“The Little Drummer Boy” is a favorite of many during the Christmas season.
But no matter how many times you’ve heard the song, prepare to fall in love with Jennifer Nettles and Idina Menzel’s version, which has an extra kick.
The stunning duet happened at the CMA Country Christmas. And it wasn’t the slow, melodious style of the song people were used to. These two ladies put on a show!
The song is also on Jennifer’s album, “To Celebrate Christmas.”
It’s got that country flair from the start. A rhythmic thumping of the drum accompanied by an acoustic guitar fills the stage and the twinkling lights of those trees and decorations add to that magical feeling that is unmistakably Christmas.
As one would expect, Nettles stuns with her beautiful voice.
She has the kind of power just waiting to be unleashed at every moment.
It feels like Jennifer is trying to hold her instrument back but you can hear the voice just wanting to have a go.
Then, her partner arrives.
When Idina comes out, the audience breaks into applause.
That’s Elsa from Frozen! Not only that, Idina played “Maureen” from RENT, and “Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west” for which she won a Tony Award.
She’s a great actress and an amazing singer!
But they’re not the only stars of the show.
Check out that kid on the drum! He does a dance on a huge drum which emphasizes his being a little drummer and wouldn’t you know it, it works!
One viewer commented:
“I’m a fan of both of these lady’s voices!! Beautiful high notes, vibratos, breath control!!! Lovely presentation from the young boy!! Not a lot of people can make this song “new” as we’ve heard it since our childhood. But these two brought such an incredible performance to an “old” heartwarming song of Christmases gone by!!”
How did the song come about?
The song was originally called “Carol of the drum” and it was written by Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941.
The lyrics speak of a poor, little drummer boy summoned by the Magi to approach the child Jesus.
Now the boy didn’t have gold, frankincense, or myrrh. What he had was a drum, and he decided to play it as his present for the little Messiah.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, nodded her approval, and eventually, the child Jesus smiled at the drummer boy.
It’s not about expensive presents but the thought that counts.
Idina and Jennifer go back and forth with those unbelievable voices, soaring and playing with notes as they serenade the audience with the gifts they possess.
The dancing boy is joined by four other guys and together, they dance to the song’s message.
Another fan posted,
“This was a great performance! I loved the dancers along with Jennifer Nettles and Idina Menzel, who are both really good singers.”
They’re great! This is how you do a modern take on a classic!
It’s a performance that’s so entertaining the video has raked in over a million views.
Of course, it’s got that southern rock flavor to it as well!
The boys dance, the drums roll, and the ladies hit note after note as high as the heavens would allow them to.
That’s how you put on a Christmas show! This is a fine gift fit for the King!
Press play on the video below to enjoy every moment of this unforgettable Christmas performance!
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