Anthony Callea by Candlelight

Last year, Anthony Callea released a great collection of holiday music, simply called 'This Is Christmas'. I ate it up like it was a collection of candy canes hanging off the Christmas tree. I must also say I have been a fan of Anthony's since I first came across a video that went viral of the singer performing "The Prayer" on Australian Idol in 2004. I was hooked, and ordered his first album, and every album since. So I was already prone to love his music, but adding Christmas music to the mix upped the ante! And every year since Idol, Anthony has performed at a charitable event, 'Carols by Candlelight'. That would include last year, when he sang two songs from the holiday release. The first I will share is Anthony singing "Ave Maria", featuring the National Boys' Choir of Australia.

His second song from 2013 was the Celine Dion hit, "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day". The song was written by Dion and Peter Zizzo and Ric Wake, and has been covered by several since hitting the charts in 2000. With Anthony's exceptional talent, he could sing the song like few others could, so I was excited to hear he was singing it live. This is Anthony with "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day".

When Anthony released the album in 2013, he also did a music video for his rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear", the traditional carol given a club feel. I loved it, an angelic dance song that was perfect for holiday parties. This is the official music video for "Do You Hear What I Hear".

Back in 2008, Anthony did a duet with the handsome and talented Tim Campbell. This was the first Christmas the two were together, so it was charming seeing them together. Even better that not too long ago, they made it legal, getting married in New Zealand, for Australia still does not recognize the rights of same-sex couples. The duet was also included on Anthony's holiday album. This is Anthony and Tim with "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", which also featured the Melbourne Gospel Choir.

I've had it over a year, and still love the album. You can purchase Anthony's 'This Is Christmas' from iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Anthony Callea, visit his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook, and 'follow' him on Twitter.

Chanticleer • Ave Maria

I am strong enough to admit I am enough of a music geek to enjoy listening to chorale groups. One of my favorites is Chanticleer, the men's vocal ensemble started in 1978 to perform and celebrate the medieval and Renaissance music loved and studied by founder Louis Botto. I have several of their recordings, and am especially fond of the Christmas collections. It is on one of them that you can find the recording of the group singing Franz Biebl's "Ave Maria".

You can find this version of "Ave Maria" on the 'Fireside Christmas with Chanticleer'. It can be purchased from Amazon and the Chanticleer Online Store. You can also find the studio recording on 'Our Hearts Joy: A Chanticleer Christmas'. That album can be found on iTunes, Amazon, and the Chanticleer Online Store. To learn more about Chanticleer, visit the official website, You can also 'like' them on Facebook, and 'follow' them on Twitter.

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.

Luciano Pavarotti • Panis Angelicus

I decided to class up the joint a bit this week, and bring in one to be most recognizable voice of the past century, the last Luciano Pavarotti. In this first clip, he sings "Panis Angelicus", a hymn Sacris solemniis written by Saint Thomas Aquinas for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

In the second and final clip of the morning, I figure you cannot go wrong with Pavarotti singing "Ave Maria". Well, you can't go wrong with Pavarotti period, but he certainly has such beautiful depth, a wonderful take on the song.

Happy Sunday!

Christmas Hymns with Anthony Callea

It wouldn't be Christmas around here unless I was able to play a bit of Anthony Callea. Since his appearance on Australian Idol, I have been an unabashed fan, always ready to listen to his music and that amazing voice. Since this is a Sunday morning just a couple of days before Christmas, I thought I would give the 'Gospel' slot over to some spiritual Christmas hymns, something Anthony sings particularly well. I will begin with his stunning performance of "Ave Maria". Anthony was joined by The National Boys' Choir of Australia to sing what I believe is the Schubert version of the song.

Next, I offer you Anthony singing "O Holy Night", with music by composer Adolphe Adam in 1847, set to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" (Midnight, Christians) by Placide Cappeau. As with every performance I have ever heard of his, Anthony is in exceptional voice, and makes me question if he is a human, or really an angel sent down to earth to enchant us all. Either way, I'm so damn glad I have his music in my iTunes. Enjoy!

Christmas Music - Anthony Callea

Top: Anthony Callea; Bottom: With Tim Campbell

Since I don't live in Australia and can't watch the telecast of Carols by Candlelight, I will just create my own. What I truly mean by that, of course, is that I will pick and chose some of my favorite performances by Anthony Callea that I have found on YouTube, and post them on Christmas Eve. Whether he is singing a traditional carol or a hymn, Anthony delivers like few can, and I just love him. So I will start with his beautiful rendition of the classic song, The First Noel, which he performed in 2009.



Way back in 2006, Anthony decided to rock it out a bit, and put his own special spin on the Darlene Love classic, Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).



In 2007, Anthony lifted his voice to sing a gorgeous O Holy Night. When Anthony hits his stride, I can't think of many who can keep up with him.



In 2008 Anthony and his partner, actor/singer/host Tim Campbell, performed together. An out couple, they are just too adorable together, and I will admit to having a crush on Tim, too. Their voices work quite well together. This is Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, with Tim singing first, and introducing the 'beautiful' Anthony.



Finally, I shall end with what might be my favorite performance I have seen so far from Anthony's run on Carols by Candlelight. In 2008, he sang a spectacular version of Ave Maria. It gives me goosebumps to listen to him sing it. Enjoy.



For more about Anthony, you can check out his website here. You can find out more about Tim at his website, here. For further information on Carols by Candlelight, click here.

Christmas Music - Chanticleer

This San Fransisco-based men's group was founded in 1978 to present choral singing at the highest level and "to encourage worldwide appreciation for the art of ensemble singing through live performances, education, recording and the creation of new choral work." I think you could say mission accomplished, as they have performed to sold out-crowds earning standing ovations, as well as a Grammy for their 1999 recording, Colours of Love. For the 2009/2010 season, they will tour and perform over 100 different performances. New Yorker magazine calls them "the world's reigning male chorus," and Musical America named them 2008 Ensemble of the Year. They have also helped groom out singer/songwriter Matt Alber before he sought his own solo career.



The following clips show them performing Christmastime Is Here, O Come O Come Emanuel and Franz Biebl's Ave Maria. To find out more about Chanticleer, you can find their official website here. You can see about the tour, get tickets, and order some recordings.

Christmas Music - Anthony Callea - Hymns

As previously stated, I love to listen to Anthony Callea sing. His voice is just amazing to me, and I am just so jealous of the Australians who get to see and hear him on their television, let alone live and in person. Once again this year, Anthony will be performing at Carols by Candlelight, a charitable function in Melbourne, on Christmas Eve. And once again, I will be scouring the web searching for clips and hoping I could have been there myself. So here are clips of him singing Silent Night, O Holy Night, and Ave Maria. They are just beyond description to me.

Silent Night (2006)


O Holy Night (2007)


Ave Maria (2008)


For more about Anthony, you can check out his website here. You can find out more about Tim at his website, here. For further information on Carols by Candlelight, click here.

Christmas Music - Chanticleer

This San Fransisco-based men's group was founded in 1978 to present choral singing at the highest level and "to encourage worldwide appreciation for the art of ensemble singing through live performances, education, recording and the creation of new choral work." I think you could say mission accomplished, as they have performed to sold out-crowds earning standing ovations, as well as a Grammy for their 1999 recording, Colours of Love. For the 2009/2010 season, they will tour and perform over 100 different performances. New Yorker magazine calls them "the world's reigning male chorus," and Musical America named them 2008 Ensemble of the Year. They have also helped groom out singer/songwriter Matt Alber before he sought his own solo career.



The following clips show them performing Christmastime Is Here, O Come O Come Emanuel and Franz Biebl's Ave Maria. To find out more about Chanticleer, you can find their official website here. You can see about the tour, get tickets, and order some recordings.

Sunday Worship - Ave Maria

Celine Dion brings you Ave Maria as only she can.

Sunday Worship - Jason & deMarco

Not only are they precious as anything, a couple that is young and in love, Jason & deMarco are Christian boys who firmly hold to their beliefs. So this Sunday morning I offer you Jason & deMarco singing Be The Light at Wallingford United Methodist Church in Seattle.




Also, here is deMarco of J&D singing Ave Maria at the Kansas City MCC Spirit of Hope Church earlier this summer.



You can find the Jason & deMarco website and store here.