Chris Cornell • Ave Maria

When I was thinking about having a post for Sunday morning, just three days before Christmas, I wanted to have an interesting interpretation of "Ave Maria", so I checked to see who I had in my iTunes that might work. Well, once I saw I had a version by Chris Cornell, I knew the search was over. In 1997, Chris recorded the Franz Schubert, written in 1825 inspired by Walter Scott's poem, "The Lady of the Lake". Well, a German translation of the poem, at least. I am sure Schubert had no idea that 172 years later, the song would be interpreted by a Rock Star, with a voice like Chris Cornell. I am a huge fan of Cornell, so when I read about his recording of the song, I had to make it a part of my collection. It appeared on the 1997 album 'A Very Special Christmas 3', where Cornell sung with the band Eleven playing on the song.

There is a certain majesty to his voice, a depth to his vocal that few can match. And it never hurts to know he is so nice to look at. You can find 'A Very Special Christmas 3' on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Chris Cornell, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Christmas Presents from Christmas Belles

Clockwise: Big Maybelle, Doris Day, Sarah Vaughan, and Bette Midler.

It is just over three days before we celebrate Christmas, so I thought I would invite some very special ladies to sing a few special songs to make the holiday that much better. And I will start with a legendary talent from the the middle of the last century. Day was a star of movies and music, she was the girl next door they all wanted to know. In 1964, she released 'The Doris Day Christmas Album', which included the song "Be A Child At Christmas Time", with music by Martin Broones and lyrics by William A. Luce. The song is just so sweet and charming, and delivered perfectly by Day. This is Doris Day singing "Be A Child At Christmas Time".

Big Maybelle has always been a favorite of mine, her voice just so amazing. She has made a lot of different music, and it all makes me happy. One of the recordings I love so very much is her rendition of the 1940 sing by Irving Berlin, "White Christmas". While it was first made famous by Bing Crosby, Big Maybelle gives it s different twist, a Jazzy and Bluesy sound. It really shows off the richness in her tone. I hope you love when Big Maybelle sings "White Christmas" as much as I do.

When I type in the name Bette Midler, I immediately feel better. I know if there is music involved, I will soon be a very happy man. And if it is a a song off her 2006 album, 'Cool Yule', I know it is going to be magic. She sings "Merry Christmas", a song written by Fred Spielman and Janice Torre for the 1949 movie 'In The Good Old Summertime', sung by Judy Garland. Bette imbues the song with all the warmth and and care you could ask for, and then some. This is Bette Midler singing "Merry Christmas".

And in our last song of the evening, I have picked the great Sarah Vaughan singing a wonderful wintery tune. The song is the title cut of her 1963 holiday album, and was written by Russell Faith and Clarence Kehne. "Snowbound" is a great song, and her delivery is just about perfection. There is a wistful and romantic feel to the song. This is Sarah Vaughan singing "Snowbound".

I hope you are having a great weekend!

Leon Redbone • That Old Christmas Moon

I readily admit I am a big fan of Leon Redbone, and can listen to him anytime. His interpretations of early 20th century music makes me weak in the knees, it is so fresh and true. But come the Christmas season, I don't know if I could make it through without playing 'Christmas Island', his holiday album released in 1988. The album is chock-full of great music, but for this morning, I chose to feature "That Old Christmas Moon", a song written by Terry Waldo and performed to perfection by Redbone. So please enjoy one of my favorites, as Leon Redbone sings "That Old Christmas Moon".

The album is just a delight, with one charming song after another. You can purchase 'Christmas Island' on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Leon Redbone, visit his official website, where you can hear some of the great music Redbone makes. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and listen to some more great music.

Date Night • A Gay Christmas

I found this delightful short that is just perfect for the holiday season. 'A Gay Christmas' is a short by Cornfather Productions in association with Paignton Film Company. It was written and produced by Michael Cornacchia, and directed and edited by Jeff Payton. It gives us a glimpse into the lives of Sand & Mrs. Claus, specifically when son Hermy comes home from his first semester of college. The film stars Michael Cornacchia and Kristina Hayes as Mr. & Mrs. Claus: Kristina Hayes; Mickey Meyer and Jeffrey Schuetze as Hermy Claus and Zapatos Zeddmore; with Mark Kelly, Joseph Keane, Jake Miller, Matthew Shaffer and Jeff Payton. I hope you enjoy 'A Gay Christmas'.

Happy holidays!

A Very Disco Christmas

Since it is Friday and the start of the pre-holiday weekend, I was looking to find some music that might propel us into the weekend and the holiday spirit, all at the same time. And I was lucky enough to find a track I didn't even know existed to kick off the proceedings. I thought I knew all the songs released by the Village People, and, in fact, had most of them. Well, they fooled me, for I was not aware of a Christmas release, and could only find a version of "Disco Santa Claus", a campy take on their hits "Y.M.C.A." and "Macho Man". After a bit of research, I discovered it wasn't the Village People at all, but a sound-alike group called Holiday Express. They have adapted the lyrics, and spell out "N.O.E.L.", although I am not sure I would know the arm motions to spell it out! Please enjoy the Village People singing "Disco Santa (Santa Claus/N.O.E.L.)".

My remaining selections for the come from bands not nearly as well known, but still making sparkling Disco nonetheless. The Roller Disco Orchestra take on a song written in 1934 by composer Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard B. Smith, "Winter Wonderland". The song has been sung by many, but none with quite the flair in this recording. I hope you enjoy the recording of "Winter Wonderland" by the Roller Disco Orchestra.

The Hit Crew was a name used by a record label who put out many sound-alike covers of songs, and released on cheaper albums of so-called hits. But they also seem to want to take advantage of more than just the summer hits, for they did some interesting holiday covers as well. They did a Disco cover of "Silver Bells", the holiday classic written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, and first introduced by Bob Hope in the 1950 film, 'The Lemon Drop Kid'. I hope you enjoy this cover of "Silver Bells" by The Hit Crew.

Finally, there is also a Disco version of the Rock=influenced "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree", a song written by Johnny Marks and recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958. The song combined the sound and feel of Rock and Pop music, with a nod to the contemporary Christmas songs being made at the time. A couple of decades later, the holiday themed Mistletoe Disco Band added the song to their repertoire, and gave the Christmas classic a new sound. This is "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by the Mistletoe Disco Band.

Have a great weekend!

Gregory Douglass • Imagination

When it comes to the music of Vermonter Gregory Douglass, I must admit to having a problem. You see, I just can't get enough. The talented and handsome singer/songwriter have been making music for a while now, and I do believe I have his complete collection in my iTunes. After all, you never know when you might need to get that fix, or which song might be needed to scratch that itch. This time of year, I am looking for holiday music, and once again, Gregory does not disappoint. In 2010, he released an amazing new song he had written, and it remains a favorite of mine today. "Imagination" is both dreamy and sweet, with a wonderful cello accompaniment by Monique Citro. This is the music video for "Imagination".

I really do love this song, and love when it comes up in my Christmas Mix. You can purchase "Imagination" on iTunes and Amazon. One of the wonderful things about being a fan of Gregory, besides the music and some cool music videos, is feeling safe in the knowledge "Imagination" is not the only song to play during the holiday season. In fact, Gregory has a 2009 release that is quite special. 'Merry' is 5-song collection that combines a few old favorites with some special new songs from Douglass.Among the older songs was a wonderful cover of Wham's "Last Christmas", first heard in 1984. It was written by the oh-so-talented George Michael, and went to #2 on the UK Pop chart, behind only "Do They Know It's Christmas?", the fundraiser by Band Aid, which included both George and Andrew from Wham. This is a video featuring the song "Last Christmas".

The 'Merry' EP also includes original songs "What A Long Year It Was" and "Walking in the Air", as well as classic favorites "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "O Holy Night". I'd tell you my favorite, but I can't pick one, they are all so good! 'Merry' can be purchased from iTunes and Amazon To learn more about Gregory Douglass, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter and 'like' him on Facebook.

Sugarbeach • My Perfect Christmas

The sexy ladies from Sugarbeach have done it again. What, you might ask? Well, Marlee Walchuk and Tully Callender wrote and produced their own holiday single, "My Perfect Christmas". It is a beautiful song, and it tells such a wonderful story, I feel we've been invited into their home for the holidays, enjoying life by the fire and watching the ladies prepare for Christmas Day. I know what I can now put on my wishlist, and it is hearing this song as often as I can this Christmas season. Give a listen to Sugarbeach celebrating "My Perfect Christmas".

Unfortunately, "My Perfect Christmas" is not available for purchase anywhere. However, fortunately for us all, Marlee and Tully are great people, and have made the song available for FREE DOWNLOAD! You just visit the Soundcloud page, and click on 'DOWNLOAD' underneath the sound file.To learn more about Sugarbeach, stop by their official website. You can also 'follow' them on Twitter, and 'like' them on Facebook. You can check out the RightOutTV website, and check out some great music from the LGBT community. Marlee and Tully are also responsible for the RightOutTV Music & Video Awards, and the regular readers enjoyed the chance to hear the music of all the winners these past few years. Discover some great music and videos on RightOut TV!