By Joe Moore
A few years back I posted a blog about listening to music while writing, particularly motion picture scores. I hear that many of them are recorded through amazing phono preamps, similar to Graham Slee HiFi exclusive phono preamps. It works for me, and judging by the comments at the time, many others like to use music when they write, too. Music is an amazingly powerful force in the world and can add to your memories of special times—there’s that tune from your first date, or the one you danced to as a newlywed on your wedding day. And so many countless other occasions.
One of the times of year I look forward to most is the Christmas season. And a big reason is, I love Christmas music. It must be playing throughout our house while we put up our decorations. And on Christmas day, it is nonstop in every room. There are so many great Holiday tunes to choose from; whether your tastes lean toward the traditional religious songs or the commercial pop hits, they all paint a warm and happy time of year.
My favorite has always been I’ll Be Home For Christmas, a poignant, emotional tune that never fails to bring back memories of Christmas past. It’s a short story with a surprise ending perfectly written for maximum impact.
From the Rock era, there are hundreds of great tunes, but few can get you smiling and moving like All I Want For Christmas Is You. And there’s no one that can belt it out better than the grand diva herself, Mariah Carey, who by the way also wrote the song. So take a short break from what you’re doing, sit back and let Ms. C entertain you. If you’re not smiling by the time it’s over, check your pulse for vital signs. http://youtu.be/RengWX0P5KA
Since TKZ will be on vacation from December 22 through January 4, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you next year.
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And a merry Christmas to you, Mr. Moore, your family and friends, and all fellow writers.
Also, happiness, health, and prosperity in the New Year.
I love Christmas music. Thanks for the links, Joe. Happy holidays to you and our TKZ family.
Thanks, Joe, for the links. And thanks for many great posts over the past year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, and to all the TKZ community. And have a happy and successful New Year.
Highly recommend “A Pirate Christmas” by Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneer. It’s so much more than a novelty pirate album. Mason is a great blues guitarist and his take on a couple of classics is wonderful. His is the first “Auld Lang Syne” I’ve ever heard in which you can hear the weight of years as a man looks back at old friends and days of old long past. His instrumental “O Come Emmanuel” is great, and the original songs, especially “Another Year” are worth a listen. But I think my favorite is his take on “Deck the Halls,” which turns the tune into a seaman’s work chanty, with the closing lione, Fa la la la la pa rum pa pum pum.” Whole album is HIGHLY recommended. A wonderfully different holiday album.
I will definitely give this a Google and see if I can find where X marks the spot to dig this up… THANKS~!
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” But only the Judy Garland version. The others, which try to make the song sound more upbeat, miss the point of its lovely bittersweet sadness.
Happy holidays all, as we listen to the year winding down.
I am partial to the Dreidel song myself.Happy Holidays!
Yeah, happy whatever to y’all. My all time favorite is called either “The Christmas Song” or “Merry Christmas, Baby” and was sung by Charles Brown while playing piano. I was driving down Woodward Avenue in Detroit the first time I heard it. I had to pull over and stop the car. I’love go look for a link.
Merry Christmas. I prefer carols and great Christmas music including classical music. You can probably guess Messiah is my favorite.
For every day writing, give me good ole Doo wop and a glass Diet Pepsi, and I am a happy kid.
Joe (and all TKZers), thank you and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours as well. I actually HATE Christmas music, but play two Christmas albums year round: CHRISTMAS IS A SPECIAL DAY by Fats Domino (worth hunting for a copy) and THE NEW POSSIBILITY (Christmas Music Vol. 1) by John Fahey. Oh, and back in the days when I drank, “Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg.
If I may, just about anything BUT The Little Drummer Boy~ (I put it in the same boat as It’s A Small World After All ~ they just kind of grind my ears for some reason~ sorry).
As an aside, the “all it takes is one hit song” rule is proven by Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer ~ played across almost all radio genres between Thanksgiving and Christmas and make a its writer over six-figures in royalties a year.
All that aside ~ an enjoyable Christmas Season to all y’all~!
“Christmas Time is Here,” sung by George Clooney’s aunt, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” played by Marian McPartland, and the film score for “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” composed and performed by Vince Guaraldi.