Sara Schwabe: Christmas music junkie
I don't know exactly what it is about the holiday that makes me long for its music at the first sign of winter. Pretty much as soon as the clouds begin to hang lower in the sky and there's a even the slightest chill in the air, I'm ready to get Christmas going. Over the years, various roommates, friends and boyfriends have had to keep tight reins on the CD player up through Thanksgiving to keep me from wearing out the holiday before it's even begun.
This year, though, writing this article gave me a legit reason to break out the Bing and Burl a bit early, and share my all-time favorite holiday sounds. It's an eclectic mix, so there's bound to be something on the list for everyone.
Oh, and I checked with Disc Exchange and they've got a whole bunch of these on-hand, so hurry on over there now and you can fa-la-la all the way home!
Alright...here's the list (in no particular order):
I love this album mainly because their version of "Mr. Heat Miser" kills me. It's a great album for a swingin' Christmas party as it brings out the dancer in pretty much everyone in the room - like it, or not!
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Based on Medieval poetry, but written in 1942 by daring composer, Benjamin Britten, the Ceremony of Carols is a somewhat dissonant but gorgeous choral work. It's meant to be listened to from start to finish, so throw this on when you take a much-needed break during the crazy holiday season.
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What would the holidays be without this annual nostalgic journey back to Christmases of our childhood? This is pretty much a staple in everyone's Christmas music collection, I'm sure. For that reason alone, it's worth mentioning. Good grief!
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Ella's voice is as warm as a yuletide fire and as rich as eggnog - no wonder her holiday songs are right on time! Be warned...this album contains a fair bit of cheese, but somehow that's ok at Christmas. Her version of "Sleigh Ride" kicks jazz ass, though.
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I think that Harry Connick, Jr. is the only person who can take shlocky songs like, "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" or "Rudolph" and make them sexy. This is a great album with lots of styles represented. Connick's band is awesome, too. The only weak spot on this one is his pop-infused version of "Ave Maria". Not a good choice.
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I've been listening to this since I was a kid, so it's hard to say if it's really good or if I'm just a sentimental fool. (I suspect the latter!) The best moment of this 35 year-old recording might be the James Bond theme played over the top of "My Favorite Things". On this album, Alpert plays the only rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock" I can stand.
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This could quite possibly be my all-time favorite Christmas album. The line-up on this compilation is fantastic and includes Louis Armstrong, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross and Eartha Kitt. Two of the many shining moments on this CD come from Miles Davis singing (yes, singing) "Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)" and also from The Tim Fuller Experience's "Silent Night". These are a couple of the strangest, most entertaining songs ever.
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Canadian singer, Holly Cole, has an admirable knack for taking songs you know and making them her own. She does this on her non-holiday records, but especially on this one. Her take on "'Zat You, Santa Claus" is a sultry departure from Louis Armstrong's original. She also does a beautiful version of Merle Haggard's "If We Make It Through December". Her scaled-down "Sleigh Ride" finds her in a musical race with her bass player that actually sounds like horses running.
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No singer can compete with the vocal power of gospel-great, Mahalia Jackson. Her interpretations of Christmas hymns and carols will make even the most jaded of us feel reverence for the holiday. She clearly was confident in the strength and beauty of her voice on this recording, because she screws up the words to these well-known songs from time to time. Whatever. She's Mahalia - she can do what she wants.
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This recommendation comes with all the glorious 1950's corniness you'd expect from the Jim Carey of band leaders, Spike Jones. Everyone in my family has grown up on this holiday record - which might explain a few things! There's really no way to describe what you'll find on this album, but think of it as kind of "Frank Zappa meets Howdy Doody". Yes, it's as bizarre as it sounds, but worth every over-the-top moment.
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This selection makes me feel as though I've travelled back in time to 1940's New England. Stafford's lush voice along with her shmaltzy back-up singers take the sentimental holiday favorites on this album and give them an extra helping of nostalgia. Especially when she has her then-toddler son join her on a couple of numbers.
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This is my favorite new holiday album. Sufjan Steven's sparse, unique and ethereal renditions of classic and not-so-classic Christmas songs are a refreshing, poppy break when they come up on my iPod's Holiday Mix. It's not your typical Christmas stuff, but a very enjoyable departure!
Comments
Girl, you need to a hold of "Mistletoe Jam" by Christmas Jug Band (Dan Hicks & friends). I'd loan you my copy, but someone stole it.
Posted by: Debra | November 27, 2006 04:51 PM
Wow...someone as turned on by Christmas Music oddities as I am. Cool.
Here's a few of my own personal faves but if ya want a listen, tune in to the annual Writer's Block Unusual Christmas on Wed, Dec 20th, 10pm on WDVX.
Ya gotta hear:
The Therapy Sisters, Codependent Christmas
Rosie Flores, Christmasville
Asylum Street Spankers, Christmas Spanking
The Klezmonauts, Oy To The World
Anything from White Christmas (swoon).
Here's wishing y'all a HAPPY WHATEVER YOU'RE HAVING!
Karen Reynolds
Posted by: Writer's Block, Ho Ho Hostess! | December 15, 2006 11:59 AM