Now is the Caroling Season
by Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians
Winter's Grace
by Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum
The Bells of Dublin
by The Chieftains
Christmas Cocktails
Simon: Captain's a good fighter, he must know how to handle a sword. Zoe: I think he knows which end to hold.
'Shindig'
Buffista Music 4: Needs More Cowbell!
There's a lady plays her fav'rite records/On the jukebox ev'ry day/All day long she plays the same old songs/And she believes the things that they say/She sings along with all the saddest songs/And she believes the stories are real/She lets the music dictate the way that she feels.
megan walker - Dec 23, 2009 7:38:57 am PST #2207 of 6436
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
DavidS - Dec 23, 2009 7:53:02 am PST #2208 of 6436
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Jeez, I've got so much Christmas music and my favorite things to put on are my own mixes.
But there are some particularly strong sets that I love.
Two Rhino collections are great, Hipster's Holiday and Doo Wop Christmas. Both are superfun.
There was an independent country label, Giant, that put out some lovely comps. One was called Tinsel Tunes.
Emmylou Harris' Christmas album is gorgeous.
For traditional British xmas music I put on The Players, which was produced by two guys from Roxy Music. Very Dickensian, all instrumental, beautifully played on old timey instruments, including the droning ones like the Hurdy Gurdy. If you like those old minor key hymns, this is excellent.
Five Chinese Brothers did my favorite set of Christmas originals, including my favorite new xmas song of the last 20 years, "And To All A Good Night."
I've got some good big band Christmas collections. It's interesting in part because Christmas has its own fads and trends from generation to generation and certain songs were more common back then. Besides I can always sneak in "It Happened At Sun Valley."
Short Rogers has a fantastic West Coast Jazz version of the Nutcracker that I love, particularly the "Swinging Plum Fairy."
Kathy A - Dec 23, 2009 7:55:07 am PST #2209 of 6436
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil
Hec, have you heard the Brian Setzer Orchestra's Nutcracker Suite, which uses the Nelson Riddle arrangment?
Kate P. - Dec 23, 2009 8:03:48 am PST #2210 of 6436
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
David, I was just listening to your Wintergrace mix this morning! I love that one. Other favorites include the Roches CD that Kathy mentioned and Susan McKeown and Lindsey Horner's rather somber album of winter/solstice/Christmas songs, Through the Bitter Frost and Snow. It's very spare, mostly just McKeown's voice and Horner's upright bass, and the songs are about cold and snow and the dark of December, but there's the promise of light as well. To me it's the perfect Solstice album.
Tom Scola - Dec 23, 2009 8:04:40 am PST #2211 of 6436
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
Kathy A - Dec 23, 2009 8:08:18 am PST #2212 of 6436
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil
For a sample of The Roches songs, here's a YouTube video of Xmas lights using their version of "Deck the Halls" as the soundtrack.
smonster - Dec 23, 2009 8:18:59 am PST #2213 of 6436
We won’t stop until everyone is gay.
Susan McKeown and Lindsey Horner's rather somber album of winter/solstice/Christmas songs, Through the Bitter Frost and Snow.
Oh, I have this and forgot about it. I got it 2ndhand somewhere.
(hi Kate! good to see your pixels! how's Nashvegas?)
Kate P. - Dec 23, 2009 8:21:51 am PST #2214 of 6436
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
Hey lady! Nashvegas is treating me very well. :-) When are you gonna come visit??
msbelle - Dec 23, 2009 8:22:10 am PST #2215 of 6436
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb
Denver/Muppets
a Starbucks comp - Hi-Fidelity Holiday
a couple of GoodYear compilations from the 60's
Roberta Flack - The Christmas Album
Harry Connick, Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas
Sophia Brooks - Dec 23, 2009 8:23:10 am PST #2216 of 6436
Cats to become a rabbit should gather immediately now here
This is where I have to mention that apparently the Jack Jones Christmas Album that I listened to growing up is now worth about $100!. My favorites for sentimental reasons are that, The Kingston Trio's Last Month of the Year and of course The Ray Conniff Singers Christmas Album.