Monthly Archives: December 2025

25 Days Of Christmas: Day 21

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

Al Green turns every song he sings into a soulful experience and that includes all nine holiday tracks he recorded for his 1983 album, White Christmas. It is impossible for me to choose a favorite, but this year it is this song which I have had on repeat the most.

 (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Al Green: “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (1983, written by Kim Gannon, Buck Ram and Walter Kent).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 20

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

The beauty and elegance of acoustic music is something I fell in love with as a child. And today’s two artists are quite skilled at it. Their less is more approach on today’s Christmas carol brings it to life in a simply sublime way.

Ryan O’Neal-who performs under the moniker Sleeping At Last-in an undated photo from his website. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

An undated photo of Karla Bonoff from her Facebook page. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

Karla Bonoff: “The First Noel” (2020, traditional).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 19

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

In a year where Bruce Springsteen celebrated several career milestones including the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece record, Born To Run, the 45th anniversary of his double album, The River, the end of another successful world tour AND he was the subject of the biopic, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere”, 2025 also marks 50 years since he made his first contribution to the holiday season, recorded December 12, 1975.

Here’s how Bruce’s social media accounts announced the anniversary:

“Bruce kicked off the holiday season in a lasting way, on this day 50 years ago, performing “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” at C.W. Post during the “Born to Run” tour — a bit of concert magic that grew into the holiday tradition we know today.”

I grew up on Long Island, so the fact that this song was recorded on my old stomping grounds makes me feel even closer to my hero. And 20 years ago, in October 2005 when Springsteen was on a solo acoustic tour for Devils & Dust, I saw him perform not far from that college campus-at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. During that show, Bruce made a comment about my hometown that has always stuck with me. He said, “Long Island & New Jersey-the flip side of the same tragic coin”. He always makes even the darkest reality a poetic moment.

When Bruce released his final single from Born In The U.S.A. 40 years ago in November 1985, the B side was his 1975 Christmas recording. This is my very own copy of it. (Image by me.)

(Image by me.)

(Image by me.)

Bruce Springsteen: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” (1981 & 1985, recorded live at C.W. Post College in Brookville, NY on December 12, 1975, written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie).

Bruce Springsteen: “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: Day 18

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

If I did a Top Ten list of the best skits and ongoing features from both “Late Night With David Letterman” and “The Late Show with David Letterman”, this woman’s 28 consecutive yearly appearances would be close to the top. It started in December 1986 and ended nearly three decades later in December 2014 which was six months before Dave retired. It was a fabulous tradition celebrating a great Christmas song, an unbelievably powerful voice and a vicarious connection with the rest of Dave’s audience who looked forward to the performance as much as I did. And over 10 years later, I still miss it. But thanks to Dave’s own YouTube channel, I can relive it over & over again.

Darlene Love on “Late Night With David Letterman” in December 1986. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Love on “The Late Show With David Letterman” in December 2014. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

Darlene Love: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (Live performance on December 16, 1986 of Darlene Love’s First “Christmas” Appearance on “Late Night With David Letterman”. 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: Day 17

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

As a huge Motown fan, I cannot believe it has taken me over two weeks to feature one of their artists. But the one I am starting with is one of the greatest performers in any genre. Stevie Wonder turned 75 in May and his career began at age 11 when he was signed to Tamla Records. Two years later he had his first #1 record, “Fingertips”.

He would hit the top spot nine more times as both a solo artist & in collaboration with other artists, place 28 songs in the Top Ten, have three #1 albums with eight others reaching the Top Ten. He accomplished all that before he turned 40 years old. And thanks to a Christmas album he released in 1967, he is also a permanent part of the holiday season.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stevie Wonder: “What Christmas Means To Me” (1967, written by Anna Gaye, George Gordy and Allen Story).

Stevie Wonder: “Silver Bells” (1967, written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 16

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

If there is one perfect sound of the season, it is today’s song performed by the artist who made it unforgettable.

Nat King Cole sometime in the 1950’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Nat King Cole: “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)” (1961, written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 15

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

Last year this Rankin/Bass TV special turned 60 years old. It also returned to its original network-NBC-after a move to CBS in 1972 where it stayed until 2024. Whether you still watch it on traditional TV, through a streaming service or your own DVD, the tale of a misfit reindeer finding his purpose & his people remains one of the best parts of the Christmas season.

Burl Ives was the voice of the dapper sage snowman, Sam. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A group of elves and a few reindeer celebrating in song from the TV special. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

A few of the residents on The Island Of Misfit Toys. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Gene Autry: “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1949, written by Johnny Marks).

Burl Ives: “Silver & Gold” (1964, written by Johnny Marks).

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

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 14

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

2025 was the year I finally entered the Marvel universe-i.e., I watched the first two phases of the Marvel movies. I do realize I am 17 years late to the party but since I was never a comic book fan, watching movies about comic book characters-even the non animated kind-did not really appeal to me. But once I started I made it all the way to Phase 3 in three months time and got halfway through that before stopping when winter turned to spring and my hibernation ended.

Three words were the impetus for me to start the franchise: Robert Downey Jr. I have adored him F-O-R-E-V-E-R yet I had zero clue he was Iron Man (and sold out by Jeff Bridges in the first movie…..Dude!!!). I also missed Downey when he played Larry Paul in “Ally McBeal” in seasons 4 & 5.

The future Tony Stark showed us yet another of his remarkable skills when he performed today’s song during S4 episode 6 and it was quite beautiful. When the track was released in 2000 as part of A Very Ally Christmas, it featured a cello arrangement that when combined with Downey’s pensive vocal turned the song into an absolutely exquisite moment. There does not seem to be anything that man cannot do.

The same year he started on “Ally”-2000-was the same year Linda Ronstadt released A Merry Little Christmas. She included a cover of the same song, done with a lovely delicate string arrangement that is quite stunning. And given her immense talent, it is no surprise that Ronstadt made this song her own as well.

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Linda Ronstadt circa 1975. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The writer of today’s song-Joni Mitchell-recorded it for her 1971 album, Blue. Since then it has been covered by an array of artists including one who played on that album (although not on this song). And 25 years later in October 2006, he released his own version on James Taylor at Christmas.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

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

Linda Ronstadt: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

James Taylor: “River” (2006, written by Joni Mitchell).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 13

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

As much as I adore today’s artist & her take on this song, the first thought I have when I hear this song is of Will Ferrell as Buddy in “Elf”. And that makes me think of The Code Of The Elves:

1.  Treat every day like Christmas.
2.  There’s room for everyone on the Nice List.  
3.  The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.  

On other days, I think of the four main food groups elves stick to:

1.  Candy.
2.  Candy canes.   
3.  Candy corn.
4.  Syrup.   

Buddy The Elf (Will Ferrell) sleeping in Gimbel’s store window while his dad Walter (James Caan) looks on in disbelief. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ella Fitzgerald circa 1948. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 12

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

Francis Albert Sinatra was born 110 years ago on December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey. The singer, actor & entertainer known as “The Chairman Of The Board” and as a member of The Rat Pack, started his career as a big band vocalist in the swing era when he was 24 years old. In 1946 he released his debut album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, which started his 52 year career in music, movies, stage & the small screen.

He won numerous awards & honors throughout his career including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Private Angelo Maggio in 1953’s “From Here to Eternity”. His songs reached the charts over 40 times including two #1 records-“Strangers In The Night” in 1966 and “Something Stupid”, a duet with his daughter, Nancy Sinatra, in 1967.

All that and his bigger than life persona gave him legendary pop culture status that flourishes today, more than 25 years after his death in 1998. He also remains a staple of the holiday season, having contributed several Christmas albums including two collaborations, one with Bing Crosby and Fred Waring in 1964 and another with the three Sinatra children in 1968.

Francis Albert Sinatra: December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998.

Frank Sinatra circa 1958. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack standing in the order they are listed on a Las Vegas marquee circa 1964. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra’s three children joined him for this 1968 Christmas album (L-R): Tina Sinatra, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra Jr. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra: “Mistletoe And Holly” (1957, written by Hank Sanicola, Frank Sinatra and Dok Stanford).

Frank Sinatra: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” (1957, written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin).

Frank Sinatra: “The Christmas Waltz” (1968, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!