#OnRepeat: Leon Redbone & Zoey Deschanel's "Baby It's Cold Outside"

This week, I've had Leon Redbone and Zoey Deschanel's version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" #OnRepeat. Christmas is in two days and I've been watching the movie, Elf, non-stop for the past couple days, so I can't get this song out of my head.

Zoey Deschanel is an American singer-songwriter and actress who started gaining attention after her role in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Some of her other well-known films are Bridge to Terabithia, Surf's Up, Yes Man, and Elf. I first took notice of her voice in the movie, Elf, because it reminded me of jazz singers from the 1940's and 1950's--Zoey's voice is very reminiscent of Billy Holiday and Rosemary Clooney.

Leon Redbone is a Canadian American singer-songwriter who performs mostly jazz and blues standards. I wasn't aware of Redbone until his work with Zoey Deschanel, but he has also performed the theme song for the television sitcom, Harry and the Hendersons and voiced the character of Leon the Snowman in the movie, Elf, as well


This version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" just makes you want to cuddle up in front of a fireplace with a coffee and a book--at least it does for me. Zoey and Leon's voices compliment each other very well while the drummer plays brushes at a slow pace with bass and piano. It's a Christmas classic given a Jazz spin. Take a listen below:

Are there any actresses/actors that you know that have shed new light on an old standard? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat: Josh Groban's "Believe"

This week, I've had Josh Groban's song, "Believe," #OnRepeat. Yes, this is a holiday song ( I can already hear the groans) and it is that time of the year, but I've been stuck on this song because I believe the message in the words transcends Christmas and feelings about Santa Clause. Plus, I happen to really like Josh Groban's voice.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Josh Groban, he is a singer, songwriter, and actor who gained attention when he served as a stand-in for Andrea Bocelli's duet with Celine Dion on the song, "The Prayer," during the 1999 Grammy Awards. Some of his most well-known songs are "You Raise Me Up," "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up), and "To Where You Are."

The song,"Believe," is the theme song from the 2004 film, The Polar Express, a movie about a little boy who doubts the existence of Santa Clause and takes a ride on a magical train to the North Pole. "Believe" is a great song for the holidays, but also delivers a message that can be applied to any aspect of life: anything is possible if you just believe. Groban's voice has the unique, innocent-like quality--apparent even when he belts the higher notes--that delivers this message in the perfect way. Take a listen below:

Though the video is not the best quality, you can see and hear Groban's powerful, yet intimate vocal timbre and performance style.

Is there a holiday song whose message you feel can be applied to any part of the year? Leave a comment below!