Holiday Music Thread

Interesting list - poll certainly among younger British listeners - Slade and Wizzard score top 10 places but no "White Christmas" or Nat King Cole "Christmas Song" to be found. Only a British poll could be so forgiving of it's own to put McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" at #8 (sorry Macca, love you (and going to see him in May :)) but as much an earworm as it it, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin both shaking their heads in heaven over the songwriting there).
 
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As I've aged, I've found my love of chorale Christmas songs has increased (though I did enjoy such music even when younger) but I've enjoyed slower, more reflective (some would say more somber) song more - so "Joy to the World" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" now take a bad seat to "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and less popular numbers like "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" and "Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming".

I'm always saddened that my family doesn't enjoy such music more, and they, likewise, are bemused by my love of such music. One can feel the inaudible sighs when I play this in the car. "Again! Did his tracks of Wham! and Mariah Carey get deleted off his phone"

There's a line in "It's a Wonderful Life" where George Bailey's dad tells George "You were born older". I feel I was born older and now at age 50, I have reached 80 - it's like a dog year thing ;)
 
Zeeba Neighba said:
Interesting list - poll certainly among younger British listeners - Slade and Wizzard score top 10 places but no "White Christmas" or Nat King Cole "Christmas Song" to be found. Only a British poll could be so forgiving of it's own to put McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" at #8 (sorry Macca, love you (and going to see him in May :)) but as much an earworm as it it, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin both shaking their heads in heaven over the songwriting there).
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There will be no sadness chagrin and head-shaking in heaven. ;)

You're right, though. Why do throwaway tunes become such hits when lyrics are written about Christmas?

Zeeba Neighba said:
MI0000930672.jpg


As I've aged, I've found my love of chorale Christmas songs has increased (though I did enjoy such music even when younger) but I've enjoyed slower, more reflective (some would say more somber) song more - so "Joy to the World" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" now take a bad seat to "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and less popular numbers like "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" and "Lo How A Rose E'er Blooming".

I'm always saddened that my family doesn't enjoy such music more, and they, likewise, are bemused by my love of such music. One can feel the inaudible sighs when I play this in the car. "Again! Did his tracks of Wham! and Mariah Carey get deleted off his phone"

There's a line in "It's a Wonderful Life" where George Bailey's dad tells George "You were born older". I feel I was born older and now at age 50, I have reached 80 - it's like a dog year thing ;)
Click to expand...
I have the same issue. Kings College Choir and Academy and Chorus of St. Martin in the Fields for me, too. :thumbsup:

P. S. Let's hear shout-outs for "The Holly and the Ivy" and "Once in Royal David's City."
 
Wynton Marsalis - Crescent City Christmas Card

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Marsalis' first Christmas album (released his second Christmas Jam a few years ago)
Jazz Christmas albums are definitely out there but they are remarkably horn-light. Christmas music tends to be tackled by jazz vocalists (e.g. Ella) or pianists (Brubeck, Peterson, Guaraldi) with the occasional guitarist (Charlie Byrd, Joe Pass)
So when a full horn-led band takes on these eternal pieces, there's great potential there - unfortunately while the playing in fine, the arrangements tend to be quite sleepy with some numbers almost funereal (except a New Orleans jazz funeral is more upbeat). A broader mix of tempos might be nice. Despite the cover, Wynton misses out on the joy and playfulness of the season's music
Will not be carried over to the Jazz Excursion ;)
 
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Linda dePinquertaine-Gauthier ~ Snowfields (1989)

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I play this just about every Christmas season.

"Snowfields" (Stratham Fields). This year's entry into the George Winston/"December" sweepstakes: solo piano, mostly meditative and pastoral, with folk and classical edges. Often pretty, sometimes aimless.
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ALL THAT JAZZ

If you want to know what was hip and/or not happenin' for Advent/Christmas/the holiday season about three decades ago, you might want to read this review of recent (and not-so) releases from The Washington Post (December 2, 1988).

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arch...141-a918-e6235cf04816/?utm_term=.f4041e1ca4ef
 
Various Artists - Mad About Christmas

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The "Mad About" series, compilations from the Deutsche Grammophon vaults, were nice entry level compilations in the early 1990s that served a purpose for me (and tons of others) - assemble classical music greats for those who either were dipping their toes in the genre or who didn't have the money for more complete sets - and back then I was both. Most of these comps have now been surpassed by more complete, well culled releases but Mad About Christmas remains an annual, nostalgic listen. Sure there are better arrangements, versions of some of the carols but few can boast 17 carols plus highlights of both Messiah and The Nutcracker all on one CD.
 
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