Favorite Christmas discs
The day after Thanksgiving I start playing Christmas music. Over the years I've accumulated quite a collection. So, just for grins, here's my list of best and worst. Let's start with the best.
Nat King Cole, "The Christmas Song." You just can't miss with Mr. Cole singing chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Chris Rice, "The Living Room Sessions." This is purely piano. Great music to have in the background when friends are over for dinner.
Bare Naked Ladies, "Barenaked For The Holidays." Okay, once you get past the title, this really is a great CD. However, this is not your traditional fare!
The Blind Boys Of Alabama, "Go Tell It On The Mountain." Not that the Blind Boys aren't enough on their own, but on this CD they add a lot of great artists that make this a wonderfully unique Christmas recording.
Amy Grant, "A Christmas Album." In my opinion, this is some of the best music Amy ever recorded. In fact, she maybe should have stopped her Christmas recordings with this one.
And now to the worst.
Garth Brooks, "The Magic Of Christmas." Garth, what were you thinking dude!?! There is nothing special or unique to make me want to have it as part of a collection.
Heart, "A Lovemongers' Christmas." Okay, this is the all-time worst. If you can buy it cheap, use it as a coaster.
Well, that sums up my list. Would love to hear from you about your best and worst.
Nat King Cole, "The Christmas Song." You just can't miss with Mr. Cole singing chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Chris Rice, "The Living Room Sessions." This is purely piano. Great music to have in the background when friends are over for dinner.
Bare Naked Ladies, "Barenaked For The Holidays." Okay, once you get past the title, this really is a great CD. However, this is not your traditional fare!
The Blind Boys Of Alabama, "Go Tell It On The Mountain." Not that the Blind Boys aren't enough on their own, but on this CD they add a lot of great artists that make this a wonderfully unique Christmas recording.
Amy Grant, "A Christmas Album." In my opinion, this is some of the best music Amy ever recorded. In fact, she maybe should have stopped her Christmas recordings with this one.
And now to the worst.
Garth Brooks, "The Magic Of Christmas." Garth, what were you thinking dude!?! There is nothing special or unique to make me want to have it as part of a collection.
Heart, "A Lovemongers' Christmas." Okay, this is the all-time worst. If you can buy it cheap, use it as a coaster.
Well, that sums up my list. Would love to hear from you about your best and worst.
posted by Greg Nettle at 11:57 AM
10 Comments:
I have some favorite songs that I've collected to make CDs for people as gifts. Doesn't cost much and it's something personal.
Here's a few:
1. "I'll be home for Christmas" Harry Connick, Jr.
2. "Silent Night" The Thorns
3. "White Christmas" Dean Martin
4. "Do You Hear What I Hear" Vince Gill
5. "Opera Of The Bells" Destiny's Child
6. "O Holy Night" Kaki King
7. " Please Come Home For Christmas" Shannon Curfman
8. "Adeste Fideles" Luciano Pavarotti
9. "Tu scendi dalle stelle" Three Tenors
Sample any of these or others you are looking for at downloads.walmart.com. It's an easy way to wade through all the compilation albums.
Peace and Joy to all.
Just a FEW years back my Favorite was Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers "Once Upon a Christmas" The First time I heard it was when they had the special on television and it was awesome, It was very meaningful and the scenes of the show stuck with me, I could see the scenes in my head every time I heard the songs. For many years I couldn't wait til Thanksgiving to play that cassette, actually I wonder if they ever made that in a CD, Thanks for the idea Kerri I'll check walmart.com for it.
So I'll have to say my favorite now is Michael W. Smith "Christmastime".
Not to Change the subject but I saw the movie "The Nativity" I really enjoyed it, I was however surprised that we went to see it on the first Saturday afternoon it was shown and there was very few people there to see it. Personally myself I think it would be nice to have more of those type movies for people to enjoy. Just a thought!
Be Blessed
i just downloaded bing crosby's christmas classics and sarah mclachlan's wintersong from itunes. wonderful albums and incredible music.if youre looking for a little more adventure try: a six degrees collection: christmas remixed. it blends the old and the new in a pretty cool way. i heard it in virgin records in times square and i was instantly hooked. mike.
I like A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Gueraldi Trio. They're a jazz trio, but as you may know, Vince Gueraldi did all the music for the Charlie Brown specials.
Some of my favorite Christmas songs are:
There's Something Stuck Up In The Chimney
I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas
Milk & Cookies (by Clint Black)
Leroy The Redneck Reindeer (Joe Diffie)
The Bell That Couldn't Jingle (Bert Bacharach)
My favoritest carol of all time is Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming which was written by J.S. Bach. My next favorite is O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
And don't forget the all-time favorite of us 'older folks' at Christmas;
Bing Crosby.
No one but Bing should sing 'White Christmas', I'll Be Home for Christmas' etc.
There is an album (CD) still available with Bing in stocking cap on the front, think it's just called 'Merry Christmas'.
One of my favorites is
"Shawn Colvin: Holiday Songs and Lullabies". I have used it at night to put my daughter to sleep. The entire collection is peaceful and dreamy.
One of the worst (so all of our friends say!) is:
"Christmas on the Border: A Spicey Holiday Recipe of Texas Blues, Hot Country, and Mexican Salsa" !!!
We actually like it and it has become part of our regular Christmas music....but we have seen many of our friends using it as a coaster.....so listener beware! I think you can get it for $1.00 in the "coaster" section of most stores. It's worth every cent and good for gift giving!
Believe it or not, one of my favorites is "Now That's what I call Chritmas vol. 1" - it's kind of a "Greatest hits of Christmas" compilation. It includes classics as well as some new versions of the favorites.
Also, I really like the Roechester Pops Chirstmas album. Of course it's mostly instrumental, but to me it captures all of the emotion of Christmas. It's difficult to articulate but some of the pieces are so Majestic and Glorifying I feel like the Lord Himself is about to be introduced. Other pieces are quiet and tender. If you like orchestral music - check this one out!
Oh, since Beth brought it up - what does anyone else think about the Nativity Story film? Even within my own small group I've heard completely opposing reviews. One person felt that the movie was a complete letdwon while the other was moved to tears and thought it was wonderful. Will my 5&8 year olds get anything out of it?
This is for Dave Fletcher, Had you seen the movie "One night with the King"? In my eyes this movie was on the same level. I find it hard to think that my 5-Yr old grandson would sit still to watch it or understand it but I suppose it depends on the childs maturity level more then the age. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, maybe try watching some trailers of it.
Hey Mike,
I picked up Sarah Mclachlan's Wintersong CD. Fantastic! Thanks for the recommend.
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