The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Peace and Blessings Everybody!  I know I’ve been MIA for three weeks, but this time of year for me is a mixture of bliss and busyness. But with the rush, I welcome the spirit of Thanksgiving, anticipate spending time with family at Christmas, and am so grateful for the prospect of God granting me a New Year and the blessing of a fresh start.  That being said, I won’t blog much if any for the remainder of the year (as I prepare to celebrate and spend time with family and friends) but thought it appropriate to share some of my favorite Christmas music before I continue on hiatus.

First up is White Christmas by the Drifters. I can remember my mother playing this record on 45 rpm (shout out to my fellow old heads)! An artist by the name of Joshua Held created an animation several years ago that depicts Santa singing this with his reindeer.  It is one of the cutest things I’ve seen and I look forward to sharing this by email distribution every year.  Check it out at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUZsYRjg378

Next up is one of my favorite Christmas CDs, Give Love At Christmas by The Temptations.   The group had already went through various revisions in its lineup, but this album features prominent performances by then members Dennis Edwards, Otis Williams, David “Melvin” English, Richard Street, and Glenn Carl Leonard, with the latter member giving a stellar solo on the title tune Give Love On Christmas Day (see link below).  I also included a link for their classic version of Silent Night, featuring Dennis Edwards and Glenn, again, on lead.

Once I hear the Temptations version of Christmas, I start preparing to watch my fave Christmas cartoon…yep one look at the pic above and you’ve guessed it, A Charlie Brown Christmas.  In 2005, David Benoit released a tribute CD entitled 40 Years: A Charlie Brown Christmas, which featured the likes of Chaka Khan, Norman Brown, Brian McKnight, Vanessa Williams, and Gerald Albright to name a few.  One of my absolute favorites on this CD is Toni Braxton’s smoky rendition of It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (see link below).  The entire CD offers classically smooth sounds for Christmas, and even features an appearance from LaToya London (yes that LaToya London, alum to Jennifer Hudson from season 3 of American Idol).

My last music fave, that I’m sharing :), is the soundtrack from the holiday film The Preacher’s Wife.  Whitney Houston featuring the Georgia Mass Choir on Joy To The World  is my example of the ultimate let’s shout and give Him praise Christmas song!  It lifts me every time I hear it and I hope it does the same for you.  See link below and be blessed by it!.  If you don’t have this soundtrack in your collection, and you enjoy gospel and r & b, it is a must have.  The album also features production by Mervyn Warren, Kirk Franklin, Babyface, David Foster and a host of cameos (including Monica, Shirley Caesar, Cissy Houston and Whitney’s then hubby Bobby Brown).

And while we’re on films, if you’re looking for some suggestions of holiday movies for the family why not rent (or buy if you don’t own) The Preacher’s Wife (Whitney Houston, Denzel Washington, 1996), Last Holiday (Queen Latifah, Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union, 2006), or This Christmas (Loretta Divine, Idris Elba, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, 2007)?

Well, those are a few of my favorite things and I hope you get some enjoyment out of the links I’ve shared.   I would like to say thanks to those who have been following my blog, as well as those newly signing on, and look forward to sharing with you more music & movie thoughts in the upcoming year.  I pray peace for you and yours this season.  Until next thought, Thomasena

Give Love On Christmas Day, The Temptations (Motown, 1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oYq_J3w1Ac

Silent Night, The Temptations (Motown, 1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duo7b_kLOUQ&feature=fvst

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Toni Braxton (Peak Records, 2005): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjX7GMZO87g

Joy To The World, Whitney Houston feat. the Georgia Mass Choir (Arista, 1996):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTknk-jxc2k