Tis the season... Favorite Christmas Albums?

anodyne · « **on:** 7 Dec 2009, 03:39 am »

I'll get things started. My favorite Christmas album is The Darkest Night of the Year by Over the Rhine.

mattyturner · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Dec 2009, 09:14 pm »

Charlie Brown Christmas.

no1maestro · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Dec 2009, 11:11 pm »

Very traditional but my all-time favorite is "Many Moods Of Christmas" by Robert Shaw on either RCA or Telarc. Great orchestra plus choir plus arrangements!

Wayner · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Dec 2009, 11:23 pm »

Savatage, Dead Winter Dead.

Wayner

decal · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Dec 2009, 02:27 am »

My favorite ones are the ones that don't get played !!!!!! I absolutely hate the stuff. Bah Flippin' Humbug !!!!!! Merry xmas to all and to all a good night.

Scottdazzle · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Dec 2009, 08:00 pm »

Bruce Cockburn's and John Fahey's. Not too traditional (as in saccharine).

Mike Nomad · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Dec 2009, 09:19 pm »

I second A Charlie Brown Christmas.

(and)

Charles Brown. The 1995 re-issue/comp "Please Come Home For Christmas" is the one.

(also)

Dean Martin. The Capitol/Warner spanning "Christmas With Dino" (on Capitol, 2004 or 2006) is swingin', baby.

ctviggen · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Dec 2009, 10:06 pm »

Quote from: decal on 8 Dec 2009, 02:27 am

My favorite ones are the ones that don't get played !!!!!! I absolutely hate the stuff. Bah Flippin' Humbug !!!!!! Merry xmas to all and to all a good night.

I'm with you there. Can't stand it, but the wife loves it.

I like the Celtic ladies, if you must listen to this drivel:

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Celebration-Celtic-Woman/dp/B000I2ISF4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260309959&sr=8-5

thunderbrick · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Dec 2009, 10:35 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 8 Dec 2009, 10:06 pm

Quote from: decal on 8 Dec 2009, 02:27 am
My favorite ones are the ones that don't get played !!!!!! I absolutely hate the stuff. Bah Flippin' Humbug !!!!!! Merry xmas to all and to all a good night.

I'm with you there. Can't stand it, but the wife loves it.

I like the Celtic ladies, if you must listen to this drivel:

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Celebration-Celtic-Woman/dp/B000I2ISF4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260309959&sr=8-5

+1, but on the Cantate Domingo LP, an audiophile classic, there is "Il est ne". Some carols on there, breathtaking choral work.

Bob

JerryM · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Dec 2009, 04:07 am »

Quote from: mattyturner on 7 Dec 2009, 09:14 pm

Charlie Brown Christmas.

anodyne,

Last year I asked a question very similar to yours. I, too, was told to get A Charlie Brown Christmas, by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. I did. It's great; try it.

As for my favorite "turn it up and feel it" Christmas song? Vince Gill - O Holy Night.

Have fun,
Jerry

mcgsxr · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Dec 2009, 04:12 am »

I'll go with the uber mainstream White Christmas - Bing Crosby - hey, grew up with it on vinyl, on the old Magnavox floor console!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Dec 2009, 08:45 am »

Quote from: mcgsxr on 15 Dec 2009, 04:12 am

I'll go with the uber mainstream White Christmas - Bing Crosby - hey, grew up with it on vinyl, on the old Magnavox floor console!

+1 ....and I'll add Nat King Cole - "The Christmas Song" album.

Another....from a group not know for X'mas music.... Jethro Tull.

http://www.amazon.com/Jethro-Tull-Christmas-Album/dp/B0000CD5I6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260866149&sr=1-1

mal · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Dec 2009, 06:21 am »

I'll chime in to claim that The Chieftans, The Bells of Dublin has to be on any Christmas playlist -- if only for Elvis Costello's bit on "St. Stephen's Day Murders."

Wally King · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Dec 2009, 01:21 pm »

In addition to the aforementioned "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and John Fahey

This new release from Carla Bley is an instant classic (can there be such a thing?):

http://www.amazon.com/Carlas-Christmas-Carols-Carla-Bley/dp/B002PJS38U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260968979&sr=1-1

And for an album of Christmas music so old it sounds new again:

http://www.amazon.com/Shepherds-Watched-English-Christmas-1740-1830/dp/B001F4YGVE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260969371&sr=1-1

Also, Charlie Byrd

http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Byrd-Christmas-Album/dp/B000008AI3/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260969216&sr=1-3

Oscar Peterson

http://www.amazon.com/Oscar-Peterson-Christmas/dp/B000003D4X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260969250&sr=1-1

Phil Spector

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Gift-You-Phil-Spector/dp/B002N1AEV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260969304&sr=1-1

Merry Christmas to all!

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Dec 2009, 01:41 pm »

Quote from: mattyturner on 7 Dec 2009, 09:14 pm

Charlie Brown Christmas.

+3

John

nature boy · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Dec 2009, 01:45 pm »

"Have Yourself A Tractors Christmas" - a family favorite around here. Christmas just wouldn't be the same without it.

NB

Mike Nomad · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Dec 2009, 02:59 pm »

anodyne · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Dec 2009, 04:53 pm »

I'll definitely be checking out Charlie Brown Christmas. Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'd have to echo some of the posts that aren't too much in favor of Christmas music. It's not my favorite, though my wife really likes it. I think that's one of the reasons I like the Over the Rhine album so much. It's not traditional Christmas music at all. I've you've never listened to any of their stuff you should check them out - highly recommended

coke · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Dec 2009, 06:03 pm »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvKF__2r5Tw

launche · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Dec 2009, 06:12 pm »

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole