Unrepentant

Baby It’s Cold Outside – Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel

Probably one of the more recognizable and mainstream Christmas songs featured in this set, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” really isn’t about Christmas at all – it’s more just a song that has become associated to this time of year. None-the-less, “Baby It’s Cold Outside” has been recorded by numerous artists over the years, and at least five different versions of the song have made it onto the singles charts in the United States.

Some of the better known versions include Sammy Davis, Jr. and Carmen McRae, Ray Charles and Betty Carter (and Ray again with Dionne Warwick), Willie Nelson and Norah Jones, and many, many more. I’ve chosen to feature this 2003 version featuring Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel (from the Will Ferrell movie Elf) mostly because it features Leon Redbone.

Recognized for his trademark Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and bow tie, Redbone is a singer and guitarist specializing in interpretations of early 20th-century music, including jazz and blues standards and Tin Pan Alley classics. Leon has one of the most unique voices in modern recording, and it is so well suited to this track, and Christmas music in general: his 1987 Christmas Islandremains in my Top 5 Christmas recordings of all time – not a year goes by that I don’t listen to the full recording at least a couple of times! If you want to hear it as well, swing on by the library and enjoy it an many others: johnfoliot.subsonic.org.

Meanwhile, here’s Baby It’s Cold Outside.

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The 12 Days of Christmas Music

1. Call Collect on Christmas – James King Band
2. Christmas Day – Oscar Jordan Band