When it comes to Christmas music, I am a traditionalist. I like the standards from the 40s and 50s and many of the stars who sang them. There have been some new songs along the way that haven't been bad, but not enough to make me stray from my old standbys. As you will see with my list of holiday favorites, there may be a few "newer" singers and musicians, but they are still singing the oldies but goodies!
-- Johnny Mathis
Of all the Christmas albums I have listened to in my lifetime, there is none better than Merry Christmas by Johnny Mathis. Mathis, known for such hits as Chances Are and It's Not For Me To Say, has released several Christmas albums throughout his long career, but none could top that first album released in 1958. Merry Christmas combines traditional Christmas songs with more modern tunes. If you listen to the album on vinyl, as I did growing up, you'll hear the modern songs on the first side with the traditional songs on the second side.
This is one of the first albums I can every remember listening to and was well worn from the numerous times it was played.
I have been a fan of Harry Connick Jr. for a very long time and I own most of his albums. But my favorite album of his just might be When My Heart Finds Christmas, the first of three Christmas albums from Connick. While the other two are fine recordings, this one has a wonderful combination of traditional and original songs.
My favorites are (It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus, What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? and the title track, When My Heart Finds Christmas.
If there is someone not aware of this very special 1965 Christmas special, they must be living under a rock. As a kid I couldn't wait for this to be on television. And now as an adult I still feel the same! Besides being a Peanuts fan, I've grown to love the music as much as the show.
A Charlie Brown Christmas was the first of many collaborations between Vince Guaraldi and the producers of the Peanuts specials. They wanted a different sound than the usual cartoon music and boy, did they ever get that! The jazz trio created a very atmospheric and beautiful accompaniment to Charlie Brown's quest to find the true meaning of Christmas.
This wonderful eclectic collection of Christmas and Hanukkah songs comes from one of my favorite bands. The band includes several very traditional songs, like Jingle Bells and God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman/We Three Kings (with Sarah McLachlan). There are also quite a few covers of more contemporary Christmas favorites like Do They Know It's Christmas? and Wonderful Christmastime.
But for me the highlight are the original songs such as Elf's Lament (with Michael Buble), Hanukkah Blessings and Green Christmas. If you are looking for something just a little bit different, but still somewhat traditional, this is the album for you!
I love Christmas music. I rarely make it until after Thanksgiving before I break out the Christmas albums, and I've been known to listen to Carol of the Bells or Star of Bethlehem during the middle of the summer.
But as much as I love The Little Drummer Boy and Merry Christmas, Darling -- there are quite a few Christmas albums I cherish that don't fit the conventional mold. Read on for my holiday music recommendations:
-- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The 2000 soundtrack
Though I'm a big Jim Carrey fan, I confess that his live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas is not my personal cup of tea. That doesn't stop me from loving the soundtrack, however, which features original Christmas-themed songs from the Barenaked Ladies, Ben Folds, Smash Mouth, Faith Hill, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
The songs are mostly not featured in the film, yet still retain a very Grinch-y flavor; if Christmas is not your favorite time of year, you may be able to relate! But there's plenty for Christmas-lovers here, too -- including an updated version of You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch, sung by Jim Carrey himself. (And, whatever your feelings on Jim Carrey, the truth remains: the guy can sing.)
Perfect for Scrooges and Tiny Tims alike, this album is the first one I reach for come Christmastime.
In 2008, Stephen Colbert (of The Colbert Report) did a Comedy Central Christmas special entitled A Colbert Christmas, complete with original Christmas songs and a plethora of musical guest stars that included Willie Nelson, John Legend, Feist, and Elvis Costello. The songs are both utterly hilarious -- the album won a Grammy for Best Comedy Album -- but also ridiculously catchy. The satire flies strong, with Colbert's "Another Christmas Song" poking gentle fun at Christmas commercialism and Feist's "Please Be Patient" using a Christmas carol standard as telemarketing muzak. (It's funnier than it sounds.)
My favorite tunes feature Colbert in duets with his guest stars. There's "Can I Interest You In Hannukah?" as performed with fellow comedy show host Jon Stewart. And then there's Colbert's duet with Elvis Costello, in the funny and surprisingly philosophical "There Are Much Worse Things to Believe In." If you're looking for some humor this holiday, give A Colbert Christmas a try.
Based on the holiday classic A Christmas Story, the adapted musical was first performed over 25 years after the film was first released. I've not seen the musical itself, but as a big fan of show tunes, I've checked out the soundtrack. And I'm pleased to report that, while not every song is instantly memorable, there are a whole host of selections that are: "Genius of Cleveland Street," "Up on Santa's Lap," and "When You're a Wimp," among others.
You don't have to be familiar with the original film to appreciate the tunes on the album -- particularly the opening number, "Counting Down to Christmas." If parents are frantic to get ready for the season in time, our protagonist, Ralphie, is equally frantic: he's running out of time to make his Christmas gift wishes known to his parents. After all, what's a boy who just wants an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Range Model Air Rifle BB gun (with a compass and a stock and this thing that tells time) to do?? It's Christmas from a kid's point of view, and, for the most part, the music captures that world beautifully.
I recently mentioned my affection for the rude, crude, classic animated series South Park. The show runners have done a number of holiday-themed episodes, but my favorite is their musical installment, Mr. Hankey's Christmas Classics. Styled like a (rather unconventional) variety show, the episode features ten holidays standards with a decided South Park twist, including O Tannenbaum, Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night, and a version of Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel sung in rounds. (The album version of the episode features an additional eight songs.)
This being South Park, most of the songs are warped to humorous effect, making for holiday music filled with the show's typical irreverent humor. For those familiar with South Park, however, it's all part of the fun, making this an ideal holiday treat for fans.
A professional a cappella group, SNC first came to prominence with their holiday-themed music, performed with only vocal back-up. Though they have since released other albums, they remain best-known for their holiday offerings.
Rather than detract from the sound, the a cappella approach offers a wholly unique performance, with singers in the place of instruments creating the songs' back-up. With a handful of delightfully fun unique pieces, Straight No Chaser is an unconventional take on classic carols. Not to be missed!
A laser-beam menorah at the Ariel Sharon Park near Tel Aviv, Israel (2011)
The eight-day celebration of Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is a holiday of historical importance to Jewish believers. The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred during the second century B.C.E. during the Maccabean Revolt. The Maccabees were led by Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabee, and they were fighting not for their lives, but rather for freedom from religious persecution.
In 164 B.C.E., the Jewish people rebelled against their Greek-Syrian oppressors, who had attempted to place statues of Greek gods in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. According to the Talmud, the pure oil that remained for the rededication ceremony was only enough to give light for a single night -- but, miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. Jewish celebrators of the holiday use the menorah (with its eight primary candles) to celebrate the eight days of the oil staying lit in the Jewish Temple.
This year, Hanukkah starts at sunset on Saturday, December 8, and continues until sunset on Sunday, December 16. Read on to see our suggestions for the best books -- for all ages! -- to help you celebrate (or simply learn more) about the Festival of Lights.
This small book is aimed at Jewish families and covers many Jewish holidays, but the brief information it contains would be good for anyone -- of any age -- who wants to learn more about this holiday.
For a more in-depth look at Hanukkah, this book is ideal. Along with the history of the holiday, there are many essays regarding the significance of Hanukkah and interpretations of sacred texts. This book also takes a look at Tu B'shevat and Purim.
The National Menorah on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (2011)
Primarily designed for Jewish families, this book is still chock-full of information for anyone wishing to learn more about Hanukkah. Along with the history of the holiday, there is information about celebrating (i.e. songs, prayers, and recipes). It also has a section called “The December Dilemmas,” which offers advice from real Jewish families on how to deal with celebrating Hanukkah during the (much-hyped) Christmas season.
Perfect for families! Includes guides to make such holiday crafts as Hanukkah symbol stamps, magnets, holiday cards, collage bookmarks, a Dreidel braided key chain, candle candy holders, a Star of David ornament, and more.
In front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany (2011)
This American Girl book (perfect for young middle school readers) takes a look at the life of a young Jewish girl living in 1914 New York. Rebecca is pleased to help her building's ailing superintendent take care of his homing pigeons -- but is unsure of what to do with the Christmas decoration her teacher insisted she make and take back to own Jewish home.
Based on real events, author Stephen Krensky recounts a story of a Jewish soldier from Poland, who lights the menorah on the first night of Hanukkah -- during the Revolutionary War. The soldier goes on to share the story of Hanukkah, of the Maccabees and the miracle, with General George Washington himself.
In front of the Gateway of India monument in Mumbai (2011)
.jpg)
