Of course this lovely swing version by Ella had to be the choice for our final Crooners’ Sunday. Nothing more to say about this; it speaks for itself.
White Christmas, December 21: CeeLo Green
I know this is late, but it was worth the wait. How have I never realised what a terrific voice CeeLo Green has? I love this big glitzy Vegas version, and I love how happy everyone performing it is. Also, Las Vegas is totally Christmassy, because of Father Christmas Goes On Holiday.
White Christmas, December 20: The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys might even be my favourite band of all (not counting the Beatles and the Carpenters and the Pet Shop Boys and the Who and probably some others). This starts off so slowly that I keep thinking someone’s accidentally playing it at 33rpm rather than 45, but it’s a gloriously swooshy and whooshy version, with singing as luscious as you’d expect. Also, all Christmas songs should end with a sweep of violins, I have decided.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to sleep for 48 hours. I think I am too aged for the Christmas party season.
White Christmas, December 19: The Ravens
From now on in, all our Christmases are not just white but pure musical gold. This, from the Ravens, is one of the versions I am most delighted to be able to share with you, because it’s not well-known but it’s SUPER. Take especial note, please, of the lovely piano at 1:11 and everything from 2:10 onwards. Merry Christmas!
White Christmas, December 18: Ernest Tubb
Obviously we can’t have twenty-four different recordings of White Christmas without including a country music version. I listened to lots and this was my favourite, so I hope you like it too. The steel guitar is especially pleasing.
White Christmas, December 17: Stiff Little Fingers
WAKE UP, IT’S CHRISTMAS
White Christmas, December 16: Neil Diamond and Cliff Richard, Together At Last
OK, not actually together, but – amazingly – spliced together by a dedicated fan, in possibly the best, and certainly the oddest, mash-up of all time. May your week be as much fun as this song is.
(Make sure to keep listening past two minutes in, where something exciting happens. And something else exciting, in a different way, happens at 3:53, and you know, you just really need to listen to the whole thing.)
White Christmas, December 15: Andy Williams
I’m sticking with Crooners’ Sunday, so here is my favourite crooner of them all, Andy Williams, whose voice combines the smoothness of a Frank with the depth and richness of an Elvis, and whose version of Sleigh Ride is my favourite Christmas song of all, not counting Mistletoe And Wine. There is NO SPACE for Frank or Elvis in this year’s advent calendar, believe it or not, so this is as close as you’ll get. (I can’t say the same for Cliff, but more on him tomorrow, and I think you’ll be glad you waited.)
But for now, don your Sunday slippers and ideally a cardigan, light a fire, and enjoy some Andy loveliness. The cut-in at 2:05 is cheesy, but I love it anyway.
White Christmas, December 14: Lou Reed
Like I said, I like to give you a treat on a Saturday, so here’s Lou giving it his inimitable all on Boxing Day 1979 at the Bottom Line in Manhattan. Thanks due to Niall, who was able to verify these facts and confirm that this is indeed a recording of Your Actual Lou.
White Christmas, December 13: Haunani Hahalewai
So I could have absolutely given you twenty-four versions of White Christmas which are only slightly different from each other, but it’s more interesting to vary it even if that means (and it does) missing out on some great singers. But! It also means we get some other, less famous, great singers in exchange, and Haunani Hahalewai is one of them. This version has bonus Hawaiian lyrics for added value, AND a whole bunch of other songs tagged on to the end, some of which you will know, though you may not have heard these versions. Don’t say I never give you something for nothing.
Glad All Over 