Tag Archives: Christmas

2020 “Uketide” Tunes – Part III

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Santa has done his musical thing, and now Aria joins me for a song she picked. (There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays was written by Robert Allen and Al Stillman. Perry Como recorded the song in 1954 and again in stereo in 1959, but the iconic version of this Christmas favorite was released by the Carpenters in 1984.

While a lot of us won’t be going home for the holidays this year…or will be relegated to the house for the duration, we hope this brings a smile to your face. Questionable singing and all:

Our traditional holiday send-off video is still to come next week — with a twist!

2020 “Uketide” Tunes – Part II

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Last time it was a hymn. Today, it’s a holiday standard. Johnny Marks was a prolific writer of Christmas songs. Entries that have become staples in popular music: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Holly Jolly Christmas, Run Rudolph Run, and my entry today, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.

Brenda Lee was 13 when she recorded the song in 1958 that we hear every holiday season. You read that right, 13. Talk about mature-sounding voices! Rockin’  is one of the best-selling holiday digital downloads in history, and it charts every Christmas on the Billboard  Hot 100.

I started working on this last December but ran out of time before I could perform it. I played through the song once a week or so this year and then ramped up the practice and added a few elements starting in November. It was suggested I use a full strum through the verses of the song, something I hadn’t done before when playing chord melody. There is a challenge to this, as the booming low G string can drown out the other notes, but the change up is fun:

In the next installment, Aria and I pair up for a song that she chose from the 1950s. Perry Como was the first to record it, but the Carpenters’ version is the best known.

Christmas 2019

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From the Gospel of Luke (and the lips of Linus from Peanuts):

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Wishing my readers a joyous and merry Christmas.