I Wasn't Aware There Was An Opening In The Rat Pack

It's a week before Christmas and the holiday schmaltz is in full effect. My favorite Christmas special thus far has been Michael Buble's, although every time I watch it I'm baffled by his appeal.

The Michael Buble phenomenon fascinates me. I wasn't aware that the world needed another crooner -- considering how many we already have. It's been about 20 years since Harry Connick, Jr. and Chris Isaak were big deals, so maybe the timing is right.

Buble's Christmas special is structured like a variety show of yesteryear, and almost every woman I know has watched it many times, including myself. It's not like he's overwhelmingly attractive and sometimes I feel as I'm watching a drama student impersonate Frank Sinatra. Yet, I keep watching, keep listening to his music, even though Buble is, by all measures, a derivative of an original.

If you crave authentic crooners, and not a Canadian transplant a la Buble, there is a compilation album called "Christmas With The Rat Pack" that came out in 2002. You can check it out on Spotify or check out my favorite track below:


A Marshmallow World

All I Want For Christmas Is You

This video is making the rounds all over Facebook. I may be a day late with it, but since "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is the greatest Chistmas song ever, I am beholden to post it.

Although Michael Buble's version is quite good as well. Different vibe.

The Cold Air Swoops In And All Of A Sudden I Have The Michael Buble Christmas Album On

It's Friday, I'm off to a birthday party and there's a gorgeous pink sky over Murray Hill. Perfect for a little unseasonably early Christmas music.

This may be my favorite Christmas song ever. It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas in New York City. No one does it better.


Here's that pink sky. When one lives on the 21st floor you spend a lot of time admiring the nuances of sunsets.

Woth Checking Out: Michael Buble, "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

This afternoon while lurking around the Discount Cosmetic Market on 37th and Madison, Michael Buble's version of "All I Want For Christmas Is You" came on over the store stereo system.

I was immediately struck by the lovely arrangement -- he slowed an uppity pop song down to a ballad, and it works.

I came home and started Googling it (as well as adding it to my Spotify) and was thrilled to find this video explain the method to the madness. My background in singing and performing in New York City pre-dates this blog. Nevertheless, nothing gets my inner music nerd going more than listening to how a piece of music came to be.

P.S. His whole Christmas album is just as wonderful. It's musically complex and works as an entire album, not just a bunch of standards thrown together. Someone really put thought into it. His Feliz Navidad duet with Thalia is worth the price of admission.


Here's the song:

This song is way too catchy

It's been on heavy rotation in my iPod. I wasn't aware there was an opening in the Rat Pack, but Michael Buble seems to have created one for himself.

About once a year or so I become obsessed with a song for no particular reason. In college songs like Dave Matthews "Crash Into Me" and 112's "Only You" were on permanent rotation. In 2005 I couldn't get enough of Lifehouse's "You And Me." Last winter not a day went by without hearing Mat Kearney's "All I Need."

Michael Buble' song "Everything" has wormed his way into my ear. I know it's like a million years old, but it's such a sweet little ditty, what's not to like? Ah, crooners.

Is it just me, or does this song totally remind you of Cole Porter's "You're The Top," which was featured in the musical, "Anything Goes."