In keeping with the pre-holiday mood, let’s talk holiday music. Today
I saw that a new Elvis Christmas duets CD has been released by Sony.
This CD contains Christmas songs that Presley recorded during his
career. The twist is that they have been turned into duets with many of
today’s contemporary country artists such as Martina McBride and
Carrie Underwood.
Speaking of duets, let’s talk ODD Christmas duets. The leader:
Bowie and Bing singing “Little Drummer Boy”. Who the hell was the
brain trust behind this combo? Another strange duo: Rod Stewart and
Dolly Parton crooning “Baby It’s Cold Outside”.
With all the different versions of Christmas songs available, there are
only a select few that really stand out as true classics. In my
opinion, the following songs performed by the particular artist listed
is the best version:
“White Christmas” – who else but Bing Crosby?
“Blue Christmas” – Elvis (Porky Pig comes in second)
“Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” – Bruce Springsteen (I’m a
big Boss fan)
“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (The Christmas Song)” – Nat
King Cole (Mel Torme comes in second…only because he wrote it)
“Jingle Bell Rock” – Hall & Oates (with deep respect for Bobby
Helms)
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” – Brenda Lee
“O Holy Night” – Josh Groban (that kid could sing “I’m a
Little Teacup” and make it sound beautiful)
“Sleigh Ride” – instrumental version by the Boston Pops
“Jingle Bells” – by just about anyone
“Twelve Days of Christmas” – by nobody (cannot stand the
song—although the “Twelve Pains of Christmas” is always fun to
listen to)
One song I’ll never grow tired of listening to is Band Aid’s “Do
They Know It’s Christmas”. Where else can you hear Boy George
singing with Bono?
Some songs I’ve already grown tired of hearing: Wham’s “Last
Christmas”, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”,
“Get Into Christmas” Elton John, “Wonderful Christmas Time”
by Paul McCartney and Wings
bunchesofos