I participated in a Facebook discussion yesterday in which we collectively lamented, among other things, the usurpation of traditional religious Christmas carols by silly, soppy secular ones. So imagine my delight when I signed into Facebook this morning and was greeted by the posting of another friend (not involved in said discussion) sharing this website:
It's an online musical Advent calendar; each day a different song is revealed with accompanying artwork or Bible verse. Most songs are religious in nature, though one offering is a poetry recitation (Day 10, "A Stranger Comes") and two others are secular (Day 4's "All I Want For Christmas is You," which takes on a different, deeper meaning à la Sister Act in this context; and Day 13's "Panther Chorus," which is "Jingle Bells"). I spent a pleasant morning catching up through today (Day 16, "O Little Town of Bethlehem"), and there are some real gems here. Two particular favorites are "The Race That Long in Darkness Pined" (Day 5) and "Silent Night" (Day 9).
I've no idea who the musicians are, and the website doesn't say. The title of my friend's Facebook posting wondered if this might be "A Mumford and Sons Christmas?" A couple of the songs do indeed sound like the British folkies, and if you are a fan of their music, or of folk music in general, you will love these carols. And to whom it may concern: Merci beaucoup for putting this site together, and for doing your part to put the "Merry" back into Christmas.
Update: The credits have now been posted on the website. To see the list of artists and musicians involved with this project, click on the red question mark in the upper left-hand corner of the home page.
It's that time of year again . . . when we Americans cook too much, eat too much, and indulge in self-loathing for days on end afterwards. Yep, it's Thanksgiving, folks, and to celebrate here's a musical smorgasbord for your enjoyment. Bon appetit!
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a trip to Alice's Restaurant. Don't forget your shovels, rakes, and implements of destruction!
And just for fun, here's a clip from the 1969 movie. I want you to sit down on that bench and watch this - now, kid!
The Band's Last Waltz was held at San Francisco's Winterland theater on Thanksgiving Day 1976. The price of admission to the concert included Thanksgiving dinner, which was catered for 5,000 people. How much were tickets, you might ask? A mere $25 apiece - certainly a princely sum 34 years ago. The mind boggles at to what such a soiree would cost the concertgoer of today!
Here's my all-time favorite version of "Up On Cripple Creek." The vocal interplay between Levon and Rick is priceless.
"When I get off of this mountain, you know where I want to go Straight down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico . . ."
The Band + The Staple Singers = a match made in heaven. Take a load off, Fanny, and let them take you there.
Another must-see in our house every year is the 1987 John Hughes comedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Starring Steve Martin and the late John Candy, it never fails to make me laugh - and cry. Here's one of the lighter moments: Del Griffith playing air piano to Ray Charles' "Mess Around" - while driving. I mean, who hasn't done this?
You Can't Take It With You is a Frank Capra gem from 1938 starring Lionel Barrymore, Jimmy Stewart, and Jean Arthur. Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning Kaufman and Hart play, it's a hilarious and touching story about friendship, enjoying life, and being thankful for what you have. This is the final scene from the film, and I agree with Grandpa that a lot of the world's problems could be solved if we just sat down and made music together. If you've never seen this, find it and watch it in its entirety - they don't make movies like this anymore.
NPR has compiled a fantastic Thanksgiving playlist with a little something for everyone. "Country Pie," "Drinkin' Wine Spoodie Odie," and "Shortnin' Bread"? Sounds like my kind of Thanksgiving! Pass the "Cornbread and Butter Beans" please, and remember to "Be Thankful For What You Got."
Eartyme's Dustin Ogdin lists the 7 Roots Music Staples I'm Thankful For. And indeed, he is spot on - for without any one of these crucial elements, American music as we know it today would simply not exist.
