Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating today. Have a safe & peaceful holiday however you choose to spend this last Thursday of November.
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Category Archives: Holidays
Music Monday: October 31, 2022
Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.
Happy Halloween to all!!!
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I always salute this spooktacular holiday with one song, but this year I think it deserves two. That is because 2022 saw the release of “Hocus Pocus 2” and even though I have not seen it yet, I think any movie that stars Bette Midler deserves to be celebrated. She recorded the first of today’s two songs for the original film which premiered in 1993. The track has also been covered in great fashion by Annie Lennox, Nina Simone, Bryan Ferry and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson in Disney’s “Hocus Pocus”. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Our second spotlight tune is the quintessential song of the holiday and has been ever since it was released 60 years ago in 1962. Even if you do not embrace the scary side of this holiday (or wish to skip it all together) this is an amusing tale about characters that are usually seen in a very frightening way enjoying themselves with a dance that is all their own. A fabulously fun novelty song if ever there was one.
Hope you all enjoy this last day of October, however you choose to spend it.
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Bette Midler: “I Put A Spell On You” (1993, written by Jalacy J. “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins).
Bobby “Boris” Pickett: “Monster Mash” (1962, written by Leonard Capizzi and Bobby Pickett).
Stay safe and well.
Music Monday: February 14, 2022
Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.
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One of Neil Young’s most important albums celebrated its golden anniversary earlier this month. Harvest was released 50 years ago on Feb 1, 1972. It introduced the world to legendary songs like the title track, “Old Man”, “The Needle And The Damage Done” and today’s impossibly beautiful & heartbreaking pick. I have loved this magnificent tune forever. It holds a permanent place in my top ten list of favorite songs of all time.
It was my first introduction to acoustic music & placed the bar so high it remains a perfect performance in my heart, mind & soul. And with today being Valentine’s Day, it underscores the need we all have to find that perfect love. So whatever the great joy of your life is-whether it be a person, place or thing-celebrate it with everything you have whenever you can. Life goes by too fast not to. Love is love.
“I want to live
I want to give
I’ve been a miner
For a heart of gold”.
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Neil Young: “Heart Of Gold” (1972, written by Neil Young).
Stay safe and well.
25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 25
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.
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Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. May you find comfort in the peace, joy & meaning of the season.
“He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love“.
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Dolly Parton: “Joy To The World” (1990, 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 24
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.
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The first volume of A Very Special Christmas came out in 1987. The proceeds went to the Special Olympics but it also introduced the world to obscure performances of holiday songs by some of music’s most notable performers. Thanks to the third volume in the series released in 1997, I discovered today’s track. It felt like 1988 all over again, which was the first time I heard the singer’s beautiful delicate contralto voice on her deeply moving debut single, “Fast Car”. Her take on today’s song is just as poignant and evocative, perfect for this Christmas Eve day. .
“A thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn’“.
Tracy Chapman circa 2010. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Tracy Chapman: “O Holy Night” (1997, written by Adolphe Charles Adam and John Sullivan Dwight).
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 23
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.
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I try to present a variety of songs & artists every year on this countdown to make it as fun and diverse as possible. However, I do struggle each December to pick just one song by Elvis Presley. He recorded so many holiday tunes and each one was absolutely glorious. This year was a little easier because this track was one of the first seasonal songs I heard on the radio this year. As soon as I did I realized it was the feature for 2021. All hail The King, especially at Christmas time.
“City sidewalks busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a
Feeling of Christmas”.
Santa meets Elvis circa 1958. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Elvis Presley: “Silver Bells” (1971, written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston).
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 22
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.
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Today’s song is one of the defining songs of the Christmas season. No matter how many other renditions there are of this tune, none can compare to this man’s most popular interpretation recorded in 1961. What would this holiday even look like without Nat King Cole?
“And so I’m offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it’s been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you“.
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Nat King Cole: “The Christmas Song” (1961, written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells).
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 21
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.
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This year the iconic Tony Bennett announced his retirement at age 95 after a 70 year career. To say this news left an enormous hole in the hearts & minds of his fans, not to mention the music industry, is an understatement. Despite his age the magic of his glorious melodic expressive voice never waned. That fact rings true in today’s song which he recorded in 2008.
When Frank Sinatra called Bennett “the best singer in the business”, it put him at a place of honor that no one else could ever compare with. But even without The Chairman Of The Board’s declaration, one listen to any performance by Bennett proves his skill, talent & worth. We owe an incredible debt to him for what he gave us over the years not only in music but in artistry, humanity, history, pop culture and grace. Thank you for everything, Anthony Dominick Benedetto.
“It’s that time of year
When the world falls in love
Every song you hear seems to say
Merry Christmas“.
Tony Bennett circa 2010. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Tony Bennett: “The Christmas Waltz” (2008, 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 20
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.
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Blues musician & singer Charles Brown had the distinction of being part of two original Christmas songs during his career. In 1947 he played piano & sang the lead vocal on “Merry Christmas Baby” when he was a member of Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers. Moore wrote the song with Lou Baxter and later it was covered by many other performers including Chuck Berry in 1958, Otis Redding circa 1965 and Bruce Springsteen in 1986 (featured here on Day 6).
Brown co-wrote today’s song with Gene Redd in 1960 which was also the same year Brown released it as a single. It is sometimes referred to as “Bells Will Be Ringing” and has been covered by several artists over the last sixty years. But I think the soulfulness of the original beats any other rendition that came after it.
“Won’t you tell me you’ll never more roam
Christmas and New Year’s will find you home
There’ll be no more sorrow no grief and pain
‘Cause I’ll be happy happy once again“.
Charles Brown circa 1955. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Charles Brown: “Please Come Home for Christmas” (1960, written by Charles Brown and Gene Redd).
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 19
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.
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Today’s song has all the elements of a great performance. It is a classic holiday tune done in a beautiful arrangement led by a powerful, ethereal, melodic voice. One could even say it is fit for a queen. That is appropriate since the singer is one. All hail Aretha.
“Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem“.
(Image found online. Original source unknown.)
Aretha Franklin: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (2008, written by Felix Mendelssohn and Charles Wesley).
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!!!
Lilacs & Rust 