12-25-11 - "O Holy Night" ~ Josh Groban / Il Divo

This Christmas tune is a pretty tough one to pull off properly, but Josh Groban is not half bad at it.  My little brother insisted I consider Il Divo's version as well - the quartet definitely have pipes to pull this off, as does Groban.  Both artists treat the song with respect - not showboating, just hitting the melody smoothly and sweetly, as it was intended (I have the same complaints when people embellish too much on the Star Spangled Banner).  Il Divo does have the benefit of harmonic ability, which Groban of course lacks as a solo artist... but ultimately, both versions pass my rigorous critiquing.  Enjoy, and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Joyful Festivus, and all that jazz!

12-24-11 - "White Christmas" ~ Bing Crosby / The Drifters

This one likely doesn't need much explanation, but here's a bit of it anyway.  My family just watched "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and that other girl (the one with the brown eyes...)  It's a pretty entertaining old flick, which involves an unseasonably warm December in Vermont.  And no, a white Christmas is not looking promising here in PA this year... we'll just have to make do.  But the film features some snappy song and dance routines along with some witty one-liners:

"Well, now, isn't this cozy? Boy, girl, boy, girl..."

"You're not exactly Superman, but you are awfully available..."

"In some ways, you're far superior to my cocker spaniel." 

And of course, the finale is the titular song.  Here's Bing Crosby's famous / classic version (don't believe me?  The Guinness Book of World Records cites it as the best selling single of all time):

And here's a spiffy version by The Drifters, which you may recognize from Home Alone:

"...and may all your Christmases be white..."