My wife's birthday is Christmas Eve, so every year I get her Christmas music. I think she likes this tradition. So, any of you have good CD ideas for me?
My condolences to your wife. My sister (and now her daughter, curses!) was born exactly six months before Christmas. Or was it six months after? It doesn't really matter. I've always suspected that it was all just a ploy to maximize her gift-getting potential. I consider the birth of my neice to be proof of my theory. So now they get their quota of eight presents each. (A pair of gloves, a pair of slippers, a pair of socks and a pair of mittens... shopping seems so easy this year.)
It's funny how life works out...
No matter how tempting it is to have "Shouldn't Have Given Him A Gun For Christmas" by Wall of Voodoo don't get suckered into buying Christmas Compilation albums. Even the great ones will invariably have a dead as a doornail clunker. And how many times can you listen to El Vez's "Feliz Navi-Nada?"
Now that you know, I'm hoping the answer is "none times."
It's hard to beat the Muppet factor of John Denver & The Muppets: A Christmas Together which has a favorable Denver:Muppet ratio of under 1.000. (Anything over 1.125 and you have to rip up the tree by its roots.) For nostalgic sentimental Christmas fun from the Muppet Classical era watch Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. Avoid A Muppet Christmas Carol with all your might. It was the first Muppet effort after the death of Jim Henson and the gloom is palpable. Also, the Caine:Muppet ratio is at lethal levels.
Nothing says Joyeux Noel! like a trumpet and a bunch of French children. Maurice Andre Les Plus Beaux Noels will spare no cost and pere noel to get you into the esprit.
Sign me up for caroling on behalf of The Roches' We Three Kings. Doesn't everyone want to see a Brooklynese version of "Winter Wonderland" waiting for them beneath the tree? And there are about two dozen other less-silly songs on the disc. "Ovah da ground loys a mantle of whoyt..."
If you're willing to program out Luther Vandross' execrable "May Christmas Bring You Happiness" (and the insulting addition of a remix version) then Soul Christmas is fawn-tash-tique! Otis Redding, Booker T & the MGs, Carla Thomas, Clarence Carter, Clyde McPhatter ... and Solomon Burke! And a Choo-Choo Train! What more could you ask Santa for?
Wynton Marsalis' Crescent City Christmas Card stands the test of time quite well. His version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" is quite entertaining. Unless you've heard the Louis Armstrong version, that is. Then it's just entertaining (and sadly/oddly touching.)
If jazz makes you flip your Fezziwig then there's Duke Ellington's Three Suites with a beyond category reworking of "The Nutcracker " In addition to the lifetime of enjoyment of this Billy Strayhorn collaboration you will also receive, totally free of charge, the "Peer Gynt Suites 1 & 2" and "Suite Thursday" (a tribute to Steinbeck.) Both are arranged by Duke & Sweet Pea, both are performed by Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra and both make a great gift for someone who's hoping to get some music by Duke Ellington.
There is also the very accessible A Verve Christmas Album which escapes the Christmas-Compilation-Kiss-O-Death by putting all of the Verve artists into a working recording group which features one member per song. It does (or did) have horribly creative packaging. It opens up like a star from the middle of the cd... it only comes but once a year.
The most emotional seasonal album is the stunning collection of Jewish Woody Guthrie Music. You heard me: stunning. And klezmer to boot! But I'd steer well clear of Klezmatics: Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukkah, it certainly is Woody Guthrie. Amidst all the celebration there is a song which mentions getting your arm tattooed. Stick to the candles. 'Tis the season to avoid a gelt complex.
There is one Christmas album that bestrides all musical tastes and makes the season bright. Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas. Everyone should scat "Jingle Bells" like that. Background music, foreground music, present opening music, cooking music, stockings-hung-by-the-chimney-with-care music, Ella Fitzgerald works in every setting. This is the one music selection that makes at least two members of my family remark out loud, "Oh! I like this music." No, they're not repeating themselves. They just can't ever seem to all settle in one room at the same time, even when opening presents. If my mother doesn't stop bringing out a bewildering procession of bags I'm going to go insane. A bag for wrapping paper worth saving, a bag for recycling, a bag for ribbons (as well as bows, thank goodness), a bag for cards/tags, a bag which she keeps to herself, a bag for tissue paper, a bag she's willing to share, a backup bag, a bag for trash, the emergency tinsel bag... Ten Lords-A-Leapin'! At least I have Ella to turn to.
Ella's remastered cd now holds some alternate takes (just as good as the first-string stuff) but does not have the delightful (and possibly dirty?) "Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney." Avoid Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas Album like grim death. Someone should get their Donner Blitzened for making her do something like that. Newcastle should have that much coal...
When Norm McDonald was doing Weekend Update on SNL I remember he did a show on 12/24. He delivered this bit in that oh-so-Normish way (I love his delivery): "And tomorrow is Christmas. Or, as people born on the 25th call it, 'screwed-out-of-a-present day'."
My daughters were also born within seven days of the holiday, but I think since my wife is so hyper-conscious of the phenomenon they end up making out like bandits, and get two parties to boot (a family-party around the holidays, and then a friends-party over the summer).
Thanks so much for all the recommendations! The muppets are already on their way, and I think I've otherwise filled my Christmas music quota for my wife's birthday. But I will definitely be coming back to this well next year, and the year after that, and the year after that...
two of my favorite parody-type christmas albums (if anyone else enjoys these) are Ren and Stimpy's Crock of Christmas and Elmo and Patsy's Christmas album (featuring Grandma got Runover By a Reindeer). No idea how easy these are to find.
Shockingly I do not have the Emmylou Harris CD. I think my budget might push that one off to next year, but it's definitely on the long term list (and I'll have to check out The Roches album as well). Thanks for the tip!
One of my favorite albums is an old Boston Pops collection called Joy to the World. Unfortunately out of print, but available used.
The best part of this one is the reading of A Visit from St. Nicolas by Robin Williams. That alone makes it worth it. I also like the fact it includes the instrumental Sleigh Ride, and Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.
Sounds great, but that link doesn't seem to work for me, and a quick search is turning up Boston Pops albums with different titles. Can you repost the link?
Celtic Christmas music has gone over well. This Anonymous 4 album is a favorite, as is A Christmas Heritage. She also likes more traditional stuff like the Mormons, the 3 Tenors, etc. But she's pretty open-minded, so I'd like to hear about any kind of Christmas music that you think is noteworthy.
If you haven't tried it yet, I'd suggest the Chieftains' The Bells of Dublin for some great Irish instrumentation and an exceptional lineup of guest performers. For something a little less trad and more jazzy, the great Hipster's Holiday is one of my favorites.
If her tastes include Motown, the two Motown Christmas volumes are great for the mood. For something more diverse (and if you can find a copy), you can have a holiday compilation from a real live tv producer with the awesome Christmas Party With Eddie G. I've never seen another album like it.
If she'd enjoy something along the alt-pop/rock route, I love the currently out-of-print It's A Cool, Cool Christmas, but the price tag for the one currently available might be something of a barrier! However, the current Maybe This Christmas threesome makes for some good holiday mix disc fodder.
And for a very eclectic selection, one of my favorite online stores has a whole section of good stuff.
Fantastic! The first motown CD and Maybe This Christmas are going in the cart for now, and I'll be plumbing this post for years to come. Thanks very much!
My condolences to your wife. My sister (and now her daughter, curses!) was born exactly six months before Christmas. Or was it six months after? It doesn't really matter. I've always suspected that it was all just a ploy to maximize her gift-getting potential. I consider the birth of my neice to be proof of my theory. So now they get their quota of eight presents each. (A pair of gloves, a pair of slippers, a pair of socks and a pair of mittens... shopping seems so easy this year.)
It's funny how life works out...
No matter how tempting it is to have "Shouldn't Have Given Him A Gun For Christmas" by Wall of Voodoo don't get suckered into buying Christmas Compilation albums. Even the great ones will invariably have a dead as a doornail clunker. And how many times can you listen to El Vez's "Feliz Navi-Nada?"
Now that you know, I'm hoping the answer is "none times."
It's hard to beat the Muppet factor of John Denver & The Muppets: A Christmas Together which has a favorable Denver:Muppet ratio of under 1.000. (Anything over 1.125 and you have to rip up the tree by its roots.) For nostalgic sentimental Christmas fun from the Muppet Classical era watch Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. Avoid A Muppet Christmas Carol with all your might. It was the first Muppet effort after the death of Jim Henson and the gloom is palpable. Also, the Caine:Muppet ratio is at lethal levels.
Nothing says Joyeux Noel! like a trumpet and a bunch of French children. Maurice Andre Les Plus Beaux Noels will spare no cost and pere noel to get you into the esprit.
Sign me up for caroling on behalf of The Roches' We Three Kings. Doesn't everyone want to see a Brooklynese version of "Winter Wonderland" waiting for them beneath the tree? And there are about two dozen other less-silly songs on the disc. "Ovah da ground loys a mantle of whoyt..."
If you're willing to program out Luther Vandross' execrable "May Christmas Bring You Happiness" (and the insulting addition of a remix version) then Soul Christmas is fawn-tash-tique! Otis Redding, Booker T & the MGs, Carla Thomas, Clarence Carter, Clyde McPhatter ... and Solomon Burke! And a Choo-Choo Train! What more could you ask Santa for?
Wynton Marsalis' Crescent City Christmas Card stands the test of time quite well. His version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" is quite entertaining. Unless you've heard the Louis Armstrong version, that is. Then it's just entertaining (and sadly/oddly touching.)
If jazz makes you flip your Fezziwig then there's Duke Ellington's Three Suites with a beyond category reworking of "The Nutcracker " In addition to the lifetime of enjoyment of this Billy Strayhorn collaboration you will also receive, totally free of charge, the "Peer Gynt Suites 1 & 2" and "Suite Thursday" (a tribute to Steinbeck.) Both are arranged by Duke & Sweet Pea, both are performed by Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra and both make a great gift for someone who's hoping to get some music by Duke Ellington.
There is also the very accessible A Verve Christmas Album which escapes the Christmas-Compilation-Kiss-O-Death by putting all of the Verve artists into a working recording group which features one member per song. It does (or did) have horribly creative packaging. It opens up like a star from the middle of the cd... it only comes but once a year.
The most emotional seasonal album is the stunning collection of Jewish Woody Guthrie Music. You heard me: stunning. And klezmer to boot! But I'd steer well clear of Klezmatics: Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukkah, it certainly is Woody Guthrie. Amidst all the celebration there is a song which mentions getting your arm tattooed. Stick to the candles. 'Tis the season to avoid a gelt complex.
There is one Christmas album that bestrides all musical tastes and makes the season bright. Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas. Everyone should scat "Jingle Bells" like that. Background music, foreground music, present opening music, cooking music, stockings-hung-by-the-chimney-with-care music, Ella Fitzgerald works in every setting. This is the one music selection that makes at least two members of my family remark out loud, "Oh! I like this music." No, they're not repeating themselves. They just can't ever seem to all settle in one room at the same time, even when opening presents. If my mother doesn't stop bringing out a bewildering procession of bags I'm going to go insane. A bag for wrapping paper worth saving, a bag for recycling, a bag for ribbons (as well as bows, thank goodness), a bag for cards/tags, a bag which she keeps to herself, a bag for tissue paper, a bag she's willing to share, a backup bag, a bag for trash, the emergency tinsel bag... Ten Lords-A-Leapin'! At least I have Ella to turn to.
Ella's remastered cd now holds some alternate takes (just as good as the first-string stuff) but does not have the delightful (and possibly dirty?) "Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney." Avoid Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas Album like grim death. Someone should get their Donner Blitzened for making her do something like that. Newcastle should have that much coal...
Happy Christmas Everybody!
When Norm McDonald was doing Weekend Update on SNL I remember he did a show on 12/24. He delivered this bit in that oh-so-Normish way (I love his delivery): "And tomorrow is Christmas. Or, as people born on the 25th call it, 'screwed-out-of-a-present day'."
My daughters were also born within seven days of the holiday, but I think since my wife is so hyper-conscious of the phenomenon they end up making out like bandits, and get two parties to boot (a family-party around the holidays, and then a friends-party over the summer).
Thanks so much for all the recommendations! The muppets are already on their way, and I think I've otherwise filled my Christmas music quota for my wife's birthday. But I will definitely be coming back to this well next year, and the year after that, and the year after that...
Thanks again, and merry Christmas to you!
two of my favorite parody-type christmas albums (if anyone else enjoys these) are Ren and Stimpy's Crock of Christmas and Elmo and Patsy's Christmas album (featuring Grandma got Runover By a Reindeer). No idea how easy these are to find.
Jim, do you have Emmylou Harris' Christmas Album?
The Roches' We Three Kings is good, too.
Shockingly I do not have the Emmylou Harris CD. I think my budget might push that one off to next year, but it's definitely on the long term list (and I'll have to check out The Roches album as well). Thanks for the tip!
My three favourite Christmas albums of recent years have been
Maybe This Christmas
Maybe This Christmas Too
Christmas Songs
A family favourite has always been John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together which may go over well with your children as well if they like the Muppets.
Thanks! Maybe This Christmas and the Muppets definitely have to go in the cart. :-)
One of my favorite albums is an old Boston Pops collection called Joy to the World. Unfortunately out of print, but available used.
The best part of this one is the reading of A Visit from St. Nicolas by Robin Williams. That alone makes it worth it. I also like the fact it includes the instrumental Sleigh Ride, and Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.
Sounds great, but that link doesn't seem to work for me, and a quick search is turning up Boston Pops albums with different titles. Can you repost the link?
What kinds of Christmas music has she enjoyed (or do you think she's enjoyed) in the past?
Celtic Christmas music has gone over well. This Anonymous 4 album is a favorite, as is A Christmas Heritage. She also likes more traditional stuff like the Mormons, the 3 Tenors, etc. But she's pretty open-minded, so I'd like to hear about any kind of Christmas music that you think is noteworthy.
If you haven't tried it yet, I'd suggest the Chieftains' The Bells of Dublin for some great Irish instrumentation and an exceptional lineup of guest performers. For something a little less trad and more jazzy, the great Hipster's Holiday is one of my favorites.
If her tastes include Motown, the two Motown Christmas volumes are great for the mood. For something more diverse (and if you can find a copy), you can have a holiday compilation from a real live tv producer with the awesome Christmas Party With Eddie G. I've never seen another album like it.
If she'd enjoy something along the alt-pop/rock route, I love the currently out-of-print It's A Cool, Cool Christmas, but the price tag for the one currently available might be something of a barrier! However, the current Maybe This Christmas threesome makes for some good holiday mix disc fodder.
And for a very eclectic selection, one of my favorite online stores has a whole section of good stuff.
Fantastic! The first motown CD and Maybe This Christmas are going in the cart for now, and I'll be plumbing this post for years to come. Thanks very much!
A pink iPod mini. Or jewelry.
Good suggestions, but I meant Christmas music gift ideas!
(I see I wasn't clear though... Fixed.)
I like Julie Andrews' Christmas albums (via iTunes) and Mannheim Steamroller. Other than those, I'm not a big Christmas music fan.