Tag Archives: Holiday Music

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HOLIDAY SONG COUNTDOWN – DEC. 4

“THE CHRISTMAS SONG (CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE)” – 21 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

A former colleague used to say that there was no reason for anyone else to perform “The Christmas Song” – Nat King Cole’s version was so perfect that other musicians would be foolish to try.

As I’ve gotten more into music composition and arrangement, I realize why this thought isn’t quite right. For one thing, if the song is good, you might want it to be part of your songbook.

For another, you might come up with something that no one has ever heard before.

Even Cole covered the song – three times. He first recorded it in 1946 – without the lush string arrangement that’s a hallmark of the recording. The version you likely listen to is the fourth one, made in 1961.

The song’s co-composer, Mel Tormé. covered it as well – he and his friend Bob Wells wrote it in July 1945 as a cooling thought on a hot Los Angeles day, but he gave it to Cole. It was about a decade later that Tormé thought to do it himself.

The version I’ve linked to is by Jacob Collier, born nearly 50 years after the song was written. I saw him in person this year and was amazed by his love of harmony. Hope you can enjoy this as much as any of the other umpteen versions of this wonderful song.

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HOLIDAY SONG COUNTDOWN – DEC. 3

“CHRISTMAS ORATORIO – SINFONIA” – 22 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, my second favorite classical work of the season, marks 290 years of performance in 2024.

My favorite section is the opening of Part II, which commemorates the announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. It’s the Sinfonia, which is not sung, unlike many of the other parts.

For some reason, the oboe and flute solos in this section evoke a civilized, traditional Christmas. This version, played by the Luther College Symphony Orchestra from Decorah, Iowa, is fairly faithful to the piece.

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HOLIDAY SONG COUNTDOWN – DEC. 1

“CHRISTMAS IN HOLLIS” – 24 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

My theory is that the appeal of “Christmas in Hollis” is hearing the singer’s mother’s facility with a carb-laden Christmas dinner.

It’s also that it’s fun. 

The song became popular as part of the first “A Very Special Christmas” albums, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. That album also gave the world Whitney Houston’s rendition of “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” among others.

“Christmas in Hollis” has become an unlikely holiday classic, beloved by people who have absolutely no use for anything else involving rap. Its message is a simple one – it’s Christmas time and they’ve got the spirit. Spreading it is Run-DMC’s gift to us.

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HOLIDAY SONG COUNTDOWN – NOV. 29

“CHRISTMAS COMETH CAROLING” – 26 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

I listen to a lot of holiday music – even in the “offseason,” looking for unusual, interesting stuff.

And, even though there are still some who believe I should wait until Sunday (December 1), I’m going to start this year’s holiday song countdown today, the day after Thanksgiving.

The first song is “Christmas Cometh Caroling,” the first of the 15 Christmas songs written by Alfred Burt, a brass player from Michigan who worked with various orchestras.

His father, a minister, had a tradition of writing a holiday song for his church’s annual Christmas card. In 1942, after Burt graduated from the University of Michigan, his father asked him to write the music for the songs.

Burt did that until his death, at age 33, of lung cancer.

“Christmas Cometh Caroling” is one of my favorites – given Burt’s affinity for chord changes, one of the least complicated to try to play. Here is a version recorded by Kenny Loggins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUKCzezNBxA

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