I'll Be Home for Christmas - SOTW #51

The Penultimate Song-of-the-Week is here! #51, can you believe it?

Rounding out a quad of Christmas-y songs is my version of a classic seasonal favorite, "I'll Be Home for Christmas". Bing Crosby recorded this in 1943, and it's been a chart topper ever since, especially when the US has had troops overseas. Other well know artists have recorded there own versions, but Bing's set the standard on this one, IMO. It's always been one of my favorite secular Christmas songs, as the lyrics and melody are "just right".

The reason I chose this song to cover as the SOTW before Christmas, apart from now having played it on guitar before, is because of one simple lyric in the song. The very last line of the song says "If only in my dreams" in referencing being home for Christmas. This year, for the first time, I won't be going "home" for Christmas. Work schedules and being further away from our Michigan home will prevent my wife and me from being with our families this year. It'll be strange to not join my parents for Christmas Eve services at church, or have my mom's traditional seafood feast that evening, or join my in-laws for gifts and gluttony on Christmas day. It'll be hard indeed. I would trade all the gifts just to spend time with family. Yet my wife and I are pursuing our dream and doing what we have to do. Skype and cell phones will shorten the distance, and we'll find other times to make it back home for fellowship other times in the year. Needless to say, the song has deeper meaning for me.

All the usual stuff on this one. Taylor 716ce 2009 spring limited, Sanyo Xacti camera, Mr. Frog, and me. Enjoy!


Bel isi,
-kyle

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly - SOTW #50

Week #50? I think I might just make it!

This week I went with another traditional song. This time landing in the land of pierogis and Pope John Paul II. "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" is an old polish carol with a simple tune and neat lyrics. I gave it a contemporary groove and had a lot of fun with it.

I'm back up to standard pitch with my tuning, and fresh strings as well. So the guitar is really driving on this one. It's still all the usual stuff; Taylor 716ce-LTD and the Sanyo camera. Hang out with Mr. Frog and enjoy!


Bel isi,
-kyle

The Wexford Carol (flute-guitar duet) - SOTW #49.5

Flutes and guitars are not really considered a classic pairing in the music world. However, on the right tune, they can certainly compliment each other. Late last week as a part of my Song-of-the-Week series I covered an traditional Irish carol called "The Wexford Carol". It's a neat tune with a unique melody. I figured it would be a really nice song for the flute to double up on the melody with my guitar playing.  I found the sheet music so my wife, Dana, could learn it and play along with me.  I think it turned out quite nicely, if I so say so myself.  Always fun to share a hobby with your wife.  :)




Bel isi,
-kyle

The Wexford Carol - SOTW #49

Week 49? Whoa! And a crazy one at that!

I'm continuing my Christmas-flavored portion of my SOTW series with one of my favorite carols, "The Wexford Carol". I first heard this song on a holiday album I have from the King's Singers, a phenomenal vocal ensemble from Cambridge, England. A traditional Irish carol, "The Wexford Carol" dates back to the 12th century. It has also been covered by the likes of Julie Andrews, Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss, and Celtic Woman.

The arrangement is my own personal creation, based around some various chord charts I found online. The odd melody line makes for a really interesting composition, which is what originally drew me to the song. My guitar is tuned down a whole step to D-D to give my vocal range a better handle on it. It's a little dark, but I'm working with the Youtube video editor software to bring some light to it. It take a bit of time to process all of that, so stay tuned. Also, I've been working on this as a duet with my wife, a flutist. Stay tuned!

Cheers!


Bel isi,
-kyle

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - SOTW #48

Week #48 of my Song-of-the-Week fiasco is here!

Seeing as it's now December, and thus officially safe to play Christmas music, I thought it would only be appropriate to feature some yuletide tunes for the next few weeks. And to start things off, I've decided to go with an old jazzy favorite of mine, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". Originally sang by the late, talented Judy Garland for the musical "Meet Me in St. Louis", the lyrics were later changed and Frank Sinatra recorded the well-known version we enjoy today. Since then, it's been covered by pretty much everyone, and now me.

I gave things a little jazzy/bluesy feel on this one. If things still don't sound quite right, I have my guitar tuned down a whole step. I've been working on another Christmas tune with fingerstyle guitar and needed a slightly lower pitch, so I just left the guitar in that mode and put the capo up to the 3rd fret. So things are a little loose, but I kinda like it. I hope you all do too!

May your days be merry and bright!


Bel isi,
-kyle