Prine Country – Part 3

While I’m not a huge John Prine fan, I appreciate his contributions to country music (even if the slide guitar at times makes things a bit too hokey for me; I prefer just Prine and his guitar but hey, the guy has to eat). Prine made it okay to write weird, funny, and human songs about whatever was floating around inside his head; not great songs, mind you, just little songs that influenced lots of other songwriters- and he’s been doing it for half a century. Prine’s songs will never change the world or define an era but who else is going to write songs about married life, out of body experiences, and all the great things awaiting us in heaven? Here are some more of my favorites. Enjoy- and happy enchilada!

01. John Prine feat. Iris Dement – “Whose Gonna Take the Garbage Out?” (2016)

02. John Prine – “Everything Is Cool” (1991)

03. John Prine – “Far from Me” (1971)

04. John Prine – “Donald and Lydia” (1971)

05. John Prine feat. Kacey Musgraves – “Mental Cruelty” (2016)

06. John Prine – “Other Side of Town (Live)” (2004)

07. John Prine – “Sam Stone” (1971)

08. John Prine – “Souvenirs” (1972)

09. John Prine – “That’s the Way That the World Goes Round (Live)” (1988)

10. John Prine – “Fish and Whistle” (2000)

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Prine Country – Part 2

I first discovered John Prine’s music about 12 years ago when I was living in Falls Church, Virginia and I borrowed Sweet Revenge from the Mary Stiles Public Library (just across the street from my apartment). Some of the songs on Sweet Revenge really impressed me particularly the funny “Dear Abby” (which was recorded live at my alma mater in New Paltz, New York) and the sweet “Grandpa Was a Carpenter”. I’ve collected a bunch of John Prine songs over the years but don’t have a favorite album and not all of his songs are winners. I’d probably recommend just starting with his 1971 debut and going from there. Here are some more of my favorite John Prine songs. Enjoy!

01. John Prine – “Jesus the Missing Years” (1991)
02. John Prine – “Dear Abby (Live)” (1973)
03. John Prine – “A Good Time” (1973)
04. John Prine – “Illegal Smile” (1971)
05. John Prine – “Grandpa Was a Carpenter” (1973)
06. Emmylou Harris and John Prine – “Magnolia Wind” (2011)
07. John Prine – “Please Don’t Bury Me” (1973)
08. John Prine – “Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawaiian” (1986)
09. John Prine – “Paradise” (1971)
10. John Prine – “If You Don’t Want My Love” (1978)

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Prine Country – Part 1

Born and raised in Illinois, John Prine was a mailman before trying his luck as a country-folk singer and finding success- and his niche- in the ‘70s singer-songwriter scene. Like Shel Silverstein, Prine comes across as offbeat, childlike, and good-natured- a ‘70s humanist still trying to make sense of the ‘60s, life, love, eternity, and everyday things- and one is never quite sure what the man is going to say or do next- and yet you can be sure- whatever it is- it will not harm you- and you might even like it. Here are some of my favorite John Prine songs. Enjoy- and Happy New Year!

01. John Prine – “Bruised Orange [Chain of Sorrow]” (1978)
02. John Prine – “Lake Marie” (1995)
03. John Prine – “That’s the Way That the World Goes Round” (1978)
04. John Prine – “Hello in There” (1971)
05. John Prine – “Summer’s End” (2018)
06. John Prine feat. Iris DeMent – “In Spite of Ourselves” (1999)
07. John Prine – “Spanish Pipedream” (1971)
08. John Prine – “Christmas in Prison” (1973)
09. John Prine – “Knockin’ on Your Screen Door” (2018)
10. John Prine – “When I Get to Heaven” (2018)

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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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Recommended Links:

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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Recommended Links:

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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Recommended Links:

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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Recommended Links:

Two Natures of Christ – Fulton Sheen Timeless Wisdom