TODAY IS ALL ABOUT JOY - CHRIST IS BORN - SO SING, DANCE AND OTHERWISE MAKE NOMAD MAYEM FOR THIS SPECIAL DAY

No Christmas would be complete without today's Countdown song. Based on the English poem by Isaac Watts, published in 1719, Joy To The World was written to proclaim the joy of this day we celebrate the birth of the Living Christ.

NO. 1 ON THE 2015 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - JOY TO THE WORLD BY TWO CERTIFIED DIVAS AND ONE BY A GROUP OF KIDS THAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF.

From the a capella group that is currently storming its way around the world comes a one of a kind take on this Christmas Class - PENTATONIX does the classic with a new twist.

We lost this amazing voice, way to early. But, what she left us will never go away. Whitney Houston does Joy as only she could.



And finally - the one and only Mariah Carey, with a little help from a killer choir, blows the roof off of Saint John the Divine Cathedral New York.

So get on up Nomads - it's JOY all day and every day. CHRIST IS BORN!!

D.L.STAFFORD
thenomadARCHITECT

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE & I WAS JUST THINKING - DON'T EVER STOP DREAMING - I MEAN WITHOUT DREAMS, WHAT IS THE POINT?

What is it about this time of year that  makes people like me want to wax eloquent? I think it's the spirit of the season. Today, while I was completing my annual wait until the absolute last minute shopping, every single person seemed to be in good spirits. A Merry Christmas here. A Have a Great Christmas there. And, even the pc Happy Holidays makes one feel better.


For a brief period of time we get to be with the ones that mean the most. And we can forget about the insanity in the world and the idiots that run our country right here at home. Plus, we get to open a present or two and see the utter magic of Christmas when the kids remind us that the love of Christmas has managed to endure because kids are always a joy - well, not always.

Well, guess what? I still dream like all the time, you know what I mean?. My bucket list keeps growing. The serendipity of life always amazes and changes us, if we let it. Like the song says - for kids from 1 to 92, Christmas is for dreamers. If you don't believe it, just set a spell and watch It's A Wonderful Life or Miracle On 34th Street. If those don't get you dreaming, that's on you my fellow nomad.

I truly hope this Christmas brings you the dreams of your heart. Please enjoy today's song and video as George Michael presents the beautiful and poignant December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas).

And just to show my fellow nomads that this dreaming thing is for real, here is the final scene from It's A Wonderful Life, when George realizes that his life does, indeed , have meaning. In fact, I think I am going to go watch it right now.



Merry Christmas - Do You Hear the Bells? Clarence Just Got His Wings- God Bless!

d.l.stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

A CAPELLA CHRISTMAS DONE RIGHT - SOMEBODY SAY AMEN!

Nobody, and I do mean nobody, has ever done a capella quite like TAKE 6. Combining gospel, jazz, r&b and pop, this group, with cues from the the great a capella quartet The Hi-Lo's, formed in 1953, took the concept of nothin' but voice to new heights. Their technical skill and vocal range, along with some of the most vocally challenging arrangements ever written, sets them apart from all other groups that perform this unique style of vocal music.

This multiple Dove and Grammy award winning sextet brings us an entirely new way of hearing  the story of The Night Before Christmas with  their version -  'Twas Da Night!

Another classic done as only TAKE 6 can do it - AMEN!

Just Makes You Feel Merry - Doesn't It?

d.l.stafford
THENOMADarchitect

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE TULL FOR TUESDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS - NO. 5 ON THE 2015 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Ian Anderson's Jethro Tull is one of the few groups I never had the pleasure of seeing live. So today's version of an off centered Christmas classic will have to do. No one in rock, pop or any other genre of music has ever done what Ian Anderson does with the flute. His mastery of the instrument and his innovative interpretations of all music really have no equal. Some say Tull is an acquired taste. Their blend of British folk, blues, jazz and rock with a flute centered sound produced one of the truly great bands of the late sixties. Ian Anderson is alive and well today, touring and presenting his unique blend of rock, jazz, blues and insane "flauting". Many classically trained flutists roll their eyes at the mere mention of Tull's or Anderson's name, but, hey, I bet they can't vocalize and blow at the same time!

Today's Countdown No. 5 - Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull performing live and improvising like crazy -  God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.

And just for those that like their Christmas music at the very edge, today's bonus track is the one and only Tom Waits performing Silent Night. It has become one of my annual favorites and, if you listen to it several times, it will grow on you.

Happy Listening Nomads

d.l.stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

OK NOMADS - JUST IN CASE YOU ARE HAVING A BAD CASE OF THE MONDAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS - CHECK THIS OUT

I have been married to a certified cat lover for over four decades. I learned early on - yes when we were dating - that I better get with the program. I did and we have been cat lovers since back in the day. Some more so than others - if you catch my drift. But that's another story for another day. My one and only, Susie, showed me one of the cartoons from today's  submission to the Top 25 Christmas Countdown.

When I finally caught my breath after watching this inventive collection of a cat that can't help but go his own way, I just had to share it with my many Nomad Friends. So here are a few vignettes from the funniest cat around. I just know Kitty, Harry, Norman and Mason are looking down with an ironic smile as we entertain ourselves laughing at their famous friend. I mean, we do know that they all know each other right?

Simon's Cat - Christmas Collection will improve your mood and help you get ready for Friday coming up. Somebody say meow baby!!!!

Merry Christmas Cat Nomads Everywhere - This One's 4 U

d.l.stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

GOOD SUNDAY MORNING - HOW ABOUT A LITTLE PEACE & CONTEMPLATION? - NO. 6 PLUS ON THE CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

The last Sunday before Christmas. Churches are presenting the Christmas Story everywhere. Christians the world over are preparing for the celebration of the birth of the Messiah. And parents and kids alike are hoping they got or will get all the right stuff for and from everybody. And even here in God's Country, it's pretty chilly, though, it's supposed to be in the eighties Christmas Day. Today's selections are for just such a morning as this Sunday. I hope you can sit back and contemplate the meaning of this amazing time of year with these songs.

Technical Note -If you see multiple images just click the circular arrow at the bottom left of the videos to play the selected tune.

I found this beautiful, simple song with a video that captures all that is good about this time of year - The Florin Street Band performs My Favorite Time of Year.

And as a bonus, for me, no Christmas would be complete without at least one irony filled ballad from the master of ironic country music. Lyle Lovett captures Christmas with a thought provoking song simply entitled Christmas Morning.

And finally, John Lennon sings Happy Christmas (War Is Over) with a hope for all of the world to be in peace. No matter your politics, that's a good sentiment in my book.

PEACE

d.l.stafford
THENOMADarchitect

HOW 'BOUT A LITTLE JAZZ FOR CHRISTMAS - NOMADS? CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN NO.7 +

There's apple pie, there's baseball and then there is JAZZ.  Heard by aficianados and casual listeners the world over, jazz, with its African and European influences, is the most American of all musical genres. One could even argue that we would not have rock, pop or any of a dozen transmutations of modern music if it weren't  for this American music form. It's been around longer than you think and shows no signs of going away, only getting better with each new generation of innovators.

So, today, the last Saturday before Christmas, I thought Nomads the world over might like to hear some takes on America's best music. No. 7 on the Christmas Countdown plus a few extras.

Technical Note - If you  see multiple images you can either click the little circular arrow at the bottom left of the video or just right click and then click refresh in the dropdown menu to here today's countdown video. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Diana Krall. This chanteuse of jazz, with influences from Nat King Cole, brings a nuanced voice and great piano chops to bear on a live version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. We saw her at the Shermerhorn Center in Nashville and she did not disappoint.

Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra continue the innovative tradition of big band jazz with vocalist Rene' Marie performing 'Zat You, Santa Claus?. And I'm not bragging when I say we saw them perform this very song last year in my home town - Tallahassee. So there!

Here's one I found last year. Michael Buble' and The Puppini Sisters perform a killer version of Jingle Bells. I just know the Andrews Sisters are smiling..

The Count Basie Orchestra is still with us, even though the master left us in 1984. The current iteration keeps the unique sound of a piano centered big band in contemporary form. Sleigh Ride from one of the greatest big bands around. BTW - Saw 'em in 1963 while still a lowly sophomore in high school. With Tom Jones no less. Man I AM weird.

Chick Corea is the essence of modern piano jazz. Some might even say, hard to access. His talent is unquestionable though. Listen to this expressive  arrangement of What Child Is This and I think you'll know what I mean. 

And last but not least. Mel Torme and a piano is all you really need to here one of the greatest voices in the history of jazz. Listen as Torme' performs a song that he co-wrote - The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire). Truly Amazing!

Here's Hoping for A Jazzed up Christmas One and All!

d.l.stafford

THENOMADarchitect