The site for ranting and reporting by John Masters
I would classify things in this category that were related to arts, literature, cinema, performance. Things that make us and the world better.
“The Christmas Song”, commonly subtitled “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire“, is a classic Christmas song written in 1944 by vocalist Mel Tormé and Bob Wells. According to Tormé, the song was written during a blistering hot summer. In an effort to “stay cool by thinking cool,” the most-performed (according to BMI) Christmas song was born.
Read moreThe famous chapel choir sings carols old and new, including the Sussex Carol, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, In the Bleak Midwinter, the Three Kings, Lux Aurumque – by the modern American composer Eric Whitacre – and O Come All Ye Faithful. This first piece is traditionally rendered by a chorister chosen at random!
Read moreWith a bow to my old high school friend, Mike, here’s the King doing The First Noel. “The First Nowell” is a traditional English Christmas carol, most likely from the 18th century. In its current form it is of Cornish origin, and it was first published in Some Ancient Christmas Carols (1823) and Gilbert and Sandys Christmas Carols (1833), edited by William B. Sandys and arranged, edited and with extra lyrics written by Davies Gilbert.
Read moreAnother 80’s classic Christmas song. This time it’s Hall and Oates performing Jingle Bell Rock. It was first released by Bobby Helms in 1957 and has received frequent airplay during every Christmas time since then. “Jingle Bell Rock” was written by Joe Beal, a Massachusetts-born public relations man, and Jim Boothe, a Texas writer in the advertising business. It was also recorded by Bill Haley and the Comets.
Read moreHere’s a golden oldie from 1984. Wham performs “Last Christmas.”
Read moreThe Boss, Bruce Springsteen singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. The song is by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, and was first sung on Eddie Cantor’s radio show in November 1934. It became an instant hit with orders for 100,000 copies of sheet music the next day and over 400,000 copies sold by Christmas.The earliest known recorded version of the song was performed by George Hall and the Hotel Taft Orchestra, and was also recorded on September 26, 1935, by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Read moreThe very famous “Happy Christmas (War is Over), by John Lennon.
Read moreI have loved the George Winston December Album since it came out. There are some beautiful pieces of music. Christmas music is some of my favorite music, and these treatments by Winston are just fabulous in their simplicity. I hope you have four minutes to take a break in your day and give a listen, and happy holidays to you all.
Read moreChristmas Song performed by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds at ASU in 2003.
Read moreComing from the ASU Jazz Ensemble, it’s a pretty appropriate song even if the mountains don’t seem to get as much snow as they did when I attended.
Read moreStephen Fry explains why the Catholic Church is not a force for good in the world. Fry is a well known British actor, but is probably best known to American audiences for his role in V for Vendetta.
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