Throwback Thursday story: January 1988 – I was working as a media specialist for the Census Bureau and near term with my firstborn. Al Green was featured in a couple of PSAs and graciously attended a Media Kickoff Event in downtown St. Louis.
In addition to singing a lullaby to my baby bump (true story) and signing an album (vinyl), Al Green recorded a beautiful rendition of one of my favorite Christmas carols. Bonus: He sings in a key in which I can sing along and hit all of the high notes.
Herman’s Hermits. Need I say more?
There are quite a few Christmas songs that actually have nothing to do with the holiday at all. I’m saving some of them for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Then there are songs that are adjusted for the yuletide, such as “Christmas Is All Around” for the movie Love Actually (Billy Mack’s storyline was my favorite). Or this medley that combines a folk song about All Saints’ Day with verses from a couple of Christmas songs.
A visual and auditory celebration.
This one is for Phil Hartman. (I always knew you had an evil twin.)
Just the thing for a busy Saturday.
I have run across some interesting and unexpected Christmas duets. For example, Julie Garland and Mel Torme , Bing Crosby and David Bowie, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett. The selection that I ultimately chose to complete Duet Week is Cyndi Lauper & Frank Sinatra. Enjoy!
Duet Week meets Throwback Thursday. In an earlier post I observed that a good singer can make all the difference with a song I’m not crazy about. Unfortunately the reverse is true as well. Even so, this selection is enjoyable in its own nostalgic yet cringe-worthy way.
Hanna and I were waiting in the car for Laura to finish up basketball practice one particularly frigid December night four years ago when I popped in an Awesome 80s Christmas CD (doubtless acquired during a post-holiday clearance sale the year before) to try to keep our minds off of our frozen toes. The CD contained the expected Wham!, Bangles, New Kids on the Block, Pat Benatar – plus this delightful version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” by Bob and Doug McKenzie.
Two highlights from this selection: the always hysterical Rick Moranis as Bob, and “tuque” – a particularly handy Scrabble word – used in context.