Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Chicago-y Christmas songs

[This was supposed to auto-post at 1pm. Technical difficulties!]

If you don't like Chicago, or don't think they should be singing Christmas songs — move along, move along. You won't hurt my feelings. Not everything is for everyone.

First, not exactly Chicago... though, I wish. Peter Cetera does a somber "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen." Audio-only. Note: Cetera pronounces "Satan" as say-den, just like Driscoll. Connection?




Next, see how Chicago's unique take on the same song, in a live, audio-only version from their surprisingly good Christmas album:



Then a live audio-only performance of Chicago's rockin' version of "Let It Snow." Trumpeter Lee Loughnane, who seldom does vocals, has the lead.




9 comments:

VcdeChagn said...

Little Drummer Boy by Chicago is a perennial favorite around our house. First you get a pretty standard sound...

Then some horns....

The Maaaarrryy noddded!!!

And it's all Chicago!

And yes, their Christmas album is probably the best since Brenda Lee/Burl Ives (two classics that really stand the test of time).

DJP said...

Glad to hear that.

I have loved Chicago since the early 70s, but have to admit — Christmas album? I didn't know what to expect.

I was really impressed. Some of those arrangements are particularly excellent, and the treatments of the Christian standards are respectful, well-done. I've never really liked "Little Drummer Boy," but I do enjoy Chicago's version.

But "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" is terrific. And "What Child Is This" — wow.

But for shallow fun, "Let It Snow" and "What's It Gonna Be, Santa?" are pretty great.

Ted said...

Lee plays trumpet. Pankow plays trombone. FYI.

DJP said...

Oh my gosh, I can't believe I did that. My jaw's still slack. I'm humiliated. I read your comment, gasped, thought "Oh now, I couldn't have...."

Oh, but I did. I KNOW who plays what. I know everyone has ever played what, in their decades of reconfigurations. Good heavens, could there be enough distraction in the world to get me to make that mistake? I guess so. Wow.

Sorry. Thanks. Now where's that big rock...?

Colloquist said...

Great stuff! I think I enjoyed Cetera's plaintive "God Rest Ye" the most. Couldn't tell ya who played/sang what, but I'm more a Chicago fan than I used to be!

DJP said...

I don't know how to live down the shame. It's as if Phil wrote a post in which he mentioned in passing "that great American preacher, Charles Spurgeon."

Aaron said...

DJP likes Chicago's Christmas album. Who da thunk that?

Ted said...

LOL! Merry Christmas, Dan!

Solameanie said...

Don't you think it's time Peter Cetera went home and rejoined Chicago? It just hasn't been the same since he left.