In my humble opinion, the greatest single piece of music ever written is the Hallelujah Chorus, written by George Frideric Handelas part of the great master work Messiah, which was premiered in Dublin, Ireland in 1742. So, please enjoy several versions from ancient to contemporary of this great Christmas Classic. What better way to celebrate the birth of our Lord.
IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE!! What better way to capture the essence of this great day and night than a reading of the poem by one of America's most iconic singers, songwriters and story tellers. Bob Dylan does today's Classic Countdown Tune with his aged voice as only Bob Dylan can do it. Legend tells us that this greatest of all Christmas poems was written in 1822 by Clement Clarke Moore for his family on Christmas Eve.
And, for a BONUS TRACK that captures the simple essence of Christmas, a heartfelt song by another Texas Troubadour - GRATEFUL FOR CHRISTMAS BY HAYES CARLL.
And I would be remiss if I didn't include at least one Christmas tune by one of the greatest jazz pianists to sit at a keyboard. The one and only DAVE BRUBECK PERFORMS SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN. My bride and I are among a very few people that saw this master pianist at THE ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL POP FESTIVAL in 1969 - we were dating then - and again in in 2007 at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida at the tender young age of 86. Truly amazing both times.
Gather your people around and enjoy this Christmas.
Today's Classic Christmas Countdown tune - The Piano Guys, Peter Hollens, David Archuleta and The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square bring us "Angels We Have Heard On High", also known as GLORIA. Powerful singing and playing by great talents give fresh life to a classic Christmas Carol, written in 1862 and performed and rearranged by many through the years'
And for a rather unique bonus, I hope you enjoy a song, though not specifically about Christmas, is appropriate on this beautiful Sunday by a talented family of three brothers that can play and sing with power and nuance. Enjoy HEAVEN by Los Lonely Boys.
Merry Christmas on this beautiful Sunday. Only three days left!
I love innovation in entertainment. James Corden, host of The Late Late Show With James Corden, came up with a very cool way to entertain people - CARPOOL KARAOKE- featuring famous singers and Corden as they ride around having fun in a car singing hits, old and new.
It's the last Saturday before Christmas. The sun is out all day in God's Country. What a great day to have fun with a group of very famous singers, from every musical style imaginable, performing one of the great Christmas classics.
It's official. We are living in an insane PC culture right now and some people find today's Countdown Tune risque. Baby It's Cold Outside, compared to the current horrible state of pop music, not to mention rap and other explicit genres, is as tender and sweet as Mary Had a Little Lamb. This year, it is the No. 2 requested song on the radio, right after Silent Night. The best quote concerning this inane controversy is by Dean Martin's daughter - He recorded this great little ditty in 1959.
"I was absolutely flabbergasted: it's just insane. she said of learning about the uproar caused by the song that's been around for more than fifty years. "When I heard it and I said, 'This can't possibly be'... I tweeted. 'I think this is crazy. What do you think?' and then all of a sudden it went viral. - Deana Martin
Thank goodness for some common sense. The song is now played on radio all over. Literally dozens of artists have recorded and performed this great little tune. It was written in 1944 by Frank Loesser as a duet for him to sing with his wife at parties.
Steven Tyler is like they Energizer Bunny. He never runs down. At the tender young age of seventy, he is still one of the great rockers working today. I had the pleasure of seeing him and his band Aerosmith and I was absolutely amazed at his voice and his stage performance.
With over a hundred million records sold with hits like Walk This Way and Dream On, he and Aerorsmith are one of the truly great rock bands to take the stage. And they are still performing with a new tour beginning in February. And, Tyler completed a solo country album which he performed to an insane crow at The Grand Ole Opry/Ryman Auditorium in 2016.
And for a bonus track today please enjoy a great version of Merry Christmas Baby by Sheryl Crow and one of the highest rated guitarist in the land Eric Clapton.
Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby are two of the greatest singers to ever pick up a microphone - period. Bing Crosby was the original master crooner. I have my very own White Christmas Album given to me by my parents when I was a kid.
And of course, Frank Sinatra was the first "pop star" with kids lined up around the block to see him perform wherever he went. Nobody has ever done this kind of music better than these two masters of phrasing, nuance and feeling in a song.
STRAIGHT NO CHASER, which came to be in 1996 at Indiana University, has been delighting audiences everywhere since, with their unique brand of high quality singing and unique arrangements of classic and modern tunes, particularly today's Countdown tune.
Their You Tube classic, The 12 Days of Christmas, went viral in 1998 with over eight million views. That lead to a five album record deal with Atlantic Records. And the rest, as they say, is history. Today's tune highlights their unique arranging skills and the ability to sing at the highest level while moving all over the stage.
I have been listening to jazz since before I can remember, particularly ensemble and big band jazz. When I was a kid I would go to sleep at night listening to Dorsey, Miller, Basie and The Duke. I thought it was a sad day when the Tonight Show changed and no longer had the great Doc Severenson Tonight Show Orchestra. I guess I am really aging myself. But, when I hear The A-Train or anything by Glenn Miller, I just smile, sit back and listen.
Today's selection is a medley of Christmas tunes, old and new, performed by Tony Glausi and a small ensemble of great horn players and a rythm section. This is one of those pieces you can just turn on and let it play to make you relax after spending way too much time in the mall or shopping online.
Today's Christmas Countdown Classic is for me. I grew up singing in church - ensembles, quartets, trios, solos - but there was never an experience that could ever touch the absolute joy of singing with a large group of talented singers and musicians.
I had the privilege of doing that for almost thirty years beginning with my father as director, then my brother, then some of the most talented passionate musicians, singers and teachers that had an impact on me as a singer and as a person. I say thank you to all of you and, if you are reading this, you know who you are.
Brian Setzer, the former front man for the Stray Cats has developed into a great entertainer, combining big band music and amazing guitar for great performances. I had the pleasure of seeing this consummate musician and his orchestra when he opened for none other than Bob Dylan. With his skills on electric guitar and his growly vocals, he adroitly traces his music back to the best of big band music and fifties rock and roll.
David Phelps is a very rare singer. He's a consummate power singer with nuance. A fixture with the Gaither Vocal Band for years, Phelps performs at the highest possible level in the world of Christian/Gospel music. As a member of the GVB and as a solo artist, he always brings the story and the power to every song he sings.
Today's song has been recorded by many artists, but, Phelps delivers it like few have ever done.
The song HALLELUJAH has been recorded by almost every major recording artist it seems. However, the closest version approaching the power of the original, written and first recorded by Leonard Cohen in 1984, is by acapella super group PENTATONIX.
It's Wednesday and Christmas is coming fast, so I decided to post a little humor by one of the premier comics working today. Jim Gaffigan's take on Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween and other holidays is, in my humble opinion, very funny and very spot on. And, apparently, his wife writes most of his material. Known as the clean comic, Gaffigan brings absurdity to every day things we all know in life.
RAY CHARLES. One of the truly great blues, R&B, soul and even country singers of all time. Around 1970 my bride and I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Ray Charles & The Rayettes perform in a small auditorium at North Florida Community College (he was born in Greenville, Florida just down the road) and it was two hours of pure, unadulterated magic from one of the greatest artists of all time.
Well - Today it's kind of overcast and it's Monday in God's Country. What better time to highlight one of the great classic Christmas tunes that brings out some sadness when your significant other may not be around for the big day. I have included two arrangements of this great Christmas Classic for your enjoyment on this overcast Monday. Hey, the sun WILL come out tomorrow.
And then, of course - The King of Rock and Roll does this song like no other has or ever will do it. 1968 - black leather - a small acoustic band and a group of fawning fans from his '68 Comeback Special. In 1973 he would do his Aloha From Hawaii Special that was watched by over a billion people. With worldwide sales of of over a billion records, The King was and is kind of a big deal.
From Arlington, Texas, in 2011, the group PENTATONIX, started performing complicated, yet simple acapella arrangements of old and new tunes.
In the tradition of groups like THE HI-LOS, THE FOUR FRESHMEN, MANHATTAN TRANSFER, TAKE SIX and many others, PENTATONIX takes acapella to an entirely new level. Their arrangements, vocal diversity and passion for the music they sing is second to none.
Today, I have included an incredible arrangement of one of the great Christmas Classics.
I MUST ADMIT IT. I AM NOW OFFICIALLY IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER - RIGHT?We just got our REAL Christmas tree and put it in the stand. Since we are purists in this regard, we allow the tree to sit in water overnight so all the limbs can "fallout" before we add the new lights we bought for this year and ornaments, some of which are 60 years old.
So, which are you and yours - Real or Fake? I have several in-laws, family members and friends who are a part of the disloyal group of FAKE TREE owners. I am sure all those trees were made in China. But don't be too concerned about that. Almost everything is made in China nowadays. But not REAL Christmas trees!! We are card carrying members of the REAL TREE FAMILY of true believers helping our fellow Americans who grow Christmas trees on over 15,000 tree farms across the fruited plain. Good for the environment and good for all of the poor souls who are willing to go through the process of buying, setting up and decorating a REAL tree. God Bless America and the farmers. Many of my bride's family are farmers. Hard working, good Americans all.
So for all of you hardy Revelers, I have given you a little News Flash below to argue both sides of this most venomous debate. Enjoy the take.
And since this is the Top 25 Christmas Countdown, I have included today's tune about someone you love changing everything - Multiple Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson, the inaugural winner of American Idol, with a great live performance of NO. 18 ON THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - UNDERNEATH THE TREE.
If you don't have that real or fake tree up, you better hurry. The big day is just around the corner. Merry Christmas.
D.L.Stafford thenomadARCHITECT
Chris Tomlinwrote today's Countdown song and Lauren Daigle, a truly amazing singer, performs it. I have been a rabid fan of all great music since I was a kid. But, I am always moved when I hear such passion and power delivered unflinchingly in a great song. Lauren Daigle delivers on today's tune from a flawless live performance. The lyrics in the chorus of this song definitively spell out the power and beauty of Christmas:
Noel, Noel / Come and see what God has done / Noel, Noel / The story of amazing love! / The light of the world, given for us Noel.
THE MAVERICKS started in, of all places, Miami. Throughout their history, they have performed numerous genres and styles of music. Today's tune is sorta Texas Rockabilly. It will get you jumping off the couch and make you do something with today. Which, in God's Country, is stunningly beautiful on this Thursday before the weekend.
So, turn up the volume, relax and enjoy - NO. 20 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - HEY MERRY CHRISTMAS BY THE MAVERICKS.
JOE BONAMASSA is one of the best blues men around today. His virtuosity on the electric guitar along with some very gritty vocals make him a true experience to listen to. As you might expect, he brings his unique brand of musicality to create an incomparable brand of Christmas music. He opened for B.B. King when he was twelve. So there!
Please enjoy today's tune - NO. 21 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - JOE BONAMASSA DOING LONESOME CHRISTMAS.
LONESOME CHRISTMAS
OH HOLY NIGHT - BONUS TRACK And for the 2018 Countdown's first bonus track, I have included Bonamassa's electric guitar arrangement of OH HOLY NIGHT. You have never heard this classic Christmas Carol, written in 1847, performed like this blues master performs this ancient classic
The weather is still beautiful in God's Country today. Have a Merry Christmas.
IT'S TUESDAY AND SUNNY ALL DAY - PERFECT TIME TO ENJOY A CLASSIC
This tune never wears out and will always be included in the Countdown.Robert Earl Keen is a classic Texas Troubador. It's a pretty select group of great writers, singers and pickers from The Lone Star State, including luminaries Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely, Kinky Friedman, Delbert McClinton and Don Henley. If you want to see one of the most unique performers around today, then you need to go to a Robert Earl Keen concert. And when he does today's tune you can sing along with the entire crowd because his fans know every word
Like all great Texas artists, Robert Earl blends sarcasm, irony and great lyrics into all of his music.
Alex Boye', a British-American singer and actor brings a truly unique style and energy to his music. He became a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in 2006 and continues to break new ground in his recording and performance careers.
This tune, written in 1941 and first recorded in 1951 captures the essence of the love and giving spirit of Christmas. And the video captures the true joy of this great classic Christmas tune.
CHRIS ISAAC IS THE REAL DEAL. He has a very devout following of fans, including me and mine, who enjoy his unique blend of early and new rock, pop and even a little jazz.
He keeps it current with his timely take on new and old music with a style that constantly refers back to the early days. When we saw him live, wearing a sequined suit and playing and singing with a sense of modern and old school, we became hard fans. He's a great performer and interpreter of old and new alike. Even though most people know him from his mega hit "Wicked Game " released in 1989, he performs and records today with a broad range of tunes that capture the essence of great rock and pop..
I think this Christmas is going to fly by. So, get busy, you know - with the tree, the presents, the food- the big day will be here before you can blink.
THIS IS THE SIXTH YEAR OF THE TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - SO WE GOTTA START WITH THE BEST OF A CLASSIC BY TODAY'S PRE-EMINENT MASTER OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONG TRADITION - MR. MICHAEL BUBLE'.
And I can promise you more great tunes and videos to take you all the way to the big day. Slow, fast and everything in between. Maybe even a little funk thrown in for good measure. Merry Christmas to all of the well read lovers of everything great about this time of year.
If you you have never seen the modern day Sinatra, Michael Buble'(no he's not retiring), perform live, you need to add him to your Bucket List. And when you pair him with the hotPupinni Sisters, and they perform the most classic of classics - JINGLE BELLS - first published in 1857 - Well - it's a perfect way to kick off this years TOP 25 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN with No. 25 - Jingle Bells by Michael Buble' & The Pupinni Sisters.
Christmas is the best time of year. And remember, if you can't hear the music - you can't see the light.
