Day 2 - Even though we missed the feast day of St. Nicholas (December 6th), I thought we'd use this second day before Christmas - when Santa should be very busy packing his sleigh - to hear a few less heard, but truly great, "contemporary" Christmas gems, most of which honor Good Old St. Nick . . .
Let's start with a personal favorite. Louis Armstrong and The Commanders recorded the Jack Fox song ‘Zat You Santa Claus? in 1953. It is possibly one of the first Christmas/Halloween hybrids, a forerunner in spirit, as it were, to films such as Nightmare Before Christmas. The singer of the song is concerned that the noise at the door might be Santa . . . or a prowler. Will Santa bring 'something pleasantly pleasant' for the singer . . . or maybe it’s only the wind? [thank you to Terence & Jane Minogue at The Daily Doo-Wop! for this note]
'Zat You, Santa Claus?
Gifts I'm preparing for some Christmas sharing,
But I pause because,
Hanging my stocking I can hear a knocking.
'Zat you, Santa Claus?
Sure is dark out, ain't the slightest spark out.
'Pon my slackened jaw!
Who's there? Who is it stopping for a visit?
'Zat you, Santa Claus?
Are you bringing a present for me,
Something pleasantly pleasant for me?
Then it's just what I've been waiting for.
Would you mind slipping it under the door?
Cold winds are howling, or could that be growling?
My legs feel like straws.
My my oh me my, kindly would you reply?
'Zat you, Santa Claus?
Hanging the stocking, I can hear a knocking.
'Zat you, Santa Claus?
I say, who's there, who is it? Are you stopping for a visit?
'Zat you, Santa Claus?
Oh there, Santa, you gave me a scare.
Now stop teasing cause I know you're there.
We don't believe in no goblins today,
But I can't explain why I'm shaking that way.
Bet I can see ole Santa in the keyhole.
I'll get to the cause.
One peek and I'll try there; oh oh, there's an eye there!
'Zat you, Santa Claus?
Please, please, pity my knees!
Say that's you, Santa Claus!
Jazz giant Bill Evans takes a swing at Santa Claus is Coming to Town with typically beautiful results.
Jared Hollier has a different take on the same song . . .
Santa Claus Is Tapping Your Phone
Here's a song that most people know in the classic version by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters (always worth numerous listens during the Christmas season), but Cynthia Lin and Ben Ahn make it even more fun!
Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say
On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you
. . . to say Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas
A very, very, Merry, Merry Christmas to you
Mele Kalikimaka - Cynthia Lin & Ben Ahn
And lastly, for a Smooth, Cool Yule . . . and a thoroughly enjoyable take on My Favorite Things. Sit back and relax!
My Favorite Things - Peter Cincotti
Ear opening and beautifully done!
ReplyDelete