Author: julie-annjoy

Christmas Time is Here

Written by Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi for the 1965 television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” This song has been recorded by numerous artists since 1982, and it’s considered one of the popular Christmas Standards. Amongst the numerous recordings available, it’s Steven Curtis Chapman’s rendition that’s on my Christmas playlist since I bought his “JOY” Christmas CD.  

JOY Album

I enjoy Steven’s guitar and vocal arrangement as well as performance of this song. He sings and plays this song with gentleness and warmth. Listening to this song makes me wanna sit by the fire place while sipping hot cocoa or apple cider. Collaborating with Steven is Brent Mulligan on Bass and Cello. Listen on Spotify if your a subscriber or YouTube.

This is the 12/02/20 Song of the Day from my Julie-Ann Joy Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Winter Bells

Prayer Improvisations Christmas“Carol of the Bells” is a traditional Ukrainian Bell Carol composed by Mykola Leontovych and lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky.

“Hark how the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
Throw cares away

Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To young and old,
Meek and the bold…”

My first recollection of singing this song was in high school. This Christmas classic is included in my playlist as the piano solo “Winter Bells” arranged and performed by independent artist extraordinaire Peter Vantine and recorded in his “Prayerful Improvisation Christmas” album.

I’ve had the privilege of musically collaborating with Peter while I lived in Boston, where we co-produced my “Simple Song” CD album. Once I left New England, we collaborated again for my “Silver Bells: Songs of Christmas JOY!” Christmas album.

Peter’s rendition of this haunting melody is like a warm blanket of music for your spirit and auditory senses. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or on YouTube.

This is the Dec. 1st song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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The Holiday Season Medley

The Christmas Album

The Manhattan Transfer (TMT) “The Christmas Album” was the first CD album I bought as a young singer living in Boston, Massachusetts where jazz was thriving all-over the city.  They are a world reknown legendary jazz quartet whose been together for over four decades. Released in 1992, this is the second recording I bought from TMT’s illustrious discography. The other album I have in my music library is their Grammy Award winning “Vocalese” album LP (aka phonograph record format).

One of the highlights of my performing life is performing the choral arrangement of “Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season  (Medley)” with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus under the direction of maestro, Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops during one of the Boston Pops Holiday Season at Symphony Hall. The experience was electrifyingly unforgettable!

Listen to this high-octane holiday medley on Spotify if you’re a subscriber, or the full album on YouTube. This is the 11/30/20 song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Silver Bells (solo piano)

First recorded and popularized by legendary Bing Crosby and Carol Richards in 1950, this song made its cinematic debut in the movie “The Lemon Drop Kid” with entertainer and comedian Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell singing the song.

Christmas Romance - Jim BrickmanThis Christmas Classic is in my playlist as an instrumental version recorded by Jim Brickman in his album “Christmas Romance.” He is an American pianist and songwriter known for his solo piano compositions. Released in 2008, when I was still living in Boston, MA, this CD was a musical gift from Pam, one of my dear friends.

This arrangement brings together the piano and accompanying instruments into a cool, jazzy, dreamlike recording that paints a winter wonderland picture in my mind. This is my first and only CD from another prolific composer whose career spans more than two decades. Listen to this winter wonderland rendition of “Silver Bells” on Spotify if you’re a subscriber, or the full album on YouTube.

This is the 11/28/20 song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Christmas Time Again

One of the most prolific Singer-Songwriters of Christian Contemporary Music, Steven Curtis Chapman is one of my favorites. In his career that spans over three decades, he has garnered 5 Grammy Awards, 59 Dove Awards, 1 American Music Award, and 49 #1 Radio Hits including “Christmas Time Again” from his “JOY” Christmas CD.  Released in 2012, I saw the display of this Christmas CD while shopping for Christmas gifts and decided to buy this album. It was going to be a musical gift for a friend but I decided to keep it. I’ve been enjoying this album for the last eight Christmases.

JOY Album

While 2020 has been a globally challenging year, it’s Christmas Time Again! time to listen to songs that celebrate The Joy of Christmas, the best time of the year! Let’s start with this  Steven Curtis Chapman song that will get your fingers snappin’ and toes tappin’. The lyrics and music sets a wonderful tone of happiness, which may be the reason why “Christmas Time Again” became a #1 Radio Hit song. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or watch the official lyrics video on YouTube.

This is the 11/27/20 song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

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Merry Christmas, Darling

My Christmas Love Songs weekend series ends with one of my favorites. The lyrics were written in 1944 by Frank Pooler who was the choir director of Karen and Richard Carpenter at California State University. Richard Carpenter composed the music for this beloved Christmas ballad recorded by another American Treasure. Silver Bells Songs of Christmas JOY! by Julie-Ann Aguhob

As a young girl, I listened to The Carpenters and loved Karen Carpenter’s voice. When I received the Artist Support Grant from the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis to record my first Christmas album, I had to include one of Karen’s classic Christmas songs. This was one of the first songs on my list to record in my 1st Christmas album.

Though I’m not attempting to sound like Karen Carpenter, I am performing this song the same way as the original recording. Sit back, relax, enjoy! This song is also featured on Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist.

GIFT IDEA: Enjoy stress-free holiday shopping this season by giving my “Silver Bells” album as a musical gift to family and friends in-town and out-of-town. When you make a purchase on this website by Dec. 10 2021, I’ll ship your gift CDs anywhere in the USA for free! (Additional cost for international shipping). Click and Order Now.

Click the links below. Enjoy and Happy listening!

Silver Bells O Holy Night
Loving You Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child
Happy Holiday Medley Gesu Bambino
Merry Christmas, Darling Here With Us
The Christmas Waltz Sing Joy!

Can you help grow my audience by sharing this page so that others can enjoy my Christmas Album? Thank you so very much!

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