Tag Archives: Winter Wonderland

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 11 

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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

In a career that spanned nearly 50 years, Ray Charles released only one Christmas album. But given his enormous talent, one was all he needed to make his voice a permanent part of the holiday season. Many of the ten tracks from 1985’s The Spirit Of Christmas have been featured in a few movies including the title track in 1989’s “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”. Today’s pick was featured in two of my favorite movies-“When Harry Met Sally” (1989) & “Elf” (2003).

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

In 1954 Rosemary Clooney appeared in the holiday film, “White Christmas”. The songs she performed in the movie were released the same year on the album, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. In 1996, she released an album of holiday music under the same title as the movie. Most of the 21 tracks are Christmas classics that Clooney reinvented in her unique “girl singer” way. The result is spectacular.

Rosemary Clooney in the 1954 film, “White Christmas”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ray Charles: “Winter Wonderland” (1985, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

Rosemary Clooney: “Winter Wonderland” (1996, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2024: Day 23

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day LL

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

Two musical giants took today’s song and turned it into such unique distinctive versions you can listen to them back to back and not even care-or possibly realize-that they are the same song.

Elvis Presley’s is a country-pop take that ends in a classic boogie woogie style which is too cool for words. Ray Charles put a fun jazzy spin to his unmistakable vocals. Each was recorded more than a decade apart yet both are absolutely timeless like the extraordinary men behind them. And both of these versions fit the definition of classic Christmas music for me.

Elvis
ray

Top: The King Elvis Aaron Presley circa 1957. Bottom: The Genius Ray Charles in 2004. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elvis Presley: “Winter Wonderland” (1971, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

Ray Charles: “Winter Wonderland” (1985, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 16

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Blog day 16

A beautiful rustic Christmas tree decorated with a lovely assortment of neutral ornaments featured in Country Living Magazine.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song is another sing along favorite that has been covered dozens of times. My favorite is by Ray Charles so what’s not to love? Plus, his version is featured in two of my favorite movies: ”When Harry Met Sally” and “Elf”. 

This year I discovered another incredible take on this tune by Irish singer, songwriter & musician Hozier. His stripped down acoustic cover is really beautiful. I have been a fan of his from the first time I heard his extraordinary song, “Like Real People Do” from his self-titled debut in 2014. 

For a female slant on today’s track, I have also included the 1987 cover courtesy of The Eurythmics led by Annie Lennox’s gorgeous voice. One thing about this season is that we may hear the same tunes again and again, but when you have a variety of voices to choose from, it is like hearing an old song for the first time. And I adore that feeling. 

“Sleigh bells ring are you listening
In the lane snow is glistening
A beautiful sight we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland“.

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eurythmics
Hozier

Top: Ray Charles’ 1985 Christmas album. Middle: The Eurythmics in the 1980’s: Annie Lennox and David Stewart. Bottom: Hozier in 2019. (Images found online. Original sources unknown.)

Ray Charles: “Winter Wonderland” (1985, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

The Eurythmics: “Winter Wonderland” (1987, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

Hozier: “Winter Wonderland” (2020, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2022: Day 22

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 22 2022

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

In a career that spanned 47 years from 1957 to 2004, Ray Charles released only one holiday album: “The Spirit Of Christmas” in 1985 (not counting a couple that were released posthumously). Comprised mostly of seasonal classics, Charles made each one his own with his signature iconic style. Today’s song is the standout for me.

“Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
To sing a love song
While we stroll along
Walkin’ in a winter wonderland“.

Ray Charles circa 2000. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Ray Charles: “Winter Wonderland” (1985, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 17

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 17

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song makes my list every year.

It is by Ray Charles.

End of story.

“Sleigh bells ring are you listening?
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight we’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland“.

ray

Ray Charles circa 2004. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ray Charles: “Winter Wonderland” (1985, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

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!!!

Let’s Take A Moment Day 279

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 20

(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.

Ray Charles singing any song is magic. Ray Charles singing any song related to Christmas is heaven.

“Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is the new bird
He sings a love song
As we go along
Walkin’ in a winter wonderland“.

Ray Charles backstage San Francisco 12/5/71 sheet 905 frame 25a

Ray Charles circa 1970. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Ray Charles: “Winter Wonderland” (1985, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith).

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 18

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Welcome back to the countdown!!!

Wintry scenes would not be complete without a snowman.  I think this one has the perfect hat, too!!!

day 18

Found on Pinterest (original source unknown).

Imagination is part of the fun of Christmas.  Always has been.  For children it is wondering what Santa will bring them and if they might catch a glimpse of him coming down the chimney.  For adults it is thinking up new ways to celebrate, decorate and entertain, not to mention trying to come up with original and exciting gift ideas to wow their friends and family.  So with all that sharp thinking going on, it’s not surprising that songs about the season get creative as well.  One about two people building a snowman seems like innocent fare, right?  But when the couple starts pretending that snowman is real, and a member of the clergy who they can ask to marry them?  Still pure fun or the basis for a Stephen King novel???  🙂

My vote is 100% pure unadulterated fun, not to mention great music as well.  This song has been recorded dozens of times by many different artists, but this man’s version has always been my favorite.  It has been featured in several movies, most notably “When Harry Met Sally” and “Elf”.  He is not only one of the greatest singers this country ever produced but he is considered a natural treasure as well. And rightfully so.

Ray

Ray Charles:  “Winter Wonderland” (1985, written by Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith in 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!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2018: Day 12

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Hi, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

Day 12.jpg

Pretty holiday image found on Pinterest (original source unknown).  

Yesterday we saluted the Queen.  Today we pay homage to the King.

He covered nearly two dozen holiday songs throughout his career and released two Christmas albums during his lifetime:  one in 1957 (Elvis’ Christmas Album) and the other in 1971 (Elvis sings the Wonderful World of Christmas”).  His take on each of the songs he recorded-from the holiday classics (“Silver Bells”), to the  religious ones (“O Come All Ye Faithful”) to the ones he reinvented (“Blue Christmas”) were all his own, just like with his other music.  No one sang or performed like him, and no one ever will.

The song featured today has a great rockabilly feel to it as he added to so many of his songs which is why he crossed over into so many musical genres:  popular, rock & roll, country, gospel and holiday classics.  That is the sign of a true musical talent.  All hail the King.

Elvis

Elvis Presley:  “Winter Wonderland” (1971).

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 19

Posted in Christmas, Music by

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

truck-with-wreath

(Original source unknown)

For most of the countdown, I have had trouble choosing only one song each day because I feel like there are so many great versions of so many holiday classics, I just want to share as many as I can with you.  And while this song is no exception in the amount of great renditions it has, for me there is only one.  Why?  Because that one is by Ray Charles Robinson.

I fell in love with his version the first time I heard in the 1989 movie “When Harry Met Sally” and it has been one of my all time favorite Christmas songs ever since.  In my heart he made this song his own the same way he did with “America The Beautiful“.  There is a reason why he was called “The Genius”, and it is clear in every note of every song he ever played.

ray 2

(Original source unknown)

Ray Charles:  “Winter Wonderland”

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 #11

Posted in Christmas, Music by

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

1940s-tree

Vintage Christmas Scene (original source unknown)

 

If a line was drawn in history as to three biggest voices to put soul music on the map,  it would read like this:  Sam Cooke, Otis Redding (featured in yesterday’s post) & the singer with today’s song.

Side note:  It is not James Brown.  While he was without question “The Godfather of Soul”, he was also credited with being one of the inventors of funk music.  Hence, he was on a completely different path than the other three singers. In his own league, as the saying goes.

But, as usual, I digress.

vintage-christmas-cards

Vintage Christmas Card (original source unknown)

 

Today’s singer carried the torch after Redding’s death, and never put it down.  While Motown & Philly Soul were more than respectable outlets for great music, today’s singer cruised past both with the same achingly impassioned vocal delivery that made Redding a legend, but giving it a more polished sound, much like Cooke.  The combination was electric.  That is how his sound rose above everything else in the 1970’s.

When I saw him in concert, he ran into the audience and I was lucky enough to get a great big bear hug from him.  Unfortunately, it took place at a time when cameras were still banned from concerts, so I do not have a picture of the momentous occasion.  But I relived it every time I saw him take the roof off of the Ed Sullivan Theater when he made his yearly visit to “The Late Show With David Letterman” (another reason why I miss that brilliant show!!!)

Al Green:  Winter Wonderland.

I chose Green’s song specifically for today because on this date in 1964, Sam Cooke died at the age of  33.  Through the time machine that is YouTube, I came across this holiday greeting he made in 1963.  I am not sure why he recorded it.  Perhaps it was done as a radio station promotion or for his record label.  All I know is it is a gift, so Christmas came early for me.  Listen to it here.

sam-cooke-620x480

Sam Cooke (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!!!