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Post by Al Truest on Nov 23, 2003 19:16:08 GMT
With the Holiday season underway, let's reflect on what this time of year means. Music has a unique way of bringing back pleasant memories of wonder and family. To me the magic of Christmas and the warmth of family is what this time of year is all about. I'm going to list some of my favorites...and I hope you'll do the same: * "Thanksgiving" from George Winston's "December"@: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005NNDO/5479123?v=glance&5=music(this is a great holiday CD. There is also a sample of "Carol of the Bells". Also my favorite holiday song "Holly and the Ivy". There is not a sample for this one. I'll include one later in the list, but hopefully someone else will post a better version of it) * "December Will Be Magic Again" Kate Bush * "Winter Garden" the entire CD by Loreena McKinnett @: quinlanroad.com* "Home for Christmas" Kate Bush * "To Drive the Cold Winter Away" Loreena McKennett (samples also @: quinlanroad.com ) * "Holly and the Ivy" @ adriennejones.com/music/TheHollyandtheIvy.ramI'd like someone to post a link of a good instrumental version of this song, preferably accompanied by orchestra or harpsichord. I'm assuming you guys have the Kate Bush references, if not, let me know. Please share your responses - your favorites and comments on these selections, or some of your favorites not listed here.
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august
Reaching Out
Posts: 187
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Post by august on Nov 26, 2003 12:38:44 GMT
I love songs on Loreena Mckennitt's Winter Garden cd. Coventry Carol has long been a favorite of mine. I had never heard the whole song before nor knew what the story of the song was about. There was an abbreviated version on an old Christmas album my parents had and I loved the singing on it.
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Post by Al Truest on Nov 29, 2003 17:45:48 GMT
Thanks August! I really enjoy the Celtic influence of Loreena McKennett's Christmas albums. Zan, have you had a chance to listen to any? I'd like to here some of everyone else's favorites too.
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Post by Al Truest on Dec 1, 2003 21:06:37 GMT
You guys are killing my buzz.
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Post by Xanadu on Dec 3, 2003 0:08:13 GMT
Have I listened to the McKennett CD yet? That's an understatement! I mentioned that I bought the "Winter Garden" a few weeks ago. I also tracked down the "Cold Winter" at a local shop and was waiting patiently to christen them on Friday (the official Holiday music kick-off in my home)! I have probably listened to them 10 times by now! And that's a lot considering that we have over 50 holiday CDs to choose from. They are quickly becoming 2 of my favorite seasonal CDs! As a matter of fact, I listened to them yesterday while decorating and baking (Martha Stewart eat your heart out!) on a CD shuffle with an Irish/Celtic Christmas, Old English Christmas, and James Galway! They also worked really well over the weekend with Julie Andrews' and Roger Whittaker's CDs, for the traditional end. I also did you one better on the Kate, Al... I watched the holiday special last night for the live performance at the piano of "December" and also the video! Of the Loreena McKennett, I absolutely adore her versions of Coventry Carol (one of my favorites anyway) and God Rest Ye... The Alison Moyet version of Coventry Carol in also incredible on a Very Special Christmas. I probably have an instrumental version of Holly and Ivy somewhere. I'll try to find a link for you, though, otherwise I'll give you the name of the CD. I do think my all time most beloved holiday CD is still.... forgive me, but it's wonderful... John Denver and the Muppets Christmas Album! ;D I can go on and on here... give me categories of holiday music and I'll sort the suggestions! Everything from Celtic/Chamber/Harp to Sinatra, Julie Andrews to Lou Rawls, and a little 60's, 70's & 80's, Elvis, Dean Martin, Guaraldi, Mathis, Mancini, and Percy Faith, etc. thrown in to mix it up. Don't forget a shelf of Bing Crosby CD's... wouldn't be Christmas without them. Besides the music Al, I am a holiday complete(ist) and have been reading some books about the holidays. Inventing Christmas and the Winter Solstice. It is both enriching and freeing for the holiday spirit to understand where the traditions originate. Enriching to realize there are so many ways to celebrate (outside of the gifts) and freeing to see that the celebration was long before Christianity and there is no incorrect spirit for the season. This is were the McKennett CDs have been particularly inspiring this year. Her music transcends all common associations of holiday music since it's both spiritual (Celtic/Pagan) and religious. Delicately arranged, but powerful. If you're interested, I can post some things I have discovered about the holiday traditions here. I also would like to discuss some thoughts on how various holiday musical recordings influence our feelings about the holidays, and what our own holiday music says about what the season means for us.
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Post by Xanadu on Dec 3, 2003 0:16:10 GMT
With the Holiday season underway, let's reflect on what this time of year means. Music has a unique way of bringing back pleasant memories of wonder and family. To me the magic of Christmas and the warmth of family is what this time of year is all about. I also wanted to address this part of your post... This is what I mean by discussing what the commercial image of the holidays sells us and what it should mean. The music is a major part of that package, and one that can uplift or one that can cause despair. It enhances the love and magic or reminds of loneliness. When a piece of the image is missing, is the commercial aspect of the holidays to blame for the melancholy. I chose to combine every aspect imaginable into my holiday cheer. I try not to place to much importance on any single part of the picture, therefore freeing myself to enjoy without regrets. I'm still working on it each year. One has to make their own magic... the Hallmark commercial is not always the holiday everyone gets to enjoy.
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august
Reaching Out
Posts: 187
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Post by august on Dec 3, 2003 1:07:48 GMT
I'm very much into the old-fashioned traditional Christmas music. I can't get into the new jazzed up pop versions that play all day long at my place of work. When I was growing up we would always play the album Sing We Now Of Christmas by the Harry Simone Chorale. It was a double album with one side that played just organ and chimes. It just didn't feel like Christmas until I heard that record played.
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Post by Al Truest on Dec 3, 2003 1:48:08 GMT
WOW! Where do I start? Thanks Zan and August. There are so many references that I would like to comment on. And YES, I would like to hear more about holiday traditions and musical influences on our emotional responses. I had forgotten about Roger Whiitaker. What a beautiful, deep voice-perfect for the holidays. Also some of my traditional favorites (I agree August, the newer commercial stuff is not for me either) that you mentioned are Johnny Mathis, and Henry Mancini. Have you got any Ferrante and Tischer holiday albums? (Very good stuff) Please let me know of some good versions of "The Holly and The Ivy". I would particularly like any of these treatments: Woodwinds, Chamber music with snare drums, brass renditions or even harpsicord. Thanks for the input. I look foward to more from both of you. Also, Sto and the rest of you guys, don't be scrooges. That reminds me! I also must watch Albert Finney's "Scrooge"- one of my all-time holiday favorite movies.
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Post by Xanadu on Dec 3, 2003 2:06:17 GMT
WOW! Where do I start? Thanks Zan and August. There are so many references that I would like to comment on. And YES, I would like to hear more about holiday traditions and musical influences on our emotional responses. I will certainly do my best to oblige. My response have been a little"soft" here lately, and I appologize. With being so busy, it's hard to post a thoughtful response. I'm glad to read your thoughts as well. I had forgotten about Roger Whiitaker. What a beautiful, deep voice-perfect for the holidays. Also some of my traditional favorites (I agree August, the newer commercial stuff is not for me either) that you mentioned are Johnny Mathis, and Henry Mancini. Have you got any Ferrante and Tischer holiday albums? (Very good stuff) As a matter of fact... Ferrante & Tischer's Christmas is So Special is a new one this year. It is very beautiful. Also, I finally got the Mathis on CD this year - the "Merry Christmas" one. And, Andy Williams. I, too really like the traditional music, chamber, instumental or crooner. But, there is still some room for modern, in the right atmosphere. Al, do you like Percy Faith. His "Christmas Is..." is wonderful. He does the arrangements on the Mathis album I have also. You might like it! I also must watch Albert Finney's "Scrooge"- one of my all-time holiday favorite movies. I wind up watching at least 2-3 versions of this story each year! I think I watched this one last year... "Thank you very much... thank you very, very, very much..." The first one this season was "Christmas in Connecticut" with Barbara Stanwyck. And there always has to be "White Christmas" since I am a big Rosemary Clooney fan. I even saw her perform that song live, right before she died. That's probably my favorite holiday film. I think I have collected almost as many films as music, come to think of it! ;D ;D And, I'm glad to have you back August! Your input has been missed!
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Post by Sto on Dec 3, 2003 22:16:42 GMT
"December Will Be Magic Again" is just THE best song for this month. "Like the SNOW" is a really exciting line, as is the fabulous "sparkle the dark uuuuuuu-uuuuuuuuuuu-uuuuuuuuup!" near the end! Listening to it at the moment and it makes me feel all Christmassy!... ...which I'm really not feeling this year, yet. I've heard no Christmas pop songs at all yet! Not many lights up on the houses, no-one being very jolly...it's not a very good sign really, is it? Or is it just that I'm passing our of 'childhood' and becoming more cynical? "Home For Christmas" too is a cracker. Perhaps the direction which Kate was heading in when she started the album in 1995? Not sure about now though...(as you said in another post, Al', I don't think the album will have a very jazzy feel!) What's the background music on that Loreena site? It's beautiful! I just listened to "Snow" cos I like the title, but I'll listen to more later! "Snow" has a wonderful introduction, so sensual and beautiful! You can see the ground blanketed with snow can't you? Beuatiful clip. I need to hear more of her, I really do (and will, I promise!!) That's all for now, more soon I hope......!
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Post by Al Truest on Dec 4, 2003 1:12:01 GMT
Sto' the background music on Loreena McKennett's site is "The Mummer's Dance" there are samples of it in the audio files section, as well as a videos clip. Thanks for your input. Zan, Hopefully your suggestions will put Sto and the rest of us in a festive frame of mind. (Although I'm not so sure about the Muppett's Christmas , although Sheila I'm sure will like it ) I'm going to listen to "Coventry Carol" and "Snow" this evening. I'm looking foward to some more movie ideas as well as favorite songs. Thanks !!
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Post by Xanadu on Dec 4, 2003 20:22:20 GMT
Zan, Hopefully your suggestions will put Sto and the rest of us in a festive frame of mind. (Although I'm not so sure about the Muppett's Christmas , although Sheila I'm sure will like it ) Why, it's really a very good album. I suppose you have to like John Denver a little, and not feel weird about them being Muppets. It's funny and sentimental, and there are some wonderfully written songs - Alfie: The Christmas Tree, Noel: Christmas Eve 1913, and When the River Meets The Sea - that nearly bring me to tears every time. And why could only Sheila like it? Is that because we are close in age and probably grew up with the Muppets? Personally, I think their 12 Days of Christmas is the consummate version! The entire album musically touches on all the important aspects for me: Sentiment, humor, history, and childhood memories. I also own the CDs for Charlie Brown Christmas Special (Vince Guaraldi) and other holiday specials like Grinch, Rudolph, and Frosty. There are some great songs there. I don't really elimate anything from my holiday cheer. Only aspects that feel kitchy, corny, or desperate, like many current films and albums. There has to be a certain feeling that's precisely hit... otherwise, it's just trite. And Sven, I'm working on what to post here, since I have several books in progress. "Inventing Christmas" is a beautifully illustrated book about how the holiday season has always been an idea "sold" to society, a quote about it:"If Christmas did not exist, Madison Avenue would have to invent it." It describes in both a critical and reverential way how our impressions of the holidays came to be.The second book is "The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas" by Celtic and Arthurian folklorist John Matthews. It presents the history of modern Christmas rituals while trying to fight the commercialization of Christmas, explain how the solstice is celebrated around the world, how the dates of Christmas are different in different cultures, and how winter solstice celebrations pre-date the birth of Jesus.The third is "Battle for Christmas," which is an analysis of our modern celebration of Christmas while making a convincing case for the accepted notion that it is a 19th-century creation, a reformation and taming of a holiday with wilder pagan origins. This is an interesting fact that's put forth: "Christmas was set at December 25 in the fourth century, not for any biblical link with Christ's birth, but because the church hoped to annex and Christianize the existing midwinter pagan feast." The book also discusses aspects of Christmas in the American Culture that are not quite honorable.
I've got a few others that I am perusing at the moment (including a history of Christmas in Chicago). I don't really intend to complete each of them, just enjoy them for holiday reading, to enhance the season. Then, is back to my usual reading. ;D
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Post by Al Truest on Dec 5, 2003 0:07:43 GMT
I meant that Sheila would like the Muppets album 'cos she quotes Big Bird in her profile. ;D Your teasers about the 3 books and the commercialization of Christmas, reminded me of something I heard on the radio today. The King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia (one of the nation's largest) has drawn fire for their large display of Jesus with a CD for a halo. Moreover, he's holding a sign saying CD's $12.99! You'd think he could get us a better deal than that! I'm not a religious type, but that even offends me a bit. On a brighter note, I wanted to post a few more of my favorite Christmas Media favorites: * Tchaickovsky's "Nutcracker" especially a live performance incl "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies" * "A Wonderful Life" * Laurel and Hardy in "March of the Wooden Soldiers" More later.
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august
Reaching Out
Posts: 187
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Post by august on Dec 5, 2003 2:01:33 GMT
Anyone watch those animated Christmas specials? Santa Claus Is Coming to Town(narrated by Fred Astaire) Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer(Burle Ives) The Little Drummer Boy(the wonderful Greer Garson) The Year Without a Santa Claus(Shirley Booth)
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