Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Enrico Caruso, "Cantique de Noel" ("O Holy Night")


The legendary tenor sings my second most loved carol (for my favorite, see here). The quality of this 1916 recording amazes me.

Warmest wishes of the season to all. Thanks to tomfroekjaer for the clip.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

While we're on the subject of the moon: here's Billie Holiday


The future Lady in Satin at age twenty, as recorded in 1935, backed by Benny Goodman on clarinet, Roy Eldridge on trumpet, Ben Webster on tenor sax, John Truehart on guitar, John Kirby on bass and Cozy Cole (whose 1958 top 40 hit "Topsy Part II" I remember well) on drums. Thanks to erwigaudio for the Billie clip, and Arthur Boehm for the tip.

Lunar eclipse

A photo of last night's lunar eclipse by my Brooklyn Heights Blog colleague Marc Hermann.