The greatest Xmas song of all time is ...

The greatest Christmas song ever

I am often told by my children that the greatest Xmas song of all time is the Pogues 'Fairytale of New York'. Quite a nice song but ... The greatest ever - I don't think so.

My argument is that one of the tests is the test of time. Although upon hearing a song for the first time you often know it is a great song; but the question is will it stand the test of time?

Will it still be sung or performed in one or two hundred years time. If it is still as popular in 100 years time then it may be one of the greatest.

I think some songs and artists will last - Elvis, Lois Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Caruso, The Beatles and so on. Some songs like O Sole Mio in all its various incarnations will go on forever.

Although not a religious person, many great songs that have stood that test of time are religious - How great thou art; Away in a manger; Amazing Grace; O come all ye faithful.

But for Xmas; for me the greatest is Silent Night. (German - Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht)

The original lyrics were by an Austrian, Father Joseph Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber with the carol being first performed in the Nikolaus-Kirche (Church of St. Nicholas) in Oberendorf Austria on December 24, 1818. Mohr had composed the words two years earlier, in 1816, but on that Christmas Eve asked Gruber to compose a melody for the church service.

And so was born what I consider the greatest of them all.



There a literally hundreds of versions and I don't usually put any songs here that are not, it seems, a hundred or so years old.

And although the song is in that category todays version is a recent one; from a magnificent 2006 album by Billy Idol. If you have any spare cash available go out now and purchase his Happy Holiday album. It is simply wonderful. From that great piece of work here is Silent Night by Billy Idol.

Its almost Santa

Xmas is almost here and the music is here. A couple for the season plus a few more.

Peters & Lee - Hey Mr Music Man. Funny how you pick up songs. I had never heard this before then when driving along and listenting to our local Hutt Radio they played it. I tracked it down and here it is.

Johhny Worth - Pretty Blue Eyes. A hit in the UK for Craig Douglas and in the US for Steve Lawrence (Eydie Gorme's husband).
Mike Preston - Marry Me. I am a fan of his.
Larry Page with two songs - Start Movin' and That'll be the day.
Jimmy Boyd - Jingle Bells
Pat Boone with the great White Xmas.

Probably my last for the year so have a good Xmas and a great 2011.

All Poms

All British today - just click here

Max Bygraves - Any dream will do

The Drifters - no it is the Shadows - South of the Border. They changed their name so they wouldn't get mixed up with the US singing group.

Alma Cogan - With a little bit of Luck from My Fair Lady

Eddie Calvert of Oh My Papa fame with a bit of Italy Il Silenzio

Seeking something modern

Some modern stuff here if the mid 60's is modern.

The Seekers: Kumbaya, Just a closer walk with thee, Four strong winds.
An African, religious and Canadian song from an all Australian group.

Talking about Australians (was I) this has been a good year for us (Kiwis) versus the old enemy Oz in sport. We won the Netball and Rugby 7's at the Games as well at the Bledisloe Cup and the League Four Nations.

Fleetwoods - Come Softly To Me (1965 Version). This is an updated version (is it better - I don't think so) of their great hit.

Well back to the music - Beach Boys - Sloop John B parody. An interesting version.

And last but not least we go back a bit further in time to a Dutch oldies group Long Tall Ernie & the Shakers with a medley of oldies called - Do you remember.

Pacific Time

I am back from my trip to OZ so to start off all from the Pacific region.

I remember like yesterday the short but popular Alan "Red" Hewitt (Rhythm Guitar / Vocals) leading his group The Buccaneers (Johnny Willetts - Lead Guitar George Jones - Drums Gary Daverne - Piano / Sax Peter Cox - Bass Guitar) with his big hit cover of Robbin' the cradle. Although I slightly preferred the Tony Bellus version at the time I still thought Red's version was terrific.

It destroyed the US version in Auckland and he was all the rage for about a year or so.

Sadly I read that Red passed away in 2006 but he was still playing to the end.

So today we have

Red Hewitt - Robbin' the Cradle and The Girl in the Teddy bear Coat - both from 1960.

Australians Barry Crocker with the Donald Peers hit - Please don't go and Johhny O'Keefe - Shout.

Kiwi Johnny Devlin - Honey Don't

And from Tahiti Terorotua & His Tahitians - Vini Vini (1958-Tamoure), Die Tahiti - Tamoures - Tamoure (Vini-Vini).

All here

Eddie Fisher dead at 82

Edwin Jack Fisher was born on 10 August 10, 1928, in Philadelphia so he was 82 at his death. I thought he was older. Taking the name of Eddie Fisher, his matinee-idol looks and big baritone voice made him one of the most popular singers of the 1950s. I for one always enjoyed his songs and have in addition to the one for today I have loaded some up previously - just use the search facility to find them.

He made headlines when in 1959 he divorced Debbie Reynolds to marry Elizabeth Taylor who in turn left him for Richard Burton. In those more puritan and less liberal days it was the kiss of death for his career.

So here today is Eddie Fisher with Dungaree Doll.

As a special I also have NZ's own Dinah Lee with New Orleans and Johnny.

(Expect no action here for a few weeks as we will be away)

Another mixture of oldies

Listen to these -

Willie Nelson - America the beautiful. And he is in full voice and just beautiful
Herb Alphert - America - from West Side Story
S & G - Bye bye love (live) - almost but not quite as good as the Everlys
Graham Bonnet - I''ll be your baby tonight
Delaney Bonnie and Friends - Never ending song of love. Interestingly Eric Clapton often used to perform with the group.
Joe Brown and the Bruvvers - A picture of you
Reg Lindsey of Australia with his version of the John Stewart favourite about the first man on the moon - Armstrong
Left Banke - Walk away Renee

Hank and Donna Marie Koopman

Hank and Donna Marie Koopman

I couldn't find out much about this couple. By surname sounded Dutch but I think they are Australian C & W singers. Listen to them here with Caribbean, Mr Fire Eyes, Round and Round, On the wings of a dove, Don't let the stars get in your eyes and Melodie da amour.

Their records are well worth hunting out and buying.

Kiwi

All Kiwi again here.

As an aside I see Mitch Miller died at age 99. His Sing-a-long stuff is not really my cup of tea, but he did do the theme to the River Kwai film (Colonel Bogey) and found several great artists such as Rosie Clooney (Georges Aunt), Guy Mitchell and Tony Bennett. He hated R 'n' R but did take it on board to a degree as he realised it was the way to go.

Back to NZ

Howard Morrison - How great thou art
John Grenell or Hore depending on your taste - I've been everywhere man - Kiwi version
Warratahs (Ozzie name but a Kiwi group)- Cruising on the Interislander
Prince Tui Teka - E Ipo
Unknown - Pokarekare ana

Hula Hoop

Today we go back to the Hula Hoop era with the Georgia Gibbs version.

Pussy Cats - Mississippi
Joanie Summers - Johnny get angry
Meat Loaf - You took the words right out of my mouth. This song has a great introduction.
Kathy Kirby - Secret love

MOSTLY COUNTRY

Mostly country with -

Jimmy Rodgers - not the man from the 1930's (who spelt his name Jimmie) but the 1950's version with Woman from Liberia
Gerry & the Pacemakers - Pretend
Johnny Cash - Oh lonesome me - the Don Gibson classic
George Jones - A good year for the roses
Everly's - Memories are made of this - the best version ever - even better than Dean Martins version

and the non-country - Johnny Keating Orchestra with the Theme from Z Cars. A great favourite TV show of mine. Stratford Johns and Frank Windsor were superb. Also starring were James Ellis and Brian Blessed who went on to fame as a writer with the Oscars (The British are coming rant).

Mostly odds

Some odds and others are here.

Brook Brothers (at one stage thought to be the UK's answer to the Everly Brothers but not good enough) - I wanna love my life away - Look for a star

Bernard Bresslaw - You need feet. His play on You need hands
Jo - Don't wanna be another good luck charm (an answer song)
Peter Posa - Gonk - NZ own guitar master.
Petula Clark & Bobby Darin - All I Have To Do Is Dream (Live)
Alma Cogan - In the middle of the house. Another version of this great comedy song.

ITALY 1 - NZ 1

Soccer - however I am a Rugby person so enjoyed All Blacks 42 Wales 9 - still a marvelous result that really should have been a NZ win except for the poor reffing - well onto the music mix here. We start with a NZ song because with the Soccer result it is the hour -

Robert Delagdo Orch - Now is the hour
Emile Ford - live in Paris in 1961 with Its now or never
Marty Robbins in his R & R days with That's all right mamma
Paul Anka - I love you baby
Vaughan Monroe-Railroad runs through the middle of the house - the original version
Rob EG - In The Middle Of An Island
Xavier Cugat - Calcutta

TODAYS MIXTURE

Raining and pouring and the wind blowing so I thought I would upload a few for your pleasure.

Col Joye - Clap your hands - The Canadian group the Beaumarks hit. In NZ the original was on the Viking label which fostered many NZ artists.

The Browns - Unchained melody - I have written before about this great song and the background to it.

Robin Luke - 5 Minutes more - an oldie but goody from the Susie Darling guy.

Craig Douglas - Come softly to me - the Fleetwoods hit. His greatest was of course Only 16

Don Ho - Tiny Bubbles - The King of Hawaii

Buddy Knox - Endless sleep

Bob Wills - Faded love - one of C & W Greats.

I read today that Jimmy Dean of Big Bad John died at 81.

STILL MORE KIWI

Listen today to still more Kiwi with a few old favourites -

Johnny Cooper with Don Richardsons Festival 5 - See you later alligator
Johnny Stevenson & the Saphires - Swanee River
Max Merritt & the Meteors - Sea Cruise
Supersonics - Perfidia
Teddy Bennet - You must have been a beautiful baby
Teddy Bennet & the Blockbusters-Oh me oh my

ALL KIWI

Johnny Cooper - front left - still around living quite close to me in Naenae where he has recently been involved in the setting up of a local small powered radio station. Unfortunately I can't get it at home but it is OK on the car radio.

Teddy Bennett - I hadn't realised he also had a link to Naenae.

All kiwi to listen to -

.

Johnny Cooper - Pie cart Rock & Roll.

Johnny Cooper - Rock around the clock

Max Merritt & the Meteors – C’mon everybody.

Max Merritt & the Meteors - Get a haircut.

Max Merritt & the Meteors - Teenbeat.

.

Supersonics - Detour.

Supersonics - Guitar Boogie.

Teddy Bennet - Babyface .

Teddy Bennet - Where were you on my wedding day.

ALL LADIES

The ladies.

Eydie Gorme - Mama Teach Me To Dance. Pictured above with husband singer Steve Lawrence
Annette Funicello - Blame It On The Bossa Nova. Eydie's hit
Carol Deene - Some People.
Sylvia Syms - Dancing Chandelier.

MOSTLY COVERS

Some variety today with some cover versions headed by Malcolm McLaren who died on 8 April this year. A one time manager of the Sex Pistols he also sang and here is his version of the Max Bygraves hit You need hands. I like it.

Also today we have

Chicago's own Nick Noble with Ferlins hit A falling star
Vince Everett - Such a night (The boy from Tupelo and Johnny Ray)
Doug Franklin & the Blue Notes - Lucky love (Mike Preston)
Adam Faith - I ran all the way home (The Impalas)
Dorsey Burnette - There was a tall oak tree
Bobby Vinton - My song of love

BUSY BUT SOME ODDS

Been very busy and also away but "I'm Bach" Some odds are here. Starting with singer songwriter Paul Evans doing his demo version of the Kalins big hit When.
From the stage (originally) Oklahoma! with the great Gordon McRae and Shirley Jones who went on to fame on TV with The Partridge Family.
Jimmy Justice (who's big one was When my little girl was smiling) - Don't let the stars get in your eyes
Billy Fury - You're having the last dance with me
Patti Page - Pretty boy lonely
Adam Faith - Ricky's big Gene Pitney written song Hello Mary Lou

BACK

Have been away so no updating. Upon my return I thought the blog had been deleted but it was still here (must have typed in the wrong password or something).

If that happens I will start again I suppose. Who knows. In that case email me at
uuem at hotmail dot com if you are that interested. I think you can work out the true email address!!!

Onward to a few decades ago - Sonny and a bit of Country.

I understand the leading singer for over a decade with the most chart success in C & W was not Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and similar high profile artists but Sonny James who had 16 straight No.1 singles and between 1953 - 1993; entering the C & W charts 72 times!!

In addition with Young Love he had a Pop hit.

He was the producer of one of my favourites -Paper Roses by Marie Osmond.

Sonny James sings - Caribbean - Running Bear - White Silver Sands

Others today are - Don Gibson -Lonesome No. 1 and Nashville Teens - Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation People

THE DAY AFTER

The day after Waitangi (New Zealand) Day so we have Johnny Devlin with Doreen and Shona Laing with an extended mix version of her I'm glad I'm not a Kennedy - listen here.

Plus we have some classical (and a classic redone)

The redone classic is
Bill Haley and Rock aound the clock 2000.

The classical is
The Red Army Choir - Battle Hym of the Republic (live)
Pavarotti & Bryan Adams-O Sole Mio
Joseph Schmidt-A Star Fell From Heaven

TODAYS

Summer seems to have arrived at last (but for how long). But enough of all that - on to the music-

The Brothers (Dean & Marc) - Soiux City Sue
Billy J Kramer - Beautiful Dreamer & Da doo ron ron
Ernie Maresca (Songwriter Demo) - The Wanderer. An unusual one - the writers demo of asong that became a big hit for Dion. Later he had a hit himself with Shout Shout (Knock yourself out).
Crew Cuts - Mostly Martha. Back to the 50's and when the crew cut was the rage - no wonder the Beatles looked weird at first.
Mavericks - True love ways. I think the Mavericks Dance the night away is one of the best of very few good songs of the past 30 years. Here led by the superb voice of Raul Malo they sing a Buddy Holly hit. I am sure they had some NZ connection - manager or somebody connected was a Kiwi.
Mouth & MacNeal-How Do You Do
Preston Epps - Bongo Rock

MORE KIWI ON WELLINGTON ANNIVERSARY DAY

I should have put up "You can't beat Wellington on a good day" which is right except the weather here lately means we have had hardly any good days.

She who must be obeyed is grizzling about the wet and I suppose she is right but on the bright side we don't have the fire problems the Ozzies are having with the tremendous heat waves they are undergoing. My brother & his wife are Ozzies and they now have real water problems at the moment.

Anyway today's lot are here:

Black Bolt & the Silver Ferns - Give em a taste of Kiwi
Suzanne Prentice - When I dream
The Tumbleweeds - Maple on the Hill
John Rowles - Daffodil Day. Is he the greatest NZ pop singer. Probably he had the greatest International success.
Hammond Gamble - You make the whole world smile. Both this and Daffodil Day were made to raise funds for charity many years ago.
Steve Allen - Come together. The theme song of the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games. Who can forget Dick Taylers great win. It inspired us to go to the 1990 Games in Auckland and although they say the opening ceremony is the 'thing' we found the closing much better as it was so emotional.
St Josephs Maori Girls College-Po Atarau (Now Is The Hour)

MORE KIWI

Some NZ hits -

Keil Isles - Splish splash
Craig Scott - When Jo Jo runs
Shane - St. Paul
Creation - Carolina
Larry's Rebels - Lets think of something. The famous Rugby commentator Winston McCarthy's son was a member of the Rebels.
Shona Laing - 1905. She got her start through the TV show "Have a Shot'. As I said she in a previous post she didn't win but I remember one the judges the late Relda Familton, saying at the end of the voting that she should have won - and she was right. Where is the winner today??
(Link in previous post)

A YEAR AGO

I meant to post on my one year anniversary but time the usual factor caught me out.

So I am a couple of days late but in recognition of this anniversary I have here two songs from the great John Hore-Grenell.

John Denver Hore was born in 1944, in the Central Otago town of Ranfurly and I first saw him on a NZ TV talent show "Have a Shot'. It was based upon a radio show from 1ZB in Auckland. In the radio program I used to listen to as a kid, when the judges thought they had heard enough they fired a shot and the act came to an end. TV was not that cruel.

John was like many others who failed to win Have a Shot but went on to fame - Shona Laing, Split Enz - and of course in the UK Susan Boyle didn't win. Where are the winners now?

So John did not win (3rd) but I thought he was the best act. However, I must admit that when I saw Split Enz on hHave a Shot I thought they were terrible.

Nevertheless John joined the show circuit and in 1965 he went to the USA where he performed as John Denver, using his first and middle names. Hore was considered by the Yanks as too risque.

Supposedly John Deutschendorf was performing and that was when he decided to call himself John Denver. Later when the Kiwi returned to the US he couldn't use Denver so he used his mothers maiden name of Grenell instead.

So today we have John singing I've been everywhere and Welcome to my world which Toyota used in an advert. I've previously posted his version of Blue Smoke.

WEAVING SOME OLDIES

Weaving some oldies here with the Weavers and others. All from a long time ago
Weavers - Tzena,Tzena (the Israeli folk song) and Bay of Mexico
Doris day - A bushel and a peck
Sensations - Music music music
Xavier Cugat - Sucu sucu sucu
Rosemary Clooney & Bing Crosby - Isle Of Capri
Russ Morgan - Forever and ever

ITS ONLY THE BEGINNING - OF 2010

Kalin Twins - It's Only The Beginning
- their big hit was When.

Dreamweavers - Its almost tomorrow
The Jumpers - Its springtime in the Rockies - all rocked up
Larry Finnegan - Lucinda. He was a one hit wonder with Dear One
Leroy Anderson - The Syncopated Clock
Nino de Angelo - Guardian Angel
All here

FIRST OF 2010

The first of the New Year. How are we going to say it - Twenty ten or Two thousand and ten. Who knows - who cares.

What we do care about is the music here:

Bonnie Guitar-The French song. Not as good as the Lucille Starr version

Anita Lindblom -You can have him. From 1962 a Swedish singer sing the female version of Roy Hamilton's great song.

Tony Sheveton - A million drums from 1964

Johnny Halliday-Love me tender (French). The King of R 'n' R in France.

Jan & Dean - Baby Talk. Supposedly recorded in a garage.

Crickets -A Fool Never Learns. Buddy's backing group. I go to a weekly quiz evening and one of the questions was 'What was Buddy Holly's wifes name" I knew she was Hispanic and not a pleasant person but it defeated me as I just couldn't recall it (pressure!!) so we wrote down 'That Spanish B.... '

It was Maria - why didn't we pick that as an obvious name?

(She caused some controversy when she wanted to charge the city of Lubbock to use Buddy's name in various ways, including in relation to a music festival, a street named the "Buddy Holly Walk of Fame", and a terrace named "Buddy Holly Terrace.")

Connie Francis - My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own (V 3). Maybe the best song she ever did.