Tag Archives: Silent Night

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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Let’s Take A Moment Day 283

Posted in Holidays, Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Dec 24

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

It goes without saying that Aretha Franklin could sing anything, yet she waited over 45 years in to her career to release an album of seasonal music with 2008’s “This Christmas Aretha”. The record included several spiritual tracks that were reflective of Franklin’s gospel roots. Between her incomparable voice, her interpretation of the lyrics and the absolutely gorgeous arrangements, the entire album is simply stunning. But since today is Christmas Eve, I think this song is the best choice to celebrate this glorious day of the year.

“‘Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace“.

Aretha

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2019: Day 19

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Welcome back to the countdown!!!

Ah, holly wreaths.  So simple yet add such an elegant touch to make any room more festive for the season.  And so pretty to look at, too.

day 20.jpg

Found on Pinterest (original source unknown).

I have always loved acoustic music.  The more simple an arrangement, the more you can really focus on the beauty of the voice singing.  Today’s singer had one of the prettiest I have ever heard.  She interpreted many songs in her own style, including “Autumn Leaves“, “Songbird“, “Over The Rainbow” and “Fields of Gold“, and each one was more gorgeous than the last.  Her cover of today’s song is no exception.

eva-cassidy

Eva Cassidy circa early 1990’s (original source unknown).

Eva Cassidy:  “Silent Night” ( written by Franz Xavier Gruber and Joseph Mohr in 1818).

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 2018: Day 24

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Merry Christmas Eve, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

day 24

Pretty tree found on Pinterest (original source unknown).  

For today’s song I am sharing three versions with you because I think they are all too beautiful for words.  The first version is from an R&B/Soul Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend who still performs (this year he recorded his own version of the 1975 Freddy Fender country classic “Before The Next Teardrop Falls”) but calls the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church home for his weekly sermons.

The second version is by an Italian tenor who has been called the greatest singer in the world by record producer David Foster, and has a voice that makes me swoon.  The third is by a Puerto Rican singer & composer who has sung his own songs as well as recorded classic interpretations of other musician’s work.  I did not hear his version of this Christmas classic until this year and I fell head over heels in love with it.

Al Green

Bocelli

 

Jose

Al Green:  “Silent Night” (1983).

Andrea Bocelli:  “Silent Night” (2009).

Jose Feliciano:  “Silent Night” (1970).

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 Songs: Day 21

Posted in Christmas, Music by

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

durango-co-christmas

(Original source unknown)

My love for Motown is immense.  I have adored it since I was a kid, thanks to my parents.  They bought one of those K-Tel compilations which consisted of four albums of the Motor City’s greatest hits and the rest is history.

So many great songs and singers came out of that era, and to this day four of them are still on my list of favorite voices of all time:  Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, David Ruffin (lead singer of the Temptations) & Levi Stubbs (lead singer of the Four Tops.

Despite the fact that Motown gave us some of the greatest music ever made, so many of the holiday music recorded by those artists is hardly ever heard during the Christmas season.  With radio stations starting earlier and earlier every year to play holiday songs, I do not know how this era of music gets overlooked.  I listen to these four Christmas songs year round, and maybe after hearing them you will understand why.

marvin gaye     Temptations

Marvin Gaye (R) – The Temptations (L) (original sources unknown)

Stevie Wonderthe-four-tops-abdul-duke-fakir-levi-everett

Stevie Wonder (R) – The Four Tops (L) (original sources unknown)

Marvin Gaye:  “I Want To Come Home For Christmas“

Stevie Wonder:  “What Christmas Means to Me“

The Four Tops:  “Away In A Manger“

The Temptations:  “Silent Night”

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!!!

Christmas Song Countdown #16 & #17

Posted in Christmas, Music by

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

I had some technical difficulties yesterday, so today’s post will celebrate two songs to catch us up.  Double the musical fun!!!

christmas-4

(Original source unknown)

 

The first song is by country music royalty.  He grew up listening to hymns and folk songs to become one of the architects of Sam Phillips’ label, Sun Records.  He brought an edge to country music, joined fellow country icons to become a Highwayman and for all intents and purposes brought the bad guy persona to country music with his “Folsom Prison Blues” song & concert.

And if his contribution to that genre was not enough, he covered many different songs from artists he admired like Neil Young (“Heart Of Gold“), Bruce Springsteen (“Johnny 99“) Nine Inch Nails (a powerful astonishing version of “Hurt“) and U2 (“One), to name a few.  Yet, he will always be best know for his staple songs, namely “Ring of Fire“,  “A Boy Named Sue” and “I Walk The Line“.

He was also one half of one of the greatest love stories of all time, proving to men everywhere that there is absolutely no shame in admitting you need a good woman by your side, and wanting her there as well.

johnny-cash-wedding

Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash’s wedding day-March 1, 1968 (courtesy:  JohnnyCash,com) 

 

He took this Christmas carol and made it his own.  He was, very simply, the Man In Black.

Johnny Cash:  Silent Night.

Second pick:

Not too many people have actually written a Christmas song, only performed the classic ones.  This singer has done both, and I really like some of her music from the early years of her career (mid to late 1990’s) until she moved to her post Tommy Mottola now-I-am-going-to-pepper-my-pop-sound-with-rap years.  But there is no denying the power or beauty of her voice.

love-actually-poster-398878

(Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

 

Call it a guilty pleasure, or a loyalty to someone else from my home region of Long Island, but I do occasionally listen to this singer and this song specifically at this time of year.  If you are a fan of the film “Love Actually” there is no way not to enjoy this song.  (And despite all the baggage surrounding her first acting performance in the movie “Glitter”, I thought her performances in “Wisegirls” and “Precious” were very well done.)

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Mariah Carey, Melora Walters and Mira Sorvino in “Wisegirls” (courtesy of Loins Gate Films)

 

I love this video for this song so much better than the first one.  It may not be Christmasey, but it is not cheesy, either.

Mariah Carey:  All I Want For Christmas.

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!!!

 

christmas-candles

(Original source unknown)

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