One of my favorite Christmas songs for a long time was one I heard only on WBRU-FM in Providence in the late '70s. When I heard it, I remembered that I had seen The Roches sing "The Hallelujah Chorus" on Saturday Night Live in November 1979. I guess "glorious" is the descriptor here; I'm fascinated by the intricacy of the arrangement, the close harmony and when you add the visual, the delight in the performance shared by Maggie, Suzzy and Terre Roche. Enjoy!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Christmas Songs, Pt. 1
OK - favorite versions of "(The) Little Drummer Boy"
#1: Harry Simons Chorale - a nostalgia pick, first heard it probably 1969 or 1970 on local AM radio, when radio stations played Christmas music only intermittently in the last week or so before Christmas. You only heard it a couple times, maybe and not again until next year. Even at age 9 or 10, I somehow recognized and was attracted to the minor key, even if I was too young to realize it.
#2: Low - first heard several years ago on TV; the GAP used it in their Christmas ad campaign. It's "slo-core" (a cleverly-named category in and of itself) and I'm attracted to it because of its casual gravitas and solemnity. Love the hushed vocals, muted drums and the minor key drone that acts like a "bed" for the song. Cool stuff.
#3 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - thanks to brother Dave, who included this on one of his absolutely outstanding holiday compilations. Joan bleepin' ROCKS on this track and I love how she trills the "rrrumpa-pa-pums" --- awesome.
#1: Harry Simons Chorale - a nostalgia pick, first heard it probably 1969 or 1970 on local AM radio, when radio stations played Christmas music only intermittently in the last week or so before Christmas. You only heard it a couple times, maybe and not again until next year. Even at age 9 or 10, I somehow recognized and was attracted to the minor key, even if I was too young to realize it.
#2: Low - first heard several years ago on TV; the GAP used it in their Christmas ad campaign. It's "slo-core" (a cleverly-named category in and of itself) and I'm attracted to it because of its casual gravitas and solemnity. Love the hushed vocals, muted drums and the minor key drone that acts like a "bed" for the song. Cool stuff.
#3 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - thanks to brother Dave, who included this on one of his absolutely outstanding holiday compilations. Joan bleepin' ROCKS on this track and I love how she trills the "rrrumpa-pa-pums" --- awesome.
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