Something very strange is going on around here. First, the Grammy nominations come out and the list isn’t entirely unimpressive. Now, you might have more than a seasonally based reason to watch Thursday’s National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony — and that’s coming from a Jew. How is all this possible? A bit of damn fine music.
As per our earlier report, Jim James, who apparently left the Yim Yames pseudonym at the Secret Service check point, performed a slowed-down version of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” in front of the tree at yesterday’s event on the Ellipse at President’s Park in D.C. As if the My Morning Jacket frontman wasn’t enough, he was joined by B.B. King, Sara Bareilles, Maroon 5, and 10-year-old America’s Got Talent runner-up Jackie Evancho. Presiding over the whole bash was none other than Common. Standing outside in freezing weather never sounded so enticing.
Then again, with this Internet thing, you can avoid the cold entirely. You can watch the whole ceremony online here (Keep in mind, you’ll have to scroll about a third of the way through to see James perform) or on PBS television throughout December. Can we now say Obama has the best Presidential taste in music?
