Mark Blackburn

It's quarter to eight and still dark outside, here in the "world's coldest major city" (any Canadian can tell you where that is) and Siriusly Sinatra is playing Judy Garland's original recording of HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS with a graphic of the movie theater poster -- with prominent second-billing to "Margaret O'Brien" a then- six-year-old actress who is still with us for Christmas 2023. Just about my favorite moment in any of the great film musicals. Yours too? Most viewed 1.6 million 'views' and a review by my namesake atop the 19 hundred "comments" [ ! ] Favorite personal quote from Margaret O'Brien: "I met Shirley Temple on Valentine's Day in 1945. To this day, I've never forgotten it. I was in red, she was in black, and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner together. We didn't immediately become best friends, but every winter my husband and I would send a Christmas card to Shirley and she and her family would send one back. So we kept in touch that way. It helped that we both had wonderful parents who saw that we stayed on the right path. My husband always had a crush on Shirley, but he ended up with me instead. Sometimes people put a stamp on the world, and Shirley certainly did." Next month (January) Margaret O'Brien will be 87. Best recent interview from 4 years ago: Turner Classic Movies' "Bring TCM to Your Town" event brought actress Margaret O'Brien, and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz to the Tivoli Theater to screen Meet me In St. Louis with a hometown crowd. STL TV's Steve Potter sat down with them to talk about the movie and Margaret's acting career.

JENNIFER WARNES – O Little Town of Bethlehem My father's favorite Christmas carol. It came to be mine too, with each passing Christmas. Best ever recording? This one. Dad agreed when I sent him a cassette tape with this version by “Jennifer Warnes and The London Symphony” (1991). Dad who nearly made it to age 90, was about my age now. He thanked me on the phone and said: "I find myself crying more these days. Do you find yourself suddenly crying?” Meaning 'tears of joy' -- usually when “seeing little children” at their happiest! At our home, that meant Christmas Day. You too? ---- Just went in search of a YouTube version and find I reviewed this twice, and included a letter I wrote exactly 20 years ago to my eldest son, back when his own two children were “still in the future.” Dec 2, 2003 Dear David, Hope this finds you and Laura Lee in good health and excellent spirits. I tried to think of a special Christmas gift for you this year and this 'labor of love' was the best I could come up with! It's impossible to create the perfect Christmas compilation for someone else. But I pray you find 'comfort and joy' in at least SOME of these. Let's talk at Christmas! Disc 1 Track one Jennifer Warnes and Bob Farnon's 'personal band' the London Symphony. Jennifer, who won two Best Song Oscars and was nominated for a third, combines vulnerability and strength in her own unique way: a lovely version of my father's favorite Christmas Carol. And oh the joy of finding it at YouTube! I told Dad on the phone one night that my favorite line was this one: “Yet in thy dark street shineth, the everlasting light. The hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight.” My father agreed, adding: “Do you find yourself suddenly crying? It's happening a lot these days.” Yes, Dad – listening now to this, my favorite version of O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM . . . tears of joy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPKAb_yatk8 As for the best-ever rendition of GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMEN . . . Jennifer Warnes has just the right voice to convey such a range of emotions of comfort and joy. Listen to the festive change of pace in her vocal timbre after the solo violin musical bridge around 3:14. Each time she sings "comfort and joy" it sounds a little different. Her singing is deceptively simple -- artless (heck, I could sing that!) but to these 71-year-old ears her voice is uniquely beautiful. God bless us every one.

DOYLE DYKES – Little Drummer Boy My musical father (a composer and very good pianist) shared my early appreciation of Chet Atkins recordings – of 'standards' like Irving (God Bless America) Berlin's YOU'RE JUST IN LOVE – a song that required 'Mr. Guitar' to play two melodies simultaneously. Just imagined my Dad appreciating this one: the best-ever solo guitar rendition of LITTLE DRUMMER BOY. A song my father actually hated for its repetitive 'ba-ruppa, bum-bum' lyric. But I'm certain he would have loved this instrumental by Doyle Dykes. Not least for the arresting snare drum effect that Mr. Dykes elicits from this, one of his two favorite guitars – a 'Kirk Sand' nylon-stringed instrument – the “best ever made” according to all the finger-style giants who've owned them. I see my namesake already reviewed this one “2 years ago” at YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de06TkAnr8g CHET ATKINS – You're Just in Love You have to understand, that in 1958 none of us budding guitarists had ever heard anything like Chet Atkins – the quality of sound, the dazzling technique(s). Recorded (on single track 'monaural' sound) in Chet's elaborate basement studio in Nashville; his signature Gretsch 'Country Gentleman' played through a Fender amp. Every single bit of his technique was uniquely his own creation. Like Ray Charles he had no influences: completely original. I remember my musical father listening with me to YOU'RE JUST IN LOVE -- waiting to see how Chet would handle two melody lines at the same time. (“Is that two guitars?”) Pick it up at the 1:44 mark. Thanks OverJazz for sharing. Celebrated elsewhere this day (12/6/2023) search “ Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central “ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVSZvbrNseM&t=4s

TONY BENNETT – Oh! You Crazy Moon "When they met, the way that they smiled, I saw that I was through. Oh! You Crazy Moon, what did you do?" Siriusly Sinatra just played my 'new favorite version' of Oh! You Crazy Moon – by Tony Bennett. Tony would be the first to tell us that Sinatra's orchestral version, with a classic Nelson Riddle arrangement for his “Moonlight Sinatra” album (1966) was in its way 'definitive.' But Tony recorded his version – with the Ralph Sharon piano Trio – two years earlier; and in that more intimate 'club' setting, Sinatra would surely agree that Tony's was the best ever. Frank famously declared that “For my money Tony Bennett has the best singing voice.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8u9KT6kLbo Wikipedia Oh, You Crazy Moon or Oh! You Crazy Moon is a traditional pop song by Jimmy Van Heusen, with lyrics by Johnny Burke. It was recorded by Tommy Dorsey in 1939, with at least six other recorded versions following Dorsey's in 1939. It was recorded by Mel Tormé in 1960 and Frank Sinatra in 1965.[1] Mel Tormé - Swingin' on the Moon (1960) Stan Kenton - The Romantic Approach (1961) Sarah Vaughan - Snowbound (1963) Tony Bennett - When Lights Are Low (1964) Wes Montgomery - California Dreaming (1966), Willow Weep for Me (1969) Frank Sinatra - Moonlight Sinatra (1966) Peggy Lee - Extra Special! (1967) Chet Baker - Blue Room (The VARA Studio Sessions in Holland) (1979) Mel Tormé and George Shearing - An Elegant Evening (1985)

JAMES TAYLOR & NATALIE COLE – Baby, It's Cold Outside It's 5:55 – still dark outside, and cold! Just for me, the 'Siriusly Sinatra' computer scroll reads: “James Taylor feat. Natalie Cole – Baby, It's Cold Outside” I have umpteen favorite versions of this song -- composed words & tune by Frank Loesser (it won him the 'Best Song' Oscar that year, 1953). But this duet by two of my favorite people remains the star at the top of the tree. Not least for the concluding seductive banter. HE: Darlin' … as a friend … SHE: Sure, James. HE: As a friend – you MUST stay – warm up by this fire, and let me get you a hot toddy or something … SHE: Well … I really can't. I mean my mother will really worry about me. HE: People are so suspicious! It's just an innocent suggestion that you stay warm. Keep yourself healthy, that's all. It's nippy out there – it's cold! SHE: Well … you know that drink does look kinda nice …. HE: It IS a perfectly nice drink. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdpfIxtjmqY

TONY BENNETT – O Christmas Tree Quick, what's the oldest of all 'secular' Christmas songs? The one with a melody that's been dated back to the 16th century (1550) and whose German lyric was translated into English 200 years ago (1824). You guessed it. O TANNENBAUM. At this moment I'm enjoying my all-time favorite rendition by Tony Bennett – set to a beautiful slide show, sent my way by the intuitive genius that is YouTube. I wrote in an Amazon review for Tony's “A Swingin' Christmas with the Count Basie Orchestra" (2008) that For the 'closer' here, Tony turned to his regular quartet pianist and musical director Lee Musiker who provides a hauntingly beautiful, solo accompaniment for my new favorite version of an old carol, "O CHRISTMAS TREE." It's the gentlest of readings by Tony -- with majestic, sustained chords by Lee: kindred musical spirits, 'alone together,' gifting us with an `O TANNENBAUM' simultaneously new and fresh . . . even as it retains that reverential feel (such dignity & grace) to which a two-century-old, German carol is entitled! The video presentation hits all the right notes including Charlie Brown's little tree. I needed this tonight. It's like someone at YouTube realized how I'm feeling -- at a time when my wife of 50 years has been transferred from a hospital to a Geriatric Center care home. My Irene was assured today, by an optimistic nursing assistant, that “There's no reason you won't be able to make it home for a Christmas visit.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21vKKk1yukU

She died six years ago. But we know her name and we will remember you, LARI WHITE. She was 31 when she flashed that beautiful smile at Tom Hanks. And 52 when she died, of a rare form of cancer. [IMDB says] Actress: Lari White was born on May 13, 1965 in Dunedin, Florida, USA as Lari Michele White. She was an actress, known for Cast Away (2000), Big Eden (2000) and No Regrets (2004). She was married to Chuck Cannon. She died on January 23, 2018 in Nashville where she was a Country singer and record producer. Forever young, in our hearts, as generations of film goers can always say of those who've left us. Yes, her two-minute scene that is “my favorite ending” to any Tom Hanks movie. America's great lyricist Johnny Mercer's favorite of his musical children was I REMEMBER YOU. Thinking now of that song and of Lari White -- of its last words and how they must have applied in her mind to her precious on screen moment with Tom Hanks: "When the angels ask me to recall, the thrill of them all, then I will tell them – I remember you." Maybe my favorite movie scene: the closing moments of one of several favorite films “produced and directed by Robert Zemeckis” – each and every one of which features haunting (Oscar-nominated) theme music from my favorite living composer Alan Silvestri. The scenes preceding this one were all at night, in the darkness of suburban Memphis – in drenching rain as Tom Hanks' and Helen Hunt's characters embrace one last time before saying goodbye for good. And suddenly we're in brilliant sunshine, a clean-shaven, suddenly younger looking Tom Hanks is driving down the straightest of highways in his black Jeep Cherokee through flatlands we in western Canada call “Big Sky Country” – where you just find it easier to breathe. (Love it that the word "Canada" is actually referenced in the final dialogue!) "Jack" has just delivered the battered FED EX parcel, with its distinctive angel wings to its final destination – a deserted farmhouse (everywhere decorated with those same stylized angels' wings) and leaves it leaning up against a screen door, with the note: “This package saved my life. Thank you. – Chuck Noland.” Back at the crossroads, as he looks at a map, we see an old (mid-fifties) Ford pickup truck approaching. It pulls up next to him; a beautiful young woman, dark red shoulder-length hair blowing in the breeze, climbs down – and graces him with a breathtaking smile and says . . . SHE: You look lost! HE: I do? SHE: Where ya headed? HE: [obviously taken aback by her beauty] Well, I was trying to figure that out. SHE: [points] Well, that's 83-South. And this road HERE will hook you up with I-40 East [moving closer – they're now a “socially distant” 12 feet apart ] SHE: And . . . if you turn RIGHT . . . that'll take you to Amarillo, Flagstaff and . . . California! [Pointing back behind her, down her own road] SHE: And if you head back in THAT direction . . . you'll find a whole lot of nuthin' – all the way to Canada. [She hasn't relaxed her radiant smile for a moment, as if taking a liking to him, while they 'consider' each other in silence] HE: [moving his head quickly in all directions] I got it! SHE: Alright then! [climbing back into her dusty truck] Good luck, Cowboy! She drives away slowly -- a female hound dog, sitting in the back with some equipment, stares back at him; he spots those same angel wings to the right of the FORD logo. He'd been leaning against his Jeep and suddenly stands up straight, in recognition of who she must be: The Wings Lady. He stares for a time, his silent expression conveying so much – as it's dawning on him that this intersection really is now the crossroads of his life. He moves to stand in the middle of the highway, looks in all four directions with a peaceful smile. Fade to black. '

All my life I've told my musical sister Andrea that she has the “most perfect singing voice I have ever heard.” Still true to this day (12/5/2023). She just emailed: "I don't know if you would remember a lovely record we played at the cottage a lot, one summer. Can't remember the album cover or what other songs were on it, but one song has haunted me, all these many years – A LA NANITA NANA. I don't know what the words mean, or anything. I just remember the tune was so beautiful." Permit an aside: As a student in her teens at Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music my older sister's 'coloratura' (highest soprano) voice brought her a record three victories in some competition previously won (twice each) by Robert ('If Ever I Would Leave You') Goulet, and by “Canada's gift to Opera” Teresa Stratas. Andrea's musical knowledge is encyclopedic. But every now and then …. she will ask me “Do you remember the name of . . . ?” (someone or something musical, from 60 years ago). A moment ago Andrea shared a video of a children's choir and I thought at once of the name. “Norman Luboff.” Google to be reminded that Mr. Luboff became history's wealthiest choir director! (Wiki note below.) The song Andrea shared was “A La Nanita Nana” asking “Does the tune ring a bell with you, and do you remember the record we played at the cottage?” First offering at YouTube this day when you search for this song and include Norman Luboff's name. From a New Mexico choir competition, posted to 12,895 “views” “Deming High School Women's Chorale performing at the New Mexico State Choir Competition …. on April 16, 2016. We are the bottom of the 6A class and this choir only received comments and were not part of the competition. Had they been, the score they received would have placed them 1st. They received a Superior Rating.” Larry Martin - Conductor Susan Allen - Accompanist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yiSCY7AcEE P.S. The actual musical video that my sister Andrea had shared of “A La Nanita Nana” was of a New Year's Eve performance (2015) by THE TEXAS CHILDREN'S CHOIR. I agree that “this choir, their arrangement, and the recording quality is just so beautiful.” But with “comments turned off” I couldn't “learn more” apart from a one-line description: “45,475 views – December 31, 2015 The Texas Children's Choir performing at OLLU, San Antonio Texas” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfvYQDridSU Wikipedia Norman Luboff (May 14, 1917 – September 22, 1987) was an American music arranger, music publisher, and choir director. Luboff was the founder and conductor of the Norman Luboff Choir, one of the leading choral groups of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. They came to prominence through their participation in the very successful Christmas broadcasts with Bing Crosby which ran from 1955 to 1962. History was made in 1956 when Luboff and his choir recorded with Harry Belafonte on "Calypso", the first album to sell one million copies. The choral group toured yearly from 1963 to 1987, and recorded more than 75 albums. The holiday albums Songs of Christmas (1956) and Christmas with the Norman Luboff Choir (1964) were perennial bestsellers for years. Luboff and his choir won the 1961 Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Chorus. Luboff was also a guest conductor at many choirs in the United States and abroad. Luboff died of lung cancer[3] at his home in Bynum, North Carolina, in 1987 at the age of 70. The Norman Luboff Collection was donated to the Music Division of the United States Library of Congress in 1993 by his widow.

CALABRIA FOTI – Do It Again It's quarter to 3, there's no one in the place, except you and me – and Siriusly (just for me?) is playing my favorite living singer CALABRIA FOTI – title track from my favorite of her albums “Lovely Way to Spend an Evening.” Is it at YouTube? Alas never. Google to find that, to my delight, from that same album: the sexiest song Gershwin ever wrote, DO IT AGAIN. “Oh! Please, do it again …. and again, and again, and again ….” I see my namesame gave this one a more comprehensive 'review' (“2 years ago”). Note: 20 seconds of silence before the music starts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frRJAhTRP3c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frRJAhTRP3c Wikipedia Gershwin recounted the origin of the song in 1934: I was in the office of Max Dreyfus, my publisher, one day when Buddy DeSylva walked in. DeSylva said jokingly to me, "George, let's write a hit!" I matched him by saying, "O.K.!" I sat down at the piano, and began playing a theme which I was composing on the spot... Buddy listened for a few minutes and then began chanting this title—"Oh, Do It Again!," which he had just fitted to my theme.[1]

SINATRA – A Hundred Years From Today Yesterday ('First Fridays' on Siriusly Sinatra – when every song is sung by Sinatra) I enjoyed a late-in-life recording titled A HUNDRED YEARS FROM TODAY. My favorite singer made it to age 83 but was just 18 when he first heard, and fell in love with this one -- composed by future good friends Ned ('When You Wish Upon a Star') Washington and Victor ('When I Fall in Love') Young. I see that I celebrated this one (2 years ago) with a 'reflection' by a friend of a friend. (More poignant for me on a day when my wife of 50 years was moved from hospital care to a 'geriatric facility.') Each time I hear Frank sing this one I'm reminded of something an American friend shared with me: Asked to write words of introduction to an inspirational book about another mutual friend's daughter who died at age 20 of cancer, Michael Josephson composed these thoughts concerning 'What will matter' after we have taken our last breath. ----- Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned, or what you were owed. Your judgments, resentments, frustrations and jealousies will finally disappear. So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from or which side of the tracks you lived on at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success but your significance . . . not what you learned but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence but your character. Not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNVcmNNR7Vw

DIANA KRALL / HANK JONES -- Dream a Little Dream of Me Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio just played "Dream a Little Dream of Me" – Diana accompanied by the great Hank Jones in 2009 -- a year before the virtuoso pianist died in New York City age 91. Friends say Mr. Jones played this beautifully right up until his last days! I love that Canada's “other greatest gift to jazz” asked to record this one 'alone together' with one of the truly great piano accompanists: Hearing this for only the second time today on channel 70 satellite radio – and loving the piano solo on the musical bridge -- I thought, 'That's NOT Diana! I KNOW that unique style on keyboard!' 40 years ago in Bermuda, where I spent the 70s, I saw Hank in concert, accompanying Canada's vibraphone virtuoso Peter Appleyard (who left us at age 85 in 2013). Yes, no one else sounded like Hank Jones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_vsHWkY_pk Born “Henry Jones” on July 31, 1918 in Vicksburg Mississippi, Hank was revered as a jazz composer and brilliant accompanist working with the greats including Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson and – finally – at her request, Diana Krall on this song. [In an online bio we learn] “That year (2009) Diana Krall also sang "Dream a Little Dream of Me" with piano accompaniment by pianist Hank Jones. Her album 'Quiet Nights' was released on March 31, 2009. Krall produced Barbra Streisand's album 'Love Is the Answer' released on September 29, 2009.”

VINCE GUARALDI TRIO & KIDS CHORUS -- Christmas Time is Here Most viewed (3.6 M) version of my favorite jazz piano trio recording of CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE. Went there to post a 'review' -- but see my namesake already wrote one "4 years ago": ---- 'Christmas Time Is Here' summons up special memories for post WWII "baby boomers" like me. Thanks Bob Barry for posting this delightful video version. I'm old enough to remember the first Charlie Brown Christmas special (aired on CBS) in December of '65. We watched it on small-screen black & white TV (color programming arrived in Canada the next year). I was 18, a budding jazz fan, and was crazy about the pianist Vince Guaraldi's song. It would never have happened if the lyricist, a television producer named Lee Mendelson hadn't been crossing the Golden Gate Bridge one day in a cab, listening to Guaraldi's CAST YOUR FATE TO THE WIND and deciding to track down the pianist to see if he wanted in on the Charlie Brown Christmas special. "Songfacts" notes that, "Originally, this was an instrumental piece that Vince Guaraldi wrote to open A Charlie Brown Christmas. About a month before it aired, Lee Mendelson, who produced the special, decided it might work better with some words, so he wrote the lyric in about 10 minutes sitting at his kitchen table. "It was a poem that just came to me," he told PRI in 2014. "Never changed the words to this day. It was only about a minute long." And the choir of kids? "A Charlie Brown Christmas used real children (mostly culled from producer Lee Mendelson's neighborhood) to voice the characters in the special, so the voices on this song are also kids. They are not the same group of children though - "Christmas Time Is Here" is sung by a group of kids Vince Guaraldi put together." Vince Guaraldi died in 1976 age 47 of a heart attack. His lyricist Lee Mendelson died on Christmas Day 2019, age 85. Favorite comment below video from: DR. SCOTT CASE (1 year ago): "Born in 1955 I'm all alone now as all my immediate family and unfortunately most of my friends have passed away. However at the moment I hear those children sing I am instantly transported back to around 1966 or 1967 when all my family and friends were alive and we were children growing up. It is as if my voice is among those of the children singing and it captures a moment in time that provides me happiness. Peace."

WALTER RODRIGUES JR. – America The Beautiful In the space of just 70 seconds my favorite living Brazilian-born American guitarist Walter Rodrigues Jr., plays the loveliest – simple yet brilliant – arrangement of America's “other national anthem” (the one preferred by musicians). The trick of course is to do what Walter always does: make it look easy! Or 'artless' like a lyric by Mercer, or a song sung by Sinatra. You listen and think, “With practice, I think I could do that.” Oh no you can't! Thanks for sharing this Walter on a day (11/27/2023) when some of us needed to hear 'a patriotic song well played.' I love it that some of your older videos now have up to 2 million “views” which is to say, you sir, are no longer “the best fingerstyle guitarist the world hasn't heard-of.” Celebrated elsewhere, search “ Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central ” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q-DKquPqSM https://www.facebook.com/mark.blackburn.3910/ Update: Walter's incomparable rendition of FLY ME TO THE MOON is nearing 6 million views -- gaining one million a year. Guess we can no longer think of Walter Rodrigues Jr as "the greatest fingerstyle guitarist the world doesn't yet know about." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U5VdSQwkl4

DIANA KRALL – What Are You Doing New Year's Eve Right this minute the 'Siriusly Sinatra' satellite radio computer screen scroll reads: “Ch. 70 – Best of Nancy for Frank 11/29/2009” At the moment they're playing maybe my favorite version of Frank Loesser's other great 'seasonal' song – WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR'S EVE. Composed, words & tune, a few years after Loesser picked up his only 'Best Original Song' Academy Award for BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. Google to be reminded this one was track 10 on an album that included (in addition to all the most beloved 'secular' Christmas songs) some unusual picks by Diana: like her album closer: Irving Berlin's “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep.” (Wiki note below). I'm a sucker for solo guitar accompaniment, especially on a song's opening verse. None better than this, you may agree. The Wikipedia “personnel” entry doesn't specify whether it's Russell Malone or Anthony Wilson on this, “track 10” (the only error I spotted in the Wiki entry for Diana's “Christmas Songs”). An official version that was finally posted to YouTube “5 years ago” to 50K 'views' – “Comments turned off” so we won't “learn more” will we? "Reissued on vinyl" says our resident 'group expert' "Bob in Boston." Two new color vinyl reissues with original cover art: https://www.facebook.com/100044338.../posts/945186746969258/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac-S0dJy_eA Wikipedia Christmas Songs is the eighth studio album by Canadian singer Diana Krall, performed with The Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. It was released on October 26, 2005, by Verve Records. This is Krall's first full-length album of Christmas songs (not counting her 1998 EP Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas), and her first studio album with a big band. The album was released on vinyl for the first time on October 14, 2016. Critical Reception John Bungey of The Times noted, "If your idea of a perfect Yuletide is Jimmy Stewart on the telly and Bing on the radio, and you believe that, musically, it's all been downhill since 1955, then Krall's album will suit perfectly".[7] Dave Gelly and Nail Spenser of The Observer wrote, "This one proves she hasn't forgotten how to swing …. it is a terrific jazz-vocal album that will raise your spirits now and for several Christmases to come".[8]

BEST INSTRUMENTAL VERSION? OSCAR'S Sent my way by YouTube moments after posting the above. I responded: "It doesn't mention (above) that this was arranged by Claus Ogerman -- who arranged Sinatra's first (1967) album with A.C. Jobim. Frank's retire-the-trophy vocal version was arranged two years later by Brazil's Eumir Deodato. Still arranging down in Rio as of this date (11/26/2023). Looking now at the liner notes for my copy of this great album: "Produced by Claus Ogerman and a German Willy Fruth. The piano was recorded at MPS Studio in Villingen by Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer" and the orchestra was recorded "1969 at A&R Studio New York City. " But you knew that. Thanks for sharing Oscar Peterson. P.S. That's Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar.

SINATRA - Wave Still my favorite song from Antonio Carlos Jobim -- the Cole Porter of Brazil, as I like to say. You have to love a nation that names its international airport in Rio after its greatest composer. This is one song for which Jobim composed the words as well as the tune. And what a way to open a song: "So close your eyes, for that's a lovely way to be, aware of things your heart alone was meant to see, the fundamental loneliness goes, whenever two can dream-a-dream together..." On this, the definitive version, arranged by Brazil's Eumir Deodato, the 'The Voice' hits his lowest note ever (an E-flat). Most viewed version at YouTube -- this one. Thanks, Lee MacRealt for sharing. Deservedly as of this date (11/26/2023) with 1,075,115 views

QUEEN LATIFAH – Trav'lin' Light It's "7:11 AM" (still dark outside here in the frozen North) and Siriusly Sinatra is playing my favorite version of Johnny Mercer's TRAV'LIN' LIGHT – Queen Latifah's beautifully orchestrated recording from 16 years ago. A more obscure Mercer song beloved by jazz artists – like Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day and Chet Baker -- with a simple but effective refrain about 'lost love' " …. no one but me, and my memories …. Some lucky night, he may come back to me, but until then, I'm trav'lin' light." Whenever I think of this song I think of Queen Latifah. Sirius radio plays her version (just for me) about once a year. Thanks to channel 70's programmer extraordinaire 'Jersey Lou' Simon. Title track from her "sixth album in 2007" with a large Wiki entry reminding us that Diana Krall's favorite bass player John Clayton arranged this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQM-mzOF-OE Wikipedia Trav'lin' Light is the sixth studio album by American actress and hip-hop artist Queen Latifah. It was released through Verve Records on September 25, 2007. William Ruhlman of AllMusic: “In song after song, she has come up with a character to portray through the lyrics, and that helps make her interpretations convincing. Sometimes, it is the songwriters themselves she seems to be channeling...however, it is the singer herself who deserves the credit for making the album work. As with her acting, Queen Latifah's singing is most laudable for not trying to do too much; she may evoke James or Nina Simone or Holiday (or Smokey Robinson or the Pointer Sisters), but she never tries to outsing them; rather, her versions are glosses on the greats she and her producers so admire."

WALTER RODRIGUES JR – Jingle Bells My favorite living finger-style guitarist is 'Brazilian-born' American Walter Rodrigues Jr. Who for the past half-dozen Christmases, has treated us to a refreshingly new and different take on a seasonal classic, via YouTube. Last year Walter outdid himself with an I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS that, in his words, “had me going overboard with 26 tracks and several hours of video programming.” This year? “Jingle Bells” – a seemingly simple, two chorus (under-two-minute) solo …. but what an arrangement: with most every note a chord – and in sequences of such breathtaking beauty. And Walter always achieves a 'texture and tone' that sounds perfect to our ears! Here he's playing a favorite weapon-of-choice – a special nylon-string instrument by 'Godin' of Quebec Canada; with computerized electronic 'assists' that make his bass string an octave lower. Of course like other virtuoso musicians Walter makes it all look easy! Really, isn't this just the best solo 'Jingle Bells' you've ever heard? Below the video, a kindred spirit “TEX” has provided an update of links to Walter's previous Christmas videos: Dec-2022: Jingle Bells - Fingerstyle - https://youtu.be/ZxX33lYLMnU Dec-2021: I'll Be Home For Christmas - https://youtu.be/1F29TxRgb5s Dec-2020: O Christmas Tree - https://youtu.be/0fN-Y6p4e5c Dec-2019: Angels We Have Heard On High - https://youtu.be/jXWM19mR5wU Dec-2018: Silent Night - https://youtu.be/nD63hz8A9S0 Dec-2015: Winter Wonderland - https://youtu.be/uSTKmx1trKM

It's quarter to three and there's no one in the place except you and me, and Siriusly Sinatra is playing heavenly Christmas music – “Matt Catingub: Away in a Manger / Hark the Herald Angels Sing” – with a choir of (talented) friends performing a capella. Is it at YouTube? But of course. With a mysterious album cover that raises more questions than answers. Must research “Matt Catingub” but for now .... back to bed. Oh no, followed by Marilyn Monroe – singing “Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.” Best-ever version. Sleep can wait a little longer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htLV8UhXZEU&list=OLAK5uy_l1CP4ADlgfDTpwTI8dPLALLWxDelISuP0&index=15 "Musician MATT CATINGUB wears many hats: saxophonist, woodwind artist, conductor, pianist, vocalist, performer, composer, and arranger. Born in 1961 to parents of Polynesian descent, he was the youngest son of the late great jazz vocalist Mavis Rivers."

IN THE COOL, COOL, COOL OF THE EVENING My musical father's favorite singer was Margaret Whiting. He loved the sound of her voice – and her 'delivery' on all my Mom & Dad's favorite songs. Google to be reminded that Margaret did a late-in-life, 'live' performance of Hoagy Carmichael's best collaboration with Johnny Mercer – IN THE COOL, COOL, COOL OF THE EVENING (a “Best Original Song” Academy Award winner). With my favorite line that John delivered so well (around the 24:14 mark) on his latest '5 o'clock Somewhere' live stream show. “If I ain't in the clink, and there's somethin' to drink, you can tell 'em – I'll be there!” Imagine my delight to find Ms Whiting performing this gem with “The John Pizzarelli Trio” – from John's album with his brother Martin on bass, and pianist Ray Kennedy, for “Too Marvelous for Words: Songs of Johnny Mercer” (1997). Love it when Margaret reaches the line about “your brother jackass” and turns and wags a finger at John's bass player. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVJLFxTs1ZA At the 24:14 mark https://www.facebook.com/JohnPizzarelliOfficial/videos/3730028460550286 https://www.facebook.com/JohnPizzarelliOfficial

RICHARD SMITH -- Bye Bye Blackbird All fingerstyle guitar greats -- Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Lenny Breau, Doyle Dykes, Tommy Emmanuel -- each of them eventually obtained what they agreed was "The world's finest nylon-string electric guitar" crafted by "Kirk Sand of Laguna Beach California." What do they sound like? At their best, in the hands of a master like English-born Nashville resident RICHARD SMITH, they sound like this. Don't you love virtuosos who perform 'live' without making mistakes? None better than Richard Smith, you may agree. Around 16:30 Richard plays "Walkin' the Strings" -- best rendition since Chet's (an improvement on Merle's according to Travis). Left a footnote (below) for Deuce: I'm 76 and remember buying all Chet's latest ('1956 - 1958') recordings and hearing all these techniques which Chet invented. Like Ray Charles, he had no influences. Completely original and as all the greats will tell you, he was alone in that regard. All that technique and the best tone EVER on his signature Gretsch Country Gentleman. Played through a Fender amp. No one has replicated (perfectly) that tone. Think about that. P.S. My new favorite solo guitar rendition of the Gershwins' EMBRACEABLE YOU at 22:47 mark. Richard Smith is a jazz artist too!

ELEANOR POWELL & FRED ASTAIRE In the original THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT (1st of 3 DVDs) Sinatra introduces this segment as only he could: "You can wait around forever but you'll never see the likes of this again." The simple truth, in so few words. Once a year I look for this TCM clip thinking, Will it still give me goosebumps? Every time! P.S. Eleanor Powell would have been 111 today (11/21/2023)

SINATRA & RIDDLE – Time After Time At this moment Siriusly Sinatra satellite radio is playing my favorite version of my favorite song by Jule Styne -- mentioned back on page one: "Without the rendition, there is no song." Approaching song's end, (modulating up into B-sharp) the closing orchestral flourish includes the first five notes of 'The Sound of Music' – four years before my favorite composer Richard Rodgers would incorporate those same notes for “The hills are alive ...” Do you hear it? Richard Rodgers surely did! Yes, one of my favorite orchestrations by Nelson Riddle – who once said “I would trade all my arrangements to have written just one of Henry Mancini's” (hits). 'Admiral Nelson' as Sinatra dubbed him, had to settle for being most everyone's favorite arranger. I see my namesake wrote a more comprensive review at YouTube "4 years ago." The song's Wikipedia note, lists three of my favorites, from the year of my birth: “Time After Time – Music & Lyrics by Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne. Performed by Kathryn Grayson in 'It Happened in Brooklyn' (1947).” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcZBxxQxWBk&t=3s

“Happy Thanksgiving!,” says Doyle Dykes after playing one of his favorite Thanksgiving songs, JINGLE BELLS. “If you don't believe me, go to Wikipedia – look it up!” Sure enough, according to Wiki …. "Jingle Bells" is one of the best-known[1] and most commonly sung[2] American songs in the world. It was written in 1850 by James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893) at Simpson Tavern in Medford, Massachusetts. It was published under the title "The One Horse Open Sleigh" in September 1857. It has been claimed that it was originally written to be sung by a Sunday school choir for Thanksgiving, or as a drinking song.[3] Although it has no original connection to Christmas,[4] it became associated with winter and Christmas music in the 1860s and 1870s, and it was featured in a variety of parlor song and college anthologies in the 1880s.[5] It was first recorded in 1889 on an Edison cylinder; this recording, believed to be the first Christmas record, is lost, but an 1898 recording also from Edison Records survives.

NAT & FRED & DIANA – Pick Yourself Up Okay, you get three-for-the-price-of-one "Today Only": Nat Cole, Fred Astaire and Diana Krall – and all my favorite versions of PICK YOURSELF UP: Best live performance by Diana; best-ever studio recording by Nat King Cole (played just a moment ago on Siriusly Sinatra) and of course, the charming original – thanks to a feature on Turner Classic Movies. Whatever did we do 'before TCM'? Last things first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGUsRGuZb6k Okay, my "new favorite best-ever" studio rendition: "Nat Cole with George Shearing” ( "comments turned off" so we won't "learn more" will we?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20ViFpURIDk&t=7s Best 'live' performance – a three minute 'run through' with Diana joking at the start with her truly great guitarist Anthony Wilson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p_JxDGVqXg