Christmas Music Recommendations
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Submit to SlashdotIt’s snowing here at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX. At least, I like to call it snow. My friends call is slush. But it rarely snows in Texas. So, to me, any light and clear thing that falls from the sky is snow right?
Anyway, things like snow (or slush) and this cold weather really get me into the Christmas mood. It’s the time to bring out the eggnog, apple cider, coffee, and cocoa. I just bought some ingredients today so I can warm up with my minestrone soup. Christmas music brings all of these elements of the holidays together.
Now, I’m not really into that old vintage-sounding Christmas music, the traditional “classics” from the Carpenters, Bing Cosby, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, Dean Martin, and the like. I think it’s the hiss of old recordings that bothers me. I suspect that it may also be the background singers whom you would normally hear in Catherine Hepburn movies, like My Fair Lady, where they burst out into song (shudder).
Most of the radio stations that play Christmas music mainly offer this genre. So, I have to build my own Christmas play list. I like contemporary Christmas music and traditional classics sung with a modern twist. The following is a list of my Christmas music recommendations with some of my comments. I’ve provided some links to buy them from iTunes (per track) and Amazon.com (per album).
- Joy – Avalon: I really love this album. Practically every song here is outstanding. The CD art insert says that they were trying to “reproduce all of the wonderful memories of Christmases past.” They have totally fulfilled that goal. Practically every conceivable Christmas mood you can think of is in a song on this album. There is a little jazz, church choir, pop Christmas, etc. Read more about this CD in my Great Christmas Album post. My favorites include Don’t Save it All for Christmas Day, Joy to the World, We are the Reason, and Jesus Born on this Day. Get the album from iTunes or Amazon.com.
- Let it Snow – Michael Buble: I’ve always read about Michael Buble and I thought that his songs sounded alright. But, I was never too thrilled about them. That was until I heard this album. Like the Avalon album, I loved all of the songs on this one. The song that “won my heart,” so to speak, was the Christmas List. I used to really hate this song (especially when all of the kids started singing) but when I heard his rendition of it, it became one of my favorite Christmas songs. It’s a shame that this is only an EP album; there are fewer songs than on a normal album. Get the EP at iTunes or Amazon.com.
- Merry Christmas – Mariah Carey: The songs on this CD are great. They combine the best of pop and soul. This is probably the top selling Christmas album. The songs are upbeat and “christmasy.” It also has the top selling Christmas track, All I Want for Christmas is You. Get it at iTunes and Amazon.com.
- Christmas – Jaci Velasquez: This album is alright. It’s your basic Christmas album. Really, the song that deserves the most fanfare is I’ll Be Home For Christmas. It’s in a great jazzy arrangement. Get this album at iTunes and Amazon.com.
- Christmas Songs – Diana Krall: I was very pleased when Diana Krall finally came out with a Christmas album. Krall is the one to turn to for typical jazz. There is no song on this album that I extraordinarily like. They are all the same: good. Get it at iTunes and Amazon.com.
- My Favorite time of Year – Peter Cincotti: It is a shame that Peter Cincotti only released a Christmas single and not a full-fledged album. He could have made something as good as Michael Buble (see above). This song has a swingy jazz feel that normally accompanies Christmas parties. Get it at iTunes.
- Peace – Norah Jones: I wait anxiously for the day when Norah Jones releases a Christmas album. But until them, I am left with a taste of what could be. Peace was not originally a Christmas song. It doesn’t even talk about anything “christmasy.” But it has that “christmasy” feel. Now it is on A Very Special Auctoustic Christmas. Get it on iTunes or Amazon.com.
- Blue Christmas – Harry Connick, Jr.: iTunes | Amazon.com
- This Gift – 98 Degrees: iTunes | Amazon.com.
- Mary Did You Know – Clay Aiken: iTunes | Amazon.com.
- Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Jessica Simpson: iTunes | Amazon.com.
- Here With Us – Joy Williams: iTunes | Amazon.com.
- Christmas Wish – Stacie Orrico: iTunes | Amazon.com.
So, “the weather outside is frightful,” just turn up this music. “Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!” It helps bring up my Christmas spirits. (Sigh) All I need now is a Christmas tree…
I will update this list periodically as I find more songs so keep visiting this article and this blog. If you find any good ones, please drop me a line or comment.
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Posted on Saturday, December 10th, 2005
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