By Jim Fusco:
Welcome, welcome to another edition of the Laptop Sessions in high definition! Tonight, I bring you the second video from last week’s recording session. This one is truly a classic off of one of my favorite all-time albums: Elvis Presley’s 1957 Christmas Album.
“Blue Christmas” is a song everyone knows. And, I’m pretty sure that with tonight’s recording, that every single musician in the last 50 years has recorded a version of it. I happen to do mine in Elvis’ style, but I love Brian Wilson’s version on the Beach Boys Christmas Album, too. But, while Brian’s version is sad and melancholy, Elvis gives this song so much raw soul. It’s his “uh-huh” singing at its best and is on my list of “perfect recordings”. Those are the songs (like, for instance, the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows”) that couldn’t be any better- just the perfect blend of instrumentation, songwriting style, vocals, etc.
Of course, “Blue Christmas” was even recorded earlier than Elvis’s version- as early as 1948! But, Elvis made it a rock song and that’s the version that everyone knows.
I got to use my colleague Noreen’s 12-string Gibson acoustic from 1967 on this one- what a great sound! It was so much fun to play. When you’re using that guitar in a room with good acoustics, you feel like you’re a one man band. I’m loving this new setup. And, this week’s video was much easier to edit- literally took just a minute until it was rendering. It’s such a nice feeling to get something done right the first time.
On a personal note, things have never been busier. Whether it’s decorating the house, going shopping, cooking, working, etc. I’m never just sitting and relaxing. I have a feeling it’s going to be like this until after the New Year, but I tell ya- I need some more sleep! I’m looking forward to a couple of work parties, a couple of get-togethers at the new house, and general Christmas cheer.
If you haven’t done it yet, head on over to WCJM Free Internet Radio at wcjm.com and click on the Moore Hits in the Morning radio in the center of the screen. You’ll then be taken to all of our radio shows that you can listen to absolutely free- click on any of the numerous Christmas shows and get ready to laugh! They’re really entertaining and I listen to each of them at least twice each Christmas season to get me in that yuletide mood.
Okay, off to bed now- make sure to keep checking back this week for more great articles and videos from the Only Music Blog- The Laptop Sessions!