Day 21 - Best

Home for Christmas - Barbara Streisand

I'm not generally a Streisand fan - her diva ways scare me a little bit.
But I was hooked when I heard her version of this. She is a master. Beautifully sewn together by both simplicity and musical ornament when appropriate.

Day 20 - Worst

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree - Hannah Montana



The song is bad. It doesn't rock because it wasn't written to. No musician who has attempted to sing it has been able to change that. It would be like getting water where the well is dry.
But here is what really disturbs me: "Hannah Montana" is given credit as the singer of this song. She's a TV Character! OK, it seems the people are losing sight of reality, and it frightens me, so here is a quick review:

A lesson on what is REAL and what is NOT REAL

Santa Claus is REAL.
Hannah Montana is NOT REAL.
*She was created by script writers who are REAL*

The ACTRESS (not Musician) Miley Cyrus is REAL.
Her "musical talent" is NOT REAL.
*it was manufactered by pitch-correcting computers that are REAL*

The drugs Ms. Cyrus was video taped smoking are REAL.
Her version of Rocking Around the Christmas Tree is REALLY BAD.

Day 20 - Best

where are you christmas - faith hill



The queen of crossover country put out this beautiful Christmas Song (when Mariah Carey, who wrote it, couldn't because of copyright problems with her ex-hubby.) Gorgeous, well written song, performed beautifully.

Day 19 - Worst

I Want a Hippopontamus for Christmas - Gayla Peevey

Picture it: You are a musician. You want to be taken seriously, maybe have a big hit or two, go down in history for your true artistic talent.
Then you go and make this.
What a train wreck.
Thank goodness this song seems to have not become a huge, overplayed radio hit in modern culture. I simply couldn't stand it.

Day 19 - Best

White Christmas - Bing Crosby



50 Million People can't be wrong. Bing Crosby's White Christmas is the best selling Christmas song ever. I love when the people are actually right!!

Day 18 - Worst

Christmas Don't Be Late - Alvin and the Chipmunks



Its a proven fact that children, and especially babies have a preference to higher pitched voices. Its a survival mechanism, developed so that a baby will naturally move towards its mother. That whole nursing thing and everything....
After the age of nursing, no human being should EVER be subjected to anything this high pitched. Especially when it goes on and on for 3 minutes of ear shattering torture.

Day 18 - Best

Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby and David Bowie



When this came out, it was a melding of the generations. Bing Crosby represented the traditional, having had the most popular Christmas Song ever recorded (White Christmas) and David Bowie was creating a whole new style of music. Somehow they came together and created this piece of musical genius. The best example of 2 point Christmas Counterpoint. Each musical line stands on its own with beauty and grace, but together, the effect is genius.