SOMEBODY SAY HALLELUJAH!! IT'S CHRISTMAS - NO. 1 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

In my humble opinion, the greatest single piece of music ever written is the Hallelujah Chorus, written by George Frideric Handel as 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. 

NO. 1 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS FROM HANDELS' MESSIAH.

THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR

THE NEW YOUNG MESSIAH



HANDEL'S MESSIAH: THE SOULFUL CELEBRATION

It is my fervent hope that you, your family and your friends enjoy this blessed day worldwide.. Merry Christmas.

D.L.Stafford
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TWO TUNES & A CLASSIC POEM FOR THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - NO. 2 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

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.

Please enjoy - TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - NO. 2 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN BY THE ONE AND ONLY BOB DYLAN.  

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.

D.LStafford

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THE LAST SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS - NO. 3 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - A CLASSIC CAROL BY THOUSANDS

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'

NO. 3 ON THE 2018 CLASSIC CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH - GLORIA BY SEVERAL PLAYERS, SINGERS AND A CHOIR OF ALMOST A THOUSAND.

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!

D.L.Stafford
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TODAY IS DECEMBER 22 - ONLY FOUR DAYS LEFT - LET'S HAVE SOME FUN - CHRISTMAS CARPOOL KARAOKE - NO. 4 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

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.

Enjoy the fun - NO. 4 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - CHRISTMAS CARPOOL KARAOKE - CHRISTMAS (BABY PLEASE COME HOME) BY JAMES CORDEN AND A CAST OF AT LEAST A DOZEN FAMOUS PERFORMERS AND SINGERS.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy CHRISTMAS today!!!

D.L.Stafford
thenomadARCHITECT

TODAY'S CHRISTMAS TUNE IS THE NO. 2 REQUESTED SONG ON RADIO - NO. 5 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

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.

So today's song has three versions for you to listen to - NO 5 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE BY TOM JONES/CERYS MATTHEWS, LYLE LOVETT/KAT EDMUNSON & THE ONE AND ONLY DEAN MARTIN/BACKUP SINGERS.

It's cold outside somewhere. Merry Christmas!!

D.L.Stafford
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HOW ABOUT A LITTLE ROCK & ROLL ON THIS GLOOMY THURSDAY - NO. 6 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

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. 

With some help from the great country artist and guitarist, Brad Paisley, Tyler brings us today's Countdown Rocker - Turn up the volume for RUN RUN RUDOLPH - NO. 6 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN BY STEVEN TYLER & BRAD PAISLEY

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.

Rock & Roll Will Never Die. Merry Christmas!!!

D.L.Stafford
thenomadarchitect

FRANK & BING - THAT'S ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID - NO. 7 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

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.

Please enjoy great singing by two of the greatest singers ever - NO. 7 ON THE 2018 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - FRANK AND BING CROSBY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 1957.

May your days be Merry & Bright - Merry Christmas.

D.L.Stafford
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