Daniel J. Cartier • Auld Lang Syne

I am calling on Daniel J. Cartier to welcome the new year with his wonderful version of "Auld Lang Syne". I have long been a fan of Daniel's work, and can't get enough. I love his voice, and feel the same about the songs he writes. And he truly does an amazing rendition of the classic "Auld Lang Syne", which you can hear in this music video.

You can find "Auld Lang Syne" on Daniel's holiday album, 'This Christmas'. You can purchase it from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Daniel Cartier, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook.

Adam Shenk • Auld Lang Syne

As this is New Year's Eve, it seems only right to mark the occasion with the traditional song, "Auld Lang Syne". The song, written as a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, and set to a traditional Folk song. It offers up a toast to where we've been, where we are, and where we have yet to go. I remember by parents watching Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, and this song playing while one year became the next. This is a brand new version I found, sung by out and proud singer/songwriter. This is Adam Shenk singing "Auld Lang Syne".

To learn more about Adam Shenk, visit his official website. You can also 'follow' him on Twitter, and 'like' him on Facebook. While this song does not appear on his debut album, three is plenty of great music to be heard. You can find 'Suitcases' on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby.

Casey Stratton • Auld Lang Syne

Photograph by Terry Johnston - Website

Well, it wouldn't be New Year's Eve without someone singing the words written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788, and later set to the tune of a traditional Folk song. This year, I am featuring another artist well-known by those who follow the blog, Michigan-based singer/songwriter Casey Stratton. I truly admire Casey's talent, and love listening to his music.That would include his cover of the great favorite, "Auld Lang Syne".



For more about Casey Stratton, visit his official website. You can also find him on Facebook and Twitter. You can find his music in his online store, iTunes, and Amazon.

Happy New Year

Top: Daniel Cartier; Bottom: ABBA, Barry Manilow, and Dan Fogelberg.

Every year, I try to bring in the New Year with great music. Daniel Cartier's cover of Auld Lang Syne is haunting and beautiful. The song, a traditional greeting of the new year, is based on a poem written by Robert Burns in 1788. That poem was set to a traditional Scottish melody, and the song was born. Daniel Cartier recorded it, and I just love it.

It seems like I would not be able to bypass the 1980 song from super-group Abba, Happy New Year. It was written by the "B's", Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. They, along with Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, make up all the letters in ABBA.



And how about the 1977 song from Pop Maestro Barry Manilow? It's Just Another New Year's Eve was a poignant song released in between the uplifting songs Can't Smile Without You and Daybreak. It was based on a melody from Johann Sebastian Bach's Goldberg Variations.



In 1980, singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg released Same Old Lang Syne. It was later put on the album The Innocent Age. Like the best of Fogelberg's work, it told a story we could all relate to. It went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains a favorite holdiay song for many, 30-some years later.



Here's wishing us all prosperity and lots of love in 2012!

Happy New Year - Auld Lang Syne

I love this haunting, lovely version of the classic song. I am a real fan of Daniel J. Cartier's music, both his original music and his cover songs. He is always putting a great spin on things, something personal.



Happy New Year, everyone!

Visit Daniel Cartier for the Holidays

I recently asked 5 questions to some of my favorite performers featured on this blog, wanting to add a little something to the holiday season. I wanted to learn a bit more about the artists, and their thoughts on music. Daniel Cartier is the next stop on my holiday rounds. As well as being a singer/songwriter, Daniel is also a artist, have some pieces in galleries in New York.

I have been enchanted by Daniel's music for several years now, and find it speaks to me in different ways than much does, as is the case with my favorites. They have a certain something that just makes their voice touch my heart, touch my soul in a way many don't. His videos often have an interesting perspective, perhaps due to his background in art. Take, for example, the hypnotic quality of Hovering, from his album Redemption.



I have been in contact with Daniel for several years, all online. I have yet to see him perform live, but hope to get the chance at some point. So when I thought of this series, I knew I wanted to include him, as someone of whom I wanted to learn a little bit more

So I was eager to ask him what his favorite holiday song was, and it didn't take him long to answer. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, by Judy Garland." What holiday song does he like to perform? "Uh... Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," he answered wryly, "but I'm no Judy!" I don't have a copy of Daniel singing it, but I do have one where Judy does.



As to what his hopes are for the coming New Year, he was very philosophical in his answer. "That I can feel a deep acceptance for whatever comes to pass. If there are things I cannot accept," he continued, "I hope I have the courage to stand up and do something about them if I'm able. The fact is, 2011 will be whatever it winds up being. All I can effectively pray for is acceptance and the willingness to be in the solution if that's possible."

Since we are talking about the New Year, I thought I would run a video of Daniel singing the consummate song for that particular holiday, Auld Lang Syne.



As I am always fascinated by what artists might actually have on their iPods, I wanted to know what he was listening to this year. "Yikes... can I say my own music? Is that obnoxious? I think my album Redemption is the best thing I've ever done. It's a shame my crazy personal life forced it to be temporarily sidelined," he said. "I also love new music by Katy Perry, Keisha, Daft Punk, Florence and the Machine and so on and so forth."

Daniel has recorded some holiday music, including a very cool version of Carol of the Bells. It was on his This Christmas CD, which, of course, I had to own!



Since we've covered the past and present, what about the future? What is Daniel looking forward to musically in 2011? "I'm looking forward to relaunching my album Redemption," he said, "and getting my song Married out to the masses in support of marriage equality for everyone, everywhere." Well, that is exciting, since I know it from the album. But I look forward to seeing a video at some point.

For more about Daniel, check out his official website here. There you can also find out where to buy his music, either directly from him, or find links to buy from iTunes or Amazon. As I skim through the available albums, I have to laugh, cause I have them all.

Happy New Year

2009 is coming to an end, and 2010 is drawing near. Sometimes is amazes me how holidays and such have evolved for me through the years. When I was very young, I was excited to get to stay up late and watch Guy Lombardo ring in the new year with my parents. In my teens, I remember finding Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve and claiming it as my own. Once I moved with Bill to Brooklyn in the 80s, we would venture out to Spectrum, a gay club in Brooklyn where they filmed Saturday Night Fever, complete with that dance floor. [I recently discovered that club was torn down in 2005]

1993 changed things a bit for me. After nearly 10 years in NYC, I decided to move back to Delaware from NYC in September. A few days after Christmas, I went into the hospital, and spent New Year's Eve and day there. I was eventually told I had colon cancer, and had surgery. This was followed by 50 of 52 weeks of chemotherapy, and the appropriate weekly blood tests. Following that period of being a pin-cushion, I wasn't really up for a whole lot of big partying. Pretty much from that point on, I preferred a quieter celebration for New Year, whether I was in Delaware, Rhodes Island, or Vermont. But I do tend to be somewhat introspective, and very grateful for each new year I can welcome.

And while some might be remembering Michael Jackson or Patrick Swayze, I will be thinking of my dear Timon, my moody teenaged feline son, who I lost in June after nearly 15 years together. He was born on the farm in Delaware, and had been with me from the time he was a few months old. He moved with me to Rhodes Island, and again later to Vermont. When I was sick, he was there to comfort me, and I him.

And I will be listening to a traditional song by Daniel J. Cartier. He does a particularly haunting and beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne which I find irresistible. Here it is.



Happy New Year.