Christmas Music by non-Christian Performers

[Tenbatsuzen]

My wife and I were watching the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting last night, and I kind of laughed when they announced Neil Diamond - the Jewish Elvis - was performing.

He did Joy to the World with a choir backing him, and quite honestly, he rocked it out.

But here's my question - if you are a Jewish performer, and releasing an album of Christmas music, especially religious songs like Joy to the World, isn't that just a shameless cash grab, the very definition of selling out?

Maybe this is me being idealistic, but I like to think, as a performer, you'd have some emotional connection to the music you perform.

I mean, I don't know much about traditional music of other cultures to make a comparison, but surely if a performer tried to make an album of music that wasn't a part of his religious culture he'd get some static, right?

[Chigworthy]

Christmas? I don't know what you're talking about; I'm not christian.

[underdog]

My wife and I were watching the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting last night, and I kind of laughed when they announced Neil Diamond - the Jewish Elvis - was performing.

He did Joy to the World with a choir backing him, and quite honestly, he rocked it out.

But here's my question - if you are a Jewish performer, and releasing an album of Christmas music, especially religious songs like Joy to the World, isn't that just a shameless cash grab, the very definition of selling out?

Maybe this is me being idealistic, but I like to think, as a performer, you'd have some emotional connection to the music you perform.

I mean, I don't know much about traditional music of other cultures to make a comparison, but surely if a performer tried to make an album of music that wasn't a part of his religious culture he'd get some static, right?

Also, Neil Diamond has been a singer for like half a century. You honestly think he has any sort of emotional connection to music?

[Tenbatsuzen]

Also, Neil Diamond has been a singer for like half a century. You honestly think he has any sort of emotional connection to music?

I would think so. His 2008 album was basically an experience about nursing an ex-girlfriend.

[Crispy123]

Jesus was a Jew.

[A.J.]

http://www.cavehollywood.com/images/AChristmasGifttoYoufromPhilSpectorcover.jpg

http://www.technodisco.net/img/tracks/b/barbra-streisand/777970-barbra-streisand-the-christmas-collection.jpg

http://www.toomanymornings.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/bob_dylan_christmas.jpg

[Tenbatsuzen]

The Spector thing... he's more of a producer, so I'm not sure.

As for Dylan, he was born Jewish, but he's very spiritual and converted to Christianity and has explored his faith and religion. So I'm letting that slide.

Streisand... no comment.

[Judge Smails]

http://img2-2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/080708/Eddie-Murphy/Gumby-SNL_l.jpg

Thank you, Francis! And thanks to all my guests - Donny and Marie! The King Family! And to everyone out there - a merry Christmas! And to my producer, my director, my manager, and my lawyer - Happy Hanukkah, boys! Good night!

[A.J.]

The Spector thing... he's more of a producer, so I'm not sure.

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