1. So I’ve been listening to 95.7 FM—a genunely outstanding radio station (broadcasting from the foot of Mt. Alto in Rome, GA—although it also serves Trion) featuring the hits from the Sixties, Seventies, and Eighties just about all the time.
2. Yesterday and today, they’ve been featuring versions of Christmas tunes from said hit-makers.
3. My completely conventional and musically illiterate opinions:
4. The two most enjoyable performances are Jon Anderson (the YES man)—O HOLY NIGHT, quite the dramatic display of one of the very best Christmas carols.
5. And: The Boss (Springsteen), SANTA CLAUS IS COMING. It’s a fine performance masquerading as fun fluff, with of course a prominent and witty place for the BIG MAN on the sax.
6. Just strange and somewhat annoying: Stevie Nicks, SILENT NIGHT.
7. Oddly moving, although not for musical reasons: Bob Dylan, ADESTE FIDELES.
(Artistic failure of the show: GAUDETE from Steeleye Span is not being played. The only hit, surely, sung a capella and entirely in Latin. Magnificient performance of a hymm with stirring lyrics and melody.)
I hope everyone is enjoying a postmodern—yet conservative—Christmas!
While I have you, can I ask you something? I’ll be quick.
Twenty-five thousand people subscribe to First Things. Why can’t that be fifty thousand? Three million people read First Things online like you are right now. Why can’t that be four million?
Let’s stop saying “can’t.” Because it can. And your year-end gift of just $50, $100, or even $250 or more will make it possible.
How much would you give to introduce just one new person to First Things? What about ten people, or even a hundred? That’s the power of your charitable support.
Make your year-end gift now using this secure link or the button below.
