Cyndi Lauper’s version on the 2013 Carols for a Cure CD will have you saying “Elvis who?”
I’m on the lookout for a good rich (preferably SATB choir) performance of “There’s a Song in the Air”, which is one I don’t hear very often any more.
There are a fair number of performances available that are very definitely not the definitive version, whatever the definitive version might be.
The nicest I’ve found that I can link to is this one by the Cape Town Ensemble, which is marred by the live-performance amateur-recording detritus such as audience people coughing and rustling in their seats, plus the fact that it’s a medley and not Song in the Air done completely and by itself, which I’d prefer.
ETA: Not this alternative tune, the original.
My favorites for Ave Maria would be either the simple, moving Warren Zevon version or the rather martial-sounding version by Chris Cornell and Eleven that appeared on one of the “A Very Special Christmas” albums.
Bumping an old thread because it’s that time of year.
Up on the Housetop - Gene Autry
Frankly, I’ve never noticed any other versions but there are many. Apparently this is the 2nd oldest (1864!) non-religious Christmas song, only surpassed by Jingle Bells (1857).
Just reading this thread is filling my head with the songs, and making me want to hurt small puppies.
Joy to the World by Whitney Houston
This Christmas by Donny Hathaway
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem by Emmylou Harris
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is almost too big for Handel, but I grew up on their rendition of “For Unto Us a Child is Born” and love it still.
It does count as the most lecturous version. You can almost picture Leon Redbone wearing a raincoat.
^ “Your lips taste delicious.” !!???!! :eek:
Missed edit window:
“Your lips look delicious.” Not any better.
“Go Tell it on the Mountain” – Mahalia Jackson (possibly the greatest Gospel singer of all time).
Silent Night David Sedaris in the style of Billie Holiday
**Somebody Stole My Santa Claus Suit** Dan Hicks and the Chrsitmas Jug Band
I must demur. This is how the song goes (take note of the “Ho! Ho! Ho!” part).
Here is how Autry screwed it up.
He similarly screws up Frosty the Snowman.
Makes me wonder if he sang Rudolph right…
IMO, the definitive recording of Handel’s Messiah is by Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus.
Brice & E Street OWN Saaaaaannnttttta Clause is Coming to Town.
I would very much like to learn the name of the person who came up with the notion that in order to include Santa Claus is Coming to Town in a “rock’n’roll” record, one had to include those extra two iterations of the song title.* If I ever find out, the first project I fund with my eventual lottery winnings will be the development of time travel, enabling me to . . . take steps . . . to ensure that that person is never born.
*I consider it an abomination on the same level as the Designated Hitter, regular season inter-league baseball, night games (and lights) at Wrigley Field, and bothering with a World Series when the Dodgers aren’t in it (and counting it as canon when they’re defeated).
I dunno - I’m partial to the Crystals version On “A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector,” if only for Hal Blaine’s incredible drums!
Why am I up at this ungodly hour? Ah, to tell you all to seek out The Fab Four, Hark! Christmas songs done in a Beatles style.
Maybe not ‘definitive’, but certainly worth a listen.