Scott's World -- UPI Arts & Entertainment

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- The first holiday season following the tragedy of Sept. 11 casts a different light on celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah and New Years.

How to be joyful in the wake of terrorist atrocities and with American servicemen in foreign lands striving to rid the planet of a human plague?

It's a difficult dilemma, a period of sorrow and healing rather than merriment.

Still, it also may be a time for spiritual unity, renewed faith and an investment in familiar traditions a perpetuation of unity and resolve.

In this light, consider entertainer Fred Travalena, known for his impressions and comedy, national TV appearances and nightclub performances in Atlantic City, Vegas and elsewhere.

Travalena, born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island, still thinks of himself as a displaced New Yorker -- although he has lived in Los Angeles for two decades.

Travalena and millions of former New Yorkers around the globe were especially distraught and enraged by the terrorist attacks on their hometown.

Prior to the assault on Manhattan two months ago, the youthful-looking Travalena had turned his considerable talents to song writing and singing.

The result is "The Manhattan Christmas Suite," a series of 11 holiday songs written by Travalena that are both beautiful and appropriate in the wake of Sept. 11.

The titles include "Lady Manhattan," "Son of Santa," "Manhattan Love Affair at Christmas," "Last Minute Shopping," "Christmas on Broadway" and "When Snow Falls in Central Park."

The album cover includes New York's extraordinary skyline but without the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

Back in his San Fernando Valley home this week, Travalena said, "We re-did the art work and some of the lyrics of the songs with regard to peoples' feelings.

"I've lived in California for years, but once you're a New Yorker, you're a New Yorker forever. It's true.

"It took me two years to write this suite, which I finished last year with different tempos and topics.

"I wrote a new song after the attack, 'The Spirit of America,' which is a separate CD."

The lyrics in part: "If you listen you can hear The Spirit of America ... Look around, Old Glory's flying everywhere. You can hear the sound of freedom in her clouds of majesty. It's The Spirit of America."

Said Travalena, "It's a song that can be remembered because of its meaningful words, melody and simplicity.

"It was inspired by the Statue of Liberty against the backdrop of the World Trade Center's smoke.

"I was so shocked and troubled for the first two weeks (after the attack) I couldn't even say the words 'New York.'

"I spent three days writing the lyrics and realized I mentioned what happened in a very subtle way."

Lest anyone think Travalena is taking advantage of the tragedy with his new song, he said, "Any profits that accrue from 'The Spirit of America' go to the police and firemen of New York."

"When I saw those firemen raise the flag, it really got to me, as it did everyone else."

Travalena was a long-time opening act for such Vegas performers as Wayne Newton, Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley MacLaine, Andy Williams and Johnny Mathis.

He often imitated those stars, which led to his being called "Mr. Everybody." He gives outstanding impressions of such politicians as Bill Clinton, Ross Perot and George W. Bush.

"My life was New York City when I was young. All the love that stored up in my heart for the city has stayed with me over the years," he said.

"It's a magical place at Christmastime with so many symbols, including the mixture of peoples who came from all the countries of Europe. One of my grandfathers came from Italy, the other from Ireland.

"The Statue of Liberty meant everything to them. The different ethnic cultures and traditions all come together in the majesty of this great city, the excitement, the theater and most of all Christmas.

"Part of the lyric of 'Lady Manhattan' says, 'Lady Manhattan dressed up in her holiday gown -- Eastside to Westside from Harlem to the tip of Downtown .. '

"Anyone who hasn't been to New York will get a sense of the greatest city on Earth by listening to any one of the songs on the record.

"Living, working and shopping in New York is an experience in its own.

"Think of the ice rink in Rockefeller Center, the city's giant Christmas tree, the Macy's (Thanksgiving) Day Parade, the New Year's Eve globe, the lighted Empire State Building, the excitement of Broadway. They cast a spell on visitors as well as natives.

"I think the response to the tragedy of Mayor Giuliani, the firefighters, policemen and emergency workers added a new dimension to the city, its spirit and true meaning."