AGBF, It's time for the music!

[aviastar]

Deb, I think it's time: my Christmas music is playing! I always really enjoy this annual thread of sharing and discovering new Christmas music.

Many thanks to Deb, who started this tradition, and to Holly who started the thread last year; I'm looking forward to all the music!

My first offering:

A lovely piano rendition of We Three Kings,by Scott D. Davis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0tGnLUAVcE

 

[Dancing Fire]

The all time classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yg5g_Xl-uU

 

[AGBF]

Deb, I think it's time: my Christmas music is playing! I always really enjoy this annual thread of sharing and discovering new Christmas music.

Thank you for starting the thread, aviastar. I do not know that it was I who started the tradition of a holiday music thread. I think there always was one. I just like to participate in it!

I was introduced to a new piece-well a new rendition of an old piece-on a different forum this year. It always amazes me that each year new holiday music is produced. It is an everlasting miracle, as people lift up their voices!

Here are the Pentatonix doing, "The Little Drummer Boy"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

...and here are the Pentatonix doing "Carol of the Bells"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSUFzC6_fp8


Deb/AGBF

 

[JewelFreak]

I saw these folks yesterday, Deb. They're terrific. And doing well. The woman's voice is marvelous & how does that guy make those sounds? Nice to hear only voices without banging busting "music" (noise?) accompaniment.

--- Laurie

 

[AGBF]

I saw these folks yesterday, Deb. They're terrific. And doing well. The woman's voice is marvelous & how does that guy make those sounds? Nice to hear only voices without banging busting "music" (noise?) accompaniment.

I envy you, Laurie. It is why I always loved singing madrigals. I really love what the human voice alone can do. I see that you do, too. We are so alike.

Deb

 

[JewelFreak]

O Holy Night. Susan Boyle & Celine Dion. Beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTbo0zqOIEs


O Come All Ye Faithful. Susan Boyle and Elvis Presley. http://www.susanboylemusic.com/us/n...l_ye_faithful_susans_duet_with_elvis_presley/

 

[AGBF]

I have already enjoyed the contributions of others to this thread. While watching Dancing Fire's song (I had thought it would be, "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole for some reason) I caught sight of this classic. I remember that I was introduced to this on Pricescope. I have loved it ever since. It is Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing (and harmonizing) together. They sing, "The Little Drummer Boy" and, "Peace On Earth". David Bowie clearly asks that there be peace on earth "for men of good will", which is the phrase that sounds right to me and holy and so very truly like Christmas!

The Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus

Deb/AGBF

 

[dragonfly411]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVQDYnsDdCo - Silent Night Medley from Hanson

 

[aviastar]

Thank you, DF, a classic indeed!

Hi Deb! Either way, you are part of MY music tradition now, so thank you! And yes, Pentatonix is making the rounds this year! Good for them; I like to hear all the different renditions of the classics. Loved the David Bowie/Bing Crsoby duet! How fun!

Thanks, Jewel! I really enjoy both Celine Dion and Susan Boyle's voices; soaring without the yelling-ness.

Thanks, Dragon! I always thought the Hanson boys were very talented and this is a super fun arrangement of these songs!

The other group I see getting a lot of attention right now is the Piano Guys; I am very much enjoying the whole album "A Family Christmas" as it pops up in my Pandora feed. Here's the first one I heard this year:

Angels We Have Heard on High:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n543eKIdbUI

My internet at home is on the fritz, so I can only check on this thread at work- but it's making my day so much nicer!

 

[davi_el_mejor]

I just learned that Duke Ellington did a jazz version of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker suite. It.is.AMAZING

 

[JewelFreak]

I really love what the human voice alone can do. I see that you do, too. We are so alike.

Deb

Deb, if I could be given any talent at all, I'd ask for a good singing voice. It must be such a joy to open your mouth & have angels come out. My mother had a beautiful voice -- wanted to be an opera singer before the Depression interfered, then marriage & kids. Dad, who was very reserved about expressing anything dramatic, told me that when he listened to her singing us lullabyes, he had tears in his eyes, it was so beautiful to hear. She didn't see fit to pass it on to any of her kids, kept it all for herself. If you think of the human voice as an instrument when you listen to it, it's stunning.


Davi, what a terrific piece of info! I'm going to see if I can find it; that must be fabulous.

--- Laurie

 

[Scarlett1]

Wow, this is a fantastic thread. Great idea.
Here is a link to one of my all time favourite christmas carols ' A Wexford Carol' sung here by Imelda May and accompanied by an old college lecturer of mine
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E2paPVTzuts
This is also sung by Imelda May and again one of my all time favourites
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PwWiKuzF-z8
And then there is always this http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_GabHGlGm14&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_GabHGlGm14
I now know what I'll be doing with my broccoli this Xmas

 

[Scarlett1]

Thank you, DF, a classic indeed!

Hi Deb! Either way, you are part of MY music tradition now, so thank you! And yes, Pentatonix is making the rounds this year! Good for them; I like to hear all the different renditions of the classics. Loved the David Bowie/Bing Crsoby duet! How fun!

Thanks, Jewel! I really enjoy both Celine Dion and Susan Boyle's voices; soaring without the yelling-ness.

Thanks, Dragon! I always thought the Hanson boys were very talented and this is a super fun arrangement of these songs!

The other group I see getting a lot of attention right now is the Piano Guys; I am very much enjoying the whole album "A Family Christmas" as it pops up in my Pandora feed. Here's the first one I heard this year:

Angels We Have Heard on High:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n543eKIdbUI

My internet at home is on the fritz, so I can only check on this thread at work- but it's making my day so much nicer!

Loved this!!! Thanks for introducing me to the piano guys, fab!!

 

[AGBF]

I've really been enjoying everyone's comments and all the links, which I have been checking out religiously. (ThePianoGuys are really fun. I had never seen them before. Nor had I seen Imelda May. I had to go look her up; she fascinated me!)

I just felt I had to repost, "Perfect Gift" by Natalie Hemby since there is still no CD available of this song! It is a crime!

Perfect Gift...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2M-iYIHMA

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

I just learned about this song. I love Bruce Springsteen, so I was glad to be able to enjoy his rendition of it, which I found amazing.

"Merry Christmas Baby" by Bruce Springsteen...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi9kvO2zL2E

Deb/AGBF

 

[packrat]

I saw that Pentatonix Drummer Boy one on FB a few days ago-amazing. That was my favorite Christmas song growing up.

I have a thing for Feliz Navidad, I freely admit it. And the Snoopy Christmas songs. And Feed the World-that one came out when I was little too. I just love Christmas songs, period.

 

[AGBF]

I saw that Pentatonix Drummer Boy one on FB a few days ago-amazing. That was my favorite Christmas song growing up.

I have a thing for Feliz Navidad, I freely admit it. And the Snoopy Christmas songs. And Feed the World-that one came out when I was little too. I just love Christmas songs, period.

if you feel like posting a link to anything, please do so!

Deb

 

[AGBF]

Here is Straight No Chaser's, "The Christmas Can-Can":

"The Christmas Can-Can"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-47VmFopE


Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

Straight No Chaser recorded two versions of, "The Twelve Days of Christmas". It made the first one in 1998 and one video alone of that has almost 17 million hits on YouTube. In 2008, 10 years later, it made another video at a live performance in Indiana that is slightly different. If you are a true Straight No Chaser aficionado like me you will appreciate having both recordings.

The Twelve Days of Christmas (199...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8
The Twelve Days of Christmas (200...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kYEK-pxs_A

Deb/AGBF

 

[monarch64]

Straight No Chaser recorded two versions of, "The Twelve Days of Christmas". It made the first one in 1998 and one video alone of that has almost 17 million hits on YouTube. In 2008, 10 years later, it made another video at a live performance in Indiana that is slightly different. If you are a true Straight No Chaser aficionado like me you will appreciate having both recordings.

The Twelve Days of Christmas (199...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8
The Twelve Days of Christmas (200...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kYEK-pxs_A

Deb/AGBF

I love them, Deb! Hope to see them perform here someday. They are awfully easy on the eyes, as well as the ears.

 

[aviastar]

Loved those Straight No Chaser songs, Deb! They are a new to me group, so thank you!

This one showed up in my Facebook feed this morning and I liked it:

Forte Femme, O Come, O Come Emmanuel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmdkZ4Z0itY&feature=youtu.be

The group is relatively new, it looks like, and doesn't have much else up on their youtube page, but it's a group of very talented young ladies (+ 1 beard as they say) who went to school for music with my sister. Like JewelFreak, my sister could be mistaken for an angel when she sings, but the only thing any one would ever mistake me for is a sick frog. To say I am jealous would be an understatement!

And while listening to that one, Lindsey Stirling's version of the same caught my eye:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozVmO5LHJ2k&list=PLETuopLfmKSOb-nLxMHGa0tOLUjCGanEs

I clicked around for more Lindsey Stirling songs and enjoyed most of her Christmas offerings!

 

[Scarlett1]

Oh come Emanuel is such a beautiful carol. Loved both those versions

Here is something a bit fun, would love to get my school choir to do this!!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S6bCA1a302c

 

[AGBF]

Here is something a bit fun, would love to get my school choir to do this!!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S6bCA1a302c

This was fun. I found myself really following along!!! Thank you for posting.

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

This one showed up in my Facebook feed this morning and I liked it:

Forte Femme, O Come, O Come Emmanuel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmdkZ4Z0itY&feature=youtu.be

The group is relatively new, it looks like, and doesn't have much else up on their youtube page, but it's a group of very talented young ladies (+ 1 beard as they say) who went to school for music with my sister. Like JewelFreak, my sister could be mistaken for an angel when she sings, but the only thing any one would ever mistake me for is a sick frog. To say I am jealous would be an understatement!

I loved this version, aviastar. It was different without being weird. I mean, it was melodic, not atonal or something!!! I was surprised to read that the group was from Nashville. They seemed so serious musically, and although I love country music I associate Nashville with country music, not acapella Christmas music! I appreciate your posting that piece.

Deb/AGBF

 

[Amber St. Clare]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVQDYnsDdCo - Silent Night Medley from Hanson

I think you posted this several years ago and I always wanted to thank you. My husband made a CD for me. My son was rather disdainful--"Really Mom--HANSON?" And then promptly said it was great.

So thanks for adding to my seasonal music collection!

 

[Amber St. Clare]

I've screwed up trying to post a link, but Shilelagh Law's Christmas in New York is great. I'll try to get it linked when the kid comes over to hang his hockey ornament. The video is a little weird--the band looks like they were playing in someone's basement. It was written right after 9/11 and makes me cry every. damn. time. I. hear. it.

 

[AGBF]

Hi. I'm logging in from Virginia before rushing out to a doctor's appointment. (I used to live here, but live in Connecticut, my home state, again now.) On the drive down here I happened to tune in to a jazz radio station that was playing some great Christmas music (including Duke Ellington's, "Three Suites" part of which are based on, "The Nutcracker Suite"). I believe we have discussed Duke Ellington, but I am almost certain that we have NEVER posted about this piece here.

This is, "Deck Us All With Boston Charlie" done by Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. I had never heard it before and assumed it was just an amusing song written by them or someone else with a sense of humor. It was only when I went to YouTube and saw a video that someone had carefully made that I realized that it was all based on an old Pogo comic strip. Perhaps everyone else knew about this except me, but for me it was a real epiphany. I find it absolutely charming. I hope that at least one other person who hears it here does, too!

Deb/AGBF

Deck Us All...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46u50qJY0GM

 

[AGBF]

Well...I heard some really nice Christmas music while driving home to Connecticut from Virginia, too. I just wish the drive hadn't been so long. I used to do it many times a year and without heavy traffic it used to take between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 hours to make the trip by car. My longest trip, a Wednesday before Thanksgiving, took 11 hours. Well, when I had already gotten on the road yesterday, I heard on the news that everyone was out on the roads due to a confluence of Christmas shopping and warm weather. Later I heard that AAA had reported that this Christmas people were going to be driving hundreds of miles more on average than usual and that car rentals were up. I also heard that the Saturday before Christmas had been named (which I hate). I believe it is being called, "Super Saturday" by retailers.

A brief digression: I never minded hearing the term, "Black Friday" used for the day after Thanksgiving, but the idea that Christmas might now be defined by retailers really makes me furious. I hope that people, average people like us, refuse to use this term.

At any rate, the traffic was bumper-to bumper most of the way between Virginia and Connecticut and it took me 9 hours to make the trip. That gave me a lot of time to listen to the radio and since it was right before Christmas there was a lot of great music on. I heard some very unusual and fascinating stuff. I heard a rendition of the Jean Ritchie version of, "The Cherry Tree Carol" by Aoife O'Donovan which was great but which I cannot find anywhere to listen to again. (It is supposedly available on the website of, "The Prairie Home Companion", but won't play on my computer.)

I heard a version of, "The Little Drummer Boy" on a Christian station (Hope.net) which I will look for. It was a little unusual and very beautiful.

And I heard a very irreverent and real Irish song done by some displaced Irishmen (who now live in Boston) about what Christmas is really like in their homes. It is called, "The Season's Upon Us". The group that sings it is The Dropkick Murphys.

The Season's Upon Us...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTx-sdR6Yzk

Deb/AGBF

 

[Ellen]

What Child Is This, all verses which you don't usually hear. I've included the lyrics for those who aren't familiar. Beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ONn4T0_30A&feature=player_embedded

What Child is this, who laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Nails, spear, shall pierce Him through,
The Cross be borne, for me, for you:
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh;
Come peasant, king to own Him.
The King of Kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Raise, raise, the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.