The Beagle Log, 18 December 2007 - Christmas Carols

A question posed this time of year is, who is the quintessential vocalist when it comes to Christmas Carols? Now, there are many good great performers to choose from. But I believe any rational person would have to agree that he

Hiya Don

Yes I agree & I think that the voice of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas will live on in everyone's minds and hearts for every more. A real classic!!

I have a lot of favourite vocalists - and don't know who to choose as my "most" favourite!! Elton John, Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams, Whitney Houston, Michael Bolton, John Bon-Jovi, George Michael, and tons more!! could go on forever with my list .
see you later

Hi Don!

I think there are certainly moments when listening to Bing Crosby is very evocative of a certain mood at Christmas. However, listening to any children's choir sing caroles is equally lovely in a different way. Then there is the more 'purist' version such as a cathedral choir or say Aled Jones as a chorister both wonderful to hear in their own ways. I can thoroughly enjoy any of them.

But woe betide door to door 'carol singers' who only know one line and then expect a contribution in their cap. When I was a child we could sing dozens of caroles without a hymn sheet and look happy about it!!

Gillian
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''What will survive of us is love.'' Philip Larkin

Hi Don

I like Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. I also love listening to Male Voice Choirs which are plentiful here in Wales.
But I have wide musically tastes, anything from the above to Soul, Blues 60s music thorough to the present day.
I agree with Gillian about "carol singers"just kids looking to get extra money and not the true spirit of Christmas at all.

Luv Jean

Hi All,

Those are fair responses. There are many to choose from and in many different venues.

My preferences for vocalist are those from the 40’s and 50’s. I guess I’m stuck in a time warp. As for choirs, I like the Vienna Boys Choirs.

The one artist I am surprised I have not heard more of is Charlotte Church. The only time I heard her was on New Years 2000. Is she popular in Great Britain?

I don’t care at all for most pop singers doing old Christmas carols – for the most part, they butcher them. The one exception is Alvin and the Chipmunks.

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Don

Hi everyone,

Oh my goodness!! forgot about one of my all time favourites, Cliff Richard. Cliff has recorded quite a lot of Christmas songs. "Mistletoe & Wine" amongst others. And a few years ago, if I remember rightly, he had the Christmas number 1 with his record - which was the Lords Prayer sang to the tune of "May old Acquaintance...".

And your chat about children singing Christmas Carols put me in mind of when my son was age between about 8 to 11, and he was a chorister in our church choir. The Christmas services' choir singing was always wonderful with the harmonies & the boys reaching those top notes. I think I must say that "Oh come all ye faithful" is my favourite carol.

......... have put your angel on top of my Christmas Tree Don!! Laughing

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PS: Don - Charlotte Church is a pop singer now!!

Hi Don

Charlotte Church is having a break from show biz following the birth of her daughter Ruby Megan in September.

Jean

Hi Jean,

Oh yes!! I seem to remember reading that recently in one of the newspapers. Forgot!! shrug

Forgot to mention as well earlier - that I love the voice of Aled Jones too. Doesn't seem that long ago does it - when he first became famous - when only a little boy!! and now a grown man - but still singing which is good news for the rest of us.

Don - is Aled Jones known well in the US? & what
about Cliff Richard - is he known in the US?

See you soon,
Carole wave

xxx

Carole,

I've not heard of Aled Jones or Cliff Richard but then again, what do I know. I just did a quick Google search and both are available from Amazon and at Barns & Nobel. So yes, they appear to be known in the US.
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Don

Yesterday my we visited the National Cathedral. It’s been several years since we were last there, as a mater of fact about 20. Construction of the Cathedral was started in 1907 and completed in 1990 making it one of the newest Gothic Cathedrals in the world. While there, my wife purchased two CDs. One of the artists has the potential to compete with Bing Crosby, at least for Christmas carols. Paul Potts. I am not a big fan of opera but the carols he sings are moving.

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Don

'Britain has talent' has made it over to you Don. Paul Pots has a wonderful voice and i am no fan of opera either. But in such a short time he has done so much.

Did anyone else what the program? It was very intresting as it was not just singers but all performers of all genre.
Link>>>
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Maxine
Friendship~
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. - Oprah Winfrey

Maxine,

It’s called "American Idol" on this side of the Atlantic. I’ve surfed through it once or twice. Some folks love it.
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Don

We also have the X-Factor and i didnt understand why Leon won that. He could not sing most of the time and the runner up was a trained singer that could sing...
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Maxine
Friendship~
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. - Oprah Winfrey