December 3, 4, 5

So I have gotten even further behind on this project...the only way to get even close to done "on time" is to post 3 or 4 songs daily.  I guess running into this sort of problem is not uncommon this time of year....biting off more than we can chew; putting too much on our plates...food analogies both but appropriate inasmuch as food remains such an integral part of our holiday celebrations. Growing up in the 70s the Christmas activities were by today's standards quite modest...time together, decorations, music, and of course, wonderful food.  The holiday calendar of my youth began with the annual performance of Handel's Messiah by the EKU Choirs.  I never actually saw the entire performance, but through the magic of youtube, I can still see fantastic choirs perform the greatest of the Christmas compositions.  Today features not only Handel's Messiah, but three other classic pieces.

Handel's Messiah.

Composed in 1741, this three part oratorio details the Nativity, Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ.  There is a wonderful review on Wikipedia that is too perfect for me to try and distill down to a few lines (Handel's Messiah).  The Hallelujah Chorus is the most recognized piece; rumor has it that the King was so impressed by this piece that he stood during this portion..a tradition continued by modern audiences.  One of the early performances in London was to benefit the Foundling Hospital, an institution dedicated to bettering the lives of disenfranchised youth.  In addition to a classic recording by the Royal Choral Society, I have included a masterpiece of modern technology...the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and 2000 "virtual" singers who "uploaded" their parts and all were then seamlessly incorporated into this production.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir and 2000 Virtual Guests

The Royal Choral Society

The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer (also known as the Our Father) appears in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9-13) and a shorter version in Luke (11:2-4).  Catholic doctrine maintains that this is "truly the summary of the whole Gospel."  It has been performed for centuries and there are too many wonderful renditions from which to choose.  I have chosen two versions by the same artist (Andrew Bocelli).  The first is with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; the second is a peformance with the Philadelphia Orchestra for Pope Francis.  For a Catholic singer, I can imagine no greater highlight in his stunning career than to perform for the Pope.

Andrew Bocelli and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Andrew Bocelli performance for Pope Francis

Ave Maria

Composed by Schubert in 1825 and originally named "Ellen's third song," this is in my opinion one of the most beautiful songs ever written.  Based on the greeting of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary (Luke), there are seemingly endless versions from which to choose.  These four are each distinct in their own way; perhaps the collaboration between Bono and Pavorotti being the most unique.  I could have easily added covers by Domingo, Pavorotti, Bocelli, Josh Groban, etc.

The Celtic Women

Karen Carpenter

Bono and Pavorotti

1995 Video Production by Michal Lorenc

O Come O Come Emmanuel

The tune is from the early 15th century; the words are now more than 300 years old but tell a story millenia in the making...Israel's longing for Salvation from Jesse's lineage.  One of the verses:

Draw nigh, O Jesse's Rod, draw nigh,

To free us from the enemy;

From Hell's infernal pit to save,

And give us victory o'er the grave.

Rejoice! rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall be born, for thee, O Israel!

I have chosen three completely different versions, none classical covers, but amazing collaboration between the Mormon Choir and The Piano guys, a folk artist, and a mixed production.

The Piano Guys

The Reliques (Folk Artists)

For King and Country

December 2

So many great holiday movies...I could list 15 or 20 that are "must sees at some point."  When our children were young, Sharon and I would try to watch a different movie every night of December...we had a collection of VHS tapes, DVDs, and a smattering of network shows (long before NetFlix/You tube).  Some are absolute classics...a patient's mother referenced "It's a Wonderful Life" to me in a text just a couple of days ago...Sharon and I have watched two different versions of Dicken's Christmas Carol (early 50s and George C. Scott remake) already this year.  And of course, if you have spare insulin, there is always the Hallmark Channel.  I'm sure over the next two weeks that Miracle on 34th Street (both versions) and a host of others will make their way to the DVD.  Many of our favorite Christmas songs debuted in movies (White Christmas, The Christmas Song).  Today's song is the second song from "Grinch."

Where are you Christmas/Christmas, Why can't I find you

This song, written by James Horner, Will Jennings, and Mariah Carey for the 2000 remake of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," is one of the handful of "new" songs that I think will still be a holiday standard 50 years from now.  Legal conflicts with her ex-husband prevented Carey from releasing the song, so it was performed by Faith Hill.   Nearly 1,000,000 downloads later, it is on

Faith Hill

Piano Guys (with daughter)

December 1,

So it is officially December and the airwaves are full of holiday songs.  Not just the radio, but now satellite and of course my favorite, Alexa.  Sitting at my wife's computer as I write this I can simply say "Alexa, play the Christmas Song by Nat King Cole and amazingly it is NOW playing."  Enough said for the technology.  So many versions of this on You Tube, it is one of the most covered of the Christmas Classics.

The Christmas Song

Pretty much everyone agrees that is one of the greatest of all Christmas songs.  It was written by Mel Torme when he was only 19 years old! (With Bob Wells).   One of the three recordings I have included is with him and Judy Garland (of the Wizard of Oz...she changes ones one phrase from "reindeer" to "rainbows").  The Nat King Cole version is classic and needs no introduction (though  originally recorded many years earlier with his trio, it is this recording that we celebrate today).  Lastly, an incredible cover by Aaron Neville...no editing, just one take.  Many years ago Sharon and I had the pleasure of seeing him in a private concert in New Orleans...just himself, a tape machine, and a mic...amazing.  Enjoy

Mel Torme and Judy Garland

Nat King Cole, 1961

Aaron Neville (1 mic, 1 take, no editing)

Thursday, November 30

Well, obviously I have gotten WAY behind on my postings, but if I average two per day, I should finish up "right on time."  No explanation or excuses needed or offered...just haven't sat down to do the necessary daily "work."  The dates may or may match up to the actual weather or events, but since for the most part the ramblings are random, it really doesn't matter.

I recently wrote about the "warm weather" and how that juxtaposed to my childhood (though "White Christmases" were not common in the Kentucky of my youth (but were in Michigan).  This will be my 26th Christmas in Savannah, surpassing the number in Kentucky.   The last few days have been relatively cold...in the low 30s in the morning, so I thought it was a good time for :

Baby It's Cold Outside

The song was composed by Frank Losser in 1944 and like many of our holiday favorites, was written for a movie (Neptune's Daughter, 1949 (I haven't seen the movie, but the cast includes some heavyweights:  Ricardo Montalban, Mel Blanc, Ester Williams, Mel Blanc, Xavier Cugat).  In recent years the song has come under fire and while I do recognize that argument, this is a fun blog and I believe on the list of inappropriate songs, this one is going to be down the list.  But if there is any doubt, No means No.

Here are three of my favorite versions:  The original recording from 1949, Savannah's own Johnny Mercer, and of course, a short scene from Elf.  Enjoy.

Baby It's Cold Outside (Neptune's Daughter, 1949)

Johnny Mercer and Margaret Whiting (1949)

Elf (2003)