JoC does LDB

Jars of Clay continues to make me happy with every release, and their 2007 Christmas collection is no exception. I haven't heard everything on it -- just bits and pieces on "Best of" recordings and on the radio -- but each song is thoughtful, haunting, and very Jars of Clayish.

Until this one, the only version of Little Drummer Boy I've ever liked is an A Cappella one that is best experienced by singing it in a choir (thank you Craig Jones!) Honestly, this song usually bores me. I know the message is great: we all have gifts to give and none should be dismissed as unworthy to give. The song usually just drags or is just plain ole hokey (I'm thinking Bob Seger here).

But this? This is almost ethereal. The vocals, the harmonies, the rhythms . . . it's a wonderful and contemporary interpretation of a song most of us have grown weary of.

How can I not include U2?

I realized yesterday that I've mostly included pop, jazzy, contemporary type music this week. How in the world can I have a week of contemporary Christmas music and not include U2? (HINT: if someone wants to buy No Line on the Horizon for me for Christmas, it would be totally appropriate and welcomed.)

In recent years, U2 has become known for their return to faith-filled lyrics and for Bono's humanitarian efforts, but for now let's focus on their ability to be fun and make us smile. Here's a young Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr, The Edge, and Bono starting with their best impression of Elvis and ending with Bono's one-of-a-kind wail.



After all, what's Christmas without loved ones?

2 Versions of 12 Days

Since we've all begun our Christmas countdowns, it seemed appropriate to include everyone's favorite Christmas countdown song.

Disclaimer: I fully realize that the 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas and continue until early January and that they are not a lead in to the big event.

We used to sing this song at Grandmother's house, but never quite like this. I'm not sure she would've ever let us back in.

Version one is from Relient K's collection Let it Snow Baby, Let it Reindeer. If you're not familiar with Relient K, be a little bit warned. The first time I heard any of their music, all I could envision was teenage boys jumping straight up and down the whole time. Pay special attention to Days 9, 10, 11, and 12.



After hearing this many times, I still think they probably called all their friends and said, "Hey! Do you wanna come over and sing opera and scream for a while?" Great fun, these boys are!

And speaking of boys having fun, check out the all-grown-up version of Straight No Chaser's 12 Days of Christmas. You probably saw the version from their college days last year. It was such a YouTube phenomenon that they were offered a recording contract and are now touring and releasing new material.



You can tell they're older now, but their voices are still amazing.

So enjoy!

Harry for the Holidays

No Christmas is complete without some Harry Connick, Jr. His first Christmas album (yes, they were albums back then) was one of our favorites and we burned through 3 cassette tapes of it. When it was released on CD, I was thrilled. I'm on my second one already. This is a taste of Harry's version of Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, but you'll have to buy the cd to hear the whole thing.

For Suzanne

Suzanne started a Kid's Pick Tuesday a while back. In her honor (and because I'm a librarian and also love books), I'm also going to feature a children's book each Tuesday.

Today's is a gorgeous -- gorgeous -- book that you all simply must have.

This particular version of Nutcracker is staged by The New York City Ballet and was choreographed by George Ballanchine. We first saw it YEARS ago when Becca and Noelle were 2 and 5. It was the Christmas before Emily was born and I was great with child. Keith was out of town for work and we went to the movie store to rent movies. We picked out Home Alone for the girls and then I grabbed The Nutcracker for me. I was desperate for a bit of culture in the cultural dry land of SE Arkansas. I assumed the girls would love the crazy antics of Home Alone and that I would get to stay up by myself and have a poetic respite to the pine needles and rain that filled those winters.

I was wrong.

Becca and Noelle were mesmerized by the beautiful images in front of them. We watched Nutcracker.

And then we watched it again.

And the next morning? We watched it again.

The next weekend? We rented it again and watched it again.

I'm pretty sure we never got around to watching Home Alone. Why would you if this were your other option?

It was hard to find. One movie place in town had it and they eventually got rid of it. Several years passed and I was thrilled to find a used copy of it when Movie Gallery finally moved to town. We watched that copy so much that it eventually died. I think we all cried a bit.

Last year, we finally found a dvd on Amazon. Of course we bought it! When I found the book at Barnes and Noble last year, I snatched it up.

If you love Christmas tradition, beautiful music, and especially if you have a little dancer in your life, you simply must own this book and find the movie version.

Happy dreaming and dancing.

Christmas Countdown

If you know me, you know I love music. All kinds. Well -- all kinds except for contemporary country. I even love what I call American music (think "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?') but I've never been able to connect with contemporary country music.

In honor of my deep yet diverse musical tastes, I am celebrating December by posting a different Christmas song with each post. The goal is a daily dose of Christmas cheer, but I may not be that consistent.

Who better to get things going than Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band? I love this version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. I love that it's the 1970's Boss and it's in black and white. Are you ready?



And for my Facebook friends, here's the link. Enjoy!!

For Grandmother

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

Saturday