Hark! The BiL Holiday Playlist
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving this Based in Lafayette Holiday Playlist project
Thanks today for ongoing help from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette, where tickets make great gifts. For tickets and details on shows and events, go to longpac.org.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving this Based in Lafayette Holiday Playlist project.
We’re over 100 songs – more than seven hours of music – and readers understand the assignment.
The mailbox is still open for your three tracks. With some of the entries stacking up, how about settling into a Sunday with a handful from you all?
Today’s picks come from …
Kelly Kerns
In her own words: “My name is Kelly Kerns, and I am an English teacher at Lafayette Jeff. This year I began my 25th year teaching there. I am also an avid music fan, but my tastes don't usually run along the lines of Christmas music and carols. To be honest, most of them get on my nerves. Bah, Humbug! However, there are exceptions to every rule, just as in grammar and spelling, and these are my exceptions.”
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Judy Garland – From one of my favorite movies, “Meet Me in St. Louis,” this song gets me every time. Sung by Garland to a very upset Margaret O'Brien in an effort to comfort her because the family will soon be leaving St. Louis to move to New York City, this version pulls on my heartstrings whenever I hear it. My dad moved our family around when I was a kid, and the plaintiveness in Garland's voice perfectly expresses the uncertainty I felt as a child. In the film, the dad ends up keeping his family in St. Louis, maybe because of Garland's wistful rendition of this tune.
"Christmas," The Who – I'll be the first to admit this is an odd choice. In this track from the album “Tommy,” arguably the first "rock opera," the Who lament the fact that Tommy, who is deaf, mute, and blind, cannot enjoy Christmas morning like the other kids do. Punctuated throughout with Roger Daltrey's roaring "yeahs" and Keith Moon's tight drum fills, this song rocks. Throwing into the lyrics the familiar nostalgia of kids waiting to see their presents on Christmas morning makes this a true Christmas song in my book.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas," Bob & Doug McKenzie (aka Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas) – Who doesn't love a silly Christmas song? You can't get much sillier than this gem! Liberally sprinkled with Canadianisms, it cracks me up every time. This song taught me what a "toque" is (a knitted beanie) and introduced me to the term "hoser." "The Twelve Days of Christmas" makes me want to move to the Great White North so I can get a toque, French toast, and four pounds of back bacon from my true love, not to mention that beer ... in a tree.
Penny Keller
In her own words: “I grew up in the area but moved to Florida and spent 24 years there before moving back for family. I’m now involved with the Art Museum as a board member and chair of their Heart of Art fundraiser, along with other community activities.”
“Mistletoe Mambo,” Michael Andrew and Swingerhead – Living in Florida I saw him numerous times for his holiday performance. This song is such a fun and jazzy holiday song. And why wouldn’t you want to kiss your sweetie after hearing this?
“Santa Baby,” Eartha Kitt – Just a fun song. She’s so sassy. What’s not to like about Eartha Kitt!
“The Holidaze,” Sara Melson – She’s a West Lafayette native, and I came to know her music through connections with her parents. Just a heartwarming song.
Larry Sommers
Larry Sommers is a fundraiser/marketer/administrator who serves as chief development officer for Food Finders Food Bank and has lived in the Lafayette community for over 30 years.
“Christmas Time is Here,” Diana Krall – I love her sultry, whisper-in-your-ear vocals on this melancholy Vince Guaraldi tune that most people know in its instrumental form from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
“Sleigh Ride,” Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme – I’m not sure what I like most about this throwback to the days when nightclub acts were king and everyone had a variety show – Eydie’s trumpet of a voice belting “SLEIGH RIDE SLEIGH RIDE” as a counterpoint, or the charmingly cheesy dialogue that frames the song.
“Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy,” Bing Crosby and David Bowie – I remember watching this weird and wonderful duet as a teenager when it originally aired in 1977, when TVs were furniture and kids were the remote controls.
Judd Danby
Judd Danby is a composer of classical and jazz works, jazz pianist and music educator who’s lived in Lafayette for over 20 years. He co-founded and served as artistic director of the Jazz Club from 2009–2018 and frequently gives pre-performance talks at Purdue Convocations.
"Dance of the Reed Flutes," from the Nutcracker Suite, as performed by the Ted Rosenthal Trio (with Noriko Ueda and Tim Horner) on their “Winter Wonderland” recording — A really fun and clever rendition of the much-loved Tchaikovsky in a playful Afro-Latin style (!) for jazz piano trio.
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," as performed by Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Larry Grenadier, and Jorge Rossy on “Warner Bros. Jazz Christmas Party” — A seriously swingin’ version of the classic tune, filled with great improvisations and musical interactions between four top-tier jazz artists.
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," as performed by Paquito D’Rivera and John Miller on Columbia Record’s “Jingle Bell Jazz” — A deeply groovin’ and very unusual take on the old carol for sax and acoustic bass duo.
Derrick Jones
Derrick Jones grew up in Springfield, Illinois, and spent 25 years in Washington, D.C. In 2020 he followed his brother (Q1067's Jim Stone) and transplanted in Lafayette. He is the founder of the marketing and consulting firm, Vine Street Creative, and the interim executive director of Pride Lafayette.
“Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful),” Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C. (featuring the Chevy Chase Bell Ringers) – Adeste is my all-time favorite. It reminds me of going to Midnight Mass with Mom and Grandma at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Illinois. And this arrangement by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, complete with bell ringers and the swell of the organ reminds me of that annual tradition and always brings me to tears (plus, experiencing the "wall of sound" of 250-plus voices performing this live was always a moving experience).
“(There's No Place Like) Home for Holidays,” Perry Como – My first Christmas record (actual record that I wore out on my turntable) was "Seasons Greetings from Perry Como," and "Home for the Holidays" quickly became my favorite on the album (and overall favorite holiday song, second only to Adeste). Not sure why it resonated with a 10-year-old, but I dug the jazzy sound. When I moved to D.C. at 18, the song took on a whole new meaning as I'd make the trek annually back to Illinois. And today, it's a fond reminder of my wonderful Christmas memories growing up.
“Christmas Can-Can,” Straight No Chaser – I saw SNC at the Birchmere in Arlington, Virginia, in December 2009 when they were on (what I think was) their first-ever tour (working through America's smallest venues). The arrangements. The comedy. The a capella. I was hooked, and SNC became part of my holiday soundtrack and their concerts became a holiday tradition. Now, it's not the holidays until I see the Rockettes high kick and SNC can-can.
Your turn: What’s on your list?
What three songs are going into your holiday/seasonal playlist this year? If you’re game to share, here’s all we need:
Three songs and the artists.
One or two sentences about why you chose each one – could be a memory or a short history or review about why that track belongs in your mix and why you’d recommend it to others.
A little bit about you to let readers know who’s making the picks.
Send to: davebangert1@gmail.com
Thanks again for ongoing support from Based in Lafayette sponsor Long Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Lafayette. For show information and tickets, go to longpac.org.
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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.