Melodee McDonnell Sings Live @ Legends Jazz 12/22/22

Ok I’ve tossed and turned way too long in this bed thinking of everything I must get done to prepare for Christmas Day. Throwing my covers off, I signed into second life to distract my Christmas-crazy mind and check out who was singing at this late hour. Well, it’s early for SL but late in my world, and I’m happy to find my old friend Melodee McDonnell singing at Legends Jazz. Melodee and I go way back to my early 2008 years of second life and boy did we have fun during that era! She taught me how to be an assistant to a singing artist, and I’m sure I drove her crazy with some of my hair-brained behaviors.

Looking gorgeous as ever in her formal gown Mel added even more glamour to the beautifully decorated Legends Jazz venue. Owned by ღϮ Shasta Ϯღ (shasta.soulstar) and Ϯ Major Ϯ (major9), Legends took on a Christmas paradise outfit with Poinsettias, elegant Christmas trees, and stylish holly wreaths.

As many of you know, I’m a big country music fan, but I also have this love of the formal classical theatre style of music and Melodee gratifies that part of me immensely. She is a natural in a ballroom singing to people who appreciate a dressy romantic dreamy atmosphere. “Let It Be Christmas” made popular by Alan Jackson was Melodee’s opening number giving warmth to that Christmas spirit growing in the ballroom. Following were two Jim Brickman songs, “The Greatest gift of all” and “Simple Things”. One can hear the passion and love in Mel’s voice as she sings these songs, and I wonder whom she’s thinking of when she sings “There’s nothing I need this Christmas cause your love is the greatest gift of all.” 😊

Melodee is so very congenial to all her guests and is delighted to greet everyone stepping into the venue. She loves to receive requests, so of course, I had to put mine in the box. I remembered how well she sang “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables so naturally, I made that my choice! The low notes to high notes were flawless and my wine glass nearly shattered when she reached that really really one high note. Wow! Wow! Some of the other festive tunes Melodee sang were “Merry Christmas Darling” by the Carpenters, “Noel” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” Also highlighting her angelic tones were the songs “All I know” by Art Garfunkel, “Fields of Gold” by Sting, “Colors of the Wind” a Disney song from Pocahontas, and “Play me” by Neil Diamond.

Melodee closed out her show with a very Christmas-appropriate song, “Prayer of St Francis.” We all, including me, get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas with – what should I get them for a gift? or what shall I wear to the party? or do I have the right food to feed the guests for dinner? Etc. We must take the time to reflect on what Christmas really is all about – the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and all that He represents. Melodee sang these words so lovingly:

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.

Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord.

And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

Make me a channel of your peace.

Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.

Where there is darkness, only light,

And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek

So much to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

In giving of ourselves that we receive,

And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

Melodee’s Bio:

Classically trained mezzo-soprano, now singing jazz, pop, retro, oldies, and contemporary. The SL spotlight has followed Ms. McDonnell since her debut in early 2008 with appearances on SLCN.TV, countless grand openings, Grand Opening live artist of THE ROSE THEATRE, charity events like the Pink Ball for Breast Cancer and Toys for Tots, and SL's Birthday Bash 2008 -2012. Her powerhouse vocals and 4 octave range have wow'd SL audiences time and time again. Debut CD 2006 "Possibilities". New album release 2013, "The Child in Me"

Melodee McDonnell -

Thank you for a very special heartfelt evening with your elegant voice, delightful charm, and beautiful song choices. Merry Christmas to all!!!

Trishia