It has been a while since we have done a Single Song Sunday - one of the consequences of the tech problems I had a few months ago was losing all my playlists and having to rebuild them from scratch - but we're back in time for Christmas with a seasonal special.
The good folks at Second Hand Songs have compiled a list of over 1600 versions of "Winter Wonderland". Obviously the only version you really need is Darlene Love's but that would not be in the spirit of Single Song Sunday.
I have waded through what seems like several hundred versions so you don't have to. The vast majority of them are rather dull, including some that appear promising on paper like Aretha, Goldfrapp and the Cocteau Twins. Many are dreadful, even if you discount versions by novelty acts like Pinky & Perky, William Shatner and Bob Dylan.
The original hit version of the song was by Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians way back in 1934. I couldn't find a download of that recording so instead we have a 1946 remake from Guy and the guys featuring The Andrews Sisters on vocals.
Obviously all the crooners have had a go at the song over the years. The arrangements are all much of a muchness but as it is Christmas I feel we really have to go with old Bing. His rendition is followed by the only one that matters.
Next we have what were unquestionably the two coolest instrumental groups of the 1960s, Booker T & The MGs and Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. Linda Lewis's 1976 rendition fits in nicely after Herb.
After that it all goes slightly wonky. Unfortunately I could not lay my hands on Stryper's seminal 1984 version, but this later live recording captures its spirit. Grandaddy for some reason decided to cast Parsons (Alan) in the Parson Brown role in their take on the tune from 2000.
At least we can rely on Rosie Thomas to play things straight on this track from her 2008 album "A Very Rosie Christmas", before handing over to the mighty Beres Hammond to see us out with the traditional Mandatory Reggae Version.
"Winter Wonderland" - Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians (with The Andrews Sisters)
"Winter Wonderland" - Bing Crosby
"Winter Wonderland" - Darlene Love
"Winter Wonderland" - Booker T & The MGs
"Winter Wonderland" - Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
"Winter Wonderland" - Linda Lewis
"Winter Wonderland" - Stryper
"Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland" - Grandaddy
"Winter Wonderland" - Rosie Thomas
"Winter Wonderland" - Beres Hammond
From Johnny Mathis and all of us at 27 Leggies Enterprises:
A great KKSS
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Have a great Christmas
1600 versions? We are saved by your supreme editing skills, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the musical (and artistic) voyages and inimitable entertainment this year, Ernie. Have a lovely Christmas!
And I thought I had a lot of versions of Winter Wonderland...! Quite a few here I haven't heard before and Beres Hammond a very welcome addition.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for a brilliant year of music and vicarious travel, not least an voyage around Africa. Always an education and always a treat. Have a great Christmas, Ernie!