All That Christmas Jazz

Clockwise: Julie London; Lena Horne; Kay Starr; and Nancy Wilson.

Holiday music from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s always warms my heart. When I was growing up, that is the music my Mother listened to, for she had a strong collection of Christmas records, both by artists, and compilations put out by a variety of companies. I remember the Goodyear series, and the A&P series, as well. I sure there were others, but these featured the artists of the day, from Ella Fitzgerald to Doris Day to Dean Martin, and countless others. These days, when I see the Ultra-Lounge collections, I cannot resist them. The four sounds here can be found on the 'Christmas Cocktails' album, which are played every holiday season. I will start off tonight with Julie London singing "I'd Like You For Christmas". The song was written by Julie's accompanist and husband, Bobby Troup. It is sweet, sexy, and fun. This is Julie London with "I'd Like You For Christmas".

When it comes to personal style, few could compete with the one and only Lena Horne. From the way she dressed to the unique phrasing she alone could claim, Miss Horne was definitely one of a kind. I was not a bit surprised to see she had her own distinctive stamp on "Jingle Bells", complete with new lyrics. I hope you enjoy Lena Horne singing "Jingle All The Way" as much as I do!

Now, songs about St. Nick don't usually swing quite as much as "(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag". The song was written in 1950 by Irving Taylor, Dudley Brooks, and Hal Stanley. The song was made popular by a recording from Kay Starr, who Billie Holiday once called "the only white woman who could sing the blues." This is Kay Starr with "(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag".

There is a delicious warmth to the voice of Nancy Wilson. When you pair that up with a beautiful song written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, you have another winner. "The Christmas Waltz" was written in 1954 for Frank Sinatra, as a B-side for his recording of "White Christmas". The song quickly became a standard, with many wanting to record it. In fact, 14 years later, Wilson made one of her own. This is Nancy Wilson singing "The Christmas Waltz".

Have a great holiday season!

Ring The Belles • Ladies Singing of Christmas

Clockwise: Rosemary Clooney, Nancey Wilson, Karen Carpenter, and Dinah Washington.

As we are two weeks away from Christmas, I thought it was time to let my Ladies sing a bit of the holidays. And while there are some obvious choices, I thought I would try to avoid those, and go for some artists and songs that you might not hear as much, and just enjoy their music and artistry. I will begin with a choice that might seem obvious, until you see the song. Rosemary Clooney might be closely associated with a star turn in the film 'White Christmas', but she was also an exceptional Jazz singer. I picked a recording she did later in her career, singing a song most closely associated with 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'. In 1965, Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi wrote "Christmas Time Is Here" for the television special, where it was played over an ice skating scene. The song is beautiful, and in Rosemary's gifted hands, it is so very special. This is Rosemary Clooney singing "Christmas Time Is Here".

Earl E. Lawrence wrote the next song, "That's What I Want For Christmas", and it was soon recorded by many people. But I particularly love the recording by Nancy Wilson, a woman with a remarkable voice. Wilson began her career in the late 1950s, singing with a big band. She honed her skills, and by the early 1960s, Wilson went out on her own. It seemed like a great choice, with her rich voice and remarkable delivery. She was won three Grammy Awards, and has been a favorite of many. This is her recording of Lawrence's "That's What I Want For Christmas".

Dinah Washington is another great singer with a remarkable and recognizable voice, said to be the "biggest selling black female sings of the 1950s". While she is best known for her recording of "What A Diff'rence A Day Makes", she had countless hits during her career. Sadly, she passed away at just 39 years of age, after a tumultuous life that included seven marriages. But the lady could sing, that is sure. I love her interpretation of a wonderful song written by Clyde Otis, "Ole Santa". It is a beautiful and sweet ballad, just perfect for Washington, who paints a beautiful painting with the lyrics. So please enjoy Dinah Washington singing "Ole Santa".

My final song of the night is credited to the Carpenters, but at the heart of the recording, it is Karen Carpenter's voice that makes it special. In 1978, Karen and her brother Richard released their first holiday offering, and it was rather lovely. It combined classic songs with new, like the beautiful "Merry Christmas Darling", written by Richard and Frank Pooler. But I am particularly fond of their take on "Christmas Waltz", written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn. The richness of Karen's voice, the silkiness of the tone, it all comes together on the song "Christmas Waltz".

Have a great weekend!

New Year's Eve 2012

Because it just felt so darned right, I thought it was the perfect time for the brilliant Nancy Wilson to sing a song written by the legendary songwriter Frank Loesser. Loesser was know for writing music for Broadway, with 'Guys And Dolls' and 'How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying'. However, he wrote "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" with no show or movie in mind, simply as a great song. And we should all be happy it was recorded by Nancy Wilson, appearing on her album 'Yesterday's Love Songs, Today's Blues'. It made the Billboard Hot 100 Top 25 twice, in 1965 and 1967.

You can purchase 'Yesterday's Love Songs, Today's Blues' from iTunes and Amazon.

Swingin' Christmas

Clockwise: Julie London; Kay Starr; Nancy Wilson; and Peggy Lee.

It is Saturday night,and my thoughts seem to roam to the smokey clubs of long ago. You know what I mean. The type of club you would find after a little walking in the snow, and you think it is time for a little liquid heat. After shaking the snow off your hat, coat and scarf, you settle in to a talbe, and the waitress brings you a drink. You start to hear the husky tones of the girl singer, and the gentle swaying of the jazz band. The first singer sounds just like Julie London, a favorite of mine. Here she sings I'd Like You For Christmas.



It'd be hard to imagine this without the participation of Miss Peggy Lee, an amazing jazz singer for so many years. This is a recording of Peggy with her very special take on the holiday classic, Winter Wonderland.



Kay Starr wow'ed the world whenever she sang. She started her rise to fame in the 40s, winging with big bands. she continued to perform in the 70s, 80s and the 90s. But a while ago, she definitely had just hte right amount of swing to sing (Everybody's Waiting For) The Man With The Bag.



And there is the glorious voice of Miss Nancy Wilson. No, not one the famous sisters from the rock band Heart, but the jazz singer, who had such an amazing, full stone in her voice. After dropping out of college, Nancy started singing professionally in the late 50s, fronting for a big band. She went on to much success, both as a singer and as an actress. She finishes out our holiday evening, singing That's What I Want For Christmas.

Great Women - Ann & Nancy Wilson

Ann & Nancy Wilson are sisters and make up the group Heart. Nancy kicks ass with her guitar playing, both electric and acoustic. Ann Wilson has a voice few other can even touch. Together they stood in the face of conventional wisdom that said chicks couldn't play rock, and kicked ass. I own and cherish their early work together.

You can get more information from the official website by clicking here.