365, Album of the Day 2014

One Year, 365 Different Albums.

Tag Archives: Merry Christmas


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#365AOTD 359 “Merry Christmas” Andy Williams 1965

Merry Christmas Williams

Hang up the stockings and let’s have a holiday today.

I mentioned just two weeks ago in my #365AOTD 345, that I have two favorite Christmas albums. One is the discs I spoke about a fortnight ago, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The other, and I may like it a smidge more, is today’s present under the tree, “Merry Christmas” by Andy Williams.

If you could only pick one Christmas crooner out of a line-up, Bing, Sinatra, Como, Cole, Martin and Tormé, which would it be? Well, you guessed it, my selection is Andy Williams. I’d take him over all of those great names each and every time. That’s EVERY time. He is my guy. I heart Andy and absolutely LLLLOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE his hit holiday record, “Merry Christmas.” Growing up, we listened to a handful of LPs each and every Christmas. The one that was my favorite and has stuck with me the deepest is this one. For me, it’s not the holidays without Andy Williams. There is obviously an emotional connection to the fond memories of yesteryear with this one. But I also just enjoy the hell out of this album. Let’s take a closer, Christmas morning look at it.

Side one was always my most preferred side. It features a half-dozen modern tunes that swing, stroll and soar, and is a little more user friendly than side two. The opening Sleigh Ride might be favorite number on the whole fruitcake. I can’t tell you how much I dig Andy singing Sleigh Ride. Next up is the slower, but endearing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. The gay and cheery pair of Winter Wonderland and Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! always make me smile. What has become a holiday number, My Favorite Things, follows. As I just mentioned in #365AOTD 352, “The Sound of Music,” My Favorite Things is one of my favorite things. Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings… The deep track from the first side of the vinyl is Christmas Holiday. Written by Craig Vincent Smith, one of Andy’s Good Time Singers from “The Andy Williams Show.” Speaking of deep tracks, Mr. Smith composed one for the Monkees called Salesman. Naturally I am aware of this Monkees’ tune. I give it a shout out in my #365AOTD 167. You can also check it out here. I’m getting off topic again. Wait, it’s Christmas!

Flip the album over, you get a more serious side of Andy’s Christmas LP. With the exception of Silver Bells and the hit single Do You Hear What I Hear?, Some Children See Him, Little Altar Boy, Mary’s Little Boy Child and The Bells of St. Mary’s highlight what a great singer Andy was. Lest we forget. These songs are tender and beautiful.

Do you remember the Simpson’s episode called “Bart on the Road?” Bart, Martin, Milhouse and Nelson depart on an auto adventure. The best part is Nelson becomes all excited and acts like a school girl when they see his favorite singer, Andy Williams. Well, I may not get all kinds of crazy for Andy like Nelson, but I have the most sincere regard for Andy Williams, especially his Christmas music and his career. I was saddened at his passing two years ago and made that year’s Christmas CDs in honor of him. Lastly, Williams has been a part of my Christmases as long as I can remember. I take great comfort in listening to Andy year after year. This Christmas morning has been a little extra special because of it. 🙂


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#365AOTD 353 “Merry Christmas” Mariah Carey 1994

Merry Christmas Mariah

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

Oh Mariah. Well, Ms. Carey is not really my cup of tea, but today is my friend’s, whom we shall call Stephanie, birthday. Represent. The most important artist in her life, hands down is Mariah Carey. When people talk about how music or an artist can save their life, it is true. I know I am not here if not for music, I venture to say that Stephanie is not here if it weren’t for Mariah. So for Stephanie, we feature Mariah Carey.

When Stephanie first played Mariah for me, I was hesitant. I mean, come on. Mariah Scary? I don’t think so. Playing most of her greatest hits from back in the day, I will publicly admit that I warmed to Mariah. I ended up liking songs like Emotions, Make it Happen, Fantasy, Vision of Love and Someday. Stephanie, with great excitement, also played for me Mariah’s fourth studio release, “Merry Christmas.” Did you know that it is the biggest selling Christmas Album of all-time? It is. Her hit single from the disc, which was co-written with Walter Afanasieff, All I Want for Christmas is You, has become an annual holiday staple. What I like about the album is the near perfect mix of pop, R&B and Gospel. Plus, it’s a Christmas album. Bonus! The highlights on this record for me are O Holy Night, Joy to the World, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/ Gloria (In Excelsis Deo) and Silent Night. Of course my favorite among them all is the album closer, Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child. This is Mariah doing Gospel at her best. I love it. I put it on many a Christmas Mixes myself, including my CD this year, “25th Anniversary ‘Tis the Season.” Mariah shows why she is one of the most versatile singers ever. She goes high, low and then even higher. Of course no one has a range like Ms. Carey. It is well documented that Mariah has a five octave vocal range. People, that’s FIVE octaves. Mariah’s singing abilities are also amazing. There is only one Mariah. She has influenced countless other singers and musicians throughout her career and remains one of the greatest singers of all time. What is equally impressive is that, second only to The Beatles, she has had 18 number one singles. She is clearly capable of more. Even if I don’t fancy Mariah as much as others and especially as much as Stephanie, she has earned her acclaim, accolades and respect. Merry Christmas, Mariah and Happy Birthday Stephanie.