Tag Archives: O Holy Night

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 24

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Holy Family

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

The Reverend Al Green blessed us all with a new release last month. His cover of REM’s “Everybody Hurts” is another remarkable take done in Green’s signature R&B laden style, much like his early career covers of “How Do You Mend A Broken Heart”, “For The Good Times” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, to name a few. He has a mesmerizing way of giving an already fabulous song a new life. His take on today’s Christmas song is no different and it is perfect for the holiest night of the year.

For a female led version of this holiday classic, I offer Tracy Chapman’s evocative and poignant rendition. It was released in 1997 on the third volume of the charity compilation series, A Very Special Christmas. This woman has had a well deserved resurgence of late thanks to country artist Luke Combs & his 2023 #1 cover of her 1988 masterpiece, “Fast Car”. It was not only a wonderful tribute to her & her incredibly stunning song, but it also made Chapman the first black woman to have a top selling record in that genre. Her surprise performance with Combs at the 66th Grammy Awards in February showed Chapman first hand how beloved she & her song still are 36 years after its initial release, literally defining the word timeless.

Al
tracy

Top: Al Green on stage at The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Concert in Cleveland in 1995. Bottom: Tracy Chapman and her radiant smile on stage at The Grammy Awards in February 2024. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Al Green: “O Holy Night” (1983, written by Adolphe Charles Adam and John Sullivan Dwight).

Tracy Chapman: “O Holy Night” (1997, written by Adolphe Charles Adam and John Sullivan Dwight).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 5

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music, Christmas by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

day 5 2022

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

Time to add some soul to the countdown. Today’s song is another well loved classic but this one dates back to the middle of the 19th century. It is based on the French poem “Minuit, chrétiens” (“Midnight, Christians”) by Placide Cappeau & was set to music by fellow Frenchman, composer Adolphe Adam.

In 1855 it was translated to English by American classical music critic, John Sullivan Dwight. Both versions of the song celebratate the religious aspect of the holiday. And today’s R&B master recorded my favorite male rendition of this track in 1983. It is just stunning.

“Led by the light
of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by
His cradle we stand“.

Al 1

Al 2

The front & back of Al Greeb’s 1983 albun, “White Christmas”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Al Green: “O Holy Night” (1983, written by written by Adolphe Charles Adam and John Sullivan Dwight).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

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.

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 (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:

aretha-franklin al-green-pic[1]Mahalia Jackson 
                                                                                             (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 #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