Reid Lee - "Hard Candy Christmas / River Medley"

So here's a little Holiday treat from a show that I was a part of at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on 12/10/17. It was called "Sour the Nog" and was mildly about the sickeningly sweet and sometimes sad feelings that the holidays can bring about. 

So clearly these two songs came to mind. As a country boy who grew up on Dolly Parton music, Hard Candy Christmas was so easy to attach to. We've all had our share of heartache, and we've all had to struggle through holidays smiling to distant family members as you're internally picking up the pieces of your shattered heart. 

Then, when I started thinking about it, River kept coming back to me. It really spoke to me about living in a city where the seasons never change, and everything you grew up knowing is thousands of miles away. The kind of lonesome heartache for familiar things and the comfort of knowing that everything, even sadness, is temporary. 

So today, with Ebenezer on one shoulder and Cindy Lou Who on the other, I choose Reid Lee's "Hard Candy Christmas / River Medley" covers of Dolly Parton & Joni Mitchell as my, warm that cold heart, grow three sizes, keep believing each miracle is on the way, song for a, wishes like snowflakes, hope and heartache in equal measure, light up the night sky Thursday.

Sarah McLachlan - "Happy Xmas (War is Over)"

This song has been running around my head lately, as I've prepared for the holidays to slide into full swing, with family and friends and children all around. There's something both bittersweet about it, and yet also hopeful. It walks this delicate balance between last year's shortcomings and the coming year's possibilities. 

No one toes the line between ecstasy and heartbreak quite like Sarah. She gives us full gamut of ranges here, from the lover you lost to the war that's being raged over seas. It helps you put your small troubles into perspective which in turn helps you to find hope for the coming year. 

So today, with things in sharp perspective, I choose Sarah McLachlan's cover of "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" as my look around at every gift, remember there will always be others more and others with less, gratitude for each breath, song for a, what else can I do, let me take my chances as I may, open your heart a little wider Wednesday.

“Maoz Tsur” as Perfomed by the The Ruth Asawa San Francisco School Of The Arts Concert Choir

On this the 7th day and what will be the 8th night of Chanukah, I'm reminded of this very traditional chanukah song and this beautiful choral version.

Today’s traditional Hanukkah blessing is a translation of the phrase “Stronghold of the Rock”, and to me is an example of the virtues of being steadfast and true. It makes me think of my Father, whom I always admired as solid, stable, and willing to lend support whenever necessary. His generosity and strength were more than abundant and his heart was his biggest gift to his friends. Once you were his friend, you were his friend for life.  My Dad was someone who inspired me to be better, by seeing me as better than I am; he was able to see the best in all of his friends, helping them to quietly become better people, a quality I wholeheartedly admire. He was the kind of man who makes you feel better just by being in his presence, and it is hard to imagine that I am living in a world that he isn’t in.

So, today I choose “Maoz Tsur” as my, hold fast to your rock, wherever you may find it, believe that you can be a rock too, song for a watch your soul find solidity, hear your heart sing the sacred songs of love, believe that your truth is reflected in every set of eyes you meet Tuesday, the 7th day and 8th night of Chanukah. 

Felix Mendelssohn - “There Shall a Star from Jacob Come Forth”

Today’s song is by Felix Mendelssohn, a man who was baptized Protestant by his parents but whom was very very proud of his jewish heritage and his relation to Moses Mendelssohn. I like the idea that though he never personally talked about his innermost beliefs he was wise enough to see the divinity in both religions. Taking this text from the Torah he was able to write a transcendent piece of music about the plight of Israel. Though not a traditional Hanukkah song, I always think of this song during the holidays. 

This song sings of hope. Hope for tomorrow, for the life to come, and in the belief that things though dark at times, will always turn out for the best. Light will always rise to the challenge of the darkness. Hope is never lost simply not found yet. Love is always just around the corner waiting for you to happen upon it and fall right it. Never let yourself be so surrounded by the clouds that you forget walk back into the sunshine. 

So today I choose Felix Mendelssohn’s “There Shall A Star From Jacob Come Forth” as my, let your heart believe, hope may be frail - but it is hard to kill, one more step, song for a, let the stars be your guide, you may falter but you mustn't quit, though your body may be broken, battered, and bloody, your weary eyes will rise up and with this sight your heart shall be healed Friday, the 7th night of Chanukah.

Clean Bandit - "Last Christmas (WHAM! cover)"

Last night I watched one of my best friends perform with the GMCLA and the surprise hit of the night for me was certainly their cover of this song. It reminded me of this version I'd recently seen, and fallen in love with. 

Typically I shy away from songs that are "poor pitiful me" in holidays ... at least the ones that don't have some kind of happy or hopeful resolution, and so I had always avoided this song, because all I knew was the chorus. Then last night I realized this song is really about moving on and learning from your mistakes. Goodness gracious, what a revelation! 

The real stars of this cover are the two lead singers. I can't find any info on who they are, so if you know please tell me! 

So today, with the past gone up in flames and the future stretching out like the ocean, I choose Clean Bandit's Cover of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" as my, here's to another run around the sun, who knows where this journey goes, so many adventures yet to be had, song for a, the world is filled with wonder, emerald is the only shade of green you need to wear - leave jaded and envious in last year, light up like the beacon you are, Friday.

Robin Spielberg - "Hatikvah/The Song Of Hope"

As we step into the 2nd day and 3rd night of Chanukah I wanted to touch on some of the universal themes of this season. In the winter months when sunlight, nee light, is at it's lowest ebb, and many people are fighting  seasonal depression as well as bittersweet memories from holidays past it is important to remember the common thread of many of the holidays in this time. 

Something divine, some spark of hope and divinity and lights comes down from the universe and brings light into our lives. There is the solstice celebrating the return of the sun and the divine light is brings restoring plants and crops, there is Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus a divine soul in an earthly body here to lead his followers out of the darkness, and there is Chanukah celebrating the miracle of light holding out longer than in should to instill in it's people the hope to go on and  conquer their would be oppressors. 

What beautiful sentiments from each religion, if only we took the time to look at the similarities of them, rather than their differences. 

The world gives us the chance to choose the light every year. We are gifted the opportunity to look into the malaise, the darkness, and the fear, to stand strong in our convictions and to look for the return of the light, in whatever form that may be. 

So today, with hope cradled like an ember I choose Robin Spielberg's "Hatikvah/The Song Of Hope" as my, look to the light, find the happy that surrounds you, look up and believe, song for a, walk your own path to truth, follow your own divinity, take each gift with gratitude and joy, Thursday. 

Otis Redding - "White Christmas"

Today I woke up dreaming about what kinds of holidays I'd like to find in my life. The small gifts you can gift to yourself, the dreams you let linger a little longer because they make you feel good. Today I woke up thinking about all the gifts I have, and how, somehow, there are still so many dreams I'd like to make come true.  

It isn't about having more stuff, or having more things to show off to people, but about creating a life that gives you the experiences you want. This feeling of wanting more in your life, not because your life is empty but because you want to share your gifts with someone else, and multiply your happiness. 

To me, Otis Redding Jr. did something incredible with this song. He took a saccharinely sweet, nostalgic jazz song and turned it into a song about heartfelt longing, a call for brighter days past with a few rare but honest glimpses into the heartbreak of what the holidays can bring to those outside the warm glow of love. He made this song real, and it is both staggeringly beautiful and hopelessly honest.

In case you don't know Otis' story, here's what wikipedia says about him:

Otis Ray Redding Jr. was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, and talent scout. He is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. Redding's style of singing gained inspiration from the gospel music that preceded the genre. His singing style influenced many other soul artists of the 1960s, such as James Carr and Freddie Jackson. (Woodstra and Elewine) During his lifetime, his recordings were produced by Stax Records, based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Redding was born in Dawson, Georgia and at the age of 2, moved to Macon, GA. Redding quit school at age 15 to support his family, working with Little Richard's backing band, the Upsetters, and by performing in talent shows at the historic Douglass Theatre in Macon, Georgia. In 1958, he joined Johnny Jenkins's band, the Pinetoppers, with whom he toured the Southern states as a singer and driver. An unscheduled appearance on a Stax recording session led to a contract and his first single, "These Arms of Mine", in 1962.

Stax released Redding's debut album, Pain in My Heart, two years later. Initially popular mainly with African-Americans, Redding later reached a wider American pop music audience. Along with his group, he first played small gigs in the American South. He later performed at the popular Los Angeles night club Whisky a Go Go and toured Europe, performing in London, Paris and other major cities. He also performed at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

Shortly before his death in a plane crash, Redding wrote and recorded his iconic "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Steve Cropper. The song became the first posthumous number-one record on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. The album The Dock of the Bay was the first posthumous album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart. Redding's premature death devastated Stax. Already on the verge of bankruptcy, the label soon discovered that the Atco division of Atlantic Records owned the rights to his entire song catalog.

Redding received many posthumous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In addition to "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," "Respect" and "Try a Little Tenderness" are among his best-known songs.

So today, with gratitude and wishes sprouting like Paperwhites, I choose Otis Redding's version of "White Christmas" as my, merry & bright, hopeful and heartfelt, with you in my dreams, song for a, keep dreaming, never stop hoping, yours is the joy that falls like snowflakes Wednesday.

Victor Herbert - "March of the Toys (from Babes In Toyland)"

Now the original 1903 production I may have never seen, but the 1961 Disney Remake was a holiday staple. While the lyrics and plot changed quite a bit, the original score and many of the original songs were used. It starred Frankie & Annette, Ray Bolger, and Ed Wynn; how could you not love this schmaltzy goodness?

This one ranks right up there with the nutcracker for me, as far as animated holiday toy stories goes. 

So today, with humor and nostalgia, I choose Victor Herbert's "March of the Toys" from Babes In Toyland as my, find the magic every day, look to the small sparkles, little bursts of light, song for a, change your own opinion, alter your own fate, take your own life in your hands and leap, Tuesday.