The best rendition of the carol I have ever heard apart from Jussi Bjorling whose rendition is widely regarded as the benchmark. Kate Smith was a truly great singer & runs him darn close, though.
Kate Smith had a phenomenal vocal instrument blessed with perfect pitch. She possessed a highly developed, huge chest voice -- almost a female "heldentenor" quality. My God! If she had trained for opera and developed her head voice she might have been a Wagnerian soprano to rival any of the greats of the day. Rest in Peace Kate Smith!
I remeber the Kate Smith Show. My parents always watched it. I was about six years old at the time.and I loved her show. At that age I appreciated her beautiful voice, I remember her song "When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain ." Most singers of today can't compare to her.. RIP Kate/
What a voice ! There is no one today that can compare. Her last public singing appearance, that I recall, was in 1976 during the bicentenial, when she sang God Bless America at the age of 69. Her voice was as strong and true as ever. She lived another 10 years in declining health. She is now in heaven singing with the angels.
One of the most heart-touching moments I remember, was of Kate Smith being wheeled out in a wheelchair, partially paralyzed, to receive from another great man, President Ronald Reagan, who was presenting her with "The Presidential Medal of Honor," (or "The Presidential Medal of Freedom"--I don't remember which). They worked together in the movie that Kate introduced "God Bless America. Can anyone reading this PLEASE UPLOAD the moment Kate was wheeled out? Tears really flowed.
Kate Smith and Susan Boyle are two different woman , two different voices ,and different eras. They are boath great singers. And who cares about Susan Boyls sex life ? She dosen't sing with her vagina
kATE never married, but she was beautiful, I believe created by God just to remain pure and good for song. This was her mission in life just like Susan Boyle's who is also a virgin like Kate.
It was nice to see someone else saw the similarity with Susan Boyle - they both have the gift of a beautiful spirit combined with a true and powerful voice unencumbered by ego or false theatrics. Their singing is a spiritual experience, and so rare nowadays.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
It's a matter of personal taste and style. Her singing differs in many ways from current orthodoxy, but she is distinctive and capable. I don't like her voice much myself, but I recognise in it the prerequisite qualities for a lasting fame (though they aren't sufficient in themselves, of course).
For example: Bob Dylan's voice will be remembered longer than Michael Buble's, even though Buble is technically a far better singer - Dylan is far more distinctive, and that is more important.
hey katherinepigface, you know what, you have a degree in voice? a termometer has 109 degrees and you know where they shove them. Shove your degree and opinon in the same place.
I remember watching Kate's TV show as a young child and loved her to the extent that my parents took me to NY to see her film the show. We met her and I felt she was a special "Aunt" to me. Her singing still is a special to me today at 60 as it was when I was 2 years old.
The best rendition of the carol I have ever heard apart from Jussi Bjorling whose rendition is widely regarded as the benchmark. Kate Smith was a truly great singer & runs him darn close, though.
Hotwok191 2 days ago
She was unique and had such an "honest" voice
scotnick59 2 months ago
I grew up watching her on television and she has remained my favorite singer of all time.
ojaigal 3 months ago
Thanks for the memories.
Richard
000032r 9 months ago
My father was a great Kate Smith fan, I miss him....
MerleOberon 10 months ago
Whoever suggested that kate Smith was like a female heldentenor really hit the nail on the head. What a chest voice.
hackwhiteful 11 months ago
Kate Smith IS America! What a grande Dame!!!! What a voice!!! God Bless America!
cutamisraeli 1 year ago 3
Ten out of ten brilliant stars for one of the greatest ladies of American song! Thank you for this post!
4Pequeno 1 year ago 4
Kate Smith - - - the ONLY reason NOT to hate the Flyers!!!
sidDkid87 1 year ago
Authority and integrity ... wow
lesleysutherland2007 1 year ago 6
Comment removed
lesleysutherland2007 1 year ago
No comparison. No one can hold a candle to this torch.
katrinaro 1 year ago 3
Fantastic rendition of O Holy Night.
barbeannchick 1 year ago 4
Kate Smith had a phenomenal vocal instrument blessed with perfect pitch. She possessed a highly developed, huge chest voice -- almost a female "heldentenor" quality. My God! If she had trained for opera and developed her head voice she might have been a Wagnerian soprano to rival any of the greats of the day. Rest in Peace Kate Smith!
kraftpr 1 year ago 5
I grew up listening to her, she was my grandma's favourite singer.
garyzgal 1 year ago 3
Przepięknie ! Fantastyczny głos !
cyranka52 1 year ago
I just learned of Kate Smith, and I'm sad that it took me 35 years. Timeless and moving.
nareea 1 year ago 3
Fantastic rendition - I love her ! Clicking for 104.
felixbautista 1 year ago 2
What a clear, big, full voice! I do not believe we have yet heard a successor.
pooh52 1 year ago 4
Tremendous! She is gone but her beautiful singing lives on.
Fegen 1 year ago 4
Kate Smith was an American Institution.What you heard was what you got!
There was never a more honest and genuine voice. God rest her.
opera888able 1 year ago 4
she was a class act love her voice
seanlargey 1 year ago 3
The strength in that voice cannot be duplicated by anyone today
Imnomensa 1 year ago 5
I new when she sang When the Moon comes Over the Mountain that Howdy Dowdy would be on next. Thanks for the memories and God Bless You.
MrR000032 1 year ago 3
I remeber the Kate Smith Show. My parents always watched it. I was about six years old at the time.and I loved her show. At that age I appreciated her beautiful voice, I remember her song "When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain ." Most singers of today can't compare to her.. RIP Kate/
TheEs48 1 year ago
Oh for the old days when voices were voices.
Fitchpatrick99 1 year ago 3
No one belts it out like Kate!!
edmicca 1 year ago 2
I'm Jewish and Iove this song
louistanner 1 year ago 2
lovely, and she did it without the rediculous vocal gymnastics that celine and mariah and the rest of the more recent versions do.
Midnightetak 1 year ago
She was just amazing. Not only did she have have a beautiful voice, but you can still feel the emotions she conveyed. Pigface is an idiot.
Puzzledrev 1 year ago 2
Amazing! Thanks for posting this. Ms. Smith was a national treasure, but we Philadelphians have a special place in our hearts for her.
Leoboy729 1 year ago 2
What a wonderful singer she was! And she was also a very kind person!
3713msg 1 year ago 3
ive never had the pleasure of hearing kates version of oh holy night,its my new classic favorite. thanks for posting
poet36037 1 year ago 2
What a voice.Cant help but feel the spirit.One of the most powerful voice ever. slolen.
vannamaeee 1 year ago 3
What a voice.Cant help but feel the spirit.One of the most powerful voice ever. slolen.
vannamaeee 1 year ago
this is my favourite carole.I have it by so many singers.kate does a really nice version.Bing Crosby sings it the best and she goes a close second
bingcro 2 years ago
absolute perfection!!!
patyno 2 years ago 4
Powerful, Powerful.
There is no one alive today with that power.
I have loved Kate Smith all of my life.
Imnomensa 2 years ago 3
What a voice ! There is no one today that can compare. Her last public singing appearance, that I recall, was in 1976 during the bicentenial, when she sang God Bless America at the age of 69. Her voice was as strong and true as ever. She lived another 10 years in declining health. She is now in heaven singing with the angels.
timofpennstate 2 years ago 28
@timofpennstate Hear, Hear.
MrReneManuel 1 year ago
@timofpennstate
One of the most heart-touching moments I remember, was of Kate Smith being wheeled out in a wheelchair, partially paralyzed, to receive from another great man, President Ronald Reagan, who was presenting her with "The Presidential Medal of Honor," (or "The Presidential Medal of Freedom"--I don't remember which). They worked together in the movie that Kate introduced "God Bless America. Can anyone reading this PLEASE UPLOAD the moment Kate was wheeled out? Tears really flowed.
BigBingFan 2 months ago
DESDE MEXICO...TE QUIEREMOS KATE
MAURICEMORIN 2 years ago 5
Kate Smith and Susan Boyle are two different woman , two different voices ,and different eras. They are boath great singers. And who cares about Susan Boyls sex life ? She dosen't sing with her vagina
tenorismo 2 years ago 3
none better
albruce1949 2 years ago 8
One of the GREAT voices of the our past. The days when singers were singers. Thank you for posting this.
Michaelbos 2 years ago 37
Kate Smith is far superior than Susan Boyle,there is no comparrison.
1cavendish 2 years ago 5
Hey, cavendish, I dare say Susan will prove your comment wrong.
45madison 2 years ago
beutiful song with a terrific voice, virgin or not.
4260laurel 2 years ago 2
kATE never married, but she was beautiful, I believe created by God just to remain pure and good for song. This was her mission in life just like Susan Boyle's who is also a virgin like Kate.
pinkseashells 2 years ago
It was nice to see someone else saw the similarity with Susan Boyle - they both have the gift of a beautiful spirit combined with a true and powerful voice unencumbered by ego or false theatrics. Their singing is a spiritual experience, and so rare nowadays.
Manxypop 2 years ago 8
Susan Boyle isn't just virgin. She had never kissed in her LIFE.
iiAmitx3 2 years ago
I have listened to this song each Christmas my entire life. It is truly one of my favorite Christmas songs. My favorite part starts at 1:06
poundsand 3 years ago 7
absolutely amazing --- we just don't have people like her anymore
fastfootedone 3 years ago 3
what a powerful voice, what depth, truly big. She was vastly underrated. Thanks for posting it, I-ve never heard this version before.
joannemcarolum 3 years ago 3
This makes me cry. Merry Christmas, Kate!
usaheart1 3 years ago 5
An absolute gem.
Wrbhoover 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Does anyone who likes her have a degree in voice? just wondering. I do and I think she's godawful.
katherinepigface 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
It's a matter of personal taste and style. Her singing differs in many ways from current orthodoxy, but she is distinctive and capable. I don't like her voice much myself, but I recognise in it the prerequisite qualities for a lasting fame (though they aren't sufficient in themselves, of course).
For example: Bob Dylan's voice will be remembered longer than Michael Buble's, even though Buble is technically a far better singer - Dylan is far more distinctive, and that is more important.
soundofgeek 3 years ago
Thanks for your opinion, pigface. That and $5 might get me a Starbuck's latte
Buff99ca 3 years ago
hey katherinepigface, you know what, you have a degree in voice? a termometer has 109 degrees and you know where they shove them. Shove your degree and opinon in the same place.
Ignatius1942 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Thanks! happy new year to you too! May it bring you lots of singers who sound like a cat getting its tauil stepped on.
katherinepigface 3 years ago
pigface.....degrees, as we all know all too well, mean nothing -- she will be remembered always, and you will always be just a pigface.:)_
fastfootedone 3 years ago
and what will you be rembered as ?? i think your words speak for them self
albruce1949 2 years ago 5
One of the better versions of this song. She was a Grand lady with a Grand voice.
Michaelbos 3 years ago 5
I miss this woman and that huge clear voice...
Bluebonnett52 3 years ago 5
I remember watching Kate's TV show as a young child and loved her to the extent that my parents took me to NY to see her film the show. We met her and I felt she was a special "Aunt" to me. Her singing still is a special to me today at 60 as it was when I was 2 years old.
luannedavis 3 years ago 4
From 1:45 on her incredible range and control are just wonderful. No digital enhancements like we have today!
fleecyboy 3 years ago 4
kate smith was a great singer
lifeofchangesforme 3 years ago 4
A beautiful Christmas carol exquisitely sung by a charming lady.
Bligh1780 3 years ago 7
Such a pure and great voice!
carolineh88 3 years ago 7
Yes, very deep and warm voice. Thanks!
Fleur192 4 years ago 5