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| The New York Optimist December 2008 |
| Happy Holiday's From The New York Optimist! From the staff we would like to wish you a safe and happy holiday. May your family be together sharing warm memory's while creating new ones. |
| We open our Christmas journey with an upset Charlie Brown, wanting to know what the meaning of Christmas is. Leave it to our old friend Linus, the voice of reason to put things into perspective. As he has eloquently done before in his Linus way. He tells Charlie Brown that Christmas is not a commercial entity but a spiritual rising. Here at The New York Optimist, we would like to take you on a musical journey with some footage of some of the most respected artists that have ever recorded. |
| Celtic Woman live at the Helix Center in Dublin, Ireland performing A Christmas Celebration. Silent Night. Celtic Woman is a musical ensemble comprising five Irish female artists: vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt. The group's repertoire ranges from traditional Celtic tunes to modern songs. To date, the group has released four albums, Celtic Woman, Celtic Woman: A Christmas Celebration, Celtic Woman: A New Journey, and "The Greatest Journey: Essential Collection" and have undertaken a number of world tours. The foundation for Celtic music's popularity outside of Ireland and Europe was previously set by artists Enya and Clannad, along with stage shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. To this end, Celtic Woman has been referred to as "Riverdance for the voice." |
| As we wipe our eyes from the angelic voice's of Celtic woman, we now brace ourselves for the queen of power ballads, Celine Dion. Her version of Oh Holy Night is one of those holiday songs that speak of regal boldness. Kinda forcing your head to look up in the sky, remembering those who are no longer with us but also knowing that they would be smiling down on you. You get that warm feeling inside and start to smile. |
Such feelings that are stirred up from hearing Oh Holy Night brings us to our
next artist, the immortal John Lennon. Making us aware that the world around
us might not be as rosey as we thought it was. Wanting ALL people to to
celebrate peace & love, Mr Lennon gave us such a simple, original Christmas
song. The lyrics will stand the test of time. Then, today and tomorrow.
Enough of my blabbering and let us sit back and think and help John to try to
get to that Utopia he always wanted ALL of us to be in.
next artist, the immortal John Lennon. Making us aware that the world around
us might not be as rosey as we thought it was. Wanting ALL people to to
celebrate peace & love, Mr Lennon gave us such a simple, original Christmas
song. The lyrics will stand the test of time. Then, today and tomorrow.
Enough of my blabbering and let us sit back and think and help John to try to
get to that Utopia he always wanted ALL of us to be in.
Thanks to John & Yoko, people do listen and also want to try to help
change the world. "Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a song written by
Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 specifically to raise money for relief of
1984–1985 famine in Ethiopia. The original version was produced by
Midge Ure, and released by Band Aid on November 29, 1984.
In late 1984, a BBC report by Michael Buerk was aired highlighting the
famine that had hit the people of Ethiopia. Irish singer Bob Geldof had seen
the report and was a social person to raise money. Aware that he could do
little on his own, he called Midge Ure from Ultravox and together they
quickly co-wrote the song, "Do They Know It's Christmas?".
Geldof kept a November appointment with BBC Radio 1 DJ Richard
Skinner to appear on his show, but instead of discussing his new album
(the original reason for his booking), he used his airtime to publicise the
idea for the charity single, so by the time the musicians were recruited
there was intense media interest in the subject.
Geldof put together a group called Band Aid, consisting of leading Irish
and British musicians who were among the most popular and recognized
of the era. www.bobgeldof.info/Charity/bandaid
change the world. "Do They Know It's Christmas?" is a song written by
Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 specifically to raise money for relief of
1984–1985 famine in Ethiopia. The original version was produced by
Midge Ure, and released by Band Aid on November 29, 1984.
In late 1984, a BBC report by Michael Buerk was aired highlighting the
famine that had hit the people of Ethiopia. Irish singer Bob Geldof had seen
the report and was a social person to raise money. Aware that he could do
little on his own, he called Midge Ure from Ultravox and together they
quickly co-wrote the song, "Do They Know It's Christmas?".
Geldof kept a November appointment with BBC Radio 1 DJ Richard
Skinner to appear on his show, but instead of discussing his new album
(the original reason for his booking), he used his airtime to publicise the
idea for the charity single, so by the time the musicians were recruited
there was intense media interest in the subject.
Geldof put together a group called Band Aid, consisting of leading Irish
and British musicians who were among the most popular and recognized
of the era. www.bobgeldof.info/Charity/bandaid
Ah, all this giving and activism has me thinking of one of the most
beautiful stories. The Little Drummer Boy. This poor little boy didn't have
the gifts of jewels, gold, or anything materialistic for the baby Jesus.
However he did have one thing to give, and it came from his heart. The
gift of song!. As the Little Drummer Boy played, he noticed that Mary &
Joseph accepted him, & was loving his song. For you see, if the gift
comes from the heart, the recipient will forever thank you. Sit back and
listen to one of the most beautiful renditions of The Little Drummer Boy
sung by the unique duo of Bing Crosby & David Bowie.
beautiful stories. The Little Drummer Boy. This poor little boy didn't have
the gifts of jewels, gold, or anything materialistic for the baby Jesus.
However he did have one thing to give, and it came from his heart. The
gift of song!. As the Little Drummer Boy played, he noticed that Mary &
Joseph accepted him, & was loving his song. For you see, if the gift
comes from the heart, the recipient will forever thank you. Sit back and
listen to one of the most beautiful renditions of The Little Drummer Boy
sung by the unique duo of Bing Crosby & David Bowie.
| One of my favorite holiday cartoons was The Little Drummer Boy. Right is the final scene of the classic. |
| And finally as our day draws to an end. Lets us sit by the fire, relax and listen to the smoothest of the smooth, Mr. Nat King Cole. As we roast those chestnuts and drink the egg nog, we want to take this time again to wish everyone a peaceful and safe holiday. |
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