NO. 8 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - NOTHING SAYS CHRISTMAS LIKE GREAT JAZZ

The first time I  heard Diana Krall, I became an instant fan. And when I heard her live, I became a lifelong fan. In the grand tradition of earlier jazz greats, Krall's interpretations of jazz classics will make  you appreciate music that crosses generations with ease. And when you listen to her new music which willingly goes where no woman has gone before - Well, you get the picture. Great piano licks combined with a rich contralto voice of an accomplished chanteuse insures that all of her music is worth a listen.

Today you will hear Krall perform Jingle Bells with The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas . And just to show I haven't forgotten about one of the truly greats of jazz you can check out Harry Connick Jr. performing It Must Have Been Ol' Santa Claus.

Enjoy today's tunes on NO. 8 OF THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - DIANA KRALL PERFORMING JINGLE BELLS & HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS and HARRY CONNICK JR. PERFORMING IT MUST HAVE BEEN OL' SANTA CLAUS.

One week folks. I can't help it, it's impossible not to feel good at Christmas time. Merry Merry Christmas.

d.l.stafford
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NO. 9 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - IT'S SUNDAY - TIME FOR A LITTLE CHOIR MUSIC FOR CHRISTMAS

NORWAY - OSLO GOSPEL CHOIR. Who knew? Well I discovered this amazing rockin' choir years ago. They were founded in 1988 and have become one of the top choirs in Europe and around the world. Influenced by American soul, gospel and singers like Andrea Crouch, they bring a sophisticated sound combining R&B, gospel and jazz for a powerful rejoicing unto The Lord. On today's post you can hear an extended medley entitled This Is The Day Christmas. And then, for this Sunday, you can hear over a thousand singers joining The Piano Guys singing a medley of Christmas tunes - Power and then some! And finally, I found a great version of Joy To The World by The Dublin Gospel Choir with one of the coolest videos you will ever see. So Happy Sunday to you all and enjoy. 

Enjoy your Sunday today with some truly great choirs singing the best of Christmas - NO. 9 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - OSLO GOSPEL CHOIR, THE PIANO GUYS/CHOIR & THE DUBLIN GOSPEL CHOIR.

It's Sunday. Say Merry Christmas to every single person you see today.

d.l.stafford
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NO. 10 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - IT'S DAVID PHELPS SINGING TWO CLASSICS

I have been singing since I was a wee lad. My first solo was K-K-K Katy in the first grade at Sealey Elementary right here in God's Country.  I am a proud tenor. I sang with my family and throughout  the years with groups and choirs as a first tenor. And when I get to Heaven, I will be able to sing like today's COUNTDOWN artist - David Phelps. With a three octave range of amazing power, his delivery of everything he sings is masterful in every way. As the lead tenor with the Gaither Vocal Band for many years, he has become one of the most sought after Christian singers on the planet. 

Today's COUNTDOWN has one of the greatest versions of  Oh Holy Night ever recorded. Plus I have included Phelps' take on Jesus  What A Wonderful Child. 

So please enjoy today's NO. 10 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - David Phelps performing OH HOLY NIGHT & JESUS WHAT A WONDERFUL CHILD. 

Hey - It's only one week and two days until the big day. So get that stuff wrapped. Merry Christmas!

d.l.stafford

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NO. 11 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - SOME HUMAN NATURE FOR A WHITE CHRISTMAS PLUS A BONUS

I pride myself on knowing about the latest and greatest singers, groups, bands, etc.. But today I found someone I didn't know about until today. The group HUMAN NATURE has been around since 1989. The Australian Boy Band known is 4 TRAX has evolved into one of the coolest singing groups I've heard in a long time. With spotless vocals and cool moves, these guys know how to deliver tunes in the vain of the great Hi-Lo's from the 50's who essentially invented the stylized vocalizing heard today by groups such as Human Nature and PENTATONIX. With multi platinum releases and a history of touring with the likes of Celine Dion and Michael Jackson, these guys have proved their staying power with great arrangements and great singing. 

And as a bonus, you'll hear Bing Crosby sing White Christmas from the classic 1942 Christmas film Holiday Inn. It is believed to be the highest selling single of all time with over 100 million copies sold. Even though there is no snow here in God's Country, it is white in many places in the good old USA. Stay warm and enjoy today's tunes.

NO. 11 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - WHITE CHRISTMAS BY HUMAN NATURE & A BONUS - BING CROSBY  SINGS THE GREAT SONG FROM THE CLASSIC MOVIE HOLIDAY INN.

I have said it a bazillion times - great music lasts forever from generation to generation. Merry Christmas.

d.l.stafford
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NO. 12 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - HOW ABOUT A STRAY CAT DOIN' SOME ROCKABILLY BIG BAND CHRISTMAS

If you remember the hits from the 80's then you'll remember Brian Setzer, the front man for the Stray Cats, who revived Rockabilly with hits like Stray Cat Strut and Rock This Town Tonight. Then, as a solo artist with The Brian Setzer Orchestra, combining Rockabilly and Big Band Jazz, he launched a successful second act with songs like the Grammie Award winning Jump Jive An' Wail. Now, every Christmas, he performs one of the greatest live Christmas shows anywhere with a huge sound of a seventeen piece band and his blazing guitar.

Today, you'll hear three cuts from this rocker who knows how to do hot Christmas tunes. I had the pleasure of seeing The Brian Setzer Orchestra right here in God's Country when he opened for Bob Dylan -  a strange mixture of artists, but great performances by both.

So - To get you ready for all the Christmas parties coming up, enjoy some serious Big Band/Rockabilly Christmas Tunes from Brian Setzer and his Orchestra - No.12 on the 2017 Christmas Countdown with a couple of bonus tunes thrown in - JINGLE BELLS, BLUE CHRISTMAS & ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE.

When in doubt, just say Merry Christmas! And rock around your very own Christmas tree.

d.l.stafford
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NO. 13 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - THERE IS ONLY ONE RAY LAMONTAGNE

That's right. There is only one. With one of the most unique voices and presentations in popular music today, Ray LaMontagne can deliver any song like no other. With one of the most unique voice stylings you will ever hear, LaMontagne says his voice is different because he sings "through his gut instead of his nose". As a listener, you will hear a soulful, R&B vocal style in the vane of Otis Redding or Van Morrison. I have a theory about great blues/R&B singers - The great ones have an inexplicable pain in there voice. LaMontagne's voice has that quality  that makes you stop and listen intently when he sings.

Please enjoy today's NO. 13 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - THAT SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS BY RAY LAMONTAGNE.

It's an amazingly beautiful day here in God's Country and I have bought one Christmas present - So there! And a Merry Christmas to you too.

d.l.stafford
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NO. 14 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - SIMON'S CAT AND GAFFIGAN FOR LAUGHS

It's Tuesday and only thirteen days 'till Christmas. So I decided today would be a good day to bring a little levity into your busy, harried, stressful December. I now have grown kids, but I remember the shopping (usually done by my bride), the concerts, the food (also done by my bride) and all the other stuff that makes Christmas time, while most enjoyable for kids, a bit nerve racking for big kids (parents). So today's COUNTDOWN TUNES include a couple of Simon's Cat Cartoons and a video from one of the funniest comedians working today, Jim Gaffigan, on Holiday Traditions from his TV special Beyond The Pale. Gaffigan lives in a walk up apartment in New York with his wife and five kids, so you know he has to be funny.

So - take a few, sit back and relax and laugh at today's NO. 14 ON THE 2017 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - SIMON'S CAT AND JIM GAFFIGAN on the funniest parts of Christmas and then some.

Laugh and laugh and laugh while telling everybody you see MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

d.l.stafford
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