Holiday Tune #9: Michael Buble & Jennifer Hudson ~ Christmas duets

This song is a great example of why I LOVE Michael Buble. I love duets where you can see the conversation actually happening in real life...or even just an old musical play...hmmm, delightful!

Holiday Tune #8: Dido ~ Christmas Day

I love Dido!

I love this song...it's such a sweet, beautiful Christmas song. It really captures the peace that is supposed to accompany this time of year. I hope you have a peaceful Christmas Day!

Holiday Tune #7: Bing Crosby ~ White Christmas

The All-Time Best Christmas Song EVER!!!

My understanding of its origin is that the writer was from New England (the Northeastern area of USA), where he grew up accustomed to snow at Christmas time. For some reason (I believe it was job-related) he found himself stuck in California over the holiday season. He just couldn't get into the mood, though, without the falling of snow as Christmas approached. I always think of this story when I hear this song. I don't remember all of the details, but the above is enough to make me all fuzzy and warm inside. So, as much as you may be freezing over the holiday season, remember that it could be worse - you could be in sunny California! ;-)

Holiday Tune #6: Barenaked Ladies ~ "Jingle Bells"

Here's a modern version of Frank's classic tune. I love how soft and gentle this song begins, and then - halfway through - it jumps into this crazy energetic smorgasborg of sounds! That's BnL style...

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Holiday Tune #4: Mariah Carey ~ All I Want For Christmas Is You

I'm not actually a fan of Mariah Carey, but you cannot deny that she has an amazing voice! And, so, this is a great song! It's kind of a weird video, though. What do you think of it?

For seven years, I have maintained the tradition of watching Love, Actually in preparation for the Christmas season. This year, watching it brought me full-on into the Christmas season! I love it!

I hope this song does the same for you, unless you're already there, and if so, even better!

Holiday Tunes #3: Band Aid ~ Do They Know It's Christmas?

Band Aid 1984



Forty-two artists gathered together in 1984 to record this song as a fund-raiser for Ethiopia. Twenty-six years later, it is still ingrained in our minds as a song that truly captures the spirit of the season - giving, thinking of others, etc.

Lyrics, as sung by each artist listed behind:

'It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid' [Paul Young(1984), Chris Martin(2004)]
'At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade' [Paul Young(1984) Chris Martin(2004)]
'And in our world of plenty, we can spread a smile of joy' [Boy George(1984) Dido(2004)]
'Throw your arms around the world, at Christmas time' [Boy George(1984) Dido(2004)]
'But say a prayer; Pray for the other ones' [George Michael(1984)Robbie Williams(2004)]
'At Christmas time it's hard, but when you're having fun' [George Michael/Simon Le Bon(1984) Robbie Williams(2004)]
'There's a world outside your window, and it's a world of dread and fear' [Simon Le Bon/Sting(1984) Sugababes(2004)]
'Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears' [Tony Hadley/Sting(1984) Fran Healy & Sugababes(2004)]
'And the Christmas bells that ring there, are the clanging chimes of doom' Sting/Bono(1984) Fran Healy & Justin Hawkins(2004)]
'Well, tonight, thank God it's them, instead of you' [Bono (1984) Bono (2004)]
'And there won't be snow in Africa, this Christmas time' [Boy George/Paul Weller/Sting(1984) Will Young & Jamelia(2004)]
'The greatest gift they'll get this year is life' [Bono/George Michael/Boy George(1984) Will Young & Jamelia(2004)]
'Where nothing ever grows' [Paul Young(1984) Ms Dynamite & Beverley Knight(2004)]
'No rain nor rivers flow' [Glenn Gregory(1984) Ms Dynamite & Beverley Knight(2004)]
'Do they know it's Christmas time at all?' [All(1984) All(2004)]
'Here's to you' [Marilyn/Glenn Gregory/Rick Parfitt/Francis Rossi(1984) Tom Chaplin(2004)]
'Raise a glass for everyone' [Paul Young(1984) Justin Hawkins(2004)]
'Spare a thought this yuletide for the deprived'
'If the table was turned would you survive?' [Dizzee Rascal(2004)]
'Here's to them' [Marilyn/Glenn/Rick/Francis(1984) Busted(2004)]
'Underneath that burning sun' [Paul Young(1984) Justin Hawkins(2004)]
'You ain't gotta feel guilt, just selfless'
'Give a little help, to the helpless' [Dizzee Rascal(2004)]
'Do they know it's Christmas time at all?' [Paul Young(1984) Joss Stone and Justin Hawkins(2004)]
'Feed the World' (repeat) [All(1984) Tom Chaplin(2004)]
'Feed the World, Let them know it's Christmas time again' (repeat) [All(1984) All(2004)]

Twenty years after the original recording, several artists gathered together to repeat history, or almost repeat it. This is something I love about art! Great art, fantastic collaboration, or whatever it is that achieves the ultimate task of capturing the human spirit is one of the most inspiring things in the world, and it generally influences artists' ability to create even more art... or something like that. Perhaps I'm lost for words in describing this phenomena, which would be a shame...

Regardless of my ability to give justice to this project, it existed. Chris Martin (from Coldplay) and Bono (from U2) collaborated with the original writers and organizers of the 1984 production, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, to form an actual charity group that would live on after the holiday passed this time. This time, the money went to Darfur...

Band Aid 2004



However you are inspired to continue the tradition of giving, I hope you do. Every year I try to give a gift through a charity I grew up supporting: WWF (World Wildlife Federation). One of my best friends chose the goal of raising $1000 for a charity that helps fund several orphanages in one of India's poorest state, Bihar. At the time of this post, she's raised over $1040!!! Even if you forget to do something like those two examples this year, I'm sure you've considered giving a little bit extra to the Food Bank this holiday season. I encourage you to give in whatever way you can, and even feel free to share your contributions in the comments below! One thing a charity can never get enough of is publicity!

Holiday Tune #2: Train - Shake Up Christmas

After yesterday's post, I thought I should provide an example of the Christmas tunes being produced that are not of the Christmas tradition Leigh Haggerwood strives for in his music.


I like this Christmas video ;-) So do, apparently, millions of other people...or perhaps they just like Train, I don't know, but there have been millions of views of it on YouTube. I like the concept of Santa Claus having a crystal ball with us inside...that's always an interesting concept for me.

Holiday Tune #1: The Florin Street Band ~ My Favourite Time of Year

Last night began my holiday celebrations with the decorating of my apartment and the watching of my Christmas favourite: Love, Actually. I've watched that movie every year since its release in 2003, and never plan on missing it. In fact, I was so close to missing it when I lived abroad, that I now possess only the UK edition of the DVD, and I am therefore forced to watch it on my laptop... Alas, life could be worse.

After the film finished and I once again had access to the internet, I began my search for the perfect Holiday tunes to follow my mood. I quickly came across this band...

It all began with a UK musician, Leigh Haggerwood, who decided to bring the Christmas of Victorian times back to the month of December. He approached several music producers, but none would help fund his project of having a TRUE Christmas tune top the charts in December. The record companies were not prepared to compete against media giants produced by the likes of the X Factor. (Think of that opera singer from last year - something Boyle, wasn't it?) Faced with this rejection, Leigh refused to give up! This July he gathered as many people as he could get involved with him privately, including Nick Bartleet and John Perez. They made their way out to Shropshire (a little county just East of Wales that will always have a large home inside my heart) to film in the Blist Hills Victorian Town. As part of the Ironbridge Museum, Blist Hills was a great location for reinvigorating the Victorian spirit that so many of Leigh's holiday traditions have come from. This was his dream, and this is the year it came true for him. All I want to do is help him live his best dream!

If you like this video, or this story, please help him out. Go to:

http://www.florinstreet.com

or download his single off of iTunes. I know I have a new holiday tradition in Leigh's dream and the Florin Street Band; I hope you do, too!


My Favourite Time of Year
Words & music by Leigh Haggerwood

Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon

Yes, I know, it's not even December - WHAT AM I DOING PLAYING CHRISTMAS MUSIC?!?

Today is Remembrance Day. I woke up, checked Facebook, and was overwhelmed with the dialogue being shared over whether or not we should appreciate what past soldiers have given for our freedom. This is an interesting topic for me as i have participated in both sides of that debate over the years.

Of course, as a child, I followed the rules and willingly participated in the lead-up to the Remembrance Day celebration. Often this included the Legion competitions of art, essays and poetry. There was a time in my life when I looked back at this time and thought, "well, the only reason I did that was because it was the only artistic competition in our small town." And, of course, one would argue that the competition was a way of 'brainwashing' the children to believe war was the only answer. Often, however, the best poems were ones of gratitude rather than glory.

My adolescense saw me rejecting a lot of things just because they were the "right" things to do. Me - a rebel? Hardly. But I began to question my world and not support the things I always had been. I was less of a "goody-two-shoes" than I let on to be. (No, no, I was still a "goody-two-shoes," hoping people would appreciate that about me.)

I remember coming back from university halfway through my time in Vancouver for the Remembrance Day holiday. As a family, we decided to meet up in Edmonton. As with many meet-ups of the family at that time, it was not long before my sister and I began fighting. One of those fights was the fact that I refused to wear a poppy. "You better not a let a veteran see you without one!" was her basic argument. I had chosen not to wear a poppy because I was "anti-war" and thought that poppies were a symbol of war glorification. (Oh, the land of the lotus eaters...) For her, wearing a poppy was a sign of respect for the people who had fought for our peace. She found herself lucky to live in a world where she wasn't faced with the atrocities of war everyday, and this was the one time of year where she could give serious thought to her luck of being born here rather than somewhere else.

I scoffed at the idea. I didn't reject it, I just thought there were better ways of appreciating our freedom than glorifying the battles previously fought for us. And, after living in Edmonton area for four months, I assumed she felt that way merely because of all the army boys in town.

I met only one soldier before living in Edmonton. I was thirteen or fourteen and he was a friend of my best friend's parents. I was hanging out at her house when he came by for a visit. I remember him talking about his role as a peacekeeper. He did not seem very proud of the work he did. With our young, impressionable minds, he shared his worst fears and the biggest problem he saw with the role of peacekeepers. As a peacekeeper, he was never allowed to shoot at somebody unless shot at. So, he explained, the enemy could kidnap them, lead them to a shooting range and they would never be able to shoot back until it was too late. At thirteen, I believed him completely. And, so how could I support a system that allowed such honourable men to be taken prisoner, lined up and shot dead?

I didn't think about the civilian lives that these peacekeepers had saved with their presence. I didn't think about the role model they were to people who had known only violence in their lives. I didn't think about the reputation they provided for my country on a worldwide level...until I left the country on my own.

At 22, I found myself drifting through Europe. I had no goals, no direction in my life. I was just willing to have life provide a destination for myself. On that journey, I picked up many lessons that have come in handy since, and probably even more that will be useful in the future. Today, I am reminded of the lesson I learned in Berlin.

For children of the late 20th century, Berlin represents the cold war, WWII, and a lot of pain we don't like to think about on a daily basis. I find it only fitting that this place revealed to me a deeper understanding of what it means to be from a "peacekeeping" country. I stayed in a popular hostel with a full kitchen and people from all over the world. There was a group of people there from Afghanistan, attending a conference on peace in the middle east. I was thoroughly enjoying the cooking space of the kitchen when one of the students from Afghanistan asked where I was from. When he heard Canada, his face lit up.

"Really?!?" he couldn't believe it. "Thank you so much," he said.

I was dumbstruck. Yeah, Canada is a great place, but I had no choice in where I was from.

Seeing my confused look, he explained his gratitude. Having grown up in Afghanistan, his life has been filled with war and uncertainty about the future. Hundreds upon thousands of soldiers have come and gone through his country, all fighting on one side or another. Canadians, though, were only fighting for one thing - peace. They protected the civilians. They provided aid to the injured. They gave meaning to this young man's life, so that he could grow up, travel abroad and campaign to end the war in his home country.

Needless to say, I was touched. This was the other side of the peacekeeping mission that I would rarely get to see. Earlier that year, I had finally read The Kite Runner and it had spoken to me in a way that it wouldn't have had I read it earlier. I had travelled to Morocco and listened to the lower classes trying to break free from their poverty, and their political silence. My eyes had been awaken to the fact that my life is privileged. I have so much to be thankful for, that I don't even know where to begin.

And, yeah, I might think those soldiers are idiots trying to fight for peace. That is the most ironic concept to wrap your brain around. Is it any wonder that war isn't over and probably never will be? The truth, though, is that those soliders are at least doing something to make a difference in this world. I might talk big about being the change, but these men and women are sacrificing their lives to bring peace to other people. Isn't that a change we should respect?

So, whether it's Christmas or not, here's hoping one day maybe enough people will want war to be over and it will stop. Thanks, John Lennon, for another peaceful tune!