Monthly Archives: December 2023

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 5

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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A lovely simple and elegant holiday display found on Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The legendary and multi-talented Joni Mitchell turned 80 this year (click here for that post) and her music is still as vital, as influential and as beautiful as ever. And it should be. Today’s pick is one of her most beloved and most covered tracks. I love the original version she recorded for her 1971 album, Blue. It was reissued in 2021 for its 50th anniversary along with a really lovely animated video for today’s song. My absolute favorite cover of this tune was recorded by actor Robert Downey Jr. in 2000 for his role as Larry Paul on “Ally McBeal”. It has a cello arrangement that is absolutely exquisite.

“It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace“.

Joni Mitchell
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Top: Joni Mitchell in the early 1970’s. Bottom: Robert Downey Jr. circa 2005. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “River” (1971, written by Joni Mitchell).

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 4

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 4

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

If you are someone who looks forward to new versions of traditional Christmas songs, today’s pick is for you. And what a sublime track it is. It comes from The Lumineers who had their breakthrough hit in 2012 with “Ho Hey” from their self-titled debut. Their holiday recording is in support of Backline, a nonprofit organization that assists music industry professionals with resources to help with mental health and wellness. The beautiful sparse rendition fits Wesley Schultz’s voice perfectly to Jeremiah Fraites simple but elegant piano track. I find it absolutely stunning.

The Lumineers: Jeremiah Fraites (L) and Wesley Schultz (R). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Lumineers: “Deck The Halls” (2023, Traditional).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 3

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 3

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

In 2008 R&B singer Brian McKnight released his second Christmas album. The title track is such a great take on a classic holiday tune that was first released 80 years ago in 1943. Knight’s smooth soothing soulful version reminds me of the type of music you hear during a Christmas episode of a TV series or the track playing during a montage on a soap opera where we get a look at various couples and families celebrating the holiday. I first discovered Knight after hearing his lovely & evocative 1992 duet with Vanessa Williams (and seeing the gorgeous video) for “Love Is” from Beverly Hills, 90210: The Soundtrack.

For a fabulous instrumental take on the same song, look no further than music mogul & trumpeter, Herb Alpert, who spent a lot of 2023 on tour. His second holiday album, 2017’s The Christmas Wish, also includes his cover of “Merry Christmas Darling” written and recorded by The Carpenters in 1970 on Alpert’s A&M label. I also recommend his first seasonal record, Christmas Album, which was released in 1968 with his band, The Tijuana Brass.

Herb

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Brian McKnight: “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (2008, written by James Kimball “Kim” Gannon, Walter Kent and Buck Ram).

Herb Alpert: “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (2017, written by James Kimball “Kim” Gannon, Walter Kent and Buck Ram).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 2

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 2A

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

The Eurythmics’ 1983 breakthrough single, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” introduced the world to the powerful, magnetic and soulful performer, Annie Lennox. Her 1992 solo debut, Diva, established the Scottish singer-songwriter as one of the greatest female voices of all time.

A myriad of accolades and awards followed along with five more solo albums including 2010’s “A Christmas Cornucopia“, a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary holiday songs. Today’s pick is one of the highlights for me.

“The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown“.

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Annie Lennox circa 1992. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Annie Lenox: “The Holly And The Ivy” (2010, Traditional).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 1

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Happy December, everybody!!!

december images

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

We have officially arrived at the Christmas season so what better way to celebrate this festive time of year than with a daily countdown of great holiday songs to usher in the big day. All are welcome even if you are not a fan of this genre or you do not observe the holiday. Great music of any kind should be enjoyed by all.

We begin with a song by one of the pioneers of rock & roll, Mr. Johnny B. Goode himself. Chuck Berry wrote & recorded today’s song in 1958. Unbeknownst to him, songwriter Johnny Marks held the trademark on the character featured in Berry’s track because of the song Marks wrote with Marvin Brodie, which was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949.

Consequently, both Marks and Brodie were legally given songwriting credit for Berry’s song. But his record is the polar opposite of a children’s Christmas carol-it is a straight up rocking holiday classic perfect for the festive season. It has been covered by a slew of different artists over the last 65 years including Keith Richards, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Joe Perry which are all exemplary. So is the cover by Chris Isaak recorded for his 2022 album, Everybody Knows It’s Christmas.

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Top: Chuck Berry circa 1962. Bottom: Chris Isaak circa 2010. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Chuck Berry: “Run Rudolph Run” (1958, written by Chuck Berry, Marvin Brodie and Johnny Marks).

Chris Isaak: “Run Rudolph Run” (2022, written by Chuck Berry, Marvin Brodie and Johnny Marks).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!