Advent Calendar 2021 – Day 7 🎍

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The Day 7 door on my Advent Calendar has opened on songs in reflective mode. These are two I have played before, but both are great and I think they merit a repeat airing. I would apologise for that but even if you remember them I’m hoping you agree with me. Neither has been released as a single, so they probably aren’t widely known – that improves my chances! I am also giving you a bonus today: the next part of the Hafod Hardware story.

This first one is from one of my favourite musicians. I’m not a particularly religious person, but I can appreciate that the meaning of this time of year may have become a little lost. Here’s a reminder:

I think that is so very good, and the video that someone has compiled for it is inspired. The images match perfectly with the beauty of Jackson Browne’s lyrics, which should prompt us all to consider our beliefs and our behaviours. Religion can be a wonderful support for people, but it can also be damaging and divisive. In a world which has so much division we need to heed lessons like this one. Although this was Jackson’s song it first appeared as a guest performance on The Bells Of Dublin, an album of seasonal songs released by The Chieftains in 1991. I don’t think the album has had much of a chart presence, but it has sold well over the thirty years since its release: it has been certified Gold, for 500k sales, in the US. This song was first released under Jackson’s name as a single in 1997, to promote his first ‘Best Of’ album, The Next Voice You Hear. It wasn’t a hit single, and the album peaked at #40 in the US and #99 in the UK. I think it is a stunning song.

Today’s second song is from another of my favourites. This one is actually a retelling of the Nativity and is also accompanied by a lovely video that has been made for it by a fan:

As I said, I’m not religious but the first time I heard this was while I was driving. I had to pull over, as it isn’t really safe to drive when tears are springing to your eyes. It still has that effect on me: even more so this year, as I am currently awaiting nervously the birth of my second granddaughter – who is five days late, and counting! This was the closing track on Steve Earle’s third album, Copperhead Road, which was released in 1988. It reached #56 in the US main chart, and #7 in the Country albums listing. It was also the record that gave him his first chart appearance in the UK, peaking at #42. I’ve always loved the album, which is probably still my favourite of his – though it has some stiff competition! The harmony vocals are from Maria McKee, formerly of the band Lone Justice, and who is best known in the UK for her 1990 #1 hit Show Me Heaven.

I promised you the next instalment in the Hafod Hardware saga. This is their second, from 2018, which has little Arthur in a run-on part with a vocal contribution at the very end:

Like all of them, that is lovely in the simple but very effective way in which it conveys its message. As I said before, I think they really do put to shame the big budget extravaganzas that our retailers indulge themselves in. As ever, the music is from the beautiful voice of Andrea Von Kampen.

That’s all for today, apart from my usual parting shot:

Until tomorrow…🪅

20 thoughts on “Advent Calendar 2021 – Day 7 🎍”

  1. Pingback: Advent Calendar 2021 – Day 22 🎅 | Take It Easy

  2. Great addition to your Advent posts Clive..

    💖👏👏👏
    I so agree “The images match perfectly with the beauty of Jackson Browne’s lyrics, which should prompt us all to consider our beliefs and our behaviours. Religion can be a wonderful support for people, but it can also be damaging and divisive.

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  4. The Hafod Hardware commercials made such an impression on me previously that I instantly recognized the name. Any business would love to get that kind of reaction to their commercials. I like this one too.

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