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!

Nathan Leigh Jones & David Raleigh • Winter Wonderland

If I wasn't excited enough about 'Brand New Christmas', the new holiday album that allowed Nathan to re-imagine some true classics, then came word he flew to New York City to work on a music video. Woohoo! And I was very happy to learn it was to use the song "Winter Wonderland", the duet with the wonderful David Raleigh. I loved the recording when I first heard it on the album, so filled with charm and warmth I would expect from both artists. I think I might like it even better as I watch these two wonderful men on the video. I hope you enjoy "Winter Wonderland" as much as I do!

"Winter Wonderland" can be found on Nathan's latest release, 'Brand New Christmas', where Nathan takes a new look at some old favorites. You can purchase 'Brand New Christmas' exclusively from iTunes. For more about Nathan Leigh Jones, check out his official website. You can also 'like' him on Facebook and 'follow' him on Twitter. For more about David Raleigh, check out David's official website. You can also 'like' David on Facebook and 'follow' him on Twitter.

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.

Visit SIRPAUL for the Holidays

The many faces of SIRPAUL.

There are some memories you just will have with you, and I can clearly remember the first time I was exposed to the music of SIRPAUL. A couple of years ago I was trolling MySpace, you know, back when everyone lived for MySpace, and I came across this stunning-looking Italian man, and I clicked on the song Addicted. I was blown away. I had to listen to a few more songs, and I was sold, and purchased the Dismantle album. And SIRPAUL has had me in the palm of his hand ever since. So earlier this year, when he was getting set to release his latest album, Music And Me, and he said he would be open to an interview for the blog, I was almost beside myself. I got my questions together, and was so prepared, and SIRPAUL answered them all so thoroughly, the interview had to be broken into 3 parts. There was the interview Part I and Part II, there was also the video party to save some room in the interview.

And still, that did not prepare me for the joy I had when I went to see SIRPAUL performing live in New York City in June, joined by my niece Mandy and my friend Rickey, as we joined the full-house to celebrate the release of Music And Me. The joy and love was obvious from both the audience and the performer, who not only enjoyed singing, you could hell he just adored the people in the audience, too. Well, I thought it would be good to run a video I put together after the show, a recap of some of the great moments I saw in person.



I start off by asking SIRPAUL the burning question of the week, when you listen to holiday music, what is your favorite song/album? "The album that reminds me of Christmas with my family is Johnny Mathis- Merry Christmas. In my family Christmas is a HUGE celebration where, when I show up, the door opens and my father is making Brandy Alexanders," he recalled warmly, "the food is amazing and everyone is singing and playing musical instruments. Whenever I hear Johnny Mathis I think of how thankful I am to have such an close relationship with my family...it's something I try to never take for granted. My personal favorite holiday album of all time is A Very Special Christmas...Songs like Winter Wonderland by Eurythmics and Santa Baby by Madonna really were a sign of the times. You couldn't have found songs more well-suited for each of these legendary Pop artists."



With such a warm spot for the music, I ask him if he has a favorite holiday song to perform. "I really tend not to perform around the holidays because I feel like it's an important time to put your personal life aside and just go back home...so until I write my own holiday song, you won't be hearing a peep from me," he laughed.

Just 2 weeks from 2011, I ask him about his hopes for the New Year. "I hope this year is full of positive energy and prosperity for all of the people who were hit hard by the recession," he answers. "It would be nice to see everyone back on track financially because, as much as I hate to focus on material things, when you're broke, life isn't too much fun. Onward and upward! To up the fun quotient, I thought I would add one of SIRPAUL's favorites, the Eurythmics singing Winter Wonderland!



I still want to know what is on the iPod of the people who are on MY iPod, so what are SIRPAUL's favorite songs from 2010? "Ooooooh that's a tough question!" he replies. "Ok here are my top 10 albums from 2010 in no particular order:
1. Robyn- Body Talk
2. Florence and The Machine- Lungs
3. Goldfrapp- Head First
4. Kylie- Aphrodite
5. Marina & The Diamonds- The Family Jewels
6. Scissor Sisters- Night Work
7. Underworld- Barking
8. William Orbit- Pieces in a Modern Style, Vol. 2
9. Oh Land- Oh Land EP
10. Florrie- Introduction EP

And, to finish with my questions, I quiz SIRPAUL about what is on his horizon that we can look forward to in 2011. "Well there is a LOT on my plate for 2011 already," he told me excitedly. "My husband, Paul Salvatore Petersen, and I will be organizing a benefit concert here in NYC this April for the True Colors Fund. The True Colors Fund was founded by my childhood idol Cyndi Lauper to house displaced LGBTQ youth. Everything about this resonates light for me personally. My parents, Al & Joanne Cucinello, started a halfway house in the 80's called Hope House (in my home town of Port Jefferson.) They helped so many troubled kids work through a difficult time with their families. The song True Colors is very personal to me as well...It helped to reassure me as a child that the fact that I was" different" was a GOOD thing! I want to give back to my community and I want try my best to make this a huge, life-giving experience. So I'll be performing at that benefit alongside some amazing talent. I have a several singles coming out next year from my album Music & Me- Mistaken (featuring Candy Apple Blue) & Give it Up (the video directed by Andreas Anastasis is almost done!!) 2011 will also see the release of the debut album from my band (with musical partner in crime Alex Lauterstein) called Simulover. The eponymous album is unlike anything I've ever worked on before and features vocal appearances by my über talented singer sister, Cherylyn, the angelic voice of Devlinelle & the vocal debut of Alex Lauterstein!! I sing a couple of songs on this album too. We can't wait to share this album with all of you!!!" Whew, that is a lot to accomplish, SIRPAUL. Perhaps you should take a cue from Madonna, and ask Santa Baby for some help!



I would think this Christmas would be a good one for SIRPAUL, with his latest video, the title track from the Music And Me album, hitting VH1, MTV and Spike websites! Of course, it also had the debut on LOGO, so onward and upward. With all this going on, SIRPAUL still wanted to make sure to speak to everyone. "I'd like to wish the readers of Soundtrack to my Day a very warm holiday season full of light & love... xoxo, SIRPAUL" To return his wishes, you can find him on his official website here.

And, finally, in the spirit of giving back this holiday season, here is SIRPAUL's video for the song Colors, dedicated to Tyler Clementi, and all those LGBTQ youth encountering discrimination and bullying.

Christmas Music - Judds

Naomi & Wynonna Judd

I had an unnatural fascination with the mother-daughter team, The Judds. I loved the way their voices blended. in 1987, they released a Christmas album, Christmastime With The Judds, and it is a wonderful collection. It is nine standards, warm chestnuts delivered with love.

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem


Winter Wonderland

Christmas Music - Rockapella

The A Capella group Rockapella has put out a couple of holiday-inspired albums, bringing their combination of doo-whop and jazz to all to hear. They came together in 1986, although none of the original members are still part of the group. The Christmas music is pure joy.







For more information about Rockapella, check out their website here.

Christmas Music - Dolly Parton

Dolly, Dolly, Dolly. She just never fails to amaze me. Here she sings Sleigh Ride/Winter Wonderland, Hard Candy Christmas [from Best Little Whorehouse In Texas], and Joy To The World.