Tag Archives: Christmas Music

Third One’s A Charmer

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hello, dear Vixens!!!  We have arrived at song #3!!!

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This legend from my home state of NY just announced his 50th world tour, and getting tickets to one of his shows will be this year’s Christmas gift to myself (he will be in CT next June).

During those 50 years he has sold over 120 million records (including the Monkees hit “I’m a Believer”), has had eleven number 1 hits, is in both the Songwriters Hall of Fame & the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, appeared in one of the greatest concert movies ever made (“The Last Waltz“), starred in the 1980 blockbuster, “The Jazz Singer” and was the focus of idolization in the movie “Saving Silverman” where he appeared as himself.

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Courtesy of IMDb.

SAVING SILVERMAN, Neil Diamond, Jason Biggs, Jack Black, Steve Zahn, 2001

                                                    Courtesy of Cineplex.com                                                                                

Total aside…..hilarious movie!!!

With Steve Zahn & Jack Black starring in it, how could it not be, right???

But I digress.

Over the summer I went to several games at Fenway and loved singing the stadium staple “Sweet Caroline” with the rest of the crowd for the 8th inning sing along.

I have always been a believer that less is more, and sometimes an acoustic performance is so much more powerful than a full band sound.  This is so true on “Acoustic Christmas“, his newest release that features 10 simply gorgeous Christmas songs including today’s pick, which features a stunning string arrangement.

Neil Diamond:  Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing.

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!!!

day-3

 

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)

 

 

 

 

Christmas Song Of The Day #7

Posted in Music by

Hi, Vixens!!!  How are all of you today?  Ready for another great holiday song???  Then let’s get to it.

Soul music-whether in the form of Motown, R&B, Philly Soul, Gospel or some other variation-has been a favorite of mine forever.  I love music that is consumed with so much emotion.  It reminds me I am alive and hits my soul like a bolt of electricity, which is perhaps where the term “soul music” came from-music that touches the soul.

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Original Source Unknown

So many moments hit me like that:  the first time I heard Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay“, and Ray Charles’ “America The Beautiful“, and Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard it Through The Grapevine” not to mention his absolutely sublime version of “The Star Spangled Banner“, anything at all by Aretha Franklin and “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green, to name a few.

And while we are on the subject of Al  Green, his version of “O Holy Night” sent shivers down my spine from the second I heard it.  Done in his signature style, it oozes personality, charm, soul, R&B and every emotion it makes you feel.  It is simply majestic!!!

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:  steppersusa.com

Christmas Song Of The Day #6

Posted in Music by

Hello, Vixens!!!  With 10 days to go until the big day, are you on track?  Holding it all together?  Covered in flour from all the cookies you are baking?  Wherever you are on your road to Christmas, take a well deserved break with another holiday tune.

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Source:  mtv.com

Christmas songs have been covered by almost everyone who’s anyone  for decades now if not longer, so for someone to take one and make it his or her own is a rare feat indeed.  But when the cover version is by Ray Charles, a rare feat is an everyday occurrence.

Whether you like his interpretation because you are a fan of the Genius himself, or it reminds you of when Harry and Sally carried her Christmas tree home in the falling snow, or of James Caan’s softer side in “Elf”, this holiday classic is a treat for the whole family.

It is Ray Charles with Winter Wonderland.

Enjoy!!!

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Source:  bet.com

 

Christmas Song Of The Day #5

Posted in Music by

Hello there, Vixens!!!  Hope you are all doing well!!!  Is it cold where you live?  Here in my part of New England, it feels more like September than December!!!  But I am still keeping my fingers crossed that somehow we will have a white Christmas, even if it’s only a dusting of snow!!!  🙂  While I wait, let me share another of my favorite Christmas songs with you.

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            Source:  Billboard.com

Like a lot of people, most of the very warm memories I have from my childhood and those Christmases are about my family.  My maternal grandmother was a big fan of the King of Cool himself, Dean Martin (did I mention I am from an Italian family???)  “Dino”, as he was affectionately nicknamed, did it all:  he was a singer, an actor (he was in one of my favorite “Airport” movies), half of a comedy duo (his partner was Jerry Lewis), hosted great TV specials and those hilarious celebrity roasts!!!

There are so many songs of his that I love:  “That’s Amore“, “Volare“, “Everybody Loves Somebody“, “Return To Me” and “Non Dimenticar” to name a few.  But I love his Christmas recordings just as much.  My favorite?  “Let It Snow“.  It’s fun, easy to sing along to, and it’s Dean.  Enough said (or written, as the case is LOL).  So for my Grandma Mary and all of you, enjoy!!!

The Dean Martin Variety Show

Source:  tvguide.com

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

🙂