Tag Archives: Otis Redding

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 10

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

When Otis Redding died in a plane crash 58 years ago on December 10, 1967, his close friend & the co-writer of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay”, Steve Cropper, was tasked with finishing that song.  Despite his overwhelming grief, he completed the record and it was released a month later.  On March 16, 1968, it became the #1 song in the U.S. for four consecutive weeks, led by Redding’s meticulous vocal & Cropper’s subtle yet exquisite guitar work. Years later, the staggering beauty of that track introduced me to both men and they have been with me ever since.

Otis Redding (L) and Steve Cropper (R) circa 1967. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Booker T & The MG’s on stage with Otis Redding during his breakthrough performance at the Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967 (L-R): Donald “Duck” Dunn, Al Jackson Jr. on drums, Steve Cropper, Booker T. Jones (seated) and Redding (front center). (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The success of that record proved the power of Redding’s legacy and the strength of Cropper’s talent.  It helped him become a pillar of Stax Records, first as an A&R man and soon after as a founding member and lead guitarist for the label’s house band, Booker T & The MG’s.  Cropper was also a producer and the co-writer of other hits like “Green Onions”, “Time Is Tight”, “In The Midnight Hour”, “Knock On Wood” and “634-5789”.  He played on songs by Sam & Dave including “Soul Man” which he played on again when it was covered by The Blues Brothers in 1978 (John Belushi can be heard saying, “Play it, Steve!” during the song just as Sam Moore did on the original recording). 

The Stax Museum Of American Soul posted an online tribute to Cropper last week noting “Steve helped shape the very heartbeat of American soul music. His unmistakable guitar lines, songwriting genius, and commitment to the craft left a mark on music around the world. Steve was a collaborator, a leader, and a friend. His contributions helped define what came to be known as the Memphis sound.” Amen.

That sound helped Booker T. & The MG’s land numerous awards and accolades, including an induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1992. They were also the stage band during the HOF’s opening concert in 1995. Cropper’s extraordinary guitar skills made him a sought after musician who worked with countless artists during his nearly 70 year career. His chapter is one of my favorites in all of music history.  His death last week at age 84 hurts my heart so.  But what a life & legacy he left us with. Thank you, Crop, for everything. 

Stephen Lee Cropper:  October 21, 1941 – December 3, 2025.

Booker T. & the M.G.’s circa 1967 (L–R): Donald “Duck” Dunn, Booker T. Jones (seated), Steve Cropper and Al Jackson Jr. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Steve Cropper through the decades (L-R) from the 1960’s, the 1970’s and the 2010’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The tribute to Cropper posted on Facebook last week on the Stax Museum Of American Soul page. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Booker T. & The MG’s: “Green Onions” (1962, written by Steve Cropper, Al Jackson Jr., Booker T. Jones and Lewie Steinberg).

Booker T. & The MG’s: “Jingle Bells” (1966, written by James Lord Pierpont, arranged by Booker T. & The MG’s).

Otis Redding: “White Christmas” (1967, written by Irving Berlin).

Otis Redding: “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” (1968, written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1968, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

The Blues Brothers: “Soul Man” (Live performance from November 1978 on “Saturday Night Live”. Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Music Monday: September 15, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last month I celebrated the 50th anniversary of the most important album in my world. Today I am honoring the second one, released 60 years ago. Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul was released on September 15, 1965. This album is the one that helped me love this man for more than his posthumous #1 masterpiece, (“Sittin’ On The) Dock Of The Bay”.

Otis Blue featured eleven tracks including three songs written by Redding (with one of them co-written with soul singer Jerry Butler), a Jagger-Richards tune and three songs written by Sam Cooke, one of Redding’s idols. The album is resplendent with his signature achingly impassioned vocal in every note while the house band at Stax-also known as the incomparable Booker T & The MG’s-keeps up with his energy and drive. And the band’s virtuoso guitarist, Steve Cropper, along with label co-owner Jim Stewart (1930-2022), produced the album with renowned engineer Tom Dowd (1925-2002) who worked with dozens of artists including Aretha Franklin, Cream, The Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton.

Earlier in 1965-March to be exact-another album by Redding was released, The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads. The collection includes covers of Sam Cooke’s “Nothing Can Change This Love” and Jerry Butler’s “For Your Precious Love” along with the Redding-Cropper collaboration, “Mr. Pitiful”, amongst its 12 tracks.

Last week marked Redding’s 84th birth anniversary. He was born on September 9, 1941 in Dawson, Georgia and was raised in Macon. He started singing in church and later in talent shows. By 15 when he left school to help support his family, he was singing with Little Richard (who inducted Redding into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1989). By 1962 he had recorded & released his first hit with Stax, “These Arms Of Mine”. Over the next impossibly short five years, he established himself as The King Of Soul with notable performances at The Apollo Theater in 1963, The Whisky a Go-Go in 1966 & The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 before his death in a plane crash at the end of that year on December 10. Sixty years later, Otis Blue remains the pinnacle of Redding’s career.

Above: Otis Redding circa 1965. (Image found on OtisRedding.com. Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “Respect” (1965, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1965, written by Sam Cooke).

Otis Redding: “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (1965, written by Jerry Butler and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “Shake” (1965, written by Sam Cooke).

Otis Redding: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

Otis Redding: “You Don’t Miss Your Water” (1965, written by William Bell).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: March 3, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marianne Faithfull died on January 30, 2025 at age 78. She began her musical career as a folk singer in 1964. When she met The Rolling Stones the same year at a party, their manager gave her one of their newly written songs to record which was the first of a series of hit singles for her. A relationship with Mick Jagger followed from 1966-1970 and while she proved to be a muse for him, her life became tainted by substance abuse which led to a decline in both her personal & professional lives. Her 1979 album, Broken English, started a career comeback with with more albums to follow along with acting roles on stage, TV and in movies.

Marianne Faithfull: December 29, 1946 – January 30, 2025.

Marianne Faithfull circa 1967. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Jerry Butler died February 20, 2025 at age 85. He was the last surviving original member of The Impressions but left them in 1960 to pursue a solo career. In addition to his rich baritone voice, he also co-wrote several songs including “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” with Otis Redding (who recorded it in 1965 for his Otis Blue album), “Only The Strong Survive” and “Never Give You Up” with Philly Soul superstars Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. The former is also the title track to Bruce Springsteen’s 2022 album of soul classic covers. The latter was a hit for Butler in 1968 & covered by The Black Keys for their 2010 album, Brothers. Their version is also featured on the soundtrack for the British crime thriller, “Luther” (S3 E4). Despite his tenure on the Cook County Board of Commissioners in Illinois from 1985-2018, Butler stayed active in music where he served as the chairman of the board for the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

Jerry Butler: December 8, 1939 – February 20, 2025.

Jerry Butler performing in the 1970’s.(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Roberta Cleopatra Flack died on February 24, 2025 at the age of 88. She was born February 10, 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina. She started singing in church as a child and began formal piano training at age nine. In the 1970’s she was known for her own work which led to her becoming the first artist to win Record & Song Of The Year back to back at the Grammy Awards in 1973 & 1974.

That decade also gave her success with a few of her duets with Donny Hathaway in the (“Where Is The Love” was a #5 hit in August 1972 and “The Closer I Get To You” peaked at #2 in May 1978), later with Peabo Bryson (“Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” was a Top 20 hit in November 1983) and Maxi Priest (“Set The Night To Music” peaked at #6 in 1991). In 1996, The Fugees cover of “Killing Me Softly”-a #1 hit for Flack for five non-consecutive weeks in 1973- brought attention back to the original recording. In 1974 she received her third #1 song with “Feel Like Making Love” which topped the chart for one week in August 1974.

But it was the placement of one of Flack’s songs in 1971’s “Play Misty For Me”-the directorial debut by Clint Eastwood-that was not only an incredible moment in cinema but led to her first #1 song. It held the top spot for six weeks in the spring of 1972, yet it was originally released on her 1969 album, First Take. I was today year’s old when I found out she did not write that song as I always thought she did. It was written in 1957 by British singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl, the stage name for James Henry Miller. But Flack’s interpretation, her slow, easy yet powerful vocal placed perfectly in an incredible film gave the track and the artist the attention both so richly deserved.

Roberta Flack: February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025.

Roberta Flack performing in the 1970’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Yesterday marked the 75th birth anniversary for the beautiful & unbelievably talented Karen Carpenter. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut on March 2, 1950 and moved with her family to Downey, California when she was a teenager so her brother, Richard, could pursue a career in music. When she joined him as a drummer in his trio, he discovered her sublime voice. It was that sound along with his producing and arranging skills that catapulted them to stardom as a duo in the 1970’s.

There is a story I have read on several sites that mentions a time Karen crossed paths with John Lennon at a restaurant in Los Angeles, California and he told her that he loved her voice. Rumor has it that as flattered as she was, Karen did not believe it as she never realized how supremely gifted she was. The song I have chosen to honor her with today has amassed 67 million views on YouTube. And that is only one platform and only one song from the string of hits she put her vocals to. That is the staggering magnitude of her talent.

Karen Carpenter: March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983.

Karen Carpenter in the 1970’s. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Marianne Faithfull: “As Tears Go By” (1964, written by Mick Jagger, Andrew Loog Oldham and Keith Richards).

Jerry Butler & The Impressions: “For Your Precious Love” (1958, written by Arthur Brooks, Richard Brooks and Jerry Butler).

Roberta Flack: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969 & 1972, written by James Henry Miller, stage name Ewan MacColl).

The Carpenters: “Rainy Days & Mondays” (1971, written by Roger Nichols and Paul Williams).

Stay safe & well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 10

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 10A

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

Another of my great musical loves, Otis Redding, left us with two fabulous Christmas songs before his death 57 years ago on December 10, 1967. I like to feature both tracks every year because, well, it is Otis Redding and two, because this man’s immense talent is just too incredible not to indulge in.

The first one was written by Irving Berlin and the most famous recording of it by Bing Crosby remains the best selling song of all time. Redding’s achingly impassioned vocal is the complete antithesis of Crosby’s signature crooner style, but the level of soul Redding offers makes his version an absolutely stunning event.

Otis-Redding

Otis Redding circa 1967. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

For another take on this holiday staple, I am including a fabulous female version courtesy of Mrs. Elvis Costello, an incredible singer & performer in her own right.

Diana

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The second holiday track dates back to 1947. Redding recorded it sometime between 1966 & 1967 and it was released posthumously in 1968. It is another outstanding performance showcasing his vocal range & passion for a great song.

As if his own talent were not enough to make this song stand on its own, the fact that he and my constant, Bruce Springsteen, chose to record the same Christmas song shows their similar taste in music. In fact, he occasionally covers “Sweet Soul Music” as an encore at his legendary concerts, a song written by Redding & Arthur Conley, who originally recorded it in 1967. I was lucky enough to be present at one of The Boss’ show where he sang that track & that moment stands as one of the top highlights from all of the Bruce concerts I have attended over the years. I love both versions of this Christmas song so much I listen to them all year round. And I make no apologies for that.

bruce-springsteen-portrait-2023

Bruce Springsteen in a 2023 portrait from his website. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “White Christmas” (1967, written by Irving Berlin).

Diana Krall featuring the The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra: “White Christmas” (2005, written by Irving Berlin).

Otis Redding: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1968, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

Bruce Springsteen: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1986, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Music Monday: August 19, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

It was 55 years ago when a crowd of over 400,000 people gathered at Max Yasgur’s 600 acre farm in Bethel, NY for a three day festival which lasted four due to weather interruptions. Officially named The Woodstock Music and Art Fair but more commonly referred to as Woodstock, the music festival was held from August 15-18, 1969 and featured more than 30 musical performers to entertain the “peace & love” crowd four months before the world said goodbye to the counterculture decade.

Poster
Max Yasgur
Max Yasgur on stage

Top: A copy of the concert poster found online. Middle: Max Yasgur, the owner of the farm where the music festival took place. Bottom: Yasgur addresses the crowd at the festival. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Woodstock was where Crosby, Stills & Nash made their second public performance after releasing their debut album in May 1969. They played an acoustic set followed by an electric one where they were joined by Neil Young. And the fact that the definitive funk & soul band, Sly & The Family Stone, took the stage in the middle of what was deemed a “hippie fest” and gave one of the best the performances of their career still blows my mind. Jimmy Hendrix’s now legendary guitar take on our national anthem remains a highlight from the concert as well.

There was something for everyone whether they enjoyed folk, pop, rock or funk music. In my tween years I always thought this was the dream concert I wished I could have seen live. But then I saw a clip of Otis Redding at Monterey and knew that was truly the place I needed to be. Still, Woodstock was a monumental event in both history and music. A movie of highlights from the epic concert was released in March 1970, followed by a soundtrack album two months later. A Director’s Cut of the film was released in 1994 to mark the 25th anniversary of the festival followed by a 40th Anniversary edition in 2009. The new footage changed my favorite performances over the years, but the four I share below have remained my top choices for about a decade.

Tim Hardin new 2
Sly new
Jefferson Airplane
csn new

Four photos taken at Woodstock in August 1969: One: Tim Hardin. Two: Sly Stone. Three (L-R): Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Marty Balin and Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane. Four (L-R): David Crosby, Graham Nash and Stephen Stills of CSN). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Tim Hardin (performed Friday, August 15, 1969):  “If I Were A Carpenter” (1967, written by Tim Hardin).  

Sly & The Family Stone (performed Sunday, August 17, 1969):  “I Want To Take You Higher” (1969, written by Sly Stone).

Jefferson Airplane (performed Sunday, August 17, 1969):  “Volunteers” (1969, written by Marty Balin and Paul Kantner).

Crosby, Stills & Nash (performed Monday, August 18, 1969): “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” (1969, written by Stephen Stills).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: July 15, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Jai “Jaimoe” Johanny Johanson was born Johnny Lee Johnson 80 years ago on July 8, 1944 in Mississippi. He was one of the two drummers behind one of the best and most creative groups in music, The Allman Brothers Band, which was founded 55 years ago.

Before his role as an original member with them, he was part of the touring bands for soul superstars Otis Redding and Sam & Dave. Once Johanson became Duane Allman’s first recruit for his new group in February 1969, the drummer’s fate in one of the most innovative & talented bands in music was sealed. Their infused sound-a combination of jazz, blues, R&B, country and rock-inspired their phenomenal jams at live shows, a few of which were captured on their 1971 breakthrough album, At Filmore East.

Johanson is still playing today, most notably with Friends Of The Brothers and Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band. You can follow his appearances on his Instagram and Facebook pages. After the death of Dickey Betts in April of this year, Johanson became the ABB’s only surviving member. But what those six extraordinary bandmates created together holds as one of the greatest chapters in music history.

“I’ve been run down and I’ve been lied to
And I don’t know why I let that mean woman make me a fool
She took all my money wrecks my new car
Now she’s with one of my good time buddies
They’re drinkin’ in some cross-town bar“.

Allman_Brothers_Band_1969
Jaimoe
Jaimoe and family

Top: The Allman Brothers Band circa 1969 (L to R): Duane Allman, Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley and Johanson. Middle: The drummer circa 2015. Bottom: Daughter Jahonie, Wife Catherine, Johanson and Daughter Cajai in January 2014. (Top two images found online.  Original sources unknown. The third picture is from Jaimoe’s Facebook page taken by Rick Diamond on January 10, 2014 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta during the Gregg Allman Tribute Concert. )

The Allman Brothers: “Whipping Post” (1969, written by Gregg Allman).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: June 17, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

If I could go back in time to experience music as a full fledged adult, I would choose 1967. Why? For the first 11 months of that year, all of my great musical loves were making music in the universe.

January: The Doors released their debut album which introduced one of America’s greatest bands and the poetry of Jim Morrison to the world.

Doors

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

April: Marvin Gaye finished recording sessions for the biggest hit of his career, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, furthering his reign as one of the world’s greatest voices & Motown’s legacy as one of music’s most soulful genres.

Marvin

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

May: The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Beatles

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

June: Otis Redding stole the show at the Monterey Pop Festival.

Otis 2

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

November: Eric Clapton was a member of Cream and they released Disraeli Gears.

Cream

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ongoing: Bruce Springsteen was in his first band, The Castiles. And 1967 was the year that Elton John and Bernie Taupin answered the same ad for songwriters that brought them together, forming one of the greatest partnerships music has ever had.

Castiles

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bernie Taupin (L) and Elton John (R) circa 1967. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Redding’s performance took place 57 years ago on June 17, 1967. He sang five songs: “Try A Little Tenderness”, “Respect”, “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”, a cover of The Stones’ “Satisfaction” and today’s pick. Redding used every ounce of energy he had for the 20 minute set where he exhibited nothing but pure unadulterated joy on that stage. And his achingly impassioned vocal just shattered the bar for any singer who followed him because no one could come close to his ability for expressing every emotion he had in every note he sang. It was the highlight of a tragically short career that helps in keeping Redding the legend he remains more than five decades after his death. If I could attend ANY show in history, this would be the one.

The entire concert is available on Max along with the stand alone videos of both Redding’s and Jimi Hendrix’s performances from the shows as well. They are well worth every second of your time.

Otis 3

Otis Redding on stage during the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “Shake” (Live performance at The Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. Originally recorded in 1965. Written by Sam Cooke).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: January 1, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to the first Music Monday of 2024.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Happy New Year, everyone! I wish all of you the best during the next 12 months. Thank you for being here with me week after week. I really appreciate it.

I do not believe in resolutions, but I do believe in Otis Redding. And his duets with Carla Thomas from their 1967 album, King & Queen, are some of his best moments. ”Tramp” was always my favorite collaboration of theirs, but today’s song is nearly tied with it. The lyrics offer good advice for every day, not just the first one. I can think of no better way to start off a week-let alone a new year-than with a lot of soul.    

“Let’s turn over a new leave
And baby let’s make promises
That we can keep
And call it a new year’s resolution“.

“So baby before we fall out
Let’s fall on in, yeah yeah
And we’re gonna try harder
Not to hurt each other again“. 

otis 1

otis

 Top: Otis Redding & Carla Thomas’s 1967 album. Bottom: Carla Thomas (seated, then L-R): Otis Redding, Jim Stewart, co-founder of Stax Records, Rufus Thomas (Carla’s father) and Booker T. Jones in the Stax studio in 1967. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Otis Redding and Carla Thomas: “A New Year’s Resolution” (1967, written by Randle Catron, Mary Frierson and Willie Dean “Deanie” Parker).

Stay safe and well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 14

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 14

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree with pinecones galore featured in Country Living Magazine. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song was first recorded in 1947 by the band of one of the songwriter’s, Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers. The lead vocal is by singer & pianist Charles Brown, who went on to co-write and sing another successful holiday hit as a solo artist with “Please Come Home For Christmas” in 1960. 

My favorite version of today’s track is by my great love, Bruce Springsteen, released as part of 1987’s compilation album, A Very Special Christmas (it was also the B-side to his cover of “War” of all tracks in 1986). His rendition is followed closely by the cover by my other great musical love, Otis Redding. No surprise there. But I got so comfortable with these three renditions, I did not look for any others. Until this year. And what a shock to find two more unbelievably great versions by two unequivocal music legends.

Tina Turner recorded hers in 1964 when she was singing with her first husband. It is a rousing, funky, powerful no holds barred rendition delivered in a way only Tina could. Needless to say, it is glorious. We may have lost this force of a woman earlier this year, but finding this gem of a cover proves that music is the gift that just keeps giving, no matter how long it takes to find it.   

The King took on this song for himself as well. His website calls his version “as unlikely as it was welcome in the antiseptically “wonderful world of Christmas” and is that ever an understatement. I was so used to hearing the ballads and rock inspired tunes by Elvis, not to mention his gospel tracks, that this just reminded me why he is called The King. There was nothing-NOTHING-he could not sing, including a bluesy piano & guitar driven version of a great old Christmas tune. Shame on me for not finding it until 2023, but thank goodness I finally did. 

All five renditions are below for you to choose your favorite. And if you cannot choose, you have five great additions to your seasonal playlist.  

Johnny Moore
Tina circa 1973
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Picture 1: Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers. Picture 2: Tina Turner circa 1973. Picture 3: The jacket for Otis Redding’s 1968 holiday release. Picture 4: The jacket to Elvis Presley’s 1971 holiday single. Picture 5: The Boss in a festive mood in an undated picture. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers: ”Merry Christmas Baby” (1947, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore. Lead vocal by Charles Brown.) 

Ike and Tina Turner: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1964, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

Otis Redding: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1968, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

Elvis Presley: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1971, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

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 2023: Day 10

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

10 B

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

The singer behind today’s song is soul defined. His life was tragically short (he died on December 10, 1967 at age 26) as was his career (it spanned three years and produced six albums in his lifetime), yet over five decades later he is still celebrated as The King Of Soul. And today’s track is a yearly reminder that despite the tradition of this season, it can and should be celebrated with music that features a fabulous achingly impassioned vocal that makes you feel the spirit of Christmas and more.

Otis-Redding-1967-06-17-Monterey-Pop-Festival

Otis Redding circa 1965. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “White Christmas” (1967, written by Irving Berlin).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!