Happy Friday, everyone!
Since there are only nine days left 'til Christmas, we thought we'd have a little fun with this week's poll question:
What is your favorite Christmas album? (And please tell us why it's your favorite!)
Looking forward to seeing (and listening to) your picks!
P.S. - One of my all-time favorite Christmas albums is Oy to the World, a Klezmer take on traditional Christmas carols by the Klezmonauts. The music is decidedly quirky (who would've thought the main theme of "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" could be worked into "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"?), but it's sure to put a smile on your face. Here's a link to some samples, if you want to give it a listen: http://www.oytotheworld.com/.
My favorite christmas album is ALBUM CHRISTMAS WITH BABYFACE, in my opinion Baby face heartfelt vocals sets the mood for any occasion , this album is very outstanding and brings great childhood memories . Listen to it .Happy holidays!
My Favorite is Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Eve and Other Stories. The whole CD has a great Christmas message.
My favorite Christmas Album is simply the "Chipmunks Christmas" I had it as a child.. and my son just picked it up at the store and is now enjoying it. Its completely timeless. Say what you will hah.. but the time sitting there listening to it with him, was priceless.. I love it ! Merry Christmas to everyone!! Be safe!
Easily George Winston's "December", followed by Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" (78 rpm set) and anything by Nowell Sing We Clear.
The unabashedly non-traditional Christmas Gumbo is 14 tracks of New Orleans stalwarts like Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, the subdudes (who may have the album's most heartfelt peace-on-earth track), and Big Chief Bo Dollis & The Wild Magnolias featuring Bonerama--whose "Shakana Santa Shake It" has an infectious, second-line groove that gets down in your soul and makes everything good. Everything that's right and true about both Christmas and New Orleans--a city that is possibly the second greatest gift imaginable--comes together in a musical stew that feeds your spirit as only The City That Care Forgot could. Joyeaux noel et laissez les bon temps roulez!
Listening to the Boney M Christmas album always puts me in a festive mood! For something more traditional, Nana Mouskuri (or however you spell that!) has been playing while I decorate the tree since I was a wee one!
Hands down "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby - the one with just his face in a Santa hat on the cover! This reminds me of Christmas when I was a little girl because it was always the first album (yes - vinyl!) that my parents put on the old record player. To this day, I smile whenever I hear a song from that album and turn into that little girl again...if only for a few minutes! Merry Christmas and the best to all y'all in 2012
Love it! Some great artists here and it will definitely "let the good times roll!"
James Taylor at Christmas is my current favorite. They are the same standards that you've heard a million times, but the arrangements are uniquely James Taylor. Great stuff.
I love all kinds of Christmas music, but seem to gravitate to Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas albums early in the season. I keep a Pioneer magazine loaded with them all, setting the changer to random play.
Inevitably, on Christmas day, I'll play several versions of Handel's "Messiah." If I had to choose just one album, it would be one of these.
Merry Christmas, all!
Now you've done it, Blaine. (Sent me on a mission to find this album.)
If you haven't heard Rebecca's pick (Oy to the World), I think you'd like it, too. First time I heard it was several years ago; Rebecca put it on while we were eating lunch. It was difficult to get through the meal, we were all laughing so hard!
A Charlie Brown Christmas by the jazz great Vince Guaraldi. His version of O Tannenbaum is sheer brilliance.
Amy Grant Christmas to Remember is my all time favorite. I love anything by Amy!
This is difficult because there are so many great songs, artists and arrangements. However, if pressed into a favorite I would have to say anything by Mannheim Steamroller. Why? Because Chip Davis' arrangements are bright and infectious!
It's very hard to choose just one - I love Christmas music of all kinds! Among the top favorites would be Erich Kunzel's "Christmas with the (Cincinnati) Pops" and Mannheim Steamroller. But I also enjoy Bing Crosby and Burl Ives singing Christmas carols, and Julie Andrews is my favorite female voice.
I hope everyone has a most enjoyable Christmas - and best wishes for the coming New Year!
Elvis Presley's original Christmas album is still my favorite. The uptempo songs have become classics in their own right and bring back wonderful late 50s memories.
Okay, if I have to narrow it down to one: "A Charlie Brown Christmas". The vocal version of "Christmas Time Is Here" always warms my heart.
A very close second is Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong" album.
I agree with Mannheim Steamroller, but only the first Christmas album. The second one lost direction. Also has anyone ever heard the Venture's first Christmas album? It starts with familiar 60s themes and then rolls into great guitar arrangements of classic jingles and hymns.
Greatest individual songs...Bing Crosby's I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Sinatra's Do You Hear What I Hear and John Denver's Please, Daddy Don't Get Drunk This Christmas.
I like "My Grown-up Christmas Wish" which is about 10 years old I guess. Also like Vince Vance and the Valients "All I Want for Christmas is You," but who can top Chuck Berry's "Run, Rudolf?" In church all Christmas hymns are good, but Luther's "From Heaven Above" says it all.
Two favorite Christmas songs are Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" and John Berry's version of "O Holy Night". I used to book concerts and people would pay $40 a tik to just hear John hit the high note on "O Holy Night".
Christmas with Babyface! It is lovely, its ever fresh! Mwaaah!
