Tag Archives: Haven Gillespie

25 Days of Christmas Music 2024: Day 4

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

Today’s song turned 90 years old last month & is still a cherished track for the Christmas season. It was written in 1934, recorded first by Harry Reser and His Orchestra but it did not reach the masses until American actor & comedian Eddie Cantor performed it on his radio show in November that year. In the 1940’s it was covered by performers like Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters. By the 1960’s, a few vocal groups recorded versions of their own including The Crystals.

Harry
Crystals

Top: A pressing of the first recording of today’s song. Bottom: The 1963 Christmas album featuring The Crystals. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

But the song’s big breakthrough came in 1970 thanks to the Rankin/Bass production team who turned it into an all star holiday animation special in 1970 starring Fred Astaire as the mailman/storyteller as well as the voice behind the theme song, Keenan Wynn as the Winter Warlock and Mickey Rooney as the voice of Santa Claus. It remains a Christmas tradition for anyone who grew up watching it.

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 Two scenes from the Rankin/Bass 1970 holiday special. Top: Fred Astaire’s mailman/narrator character. Bottom: A young Kris Kringle in his early days as The Man In The Big Red Suit (with one of his pet besties at his side). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

In December 1975, an up & coming rock star from New Jersey decided to perform his own take on the song in front of a college concert crowd on Long Island, NY. However, it did not hit the radio airwaves until 1981. In 1985, it was released as the B-side on the seventh single from his phenomenal album, “Born In The USA”, which turned the 10 year old recording into a holiday staple ever since.

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Top: Bruce Springsteen’s 1985 single. Bottom: My perpetual Christmas list. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

In 2003’s incredibly delightful holiday move, “Elf”, the song helped bring power to Santa’s sleigh when Buddy’s love interest, Jovie, led a sing-a-long in Central Park to remind people that a little faith can make dreams happen.

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Buddy

Two scenes from 2003’s “Elf”. Top: Zooey Deschanel as Jovie. Bottom: Will Ferrell as Buddy and Ed Asner as Santa. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

The Crystals: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” (1963, written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie).

Fred Astaire: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” (1970, written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie).

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).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 15

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music, Christmas by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 15 2022

The sweet jolly man of the season on a vintage Christmas card image found on Pinterest. (Original source unknown.)

I listen to both of today’s songs all year long because that is what you do when you are a true Springsteen fan. I love this man & everything he has recorded, including the two Christmas tracks I am sharing with you here. He and I have a date next March and I am counting down the days. Merry Christmas, Bossman. See you in 2023.

Someone took Eric Meola’s iconic image used as the cover photo for Springsteen’s 1975 masterpiece, “Born to Run”, and gave it some Christmas cheer. (Image found online. Original source: Eric Meola.)

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: “Santa Claus  Is Comin’ To Town” (1975, written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie).

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band: “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 2021: Day 15

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 15

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

December 12th marked the 106th birth anniversary of Francis Albert Sinatra. A singer, an actor, a member of Hollywood’s Rat Pack and an overall entertainer & artist, the man was a legend who continues to enthrall fans with his towering reputation and existence. No one had a life like Sinatra.

Today’s tune may technically be considered a children’s Christmas song and Sinatra’s fellow New Jersey-ite Bruce Springsteen may have a more popular version in the rock genre. But The Chairman Of The Board turned this classic into a sophisticated big band grown up track that endures nearly 75 years after its original recording in 1947. It is still Frank Sinatra’s world and we are all just living in it. How lucky are we?

“He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake“.

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Frank Sinatra circa 1955. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Frank Sinatra: “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” (1947, written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie).

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 14

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Welcome back to the countdown!!!

Santa and two of his reindeer join us today.  Ho ho ho!!!

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Found on Pinterest (original source unknown).

Last Monday night the Rainforest Fund 30th Anniversary Benefit Concert took place at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.  The night featured an array of outstanding musical guests like James Taylor, Debbie Harry, the reunited Eurythmics and John Mellencamp who sang with my favorite guy and personal hero, Bruce Springsteen.  They sang “Pink Houses” and “Glory Days” together in what Rolling Stone dubbed “a rare heartland-rock summit”.  Another interesting fact about that night?  I WAS NOT THERE!!! 

It wasn’t like I did not know about the show.  I keep up with Bruce’s appearances, of course.  But the ticket prices were insanely high, and I do not have to spend that kind of money when I go to see a four hour plus show by Bruce and his ever loyal E Street Band.  That is a much better investment for my money.  Here’s to the hope that the rumors of a 2020 tour are true!!!     

So if you are not following where this is going, today’s Christmas song (and two bonus tracks) are courtesy of the Bossman.  The video is from Springsteen’s own YouTube channel.  The performance was held at The Carousel Building in Asbury Park, and since it dates back to 2010 the Big Man, Clarence Clemons, is in it.  An early Christmas gift courtesy of the Boss.

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Bruce Springsteen (original source unknown).  

Bruce Springsteen:   “Blue Christmas”  (2010, recorded live at The Carousel in Asbury Park, NJ and written by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson circa 1948).

Bruce Springsteen:  “Merry Christmas Baby” (live performance from “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” circa mid to late 1990’s,.  That time frame means the entire E Street Band is there, before the deaths of Danny Federici in 2008 and Clarence “The Big Man” Clemons in 2011.  O’Brien joined the band on guitar.  The best view of him comes @ 4:33 after the other big man, Santa himself, makes an appearance.  Springsteen and his band were frequent guests since the E Street drummer, Max Weinberg, led O’Brien’s house band, The Max Weinberg 7.  Written by Johnny Moore and Lou Baxter in 1947).

Bruce Springsteen:  “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” (1975, written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie circa 1934)

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!!!