Window Shopper

I was thinking about all those times when we bought batteries and more batteries. You know, I think we spent a lot of money on batteries for the longest time until we finally decided that although the rechargeable batteries are a lot more expensive to start with than those that are always on sale at or near the cash register they were going to save us money in the end.

How? Well, for one thing, they are rechargeable. Guess you didn’t see that coming? Of course, they do expire some day but while you have them, they sure do a lot more than the usual batteries that I have had experiences with. For instance, I used to work at a place where the best way to entertain yourself while you work (it was sort of mindless stuff), you could bring your own music with you. I had a tape player with earphones. It took four batteries that ran out about half way into the day. I could not use those batteries for very long. That got tiring quickly, I can tell you. When I discovered rechargeable batteries, I was really happy. My husband took his tape player to work as well. Those batteries simply needed to be changed out with the others that he had run out that day. Yes!!!

It’s really hard to get noticed in the world of music since there are so many good singers in the world. But it takes someone who is special to grab us with their music. It looks like Alisa Apps is one such person. Having grown up in difficult circumstances, rising out of the negative into the positive, she has begun to make a name for herself.

Most recently, she was seen at a top shopping mall in the country, Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, challenging people to sing with her. The song was Jingle Bells. How many people do you think actually sang with her? Would you? Here is a video of Alisa Apps and shoppers singing Jingle Bells…well, they try.

Did she really have to chase people down to sing? Come on, folks. It’s just Jingle Bells. Who doesn’t know Jingle Bells? Well, apparently a lot of folks. Hey guys, don’t quit your day jobs!! Alisa Apps, you go right ahead and sing away. Great voice!

What I love about this time of year are the songs that are always being sung and played in the stores, on the radio and on the television. So many favorites from a long time ago are the ones I love the best. Each time I hear them, it puts me more and more into the Christmas spirit. The first one I came across was by the Gaither Vocal Band singing The Christmas Song. Featured are David Phelps and Mark Lowry.

And one more for your pleasure. This time it’s David Phelps alone singing Oh Holy Night! I hope you enjoy these wonderful videos of Christmas songs.

For some years, I had heard Patsy Cline on the radio. Then, she died in a plane crash in 1963. For a while, the songs she sang were heard. But after a while, they faded into the night and I did not hear much of her music until Loretta Lynn’s movie, Coal Miner’s Daughter, came out. Once again, I heard Patsy Cline songs being sung by Beverly D’Angelo. She sounded just like Patsy. How refreshing to hear her again.

Here is an old recording of Patsy Cline singing Walkin’ After Midnight.

I was reminded of a really great movie that Dick Van Dyke was in some years ago called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The movie is good for the whole family, something that is sadly lacking in today’s offerings, for the most part. If you are looking for really good movies for the kids, this one is a gem. Loved by all of our extended family, we bring it out when someone wants to see a clean and happy movie. Here is the title song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!!

Why not give this movie for a fun present to the kids or the whole family!! Something to watch on those cold, snowy nights.

I am a Trekkie and not ashamed to admit it. For years, I have loved the original series, Next Generation and all of the movies. They are fantastic. I do have one problem with the last movie made…no one should kill off Data regardless of the story. BAH!

But the rest of the movies and series are great. With that in mind, I did come across a video song that covers the theme of the original series quite well. The only thing is that this is a bit different, just a little. Here is Star Trekkin’.

Were you impressed? LOL!

These guys were on several shows in the 60s. I recall them being on Ed Sullivan and other variety shows. For a while, they were everywhere on the tube. I really liked their music. As always, my parents really did not like the songs or the sound because they grew up in the days of classical music, big band era and all those show tunes that meant so much to them. But my music was more from the 50s and 60s so I craved the faster songs like Do You Believe In Magic? by the Lovin’ Spoonful.

This group has been around a long time. I love the sound because it was so different in the 60s. After all, a guy didn’t sound like a girl, right? But Frankie Valli was not afraid to do the unusual. And it worked!! They showed up on the top twenty on our radio station rather often. Now, here are Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons singing Big Girls Don’t Cry from 1962.

As always, if you like what you see but you want more of these singers or others on here, please leave your requests in the comments box. Thank you!

Happy Shopping!!

It has been so many years since I had heard this man’s songs but I found this tonight. I always loved Neil Sedaka’s songs because I could actually understand them. You know what it’s like to listen to a song over and over again before you get all the words, right? That’s what I usually had to do with some of those singers even in the 1960s. This was in 1966. The singer is Neil Sedaka and the song is “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”.

And if you would rather see the more modern video, here is a later version of the same song with Neil Sedaka on piano.

If you enjoyed this and would like others on this blog, please put your requests in the comments section. Happy Shopping!!

I can only tell you that for years, I have enjoyed both Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, separate and together. They are both star singers, both famous in their own right but when they get together, it truly is awesome. I love Islands In The Stream and have for years. It’s best sung with these two rather than others. Here are Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers singing Islands In The Stream.

Happy Shopping!!