Xmas music recommendations--not your standard collections

[McMurdo]

I have quite a few of the Ultra Lounge collection. The Christmas Cocktails one and two are great with gems like Dean Martin singing Baby it's Cold Outside. They are well worth looking into.
Volume 1:
http://www.discogs.com/Various-Ultra...release/569409

Volume 2:
http://www.discogs.com/Various-Ultra...release/569439

[Jack Daw]

I have a variety of Xmas music in my CD collection:

Celtic:
The Voice Squad: Holly Wood -The VS is a trio of Irish male voices that sing a capella;
A Chieftain's Celebration - has a few Xmas tunes;
The Chieftain's - The Bells of Dublin - features Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello (as previously mentioned), Marianne Faithfull, Nanci Griffith, Burgess Meredith, and Rickie Lee Jones;
Legacy with Jim Flanagan - An Irish Christmas - a good CD from an Irish folk band with members and frequent guest performers from SW US and Ireland;
Celtic Christmas Moods - various Irish musicians doing the Xmas thing;
Rob Crabtree - The Piper's Christmas - A Canadian GH piper playing Xmas standards.

Jazz:
Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas Quintessential, no??
Wynton Marsalis - Crescent City Christmas Card - Very cool;
Grover Washington, Jr. - Breath of Heaven - If I remember correctly, this CD was issued posthumously, and has great tracts on it;
Various compilation CDs of jazz greats - Jingle Bell Jazz; Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas; A Jazzy Christmas.

Classical:
St. Martin in the Fields - Handel's Messiah - VERY nice.

[Rob Wright]

A Christmas Together John Denver and the Muppets. Favorite christmas album of all time!

Rob

[MacBubba45]

"Christmas Songs" by Mel Torme'.

Jamie, have you ever heard the story of how Mel Torme' wrote "The Christmas Song" (made most famous by probably Nat King Cole)? I heard he wrote it while on vacation at some warm place poolside in his swimming trunks (can't remember where exactly).

I always thought if I could write only one song to be remembered by, a really good Chirstmas song would live forever. It's the only time of year they play really dated recordings unabashedly.

[jdriskill3]

My favorite Christmas CD's were recorded by Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and Otmar Liebart. I've got a few Jazz Christmas CD's that are also nice to listen to.

[Redshank]

Silent Night by Spike Milligan,

[NCMC]

Every Christmas when we put the tree and stockings up while listening to Disney Candleligt Processional. Then drink eggnog and light turn the lights on while listening to Star Wars Christmas - Christmas in the stars. You can listen to great hits as "What do you get a Wookie for Christmas" and "R2-D2 we wish you a Merry Christmas". The boys love it.
Other Celtis tunes already listed. Enjoy.

[Jack Daw]

Jamie, have you ever heard the story of how Mel Torme' wrote "The Christmas Song" (made most famous by probably Nat King Cole)? I heard he wrote it while on vacation at some warm place poolside in his swimming trunks (can't remember where exactly).

I always thought if I could write only one song to be remembered by, a really good Chirstmas song would live forever. It's the only time of year they play really dated recordings unabashedly.

I hope I never hear the latest from Neil Diamond, A Cherry, Cherry Christmas.