’s 1968 holiday release. Picture 4: The jacket to Elvis Presley’s 1971 holiday single. Picture 5: The Boss in a festive mood in an undated picture. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers: ”Merry Christmas Baby” (1947, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore. Lead vocal by Charles Brown.) 

Ike and Tina Turner: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1964, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

Otis Redding: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1968, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

Elvis Presley: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1971, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1986, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 13

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

country living mag

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree in a wash tub with the trimmings all around featured in Country Living Magazine. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Late Show With David Letterman may have ended in 2015, but his wonderful yearly tradition of sharing today’s song with all of us continues here. Darlene Love recorded the track 60 years ago for the album, A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector. She has been performing it on Dave’s shows for decades and it was one of the greatest parts for me and millions of others each December. The edgier rock themed version by U2 is fabulous, too.  

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Top: A Dave sandwich from Darlene Love (L) and Paul Shaffer in 2013. Middle 1: Letterman pulled out all the stops for Love’s final holiday performance in 2015. Middle 2: Phil Spector’s 1963 Christmas album featuring Love’s original track. Bottom: U2 in the holiday spirit, albeit probably a photoshopped mood. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

U2: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (1987, written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 12

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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A lovely vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Francis Albert Sinatra-better known as Frank Sinatra, “Ol’ Blue Eyes” or “The Chairman Of The Board”- was born on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, NJ. To this day, he defines an era of the lavish lifestyle in the glamour filled days of old Hollywood as an actor, singer, entertainer and a member of the Rat Pack.

He recorded today’s song 75 years ago in 1948 only four years after it was featured in the film, “Meet Me In St. Louis” where it was performed by Judy Garland. I have included both for you today for some his and her variety. And because both are spectacular.

“Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Will be near to us once more“.

frank and judy

Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland from an undated photo circa late 1940’s or early 1950’s. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (1948, written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin).

Judy Garland: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (1944, written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 11

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s holiday song is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. Elton John released it in November 1973 to cap off the remarkable success of a year where he had two #1 albums: Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player and the smash, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which was in the top spot when today’s track was released.

Written with his magnificent lyricist, Bernie Taupin, and released with a performance video of Elton and his band enjoying every minute of their time performing this song, it is not played nearly enough each December while we are inundated with tracks many of us wish were retired long ago. But fifty years later, we can count on EJ to provide a really fun part of the festive season.

“Welcome to my Christmas song
I’d like to thank you for the year
So I’m sending you this Christmas card
To say it’s nice to have you here“.

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Top: The sleeve for Elton John’s 1973 holiday song. Bottom: Bernie Taupin (L) and Elton (R) circa 1974. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elton John: “Step Into Christmas“: (1973, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 10

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

10 B

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The singer behind today’s song is soul defined. His life was tragically short (he died on December 10, 1967 at age 26) as was his career (it spanned three years and produced six albums in his lifetime), yet over five decades later he is still celebrated as The King Of Soul. And today’s track is a yearly reminder that despite the tradition of this season, it can and should be celebrated with music that features a fabulous achingly impassioned vocal that makes you feel the spirit of Christmas and more.

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Otis Redding circa 1965. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 9

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

charlie_brown_christmas

Charlie Brown and his sage friend, Linus, and that tree in a scene from the iconic “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. (United Feature Syndicate. Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song is my favorite from the holiday special I love most. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” premiered 58 years ago on December 9, 1965. The Peanuts comic strip may have ended on February 13, 2000, but thanks to the beautiful, talented and unbelievably creative man who brought us the characters-Charles M. Schulz-and his collaboration with Bill Melendez, Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi nearly 60 decades ago, we will always have this sweet and affecting special to celebrate the season every year with some of the best friends many of us have ever known.

For a bit of a twist, I have provided the original song from the special plus his and her covers which are not only absolutely fabulous, but they will add the perfect soundtrack to any holiday event, from a party to a solo night binge watching Christmas movies at home.

“Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there“.

a charlie brown christmas 3
a charlie brown christmas 2
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Three adorable scenes from the iconic 1965 TV special. (United Feature Syndicate. Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

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

Diana Krall: “Christmas Time Is Here” (1998, music by Vince Guaraldi, lyrics by Lee Mendelson).

Barry Manilow: “Christmas Time Is Here” (2007, music by Vince Guaraldi, lyrics by Lee Mendelson).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 8

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 8

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Before we get to our holiday song, I want to take a moment to remember the man I consider to be the greatest frontman of all time on his 80th birth anniversary. James Douglas Morrison was born December 8, 1943 in Melbourne, FL. As a vocalist, songwriter, poet, artist and visionary, he translated all of that into the music he made with The Doors.

In seven years together with six albums released in his lifetime, Morrison and his bandmates brought the British Invasion to a halt and reminded audiences that classic rock music would always be in style to those of us who understand its power, its beauty and its message. He remains an iconic and legendary figure of the genre and in pop culture more than five decades after his death. I feel like I have missed him forever. I live by his words from my favorite track on Morrison Hotel everyday:

“The future’s uncertain and
The end is always near“.

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Top: Jim Morrison circa 1968. Middle: Morrison circa 1971. Bottom: The Doors circa 1967 (L-R): John Densmore, Ray Manzarek, Morrison and Robby Krieger. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Another singer and legend I have missed nearly my whole life is the man behind today’s song. John Lennon’s quest for worldwide peace culminated in this song in 1971. It told us who he was at his core-not a Beatle, not a songwriter, not a musician, not a rock star, not an iconoclastic figure-just a man wanting to live in a world where he could “imagine” a peaceful happy Christmas for himself and the rest of us, too.

Merry Christmas, John. You are missed. Every. Single. Second.

“A very Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear“.

Lennon
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Top: Lennon on stage circa 1971. Bottom: Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, circa 1968. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Doors: “Roadhouse Blues” (1970, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison).

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).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 7

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog Day 7

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s track celebrates the reason for the season. It is very special to me because it takes me back to one of my fondest childhood memories-standing next to my mother and holding her hand while we sang this together in church. And a singer like The First Lady Of Song makes her version a wonderful memory for anyone.

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald pictured sometime in the 1940’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ella Fitzgerald: “O Come All Ye Faithful” (1967, written by Frederick Oakeley and John Francis Wade).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 6

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 6

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Elvis Presley’s 1956 debut album consisted mostly of cover songs.  Of course, anything The King sang was glorious, but once he collaborated with the songwriting duo of legends-in-the-making, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, even Elvis’ bar was raised.  They had three years of hits together including “Hound Dog” (1956),  “Love Me” (1956), “Jailhouse Rock” (1957), “Loving You” (1957), “Don’t” (1958), “King Creole” (1958) and today’s rock & roll Christmas treat.  

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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley Santa Clause Is back

Top: The cover of Leiber & Stoller’s 2009 autobiography, “Hound Dog”. Middle: Elvis and his hips circa 1956. Bottom: Elvis’ first Christmas single in 1957. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elvis Presley: “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” (1957, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller).  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!