Holiday Music Thread

[Zeeba Neighba]

WCBS-FM Ultimate Christmas Albums Vol 1-6 (Collectibles Records)

Over the past 2 days have done my annual tradition of listening to the 6 volumes of Collectibles Records Christmas compilations - all the usual old classics but doo wop artists versions of holiday songs - everything from Brenda Lee, The Orioles, Dion to Paul McCartney, Wham, and The Waitresses.
These came out annually in the 90s - Discogs says 1994 was Vol 1 and labelled for your local oldies station

150 songs total and, sure there are some clunkers (America singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", Manhattan Transfer), it takes me back to my time in NJ/NYC when I alternated WCBS's oldies with rock stations. Back then it was songs of the 50s, 60s, 70s and had great DJs as Cousin Brucie, Harry Harrison, etc
CBC is still around but it's more 70s, 80s, 90s and the vibe just isn't the same
Still these survive as a relic of a different era.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

OK now once around my Favorite Christmas Albums list - again all the familiar stuff - Bing, Ella, Frank
Next up Perry (again) Johnny Mathis and Nat King Cole

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Various Artists - Soul Christmas (Bonus Tracks)

 

[axolotl]

I have always loved this one.

Whenever I hear "Christmas Time is Here," I am reminded of sitting in the main entrance hall of St. Johns College in Santa Fe about 15 years ago - probably because they were playing the album, and also probably because Christmas time was there.

Deck the Halls with Vince Guaraldi

Most holiday Muzak seems to do little more than contaminate the air, but the contributions from the musician behind “A Charlie Brown Christmas” remain comparatively fresh.

www.newyorker.com

A couple of Charley Brown Christmas songs (re-imagined delights) for ya:

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7581377822975921463

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7584938903480634655

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Other classical/choral Christmas albums make my rotation, but each year, I try to give a spin to my first Christmas classical CD, this 1994 entry in the Mad About series - mixes choral hymns with selections from the Messiah and The Nutcracker. And brings me back to (gack) 30+ yrs ago, the year of my marriage and my first Christmas with my then new wife...sniff, sniff

Mad About Christmas (1994)

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Mitch Miller - Holiday Sing Along With Mitch (1961)
Ray Conniff Singers - Christmas with Conniff (1959)

Not that I break out Mitch and Conniff often (really just once every holiday) but I always have the feeling that I'm the only person in the world spinning these (alright, like any music, I'm sure there are a number of folks still listening)
But man looking back to late 50s-early 60s, both of these artists put out like 4-5 albums every year of this stuff

Always feel a strange connectivity to the past when I play this - not Shirley Maclaine connections but an odd feeling that I'm connected with those celebrating Christmas decades before

Not to get all spiritual on ya

These are some pretty cheesy listens - but again I'm beholden to tradition

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Last day of work before the Christmas holiday (off tomorrow and Thursday) and spinning my "award winning" Christmas playlist - almost 4 hours including all the greats from Nat's "Christmas Song" and Bing's "White Christmas" to Satchmo's "Cool Yule" and Kay Starr's "Everybody's Waiting for the Man with the Bag" to "newer" ones by Mariah and Wham!

Led to a discussion by my wife who says "all your Christmas music is old"

But in my defense are there many 21st century Christmas classics - first it takes time for songs to achieve that status, but jeez skimpy offerings by modern artists. Are Buble's numbers really better that Sinatra.
Probably the last song you could say is classic is Mariah and that was 30 yrs ago

Enjoy Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath the Tree" but no thank you to Ariana Grande's "Santa Tell Me" or Bieber's "Mistletoe"
And don't get me started on Pentatonix

Don't want to be a fogey/Luddite, but gimme those 20th century Christmas songs

 

[axolotl]

Led to a discussion by my wife who says "all your Christmas music is old"

Reminds me of The Big Chill:

• Michael: Harold, don't you have any other music , you know, from this century?
• Harold: There is no other music, not in my house.
• Michael: There's been a lot of terrific music in the last ten years.
• Harold: Like what?

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Choir of Kings College Cambridge - Nine Lessons and Carols



Christmas Eve tradition - though usually I listen at bedtime but it’s quiet in the house now and I’m concerned I might fall asleep later

 

[axolotl]

A couple of Charley Brown Christmas songs (re-imagined delights) for ya:

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7581377822975921463

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7584938903480634655

Charley Brown Christmas dancing.

1.1M views · 36K reactions | tis the season #dance #couple #funny #choreography #Christmas | Cost n’ Mayor

tis the season #dance #couple #funny #choreography #Christmas

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