Blue Christmas Comparisons

Due to finals and finally getting home for Christmas break, I’m later on getting this second post out than I intended…oh well. So it goes. So, here we go with variations on “Blue Christmas”! :)

Elvis – 8.5

{{Sadly, I'm unable to find a video of this version...weird, right? They won't work. So find your own!}} 

He starts right away, no waiting around for anything! It’s a song that you’ll want to bob your head to. There’s a nice steady beat too. The choir is an interesting touch. A pretty quick pace, and all in all, I’d describe it as cheery.

Michael Buble – 9.5

 

This version just has a newer feel than Elvis’ does. Michael has a super smooth voice, and his timing is just uneven enough to be catchy without being annoying – does that make any sense? And then that lovely instrument that has such a big part in this version – a horn of some sort? I’m hopeless with identification. After you learn it, and learn his variations, you’ll be singing along! Michael totally sings his heart out and it’s awesome. Summed up? It’s crazy cool. Love this version!

Kelly Clarkson - 9

 

A very pretty version! The piano is a lovely touch. Kelly has a stunning voice and I really like her tempo too! The song sways along in a beautiful way. This is a fresh take on this song! The musical interlude is really neat too – and this song alone makes me want to buy her newest album, Wrapped in Red! :)

Andrea Bocelli - 9

 

This version, unlike most others, actually sounds like Bocelli is feeling blue – which is appropriate for the song. It’s also pretty slow. And of course, operatic. Then too, Bocelli sings with Reba McEntire, and they have some cool harmonization. It’s a peaceful version, quieter and almost calming. Very steady.

Blake Shelton – 8.5

 

This one definitely had a quicker pace, especially since I listened right after Bocelli’s. There was some reflection of Elvis here (and also in Buble’s), but it was bad. I really love Blake’s voice and accent. This version? Fun and light.

Celine Dion – 8.5

 

I hadn’t listened to anything of Celine’s before, and was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this version! It has a very Christmasy feel from the very beginning. Celine’s voice is older than Kelly’s, smooth and slower than most of the version (except Bocelli’s), and easy to sing along to. I also really liked the background music. Her voice is also lower. A good version.

Glee – 8

I know, I know, me, listening to anything by the Glee cast? But several people online mentioned this as a favorite, so I gave it a shot – and it wasn’t too bad. The guy had a good steady voice, and I really liked the way the choir was done – barely noticeable in the background. This version was almost sleepy. I also liked the variations they included – fitting for the song.

Favorite:

Well. No way around it. Michael Buble’s version won. I really liked Kelly Clarkson’s and would list her as the runner-up, but Michael’s – it’s just so crazy and fun and I love it!

Your thoughts:

Did I mention your favorite version? If not, what version do you love and do I need to listen to it? And if so, which is your favorite?

CD: My Christmas

Singer: Andrea Bocelli

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type of music: Operatic

List of songs: 

1. White Christmas
2. Angels We Have Heard on High
3. Santa Clause is Coming to Town
4. Christmas Song
5. Lord’s Prayer
6. What Child is This?
7. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)
8. O Tannenbaum
9. Jingle Bells
10. Silent Night
11. Blue Christmas
12. Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night)
13. Caro Gesu’ Bambino
14. I Believe (with Katherine Jenkins)
15. God Bless Us Everyone

My overall opinion:  My favorites are White Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Blue Christmas, O Holy Night, and I Believe. Blue Christmas is slow and calm, but I don’t really like the woman’s voice. Nonetheless, a wonderful song. Santa Claus is fun a bouncy…Christmas Song is okay. As you may remember from earlier, O Tannenbaum is a song that I don’t really like, and the way Andrea Bocelli is a little weird, especially the timing. The same (timing wise) goes for What Child is This. O Come All Ye Faithful is beautiful. Jingle Bells is okay, but try not to listen too closely – having the Muppets on that one is annoying. I never noticed HOW annoying until I listened to the song and really listened close instead of just playing the song in the background. I didn’t like it up close…but it’s okay with a little distance, if that makes any sense. I Believe is lovely, and God Bless Us Everyone is a perfect wrap-up for the album. Great CD!

Biography: Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli is an amazing Italian singer -- let's just get that out there first. His Christmas album is no exception! But first for today...a little about him. 

Andrea Bocelli was born on September 22, 1958. He started piano lessons when he was six, and always had a passion for music. Later, he also played many more instruments including (but not limited to) flute, harp, guitar, and drums. He always had poor eyesight, but became blind at 12, because of a football accident. 

He started to become well-known between 1992 and 1998, and started becoming popular in the United States around 1999. 

A lot went on in the music world for him during this time, but you'll have to go to Wikipedia yourself to read all about it.  

Andrea met his first wife, Enrica, early in his life...eventually, they married and had two children, Amos and Matteo. If I'm reading right, Andrea became estranged from his wife in 2002 and started living with his girl-friend, Veronica. They had a daughter (Virginia) and so far as I can tell, continue to live together. :( 

Andrea has produced numerous albums, and I've heard several of his songs. My favorite of his albums would definitely be the Christmas one, My Christmas. 
 

Christmas CD’s to Love

To me, one of the most Christmasy parts of Christmas in the music. Some of them I’ve been listening to for as long as I can remember. Others were just discovered last year...and some, I haven’t heard yet. They’re on my wish-list. I’m sure that each of you also has favorite Christmas music, and I’d love to hear which of these you’ve enjoyed! And of course, please recommend some. J Now, here comes a list of my favorites!

Andrea Bocelli’s My Christmas

Andrea Bocelli is amazing. He is quite operatic, and for these Christmas songs, that’s just splendid. I know that some of the songs on this CD have music videos online. I’m specifically thinking of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” So if you like this CD, you’ll want to check those out.

Favorite song(s): Santa Claus is Coming to Town, I Believe (with Katherine Jenkins!), Angels We Have Heard on High

Susan Boyle’s The Gift

I don’t think this is strictly a Christmas CD...I’d guess that about half of Susan’s songs on here are Christmas ones. But if you enjoy Susan Boyle, you’re definitely going to want this CD! The songs are peaceful...that’s the best word I can think of to describe it. J Oh, and she has “Silent Night” on her I Dreamed a Dream CD. But this one has more Christmas songs. Oh, I think I reviewed this CD on here.

Favorite song(s): Perfect Day, Hallelujah (neither of those is real Christmasy though), O Holy Night, The First Noel

Jim Brickman’s The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

This one’s not a singing CD, but expert piano-playing. All of the songs are beautiful...with the possible exception of the last one, on which Jim sings. :P I think his piano playing is much better. Anyway, this is a wonderful CD, especially good for background music.

Faith Hill’s Joy to the World

A delightful CD of Christmas music. Faith has the perfect voice for it! It’s a little bit in country style. She definitely sings out!

Favorite songs: Joy to the World, Holly Jolly Christmas, Winter Wonderland

Mannheim Steamroller’s CD’s

There are a lot produced by this band. And they’re definitely a must for every Christmas. We’ve listened to them for as long as I can remember! The CD’s include: Christmas Extraordinaire; Christmas in the Aire; and A Fresh Aire Christmas. They’re amazing and you MUST listen to them if you haven’t!

A few others that I’m not putting in here, but that are also very good include: Old Fashioned Christmas (played with instruments like dulcimers, flutes, harps, whistles, etc); Come On, Ring Those Bells by Evie (an older CD, and hard to find, but very good); Handel’s Messiah (absolutely amazing -- a staple for Christmas); and What if Mozart Wrote Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by the Hampton String Quartet (they also did one called What if Mozart Wrote I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus).

Finally, a few CD’s I want.

Michael Buble’s Christmas

As soon as I heard this one was coming out, I wanted it. J It’s mostly secular songs (about Santa Claus, etc, as opposed to the classic carols), but I think it’d still be fun.

Celtic Woman’s A Christmas Celebration

I do enjoy Celtic Woman a lot! I’ve heard their “Silent Night” but that’s it. Hope to listen to this one someday! I’m sure the songs are beautiful.

Before you go...tell me your favorites!

Song: Someone Like You

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Singer: Andrea Bocelli

Type of music: Awesome. {{you know, I should really just take this point off, since I'm always awful at answering it}}

Length: 5:08

Lyrics: The chorus, as nearly as I can tell. All I really know, // Is that I love you so // And if it's the only thing I ever do, // Then I know it's true, // That I should love someone like you, // Someone who believes in me, // Makes my voice to sing, // With a heart so free // As sure as I can be, // For me, if one dream can come true, // Then I will love someone like you!

My overall opinion: I love this song, especially the above words. :) The reason I didn't give it a 9.5 is because it's so long. Other than that, I love it. :)