Silent Night mp3

musicology #463

TheManWithTheBag #13

(Jerry Butler – Silent Night)

So the man with the bag is due tonight…no doubt the elves are working flat out and the reindeer are gearing up for the night flight. Meanwhile themusicologist is kicking back watching the box, happy, inspired and feeling capable of moving mountains. Itching to cut loose in 2010 with a few projects, shake the dust off me shoes, the monkey off me back and become who I am.

But before that…hold this cut courtesy of the appropriately named ‘ice man’ himself Jerry Butler a cat whose voice has been known to melt the coldest hearts. Listening back over this years selection last night was extremely satisfying if I do say so myself and sitting here now it could only be this one. THE Christmas song as far as I’m concerned recorded and released as a 45 on the Vee Jay Label.

Just leaves me to say Have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas one and ALL. Thank you for your support over this most challenging of years, (and I’ve had a few…as I’m sure we all have), I’m raising a glass to taking no prisoners in 2010.

To be or not to be is no longer a question as I continue to learn a beautiful and liberating new language.

musicology #460

TheManWithTheBag #10

(Dinah Washington – Silent Night)

Have to throw down early today, (didn’t happen !!) as we, (kids and I), are off on a little excursion up to the beautiful Lake District, (Ambleside to be precise), for a few days to kick back before Christmas and I don’t think the internet has reached there yet !! so themusicologist won’t be able to throw down until returning to the big smoke.

STOP PRESS……in fact I’m throwing this down from Ambleside in a coffee shop with free Wi-Fi..i’ll keep it as brief as possible..our daughter is on me like a rash to get on facebook but it’s, (proper), snowing up here and the junior musicologist and I have climbed a mountain today, (look out for the pics…soon come)

Today’s fine cut is courtesy of, (in my subjective opinion of course), one of the greatest singers to have ever graced the mic. A voice overflowing with expression and emotion, drawn from the deep well of existence, (and essence), when Dinah Washington opens her heart and sings even the birds stop to listen and nod in appreciation.  Born Ruth Jones, she first came to the attention of Lionel Hampton in 1943 and for the next 19 years waxed some of the most heart wrenching slices of musicology known to wo/man. Personally speaking…it’s her Mercury output that brings me to my knees, trembles my marrow and brings tears to my ‘minces’ but I could never turn Dinah off no matter what the period.  (This one is from the Mercury 78)

musicology #256

sleighbellsring #4

(Mahalia Jackson – Silent Night)

Sliding straight into this one from ‘The World’s greatest Gospel Singer’, Mahalia Jackson….Much Covered, never surpassed. Possibly the toughest choice to make on the Christmas selection such is the quality of the song and the singers who have thrown their ‘Stille Nacht Hats’ in the ring. Dinah Washington, (on a 78), Jackie Wilson and Jerry Butler all deliver but as I can only throw one……..

Perfection.