How have we got here, eh?
You know there was a time on this blog where discovering an obscure U.S. Christmas hit from 1958, recorded in Spanish and English, by a man born in New York from Puerta Rican parents, would have been considered a 'bit of a find' and immediately been added to the Calendar.
Now, 19 years into this nonsense? Absolutely, no way.
It was Augie Rios who had the original hit and you can easily find that version should you wish - and, please don't let me stop you! - but I've discovered this wonderful version by Chang Loo (or Zhang Lu as we should probably call her or perhaps even 张秀英) from her album 'An Evening with Chang Loo'.
Zhang was a Suzhou born singer and actress who made her name in Chinese Pop music covering songs from Western artists in Mandarin, but she became an International success when EMI signed her and got her to record in English, her fame grew when she appeared in a few Hollywood films.
Zu eventually married a Filipino musician she met singing in Singapore, they had two boys, living in Canada and Hong Kong before retiring. Zhang sadly left us in 2009.
If when Christmas is over you fancy following this thread further then Zhang's versions of 'Danny Boy', 'Lipstick On Your Collar' and 'Jambalaya' are a treat and you should definitely pencil them into your '26 listening library. If nothing else imagine what your Spotify wrapped will look like next December!
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