I wrote about Christmas gifts and Christmas specials so time to finish off the trilogy. Can you hear the music in the distance? It is time for another edition of the Music Battle Royale! This special edition consists of two memorable Christmas duets. In the eggnog corner is Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra singing, “White Christmas.” In the candy cane corner is David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing, “The Little Drummer Boy.” Two men singing to be Bing’s best wingman on a Christmas tune. Enough chit chat, it is time to decide who has more Christmas pizzazz, Mr. Sinatra or Mr. Bowie.

Frank and Bing’s rendition of “White Christmas” is beautiful. Fun fact: Bing’s original version is the best-selling single of all time. While Bing sings majority of the song with his amazing vocals, Frank provides his great vocals, too. This crooning combination of Frank and Bing makes this song easy on the soul. The song flows well, and it possesses a relaxing feeling like a stream flowing through a heavily wooded forest. Ol’ Blue Eyes and Bing’s voices mesh together like the deliciousness of eating a pie full of fresh picked apples.

David and Bing’s version of the “Little Drummer Boy” is a delight. David’s voice carries this song because of Bing’s advanced age, yet Bing performs wonderfully in this role. A much younger David Bowie’s voice collaborates better with Bing’s voice than Frank’s did with Bing’s. David goes after the high notes in the song while Bing heads for the low notes making this song feel special and resulting in a stronger joint effort. This is different than Frank and Bing’s version of “White Christmas” because those two are on the same octave corner.

It has been a good Music Battle Royale, but only one can be a winner. This week’s winner is the “Little Drummer Boy.” As much as I love listening to Ol’ Blue Eyes’ voice, David Bowie’s voice was on another level in his song with Bing. For that, Bowie is Bing’s ultimate Christmas wingman. Bowie’s younger age helped, but I recommend listening to either song. These songs are festive, and they are a listening treat. Music is beautiful, and when the best talents come together, whether they be in the same genre or not, amazing happens.

Email Sean with your thoughts and ideas for future columns at: sean.h.dengler@gmail.com