Our song this week is a traditional carol set to an ancient Welsh tune. So it is fitting that we listen to it sung by a wonderful old Welsh men's choir!
Happy anniversary to you and your husband. Truly a marriage made in Heaven! Thank you both for all your enlightening articles. God bless you and happy Christmas!
Still in the first year of being here, and so much I would share about Christmas & Advent music......
Having grown up (or really, only grown older) with the Ray Conniff & the Harry Simeone choral groups, their "sound" is really the one I prefer for most songs by choral groups; the few other family favorites I never tire of are an old children's recording (not the one you can still get) by the Do Re Mi children's choir; an old Johnny Mathis recording.
A few newer recordings are alos favorites--John Denver; The Christmas Revels (only one of their many); Loreena McKennit; and one which has become my absolute favorite--Every Knee Shall Bend by the Passionists (it's not readily available--but if you can find the CD, I cannot recommend it highly enough; the first 5 songs are Advent songs, done BEAUTIFULLY.)
I noticed you used the song 'What Child Is This' a year (2 years?) ago--perhaps my FAVORITE Christmas song--if done with the correct words (as the version you used does.) The version I love is from Johnny Mathis--he uses the correct words, and it is sung and arranged quite reverently..."Nails, spear, shall pierce him through; the Cross be borne for me, for you"... Extra note: Bela Fleck (banjo) w/ the Alash Ensemble does a very unique version which includes Tuvan throat singing.
Some find it a bit "cheesy", but my favorite version of 'Ring Christmas Bells' remains that of the Ray Conniff singers--for me it is both uplifting and reverent, with an ethereal quality.
The Christmas Revels I mentioned is their first ever recording (I've tried some of the others, and didn't care for them as much)---It contains a wonderful version of "Lord of the Dance".
Loreena McKennit has 2 Christmas CD's, with mostly traditional carols--Highly recommended, especially if you like traditional songs with faithful, but unusual musical arrangements--my particular favortes are Coventry Carol, Good King Wenceslaus, and God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; her 2nd Christmas CD includes wonderful versions of Emmanuel, The Seven Rejoices of Mary, and The Holly and the Ivy.
I could go on and on....so just one more mention...Though known for comedy/parody recordings (including 5 Christmas CD's), the DJ Bob Rivers did a very unusual version of O Little Town Of Bethlehem--he uses all the traditional lyrics...but sets it to the music of 'House of the Rising Sun'----I know, sounds weird, but it really works...give it a listen. (Another, for fans of Ozzy Osbourne, 'I Am Santa Claus', a parody of 'Iron Man')
I see I need to get you to do a guest spot on a Christmas carol! I have my favorites, and among them are the Ray Conniff singers (my mother's albums are in my record cabinet now). My song for next week was a big hit for the Harry Simone singers. Just a hint! I tell my readers that I don't mind a little schmaltz, either. Last year I did "Silver Bells" (first version, Bob Hope) and LOVE IT. Thanks for joining us!
Happy anniversary to you and your husband. Truly a marriage made in Heaven! Thank you both for all your enlightening articles. God bless you and happy Christmas!
Happy Anniversary Dr. and Mrs. Esolen! May God continue to bless you and may you have many more happy years together!
Enchanting in every way.
Some links (in no order)...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tubm4qya09c Bob Rivers, O Little Town of Bethlehen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbdTIMMZHIA Loreena McKennitt, God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8g6OpF4TYM What Child Is This w/ Tuvan throat singing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzmtSCdxTkA Lord of the Dance, Christmas Revels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niQH3IfI1BU&list=OLAK5uy_mcFE-M79RtIJW5KracJVlkwAjqN0jmDWU all 19 songs from the Passionist CD 'Every Knee Must Bend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lNvbUANCLA Johnny Mathis (THIS album), What Child Is This
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akLlOGYU0JA Ray Conniff, Ring Christmas Bells
That's a great list. So many songs, and so little time!!!!!
Still in the first year of being here, and so much I would share about Christmas & Advent music......
Having grown up (or really, only grown older) with the Ray Conniff & the Harry Simeone choral groups, their "sound" is really the one I prefer for most songs by choral groups; the few other family favorites I never tire of are an old children's recording (not the one you can still get) by the Do Re Mi children's choir; an old Johnny Mathis recording.
A few newer recordings are alos favorites--John Denver; The Christmas Revels (only one of their many); Loreena McKennit; and one which has become my absolute favorite--Every Knee Shall Bend by the Passionists (it's not readily available--but if you can find the CD, I cannot recommend it highly enough; the first 5 songs are Advent songs, done BEAUTIFULLY.)
I noticed you used the song 'What Child Is This' a year (2 years?) ago--perhaps my FAVORITE Christmas song--if done with the correct words (as the version you used does.) The version I love is from Johnny Mathis--he uses the correct words, and it is sung and arranged quite reverently..."Nails, spear, shall pierce him through; the Cross be borne for me, for you"... Extra note: Bela Fleck (banjo) w/ the Alash Ensemble does a very unique version which includes Tuvan throat singing.
Some find it a bit "cheesy", but my favorite version of 'Ring Christmas Bells' remains that of the Ray Conniff singers--for me it is both uplifting and reverent, with an ethereal quality.
The Christmas Revels I mentioned is their first ever recording (I've tried some of the others, and didn't care for them as much)---It contains a wonderful version of "Lord of the Dance".
Loreena McKennit has 2 Christmas CD's, with mostly traditional carols--Highly recommended, especially if you like traditional songs with faithful, but unusual musical arrangements--my particular favortes are Coventry Carol, Good King Wenceslaus, and God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; her 2nd Christmas CD includes wonderful versions of Emmanuel, The Seven Rejoices of Mary, and The Holly and the Ivy.
I could go on and on....so just one more mention...Though known for comedy/parody recordings (including 5 Christmas CD's), the DJ Bob Rivers did a very unusual version of O Little Town Of Bethlehem--he uses all the traditional lyrics...but sets it to the music of 'House of the Rising Sun'----I know, sounds weird, but it really works...give it a listen. (Another, for fans of Ozzy Osbourne, 'I Am Santa Claus', a parody of 'Iron Man')
I see I need to get you to do a guest spot on a Christmas carol! I have my favorites, and among them are the Ray Conniff singers (my mother's albums are in my record cabinet now). My song for next week was a big hit for the Harry Simone singers. Just a hint! I tell my readers that I don't mind a little schmaltz, either. Last year I did "Silver Bells" (first version, Bob Hope) and LOVE IT. Thanks for joining us!
He may have been a composter (most people were back before garbage haulers), but I think you meant “composer”! 😀
Hahaaaaaa! I am the typo queen. That's a doozy!