Tag Archives: Christmas Eve

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 24

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music, Christmas by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 24 2022

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

We have arrived at the holiest of nights during the Christmas season. I find that only two songs work to celebrate this day. The first one was featured on Day 5 and the second is today’s track. It has been covered by more artists than I can name but when it is performed by someone with gospel roots, the song seems to have more soul to it. So who better than the Queen herself to deliver the message of this sacred night?

Whether you celebrate this special day and night or not, hopefully you agree that any music from this woman is a blessing, a miracle and nothing but magic in every way. All hail the Queen.

Merry Christmas Eve.

“Silent night holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia“.

The Queen Of Soul’s 2008 holiday album. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Aretha Franklin: “Silent Night” (2008, written by Franz Xaver Gruber and Joseph Mohr).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

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25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 24

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 24

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

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 2019: Day 24

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Welcome back to the countdown!!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

day 24
Found on Pinterest (original source unknown).  
Today, my words are not important.  So, I will share those that are:
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding 
in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: 
and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 
I bring you good tidings of great joy, 
which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the
heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will toward men."

–Book 42, Luke (002:08-14) The Bible, King James Version.

celine

Celine Dion:  “Oh Holy Night“, written by Placide Cappeau and Adolphe Adam in 1847).

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: Day 24

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hello, Vixens!!!  Merry Christmas Eve!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

o-holy-night-390x250

 (Original source unknown)

Today’s song dates back to 1847 and combined the words of French poet Placide Cappeau and the music of Adolphe Adam.  The more familiar singing edition came to life in 1855 courtesy of Unitarian Minister John Sullivan Dwight.

In whatever language this song is sung, the message is clear:  to rejoice over the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  No matter how many signs we see at stores that read “Jesus is the reason for the season”, it may be easy to forget that Christmas is a religious holiday for those who believe in him.  We all know how commercial this holiday has always been (even Charlie Brown commented on that in 1965) and how it is arriving earlier and earlier in stores and the media each year.  But the little Catholic school girl I used to be 100 years ago cannot choose any other song for Christmas Eve than the one which celebrates the greatest gift God gave us.

These are my top three favorite versions of this song:

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                                                                                             (Original sources unknown)                                        

Aretha Franklin:  “O Holy Night”

Al Green:   “O Holy Night”

Mahalia Jackson:  “O Holy Night”

And for the sarcastic adult that I have become, I cannot resist including this irreverent version every year because it makes me laugh until I cry.

Eric Cartman:  “O Holy Night”

south-park

 (Original source unknown)

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, fellow Vixens, happy listening!!!

Merry Christmas & Song #24

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hello, Vixens!!!  Welcome back to the countdown!!!

 

o-holy-night-390x250

Courtesy:  Sanctuary United Church of Christ (original source unknown)

 

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday or whatever celebration you choose.

There is only one choice for today’s song.  All I had to do was pick which version from all the many wonderful ones to choose from.

I finally settled on this one.  The musical arrangement is stunning.  And the singer performs it beautifully.

Faith Hill:  O Holy Night.

Here’s another cover of the song that I cannot get enough of.  Yes, it may be totally irreverent, but that does not make it any less funny.

 

south-park

Courtesy:  Comedy Central.

 

From South Park:  Eric Cartman’s version.

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you   🙂

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy listening & Merry Christmas!!!

 

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Christmas Song Of The Day #15

Posted in Music by

Hello, Vixens & Merry Christmas Eve!!!  We have arrived at the 24th of December.  I hope you are all basking in the beauty of this moment and letting go of whatever you possibly did not get to do yet.  Take comfort in a job well done and let yourself enjoy the day.  If you have approached the season with a less is more approach, may you continue to focus on what matters most not just during this season, but every day of the year!

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Source:  indulgy.com 

There really was only one song I thought was perfect for today, but since there are about 100 versions to choose from, picking one was not an easy task.  Until I remembered this version by Andrea Bocelli.  It features one of the most beautiful arrangements I have ever heard, courtesy of multi-Grammy winning songwriter and producer David Foster.  The orchestra is simply gorgeous and compliments Bocelli’s voice perfectly.

Truth be told I could do without the appearance of a children’s choir at the end for two lines (the song just does not need anything more than Bocelli’s voice and the exquisite arrangement).  Most of the song is done in Italian until the end when he sings a chorus in English.  I have adored Bocelli’s voice from the fist time I heard him perform “Time To Say Goodbye” with Sarah Brightman.  It is strong, deep, passionate and unbelievably beautiful.

I remember going to Christmas Mass as a child with my mother and her mother, and singing this song along with the rest of the people in the church.  All the Christmas songs the congregation sang were special, but this always seemed to be the loudest one, as if every one was participating.  As we attended a Catholic church, I should not have found that surprising.  The song focuses on the religious part of the holiday so if you believe in that theology, then “Silent Night” is probably one of your favorite holiday songs.

Please remember I do not own the rights to anything, I am just sharing some of my favorite music with you.

Enjoy & Merry Christmas!!!

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Source:  classicfm.com

 

Christmas Song Of The Day #14

Posted in Music by

Hello, Vixens!!!  Happy Christmas Eve eve!!!  I hope at this point you have put the to-do list away and you are doing nothing more than enjoying this festive season with those you love.  I am sure you have done more than enough to make the holiday special so stop chasing perfect because it does not exist…..except in music, of course!!!  LOL!!!

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Source:  apartmentsilike.wordpress.com

When I was looking for a video of this song on YouTube I came across this clip which is a real gem.  It features three of my all-time favorite people:  Nat King Cole, Danny Kaye & Mary Tyler Moore.  What a find!!!

The description states it is from Danny Kaye’s Christmas Special in 1963.  I have not had the time to research it more, but that will not stop me from sharing it with all of you because I love it SO MUCH!!!

The three of these people have a place in Christmas history on their own:  Cole’s recording of “The Christmas Song” is undoubtedly the most popular & most well-known version of that song, Kaye was one of the stars of the movie “White Christmas” and Moore celebrated the holiday on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” & her own show.

We have been singing this song for years, and hopefully in 2016 it will finally come true for all of us, wherever we call home.  Here is “Let There Be Peace On Earth“.

Please remember I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some of my favorite music with you.

Enjoy!!!

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Source:  pinterest.com (Original source unknown)