19 Dec 06 Christmas Albums
There seems to be some defined point in every musicians career when they feel the urge to release a Christmas album. I’m not sure if the union has rules about so many years in the business or so many records produced before they allow you to release a Christmas album. Basically that was just a long introduction to ask "why on earth would I want to hear Jessica Simpson singing O Holy Night?" I’m surprised she doesn’t team up with Madonna and Brittany and sing all about virgins and children. Come to think of it, it seems Madonna might have already released some Christmas songs.
I apologize. It seems I’ve caught the stump virus. I shall now leave all ranting to a trained professional.
Instead, let’s turn our attention to the top 10 Christmas albums. You don’t have to suggest ten albums — just suggest an album or two for consideration by this very discerning blog community.
I’ll get the ball rolling with:
1. Kathy Mattea - Good News
2. Todd Agnew - Do You See What I See?
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- anyof the old Firestone Christmas albums that featured a variety of artists & songs
- anything by Mahalia Jackson
- Snoopy & the Red Baron Christmas album.
Anything with a tenor singing loud and clear……………..
The CD to “The Nativity Story” is good. The song by Andrew Peterson (I think) - Labor of Pain - is one of my instant favorite songs for this season.
Ne’re a season goes by without a healthy dose of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Don’t care much for the vocal stuff, but the instrumental tracks are excellent. And a few of the vocals are good, but don’t be turned off by the first vocal you hear on either of their CDs. Move on to the next track and enjoy!!
I am a HUGE Christmas music fan. Here are a few of my favorites:
Barry Manilow - Because It’s Christmas (carol medleys that make great background music; best version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”)
Bing Crosby - White Christmas (who can argue with the classic?)
The Carpenters - Christmas Portrait (no one does “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” like Karen Carpenter)
Barenaked Ladies - Barenaked for the Holidays. Worth getting for the version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings” (that is unless you can find the original recording that was done with Sarah McLauchlan). Fantastic! If you like that, you’d probably like “Christmastime in Tinsel Town” by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy off their “Everything You Want for Christmas” album.
Steven Curtis Chapman - The Music of Christmas (some non-traditional songs on this one and his voice is the perfect accompaniment to hot chocolate sipping)
Shawn Colvin - Holiday Songs and Lullabies (interesting mix of music. Tender version of “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”). If you like this, you might also love George Winston’s December album of piano solos.
I love Harry Connick Jr.’s piano version of “Winter Wonderland” that is on the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack. (Great album overall, actually, is you are a fan of the classic American songbook). Connick has a holiday album (actually two of them) that I like. His version of “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” is a classic!
The new album I want to get…James Taylor at Christmas. Heard a cut on the radio the other day and it sounded wonderful. Also saw that Third Day has a new Christmas album and I imagine I’d love that too!
one more….
‘Tis the Season for Los Straightjackets - if you loved the Ventures, it’s Christmas surf music, Mexican style!
I love to play the “A Very Special Christmas 2″ album. It has the song, “Christmas Time Again” by Extreme. A good blend of rock and roll along with an old favorite Christmas Song, “The First Noel.”
I love to play the “A Very Special Christmas 2″ album. It has one of my favorite songs, “Christmas Time Again.” A great blend of rock and roll along with the song, “The First Noel.”
Jennifer, we have the James Taylor Christmas Album (At Christmas) and find it to be good - since we are JT fans. Also, Bette has a Christmas album entitled Cool Yule.
I like a good double CD of the Messiah…
Clay Aiken’s album ‘Merry Christmas With Love’, the song “Mary Did You Know?” brings tears to my eyes, you gotta hear it.