Xmas music recommendations--not your standard collections

[ForresterModern]

Over the years I have collected a number of christmas albums from some of my favorite artists and feel an opportunity to share them with the rabble, many of whome may find them as enjoyable as I. These are not your standard Bing Crosby crooner collections (although that boy could sing too) but rather more interesting versions of some standards and some new stuff. Most of these can be previewed at places like Barnes & Noble or Amazon online or in stores, and many can be found with searches on Youtube as well. Enjoy.

Charlie Brown Christmas, by The Vince Guaraldi Trio (yes the music from the Charlie Brown Christmas movie we all remember from our perpetual youth)
We Three Kings, by The Roches ( a group of singing sisters with both classical and funky talents)
At Christmas, by James Taylor (yes that James Taylor puts his touch on some old and new seasonal tunes)
Christmas Cheer and Holiday Spirits, two albums by an a capella group from Indiana U named "Straight No Chaser" which bring funky and quirky and funny to a new level for xmas music (see their youtube videos for a preview)
Wintersong, by Sarah McLachlan (a canadian scot), one of the voices of our age but for all ages as well
Portraits of Christmas, by Wind Machine, an acoustic jazz group with great arrangements of some old standards, great for office background music
Christmas Spirit, by Los Lonely Boys--Tex Mex seasonal music with some original stuff mixed in

Even though I suffer from the seasonal blues and stress like a lot of us, this is the stuff that helps me get through the holiday season.

Anybody else got favorites they would like to share with the rabble?

Merry Christmas!! Enjoy!

Jeff

[CMcG]

I agree that having good xmas music is essential to Yuletide festivities, so good call on this thread!

The holidays wouldn't be the same for me and mine without:
Terry McDade w/ The McDades, Midwinter
Terry McDade w/ The McDades, Noel

Terry plays Celtic harp and leads a group made up of his very talented children. The tunes are a combination of well-known, obscure, and totally unheard-of (ancient) tunes, all played with a Celtic/world music twist.

They play an annual xmas series of very popular shows in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at an old settlers homestead that has been converted into a museum. You can hear some examples of his music on myspace (not the xmas stuff though) and order CDs from Free Radio Records.

[auld argonian]

I heartily second the Roches album...a necessity this time of the year.

I recommend Silently The Snow Falls by Tilston and Finger and The Sackville All Stars Christmas album...the first is lovely and trad while the second is just damn swingin'.

I would also point out that no Christmas is complete without hearing Stan Freeburg's Green Christmas (sadly, even more relevant today than it was back when it was recorded some forty-odd years ago) and Cheech and Chongs' Santa Claus And His Old Lady.

And here's your Christmas bonus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSlpCBek1_M

Happy, happy...joy, joy!

Best

AA

[Smayniac]

I second Vince Guaraldi, although it's not in my personal collection.

The early season is quite busy at work, I come into my "spirit" the middle of the third week of December typically. To work through the stress of other people's abundance of spirit I listen to Mojo Nixon's "Horny Holidays" generally without it's final track which is more "R" than "PG". The rest is good fun, from lalalaing "Good King Wencelaus" to "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" and a lowdown, funky "Mr. Grinch."

Another must have for me is Dr. Demento's "Greatest Christmas Novelty CD of All Time" which includes not only the Freeburg and C&C mentioned above, but also the Chipmunks and the classic "Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer" among others.

Bob

[ronstew]

Now it is Christmas Again - Garrison Keillor - songs you know, plus Scandanavian and German carols and some narration

The Bells of Dublin - The Chieftains - features many well-known collaborators - my favorite song is Elvis Costello singing The St Stephen's Day Murders, but the rest is very Christmassy

[MacBubba45]

I love the Mannheim Steamroller albums!

[pdcorlis]

Or, for something different...

Bob Dylan's Christmas in the Heart

Not much of a surprise here - its Dylan singing Christmas songs - but the best reason to buy the disc may be the fact that all of the U. S. royalties will be donated to the organization Feeding America.

Happy Christmas!

[Macman]

We're really enjoying the new Sting CD. Very different to the other Christmas CD's we have, but very good.

[auld argonian]

I heard a couple of cuts off the Dylan Christmas album and I realized that the guy on NPR who hosts the "Annoying Music Show" can just hang it up now.

I understand that after William Shatner heard the Dylan Christmas album, he sent Bob a sympathy note...

Best

AA

[Coinneach]

I also love the Charlie Brown Christmas by The Vince Guaraldi Trio. I finally added that to my collection last year. Others that I enjoy hearing each year are...

A Cowboy Christmas by Michael Martin Murphy
Merry Texas Christmas, Y'all by Asleep at the Wheel
Ho Ho Ho by RuPaul

but then...

12 Songs of Christmas by Etta James
Holly & Ivy by Natalie Cole

aren't bad either.