Tag Archives: silent night

December 12, 2013 · 23:29

Padre Steve’s Rockin’ Christmas: Music for Anyone to Get into the Spirit of the Season

santa-thwak-guitar1

Christmas music comes in many forms and genres. Some is quite traditional yet like any music Christmas music has captured the hearts of many artists over the decades of recorded on records, tapes, CDs and now digital media.

David-Bowie-Bing-Crosby_400

One genre where Christmas music has found a home for the last 60 years or so has been Rock and Roll. I think a great bridge between the more traditional and the contemporary is the duet of Little Drummer Boy between Bing Crosby and David Bowie  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXjbI3kRus

Of course this is in no way an exhaustive list of these songs, just some plucked from memory that I could find music videos of and which I might not have already done on past years articles. I think that some of these are on multiple posts but still, they struck me tonight.

I usually listen to 60s, 70s or 80‘s music whenever I drive but I think soon I will switch over to Christmas music on my Sirius radio. Maybe I will switch back and forth depending on my mood and the traffic. That being said here are some of the more interesting Christmas songs, some religious, some non-religious by some Rock artists from the 50s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, some of whom are still around recording new versions of Christmas songs.

blue-christmas

Some of the earliest Rock and Roll Christmas songs included a number by Elvis Presley  including the classic Blue Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzHfQk7ATU0 . Brenda Lee’s  Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xNuUEnh2g and Bobby Helms’ Jingle Bell Rock  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itcMLwMEeMQ seem never to get old, in fact they have been recorded by others. 1980’s new wave rocker  Billy Idol did a classy version of the latter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itcMLwMEeMQ nor can we forget the legendary Chuck Berry who recorded Run Run Rudolph http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCTeXUkTFwQ&list=PLD104FAECADC5F176 which has also had many artists release it since Berry first did.

D61CDC41A1

The members of the Beatles are not absent from the list. The Beatles released a version of Christmas Time is Here Again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4vE5DnFWV0  while the members of the Fab Four all released Christmas songs. John Lennon’s  Happy Christmas (War is Over) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPm3CWvDmvc  is a modern classic. Paul McCartney and Wings turned Wonderful Christmas Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1-sXrdQtog into a massive hit. Ringo Starr’s Glam Rock Come On Christmas, Christmas Come On  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaguXYTXYoA was less memorable while George Harrison’s Ding Dong, Ding Dong was an upbeat and funny song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VggAH1dk3Qk .

beach-boys-christmas

Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermit’s released a version of O Holy Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfOqingPZzk while The Beach Boy’s Little Saint Nick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSynDh_K0EE brought us a very California rendition of a Santa Song. Simon and Garfunkel did Comfort and Joy (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uB_oFQXv3w

 hqdefault-3

Some of the biggest acts of the 1970s had popular Christmas releases including Gary Glitter who released Another Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn06NJzYQc4 . Freddie Mercury and Queen released Thank God it’s Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIUmggOhHCM and the Eagles Please Come Home for Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1AaMe1KbwE was a pleading look at a broken relationship. Chicago had a number of Christmas releases including Christmas Time is Here  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8B0jyKBF4U and O Come All Ye Faithful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-9hrvoFpp4 .

springsteen-xmas-blowup

They were not alone British rocker Cliff Richard released Christmas Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9U0R1kCRzU, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed Christmas All Over Again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaPj1GoDpQw. Foghat released a version of All I want for Christmas is You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUv7T_Uq6QU, Bruce Springsteen did Santa Claus is Coming to Town  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CIebZ4RtgY and The Bee Gees Thank You For Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rm6pI8ybtA .

TopMusicaBlog_BlondieWeThreeKingsVideo

The groups of the late 1970s and early to mid 1980s are represented. Blondie has always been one of my favorite groups. This is a fairly recent release of We Three Kings http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vecWPafdDQ while Pat Benatar released a somewhat patriotic song called Christmas in America  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwgmps_pat-benatar-christmas-in-america_music, maybe we as Americans need to be thankful for what we have at Christmas.

ciaface

The classic bad girl, Joan Jett did the Little Drummer Boy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3Qwx8OTV-k , the Girl Band the Bangles performed A Hazy Shade of Winter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvvSQkUK-t4.  One of the more unusual acts who not only did a Christmas song but an entire Heavy Metal Christmas Album was Twisted Sister who have a classic version of White Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_1X-VEhHFc.

cd-cover-2

Classic Rockers Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart did nice versions of classics, Stevie did  Silent Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZPyphUNO6k while Stewart performed  White Christmas  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EvQOmjXCxc.

511tZV2HicL

Like I said, this list is not exhaustive. Since as I do it I keep remembering more I figure I will stop for the night and hope that at least some of these songs help get you into the spirit of the season. After all, there is so much negativity that whether you are a Christian or not the season does present us all the chance to maybe see something positive in ourselves and our neighbors. So with Elton John I invite you my friends to Step Into Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDqi8ENS1FU. 

 

 

Peace

Padre Steve+

1 Comment

Filed under Loose thoughts and musings, music, Religion

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

December 22, 2012 · 11:38

Padre Steve’s Look at Christmas Rhythm and Blues

R&B Christmas - (front)

American Christmas music has been enriched by the influence of Jazz, Blues, Gospel and what came to be known as Rhythm and Blues in the 1940.  I have always loved R & B and some of the most memorable songs about Christmas come from the African American experience and the R & B genre.

R&B as it became known was what record labels marketed music by American American artists. It became popular with White Americans as well with audiences in Europe and the musical influence was felt in the early days of Rock and Roll as Elvis Presley’s musical style incorporated many facets of this rich tradition.

R&B Christmas music incorporated a good amount of faith found in Black Churches of the time as well as the reality of life including poverty, brokenness and loneliness.

Rather than listening to political commentary, news or sports lately I have been spending a lot of time this year listening to a wide variety of Christmas music. For me it was a time of rediscovery of the variety of Christmas music that is part of our life including that of the legendary R&B artists. Now while I was familiar with many of these artists, for me their Christmas songs were new and refreshing, despite in many cases being recorded before I was born. Some of course were new versions of songs already made popular by people like Bing Crosby or other crooners. I know I have heard almost all of these songs but to hear so many of them was a joy for me. Some caused me to laugh even as others brought tears to my eyes.

So enjoy some of the great Christmas songs recorded by the legends of Blues, Jazz and R&B.

3667deb2e67c7cdcbe3d97792c78fb7f

Fats Domino Christmas is a Special Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTgBZfA6LQE

Christmas time
Everybody sings hopeful of joy
Ding-a-ling bell rings
Christmas day will soon be here
Thou’ get come but once a year
Christmas is a special day
Don’t forget to go to church and pray
Santaday we’re never ‘lone
That’s the day our saviour is born
Yes one day when we will lost
Yes he died upon a cross
Yes he died for one and all
So our soul wouldn’t be lost

Yes he died for our sins
The 3rd day he rose again
What a man, oh what a friend
Let all his life for our sins
Jesus did on Calvary at the age of 33
Yes he died for our sins
The 3rd day he rose up again
What a man, oh what a friend
Let all his life for our sins
Jesus did on Calvary at the age of 33
Christmas day is finally here
Don’t get come but once a year
Christmas is a special day
Don’t forget to go to church an pray
Don’t forget to go to church an pray
Don’t forget to go to church an pray

Eartha-Kitt-Santa-Baby

Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOMmSbxB_Sg

album-cool-christmas-blues

Charles Brown, Please Come Home for Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itdNoGtPQ3I

Bells will be ringing the glad glad news.

Oh, what a Christmas to have the blues.
My baby’s gone. I have no friends
To wish me greetings once again.
Choirs will be singing Silent Night.
Christmas carols by candlelight.
Please come home for Christmas.
Please come home for Christmas.
If not for Christmas, by New Year’s Night.

Friends and relations send salutations
Sure as the stars shine above,
Because it’s Christmastime, my dear.
The time of year to be with the one you love.

Dear, won’t you tell me you’ll never go wrong.
Christmas and New Year’s will find you home.
There’ll be no more sorrow, no grief and no pain,
‘Cause I’ll be happy, happy once again.

Mmmmm, no more sorrow, no grief and no pain,
‘Cause I’ll be happy Christmas once again.

lionel-hampton-1-f50

Lionel Hampton Boogie Woogie Santa Claus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQlJSgqzXzY

61SauGFmKgL._SL500_AA280_

Booker T and the MGs  Merry Christmas Baby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAuVbtCYChs

EttaJamesBlogImage

Etta James This Time of Year, When Christmas is Near http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKyuaTun5R8

1991-ojays

The O-Jays Christmas Just Ain’t Christmas and New Years Just Ain’t New Years Without the One You Love http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xttf75_o-jays-christmas-just-ain-t-christmas-new-year-s-just-ain-t-new-year-s-without-the-one-you-love-1973_music

85355728Getty060612

The Platters (Paul Roby) Christmas Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aci25FzNiIQ

1996-drifters

The Drifters White Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgGcrvApljY

ellafitzgeraldxmas

Ella Fitzgerald The Christmas Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGtiLouJWuU

PearlBailey

Pearl Bailey 5 Pound Box of Money http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIflovCenXA and It’s Cold Outside http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeGXHKzdZwg

Hey Santa Claus, You want to make me happy this year?

Listen to me, honey, Give Pearl something that would be of some use to me, Like a five pound box of money

Now there’s a little gift, That’s loaded with, Lots of sentiment

See, when I get blue, Santa, I’m gonna think of you

But at the same time have a little change to pay my rent

Now, money isn’t everything, There’s no two ways about it

But while we’re here, Santa dear, It’s much better with it than without it

So really, I could be real good, And not do nothin’ funny, If you do like I ask you

Stop by right on Christmas night, And try me, try me, try me on that money

Just try me, honey, Santa, can you hear me?

Have you listened to everything I’ve been asking you about?

Listen honey, Santa dear,, The New Year would be so bright and sunny

Just bring me that simple thing that I’ve been speaking to you about

And bring me a five pound box of money, That’s all, that’s all

It would be so heavenly, And help me meet both ends, yes indeed

But old Pearl been needin’ bad, A five pound box of tens, Really, how much could that weigh?

I don’t want the whole money tree, What good is that big thing to me?

You keep the branches, the trunk, and the roots, ‘Cause all I want is just a little bit of the fruit

So if you wanna be sure I’ll be yours,Little old honey, honey bunny

You can start me off on Christmas night

With a five pound – no, I better increase that, ten pounds

No, I better beg big while I’m beggin’

‘Cause you know, I might not catch you next year

‘Cause sometimes people go out and you don’t see them no more

So bring the money, Santa! Do you hear me?

018111970525

Louis Armstrong Christmas in New Orleans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVFEadOKBYE

Magnolia trees, At night, Sparkling bright

Fields of cotton, Look Wintery white

When it’s Christmas time, In New Orleans

A barefoot choir, In prayer, Fills the air

Mississippi folks, Are gathering there

When it’s, Christmas time, In New Orleans

You’ll see, A dixieland Santa Claus

Leading the band, To a good old Creole beat

And golly what a spirit, You can only hear it

Down on Basin Street

Your cares will disappear, When you hear

Hallelujah, St. Nicholas is here

When it’s Christmas time, In New Orleans

Oh, yeah, baby, You’ll see

A dixieland Santa Claus, Leading the band

To a good old Creole beat, And golly what a spirit

You can only hear it, Down on Basin Street

Your cares will disappear, When you hear

Hallelujah, Old St. Nicholas is here

When it’s Christmas time, In New Orleans

When it’s, Christmas time in, In New Orleans

1985-ray-charles

Ray Charles The Spirit of Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWmgTXuNoRY

I was sittin’ by the fire side

Taking a walk through the snow

Listening to a children’s choir

Singing songs about Jesus

The blessed way that he came to us

Why can’t it remain all through the year…

album-someday-at-christmas

Stevie Wonder Someday at Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ1-duv_zNk

count-basie1

Count Basie Orchestra Good Morning Blues  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhFFXHr8iO0

john lee hooker

John Lee Hooker Blues for Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIOcxEsX2pE

2001-temptations

The Temptations Silent Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFc7STuQF0U

Nat_King_Cole-The_Christmas

Nat King Cole The Christmas Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__kQ1PCP6B0

So have a very bluesy Christmas.

Peace

Padre Steve+

5 Comments

Filed under music

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

November 20, 2011 · 22:37

The Advent of Early Onset Holiday Commercialization Syndrome 2011

I hate to sound like a Grinch or Scrooge type of killjoy but here on November 20th I am bothered by an attack of Early Onset Holiday Commercialization Syndrome (EOHCS). EOHCS is not yet recognized as a Disorder in the DSM IV I have to wing it here but I think that the average person probably realizes that this condition is epidemic in our society.  Since I tend to avoid malls and the big retail outlets in general I can usually avoid attacks of EOHCS mostly by ignoring the incessant “Christmas” or holiday commercials of which car commercials seem to be the most offensive this year.  However I do  have to go out in public sometimes and on those occasions must do all that I can to stay sane as EOHCS seems to come earlier than it ever did.

I had to go get groceries this afternoon and went to a “Wal-Mart Super Center” in Morehead City because they carry a particular brand of pita bread that I cannot get at any of the grocery stores in my local area.  Now I expect that when I go to any retailer after Labor Day to find Christmas specials and an encroachment of Christmas paraphernalia and gifts with each passing week.  That is a given in our consumer driven society and whether I like it or not it is a fact of life and I am not going to change it.  However I just wanted groceries and not the full on Christmas press.  Now to be sure I only go to Wal-Mart when necessary because frankly the place sets off almost every alarm in my post PTSD mind and body.  When I go my goal is to get in and out as soon as possible and avoid any crowds, congested areas and noise.  Thus I will usually go late at night as if I were a stealth commando, but today I needed to go early to get it done.

Of course the store was littered with pre-Black Friday specials and had aisles of candies, cakes, toys, and trimmings. I felt like the Grinch walking through Whoville without the sweet ambiance of that cartoon town.  As I went made my foray into the store, knowing exactly what I needed and where to find it I was assaulted by and overwhelmed with the sound of Christmas music which was louder and more obnoxious than usual. I think the most annoying of the songs I heard today was “Rocking around the Christmas Tree” sung by Brenda Lee which seems to repeated about every 15 minutes during the holiday season.  I find her voice particularly grating and about as soothing as Pee Wee Herman scratching his nails scratching on a chalkboard when I am out shopping.  Now this song is simply annoying but when I hear songs that are meant for worship of the Lord being used as a means to condition us to buy things I get offended.  Thus when I hear “Silent Night” sandwiched between advertisements on November 20th in a store I want to scream, not that there is anything wrong with that; the screaming that is.

Now I like Christmas music, so long as it is actually somewhat close to Christmas even even the non-religious songs of which Grandma Got Run over By a Reindeer is my all time favorite, but I digress.  Since liturgically speaking it isn’t even Advent yet I find such a bombardment of secular and sacred Christmas songs while grocery shopping to be offensive to my somewhat liturgically correct sensibilities.  That may seem harsh but the musical assault at Wal-Mart only increased my desire to finish shopping and get the hell out of the store as fast as my cart would carry my food.  It did not induce me to hang around to see if I wanted to spend extra money on stuff that I probably don’t need.

And we wonder while there is little sense of the Holy in our society.  The fact is that somehow we have allowed our culture to devolve to the point that we utilize actions and holidays meant to point us in the direction of the Holy and use them to satisfy our most base desires. The Holy is subordinated to the profit margins of retailers who make their money satiating our desires for the newest and greatest stuff that we can get our hands on.

I am not against people getting nice things at all or giving gifts in abundance to their loved ones or even for themselves.  I like nice stuff too and I love the celebration of Christmas in its spiritual as well as cultural derivatives.  I like Christmas trees and decorations and the festiveness of Christmas especially with friends enjoying each other and a good glass of hot Gluhwein.

I guess I think that when we turn Christmas into a months long pursuit of profits and stuff that it really cheapens and degrades the holiday, even for people that are not Christians. Really, Black Friday is the real holy day in our consumer society and what gets more push back, a store being open briefly on Christmas or Black Friday sales encroaching on Thanksgiving?

Even allegedly “Christian” retailers take advantage of the holiday even selling trinkets that say “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” or “What Would Jesus Do?” at a healthy profit.  Again I am not against people making a profit from their labors people should be compensated well for work well done. But the fact that most Jesus junk like almost everything else is now made in China or Third World countries by workers that are all but slaves doesn’t seem to enter into the equation for jesus is the reason for the season“Christian” retailers and even ministries; just as it doesn’t for everyone else seeking to make a profit off the baby born in the manger.

How sad that as a culture we have reduced the celebration of God humbly entering into the human experience to a celebration of crass economic Darwinism much more in tune with Ayn Rand than Jesus.  Paul writes in Philippians “though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness….” Somehow that concept seems lost in our culture.

Oh well, what can I say?  Maybe I am a Grinch after all or maybe I can get counseling for Early Onset Holiday Commercialization Syndrome.

Peace

Padre Steve+

1 Comment

Filed under christian life, economics and financial policy, faith

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,