Author Archives: Michele at Lilacs & Rust

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 22

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 22

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

In 2008 cellist extraordinaire Yo Yo Ma released Songs of Joy & Peace. It introduced me to several songs I had never heard before including today’s feature. From the research I did online, I discovered it is an Irish carol possibly dating back to the 15th century. It was transcribed in the late 19th century by Irish composer & historian, W. H. Grattan Flood, while he was the organist at St. Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy, Ireland.

Ma’s always gorgeous and elegant playing combined with a traditional arrangement, a beautiful gentle vocal by bluegrass artist Alison Krauss underscored by the evocative bagpipes by Cristina Pato make for an absolutely stunning track. It has earned a permanent place on my holiday playlist.

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Top: Ma’s 2008 album. Middle: Alison Krauss in the video for today’s song. Bottom: Galician piper Cristina Pato. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Yo-Yo Ma featuring Alison Krauss: “The Wexford Carol” (2008, traditional).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 21

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Day 21

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

Norah Jones threw her hat into the holiday music ring in 2021 courtesy of her album, I Dream Of Christmas. It not only included several standard seasonal tunes but six original tracks as well. Her light & easy jazz infused sound is a nice addition to a festive play list.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Norah Jones: “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)” (2021, written by Norah Jones).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 20

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Day 20

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

On this day 78 years ago, the definitive Christmas movie premiered. “It’s A Wonderful Life” opened on December 20, 1946 in New York City to only mixed reviews (I know, RIGHT?!?!?). That did not stop it from becoming the beloved iconic feel good movie for everyone who thinks their lives are nothing special in the grand scheme of things. Is it really Christmas until George meets Clarence and realizes what life would have been without the presence of the oldest Bailey son? And would we have even heard of the name Zuzu without this film???

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Top: The movie poster for the film. Bottom: The heartwarming scene where George Baily (Jimmy Stewart) reunites with his family including wife, Mary (Donna Reed), and kids Pete, Janie, Zuzu and Tommy. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Fifteen years after that movie’s NYC debut, an unknown 19 year old folk singer turned up in that very same city in the hopes of starting his musical career and to meet his idol, Woody Guthrie. The man who renamed himself Bob Dylan arrived in New York City in January 1961 and began playing clubs in Greenwich Village a month later. Before the year was over he was signed to Columbia Records (thank you, John Hammond) and Dylan’s debut album was released in March 1962. The rest of the story is now history, as he became a hero for the times and his generation by using his words to voice the the significant changes at a time when so much life was happening.

A movie based on that seminal period-based on the 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald-will open on Christmas Day. “A Complete Unknown” chronicles Dylan’s early days performing in small NYC venues to his controversial appearance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival when he introduced his electric sound. It stars Timothée Chalamet (who also serves as a producer) as Dylan and is directed by James Mangold who also brought Joaquin Phoenix to life as Johnny Cash in 2005’s “Walk The Line” and Sylvester Stallone as Freddy Heflin in one of my absolute favorite films, 1997’s “Copland”.

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In 2009 Dylan released a holiday album, Christmas in the Heart. He took on 15 festive carols and made them his own and donated all the proceeds to charities he hand selected. I have always liked the poetry of his writing and the unmistakable sound of his hoarse gravelly voice and that is showcased on every track of this album. But I find myself particularly drawn to today’s pick as it gives me distinct Tom Waits vibes (he was featured on Day 7). But no matter who sings this song, it always takes me back to the scene where the crowd gathered at the Bailey house breaks into song after helping George on Christmas Eve.

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Top: Dylan’s 2009 album. Bottom: The artist circa 2023. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Bob Dylan: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” (2009, written by written by Felix Mendelssohn and Charles Wesley, arranged by Bob Dylan).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 19

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Day 19A

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

The first of today’s songs is the title track from Kenny Loggins’ 1977 debut solo album. Since it was released in April of that year, it is pretty safe to guess he did not picture it as a tune for the holiday season. Luckily for us, it did turn into a wonderful festive treat, albeit another woefully underplayed one each December (and all year long, in fact).

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(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In 2013, Loggins recorded today’s second track to coincide with the release of a new book by the same name illustrated by Wade Zahares. He signed copies of the book after a chat and Q&A with the audience. A man who had met Loggins in 1994 and had him play a guitar back then was in the audience with that same instrument at this event & asked the “Footloose” singer to play it once again. Loggins gracefully obliged and lead the audience in an impromptu sing along to “Danny’s Song”. It was too fabulous for words.

I cannot find my pictures from that day but I do still have my autographed book. And wouldn’t you know that I found a video of the sing along moment on YouTube. What a way to relive that time I was at one of my favorite stores in one of my favorite towns in my home state of New York and one of my favorite artists treated me to one of the most intimate musical moments of my life.

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Kenny L autograph

My very own signed copy of Frosty, complete with the post-it to insure my name was spelled correctly. (Both photos taken by me!)

Kenny Loggins: “Celebrate Me Home” (1977, written by Bob James and Kenny Loggins).

Kenny Loggins: “Frosty the Snowman” (2013, written by Steve Nelson and Walter E. “Jack” Rollins).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 18

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Day 18 EDIT

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

As an Italian Catholic girl, I grew up hearing plenty of stories about the saints. The top two in my house were Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Their music was on repeat all year long and that only intensified around the holidays. They were the voices of Christmas, a tradition I continue to honor every year.

On Day 12 we heard from Sinatra so today it is all about Martin. He was recognized as The King Of Cool by even Elvis so that is saying something right there. Martin’s smooth, suave debonair style came through on every song he performed. Add that to his timeless sound, his movie star looks and his genuine ease in front of the camera for his TV shows & specials and you have the quintessential entertainer. He brought charisma, charm and class to everything he did. Santa may be the main guy of the season but for me, Christmas does not truly exist without Dino Paul Crocetti.

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Dean Martin’s 1966 holiday album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Dean Martin: “Jingle Bells” (1966, written by James Lord Pierpont).

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

Dean Martin: “It’s a Marshmallow World” (1966, written by Carl Sigman and Peter DeRose).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 17

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Day 17

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

Christmas came early for us Elton John fans. Last month his new documentary, “Never Too Late” was released and a few days ago it started streaming on on Disney+. It not only went behind the scenes of his final U.S. concert at Dodger Stadium in California in 2022, but it took a look back at his magnificent more-than-five-decade career and the happiness he has found as a husband and father which prompted his retirement from the road. Needless to say, it is an incredible look at an astounding life & significant collaborations, especially his work with John Lennon in the 1970’s.

If you recall, EJ’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was interrupted by the pandemic. And what did he do while he could not go out on the road? He collaborated with several other artists to bring us the album aptly titled, The Lockdown Sessions. A bonus track was a holiday song he co-wrote with Ed Sheeran that was released in December 2021. Who said nothing good came from a universal pandemic?

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Top: Elton John’s 1973 Christmas record. Middle: EJ (L) and Ed Sheeran (R) in a clip from the video for their 2021 holiday song. Bottom: EJ’s 2021 album. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

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

Ed Sheeran and Elton John: “Merry Christmas” (2021, written by Ed Sheeran and Elton John).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 16

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Day 16

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

Today’s song is one not played nearly enough, a rare instance in a month of non-stop holiday music. Released in 1998 by world renowned harpist Jung Kwak and featuring vocals by Broadway actress & singer Linder Eder, the combination is simply stunning.

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Top: Jung Kwak, also known as Harpist K, circa 1998. Bottom: Linda Eder circa 2005. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Jung Kwak featuring Linda Eder: “The Gift” (1998 credit(s) unknown).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 15

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 15

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

A tradition is, by definition, “a belief, practice, or custom that is passed down from generation to generation, often within a particular culture or society”. And traditions exist for a reason. They are precious, comforting and connect us to people in a different time and place because it removes those barriers and gives us common ground. Today’s song is one of the most beloved traditions which most of us know to be the definitive sound of Christmas.

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Nat King Cole circa 1955. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Nat King Cole: “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)“, (1946, 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 2024: Day 14

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 14

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

Today’s song made my list last year which is when it was first released. The origins date back to the 16th century as a Welsh traditional Christmas carol that had English lyrics added to it in the mid 19th century. So for over a century this has been a classic festive sing along style song. Until 2023 when The Lumineers decided to make it all their own. And it is such an inspired original take that by the second or third line I found I did not even miss the sing along part. I just got lost in the inventiveness of this sparse yet eloquent acoustic interpretation which elevated this song from a carol to a classic in under two & half minutes.

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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 2024: Day 13

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Day 13A

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

Several years ago I heard an absolutely gorgeous song on a TV show which helped me discover the artist-Ryan O’Neal-who performs under the moniker, Sleeping At Last. That led me to his simply gorgeous take on today’s song which I have featured before. This year I found another incredibly beautiful version of that song by singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff.

I discovered her years ago courtesy of Linda Ronstadt who recorded three songs by Bonoff (“Lose Again”, “If He’s Ever Near” and “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me”, with the last two also featuring her on backing vocals) on 1976’s Hasten Down The Wind. Bonoff released those three songs on her self titled debut in 1977. In August 1982 she had her own Top 20 hit with “Personally”. Ronstadt’s 1989 duet with Aaron Neville, “All My Life”, was also written by Bonoff.

Over a decade later, I heard her stunning cover of “The Water Is Wide” when my favorite soap, “Another World” featured it during an episode in January 1997. And this week I finally heard her 2020 album, Silent Night. I love when Christmas comes early.

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

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Karla Bonoff circa 2020 from her website. (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!!!