Month: December 2022

New Years Eve FUN FUN FUNK

/ mobius faith 
Well here we are.   It officially that last day of 2022.   So glad to see the year gone and ready for the new year.  New Years is always about celebration.   So what better way to celebrate than to funk it up.  
I decided to post 7 videos.   Why seven?   Well it's always been one of my favorite numbers aaaaannnnndddd 2+0+2+3=7.  LOL 

Come with me to Earth Wind & Fire's BOOGIE WONDERLAND. 
The funk master himself, Bootsy Collins had hit after hit.   Here he is joined by the Cleveland Youth Orchestra to a surprizing wound up version of WIND ME UP.    Wish I'd seen this show.   🙂
Known more as a disco band Chic could also get downright funky.    New Years Eve is about celebrating GOOD TIMES and Chic are here to make it happen.   Enjoy.
George Clinton's Parliament Funkadelic had so many great hits.     There here on New Years Eve to BRING THE FUNK.  Get ready to shake it loose. 
The great Gap Band invites you to climb aboard the PARTY TRAIN.    
The unbeatable Rick James.   Playing HARD TO GET keeps the party moving. 
Finally.   I grew up with a TV show called Soul Train - you might say that show taught me how to dance.   Enjoy Wild Cherry's PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC. 
Hope you all enjoyed the party.   See you Next Year!!!!!   HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!

Mon DĂ©sir

/ mobius faith 
I've posted this song before.   Mon DĂ©sir by Michael Pritzl and his band The Violet Burning from their 2012 album PENTIMENTO II.   I still find it extremely moving.   As we transition from the Christmas season into the new year we think about hopes and desires for the new year.   All my hopes are for you ________.

Mon DĂ©sir

the radio plays on New Year's Day
and all I want is you..
through the snow and the rain
on New Year's Day
all I want is you

there's a driving rain pouring down on me
through a broken life you have carried me
when there are no lights you are all I see
all I want is you

all the promises made on New Year's Day
all I want is you
and the meteors came on New Year's Day
all I want is you

there's a driving rain pouring down on me
through a broken life you have carried me
when there are no lights you are all I see
all I want is you

we came in there, through Chicago
beneath a blinding light
you came all the way from heaven
through the sorrow and the night
(I was waiting for your gift there, in the palaces of song
I knelt down to forgiveness for all I had done wrong)

and the radio plays on New Year's Day
but all I want is you

there's a driving rain pouring down on me
through a broken life you have carried me
when there are no lights you are all I see
all I want is you

hump day – time to get the party started

/ mobius faith 
In the past the holidays were typically associated with parties.   Now that lockdowns have been lifted it may be time to party again for the holidays.    Today is Wednesday (hump day) what better way to get through this day than to listen/watch the legendary Dame Shirley Bassey performing Get The Party Started.   
You better get your toe-tapping dancing shoes on.

transitions

/ mobius faith 
So Christmas is past (just).     We are in the last week of the year a time of year where we celebrate "the cradle to the grave".   The cradle of new birth and the grave of the old year.   All this week I'll be position music for this transition into the new year.   Some you may know and others you may not know.   

So let's kick off festivities with Robbie Williams song NEW YEARS DAY from his Holiday album THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT.   

"...if we can't be lovers
let's be friends
I just called to say Happy New years Day
Don't know what we're fighting for 
But I can't do it anymore 
I just called to say Happy New Years Day...."

a child is born

/ mobius faith

Now for the climax of holiday music. Merry Christmas everyone.
The song today is a recording I was so very happy to find on YouTube. The Messiah by George Frideric Handel. Specifically my favorite part FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN. I’ve heard several versions of the Messiah and they seem sluggish and even dull at times. But this recording by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham is bright and energetic. It really embodies the energy and celebration of the Christian season. It is filled with real power. Sir Beecham was not shy in his approach to this master work. In my opinion this really is the penultimate version of the Messiah.

don’t always get back what you give

/ mobius faith

December 24TH is a song by a unique song stylist, Julia Fordham. Her music typically dances on the line between jazz and pop. It is accompanied by a specific type of mood that can be laid back, accepting, sad or reserved happiness and only occasionally unbounded joy. Since I love moody music it fits right in with my melancholic state of mind.

There is a “hard truth” in this song that is so important – things don’t always turn out the way we planned and you “don’t always get back what you give.” It’s a different way of stating the golden rule of “Do unto other as you want them to do unto you” (not that they will return the favor).

Enjoy this little bit of holiday melancholia.

3 for Surfin’ Saint Nick

/ mobius faith

Changing things up a .it. The Beach Boys, an American treasure with their sunny California sound and disposition. Their Christmas album is just plain fun. It boasted 5 Beach Boy holiday originals in addition to some fun arrangements of the standards.

Enjoy 3 of the originals LITTLE SAINT NICK, THE MAN WITH ALL THE TOYS and MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY.

Tropical Christmas

/ mobius faith

So maybe the snow and cold associated, by many, with the Holiday season isn’t your thing. You prefer a more tropical climate.

Well here’s a song for you. Leon Redbone’s version of CHRISTMAS ISLAND from his album of the same title. So whip up a pina colada and stick a sprig of holly in it.

marshmallow world

/ mobius faith

I was born at the wrong time. Why? I’ve always loved the las vegas night club scene of the 50s and 60’s. Of course the “Rat Pack” ruled supreme. An early fantasy in my teens was to be a night club singer like Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra. But that was the late 70’s and the scene was passing and disco ruled the airwaves. Television was the last stand for many in the Rat Pack, with members appearing or making guest appearance on TV shows, movies etc. Dean Martin even had his on Variety Show. Oh well, dem’s the way the chips fall.

At any rate you can enjoy this duet between Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra from Dean’s television variety show.

time for change

/ mobius faith

Robbie Williams is a musical artist I’ve enjoyed. He has a unique pop style. This original Christmas song fits right in. I like the sentiment of the title TIME FOR CHANGE. I really wish more people saw that holidays with that potential to make a change, stop the hate, stop the lies and work to bring people together. But sadly that will be a dream unfulfilled.

His Christmas album, THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT was released about 3 years ago (already – how time flies). I really love the duality of the title – THE CHRISTMAS PRESENT can be seen with the word present meaning a “gift” and also contemporary/now.

In the meantime enjoy this delightful video of Robbie and his family. And if you like this video you may also enjoy his video for CAN’T STOP CHRISTMAS.

Hallelujah!

/ mobius faith

3 sisters, Maggie, Terre & Suzzy Roche – known collectively as The Roches.

This contemporary folk group has wowed audiences for years with their vocal harmonies and unique songs. When you think of Handel’s MESSIAH you may think hundred voice chorus and orchestra. And no doubt you have some favorite recording of the entire piece. But the Hallelujah Chorus is by far one of the most popular and reproduced songs from that master work.

The Roches decided to take a wild leap of faith and record the Hallelujah Chorus not only a Cappella but also as a trio. It is was first released on a more experimental (for them) album KEEP ON DOING (1982). That album was produced by none other than Robert Fripp, of King Crimson fame, who also contributed his unique guitar textures to several tracks. Ironically the song would NOT be reprised on their Christmas album WE THREE KINGS (1990).

The Roches continued to perform until Margaret (Maggie) passed away in 2017. 

And in case you think, "there's no way that can be done live".....
Well, prepare to eat your words.... LOL 
(advance apologies for the occasional dropouts the sound)

Christmas Eve (Ukraine)

/ mobius faith

Savatage was a heavy metal band that recorded an excellent 1995 album, DEAD WINTER DEAD (not exactly a holiday album).
Their popular song was CHRISTMAS EVE (Sarajevo 12/24) which was to be meditation on the plight of the people during the war in Sarajevo. Notable for it’s heavy metal instrumental version of CAROL OF THE BELLS it would soon become enshrined in popular holiday culture when the band changed it’s name to release an entire Christmas album. When Savatage reinvented themselves as The Trans Siberian Orchestra.

Now there is another unwarranted war being inflicted on a people who did not ask and did not deserve it. Let’s use this time to reflect on Ukraine and what the people are going thru this year. May they merge victorious against Putin’s savage, punishing brutalization.

sing a cool yule carol

/ mobius faith

Today I present another two-fer. This time by, what I can comfortably say is, my favorite male Jazz vocalist of all time – Kurt Elling. The first track is SING A CHRISTMAS CAROL from Kurts holiday album simply titled THE BEAUTIFUL DAY: KURT ELLING SINGS CHRISTMAS. Every track is a winner.

The second selection is Kurst version of the Louis Armstrong classic COOL YULE. Featured on a BLUE NOTE Christmas compilation.

bowie and bing

/ mobius faith

I remember when this was originally broadcast on US television in 1977. I was 17 years old and Bowie was an idol. Still takes my breath away. David Bowie and Bing Crosby (“the poor relation from America” LOL) since Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy

God Rest ye Merry Jazzmen

/ mobius faith

GOD REST YE MERRY JAZZMEN was the title of a great jazz holiday compilation album featuring the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Mccoy Tyner and others. Released 1981. The first track from the album is Dexter Gordon’s Quartet with their version of HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. Enjoy.

father christmas?

/ mobius faith

I’ve always loved this song by Greg Lake (of Emerson Lake & Palmer). It’s a really pretty song with a pleasing melody. But the lyrics are a challenge. They are delightfully cynical. He starts of with “I believed….” than switches to “they sold me” where he basically talks about being sold a fantasy (at best) and lies (at worst) which he also believed in… and it carries on from there with “the Christmas we get, we deserve.” It doesn’t get much darker than that. So listen closely and enjoy.

Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments section.

Go Tell It…

/ mobius faith

I don’t listen to a whole lot of gospel music and not a whole lotta blues. But when I do they are usually blended together. One group that has done this masterfully for decades now is Blind Boys Of Alabama. Their original Christmas album is titled GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN.

On the original recording Tom Waits joins them. For this post I wanted to highlight this group without Tom’s able assist – so enjoy this live studio performance of the title track GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN.

Yes!

/ mobius faith

Okay so this isn’t a Yes Christmas but the next best thing. I purchased this original album by Jon Anderson simply because he was the vocalist for one of my favorite progressive bands. This album blew me away. All the songs are great and this one is a perennial holiday favorite. High energy – needs played at full volume. Enjoy HOW IT HITS YOU from Jon’s holiday album 3 SHIPS. A great way to start the weekend.

one christmas morn

/ mobius faith

Bruce Cockburn is someone who’s career I’ve followed since 1978 when he had a hit single WONDERING WHERE THE LIONS ARE. Hailing from the great north, Canada, Bruce is a national treasure to Canadian songwriters. He is to Canadians what Bob Dylan is to Americans. This song is from his 1993 album simply titled CHRISTMAS. And wonderful folksy EARLY ON ONE CHRISTMAS MORN.

two for one

/ mobius faith

Well I could post more than one track for each post because there is just so much Holiday/Winter themed music that has inspired me. But I have been limiting myself to one each post. Well today will be an exception. CHILD: MUSIC FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON is such a wonderful recording by eclectic pop singer Jane Siberry. Most of it is live but don’t let that put you off because it really highlights her ability to engage an audience.

The first track, BITTER CHRISTMAS always makes me smile. Funny with a lesson.

ARE YOU BURNING LITTLE CANDLE? is one of Janes most popular holiday songs. A true original. It continues to inspire.

Winter Fire & Snow

/ mobius faith

Well by now you’ve noticed a trend in recent post. My best intention is to post a different “holiday” themed song every day through Christmas.

Today’s selection is WINTER FIRE & SNOW sung by Irish vocal group Anuna. They first came to prominence is a stage production called Riverdance. This song is one of many songs on an album, that I believe is long out-of-print, also titled WINTER FIRE & SNOW.

Christmas Blues

/ mobius faith

A song to appeal to all adults. Holly Cole and her Trio first crossed my expanding auditory orbit when she released a jazz cover album of Tom Waits songs titled TEMPTATION. From that point on I said, “I need to know more about this amazing song stylist.”

CHRISTMAS BLUES was the title track of her very first recorded release a few years before she decided to cover Tom Waits. Who releases their first album as a Christmas album? LOL . Anyway it has become a standard and was also found on the JAZZ TO THE WORLD album of various jazz performers interpreting some of their favorite holiday songs.

re-inventing the 12 days of xmas

/ mobius faith

The TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS has long been a favorite holiday song. I especially love this version. Reinvented by singer Dianne Reeves and French jazz percussionist Mino Cinelu. This version was released in 1995 on the WORLD CHRISTMAS compilation with proceeds benefitting Special Olympics.

holiday music 1

/ mobius faith 

Starting off the Christmas season with a relatively new song.     Wanting To Believe, a reinterpretation of the classic O Holy Night by Brian and his brother Roger Eno.     Wanting to get away from the archaic religiosity of the original and make more applicable to our contemporary world, The Eno brothers have completely redone the lyrics and given this classic melody a new arrangement.   A decisively more ambient arrangement which oddly enough lends to a quiet reverence that the original lyrics suggest.

This song is from a great holiday album by classical label, Deutsch Grammophon, that was released last year titled WINTER TALES.  

***If you are unable to play this video please search YouTube for "Wanting To Believe" by Brian Eno.