A Yuletide Respite
I sat down in my office this afternoon with the intent of writing something further on Newt Gingrich and the antipathy he's generating from top-shelf conservative opinion-makers (look no further than the guests on this week's episode of the main podcast to get a feel for the former speaker's chilly reception from the Beltway cognoscenti).
But then I was beset by exactly the campaign fatigue that Maura Pennington describes below. At this point, we're talking about the race because there's time to fill, not because there's much in the way of new information to convey (I think Peter's podcast prediction was correct -- you could turn off coverage of the campaign, come back a week later, and not see any significant changes).
What put me in a non-political frame of mind was my iPod's sudden decision to queue up Nat King Cole's version of "O Holy Night" -- my favorite version of any Christmas song and a jetway to a deep holiday exhalation (am I the only person in America whose stress level actually decreases with the holidays?).
My question for you, the Ricochetoise: what is your "O Holy Night" -- the sight, sound, or smell that locks you firmly into the Christmas spirit?
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Aug '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
"The Little Drummer Boy" -- Bing Crosby
I am weeping by the end of the song, as I contemplate how much I would be moved if the Lord smiled upon me and my feeble offerings.
The David Bowie/Crosby mash up is to be avoided at all costs. Stick with the traditional.
Mar '11
Re: A Yuletide Respite
Would that be the same Beltway cognoscenti who got us Mr Obama elected, and may yet do so again?
Oh, sorry -- Christmas Spirit -- um, Single Malt works pretty well.
Dec '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
TSO.
I mostly can't stand the song, but the Jars of Clay version is awesome.
Aug '11
Re: A Yuletide Respite
"White Christmas" by the Carpenters
"Christmas Like a Lullaby" by John Denver
Eggnog spiked with Bacardi garnished with fresh nutmeg.
Edited on Dec 8, 2011 at 2:12pmOct '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
I'm partial to Jessica Martin's and Mark Steyn's disco version of "A Marshmallow World".
Oct '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
And then there's this classic Bing Crosby and David Bowie duet.
EDIT: Oops, I should have read the first comment! Anyway, I love the mash-up.
Edited on Dec 8, 2011 at 2:16pmMar '11
Re: A Yuletide Respite
Snoopy Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen.
It was on an album my mother would play each Christmas of my childhood. And because it isn't one of the standard overplayed tunes, that memory has not been irretrievably altered.
Meddy Kreesmas, My Friend!
Re: A Yuletide Respite
Each year my family treks to the Santa Cruz mountains to hunt for and chop down the perfect Christmas tree. It takes a while to find a tree that every family member agrees upon, but once we get it, we're all extremely pleased with our prize. Below are pictures from the tree hunt last Saturday.
Oct '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
Also, "What Christmas Means to Me" by Frankie Yankovic. Boy, does that bring back some childhood memories!
Aug '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
On a comedic note, it should be mentioned that far more people have requested a Mitt for Christmas than a Newt. And that most of those who requested Newts just wanted their eyes for use in poisoning apples.
Jun '11
Re: A Yuletide Respite
Nat's take on "The Christmas Song", Pavarotti's "O Holy Night", Johnny Mathis's "Winter Wonderland" and Judy Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" are my favorite standards.
ELP's "I Believe in Father Christmas" is my top modern song.
Troy Senik
What put me in a non-political frame of mind was my iPod's sudden decision to queue up Nat King Cole's version of "O Holy Night".
Jun '11
Re: A Yuletide Respite
Puer natus in Bethlehem, on the Paul McCreesh recording of Praetorius' Mass for Christmas Morning. The whole album is sublime.
Jul '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
A house full of jewish friends scarfing down Mrs. Sisyphus' baked Christmas goodies. Actually, the effect starts with the smell of the baking. This year December has become the month of the rediscovered family ginger snap recipe.
Jul '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
Mike LaRoche: And then there's this classic Bing Crosby and David Bowie duet.
EDIT: Oops, I should have read the first comment! Anyway, I love the mash-up. · Dec 8 at 2:14pm
Edited on Dec 08 at 02:16 pm
My problem with the mashup arises not from the content itself, but the context. Anti-Vietnam protest songs cloaked as candy canes and stockings remind me of boat people and allies abandoned to unthinkable atrocities. Kind of like a Jane Fonda comedy.
Oct '11
Re: A Yuletide Respite
The Academy of Ancient Music's version of Handel's Messiah does it for me - spare instrumentation and counter-tenors, and I get all goose-bumpy. Sounds amazing until I start singing along.
Dec '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
Douglas Kimball:
Eggnog spiked with Bacardi garnished with fresh nutmeg. · Dec 8 at 2:10pm
Speaking of which, Who Spiked the Eggnog?
Aug '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
David Williamson
Oh, sorry -- Christmas Spirit -- um, Single Malt works pretty well.
For me, it's the smell of mulled wine wafting through my mom's house.
And the real old Christmas Carols, like "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming".
But Single Malt will also do ;-)
Edited on Dec 8, 2011 at 4:17pmJan '11
Re: A Yuletide Respite
For unto us ...
That's about all I need.
May '10
Re: A Yuletide Respite
Every year, I must hear:
1)"The Birthday of a King"
2) "Come On, Ring Those Bells" (as written by Andrew Culverwell)
3) "O Holy Night", by a great high voice (e.g., Charlotte Church) or voices; currently in the car, I play il Divo for the high B-flat on "divine" at the tail end, right around the 3 minute mark of this 2006 performance
4) Mark David Williams singing "Joy To The World" with the slight calypso rhythm
5) Rubber Duckie taking the lead on our arrangement of "Mary Had the Sweetest little Lamb"
Feb '11
Re: A Yuletide Respite
I am such a loser but I love the cheeseball band
and Jon Anderson's totally cheeseball album 3 Ships taught me the meaning of cheeseball Christmas songs, like this one.... and this one... and this one....