Author: julie-annjoy

I’ll Be Home For Christmas

Here’s the piano solo rendition of another Christmas classic. It is said that lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent wrote this song for the soldiers overseas longing to be home for Christmas. It was first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943 in the midst of World War II. This song peaked to No. 3 in the billboard charts that year.

For almost twenty years I only saw my family at Christmas and this song was meaningful the year I decided to spend time with my family in January instead of Christmas to celebrate my grandfather’s 100th Birthday. Christmas Romance - Jim Brickman

That was the first Christmas I spent alone and it was a somber day. Thankfully, my voice teacher at the time invited me to join her family for Christmas lunch, at their magnificent home in Rockport, MA overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Listen to Jim’s sweet and gentle performance of this song on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube. This is the Dec. 5 song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

WELCOME | ABOUT | JAMM | LOVING YOU | ORDER CDs | SILVER BELLS

Recording Reviews and Personal Stories protected by
© 2020 Julie-Ann Aguhob. All Rights Reserved.
Posted on by julie-annjoy 0

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

St. Louis blizzard of 1982 was the first winter I enjoyed in America. I remember playing in at least two-feet of snow in the front yard. My sisters and I didn’t have snow pants just winter coats and snow boots. We didn’t care how cold it was. We built a snow man, had snow ball fights, and laughed to our hearts content. That experience became my definition of Winter. One of the four-letter words I love to say out loud is SNOW and lots of it! That’s why it was very disappointing when the next few years didn’t compare to the 1st Winter Snow I ever experienced. The Christmas Album

To this day, I look forward to the first blizzard or nor’easter. I love to watch snow falling and accumulate. Once the snow storm stops, I enjoy walking around my neighborhood before anyone else so that I get to make the 1st snow tracks. One of my best memories of living in New England was when my roommates and I walked around our neighborhood in the middle of a Nor’easter and then afterwards enjoyed hot cocoa (or maybe it was apple cider).

The Manhattan Transfer’s recording of “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow” is a romantic ballad to listen and enjoy with your loved-one while slow dancing, or cuddling by the fireplace, or sipping your favorite hot beverage. Just picture the perfect Hallmark movie scene with this recording playing in the background. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or YouTube.

This is the 12/04/20 Song of the Day from my Julie-Ann Joy Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

WELCOME | ABOUT | JAMM | LOVING YOU | ORDER CDs | SILVER BELLST

Recording Reviews and Personal Stories protected by
© 2020 Julie-Ann Aguhob. All Rights Reserved.
Posted on by julie-annjoy 2

Christmas Time is Here

Written by Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi for the 1965 television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” This song has been recorded by numerous artists since 1982, and it’s considered one of the popular Christmas Standards. Amongst the numerous recordings available, it’s Steven Curtis Chapman’s rendition that’s on my Christmas playlist since I bought his “JOY” Christmas CD.  

JOY Album

I enjoy Steven’s guitar and vocal arrangement as well as performance of this song. He sings and plays this song with gentleness and warmth. Listening to this song makes me wanna sit by the fire place while sipping hot cocoa or apple cider. Collaborating with Steven is Brent Mulligan on Bass and Cello. Listen on Spotify if your a subscriber or YouTube.

This is the 12/02/20 Song of the Day from my Julie-Ann Joy Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

WELCOME | ABOUT | JAMM | LOVING YOU | ORDER CDs | SILVER BELLS

Recording Reviews and Personal Stories protected by
© 2020 Julie-Ann Aguhob. All Rights Reserved.
Posted on by julie-annjoy 0

Winter Bells

Prayer Improvisations Christmas“Carol of the Bells” is a traditional Ukrainian Bell Carol composed by Mykola Leontovych and lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky.

“Hark how the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say,
Throw cares away

Christmas is here,
Bringing good cheer,
To young and old,
Meek and the bold…”

My first recollection of singing this song was in high school. This Christmas classic is included in my playlist as the piano solo “Winter Bells” arranged and performed by independent artist extraordinaire Peter Vantine and recorded in his “Prayerful Improvisation Christmas” album.

I’ve had the privilege of musically collaborating with Peter while I lived in Boston, where we co-produced my “Simple Song” CD album. Once I left New England, we collaborated again for my “Silver Bells: Songs of Christmas JOY!” Christmas album.

Peter’s rendition of this haunting melody is like a warm blanket of music for your spirit and auditory senses. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or on YouTube.

This is the Dec. 1st song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

WELCOME | ABOUT | JAMM | LOVING YOU | ORDER CDs | SILVER BELLS

Recording Reviews and Personal Stories protected by
© 2020 Julie-Ann Aguhob. All Rights Reserved.
Posted on by julie-annjoy 1

The Holiday Season Medley

The Christmas Album

The Manhattan Transfer (TMT) “The Christmas Album” was the first CD album I bought as a young singer living in Boston, Massachusetts where jazz was thriving all-over the city.  They are a world reknown legendary jazz quartet whose been together for over four decades. Released in 1992, this is the second recording I bought from TMT’s illustrious discography. The other album I have in my music library is their Grammy Award winning “Vocalese” album LP (aka phonograph record format).

One of the highlights of my performing life is performing the choral arrangement of “Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season  (Medley)” with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus under the direction of maestro, Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops during one of the Boston Pops Holiday Season at Symphony Hall. The experience was electrifyingly unforgettable!

Listen to this high-octane holiday medley on Spotify if you’re a subscriber, or the full album on YouTube. This is the 11/30/20 song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

WELCOME | ABOUT | JAMM | LOVING YOU | ORDER CDs | SILVER BELLS

Recording Reviews and Personal Stories protected by
© 2020 Julie-Ann Aguhob. All Rights Reserved.
Posted on by julie-annjoy 1

Silver Bells (solo piano)

First recorded and popularized by legendary Bing Crosby and Carol Richards in 1950, this song made its cinematic debut in the movie “The Lemon Drop Kid” with entertainer and comedian Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell singing the song.

Christmas Romance - Jim BrickmanThis Christmas Classic is in my playlist as an instrumental version recorded by Jim Brickman in his album “Christmas Romance.” He is an American pianist and songwriter known for his solo piano compositions. Released in 2008, when I was still living in Boston, MA, this CD was a musical gift from Pam, one of my dear friends.

This arrangement brings together the piano and accompanying instruments into a cool, jazzy, dreamlike recording that paints a winter wonderland picture in my mind. This is my first and only CD from another prolific composer whose career spans more than two decades. Listen to this winter wonderland rendition of “Silver Bells” on Spotify if you’re a subscriber, or the full album on YouTube.

This is the 11/28/20 song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

WELCOME | ABOUT | JAMM | LOVING YOU | ORDER CDs | SILVER BELLS

Recording Reviews and Personal Stories protected by
© 2020 Julie-Ann Aguhob. All Rights Reserved.
Posted on by julie-annjoy 2

Christmas Time Again

One of the most prolific Singer-Songwriters of Christian Contemporary Music, Steven Curtis Chapman is one of my favorites. In his career that spans over three decades, he has garnered 5 Grammy Awards, 59 Dove Awards, 1 American Music Award, and 49 #1 Radio Hits including “Christmas Time Again” from his “JOY” Christmas CD.  Released in 2012, I saw the display of this Christmas CD while shopping for Christmas gifts and decided to buy this album. It was going to be a musical gift for a friend but I decided to keep it. I’ve been enjoying this album for the last eight Christmases.

JOY Album

While 2020 has been a globally challenging year, it’s Christmas Time Again! time to listen to songs that celebrate The Joy of Christmas, the best time of the year! Let’s start with this  Steven Curtis Chapman song that will get your fingers snappin’ and toes tappin’. The lyrics and music sets a wonderful tone of happiness, which may be the reason why “Christmas Time Again” became a #1 Radio Hit song. Listen on Spotify if you’re a subscriber or watch the official lyrics video on YouTube.

This is the 11/27/20 song of the day from (my) Julie-Ann Joy’s 2020 Christmas Playlist. Check back everyday until New Year’s Day as I add another song to my playlist.

WELCOME | ABOUT | JAMM | LOVING YOU | ORDER CDs | SILVER BELLS

Recording Reviews and Personal Stories protected by
© 2020 Julie-Ann Aguhob. All Rights Reserved.
Posted on by julie-annjoy 0

December 2019 News

‘Tis the Season for Joy and Thanksgiving!

First, I want say “Thank You” to all who came to the Mother’s Day Weekend Concert in May 2019. Together, we raised $1000 for ThriVe St. Louis! Praise the Lord!!

This was my very first self-produced benefit concert. It was humbling to learn that while I thought I could do it all by myself, the Lord showed me that it is best to ask for help! Lesson learned for next time, God willing. I’m grateful for my family who pitched in last minute and grateful for my Mommie who accompanied me for some of the songs.

Thank you also to those of you who shared your comments and words of encouragement to me by filling out the survey and comments cards at the end of concert – Your free download is coming via email, please watch your inbox for the information about your Silver Bells free download ! Speaking of which, you can now listen to my Christmas album via iHeart Radio but you’ll need an iHeart subscription to be able to listen to the songs. No iHeart subscription? click the Silver Bells links on this post to listen to samples and learn more about my Christmas album.

Gift Idea:

Need a gift for the music lovers on your list? How about giving them “Silver Bells – Songs of Christmas Joy!” as a musical gift for your family, friends, and colleagues this Christmas.

Upcoming Performances:

I’m happy to share that I’ll be performing at Six Flags starting Saturday, November 23rd. This will be my very first show performance at Six Flags. I auditioned over the summer just out of curiosity and not expecting to be cast for any of the shows. But once again, the Lord surprised me. I got a call from Six Flags three (3) days after my audition letting me know that I’ve been cast as one of the towns people in “The Majesty of Christmas” show at the Palace Theatre of Six Flags. Now in its 4th season, I’m joining 12 other performers in this biblical-based musical theatre rendition of the birth of Jesus Christ.

As a seasonal employee, I can get discount tickets for friends. Feel free to let me know if you’d like to see the show and get a ticket with my employee discount. You can learn more about the show by visiting: https://www.sixflags.com/stlouis/attractions/majesty-christmas

Thank You so very much. Blessings and Love to you and your family.

With Joy,
Julie-Ann (Joy) Aguhob

 

Posted on by julie-annjoy 1

A Joy for Life Concert on Mother’s Day weekend

Yours truly, Julie-Ann Joy performing songs by Great American Composers, Gershwin, Bernstein, Sondheim, Gospel and Inspirational songs and selections from my Simple Song and Silver Bells CDs. If you happen to be in town, I’d love to see you there, and bring your friends. Cheers!

  • Friday, May 10, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 11, 2019 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Pay what you want or $15
  • Location: The Chapel – 6328 Alexander Drive, Clayton MO 63105
  • Tickets available online (reserved seats) and at the door. Limited Seating.

Posted on by julie-annjoy 3