Dolly Parton, Peace Train on My Christmas Countdown

Hello, Dolly!

My Christmas Countdown is continuing through New Year's Day. I hope you have been enjoying the ride.

Here's Dolly, covering Cat Stevens' "Peace Train" with Ladysmith Black M

Take this country and take me home again. Holiday wishes to you and your family!

Liza & Alan Cumming Say It's Cold Outside

Liza Minnelli and Alan Cumming teamed up to do this perennial winter favorite for a Broadway Cares benefit album.

This is one of the more charming covers of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in my humble opinion.

My Christmas Countdown continues  until New Year's Day!

Darlene Love for Christmas Eve on Our 2015 Countdown

A perennial favorite first recorded by Phil Spector in 1963, Darlene Love's
"Christmas, Baby Please Come Home" was written by Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry.

As David Letterman used to announce, "It's not Christmas until Darlene Love sings this song."

So, here it is for Christmas Eve on my holiday countdown for the year! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Elton John Steps Into My Christmas on Our 2015 Countdown

One of the best modern, original Christmas songs! We are all ready to step into Christmas to the tune of this rock'n'roller.

Christmas is only two days away, and my Countdown will carry on till New Year's Day with added songs for that occasion.

Happy holidays! Step in!

Christmas Countdown 2015 Bonus with Pet Shop Boys

Bing Crosby, are you listening to Pet Shop Boys?

Christmas is a time of peace, remember. So don't have too much champagne and shout out anything stupid, like "I could rip all your guts out for Christmas!" at your family members!

It's true that it doesn't always snow at Christmas. The Pet Shop Boys explain.

Merry Christmas as our Countdown continues!

Christmas Wrap to The Waitresses on My 2015 Christmas Countdown

Still wrapping your gifts? Do it to this great '80s song from The Waitresses!

My Countdown certainly would not feel complete without this.

I saw The Waitresses in the 1980s at Danceteria (one of my favorite clubs ever) where they performed their hit, "I Know What Boys Like."

But here they are with this fantastically clever Christmas song. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas! Now wrap those presents!

Darlene Love: All Alone on My Christmas Countdown 2015

This song is from the soundtrack of the movie Home Alone 2. Sung by Darlene Love and backed by the E Street Band featuring the late Clarence Clemmons playing a very mean sax.

The production is very Spector-esque and may remind you of an earlier Darlene Love song, the title of which is referenced herein.

And it's true that nobody ought to be all alone on Christmas. Spend it with ones you love and gather round the computer listening to my 2015 Christmas Countdown!

Madonna on Our Christmas Countdown 2015

Does Madge know how to wear a Christmas tree or what!

It's the holiday season, so celebrate with this great seasonal remix of "Holiday" as our Christmas Countdown carries on!

Disco Santa Claus on My 2015 Christmas Countdown

I believe the Raindolls were not a real group but a bunch of session singers and musicians who were put together for this one-off.

Still, it was a popular club tune in the '70s that was a hit on the dance music charts at the time of its release.

The title pretty much says it all. Note the very '60s girl group-styled harmonies. Nice, smooth arrangement and band work.

Have a very merry disco Christmas!

Charo Brings Santa Claus to My 2015 Christmas Countdown

While still in a latin mood, here is some holiday cheer from Charo! The song was produced by The Salsoul Orchestra and was a big disco hit at this time of year on the dance floor. It was also a #1 hit on the dance-music harts,

Hear how Charo makes this number her own in her inimitable style, and Merry Christmas as my Christmas Countdown continues!

Now, donde esta Santa Claus? Totally adorable.

Christmas Countdown 2015 with El Vez

El Vez is the latino comic impersonator of Elvis. He's also a very sexy dude, as you can see in the video!

Wishing everyone a very warm little Christmas and a Feliz Navidad from the bottom of my heart!

Bette Midler Arrives on Our 2015 Christmas Countdown!

This was an ideal song for Bette Midler to sing on her 2006 Cool Yule Christmas album. After all, she was raised in Hawaii!

This is a cover song originally recorded by Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters.

Beautifully arranged and sung, led in by "optimistic voices"! Simply click on the Youtube link below.

Enjoy, as my 2015 Christmas Countdown continues!











https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7ED-wvHNW8

It May Be Winter Outside on My Christmas Countdown 2015

Another '60s girl-group song with a distinctly Diana Ross and The Supremes/ Motown sound to it. Cold hands, warm heart!

The song was a big hit for Love Unlimited in the '70s when BarryWhite gave it a more Phil Spector Wall of Sound production.

But here is the original by Felice Taylor as my Christmas Countdown rolls merrily along!

Christmas Countdown 2015 with Frost on the Moon

Big band leader Artie Shaw and vocalist Peg LaCentra make a wonderful team on this winter classic I simply adore.

When I was dj-ing, I would always add this to my sets for a retro end to the night. It was a big favorite.

Keep warm and keep spring in your hearts as my Christmas Countdown this year!

From 1936....

Cool Yule by Louis Armstrong Delivers on My 2015 Christmas Counttdown!

My Christmas Countdown grooves on this year with this 1953 number by the legendary Louis Armstrong.

The song was written by the late Steve Allen who, besides being an iconic tv host on late-night tv, was a magnificent musician and composer.

This song was later covered by a number of artists, including Bette Midler.

Happy holidays and have a cool yule!

Christmas Countdown 2015 Continues with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as Sisters!

Here's an opportunity to see Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye camp it up singing "Sisters" in the movie White Christmas.

This is a rare chance to see Bing be campy. Danny Kaye, however, seems to be much more into the moment. Work them hips, girlfriend!

The script requires the male costars to cover for the ill Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney characters.

Happy holidays as my Christmas Countdown carries on!

The Puppini Sisters on My 2015 Christmas Countdown

The Puppini Sisters join my Countdown this holiday season, singing an incredible swing arrangement of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You."

If this doesn't brighten up your holiday spirits then, bah humbug, nothing will!

Christmas Countdown 2015: Christmas with Mommie Dearest

Dan-o-rama expertly put together this video collage with music and much comedy and wit.

Many of the images are from the film Mommie Dearest, of course. Songs by Darlene Love and by The Ronettes are from the Phil Spector Christmas album.

And then the video segues into Barry Manilow and further holiday merriment!

Enjoy as my Christmas Countdown carries on!

To watch the video, click on "Watch on YouTube" within the link below.

The Weather Girls Write Santa on My 2015 Christmas Countdown

"This is an open letter to Mr. Santa Claus!"

The Weather Girls -- Martha Wash and Izora Whitehead -- started as Sylvester's back-up girls known as Two Tons o' Fun. They became The Weather Girls when they recorded "It's Raining Men" for my friend Bob Esty and the late Paul Jabara, who.

Here, they want a man for Christmas. So enjoy, disco around the tree and let it snow!

Oh, and Santa's voice is actually that of Paul Schaffer's, who co-wrote the song.

Christmas Countdown 2015 featuring Kaye Starr

Kaye Starr is waiting for the man with the bag. Hmmm...!

Wondering what was in it as Starr is surely twinkling!

Still, a rare, great holiday treat from a superb singer. A true blast from the past!

Wait no longer. Kaye, because here he is on Buddy Beaverhausen's Christmas Countdown!

Errr... May we check your bag?

Better watch out now!