I shared the following with my kids, well more than likely, my grandkids.
Musical tastes certainly change over generations; and if one does not
get some good “steering” on certain matters he or she will miss a lot.
So I feel the need to share some Christmas music with you that you
need to acquaint yourself with, and see that it is played in your
presence every Christmas season. You know, we won’t always be there to
point them down the straight and narrow, so there is a need for these
instructions. All said with “tongue in cheek.”
First and foremost, on your list has to be Elvis singing “Blue
Christmas.” In fact that song is so good you can play it year round:
the hottest day in July, Thanksgiving, any and all days. A close
second to that song is Nat King Cole doing “The Christmas Song.” By
the way, the writer of that song is Mel Torme, and his version is also
acceptable.
Don’t let the season go by without Bobby Helms singing “Jingle Bell
Rock.” It’s also okay if you listen to Brenda Lee’s version of the
same song. No Christmas is Christmas without Bing Crosby and “White
Christmas.” You ask, “Who is Bing Crosby?” You also probably never
heard of Dinah Washington or Jerry Butler, but listen to either of
them do “Silent Night.” Also Gene Autry singing “Here Comes Santa
Claus” should be on this list. A must is another Elvis song, “I’ll Be
Home on Christmas Day.”
Shortly after Christmas day make it a must to listen to anyone that
does “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” I recommend Sonny Till and
the Orioles version before hearing any others. But Joe Williams, Barry
Manilow or Norah Jones do very creditable renditions of the song
also.I must throw in something a bit more current, like in the past
twenty-five years, and that is Dan Fogelberg singing “Same Old Lang
Syne.” The song doesn’t really have much to do with the holiday
season, but it does have some great thoughts and has killer lyrics.
Year endings are a great time to have some great songs and thoughts
from years past. Last but not least, listen to Guy Lombardo and his
Royal Canadians close out the old year with “Old Lang Syne.”
If you can put these on your listening calendar, well, maybe there is
still some hope. Your old grandfather will be some place smiling and
thinking, “What good musical tastes those kids have. I guess someone
must have helped them in their selection.”
Generally we all can use some help when it comes to the matter of
“choices and selections.” By the way that can apply to more than just
music. We all can use some help when it comes to choices and
selections.
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December 5, 2013
Keep on,
Larry Adamson