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I wonder if when Irving Berlin finished writing "White Christmas" he knew he had created a timeless classic. Holiday music has become its own little business, with artists often taking time out of their recording schedule to put together an album of covers and originals. It has become a bloated industry — every pop star and washed-up rock band has a holiday record. Sometimes they are really just mailing it in for a payday. Other times, though, they create something special. Mariah Carey, Tom Petty and Queen all have original Christmas tunes that fit right into their musical styles. You have to give props to those artists who dare to pen a Christmas tune. It is easy to just put a signature spin on something like "Blue Christmas" or "The Christmas Song." Those are already accepted by throngs of holiday shoppers who hear them every year. But what about Billy Squier thumping on "Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You'"? Or Joni Mitchell's heartbreaking anthem "River"? You certainly hear those ones less than Frank Sinatra singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" while you are driving to work in December. These tunes are significantly younger than most holiday standards, so perhaps one day they will be thought of as classics. Until then, we will just call them good songs. -
25 Years Later: Music Times Remembers Irving Berlin's Most Influential Compositions from 'White Christmas' to 'God Bless America'
There are books upon books detailing the discography of Irving Berlin but Music Times has narrowed his legacy into six works, many that you may already recognize. All are worth a revisiting, whether that involves the original performers or modern recreations. Just know that Berlin stands tall over all of them. -
Steppin' Out: Eight-Time Grammy Winner Herb Alpert Earns Another for Best Pop Instrumental Album
Now, we take a moment to honor the ingenious multi-award-winning Herb Alpert and his most recent Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album.
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