It's a "Barry" Christmas

Reading all the reviews from the shows at the McCallum theater sure can put you in the Christmas spirit. Of course hanging my treasured "Barry Christmas" ornament the other night put the cherry on top of my Christmas mood.

I love Christmas. I love the decorations, wrapping presents, the Hallmark channel Christmas movies, baking, Christmas pageants and of course, the music. My all-time favorite Christmas album of Barry's is the most recent, "In the Swing of Christmas"; but, honestly, I love all three of his Christmas offerings. Just for fun, I thought I would list my choices for the BEST songs from each of them. See if you agree!

In the Swing of Christmas
Violets for Your Furs
Count Your Blessings
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Gift of Love (Duet with Oliva Newton-John)

Christmas Gift of Love
Happy Holidays/White Christmas
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
River

Because It's Christmas
The Christmas Song
Baby It's Cold Outside
Joy to the World/Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The jazziness of "In the Swing of Christmas", the festive holiday feel of "Christmas Gift of Love" and the classics on "Because It's Christmas" give any Manilow aficionado a variety of styles to choose from. The arrangements in each of these albums draw attention to the fact that Barry is first and foremost a musician that can take a song and make it his own with his genius arrangements.

Listening to the "sounds" of the season,
Texas Fan

P.S. I think "Christmas is Just Around the Corner" has become my FAVORITE "fun" Christmas tune--for this year and for many years to come. What can I say? It makes me smile EVERY time I hear it!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's that time of year again..December 1st has arrived with a whimper, except for Mr. Manilow and his amazing Christmas CD. I have to say, I absolutely love everything about it. From the jazz piano solos, to the arrangements, to the vocals, to the choice of songs. I love how the intros to the songs include other Christmas songs. Ingenious. But what else would we expect from the genius arranger and composer. Barry nailed it again and it has made its way to the top of my favorite Christmas albums.

My favorite song? I can't pick one. They are all unique. I love Silver Bells for the many vocals. I love Winter Wonderland for the piano solo. I love Jingle Bells for the peppy arrangement. I love It Came Upon a Midnight Clear for the way Barry interprets the lyrics. Violets for Your Furs was a complete surprise and Count Your Blessings brings back memories of watching White Christmas with my daughter.

This cd reminds me of the genius that is Manilow and I can't stop discovering all the little hidden gems in every single song. He always surprises us and surpasses our expectations. With this Christmas cd, it truly is the most wonderful time of year.

Thanks Barry for your never ending gift of music. And hopefully while we are hustling and bustling around this year we remember that Jesus is the greatest gift of all.

Merry Christmas to all,
Texas Fanilow