All Is Groovy II

Though their impressive musical canon has long been closed, I find myself once again revisiting Simon & Garfunkel’s music. In my opinion, many of S&G’s songs were not so great and have not held up well over the years, but some of them were great and only seem to get better with age. My favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs tend to be universal in their music and message, and are probably just as popular in Shanghai, Zambia, or Bulgaria as in America.

New Yorkers born and raised, Simon and Garfunkel called it quits at the peak of their powers and yet only grew more popular as new generations of fans discovered their music (thanks in large part to Simon & Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits). When Paul and Artie reunited for a free concert in Central Park in 1981, 500,000 people showed up to watch as if they were coming to see two old friends from a bygone era, a revolutionary era when peace, love, and understanding still seemed within reach and songs reflected the human experience instead of trying to mimic it. Here are some more of my favorites. Enjoy!

01. Simon & Garfunkel – “My Little Town” (1975)

02. Simon & Garfunkel – “Comfort and Joy” (1967)

03. Simon & Garfunkel – “Cecilia” (1970)

04. Simon & Garfunkel – “A Hazy Shade of Winter” (1966)

05. Simon & Garfunkel – “Mrs. Robinson” (1968)

06. Simon & Garfunkel – “The Times They Are a-Changin’” (1964)

07. Simon & Garfunkel – “I Am a Rock” (1966)

08. Simon & Garfunkel – “Scarborough Fair/Canticle” (1966)

09. Simon & Garfunkel – “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) (Live)” (1981)

10. Simon & Garfunkel – “America (Live)” (1981)

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Paul Simon - Mrs. Robinson (Dick Cavett Show 1970)

Sesame Street: Paul Simon Sings Me & Julio

Christmas Comfort

A survey of my favorite Christmas music would be incomplete without mentioning Ray Conniff and the Ray Conniff Singers. I first discovered their distinctive Christmas music about 15 years ago, just after my girlfriend rejected my marriage proposal- at Christmastime, no less. I then sank into a deep depression and during those sad and lonely Christmases that followed the Conniff Christmas albums gave me small amounts of pleasure and relief.

I don’t really listen to these albums much anymore- perhaps a sign that time heals all wounds- but any serious Christmas music fan should be aware of them and experience for themselves the fun (and sometimes scary) vocal gymnastics through which Mr. Conniff puts his singers. Here are some of my favorite Conniff Christmas songs. Enjoy- and Merry Christmas!

01. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “White Christmas” (1959)

02. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “Silver Bells” (1959)

03. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “Christmas Bride” (1959)

04. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “Medley: The First Noel / Hark! the Herald Angels Sing / O Come, All Ye Faithful” (1962)

05. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (1962)

06. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “Medley: O Holy Night / We Three Kings of Orient Are / Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly” (1962)

07. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “Joy to the World” (1965)

08. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (1965)

09. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “What Child Is This?” (1965) 

10. Ray Connif and The Ray Conniff Singers – “Here We Come A-Caroling” (1965)

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Humanity of Christ – Venerable Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

Christmas Faves II – Part 4

Christmas is not simply the observance of a great man’s birthday- God’s physical birth into human history is not comparable to the birth of Confucius, George Washington or Abraham Lincoln- but like any birthday the birth of Jesus Christ should be celebrated since it marks the beginning of the story of our own salvation and thus gives us the greatest cause to rejoice.

The Ronettes

In order to keep the holiday fellowship and merriment going strong, popular Christmas music should be light and fun since there will be time for sacred music and solemn contemplation later. In my imaginary Christmas party, there is singing, dancing, eating, drinking, laughing, and kissing under the mistletoe- and lots of sax and guitar solos. Here are some more of my favorites. Enjoy- and Merry Christmas!

Darlene Love

01. The Ronettes – “Sleigh Ride” (1963)

02. The Brian Setzer Orchestra – “Jingle Bells” (2002)

03. The Brian Setzer Orchestra – “Angels We Have Heard on High” (2005)

04. Bob Dylan – “Must Be Santa” (2009)

05. The Crystals – “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (1963)

06. Darlene Love – “A Marshmallow World” (1963)

07. Darlene Love – “Christmas (Please Come Home)” (1963)

08. Darlene Love – “Winter Wonderland” (1963)

09. Brenda Lee – “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (1958)

10. Darlene Love feat. The E Street Band – “All Alone on Christmas” (1992)

11. Darlene Love – “White Christmas” (1963)

12. The Ronettes – “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (1963)  

13. Trans-Siberian Orchestra – “Christmas Canon” (1998)

14. The Kinks – “Father Christmas” (1978)

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Divinity of Christ – Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen

Little Steven's Underground Garage

Christmas Faves II – Part 3

John 1:14-18: And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.  

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’”

From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

Nat King Cole

I grew up at the end of the Christmas television variety show era, an era in which talent and class still counted for something and before so-called reality became popular entertainment. For my money, no artists mastered both sacred and secular Christmas music better- and as effortlessly- as Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole. Their popular Christmas tunes and talents still shine some fifty years later; still carry that magic of the Christmas season; and still make me feel like a kid at Christmastime listening to the radio or waiting excitedly in my pajamas for the next Christmas TV special to begin.

Andy Williams

But even as a kid (and an altar boy) I was also aware of the religious significance of the Christmas holiday and always attended Mass on Christmas (unless I was home sick, which happened often to me that time of year). How easily Christians- both children and adults- can forget and need reminding of what we are celebrating at Christmas: God became man. Jesus is both God and man and we worship and adore him- not only as the son of God, but as God himself, Christ the Lord, second person of the Holy Trinity, the Infinite and Almighty God who created the universe; was born in a stable; and calls all men to him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Come let us adore him, our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, who loves us. Here are some more of my favorite Christmas songs. Enjoy!

Frank Sinatra

01. Andy Williams – “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (1963)

02. Andy Williams – “White Christmas” (1963)

03. Andy Williams – “Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells” (1963)

04. Mahalia Jackson – “Joy to the World” (1962)

05. Frank Sinatra – “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1948)

06. Robert Goulet – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1963)

07. Frank Sinatra – “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” (1948)

08. Angela Lansbury – “We Need a Little Christmas” (1966)

09. Frank Sinatra – “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” (1961)

10. The Chieftains feat. Burgess Meredith – “Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil” (1991)

11. The Chieftains feat. Rickie Lee Jones – “O Holy Night” (1991)

12. John Denver and Rowlf – “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1979)

13. Nat King Cole – “O Come All Ye Faithful” (1960)

14. Nat King Cole Trio – “All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)” (1949)

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Two Natures of Christ – Fulton Sheen Timeless Wisdom 

Christmas Faves II – Part 2

Luke 2:15-20: When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. 

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

Simon and Garfunkel

Growing up on Long Island, we didn’t always have snowy Christmases- some were rainy, others were quite warm- but we always had Christmas music on the radio at home, in the car, or in the stores. For me, it doesn’t feel like Christmas without the music. And while Christmas should be a time for joy and celebration and reaching out to those who are alone, as Christians we should also reflect on what we are celebrating: the Incarnation, the fact that the Son of God assumed a human nature in order to accomplish our salvation in it. Here are some more of my favorite Christmas songs. Enjoy!

Carpenters

01. José Feliciano – “Feliz Navidad” (1970)
02. Gordon Lightfoot – “Circle of Steel” (1974)
03. Big Star – “Jesus Christ” (1978)
04. The Swingle Singers – “Medley: Jingles Bells / Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant / Es Ist Ein Ros’ Entsprungen” (1968)
05. Simon & Garfunkel – “I Am a Rock” (1966)
06. Alfred Deller and the Deller Consort – “Once in Royal David’s City” (1956)
07. Sarah McLachlan – “River” (2006)
08. The Swingle Singers – “Medley: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / The First Nowell / Go Tell It on the Mountain” (1968)
09. John Prine – “Christmas in Prison” (1973)
10. Simon & Garfunkel – “Comfort and Joy” (1967)
11. Paul McCartney – “Wonderful Christmastime” (1979)
12. Carpenters – “Sleigh Ride” (1978)
13. Gordon Lightfoot – “Song for a Winter’s Night” (1967)
14. John Denver and the Muppets – “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (1979)

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Christmas Faves II – Part 1

John 1:1-5: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

Yoko Ono and John Lennon

It’s hard writing songs- let alone Christmas songs- that will stand the test of time but there are some Christmas songs I still enjoy listening to this time of year and which will probably always remain part of my Christmas music collection. Here are some more of my favorites. Enjoy! 

Bing Crosby and David Bowie

01. Dan Fogelberg – “Same Old Lang Syne” (1981)
02. Joni Mitchell – “River” (1971)
03. The Band – “Christmas Must Be Tonight” (1977)
04. Jim Croce – “It Doesn’t Have to Be That Way” (1973)
05. blink-182 – “I Won’t Be Home for Christmas” (1997)
06. Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan – “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / We Three Kings” (1996)
07. Bing Crobsy and David Bowie – “Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy” (1977)
08. John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Plastic Ono Band feat. The Harlem Community Choir – “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (1971)
09. Jimmy Eat World – “Last Christmas” (2001)
10. Dan Fogelberg – “What Child Is This?” (1999)
11. The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl – “Fairytale of New York” (1988)
12. Ramones – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)” (1989)
13. Vince Guaraldi Trio – “Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)” (1965)
14. Pretenders – “2000 Miles” (1984)

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Easy Does It III

About a decade or so ago I got really into Christmas cocktail music which somehow always managed to put me in the Christmas mood. Each year around this time I would make mixes of my favorite Christmas cocktail music for imaginary holiday parties which never took place; yet I had fun making them and listening to them in the car, or around the Christmas tree- usually alone, sometimes overseas.

Frank Sinatra

One of my most vivid Christmas cocktail memories was going with friends to some bowling alley in Maryland which was all decked out for Christmas and included attractive female servers in Santa suits. I suppose I was going through one of my rough patches back then and found something soothing in the Christmas cocktail music scene and those singers and songs from a bygone era- still do. Here are some more of my favorites in this special Easy Does It holiday edition. Enjoy!

Nancy Wilson

01. Eartha Kitt – “Santa Baby” (1953)

02. Ella Fitzgerald – “O Holy Night” (1967)

03. Frank Sinatra – “The Christmas Waltz” (1957)

04. Ella Fitzgerald – “We Three Kings” (1967)

05. Jackie Gleason and Jack Marshall – “I’ll Be Home for Christmas / Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (1956)

06. Nancy Wilson – “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” (1963)

07. Carpenters – “Overture (An Old Fashioned Christmas)” (1978)

08. Frank Sinatra – “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (1957)

09. Ella Fitzgerald – “Silent Night” (1967)

10. Nancy Wilson – “That’s What I Want for Christmas” (1963)

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Easy Does It II

When it comes to vocal/easy listening music, entertainment is the name of the game and having cut their teeth in vaudeville, radio, nightclubs, and county fairs these artists know how to entertain- and then some. They did their best to survive when rock n’ roll and the British Invasion threatened to send them to the bread lines and while not too many of these greatest generation artists remain their music will always be there waiting to be rediscovered by a new generation of humans seeking guidance on what it means to be a man or a woman and looking to be soothed in this rough and tumble world. 

Lorne Greene

With vocal/easy listening artists, you usually get your money’s worth and there is a reason these artists have reached the top- they’ve got the stuff. Lorne Greene could read the phone book and people would pay money to hear it while Frank Sinatra still carries more talent, swing, and gravitas than most of today’s singers combined and Andy Williams, well, he could probably charm the pants off even the most savage, bloodthirsty dictator. Here are some more of my favorite vocal/easy listening songs including good old days, cabaret, pop standards, and vocal-pop. Enjoy!

Frank and Nancy Sinatra

01. Lorne Greene – “Sixteen Tons” (1965)
02. Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (Company) –  “If We Only Have Love (Quand On A Que L'Amour)” (1968)
03. The Ink Spots – “When the Sun Goes Down” (1938)
04. Frank Sinatra – “Mrs. Robinson” (1969)
05. Frank Sinatra – “The Lady Is a Tramp” (1957)
06. Andy Williams – “Born Free” (1967)
07. Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra – “Somethin’ Stupid” (1967)
08. Perry Como – “Seattle” (1969)
09. Frank Sinatra – “This Town” (1967)
10. Andy Williams – “Moon River (From ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’)” (1962)

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Soul by the Dozen V

Whether you’re young or old, good soul music gets your blood flowing, your foot tapping, and your soul itching to dance. Soul ballads touch our souls in a different way and the great soul ballads can transport us and make us cry while sitting in traffic.

The Jackson 5

I first began exploring soul music in college when I purchased ‘70s oldies cassette compilations and really started digging soul, funk, and disco. By the time I graduated college, I was buying Prince albums and had taught myself to dance. Here are some more of my favorite soul songs. Enjoy!

The Ch-Lites

01. The Jackson 5 – “Doctor My Eyes” (1972)
02. The Jackson 5 – “Dancing Machine” (1973)
03. Sly & the Family Stone – “Underdog” (1967)
04. R.B. Greaves – “Take a Letter Maria” (1969)
05. Earth, Wind & Fire – “September” (1978)
06. Prince – “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” (1987)
07. The Commodores – “Three Times a Lady” (1978)
08. The Chi-Lites – “Oh Girl” (1972)
09. Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack – “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” (1983)
10. The Three Degrees – “When Will I See You Again” (1974)
11. Diana Ross and Lionel Richie – “Endless Love” (1981)
12. Donny Hathaway – “A Song for You” (1971)

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The Hurdy Gurdy Man – Part 3

I guess the first Donovan song I remember hearing when I was kid was “Mellow Yellow” on the radio and on those TV commercials for classic rock compilations and his songs have been used with great effect in some of my favorite films including Goodfellas, Rushmore, Election, and Zodiac (his daughter is actress Ione Skye who married one of the Beastie Boys). I started discovering more of Donovan’s music in the mid-‘00s and it’s impressive to hear how many different styles of music he was able to cram into such a brief time period- and yet it all sounds distinctively Donovan.

I suppose if you asked him about his music Donovan would say he’s most proud of his proficiency and how he was able to take folk, rock, blues, jazz, classical, and even funk and make it into something completely his own. While like Bob Dylan his earlier and folkier songs may be sad, introspective, and earnest, I like that Donovan’s later ‘60s work incorporates more fun, humor, and freakiness in which he proudly let’s his peace and love flag fly (and a little flute or violin never hurts, either). Here are some more of my favorite Donovan songs- all recorded before he was 24 years old! Enjoy!

01. Donovan – “Universal Soldier” (1965)
02. Donovan – “Jersey Thursday” (1965)
03. Donovan – “Superlungs My Supergirl” (1969)
04. Donovan – “Barabajagal” (1969)
05. Donovan – “The Fat Angel (Live)” (1967)
06. Donovan – “Guinevere (Live)” (1967)
07. Donovan – “Widow with a Shawl (A Portrait) (Live)” (1967)
08. Donovan – “Epistle to Dippy” (1967)
09. Donovan – “Celeste (Live)” (1967)
10. Donovan – “I Love My Shirt” (1969)

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Donovan & Crystal Gayle – “Catch the Wind (Live)”

The Hurdy Gurdy Man – Part 2

Donovan gives himself permission to follow his muse and writes and sings about whatever he wants and while the results may be mixed one never doubts his sincerity. It was the 60’s, after all, when young people were encouraging each other to do whatever turns them on and make the most of each and every moment and celebrate life, love, and laughter. Rather than make fun of the ‘60s hippies, perhaps we should ask ourselves: where has the peace and love gone in our own time? Who is our Donovan singing about seagulls, pretty free spirits, and the pain and beauty of trying to catch the wind?

One day I was leaving my Arabic class when I passed one of my classmates on the street. She was wearing headphones and I noticed she was listening to Donovan on her electronic device. Though I didn’t know the young woman very well, as a Donovan fan I suddenly had a newfound respect for her. I imagine any Donovan fan is most likely a person who looks for the good in life, appreciates simple beauty, and wouldn’t mind spending an afternoon alone sitting by a brook in a forest and enjoying the peace, solitude, and birdsong. Here are some more of my favorite Donovan songs. Enjoy!

01. Donovan – “The Tinker and the Crab” (1967)
02. Donovan – “The Entertaining of a Shy Girl” (1968)
03. Donovan – “Sunshine Superman” (1966)
04. Donovan – “Catch the Wind (Single Version with Strings)” (1965)
05. Donovan – “Colours” (1965)
06. Donovan – “Mellow Yellow” (1966)
07. Donovan – “Widow with a Shawl (A Portrait)” (1967)
08. Donovan – “Voyage into the Golden Screen” (1967)
09. Donovan – “The Magpie” (1967)
10. Donovan – “Isle of Islay (Live)” (1967)

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Donovan on teaching guitar technique to the Beatles

The Hurdy Gurdy Man – Part 1

Perhaps no artist personifies the freedom, experimentation, and revolutionary sounds of ‘60s popular music better than Donovan. Decades before bands like Ween and Butthole Surfers lovingly mocked his music and Beck stole his act, Donovan was the pied piper of the ‘60s flower children scene- the psychedelic minstrel who came at the right time when new ways of thinking, living, and making music were suddenly everywhere; and for a brief time Donovan made the most of it by mixing folk, rock, blues, jazz, Celtic, classical, Baroque, and world music- and whatever else struck his fancy (he even traveled to India with the Beatles in 1968.)

Emerging from Scotland as a teenage folkie in the mid ‘60s, Donovan Leitch soon began journeying into- and trail blazing- psychedelic music and by the late ‘60s he was all over the musical map; no one knew what to expect next from him- often the sign of a good artist. His music from this period usually contains just the right amount of childishness and whimsy but never feels silly to me. History, fantasy, science-fiction, mythology, ecology- it’s all fair game for Donovan who seems most at home in an imaginary pagan world where spirits- both good and evil- still inhabit everything and damp, cool forests beckon. And I love when he incorporates that harpsichord. Here are some of my favorite Donovan songs. Enjoy!

01. Donovan – “The Trip” (1966)
02. Donovan – “Bert’s Bues” (1966)
03. Donovan – “Season of the Witch” (1966)
04. Donovan – “Wear Your Love Like Heaven” (1967)
05. Donovan – “Hurdy Gurdy Man” (1968)
06. Donovan – “Jennifer Juniper” (1968)
07. Donovan – “Catch the Wind” (1965)
08. Donovan – “Hampstead Incident” (1967)
09. Donovan – “The Enchanted Gypsy” (1967)
10. Donovan – “Atlantis” (1968)

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Donovan talks about the end of the ‘60s