Mary Mary

sung by Harry Belafonte

Here's a little reminder of why Christmas is celebrated sung with the dulcet tones of Mr. Belafonte...

Mary, Mary had a little baby

Oh, pretty little baby

Oh, pretty little baby

Glory be to the newborn king

Star a-shinin', shinin' on the manger

Oh, shinin' on the manger

Oh, welcoming a stranger

Glory be to the newborn king

Mary, Mary who was here, who knew him

Oh, did anybody know him

The ox and the donkey

They bowed right down before him

Glory be to the newborn king

Mary, what you gonna name your baby

Oh, pretty little baby

Mm, pretty little baby

Glory be to the newborn king

Some call him Emanuel

Think I'll call him Jesus

Mm, my pretty little Jesus

Glory to the newborn king

The Little Drummer Boy

performed by Burl Ives

Christmas is fast approaching so I've decided to share one of my favorite songs of the season. This song has always held a special place in my heart because when I was 7 my Uncle Ivan led our little "Choir of Cousins" in a rendition of The Little Drummer Boy in Spanish. I don't remember if we were any good but I do remember that I had a lot of fun singing with my cousins.

P.S. I also like this song because I'm a percussionist ^_~

The Last Thing on My Mind

by Tom Paxton

This is one of my absolute favorites. The words and Paxton's voice always manage to get me into my "emo" state and by the time he gets around to the chorus it almost physically hurts (I'm a such a masochist).

When They Sound the Last 'All Clear'

by Vera Lynn

Because today is Veteran's Day (aka Remembrance Day) I've decided to post this WWII era song. I may not agree with the politics behind some conflicts but I'd like to thank all the veterans who were willing to sacrifice their lives for their country.

LYRICS:

When they sound the last all-clear

How happy, my darling, we'll be

When they turn up the lights

And the dark lonely nights

Are only a memory

Never more we'll be apart

Always together, sweetheart

For the peace-bells will ring

And the whole world will sing

When they sound the last all-clear

We've got our troubles and we've got our cares

But as long as we keep smiling through

There'll come a day

When the clouds roll away

And the sun will be shining anew

When they sound the last all-clear

How happy, my darling, we'll be

When they turn up the lights

And the dark lonely nights

Are only a memory

Never more we'll be apart

Always together, sweetheart

For the peace-bells will ring

And the whole world will sing

When they sound the last all-clear

song purchased from eMusic

Busby Berkeley Dreams

by The Magnetic Fields

A few nights ago the Busby Berkeley film "Golddiggers of 1933" was on tv and I managed to catch a bit of the end (my favorite part of the film!). My brother was there with me and I was excited to share with him the artistry of the of the talented Berkeley. Enjoy the song and the dance numbers choreographed by Berkeley!

Theme from Jean de Florette

I'm prone to obsessive behavior, like a match I just need a firm strike and I burst into all-consuming flames (though I don't burn out so quickly). My current obsession is the film Jean de Florette and its soundtrack. I rented it from Netflix a few days ago mainly because I was in the mood to watch two of my favorite French actors, Gerard Depardieu and Yves Montand, at work and I was not disappointed even though I struggled with Montand's character because my adoration for Montand made it difficult to swallow the darker parts of his character. Without further adieu I present to you the lovely piece of music that I can now sort of pick out on the piano and am slowly managing to play on the harmonica:

And here's the cheesy trailer (keep in mind the trailer is very much from the '80s ^_^)

12/30/10 EDIT

Here is a clip of Toscanini conducting the piece "La Forza del Destino" by Verdi which inspired the "Jean de Florette" soundtrack

Girls Who Play Guitars

by Maximo Park

I'm a pretty random person that does all sorts of random things. On a whim I typed "russian literature" in the emusic search box and I came across Maximo Park's album "Our Earthly Pleasures" which contains a track with the title "Russian Literature". I liked what I heard so I downloaded the following:

Here's the same song live: