It's Beginning to Sound a lot like Christmas

There is nothing that gets me in the spirit of Christmas more than my favorite Christmas songs.

As a matter of fact, I was feeling so Ebeneezer this Christmas that I didn't plan on doing any holiday decorating. This greatly distressed my mom.

"Honey, you need to at least put out a strand of lights or something," Mom said. "You'll feel more festive."

Well...fiddling with lights was the last thing I wanted to do...and would certainly make me feel more frustrated than festive. So...to keep my mom from worrying about my mental merriness...I decided to make a new wreath for my front door.

The old wreath was one I made for a church function about seven years ago and, since I use it as an everyday wreath...not just a Christmas wreath...it was ready for replacement about four years ago...yeah...I know...I'm lazy. What up?

So, I went to the craft store on Saturday and picked up all that I would need to make a new wreath then I came home and took down the old wreath...which not only was filthy and dry rotted...it had an abandoned wasp nest in the bow.

Sunday morning I disassembled the old wreath...careful to salvage the parts that were still good (faux berries and the ribbon). Then I set to work on the new wreath.

I was able to use the old berries in an arrangement in my dining room...and I was able to use the old ribbon with the new ribbon I had purchased for the new wreath.

I had built the whole thing up to be a chore...something I was doing to appease my mom. So, to get my spirits up...I popped in some of my favorite Christmas songs.

It was just what the Ghost of Christmas Present ordered!

Before long, I was singing along...and actually enjoying project. Mom was right...I did feel festive...even though I was covered in seven years worth of dust, pollen, and wasp nest remnants. And I ended up with a pretty dang nice wreath (pictured above)...if I say so myself.

That's what the power of great music can do. It can elevate even the lowest spirit.

And, for me, no music does that better than holiday music.

So, in honor of this holiday season, I've decided to share with y'all some of my favorite holiday songs. (Oh...and I decided to brighten up the joint with a little Christmas cheer. Check out Monkbot's antenna.)

I hope these songs bring the same broad grin to your face they did to mine on Sunday.

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I know this will be hard to believe, but I had never heard "Baby, It's Cold Outside" until I watched the 2003 movie, "Elf." I was entirely enchanted with the duet between Buddy and Jovie and immediately loved the song.



Of course, most folks are familiar with the "Baby, It's Cold Outside" version featuring Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan. But I always love various and funky renditions of this classic. Check out this version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by The Trekky Yuletide Orchestra.

Or take a gander at this sexy/flirty version performed by Bo Bice and Joan Osborn...I think it's absolutely charming.



Okay...after last week's ad nauseam talk on "Rainbow Connection," I'm sure you all realize that I love The Muppets. Probably my all-time favorite Christmas album is "John Denver and The Muppets: A Christmas Together." It's touching and hilarious at the same time...and it always brings a smile to my face. Here are two my favorites from this album.

Christmas Is Coming (Miss Piggy, Scooter, Gonzo, and Robin)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Rowlf and John Denver)

I've always thought Roger Whittaker had the most robust voice I've ever heard. My Aunt Chris introduced my mother and me to Roger Whittaker's Christmas album in the 80s. I listen to it every year, but it's the only Roger Whittaker fare I partake in. I can't separate him from Christmas to try listening to his other songs. There are plenty of beautiful songs on his Christmas album...but this one is a fun one to sing to kids.

Darcy the Dragon (Roger Whittaker)

I know we all love Charlie Brown and the classic strains of peppy piano played by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. However, my favorite song from the Charlie Brown Special oeuvre is "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"...which the "gang" sings once the tree is lit.

I have to admit...I don't like this song for how it sounds...'cause, let's face it...it's pretty annoying. I like this song because Ben and I make fun of it every year. We sing it at the top of our lungs...punctuating the "loos" and crescendoing as we sing the song...until everyone in the room wants to throw something at us. It cracks me up every time we do it.

Amy Grant has recorded some fantastic music for the holidays. One of my favorite's of hers is "Little Town"....because it's such a bold and bright rendition of a song that usually gets watered down.

While I'm talking about Amy Grant...I've got to share that her version of "Sleigh Ride" is my favorite vocal rendition. However, "Sleigh Ride" is at its best when it's an instrumental.

I used to play in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and all the work that went into the whole season paid off for exactly 8 bars of music in the Christmas concert. Those 8 bars are in "Sleigh Ride." Nothing is better than playing in an orchestra and being surrounded by the music. When the brass kicks in and the percussion is clapping the sound of hoofs and cracking the sound of the whip...my heart literally beats faster and I am filled with joy. Though the Boston Pops Orchestra is no Mississippi Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra...their rendition of "Sleigh Ride" ain't too shabby.

I watched the "Peace On Earth-Little Drummer Boy" duet between Bing Crosby and David Bowie when it first aired on MTV in the early 80s. I didn't realize until recently that it was actually recorded in 1977. But...whenever it was recorded...it's pure magic.



I have no real memory to share for "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt and "The Christmas Song" by The Carpenters. I just love these songs and love to sing them.

Oh...and for those of you who HAVEN'T downloaded this little Christmas ditty...it's my newest favorite holiday song. I'm sure it will become a classic.

This leads me to my Christmas presents to all my Monkbots.

I know it's early...but I want y'all to have time to enjoy all the songs I've made available above...and the two I have posted below.

These last two songs are ones I recorded this weekend just for y'all. As you listen...you can gaze at my lovely wreath-covered door above and imagine that I'm caroling to you.

Enjoy.

"Have Yourself a Monkbot Little Christmas"

"Taylor Baby"

And just for Jax...Oh Holy Night. (Fair warning...this song is a little out of my league, range-wise, and I've got a kickin' case of sinus yuck.)

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

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