The Holly and The Ivy*Christmas Music 2015

[AGBF]

I was going to name this thread, "Holly,the music is playing". In 2012 (on November 20, 2012) Holly started a Christmas music thread with those words, but called it to my attention that it was time to start the thread. She and I have, traditionally, taken part in the holiday music thread. I looked for a song from an album that was released in 2015 with which to begin the thread but didn't find one immediately with which I was struck.

So I looked through some of my favorite Christmas songs. Here is "Oíche Chiúin [Chorale]" by Enya. "Silent Night" in Irish.

Link...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBpPTGUg0WE

Deb/AGBF

 

[KaeKae]

Thank you for starting this thread, AGBF!

So, despite my years hanging out on PS, I don't remember the premise of the thread. Do we offer links to favored songs as you did, or is there more?

 

[AGBF]

Thank you for starting this thread, AGBF!

So, despite my years hanging out on PS, I don't remember the premise of the thread. Do we offer links to favored songs as you did, or is there more?

KaeKae-

First, you are welcome. This thread always gives me great pleasure.

Second, I thought the easiest way to show you what our threads are generally like (not that we wouldn't welcome some innovation!) is to give you a link to last year's Christmas/holiday music thread. I believe that Holly, more appropriately, labelled it an Advent thread since we really use it to wait for Christmas.

Christmas Music Thread 2014...[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/music-for-advent-christmas-2014.207845/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/music-for-advent-christmas-2014.207845/[/URL]

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

I have finally found a version of my favorite rendition of, "Jesus Christ, The Apple Tree" which I can link to a Pricescope thread. It is the rendition done by The Rankin Sisters. I find it very intimate, very personal.

Jesus Christ The Apple Tree...http://www.christmas-tree.ca/music/apple.html

Deb/AGBF

 

[missy]

Perfect timing as I have been working out to Christmas morning for the last hour plus. I love Christmas music. Listening to Christmas classics with Bing Crosby, Cole Porter, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Gene Autry to name a few.

I don't have anything new to contribute but will happily follow this wonderful thread. Thank you Deb and Holly. Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with happiness, health and of course good music.


Here are my 2 contributions that I have shared in previous holiday threads. Hope it is ok to repost.
Perfect Gift by Natalie Hemby from 2010.

http://sonichits.com/video/Natalie_Hemby/Perfect_Gift

and my favorite...though not necessarily my favorite rendition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQVz6vuNq7s#t=55

 

[VRBeauty]

This isn't new either. It's from a CD I reach for every time Christmas rolls around: "The Gift," by Tingstad and Rumbel. The Gift is no longer in print, but some songs of its songs were used on "A Narada Christmas"

Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_QvwytuBCM

And, in keeping with the this thread's title, The Holly and the Ivy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGOG17Zw9PY

By the way, if you like this thread, you'll love The Gift. Last year it occurred to me to get a copy for a fellow chorister who also happens to be a oboist and flutist. I was so disappointed when I went online and found that the CD is out of print! But... I was lucky enough to find a demo copy at my local used record store for mere pennies on the dollar compared to what I would have paid online. It almost made up for all the used Christmas CDs I bought that turned out to be dogs!

 

[VRBeauty]

Apparently there are also a lot of new releases (and new compilations) to check out:

http://www.popvortex.com/music/charts/top-new-christmas-albums.php

 

[AGBF]

This isn't new either. It's from a CD I reach for every time Christmas rolls around: "The Gift," by Tingstad and Rumbel. The Gift is no longer in print, but some songs of its songs were used on "A Narada Christmas"

Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_QvwytuBCM

And, in keeping with the this thread's title, The Holly and the Ivy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGOG17Zw9PY

Those were both lovely, VRBeauty. If I listened to them another year, I didn't remember them. I feel sad that the CD is out of print. One of my nieces who used to play the cello requested a CD (I will look up what it was) within the past year or so. Since she played the flute prior to the cello, as did her older sister, I immediately wondered if she would like a copy of this lovely CD. (Obviously she listens to instrumental music.) Since I am not sure what her feelings on Christmas music are, I will not go crazy trying to find an out of print CD, but if it had been in print, I think I would have tried it on her!

At any rate, I loved the music! Thank you.

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

missy-

I have posted before that I discovered "Perfect Gift" in this thread. Here is a link to the version you posted in the 2011 thread. I just listened to the version you posted today, but I have to say that I enjoy the visuals that come with the earlier version. Maybe I have just gotten used to them (after all, I watch the video 50 times each season, at least). Or maybe the visuals really are as specail as I find them. Whatever the case, I love the song along with the video. And, as I have posted, I own the record-the vinyl record-which I eventually scrounged up on eBay!!!

Thank you for introducing us to this!

The 2011 version...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2M-iYIHMA&feature=player_embedded

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

One of my nieces who used to play the cello requested a CD (I will look up what it was) within the past year or so.

I looked up the duo that made the CD my niece requested; it is called, "2Cellos". They have several great videos on YouTube. None of them is a Christmas song, so this link really doesn't belong in this thread. However, the music lovers who follow this thread may appreciate having it if they have not, yet, encountered the duo. This song is called, "Thunderstruck".

"Thunderstruck" by 2Cellos...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT3SBzmDxGk

Deb/AGBF

 

[missy]

http://youtu.be/YrLk4vdY28Q



"Hallelujah" lyrics

LEONARD COHEN
Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Maybe I've been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
And love is not a victory march
It's a cold and its a broken hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you
And remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Maybe there's a god above
All I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you
And it's not a cry you can hear at night
Not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...


Maybe not the best version but by the original artist. And I love it and hope you enjoy it too.


Another good version. Unfortunately this one is not working in stereo. Sorry.
http://youtu.be/y8AWFf7EAc4

 

[AGBF]

Here is Emmylou Harris doing, "Light of the Stable". I love this song. There are other beautiful versions of it out there. Would someone like to post his favorite? (This may have been posted in another year's thread.)

"Light of the Stable"...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaJ5FnM0Bzo

Emmylou Harris put out a new album, "The Traveling Kind" with Rodney Crowell this year, in case anyone else enjoys her singing.

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

Here is Emmylou Harris doing, "Light of the Stable". I love this song. There are other beautiful versions of it out there. Would someone like to post his favorite?

I usually see the version by Selah on-line. I like it well enough, but not as much as the Emmylou Harris version. A couple of days ago I discovered that Nana Mouskouri had recorded it in French some years ago. I love her rendition of the song, which she calls "Alléluia":

"Alléluia"...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOK1OQnEt20

Deb/AGBF

Paroles de Alleluia
- 1 -
Merci pour l'enfant qui rit
Pour le ciel qui pleure quelques larmes
Merci pour le vent du soir
Pour le chant d'espoir d'une femme.


Refrain
Alle ... Alleluia
Alle ... Alleluia
Alle ... Alleluia
Alle ... Alleluia
- 2 -
Merci pour l'ami d'un jour
Qui habite encore ma mémoire
Et pour ces millions d'amours
Dont ne parlera pas l'Histoire.

- 3 -
Merci pour tes yeux si clairs
Et pour la manière dont ils chantent
Merci pour toi et pour tout
Pour les rendez-vous de la chance.

- 4 -
Merci pour cet univers
Qui va de travers mais qui tourne
Merci pour la vie qui vaut
Le détour jusqu'au dernier souffle.

 

[AGBF]

Where is Holly? I think it is far too egotistical to think she isn't here just because of me, becauseI did something to offend her, but I keep thinking that somehow if I had done everything "right", she would be here in this thread where she belongs! She is always here by the end of November!

Holly, come home!!!

Deb

 

[AGBF]

This wonderful version of, "O Come O Come Emmanuel" was posted to this Pricescope thread on another year. I do not recall who posted it originally or I would give her credit!

Link...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmdkZ4Z0itY&feature=youtu.be

Deb/AGBF

 

[artdecogirl]

One of my nieces who used to play the cello requested a CD (I will look up what it was) within the past year or so.

I looked up the duo that made the CD my niece requested; it is called, "2Cellos". They have several great videos on YouTube. None of them is a Christmas song, so this link really doesn't belong in this thread. However, the music lovers who follow this thread may appreciate having it if they have not, yet, encountered the duo. This song is called, "Thunderstruck".

"Thunderstruck" by 2Cellos...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT3SBzmDxGk

Deb/AGBF

AGBF, I have not been here for a while and I was happy to return and see this thread. It has been a favorite and you have again shown how truly eclectic your musical taste is by posting a version of an ACDC song that I had not seen before. I have not heard this song done on the cello before so my thanks to you, I very much enjoyed it!!

 

[AGBF]

AGBF, I have not been here for a while and I was happy to return and see this thread. It has been a favorite and you have again shown how truly eclectic your musical taste is by posting a version of an ACDC song that I had not seen before. I have not heard this song done on the cello before so my thanks to you, I very much enjoyed it!!

Thank you, artdecogirl! I am so pleased that you posted.

 

[AGBF]

The group Mercy Me has put out a new album for Christmas 2015 called, appropriately enough, "It's Christmas". This is one of the songs from it: "Our Lullaby". The group has a country flavor, but appears to be considered a Christian group.

Link...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfs1Yfy3yjc

Deb/AGBF

 

[random_thought]

I really enjoy the music Pentatonix (an all acapella group) makes for Christmas each year, here's a few of my favorites:

Little Drummer Boy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc
Mary, Did You Know?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE
Winter Wonderland/Don’t Worry Be Happy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1nQpoAvTSg
Carol of the Bells- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSUFzC6_fp8
That’s Christmas To Me- https://youtu.be/pFjdfjrtf1Q?list=PL1hsObW78OZHyDYiQnlgIq3FUBxklTbRc

 

[random_thought]

The group Mercy Me has put out a new album for Christmas 2015 called, appropriately enough, "It's Christmas". This is one of the songs from it: "Our Lullaby". The group has a country flavor, but appears to be considered a Christian group.

Link...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfs1Yfy3yjc

Deb/AGBF

I LOVE Mercy Me too!

 

[AGBF]

I really enjoy the music Pentatonix (an all acapella group) makes for Christmas each year, here's a few of my favorites:

Little Drummer Boy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ_MGWio-vc
Mary, Did You Know?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE
Winter Wonderland/Don’t Worry Be Happy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1nQpoAvTSg
Carol of the Bells- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSUFzC6_fp8
That’s Christmas To Me- https://youtu.be/pFjdfjrtf1Q?list=PL1hsObW78OZHyDYiQnlgIq3FUBxklTbRc

I am crazy about the Pentatonix and have been too lazy to post any of the links to their music this year. Thank you so much for taking the time to do so, random_thought! You really gave all of us a lot of music to listen to!

Hugs,
Deb

 

[AGBF]

Blue Christmas

C'est une surprise...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VwWRpIinxs

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

This song has appeared on the Pricescope Holiday Hit Parade more than once before, if memory serves. Nonetheless, I saw no reason not to make it available with one click to everyone reading this thread this year. I think it is wonderful and I don't mind hearing it at least once a year! It is Bing Crosby and David Bowie's duet with, "The Little Drummer Boy" and, "Peace on Earth".

Crosby and Bowie...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADbJLo4x-tk

Deb/AGBF

 

[Amber St. Clare]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9POSq7qJ5Oc

Shilelagh Law, written a year after 9/11. It can still make me tear up.

 

[Amber St. Clare]

n/m, I'm a moron

 

[AGBF]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9POSq7qJ5Oc

Oh, Amber. Thank you so much for sharing that. I do not believe I have ever seen that. If I have, I did not recall it. At first I got chills, then tears came to my eyes. I had expected an Irish band, but when the narrative moved beyond the police on September 11 to the firemen, ...with reverence for everyone, for the lives of all people, I just gave in and cried. The bravery of the firemen of September 11 got to me as no one else did, and I tried to raise as much money as I could on eBay's Auction for America for their families when it was held. Every year when Karl posts his tribute, I remember them going up the stairs in the twin towers in their heavy gear and boots as everyone all the other people who could escape streamed down. God bless all the people who lost their lives or limbs in those disasters or our wars. And God bless you for posting this.

Hugs,
Deb

 

[Amber St. Clare]

The song NEVER fails to move me. There were tons of tributes in the following 2 years, but this is one of my all-time top 10.

 

[AGBF]

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" by The Piano Guys with a beautiful video...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ9xKAmnuow
(I had never seen this video before. I found it very evocative.)

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

I fell so deeply in love with the song, "Here With Us" sung by Joy Williams the year that diamondseeker first posted it on this Pricescope thread that I have tried to make sure that it is available to everyone each year. I would hate to have anyone look at this thread one year and miss the song! I have sometimes wondered if it would be the same without the beautiful video which the original YouTube poster matched with the music. I will never know since the first time I heard the song, I also saw the lovely, moving video.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om5-95_Byjo

Deb/AGBF

 

[rainwood]

I've gotten great recommendations from these threads over the years, and mentioned some of my favorites years ago. One of my favorite Christmas CD's is by Luther Vandross. I love the whole thing, but found a video of one of my favorites - "Every Year, Every Christmas." It's so touching though sad. And "This Is Christmas" is so uplifting. I couldn't find a video for that one but "Every Year" is a really nice video to go with a great song. I hope the link works as I've never done one before!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=73oZyC6Jc30