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The Sounds of Christmas Eve
One of my family traditions was traveling to somewhere new and exciting around the world at Christmas time. Unbelievably, we actually covered much of said world (that sentence was surreal to write and read, believe me!). From Europe to Asia to Canada to Australia to Africa to the Middle East to South and Central America and, yes, even flying over Antarctica for New Years 2002, I will forever treasure my memories from these trips/vacations (inside joke).
There are infinite stories to be told, but today’s post has a specific note in mind.
Let me explain.
When we were in Montreal one year, we got dressed up in our Sunday best on Christmas Eve and walked in the cold and snow to a nearby church. On this specific evening, the church we visited was as receptive to strangers as it was grand as it stretched an entire city block. On this night, we were very fortunate to spot five unreserved seats along the railing of the upper level. We watched, prayed and listened in amazement to the Christmas Eve service before our eyes.
And one part of that night that has stuck with me through all these years was the music. Specifically, the church choir. Perfect harmony and perfect mood for a night as inspiring as Christmas Eve as we begin to reflect on Christ’s birth only hours away on December 25th.
Below is an adaptation of a Coldplay song titled, “Christmas Lights.” In the spirit of this post, the song is performed by Scala & Kolacny Brothers, which is a Beligan women’s choir.
If you close your eyes, you just may find yourself, for three minutes and forty-five seconds, inside a church for a special Christmas Eve night service. Perhaps inside a wonderful church in Montreal…
Perfect tone for today and tonight.
Happy Christmas Eve!
The Sound of Something Familiar
“The Sound of Music” is widely considered to be one of the best (if not the best) musicals ever written and performed, both as a play and as a major motion picture in 1959 and 1965, accordingly. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer both gave unforgettable performances as Maria Rainer and Captain von Trapp in the film adaptation (plus we can’t forget about all the von Trapp children!). The movie received great acclaim with an Oscar for Best Picture.
It’s a beautifully entertaining classic now and forever into the future.
Last night, NBC attempted to revive the magic of “The Sound of Music” with a live 3-hour performance (with a commercial here and there). Favorite scenes and songs were portrayed and sung by the cast, led by Carrie Underwood, who took on the iconic task of Maria. Of course, there was “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Do-Re-Mi.” However, let us not neglect for even another second about all of us universally recalling “My Favorite Things.”
Did Carrie Underwood do well? Was the high-pressured production worth the extraordinary effort? That answer will likely vary depending on one’s allegiance to the masterful film and Julie Andrews herself, but I found myself thinking of a different adaptation last night. Well, maybe just one specific scene 20 years after the sensational release of “The Sound of Music” movie.
It came to me like a dream…
Julie Andrews vs. Chevy Chase: It’s a toss-up (not really, but both give classic performances, just for different reasons)
Engineer on the Piano
Since today is Friday, it feels appropriate to begin the weekend in a fun, relaxing fashion. One way to achieve this universal goal of ours is by listening to uplifting music.
With this in mind, everybody’s favorite engineer who is not a doctor seems to have a real knack for providing this type of joy for the masses. “The Big Bang Theory” episode from last night featured a beautifully written and orchestrated performance by Howard Wolowitz and friends for his quarantined wife Bernadette. It’s moments like this that really make this sitcom such a massive success.
But remember, last night’s song is not the only one Howard has written for his beautiful blonde biologist…
They’re just two green light sabers, glowing in the night…
Hangin’ Out, Down the Street (Again!)
Apparently, the kids who were always “hangin’ out, down the street” together arranged a piano number this past Tuesday night at a quintessential LA pad to reminisce about those days from about a decade ago in real time and more than 30-40 years ago in sitcom time.
(Topher Grace’s Twitter: “Hangin’ out, down the street….”)
Clearly, the basement was just being renovated or something.
A reunion was groovy enough, but “the gang” decided to take it a few notes further…
The still photo above is evidence, as reported by a few of the former Point Place troublemakers, of a “That ’70s Show” sing-along to, you know…
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