Tag: USA

Cyndi Lauper (feat. Alison Krauss) | Hard Candy Christmas

“Hard Candy Christmas” was written by Carol Hall for the 1978 Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, and made famous by Dolly Parton, who played Miss Mona in the movie adaptation of the show. The track is featured on singer Cyndi Lauper‘s 2016 album Detour, with Alison Krauss providing additional vocals. Key change at 3:03.

Voctave | O Come, O Come Emmanuel/The First Noel/I Wonder As I Wander

This Christmas medley is featured on Voctave‘s 2016 album The Spirit of the Season. It includes two key changes: from D minor to D major at 1:09 as the first tune transitions into the second, and then to E minor at 2:36 for the final melody.

Mary J Blige | The First Noel

Legendary R&B artist Mary J Blige released her first Christmas album, A Mary Christmas, in 2013. Produced by David Foster, the record features guest appearances by Barbra Streisand, Chris Botti and others. It peaked at #10 on the US Billboard Top 200, and was certified Gold after selling over 500,000 copies. “The First Noel” features the American gospel vocal group The Clark Sisters, and has a series of modulations, all by half step. Starting in Gb, the tune modulates to G at 0:51, Ab at 2:00, A at 3:18, and Bb at 3:38, where it remains until the end.

Straight No Chaser | The First Noel

American a cappella group Straight No Chaser formed at Indiana University in 1996. In 2006, they released a video of “12 Days of Christmas” that has since been viewed over 24 million times on YouTube. “The First Noel” is featured on the group’s first full-length Christmas album, Social Christmasing, which came out in November. Beginning in Gb, the track modulates to Ab at 1:35.

Emmet Cohen | It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Another solo piano performance, this time from jazz pianist Emmet Cohen. Recognized as a prodigy, the 29-year old Cohen has been hailed by Downbeat magazine for his “nimble touch, measured stride and warm harmonic vocabulary.” He has performed with Ron Carter, Kurt Elling, and Christian McBride, among others, and composes as well. Key change at 1:54. Thanks to MotD contributor Paul Steckler for this find.

Henry Lewers | Silent Night/Still, Still, Still

Breaking new ground today by featuring a performance by yours truly for the first time on the page. This mash-up of two beautiful carols, “Silent Night” and “Still, Still, Still,” was arranged by Sally DeFord (the sheet music is available here.) Starting in D Major, the music shifts to Bb with the entrance of the second tune at 1:25, and then to G at 3:05 with the return of “Silent Night.”

Owl City | Peppermint Winter

Adam Brown, the creator of the electronic music project Owl City, described this song as being about his “…own participation in snowball fights and sidewalk shoveling. Sleigh rides, present-giving and receiving and of course, the ingestion of marvelous Yuletide nutrition (or lack thereof), namely sugar cookies, hot chocolate and peppermint candy canes…”

Released in 2010 as a stand-alone single, the track has a lilting waltz-like feel, and modulates from C major to D at 2:39.

Dolly Parton (with Willie Nelson) | Pretty Paper

Written by Willie Nelson in 1963, “Pretty Paper” was first recorded by Roy Orbison that same year, and placed on the Billboard Adult Contemporary, Top 100, and Christmas Singles charts. Dolly Parton collaborated with Nelson this year on a cover of the tune that is featured on her new Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas, released this year. Key change at 2:32.