O Holy Night

Up until...oh...about 5 years ago, my favorite version of this song was sung by country artist, John Berry. I can still remember the first time I heard it. It was about 6:30a.m., and I was en route to Columbus, Ohio for an early morning meeting in December. (This was waaaayyyy before fate/destiny/God's incredibly wicked sense of humor dumped me in Cincinnati.) It was pitch-black dark, not a star in the sky, nor a headlight on the roadway to light my way besides my own...and then this song came on the radio. It was beautiful...almost surreal.

I was familiar with John Berry and loved his voice, but this was the first time I had heard his rendition of "O Holy Night" and it nearly brought me to tears. When it was over, the DJ came on and said, "That's Mr. John Berry, folks. The best voice in country music today." I had to agree with him...it was memorable.

Flash forward several years to Cincinnati, Ohio. Once again, I'm in my car, only this time I'm headed over to Hyde Park to pick up lunch. It's Christmastime and I'm listening to the radio when "O Holy Night" begins...only I'm not sure who the artist is. All I remember is, I was so mesmerized by the sheer power, the incredible beauty and passion of the singer's voice that I started crying. I mean I was blubbering like a fool to the point I thought I was going to have to pull over to the curb and compose myself. And that was my introduction to one Josh Groban, only I didn't know for sure that he was the one singing at the time.

A few days later, I was sitting at my desk when Abby (a former employee) walked into my office. It just so happened that the song was once again playing on the radio in the background, and I had tears streaming down my face. (I can't help it...to this day the song/his voice brings tears to my eyes.) I started laughing and told her not to worry, I was okay, I was just a big ol' sappy girl. Anyway, I explained how I had reacted when I first heard the song and that I believed it was Josh Groban, but wasn't sure because...even though I had heard of him, I wasn't certain if I had actually heard anything he'd recorded.

Abby confirmed that was indeed Josh Groban's dulcet tones wafting through the air in my office, and, as luck would have it, she owned a couple of his CDs. Well, she loaned them to me, I listened, and I was hooked. The young man has an incredible voice. In fact, three years ago last March, I saw him in concert...second row seats, center stage, mind you...and it was fantastic. Hands down...if not the BEST concert I've ever attended...it's definitely in the top three, but that's another story for another time.

So, this brings me to the last of my posts on Christmas carols/songs. I'm not saying that "O Holy Night" is my all time favorite, but it certainly is a beautifully haunting melody; especially as performed by these two artists. Oh, Celine Dion does a pretty terrific version as well. There are other carols that deserve an honorable mention, such as: "White Christmas," "Silent Night," "Away In A Manger," and I happen to enjoy one Mr. Bruce Springsteen's kick-ass rendition of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town." But then I suppose that will give me something to blog about this time next year.

"O Holy Night" by John Berry

The John Berry video was posted on YouTube by packfan1999.

"O Holy Night" by Josh Groban

YouTube vid by minmelethuireb2. Merry Christmas everyone.

A "Christmas Portrait"

This Christmas CD by The Carpenters is my all time favorite. There are other artists I enjoy just as much, but this particular CD...from start to finish...does not disappoint. At least, for me. Back in the day when I still "did-up" Christmas in a big way, this is the CD I would play...and sing along with...as I decorated my tree.

Karen Carpenter had such a pure, beautifully lyrical voice. Her death was so tragic. As a person who has food "issues" on the opposite end of the spectrum, it is hard for me to wrap my brain around a disease like anorexia. What a waste and so very, very sad.

There are too many songs on this CD for me to pick just one, so I settled on three: "Merry Christmas, Darling," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." Okay, so call me a sentimental, old sap. I don't care...there are worse things you could call me.

"Merry Christmas, Darling"

YouTube vid by RicBNH.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas"

YouTube vid by LoveHowardBanister.

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"

YouTube vid by NedNickerson2008.

An Eagles Christmas Song

In case you haven't noticed it by now, I am one obsessive lady. When I take a shine to something, whether it's a television show, or an actor in a television show, a book, a photo, an article of clothing, a particular food...you name it...once a specific "craving" worms its way into my head, I simply cannot "let it go" until that craving has been satisfied.

That is precisely what happened when I first heard the Eagles' rendition of "Please Come Home For Christmas." I loved it from the get-go and me being...well...me, I wanted a copy of the song for my very own, so I could listen to it whenever I wanted instead of some random happenstance whenever the local DJ decided to play it during the holidays. And thus my quest began.

Again, this search began a long time before I landed here in the Queen City, way before there were such things as Amazon.com, eBay, and iTunes. I looked everywhere and finally...one day...I asked a clerk in a music store if it was available on a CD. Basically, he told me "no" that this was some sort of "special" recording. I don't recall the specifics, but the long and the short of it was, I had to content myself with a cassette recording of the song I managed to snag from a radio station one Sunday afternoon.

Still, my obsessive soul was not completely satisfied. I wanted a "real" copy of the song, dang it. I mean, here I was...cold, hard cash at the ready...and nothing to show for it. Then, one day, I got the bright idea to check Amazon.com. I typed the name of the song in the "search" box and...low and behold...through the magic of the Internet, there it was. I gleefully plunked down my $4.98 plus S&H for a CD that contained this song plus one other...whose title I don't recall and, quite frankly, I've never listened to. I would have paid more...thus the life of the obsessive compulsive. It took me...literally...years, but I finally got what I wanted. (Maybe Bobby should beware, huh?)

Oh, well. I know this song has been recorded by a host of other artists, but there is just something about Don Henley's throaty rendition that "pulls" me in. So, this leads me to the next of my "favorite" Christmas songs: "Please Come Home For Christmas."


YouTube video by eaglesonlinecentral.

The Christmas Theme Continues

I'll get back to posting about Bobby and "My Big Fat Freakin' Life" in a few days. I really do miss "playing" with Detective Goren...just needed a wee break from all the capping and photo sorting and quoting. Don't get me wrong...while I love doing it...it can become a tad tedious at times. I guess Christmas came around at just the right time.

Anyway, I decided to post another of my favorite Christmas Carols. It 'tis the season, after all. Next up is "Carol Of The Bells." I think what I love most about this song is...if it is done correctly...the choral voices actually sound like chiming bells. But then again, I suppose that was the intent of the composer. (Nothing gets by me, folks.) Oh, well...it's the little things that capture my interest.

In my search of YouTube for a video of the song, I happened upon one that is of a decorated home synchronized to the music. So, I thought...what the hey? It's Christmas. The vid was posted by AgentJack13 and is really cool...at least, I think so. All I can say is, there are a lot of people "out there" with a good deal more energy and creativity than I possess. God love 'em and more power to them; I do enjoy the fruits of their labors.

Well, since I first posted this, YouTube took down the video, so I decided to replace it with this one done performed by "Celtic Woman," which was posted by Palmie01. Hope this one lasts.

"Carol of the Bells"

Favorite Christmas Carols

And I have several. So many, in fact, it is difficult to choose just one favorite carol, so I am going to start with one by a truly classy guy...Johnny Mathis. My oldest brother introduced me to this artist's dulcet tones wayyyyy back in the day. Of course, Johnny is best know for his ballads like, "Chances Are," "The Twelfth of Never," "A Certain Smile," "It's Not For Me To Say," and...well, the list goes on and on. Ah, what memories those titles inspire.

He has produced a number of Christmas albums/CDs through the years, as well. He sings the "traditional" holiday ditties with as much aplomb and dignity as he displays in his renditions of the more reverent songs such as "Silent Night" and "Oh Holy Night." But the Christmas Carol that first comes to my mind when I think of this particular artist is "What Child Is This," and that is the one I have selected for this post.

Come to think of it, Johnny is probably best know for his version of "The Christmas Song." You know, "chestnuts roasting on an open fire." But, everybody and anybody who even thought about cutting a Christmas album sings that song, and I am heartily sick of it. So, rest assured you won't be finding that tune in my top ten list of favorite Christmas Carols.

But this one did make the cut: "What Child Is This" by Johnny Mathis. I found it on YouTube...where else...and it was posted there by leeestrada. What ever oh ever did we do before the Internet and blogging and YouTube and emailing and such? Oh yeah, I'd read a book every now and then.