Bleh with Barry

Yes, contrary to popular belief, I have a heart. And ’tis the time of year for Christmas music to be playing on the radio and shopping centers that surround the nation. However, the music that I love is not generally what we hear out there in the general world because they have to play the six Christmas songs that do not conflict with anyone’s beliefs or that might offend someone. I am of the mind-set that music shouldn’t offend people (if it’s meant to be particularly offensive… I know that there are some people by anything…), but at the same time, I’m not easily offended by anything… Yeah… yeah… Anyway, I think that Christmas music is wonderful, especially some of the classical stuff that many people do not know or care to know because of its Christian affiliation.

The first song (okay, so it’s a mash-up) is one that I have loved for a long time. “O Come, O Come Emanuel / What Child is This”  is a beautiful mass-up of two good songs. This version is being sung by Linda Eder, one of my all time favorite singers. Her beautiful voice makes the song so much more powerful. Also, the arrangement is wonderful, which compliments her voice that much more. (And now I realize I sound like such a fanboy.)

The second song that I recommend for this season entails Straight No Chaser, an a capella group that is pretty amazing. The song is the “12 Days of Christmas”… well, sort of… Their version deals with many Christmas songs and with one that has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas… It’s pretty awesome and adds an air of fun to Christmas that the 17 versions “Jingle Bells” do not have. Awesome!!!

Both these songs are wonderful, and I hope that you enjoy them to get in the spirit of Christmas… or just enjoy them for the beauty and the artistry of the music. Either way, it’s win-win.