12/31/24 & 01/01/25 - HAPPY NEW YEAR'S TO ALL VAGABONDS, WANDERERS, ROVERS & NOMADS - 2025 WILL LIGHT UP OUR LIVES!

WOW! 2024 - AMAZING! INFLATION, WORLD IN CHAOS, NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT WE OLDER FOLKS DON'T UNDERSTAND BUT OUR SIX-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON USES LIKE WE USED ALL THREE OF OUR TV CHANNELS BACK IN THE DAY! LOL!  SOME THINGS JUST NEVER CHANGE. BUT 2025 IS WAITING FOR US TO VENTURE FORTH WITH OUR FRIENDS, OUR FAMILIES AND NEW AQUAINTENANCES WE MAKE ALONG LIFE'S EVER-CHANGING ROAD TO THE FUTURE.

To take all fervent readers of The Nomad Architect from 2024 to 2025 I have found some nice tunes that, hopefully, will motivate all nomads to stand strong and venture forth as we roll through our world as it is today and will be next year.

First Up - Keb Mo is a truly Unique Blues Artist. He brings interesting thoughts into his music. Here's one that is forewarning and humorous as we slide into the new year. The multi-Grammy winner gives us a nice listen - Keb Mo performing The Worst Is Yet To Come!

Next - I have become an ardent fan of Postmodern Jukebox. Their tag line is - Today's Hits Yesterday. Very cool music performed by a talented team of singers, dancers and players. Here is their take on the 1947 classic - What Are You Doing New Years Eve?

Last But Not Least - Enjoy the song that has been associated with New Years since 1788. The Tenors perform a unique version of the classic - Auld Lang Syne.

That's it for the 2024 Christmas Countdown, from The Nomad Architect, with a bit of New Years thrown in. Until next December 1, 2025, weekly posts will be made on travel and other subjects. And I wish every listener and reader a Happy New Year!

D.L.Stafford

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12-25-24 MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL WANDERERS, NOMADS AND LOVERS OF LIFE!!!

Merry Christmas - as we all celebrate this special day of the year. Christ was born on this day over 2,000 years ago. In addition, this day is celebrated all over the world except for a few malcontents! LOL! We celebrate this day in many different ways - some go to church, some light a fire and enjoy some hot chocolate, and all kids can't wait to open every gift with their name on their packages! I have a vivid memory of getting up way too early to play a small pinball game from Santa. My dad got up and said I needed to go back to bed so I did, but I didn't go back to sleep! Here's to all readers - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Selecting music for this day is reasonably simple except there is so much out there. But her goes - hope all Nomads will enjoy these special tunes on this celebrated day.

First Up - One of the greatest choirs in the world - With 360 singers, The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square performs The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah written in 1741.

A Special Christmas Day Song - The great Andre Bocelli ,with a group of kids, performs a classic tune that became a big radio hit in 1934 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

A Soulful Take on a Classic - In 1992 master musical talent Quincy Jones produced this amazing arrangement of the Hallelujah Chorus with a talented lineup of great singers in a Gospel Choir from Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration Album - Hallelujah!!

And the preacher said - Somebody say Hallelujah!

It's my fervent hope that everybody everywhere has a great 2024 Christmas.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

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12/24/24 CHRISTMAS EVE -THE JOYS OF THIS HOLIDAY AS WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST & WATCH OUR FAMILY & FREINDS LAUGH & LOVE!

Tonight, December 24, holds a special place in our hearts. Cynics say it's over commercialized. But you can't be a cynic when you're still a kid. Tomorrow, I will enjoy watching my own kids and their kids opening gifts to celebrate this glorious day. Here are two tunes & a poem that express the meaning of this holiday for our faith and our joy.

First Up - Lady A, winner of 78 awards from Grammies to CMA's, gives a deep soulful version of the classic - The First Noël (On This Winter's Night)

Bonus Track - This brings back a memory of great singing by a great artist way before he said he was leaving the USA. December 7, 1984 w- Bruce Springsteen, winner of 20 Grammies, performed in my hometown at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Back then he still had the great saxophone player Clarence Clemons and his best friend Steve Van Zant leading The E Street Band that could bring down the roof. They closed this killer concert with - Santa Claus is Comin' to Town!

 

BONUS TRACK 2 - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas is an alternative title of the 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas by the American writer and scholar Clement Clarke Moore. Here is this famous poem read by numerous actors as part of Mousetrap Theatre Projects charity.

To all Vagabonds everywhere North, South, East & West - Enjoy tonight and tomorrow with the ones you love and stay warm!

D.L.Stafford

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12/23/24 NO. 3 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - INNOVATION AND COOL TUNES ON A MONDAY!

Here we are my fellow Vagabonds - the last Monday before the Big Day. Assuming all of you have your tree up, have wrapped all the gifts and bought all the food you're gonna' cook for family and friends then let's listen to one of the most innovative "music collectives" performing today. Post Modern Jukebox is known for reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres incorporating mostly swing and jazz. Founded in 2011 in New York, this group of players, singers and dancers has had over seventy artists perform a variety of songs from the early forties to current day on over seven continents with 1.9 billion views on You Tube!

First Up - Here is PMJB with award winning dancer Demi Remick hoofing strong - Sleigh Ride!

Bonus Track - Here is another talented singer with PMJB, Lauren Tyler Scott, giving a bluesy rendition of - I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!

Bonus Track 2 - Von Smith is what I call an insane vocal talent. His multi range singing, sometimes in the stratosphere, combined with a unique style of performing, particularly with PMJB, makes him a talent that will make you turn up the sound. Take a listen as he performs a classic written in 1943 - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

Here's hoping all Vagabonds out there have a Bright Yuletide!

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

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12/22/24 NO. 4 ON THE 2024 THE NOMAD ARCHITECT CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - ONLY THREE DAYS 'TILL WE CAN STAND & SING NOEL!

Christmas Day is coming sooner than we think. Only three days to celebrate the most astounding event in the history of our world - the birth of Jesus Christ. It's the last Sunday before the big day - this post has a couple of tunes about the feelings of joy as we celebrate the greatest holiday.

First Up - From Salina, Texas enjoy Grammy and Dove Award winner Contemporary Christian Singer Chris Tomlin perform with We The Kingdom - Christmas Day.

Bonus Track - Contemporary Christian Band MERCY ME performs - Our Lullaby (Christmas at the Cabin)

Only three days 'till the big day to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

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12/21/24 NO. 5 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITET 2024 CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - TODAY, LET'S KEEP IT SIMPLE FOR CHRISTMAS.

I have always been an obsessive music listener, singer and leader of singers since I sang K-K-K Katey in the fourth grade at Kate Sullivan Elementary in a place I always return to - Tallahassee, Florida. Solos, trios, quartets, ensemble, choirs - you name it I have been involved my entire life with music. Today, we're going to hear some REAL music from Texas, Nashville, North Carolina and Arkansas. These artists make music from the soul for the soul.

First Up - I've always said - there's something different about singers from Texas. Hayes Carll proves that beyond any doubt - Enjoy this pleasant simple tune - Hayes Carll laying down some tender lyrics bout family at Christmas - Grateful for Christmas

Bonus Track - From the Buckle of the Bible Belt Nashville - Dan + Shay give us a simple tune about love and Christmas - Take Me Home for Christmas.

Bonus Track 2 - Singing since they were kids in Concord, North Carolina two brothers Seth and Scott Avett formed a band in the late 90's and began delivering heartfelt music to the delight of their fans everywhere. We had the pleasure of seeing this talented folk/rock band at Cascades Amphitheatre in Tallahassee - The Avett Brothers - Away In A Manger.

Bonus Track 3 - This Bonus Track is not, strictly speaking, a Christmas song. It tells a story about the power of Jesus to make life loving and cherished. The duo of the Grammy Award winning Christian Rock Artist Zach Williams and the legendary Queen of Country Dolly Parton perform this powerful song and video - There Was Jesus.

I hope these simple tunes will give you a reason to smile as the big day approaches soon.

Merry Christmas

D.L.Stafford

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12/20/24 NO. 6 ON THE NOMAD ARCHITECT CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN - THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT FROM THE GIRLS!

Truly great singers are special. When you hear a super talented female singer hit a high C on any song it messes with your ears, your head and your heart - in a good way! That is especially true when the female artists featured today sing about Christmas. These singers are not pop stars or even rock stars. They are simply amazing singers with rare vocal skills. So, take a listen at some of the greatest female artists laying down some serious tunes celebrating Christmas.

First Up - Two names that make you perk up your ears - Kelly Clarkson and Wynona. One, a multi-talented Grammy winning singer and host of a highly rated morning talk show is comfortable doing every genre from Rock to Country, combines with one of the greatest Country artists to ever hold a mike, a multi award winner as well. Turn up the music for - Kelly Clarkson & Wynona tearing up Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.

Bonus Track - Another multi-Grammy winner hits the high notes with power and grace. This young glamorous light-lyric soprano with a range of over three octaves can deliver the high notes with complete perfection - Tory Kelly performs Oh Holy Night live from Capitol Studios.

 

Bonus Track 2 - An All-Female Irish Musical Ensemble founded in 2004 has toured the world delivering beautiful music with power and passion. Today, enjoy this quartet of great singers with instruments and a small choir - Celtic Women perform O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)

These ladies just make you love Christmas even more!

Merry Christmas to All!

D.L.Stafford

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