Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Hey! It's December 4th which means I've already started my Christmas listening. As on the old site, wanted to have a thread where holiday favorites could be posted.
Holiday Music Thread
- Thread starter Zeeba Neighba
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Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song
During Cole's lifetime, his only album of Christmas songs was 1960's The Magic of Christmas which has be repackaged a number of times adding various songs. In 1963, it was re-released as The Christmas Song with the opening number "The Christmas Song" (which was a single, not on the 1960 release). I have that version on CD
In my childhood, Bing, Perry, Frank and Dean were all alive and would appear on various Christmas shows. Nat King Cole died in 1965 three years before my birth, and yet through exposure to his music, old videos, and films (Cat Ballou) as a child, I feel like he's been a part of my life. Aside from "The Christmas Song", I'm not sure Nat is listened to these days by my generation c/w Bing and Frank (if people are going to listen to older vocalists at all, that it), which is a shame. A warm, avuncular vocalist whose versatility from jazz through pop deserves to be heard by the younger generations.
During Cole's lifetime, his only album of Christmas songs was 1960's The Magic of Christmas which has be repackaged a number of times adding various songs. In 1963, it was re-released as The Christmas Song with the opening number "The Christmas Song" (which was a single, not on the 1960 release). I have that version on CD
In my childhood, Bing, Perry, Frank and Dean were all alive and would appear on various Christmas shows. Nat King Cole died in 1965 three years before my birth, and yet through exposure to his music, old videos, and films (Cat Ballou) as a child, I feel like he's been a part of my life. Aside from "The Christmas Song", I'm not sure Nat is listened to these days by my generation c/w Bing and Frank (if people are going to listen to older vocalists at all, that it), which is a shame. A warm, avuncular vocalist whose versatility from jazz through pop deserves to be heard by the younger generations.
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Academy of St. Martin in the Field/Sir Neville Marriner - Christmas with the Academy
I'm a sucker for choral Christmas albums especially British choruses and church choirs. Though some might feel they seem interchangeable mixing classic Christmas hymns with less common ones, classical music pieces then adding one or two popular pieces, there's really a lot of variety. As the years go on, I find myself fonder of old chestnuts like "Once in Royal David's City", "Lo How a Rose e'er Blooming", "Still, Still, Still" and "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabelle" even over songs like "Silent Night".
I'm a sucker for choral Christmas albums especially British choruses and church choirs. Though some might feel they seem interchangeable mixing classic Christmas hymns with less common ones, classical music pieces then adding one or two popular pieces, there's really a lot of variety. As the years go on, I find myself fonder of old chestnuts like "Once in Royal David's City", "Lo How a Rose e'er Blooming", "Still, Still, Still" and "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabelle" even over songs like "Silent Night".
Worm
Staff member
Me too and I need to check this one out. Thanks, Zeebs!
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Going gradually through my 6 CD Collectibles Records set of Ultimate Christmas Albums
Over the years, excellent Christmas compilations would come out (and of course, now you can make any Christmas playlist that your heart desires) but early in my CD days, Collectibles released this first "Ultimate" CD in association with various oldies stations around the nation (mine were with NYC's WCBS-FM, a once great oldie station). For a guy who had crafted his own cassette mixes from his parents old albums, this was a boon. It had the well known numbers but also included less common songs by 50s-60s groups like The Crests, The Orioles, and Dion. Sure some you never really needed to hear, but O what fun! A new CD was released every 1-2 years up to 6 volumes covering a total of 25 x 6 = 150 Christmas songs.
Because of how much I used to play these in the day (1990s), I do like to "run the cycle" and pick a December day or two to play them again
Over the years, excellent Christmas compilations would come out (and of course, now you can make any Christmas playlist that your heart desires) but early in my CD days, Collectibles released this first "Ultimate" CD in association with various oldies stations around the nation (mine were with NYC's WCBS-FM, a once great oldie station). For a guy who had crafted his own cassette mixes from his parents old albums, this was a boon. It had the well known numbers but also included less common songs by 50s-60s groups like The Crests, The Orioles, and Dion. Sure some you never really needed to hear, but O what fun! A new CD was released every 1-2 years up to 6 volumes covering a total of 25 x 6 = 150 Christmas songs.
Because of how much I used to play these in the day (1990s), I do like to "run the cycle" and pick a December day or two to play them again
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Lou Rawls - Merry Christmas Baby
Ultra-cool! Overview of Rawls' holiday music throughout his career including the entirety of his 1967 Christmas album
Ultra-cool! Overview of Rawls' holiday music throughout his career including the entirety of his 1967 Christmas album
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Christmas Cocktails (Ultra-Lounge Series)
The two volume set from the Capitol vaults is kitschy and may not be everyone's cup of eggnog. Sure there's numbers like "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Mambo" (Billy May) and the cheesy "Christmas Kisses" (Ray Anthony), but this CD and Volume 2 also have greats from Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Lou Rawls, and Julie London. Nat's "The Christmas Song" but also his version (one of the few tolerable versions too) of "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth". Other greats include: Kay Starr's wonderful "Everybody's Waiting For the Man with the Bag", Nancy Wilson's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve", Dino's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", and Les Brown and His Band of Renown big band take on the "Nutcracker Suite"
Come to think of it, there is a Volume 3 that I never picked up....hmmmm
(Addendum: there's actually a Volume 4 too - how much lounge Christmas does one need - any Scrooge's out there need not answer)
The two volume set from the Capitol vaults is kitschy and may not be everyone's cup of eggnog. Sure there's numbers like "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Mambo" (Billy May) and the cheesy "Christmas Kisses" (Ray Anthony), but this CD and Volume 2 also have greats from Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Lou Rawls, and Julie London. Nat's "The Christmas Song" but also his version (one of the few tolerable versions too) of "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth". Other greats include: Kay Starr's wonderful "Everybody's Waiting For the Man with the Bag", Nancy Wilson's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve", Dino's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", and Les Brown and His Band of Renown big band take on the "Nutcracker Suite"
Come to think of it, there is a Volume 3 that I never picked up....hmmmm
(Addendum: there's actually a Volume 4 too - how much lounge Christmas does one need - any Scrooge's out there need not answer)
axolotl
Nunquam non paratus
"The music inside is frightful, but this fire will be so helpful."Christmas Cocktails (Ultra-Lounge Series)
The two volume set from the Capitol vaults is kitschy and may not be everyone's cup of eggnog. Sure there's numbers like "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Mambo" (Billy May) and the cheesy "Christmas Kisses" (Ray Anthony), but this CD and Volume 2 also have greats from Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Lou Rawls, and Julie London. Nat's "The Christmas Song" but also his version (one of the few tolerable versions too) of "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth". Other greats include: Kay Starr's wonderful "Everybody's Waiting For the Man with the Bag", Nancy Wilson's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve", Dino's "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", and Les Brown and His Band of Renown big band take on the "Nutcracker Suite"
Come to think of it, there is a Volume 3 that I never picked up....hmmmm
(Addendum: there's actually a Volume 4 too - how much lounge Christmas does one need - any Scrooge's out there need not answer)
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Vince Guaraldi Trio - Charlie Brown Christmas
Worm
Staff member
captwhiffle
Well-Known Member
Here's the track list for this year's Holiday Mix CD:
- Mariah Carey - “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
- Kelly Clarkson - “Christmas Eve”
- Brenda Lee - “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
- Daryl Hall & John Oates - “Jingle Bell Rock from Daryl”
- Dean Martin - “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
- Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - “Please Come Home for Christmas”
- Louis Armstrong - “Cool Yule”
- Sia - “Santa’s Coming for Us”
- Donny Hathaway - “This Christmas” (Single Edit)
- Paul McCartney - “Wonderful Christmastime” (Edited Version)
- Jimmy Eat World - “Last Christmas” (Studio Version)
- Nick Jonas [feat. Shania Twain] - “Say All You Want for Christmas”
- Alabama Sacred Harp Singers - “Sherburne”
- Pentatonix - “Away in a Manger”
- Great Lake Swimmers - “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella”
- Sufjan Stevens - “Christmas in the Room”
- The Darkness - “Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)”
- Madonna - “Santa Baby”
- The Waitresses - “Christmas Wrapping” (Single Edit)
- The Temptations - “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
- Coldplay - “2000 Miles”
- Haunting Party - “Have Yourself a Merry Little Xmas”
- Low - “Some Hearts (at Christmas Time)”
- The Layaways - “Auld Lang Syne”
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
^
Sweet!
I believe I have copies of your mix from 2009, 2010 and 2011
I play them every year.
Sweet!
I believe I have copies of your mix from 2009, 2010 and 2011
I play them every year.
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Rounding up the usual suspects for my Christmas listening today (one week left!): Been through Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and now Johnny Mathis.
Can Perry Como be far behind?
Tomorrow - chorale music!
Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - It's a Holiday Soul Party
And it is indeed. Funky album playing so tight!
Still sad about Sharon Jones' loss - what a talent (saw her twice luckily - what a performer as well!)
And it is indeed. Funky album playing so tight!
Still sad about Sharon Jones' loss - what a talent (saw her twice luckily - what a performer as well!)
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Ba humbug. 
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Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
Unsomnambulist
Staff member
Do you need three ghosts to visit you?
No, just one would do. It would be a life-changing event.
axolotl
Nunquam non paratus
That's "Bah."
Get it right, or we'll rescind your invitation to the Rusty Rutabaga Crusty Curmudgeon club.
ETA: Come to think of it; I might be out, myself. I've been much too cheerful lately.
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Zeeba Neighba
Staff member
A little jazzy in my Christmas listening this afternoon. Finished Diana Krall's Christmas Songs then went onto A Big Band Christmas
Now this:
Dave Brubeck - Christmas (1996)
Now this:
Dave Brubeck - Christmas (1996)
lpfreak1170
Well-Known Member
Dave Brubeck - Christmas (1996)
I always play this one Christmas night...it just seems to fit.
