Favorite Christmas Album

[Napoleon]

So what is your favorite Christmas album, and on a related note Christmas albums you have or have heard that are not one of the traditional favorites (such as Johnny Mathis or Bing Crosby) but are worth purchasing? I ask because I saw this morning someone recommend on another site Stevie Wonder's Christmas album, which I did not know even existed.

[racer2c]

Not to sound like a broken record (rim shot) but gotta go with my girl Aimee Mann and her 'One More Drifter in the Snow' Christmas CD. My wife and I have this playing on shuffle from the day after Thanksgiving until the New Year!
Her original 'Calling on Mary' and her version of Jimmy Webb's 'Whatever Happened to Christmas' is worth the price of admission alone. Two thumbs up.

Here's a review swiped from Amazon;


One More Drifter in the Snow offers a bittersweet--but not downbeat--look at a holiday that represents the height of happiness for some, the depths of sadness for others. Following in the classy footsteps of Miss Peggy Lee, Aimee Mann takes an intimate approach to an increasingly hectic time of year. In other words, the set is a throwback to a slower-paced era. (In cinematic terms, that means more Meet Me in St. Louis, less Jingle All the Way.) There are two fitting originals, "Calling on Mary" (Mann) and "Christmastime" (Jon Brion and Michael Penn). The rest are seasonal favorites, with the exception of Jimmy Webb's "Whatever Happened to Christmas," which may be new to some. On all tracks, the focus is on the tasteful strings--credit Patrick Warren for the chamberlin, celeste, and pump organ--and Mann's delicate delivery. Overall, the artist is more interested in providing comfort than radical reinvention, although a dreamier-than-usual "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" enjoys a slight edge over the other selections. Grant Lee Phillips, taking over from Boris Karloff, provides the theatrical narration on "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." --Kathleen C. Fennessy

[opinionated ow]

My personal favourites are:

Christmas in Soulsville
Ray Charles Celebrates a Gospel Christmas with the Voices of Jubilation
In The Christmas Spirit (Booker T. & the MGs)
Any of the James Brown Christmas albums.

[TKGAngel]

It's cliche, but A Charlie Brown Christmas is my favorite.

Songwise, I still get a kick out of hearing the Chipmunks Christmas song and the Muppets 12 Days of Christmas.

[dando]

It's cliche, but A Charlie Brown Christmas is my favorite.

Winner, winner...chicken dinner. :thumbup: :thumbup:

-Kevin

[Methanolandbrats]

http://canadaconnections.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Snoop-Dogg-Christmas-In-Tha-DoggHouse-2008.jpg

[nrc]

Loreena McKinnett has two EPs of winter/holiday themed music which are beautiful, "A Winter Garden" and "To Drive the Cold Winter Away". More recently she came out with a full CD that includes many of those tracks, but we don't have that one yet.

O2SR_P-_98s

Mannhiem Steamroller's first Christmas album (later ones got more electronic and cheesy).

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Soundtrack to the movie "Toys." Not all Christmas, but includes some favorites for the holiday season.

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[G.]

Maybe too obvious, but Trans-Siberian Orchestra gets play from Thanksgiving until the Easter bunny comes (almost).

I have Christmas and Other Stories and The Lost Christmas Eve.

Haven't had a chance, but I have heard that they are great live.

[cameraman]

This is just about my favorite Christmas carol.

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[cameraman]

As for things might actually be able to find...

A Waverly Consort Christmas

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The Bells of Dublin - The Chieftains

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[cameraman]

You really can't go wrong with King's College Choir, Cambridge

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[chop456]

^ I'd assume it's network-wide, but NPR in Chicago always(?) simulcasts that on Christmas morning.

And put me down for Charlie Brown.

[datachicane]

These are in heavy rotation:

A Dave Brubeck Christmas
Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas (6-disk set)
Verve Presents: Very Best of Christmas Jazz
Jimmy Ponder: Guitar Christmas

[High Sided]

when i was 9 and sis was 11 this was the most spun record at our house...

http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/t/the-partridge-family/album-a-partridge-family-christmas-card.jpg

[cameraman]

And I've got this gig playing just down the street...

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[Elmo T]

A child of the late 60's - early 1970's, it wasn't Christmas for me until Dad busted out this one:

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I picked up CD version a few years ago from Amazon.

[TKGAngel]

Haven't had a chance, but I have heard that they are great live.

I saw them 2 years ago. They were a great show. It wasn't necessarily my cup of tea, but it still was an enjoyable experience.

[NismoZ]

No brainer...Gene Autry, the one with Rudolph! :)

[Methanolandbrats]

when i was 9 and sis was 11 this was the most spun record at our house...

http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/t/the-partridge-family/album-a-partridge-family-christmas-card.jpg

:thumbup:

[Corner5]

This is what I listen to while painting-

Various artists, proceeds go to special olympics.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/32/-edit-_A_Very_Special_Christmas.jpg/220px--edit-_A_Very_Special_Christmas.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/83/A_Very_Special_Christmas_2.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/35/A_Very_Special_Christmas_3.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/83/Avsc4-front.gif/220px-Avsc4-front.gif
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c5/A_Very_Special_Christmas_-_Vol._5.jpg/220px-A_Very_Special_Christmas_-_Vol._5.jpg

Especially "Christmas in Hollis" by RunDMC.

[Dvdb]

Just not Christmas season for me until I hear Christmas (Baby please come home). Preferably by Darlene Love

[SteveH]

Just not Christmas season for me until I hear Christmas (Baby please come home). Preferably by Darlene Love

I posted this elswhere earlier today.

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[devilmaster]

http://images04.olx.com/ui/3/10/44/f_49270644-2282e768.jpeg
This album was a regular at Christmas...

I always remembered it for the first song in this video... Probably why I have a deep voice - As far back as I can remember I tried to sing like the lead from 'Go tell it on the mountain'

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[Methanolandbrats]

This is a racing forum
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xfqpSijPL._SS500_.jpg

[Don Quixote]

^^ Nice outfit.

[JLMannin]

Any Bob Rivers "Twisted Radio" Christams albums.

In our family, we sing the Twisted Radio lyrics to our favorites.

[dando]

^^ Nice outfit.

Nice of you to let him borrow it. :D :p

-Kevin

[datachicane]

Gotta share my all-time favorite Christmas song:
Let's Go Out and Buy Stuff (http://k002.kiwi6.com/uploads/hotlink?id=3f983pe340)

[Elmo T]

Not your warm fuzzy holiday song, but another favorite. Very much not for the kids or anyone else offended by foul language.

Only Cyndi Lauper could pull this off - and she can really sing.

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