HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!! HERE WE GO - DECEMBER 31, 2023 GOODBYE - JANUARY 1, 2024 - AND WE'RE OFF!

Well, I think we're ready for a New Year. I'm not an expert on good things or bad things like economies, inflation, changing cultures and other events or other stuff that can affect our daily lives. However, like all Vagabonds, I'm ready to look ahead and go forth to places yet unseen and old places that changed my mind set or my thinking about other cultures, and so many small things to experience and see. 

For example, sitting on the terrace and enjoying a mid-afternoon meal of cheese, prosciutto, freshly baked bread, and Italian wine at Castello di Tornano, a small boutique hotel created from a 1,000-year-old castle about an hour from Firenze, with vineyards as far as the eye could see is so etched in my mind and heart, I will always have great memories of a trip that changed me and my perfect travel companion for over fifty years - Susie.

Whether you will be at a big party or just quietly sitting at home enjoying life and the coming New Year - Here comes 2024!

 

First up - From 1980 - No. 1 on the US Billboard 100 - Kool & The Gang - Celebration!! This tune just makes you feel good!

FOOTLOOSE! - This will make you get up and move!

As only Michael Bublé can do - HIGHER - Great singing - great dancing!

And to end the evening on a more Romantic note. One of the most unique groups performing today - POSTMODERN JUKE BOX - WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEARS' EVE?

So, see ya next year Vagabonds. Hit the road, catch a flight, jump on a boat, or roll on a train to old places and new in 2024!

Happy New Year!!

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 25 - NO. 1 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY - MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! TODAY'S TUNES SHOW US HOW TO TELL IT & APPRECIATE IT!

IMHO - Zach Williams is one of the top Christian Country Rock artists performing today. He has won multiple Grammies and Dove Awards.  Gospel music is alive and well because of great artists like Williams. His soulful Southern Gospel voice brings power and belief in everything he sings. 

This first clip has Williams hooking up with an amazing Country singer from Louisiana. She's what we call The Real Deal. After her father taught her a few chords, she started writing songs in her teens. Mark Deming of All Music gives a succinct description -"Wilson's voice is clear and strong, with an unapologetic Southern accent..." Here is Zach Williams & Laney Wilson performing a hot version of Go Tell It On The Mountain.

BONUS TRACK NO. 1 - Though technically not a Christmas song, today's first bonus track is one of the most powerful songs ever recorded proclaiming the power and blessings of Jesus Christ. Written by Williams in collaboration with Jonathan Smith and Casey Beathard and performed with Country Legend Dolly Parton, this powerful song brings restoration and love front and center - THERE WAS JESUS.

BONUS TRACK NO. 2 - Multi award-winning Christian Artist Anne Wilson joins Josh Turner, another multi award-winning country & gospel singer/songwriter, to perform a unique tune on the birth of Christ - The Manger.

BONUS TRACK 3 - As we ponder the immensity of the celebration on this day, I'll leave you with one of the most powerful songs of celebration ever recorded by the highest selling artist to ever win The Voice. From Tommee Profitt's concert Birth Of A King: Live In Concert - Jordan Smith performs Mary Did You Know.

BONUS TRACK NO. 4 -We bring the Funk celebrating the Birth of Our Lord. With some of the greatest gospel singers ever, including Larnelle Harris, Daryl Coley, Take 6 and Andrae' Crouch along with another forty or so accomplished singers, performing a funkified version of the Hallelujah Chorus - HALLELUJAH! - Directed by Grammy legend producer, composer, arranger and director Quincy Jones. 

It is my fervent hope that this Eleventh Anniversary of the 2023 Christmas Countdown brought you some joy, peace and laughter! 

Merry Christmas to all Vagabonds as you travel through life.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful" - Norman Vincent Peale

DECEMBER 24 - NO. 2 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - ON THIS SUNDAY - POWER SINGING TO BEAT THE BAND!

Today is all about the power of music to celebrate the birth of

Jesus. As we close in on Christmas day, I have found so much music by so many incredible artists it has been difficult deciding what to feature. Today, however, the tunes on this Christmas Eve Countdown are all about singing loud and proud. I've even thrown in a couple that are not, technically, Christmas songs, to let all Vagabonds far and wide hear great power singing.

First up - As only The Gaither Vocal Band can do - A Southern Gospel tune on the birth that changed the world - The Gaither Vocal Band performs Come and See What's Happenin' In The Barn.

BONUS TRACK 1- A powerful, powerful song written by Christian Artist Chris Tomlin and performed with amazing beauty and power by Lauren Daigle - NOEL. 

Love incarnate, love divine / Star and angels gave the sign / Bow to babe on bended knee / The Savior of Humanity / Unto us a Child is born / He shall reign forevermore.

BONUS TRACK 2 - Though technically not a Christmas song, this acapella tune by The Gaither Vocal Band from 2012 features some of the greatest Southern Gospel singers to ever carry a tune - LOW DOWN THE CHARIOT.

BONUS TRACK 3 - OK. this non-Christmas tune is for me and other Vagabonds that want to hear insane power singing. Many, many years ago I saw a young Russ Taff, with the Imperials Quartet, at my church. Over the years Taff has become one of the greatest Gospel Singers in history. Turn up the speakers on this  one written by Claude Ely, a preacher from Virginia, in 1934 at the age of twelve. In a Gaither Homecoming Concert -  Russ Taff - Aint' No Grave!

Sorry, I get excited when I hear great singing. I hope you enjoyed the tunes on this Christmas Eve 2023. 

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 23 - NO. 3 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - LAST SATURDAY BEFORE THE BIG DAY - JUST RELAX, WATCH A LITTLE FOOTBALL, TAKE A NAP & LISTEN TO SOME PLEASURABLE MUSIC

TODAY is the last Saturday before Christmas. I know most Vagabonds
are looking forward to relaxing, listening to some Christmas Tunes on the 65-inch VIZIO and just taking it easy. I mean the shopping, even on AMAZON, can be very tiring. LOL! The right color, the right size, the one gift that wasn't on their list - It's kind of tiring, yet fun right? And don't get me started on the wrapping!

Today's list of tunes is rather random. Real Country with two extraordinary groups, a delightful duet with a Bluegrass Singer with a voice like cool mountain water and one of the greatest Rock & Roll singers in history, and a legendary Crooner, winner of eleven Grammys and an Academy Award. 

First up - a great acapella Country group from Minnesota - Who knew!  - Home Free and the one and only Alabama deliver a simple beautiful tune - CHRISTMAS IN DIXIE.

BONUS TRACK 1 - Alison Krauss, one of the greatest Bluegrass Artists of all time, joins the one and only Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin fame for a touching tune from the movie Love the Coopers - Light of Christmas Day.

BONUS TRACK 2 - Frank Sinatra  - One of the most popular singers of the 20th century.  Old Blue Eyes sold over 150 million records. A simple quote from a fan on You Tube tells the essence of this great interpreter of every song he ever sang -

"He definitely was the greatest live performer of all time. The Chairman of The Board, Mr. Frank Sinatra."

Today enjoy the great Frank Sinatra performing - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Just lie back, relax and listen to some great, cool Christmas tunes on this last Saturday before Christmas.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 22 - NO. 4 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - GREAT SINGING BY GREAT ARTISTS FOR THE WEEKEND - ENJOY!

Wow! Christmas is closing in

fast. Today's Countdown 

features a fairly random selection of great tunes by great artists - some old, some new. I talked to a good friend yesterday who had just returned from shopping with his wife. I have not been to one store shopping this Christmas. Amazon and I are very good friends. LOL! 

No matter how you complete your seasonal shopping for your kids, your grandkids and others, I just hope it all brings joy to everyone come Monday. Especially since the weatherman predicts 96% chance of rain with a high of 68 degrees. 

Today's first tune is from multi-Grammy and Dove Award winning Michael W. Smith with a stellar group of great singers including Marc Martel, Jordan Smith, The Katinas, and Point of Grace. All multiple award winners. This performance is a little longer than most posts on the Countdown. Just sit back, relax and enjoy some amazing music from this talented group of artists - Christmas With Michael W. Smith and Friends.

BONUS TRACK 1 - Over sixty years and still going! From Surfin' USA to Good Vibrations, these guys brought in a whole new way for pop/rock music to be heard. The one and only BEACH BOYS perform, from 1964 - Little Saint Nic.

BONUS TRACK 2 - This track shows how Christian Music has changed. Crowder looks like a 60's hippie. Today, this multi–Dove Award winner performs a completely different take on Christmas. Enjoy a very cool tune and video from CROWDER - The Elf Song.

Three days, get ready, it'll be here Monday, rain or shine. Hope all you Vagabonds, near and far, are enjoying this greatest season of the year.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 21 - NO. 5 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - TODAY IS ALL GIRLS SINGING LIKE ONLY GIRLS CAN FOR CHRISTMAS!

Today's ALL GIRLS TUNES

CELEBRATION was fairly difficult. There are so many great female singers, it's difficult to decide which ones to feature. However, trust your Nomad Architect, who has been an obsessive aficionado of great music my entire life, to bring all of my loyal followers the best of the best! LOL!!! 

First up on today's music featuring all female groups and singers - The American Sirens bring you a lively jazzy version of a classic - JINGLE BELLS!

BONUS TRACK 1 - The Puppini Sisters give us a cool video and a great tune - C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S. 

BONUS TRACK 2 - This is a serious duet my fellow Vagabonds! Winner of the first season of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, and the multiple award-winning Wynonna, perform a rousing version of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town! And like Kelly says - Give it up for her house band - Y'ALL!!

Hope you enjoy these great Christmas tunes from the Ladies today. Christmas - only four days 'till and I haven't wrapped a thing. But, after all I am a man. LOL! 

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 20 - NO. 6 O THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - SOUTHERN GOSPEL AT CHRISTMAS IS THE BEST THING YOU'LL EVER HEAR - IMHO!

IMHO - Southern Gospel Music is in a category completely unto itself. I have sung in so many choirs, ensembles, quartets, trios I have lost count. I started at the age of twelve singing with my family. And heard all the great Southern Gospel groups growing up in the South. Southern Gospel is a unique blend of harmony and soul that proclaims the Gospel to anyone that will listen. And millions do listen all over the world. It started in 1910 in Tennessee. From the Statesman Quartet, along with many more groups to current day groups. 

First up on today's Countdown is a trio of siblings - The Martins, discovered in 1987 by Michael English, Mark Lowry and Bill Gaither at the National Quartet Convention in Nashville Tennessee, have become a fixture with the Gaither Music Homecoming Tours. Here they are performing one of their favorites - Go Tell!

BONUS TRACK 1 - Here is a great tune by the Gospel group Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - Every Light That Shines At Christmas. This one will make you wanna dance.

BONUS TRACK 2 - The Isaacs, a Bluegrass Gospel family including mom, two daughters, a son and a son-in-law perform a nice arrangement of Oh Tidings of Comfort and Joy.  Nothing sounds like a family singing!

BONUS TRACK 3 - The Old Friends Quartet was formed in 2002 with a group of long time Gospel singers - George Younce bass, Ernie Hasse tenor, Wesley Pritchard baritone, Garry Jones piano and the great Jake Hess on lead.  Take a listen as they perform - Glory To God In The Highest.  

Southern Gospel just makes you feel better, especially at Christmas. Merry Christmas to all Vagabonds everywhere.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 19 - NO. 7 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - IT'S TIME FOR SOME TUNIN' & SOME TAPPIN' ON THIS TUESDAY!

Vocal jazz has been around a long 

 time, going all the way back to the Andrews Sisters (1937), the Hi Lo's (1953), or the Manhattan Transfer (1969) who are still performing today. The creative arranging and performing by great jazz singers, particularly jazz ensembles, quartets or trios.

There is a lot of music from great jazz artists  celebrating the biggest holiday season of the year all over the world.

Toady's first tune is a very cool version of a great tune with some very hip dancing to go with it - Enjoy the Postmodern Jukebox as they perform Last Christmas, a huge pop hit originally written & recorded by the British pop group WHAM (1984). The singing is to die for, but the dancer will make you smile big.

BONUS TRACK 1 - One of the greatest jazz vocal groups still performing - Manhattan Transfer delivers a very jazzy version of the Christmas Cassic - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town. First heard on the radio in 1934!

BONUS TRACK 2 - PENATONIX (2012) has become a Christmas favorite. This multi- award-winning group of five singers deliver amazing arrangements of some of the best acapella singing you will ever hear. Today - they bring you their arrangement of Deck The Halls.

Remember, the Big Fat Man With The Long White Beard is taking notes - So Be Good!

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 18 - NO. 8 on THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - A VETERAN SINGER BRINGS US THE NO. 1 CHRISTMAS TUNE THIS YEAR

Today's Countdown artist is truly a unique presence in the world of pop music. The "Goddess of Pop" - aka CHER has been laying out popular tunes for over 60 years. Her first big hit, I Got You Babe, performed by the highly popular duo - Sonny & Cher was released in 1965. It quickly went to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100, stayed there for three weeks, and sold over a million records. Then the popular pair went on television with the Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour for three years. Not long after that the Emmy, Grammy and Oscar winner started a solo career that is still going strong with over 100 million records sold.

In the comment section of You Tube featuring today's tune, an avid fan said - "Let's be honest. CHER has NEVER released a bad song."

Well, today's Countdown tune proves that point. Today's song is No. 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart. This tune will make you wanna' dance - Cher performs DJ Play A Christmas Song!

 

Hope all you Christmas Vagabonds are hangin' tough with the kids, the grandkids, the wrapping, the errands and, of course, AMAZON. More great music is on the way for The 2023 Christmas Countdown!

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 17 - NO. 9 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - COOL & CREATIVE TAKES IT ON THIS THIRD SUNDAY OF DECEMBER

Today is the day to enjoy something totally unique in Christmas Songs. I found this amazing tune and video doing random You Tube searches. If you are a QUEEN fan, and who isn't, you will immediately recognize the tune in today's choice. Then you will hear some amazing singing celebrating the birth and life of Jesus Christ by a cool group of Muppet type characters. 

Enjoy great vocals, to the music of Bohemian Rhapsody, with words depicting the birth of Christ by a group of very hip singing Muppets - Bohemian Rhapsody - The Christmas Nativity Version.

I hope this tune brightens your day as you prepare for the soon coming big day celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

CLOSER & CLOSER - CHRISTMAS IS COMING - DECEMBER 16 - NO. 10 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - CELBRATING THE JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM

The first time I saw Steven Curtis Chapman was in my church sometime in the late 1980's. Nobody really knew who he was, but somebody knew him and invited him to come play at our church. It was him, his guitar and his stool. No band, no backup singers, just him. It was so long ago my memories are faint. I do remember he had great lyrics and could play his acoustic guitar very well. I was on the front row of a packed house. He delivered the message of Jesus to mostly teenagers. I was 42. LOL!! Steven Curtis Chapman has done pretty well since that early beginning. He's won five Grammies and fifty-nine GMA Dove Awards, the most for any artist in history.

Take a look as you listen - a great tune and video by Steven Curtis Chapman from the movie of the same name - Journey to Bethlehem - Brand New Life

The story of Bethlehem is immensely compelling, especially when seen in a modern interpretation of it in today's world.

D.L.STafford1@msn.com

thenomadARCHITECT

“Advent is a journey 

towards Bethlehem. 

May we let ourselves

be drawn by the light

of God made man.

- Pope Francis

IT'S FRIDAY! TIME FOR SOME ROCK & ROLL AND A LITTLE BLUES - DECEMBER 15 - NO. 11 ON THE 2023 COUNTDOWN -GREAT BLUES & ROCK FROM ONE OF THE GREATS!!

JOSEPH LEONARD BONAMASSA - aka Joe Bonamassa - was born and grew up in New York. But he plays like he was born in Louisiana! The multi-Grammy award winning guitarist and singer started playing guitar at the age of four and had his own band by the age of twelve. 

His father, an avid fan of great music, ensured that Joe got some training by the legendary guitarist Danny Gatton. He was also influenced by Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck at a very young age. On a personal note, both my kids are big fans of this immense talent. My daughter gave me a Bonamassa/Beth Hart Vinyl last Christmas. Gotta listen to this stuff turned up loud!

Take a listen to one of Bonamassa's Christmas blues/rock tunes - CHRISTMAS BOOGIE - JUST ONE LITTLE KISS!

BONUS TRACK - JOE BONAMASSA performs another blues/rock Christmas tune - CHRISTMAS COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR.

Hope you do a little singin', dancin' and smilin' this Christmas.  Just turn it up and Joe will get you moving! 

D.L.Stafford 

 thenomadARCHITECT

"Rock 'n' roll might not solve your problems, but it does let you dance all over them."    - Pete Townsend.

DECEMBER 14 - NO. 12 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - MORE AUSIE POWER WITH A CLASSIC AND A STIRRING VIDEO

Today's Countdown tune delivers power and passion with a performance of a classis Christmas song by the Australian group, For King and Country, like you have never heard, with one of the best videos ever made. Formed in 2012 with three brothers from Australia, now living in Nashville, this Grammy Award winning Christian Pop/Rock band delivers compelling songs with distinctive rhythms and creative arrangements.

So, listen to this one on a stereo and turn it up!! The music is amazing and the video, starting with a young boy playing drums in the wilderness, builds to a crescendo of power and majesty - THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY, written in 1941 by Katherin Kennecott Davis and performed by FOR KING AND COUNTRY with a host of drummers and other players.

BONUS TRACK - Today's bonus tune  features a powerful arrangement and compelling video of The Little Drummer Boy (African Tribal Version) as performed by Alex Boye' and the Genesis Choir. 

These two versions of this classic are testament to the power and love of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth - the very thing the whole story is about - CS Lewis

DECEMBER 13 - NO. 13 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - WE NEED LAUGHTER ON ANY AND ALL BORING WEDNESDAYS - ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS!!

Today is Wednesday - all day! IMHO - Wednesday is the most boring day of the week. They don't call it HUMP DAY for nothing. So, we need some laughs today!!

As one anonymous hard-working member of the labor force said - "Yeah, I know what you mean. Wednesdays are longest. Even the spelling is longer than the other days of the week." 

Today's posts are shown for the sole purpose of getting any bored, discontented or wearied Christmas Vagabond back up to speed to keep up the unrelenting desire to enjoy this Season. After all, it's only twelve days 'till the Big Day. Plus, the bills are almost a month away. Listen to some funny and get off the couch and GO!! Take a listen to Jim Gaffigan, one of the funniest Stand-Up Comics to ever stand and deliver stories, thoughts and jokes to people that just want to laugh. 

The first clip includes various takes on Holiday Traditions where he opines, not just on Christmas, but all the other Holidays we celebrate - Jim Gaffigan Holiday Traditions 1.

BONUS TRACK 1 - Another take on Christmas by Gaffigan - Christmas with the In -Laws.

BONUS TRACK 2 - Comic Genius does not adequately describe one of the greatest comics to ever stand and deliver - Jonathan Winters. The Grammy winning master of improvisation influenced many other great comics such as Robin Williams and Jim Carey. This clip is from 1988 on the Tonight Show starring Johny Carson.  Covering numerous other things, the discussion of Christmas starts about six minutes in. Hilarious! Jonathan Winters Never Dissapoints - Carson Tonight Show.

Laughing is the best medicine so they say, especially at Christmas. Kids, grandkids, old kids, shopping, wrapping and on and on! So, I hope today made you laugh some!

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 12 - NO. 14 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - TODAY YOU WILL HEAR TWO GREAT VERSIONS OF THE CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SONG - MELI KALIKIMAKA!!

Mele Kalikimaka - On a Bright Hawaiian Christmas Day - Indeed!

The song featured today for the  2023 Christmas Countdown was written in 1949, the year of my birth, by R. Alex Anderson, who lived most of his life in Hawaii. The song was first recorded by the great crooner Bing Crosby with the amazing Andrews Sisters in 1950.

 

Anderson recalled the inspiration for writing the song in 1949 while working at Vonn Hamm-Young:

"Well, I'll tell ya, a stenographer in our office, this was just before Christmas, and we are all leaving (5 o'clock), and she was next to me, and she said, "Mr. Anderson, how come there's no Hawaiian Christmas songs?" She said, "they take all the hymns and they put Hawaiian words to the hymns, but there's no original melody." Well, that spurred me right away – I thought, "what a good idea!" I thought this over, and over a period of a few days this came into my head, put it down on paper, and I've been singing it ever since."

This tune became a classic Christmas song recorded by many artists over the years. It is enjoyed every Christmas in millions of homes everywhere. Mele Kalikimaka is the Hawaiian word for Merry Christmas. Enjoy today's featured tune from a trio of amazing singers, The American Sirens, along with incredible bass singer Geoff Castellucci.

And, because it's Christmas, you must enjoy the one and only Bing Crosby and the great  Andrews Sisters performing the original Mele Kalikimaka. The video is, obviously, not the original. But it's a cool video none the less.

So, if you are in Hawaii for Christmas, enjoy the ocean, the sun, and the breeze. And no matter where you are - Mele Kalikimaka!

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT

DECEMBER 11 - NO. 15 ON THE 2023 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - HOW ABOUT AN AUSTRALIAN DAY FOR CHRISTMAS - AMAZING!!

Last year, I discovered an amazing group of guys from Australia that combine doo wop, jazz, pop and rock to create an exciting style of music.

And the arrangements of the songs this all-Ausie quartet Human Nature performs are always innovative with harmonies that are unique and melodic. This dynamic group was featured in No. 25 of this year's Countdown.

To celebrate Christmas with the boys from down under enjoy Human Nature with a phenomenal Female Ausie, Delta Goodrem, performing a classic, written in 1945, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let Snow.

Christmas is coming soon my fellow Vagabonds - Gifts, decorations, kids, big kids, relatives and parties to celebrate Christmas - I love this time of year! 

Merry Christmas to all! 

D.L.Stafford

thenomadARCHITECT