Best Christmas Songs By Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Live Aid, Wham, Chuck Berry, The Carpenters and Run DMC - Have some Christmas fun!

Music Wed - it was fun being a lil Grinchie last week, but I do love Christmas and all that it represents. So I want to share some of the Christmas tunes I never tire of, even though they are played year after year. First up is The Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling" - it features all of the best features of this group: Karen's crystal clear voice, Richard's slightly cheesy backing vocals and slightly overproduced musical accompaniment. It all adds up to a sweet, lovely holiday song (http://youtu.be/nR34VJ7HWqU). Sticking with the slightly corny, but still fun, I always love Macca's best Christmas tune (he has written 15 Christmas songs over the years as a Beatle and as a solo artist!), which to me is "Wonderful Christmas Time" (http://youtu.be/tY3MAguzzKA -- this is a fun version!). Before I get all sentimental, I need to throw in my fave hip hop Christmas song, Run DMC's "Christmas Time in Hollis" (http://youtu.be/OR07r0ZMFb8 - check out the hideous MTV style video production qualities from the original 1987 video). To round off the fun, I never tune off  Chuck Berry's original version of "Run, Run Rudolph" when it comes on the radio (http://youtu.be/b4GlAneEa78 - Chuck might truly have been the first King of Rock and Roll!). Turning serious, because Christmas is a time to reflect on blessings, to feel and express gratitude and to renew commitments to do more for those less fortunate, I have two favorite picks -- John Lennon's "So This Is Christmas" (http://youtu.be/XPm3CWvDmvc), and my perennial #1 Live Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas Time" (http://youtu.be/eYDEh-mhijc - word of warning, do NOT torture yourself with the Live Aid II re-recording of this tune; it is hideous! As great as the original version is, the remake is that much more horrible for its lameness; u can't capture lightning in a bottle twice). Finally, as my Christmas treat for all the 80's music lovers in the crowd (and u know who u r!), I could not leave out Wham's "Last Christmas" (http://youtu.be/E8gmARGvPlI - pure big hair 80's song magic, if you ask me). Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year - I love and appreciate you all. Enjoy!

Bad Santa Bringing You Naughty (Not Nice!) Christmas Songs

Music Wed - Since Christmas will fall on a Wed this year, I have the luxury of not making my holiday music picks today and can, instead, play the role of the Grinch, and make some rocking alternatives to Christmas cheer. And, of course, I will just start this whole item with a link to the original cartoon Grinch song (http://youtu.be/--aSgNEbmnI) - this song, sung not by the narrator, Boris Karloff, but by Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft (who also sang the bass parts for the headstones in The Haunted Mansion ride at D-Land), is iconic and inimitable. Sticking with this theme, but moving to the live-action movie starring Jim Carrey, I want to add Taylor Momsen's tear-jerking "Where Are You Christmas" (http://youtu.be/eDAfUiVYZDw). To keep this Grinchy, I have to smash cut to Taylor Momsen's current single "Going to Hell" to show what happens to a little Who-girl when Christmas is taken away from her - scary stuff (http://youtu.be/bmtbg5b7_Aw).  To wrap up this tribute to bad Christmas songs, I am going back to animation for The Family Guy's totally inappropriate sing-along version of "All I Really Want for Christmas This Year" (http://youtu.be/G46VIGn0aiw), followed by South Park' rendition of Hitler singing "Christmas Time in Hell" (http://youtu.be/vLhkStL0xyM - check out Satan's crazy skull codpiece!). So try not to lose your sense of humor while you are battling shoppers for the last pair of boots at Steve Maddon, cutting off a driver for a coveted parking space, and collapsing at home after failing to find that perfect gift for the ones you love. Remember, this is the happiest time of the year - Enjoy!

The beauty and power of musical restraint. Comparisons of A Great Big World and Dan Fogelberg.

Music Wed - More frequently than I care to admit, a song will capture my attention, and I can listen to it repeatedly, each time drawing out something new and interesting to me, whether these little "discoveries" come from the tune, melody, lyrics, production or artist performance.  A Great Big World's "Say Something" has become one of these haunting, obsessive songs for me. (http://youtu.be/ApHmlRl1aKU) - I particularly love the duet version featuring Christina Aguilera. Her vocal control and restraint are remarkable, and at least the latter is not a quality you usually associate with Xtina, the great diva. In this restrained performance, she reminds you that she is oh so talented, and to me, far superior to Mariah Carey. I love the simple, austere arrangement of this song, both musically and vocally, and the lyrics are plaintive and heartfelt. Cool new song, and it made me immediately think of two songs which, at least in the versions I prefer, are stripped down meditations on the difficult, but critical, task of finding and then keeping love alive in a romantic relationship. Dan Fogelberg is an artist who died prematurely of prostate cancer, but over a period of 35 years commencing in the early 1970's, Fogelberg was a prolific artist who left us with a lasting body of music that is beautiful to the ear and soothing to the soul. His songs are small literary works which are wrapped in beautiful melodies (I mean, who else has ever rhymed "consumed" and "exhumed" in a love song!). I think most of his studio work was overproduced, so the tender and dark beauty of his songs is lost in a producer's overkill - but his acoustic live versions of these same songs are as sweetly and quietly electric as "Say Something". Here are two gems from Dan's 1991 concert tour - "Make Love Stay" (http://youtu.be/SaXGydWdEvg), and "Believe in Me" (http://youtu.be/ZE28NxXQ5R8). Note how he lingers on the notes and draws out the words in both songs, and he does so without being flashy or obnoxious, even though his vocal skills are clearly abundant. Rather, he seems to be coaxing out all of the truth and emotion from his sincere and thoughtful lyrics. If you have never listened to Dan Fogelberg, you will not get a better introduction to him and his music than these songs; if you know him only from his pop records which dominated the charts in the 70's and 80's, these two live performances will open up to you a whole new side to his music and to him as a performer; and, if you are like me and have been a longtime fan, then these 22 year old videos will be a rare and pleasurable treat. . . . Enjoy!

Tricking Children is Acceptable in the Name of Musical Education - Springsteen, Frampton and MEAT LOAF!

Music Wed - When my children were little, I desperately wanted them to listen to and like my musical choices. So, when their taste in music did not naturally match my taste, I did what any self-respecting parent and adult would do - I cheated and tricked them into listening to my music. I used two ploys more than once to mixed reviews. The trick they hated most was when I put on my tunes and after two songs they got sick of what I was listening to, I would promise to just play "one more song" and then would pick a 15-20 minute live opus like "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" from the 1999 NYC shows ( http://youtu.be/9qbTSENLK_o), and Peter Frampton's 1976 live version of "Do You Feel Like I Do", complete with the extended talk box solo (http://youtu.be/edSo-8Jp_ho).  The more successful ruse was to play a song or set of songs and tell the girls a story I would make up about the songs in order to hold their interest and distract them from the length of the music I was trying to get them to experience. And my most successful incarnation of this strategy was the stories I would weave around the various songs on Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album. I would tell them stories of fantastic creatures, heroines and heroes, and dramatic feats based very loosely on the music and lyrics of rock operatic songs such as "Bat Out of Hell" (http://youtu.be/oOy03kfm-UM), "Paradise By the Dashboard Light" (http://youtu.be/9NTDHjVKQyo  - with the incomparable Karla Da Vito), "Heaven Can Wait" (http://youtu.be/R4r-xw04UcI), and, my favorite Meat ballad, "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" (http://youtu.be/Ml5xb4DrhZo). These songs are so over the top in terms of Meat's passionate singing, Jim Steinman's  overwrought music and lyrics, and Todd Rundgren's extravagant production. I love me some Meat Loaf, both as a meal and as a performance artist (for that is what he is, because he is so much more than just a vocalist with his heavily staged performances featuring a changing cast of overheated female duet partners). I dare you to listen to and watch these songs and not smile - Meat's transparent love for Jim's songs just sucks you in and carries you away to the made up world I conjured for my girls as I tried every trick in my bag to get them to listen to this music. Enjoy!

Play That Funky Music - Tribute to the Funky Ladies of the 2010's

Music Wed - While this is the day/night before Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment and give a little respect to one of my favorite musical genres: Funky music. There is nothing like some good old booty-shaking 70's funky music. I am sad to report that I do not see a lot of current artists getting funky. Yes, Prince can still get up and get funky, but he is in virtual semi-retirement, and there really no successors to his throne. Or, are there? I would suggest yes there are, but they are not men following in the footsteps Stevie, Bootsy Collins, The Commodores, The Brothers Johnson or so many other funkmasters. Today, the funkiest music is coming from two women, so let me introduce you to Janelle Monae and Erykah Bahdu. Ms. Monae is able to combine the dance moves of James Brown, the funky beats of MJ, the complex funky musical arrangements of Stevie, and the attitude of George Clinton. To get an introduction to her unique style and prodigious funkability, I suggest you check out "Dance Apocalyptic" (http://youtu.be/eaMBagakSdM) and "Tightrope" (http://youtu.be/rzZnao2fbRQ). As for Ms. Bahdu, her style is a slinky, funky mashup of Miles Davis jazz grooves and Isaac Hayes funky goodness. In "On and On" (http://youtu.be/-CPCs7vVz6s) and "Tyrone" (http://youtu.be/YY2-mrsXgMM), Erykah is breaking it down and speaking the truth. The first video spotlights her visual creativity, while the latter video captures her electric live performances. This is some serious funky music that no male is matching today. Now, when you combine these two funky ladies, you get a little slice of funkalicious goodness called "Q.U.E.E.N." (http://youtu.be/tEddixS-UoU). If you are looking for the torch bearers in the 21st century for funky tunes, the sisters are taking on the mantle and bringing some serious funk to their games. Thank you ladies! Enjoy!

Freddie Mercury, CSN & Spinal Tap - My Tribute to So-Called "Mo-Vember". Greatest Rock Mustaches!

Music Wed - it is "Mo-vember", and I must concede I am not sure what the heck this whole thing is about. The best I can gather, without any real effort on my part (I must concede), is that this month is set apart to raise awareness around men's health issues. Really? Guys, we need this? I must be a little old school because I am not sure I get it, and it feels like guys got their feelings hurt when the pink ubiquity of October's Breast Cancer Awareness month made them feel like they needed their month too, so break out the mustaches! Anyway, seeing as Mo-vember has become a "thing", I want to pay homage to my favorite rock mustaches (not the best, mind you, but just the ones I get a kick out of). Number 1, hands down, is Freddie Mercury of Queen. I will save my full love for Freddie for a separate post, but for now, let's rejoice in his mega-butch 'stache. Epic facial hair overhanging an endless overbite, which acts as a virtual shelf to present this amazing mustache. Here's to Freddie and his timeless performance of "Radio GaGa" at LiveAid ( http://youtu.be/0omja1ivpx0). I will always remember how in a concert filled with rock legends, Freddie commanded and worked that huge Wembley crowd into a frenzy that no one could match. The next on our list is David Crosby - can't recall his overflowing walrus mustache? Check out this awesome cut of "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" (http://youtu.be/ptEF4Oi4Uk0) - yes, David is singing, but I defy you to see his lips move behind that luxurious mustache. Also, revel in Stephen Stills artistry - great performance of a timeless song. Finally, let's end with an iconic 'stache whose wearer is a fictional character. I pay tribute here to Derek Smalls of Spinal Tap, the greatest band that never was (yes, and that includes The Rutles). Check out Harry Shearer as Derek in a live version of "Big Bottom" (http://youtu.be/WI9APkJXDIE). Notice everyone playing only bass guitars, listen to the naughty and hysterical lyrics, and finally, check out Derek Smalls' mustache which connects with his mutton chops. Turn it up to 11! Enjoy!

Commercial Tragedies - Great songs used to sell diapers, cars and ED pills

Music Wed - The other day I was in the mood for a lil Southern Blues, so I cranked up the Allman Bros. and shortly one of my favorite songs started playing. My good mood was destroyed when I realized that the first thing that popped in my head was NOT all the great elements that I love about this particular song. No, the immediate image I had in my mind was of a couple outdoors, sitting in side by side tubs, gazing off into the woods. Yep, I was thinking of Cialis, and I was dismayed to realize my children and their generation would forever associate the classic tune "Stormy Monday" with erectile dysfunction and not with Gregg Allman's growling vocals and snarling Hammond B3 organ, Duane Allman's inimitable slide guitar work or Dickie Betts' incomparable rhythm guitar support. Ugh! (Here's a smoking version featuring the AB Band with Eric Clapton jamming with Derek Trucks -  http://youtu.be/7npHnA3KbfA). This made me lament two of the greatest crimes in rock history - the first was Michael Jackson's exploitation of the Beatles catalogue he owned by selling a number of classic tunes for commercials, starting with "Revolution" for Nike and reaching its nadir with "All You Need is Luv" for Luvs Diapers. I have always suspected MJ did this partly for money and partly as a tweak on Paul McCartney who originally advised the King of Pop to buy music publishing rights (which Michael then used against Macca to the latter's lasting regret). Any way u look at it, it's just wrong. The other great crime came after David Bowie securitized the revenue stream from his classic music catalogue and cashed out in the late 1990s, after which he forfeited any control over his early music, which lead to the abomination of having to hear "Space Oddity" used to advertise Nissans. Really? Please purge that from your memory and listen to the original tune in its pristine state -   http://youtu.be/pXSGocWifAg  - this version has Bowie in full Ziggy Stardust glory and features the late rock guitar legend Mick Ronson. Try to forget the commercial abominations and remember these songs for the classic tunes they are. Enjoy!