Ms Kitt

Self,
I was not happy to hear that Earth Kitt passed away on Christmas. I don't want to jump on the tribute bandwagon, but I found this and I love it so I just wanted to share.




Sincerely,
Pharaoh

I Wanna Sing & Shout

Self,

I kept my promise to only do one "note" a day during my "Twelve Days of Christmas" series. I hope it was enjoyed by all....lol if not oh well it was enjoyed by ME! =)

Well having kept that promise...there's few things I need to catch up on. Startinig with

LEDISI.

Oh my she was great. I saw her December 10 at the El Rey theatre. (I know the 10th was before the "12 day" series, but I didn't get these photos and clips from another attendee sent them to me during the series, so I had to wait.

SO I'm sharing. Enjoy!

You might have heard me...a loud "WOO."

Twelfth Day of Christmas

Self,

I knew that I wanted this song to be featured on Christmas Day as the twelfth and final day of the series.
Today's song is: This Christmas....Donny Hathaway's version!


As much as I spoke of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" being a carol of love and devotion. That's the endearing and enduring kind of love. This song to me is about new love....and maybe more accurately the Rebirth of love. I imagine the song to be a couple doing the thing they need to fan the flames of their love. Like hanging mistletoe, not just to snatch kisses in passing but because it makes them remember their first kiss rather under misteltoe or in general. Or they sit by a fire on Christmas, because they sat near the fire at the ski lodge where they first met.
Continuing the theme of rebirth, that's kinda how I look at the holiday. I think no mater how good or bad last Christmas was for someone, "THIS" Christmas should be something we all should be 'tiny tots with our eyes aglow" with anticipation. Awaiting the wonders and blessing that are coming our way

LOL I know this all sounds a bit overly romantic if not a bit idealistic, but hey...that's me.

Merry Christmas to all.

Sincerely, & Love,
Pharaoh Ryan

Eleventh Day of Christmas

Self,
It's Christmas Eve - the Eleventh Day of Christmas, it's only fitting that today's song would be "Silent Night."
I'm not so in love with Christina Aguilera as the person who made this video, but I am enough of a fan to appreciate her voice singing this song.
I looked for a live performance of her and the only one I found was of her and Brian McKnight doing it as a duet. I like the duet, but I didn't care for the crowd cheering and hollering over the vocalists.

For me the significance of the song is about honoring the sacred. As I said on "The Eighth Day" entry, I know that December 25 was chosen to gain converts from those who were honoring the sanctity of the Winter Solstice.
Now there is SOOOO little that the world holds sacred anymore.
Sacred sites are now just land to simply buy or to fight over. Look at Walmart wanting to build a store in Mexico city near the ancient Aztec complex of the pyramids of the Sun and the Moon a few years back. Look at how Jews and Palastinians fight over who has the right to occupy Jerusalum. If it is so sacred to them both, why can't the live in peace on the land. (Politics aside.)

Despite recent statements of "perserving the sanctity of marriage" as opposition to same-sex unions, marriage is now basically become a matter of politics. Requiring a piece of paper as an acknowledgment of an union, or another to end one.

How often do many of us forget to bow our heads in gratitude for the food we eat before a meal except at holidays and special events? (- myself included.) We take for granted that it's a blessing for the food to be sitting infront of us while MANY the world over goes hungry.

Not even Life and Love consistently hold the mantle of sacred anymore. How quick people are to take a life (or lives) over land, or possessions, money, and the true stupidity of colors (national flags as well as those of street gangs). If God is Love, why is there SO much hate and cruelty in the world. Parents neglect their children, couples abuse and torment each other. People so fearful of being hurt that they play games with other people's heart and emotions to increase the cycle of bitterness, sorrow and suffering.

Find what is sacred to you. Cherish it. Share it with others. What you hold sacred may also be treasured by others and MAYBE the sharing of this with stregnthen the bonds of our hearts with each other. That was my intentions with this series. Not to say that I necessarily hold these songs as sacred, what is sacred to me is JOY, LOVE, HAPPINESS and these songs to me represent and encourage these intangible gems in their multi-faceted slendor. They bring me joy and I hope they did the same for you.
Sincerely,
Pharaoh

The Tenth Day of Christmas

Self,
I present to you on the this Tenth day of Christmas no other than "The Christmas Song."

Lord have mercy, this song causes my eyes to well up with tears everytime I hear it....particularly whenI hear this man sing it.


This is just the ultimate Christmas song. In a way it offers a piece of what all the songs offer individually. I know with a statement like that you wonder why isn't it the twelfth day selection. Well you have to come back and see which song did take that spot.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

The Ninth Day of Christmas

Self,
Today I give you:
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

I think this version of the song by Luther Vandross is my favoite. I just wish I could have found a clip of him actually performing.



The sentiment of this song for me is, simply be yourself and do the things that will make you enjoy your Christmas (and all year long.) This should atleast involve a few of your favorite things. I will probably go buy my box of See's Candy today or tomorrow. Oh my mom and I made fudge and cookies so I have to wait on my See's Candy. (I'm sorry East coast folks yall don't have them there, it a California exclusive lol so I'm told. And yall's Russel Stovers got nothing on Miss See.) Maybe if you're good over the next year, I might have Santa bring you some.
Speaking of doing your favorite things to make your Christmas merry. Sunday, I hosted a brunch for a few friends for whom I cooked. I enjoy cooking and folks the enjoy my cooking as much as I do!
Expect pictures and details after the Twelve Days of Christmas series.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

The Eighth Day of Christmas

Self,
Song number eight: "What Child Is This?"
So far my favorite version of this one is by Vanessa Williams.


I know the religious scholars place the true birth of the man that was crucified as Christ to be in August or September and that the Catholic Church chose December 25th to celebrate that birth merely to gain converts from the "pagans" who were and would continue to celebrate the winter Solstice. That said what I think touches me most about this song is that it speaks to the miracle of children all over the world.

Sincerely,
Pharaoh

The Seventh Day of Christmas

Self,

Time to announce today's song selsction: Drum roll please. Little Drummer Boy.

I had NO intention to allow an artist(s) in this series be seen performing more than one song...but that's what is happening here. I looked at several clips. And of the ones I've seen this one had the most appeal for me. So I'm not apologizing for the repeat performance, I just want to let you know I am aware of it. This is that production/group Celtic Woman (also seen on the Third day with the "Carol of the Bells.") I don't know when it was done or where but it's nice.

I really enjoyed the added element of the chanting (I think it's Latin.) Like I said I'm a sucker for a good string solo which was also included.

The lesson in this song is two fold. First is the main less and that is simply don't be selfish. Give what you can. Rather it be your time, money, support, your talents or whatever else the case may be at that time. The second lesson is just as simple. You don't have to have a lot for what you give to mean a lot. I mean we don't know if this little boy was the greast drummer in the land or had just found this drum on his trek into town. Either way he didnt have a lot, but he gave freely of what he had of his talent and it was a gift of abundance for all those who were there with him. If we all did this not only now during the holiday season, but all year long, then we can uplift the world.

Sincerely,

Pharaoh

The Sixth Day of Christmas

Self,

On this day we have Winter Wonderland.

I live in Southern California. Here the holiday season consist of Christmas lights strung on palm trees in folks yard, unless you have the resources to go up to the mountains. So a winter wonderland sound so fantastic. Building a snowman, making snow angels, having snowball fights, and trying to catch a snowflake on my tongue are all things I haven't experience. I won't say that I never will because who really knows the future but through this song I feel like I live the experience every year!

I'm not trying to advertise for Gap but I'm pleased that they hired a new artist for this advertising spot. Heaven knows that they could have tried to go with Beyonce or Britney Spears. This is Janelle Monae with "Winter Wonderland."

This clip is cool because it kind of creates a circle. I had recently featured Janelle Monae in my Spotlight Series and here basically a major retail chain is doing the same. They could have done without the crazy white boy dancing!


Sincerely,
Pharaoh

PS My favorite version of this song is by Ella Fitzgerald.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas

Self,
I wonder if the five golden rings would be the most valuable of the 12 gifts. I mean can you imagine paying the salaries of 12 drummers, it had to be costly....but then again they may have been paid mere pennies or even for free because they loved their craft and artistry so much.
Musically of course the five ring are seperated from the song, which could mean that it is suppose to be understood as special.

SO keeping with that idea I feel this is a special gift of song too.
On the fifth day of Christmas I give to you;
Joy to the World.

This is classic Whitney Houston (classic meaning before Bobby Brown and the crack addiction.) I must admit that this is my ABSOLUTE favorite version of this song. Simply stated it brings me joy to hear it. I selected it here because if the five golden rings were intended to be a very special gift, then the gift of joy to you individually and to the world in generally is a very special gift indeed.
For thouse of you who haven't gotten the Christmas spirit yet, I hope this helped.
ENJOY!




Sincerely,
Pharaoh