I was just curious to know, being it is time for Christmas music and other songs of the season to be played. I know that in most markets, there are at least one station that play Christmas songs exclusively between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Some may find it too early to start at Thanksgiving to start playing them, others may like to hear them as they are only played and pretty much appreciated one month out of the year. Whatever, or whenever you would hear them, what are your favorite songs and by whom? There are many traditional songs performed by many artists of time, all contributing their own unique version of the song, which do you think is the best?
Also, John Volbe (or however his name is spelled) own perverted version of the Twelve Days of Christmas does not count, for those who want to be funny, it is not even a Christmas song, but a something created for a comical nature.
I like both the instrumental and sung versions by all performing Sleigh Ride. Debbie Gibson, has a really cool version of the song and so do the Carpenters, as we get to hear Richard Carpenter sing a rare vocal lead in part of the song, as usually late Karen Carpenter is the primary vocalist of the duo in their career.
I like Josh Groban's I'll Be Home For Christmas with the recorded messages of the soldiers in Iraq. The one at the end with the little girl wishing her father could come home soon always brings a tear to my eyes.
Home For The Holidays- Perry Como
Home For The Holidays- Carpenters
Holly Jolly Christmas- Burl Ives
Frosty The Snowman- Willie Nelson
Santa Claus- Springsteen
White Christmas- Bing Crosby
Christmas Song- Nat King Cole
Christmas Song- Al Jareau
Winter Wonderland- Jewel
Wonderful Christmas Time- McCartney
Happy Christmas- Lennon
Do They Know Its Christmas- Band Aid
All I Want For Christmas Is You- Mariah Carey
J-I-N-G-L-E Bells (Sinatra's own version of Jingle Bells)- Old Blue Eyes
Blue Christmas- Elvis
Rudolph- Gene Autry
These are the top versions and originals for me.
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album. And nothing else.
There is no such thing as good Christmas music.
Except maybe the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
I'm a Jew, so I have a short list:
Eve 6 - First Noel (I Like Christmas)
AC/DC - Mistress for Christmas
Everclear - Hating You for Christmas
Presidents of the USA - Christmas Piglet
Jimmy Eat World - Christmas Card
And last but most,
Spinal Tap - Christmas with the Devil
Trans-Siberian Orchestra; it dominates my iPod playlist for my trips between home and Clarkson after Thanksgiving (with Dreams of Fireflies, it's actually longer than my trip if I-81 isn't buried in snow).
Greensleeves-Mason Williams
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Gayla Peevey
Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy David Bowie/Bing Crosby
Holly Jolly Christmas Burl Ives
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Gene Autry
White Christmas Bing Crosby
Christmas Song Nat King Cole
No Place Like Home for the Holidays Perry Como (also the Carpenters)
Feliz Navidid Jose Feliciano
Here Comes Santa Claus Gene Autry
I used to like Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams , but hearing it every 5 minutes on the TV advertising Branson Christmas Shows has turned me off.
I actually wasn't aware of Wizards in Winter until the Christmas House videos started to appear.
Quote from: deanej on December 01, 2012, 12:46:35 PM
Trans-Siberian Orchestra; it dominates my iPod playlist for my trips between home and Clarkson after Thanksgiving (with Dreams of Fireflies, it's actually longer than my trip if I-81 isn't buried in snow).
I forgot the songs of the Trans Siberian Orchestra.
Wizards in Winter is cool, especially the beer commercial using a house lit up with the music of the song changing the lights.
I love the song that resembles Carol of the Bells. I believe its called Christmas in Serajavo or something with the old Yugoslovia city in the name.
I heard, also, that the group puts on an awesome laser light show when they appear in concert!
There's been some good ones mentioned here so far (notably the David Bowie / Bing Crosby collaboration)....
The Beach Boys also have some classic holiday songs as well.
I always liked Snoopy's Christmas by The Royal Guardsmen growing up as well.
And, for what it's worth, there's quite a few humorous / parody X-mas songs I like this time of year.
Enya. At full blast.
Quote from: roadman65 on December 01, 2012, 01:08:56 PM
Wizards in Winter is cool, especially the beer commercial using a house lit up with the music of the song changing the lights.
That was a viral internet video before it was a commercial. Someone in the Cincinnati suburbs who's a bit of a programmer set it up for Christmas of '05. The lights blinked in time and the music was broadcast over a small radio transmitter that cars on the street could tune into as they passed.
Quote from: Duke87 on December 01, 2012, 02:48:43 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on December 01, 2012, 01:08:56 PM
Wizards in Winter is cool, especially the beer commercial using a house lit up with the music of the song changing the lights.
That was a viral internet video before it was a commercial. Someone in the Cincinnati suburbs who's a bit of a programmer set it up for Christmas of '05. The lights blinked in time and the music was broadcast over a small radio transmitter that cars on the street could tune into as they passed.
Someone in Celebration, FL did the same thing. He has his housed wired with thousands of lights, he has a small range FM station you tune your car radio in to and can listen to it. He features a rare posthumous version of The Christmas Song with daughter Natalie Cole singing a duet with her late dad, Do You Here What I Hear, and Wizards of Winter to set the house lights off.
^ My stepmom's brother-in-law has done that in the past. I don't know what songs played, though.
Manheim Steamroller has several Christmas CDs out. They do music similar to Trans-Siberian Orchestra (I DEFINITELY recommend you see TSO live in concert! An absolutely awesome show!! :clap: ). They have a jazzed-up version of "Deck the Halls" that you've probably heard before, but didn't know who did it. I really enjoy their rendition of "Silent Night". Listen to it on Christmas Eve night after all of the stores have closed, everyone has made it home, & drive slowly looking at all the light displays while listening to it....VERY soothing. :cool:
Also all of Charles Shulz's piano music used in the Charlie Brown Christmas special.
Merry Christmas Baby - Charles Brown
Santa Claus wants some Loving - Albert King
12 Days of Christmas - Bob & Doug McKinzie (Dave Thomas & Rick Moranis)
A Twisted Christmas by Twisted Sister. Great stuff, especially "Adeste Fideles" arranged to "We're Not Gonna Take It" (you can find it on YouTube; I'm posting from my phone, so a YouTube link is a nuisance to insert).
Back in the mid-1970s my grandmother gave my brother a Sesame Street Christmas LP and I still know their "Twelve Days of Christmas" better than the real lyrics (Cookie Monster gets "one delicious cookie," Hardhead Henry Harris gets "two baby frogs–what kind of jive present is that, man?," etc.).
It's sad you don't have the Pogues' Fairytale of New York (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwHyuraau4Q) over there: it's not Christmas unless you hear "You scumbag. You maggot. You cheap lousy biscuit got. Merry Christmas you arse - I pray God it's our last" for about the sixth time in one day*. You get people singing along to the chorus sort of subconsciously in shops here.
*When I visited my aunt in LA, CA for Christmas it didn't feel right as all the songs were wrong. No Pogues, no Noddy yelling "It's Chrisssssmassssss" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A8KT365wlA) or Wizzard wishing they get royalty cheques all year around (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoxQ4Ul_DME).
Quote from: Duke87 on December 01, 2012, 11:15:58 AM
There is no such thing as good Christmas music.
Except maybe the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Agreed; most of the stuff you hear on the radio or in the mall should be retired permanently. But we are shackled by tradition...
Favorite songs:
* On this Day, Earth Shall Ring, by Gustav Holst (of "The Planets" and others).
* Joy to the World, especially with brass accompaniment, a choir, and with all the buttons on the pipe organ pushed in
* Best outside of church: the Waitresses song. Interesting bridge and decent music
* Up and coming: the new(?) song by Cee Lo Green. Nice chords in the horn section
Worst songs:
Sleigh Ride, Santa Baby, Deck the Halls, Baby it's Cold Outside
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 02, 2012, 12:00:27 PM
A Twisted Christmas by Twisted Sister. Great stuff, especially "Adeste Fideles" arranged to "We're Not Gonna Take It" (you can find it on YouTube; I'm posting from my phone, so a YouTube link is a nuisance to insert).
Love it. :clap: A YouTube link (http://youtu.be/pMCLxgbASB0) for those that haven't seen it before...
Quote from: kurumi on December 02, 2012, 03:07:07 PM
...* Joy to the World, especially with brass accompaniment, a choir, and with all the buttons on the pipe organ pushed in...
As an organ enthusiast, I can't let that one slide... :) The phrase you meant to say is
with all the stops pulled outOne that I've always enjoyed (and am surprised that it hasn't been mentioned already) is
The 12 Pains of Christmas by Bob Rivers. A nice instrumental CD is
Christmas with the Canadian Brass; has some great pipe organ accompaniment with it.
Quote from: DaBigE on December 02, 2012, 03:37:06 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 02, 2012, 12:00:27 PM
A Twisted Christmas by Twisted Sister. Great stuff, especially "Adeste Fideles" arranged to "We're Not Gonna Take It" (you can find it on YouTube; I'm posting from my phone, so a YouTube link is a nuisance to insert).
Love it. :clap: A YouTube link (http://youtu.be/pMCLxgbASB0) for those that haven't seen it before...
.....
The original video with the studio recording is the best one. Funny stuff:
http://youtu.be/YV-SpT69IZ8
Quote from: Duke87 on December 01, 2012, 11:15:58 AM
There is no such thing as good Christmas music.
Except maybe the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
+1
This is about the only Christmas song that I can stand:
12.23.95 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9uiugG20MU) by Jimmy Eat World is one that I like, as well as Father Christmas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni04_SF-HRQ) by The Kinks.
Quote from: PennDOTFan on December 02, 2012, 06:25:07 PM
12.23.95 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9uiugG20MU) by Jimmy Eat World is one that I like, as well as Father Christmas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni04_SF-HRQ) by The Kinks.
Hey the Kinks tune is great. I have billboards top 100 Christmas edition from a few years back, and it has that one as well as one by Cheech and Chong that you will like. Its not exactly a song, but being its on a song album it can qualify as one and most of all I think that you will like as it has some great humor.
Oh its called Santa Claus and His Old Lady if anyone wants to check it out.
Quote from: Steve on December 01, 2012, 11:43:01 AM
I'm a Jew, so I have a short list:
I imagine you find the words to most traditional Christmas hymns offensive to your religion. But I'll ask you to look at it from a different perspective. I generally like or dislike Christmas songs not so much by the words as by the music. So, which Christmas songs/hymns do you like
musically–i.e., which ones would sound best with other words or instruments only?
I forgot about this one. These folks are childhood friends of my wife, growing up in Branson. They actually played for our wedding and reception (J S Bach by a bluegrass band is awesome, BTW). Here's a Christmas YouTube:
Quote from: kphoger on December 02, 2012, 07:30:53 PM
Quote from: Steve on December 01, 2012, 11:43:01 AM
I'm a Jew, so I have a short list:
I imagine you find the words to most traditional Christmas hymns offensive to your religion. But I'll ask you to look at it from a different perspective. I generally like or dislike Christmas songs not so much by the words as by the music. So, which Christmas songs/hymns do you like musically–i.e., which ones would sound best with other words or instruments only?
Wow, your comment has me scratching my head. You imagine how I feel, so therefore you tell me how to act? I am offended. Not that I expected better from you. Anyway, my list was my list.
Quote from: kphoger on December 02, 2012, 07:30:53 PM
Quote from: Steve on December 01, 2012, 11:43:01 AM
I'm a Jew, so I have a short list:
I imagine you find the words to most traditional Christmas hymns offensive to your religion. But I'll ask you to look at it from a different perspective. I generally like or dislike Christmas songs not so much by the words as by the music. So, which Christmas songs/hymns do you like musically–i.e., which ones would sound best with other words or instruments only?
Why would he be offended? Are you offended by Jewish music? Islamic music? Buddhist or Hindu music?
Sorry if that's the way I came across. I'm was just asking what melodies you like, regardless of the words. Myself, I'm partial to the minor modes, especially around Christmas. I generally dislike songs that have very high melodies and/or a lot of chromatics in them. This has, for the most part, nothing to do with what the songs are actually about. I didn't mean to enter into some sort of debate; I was just curious.
Quote from: bugo on December 02, 2012, 07:49:29 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 02, 2012, 07:30:53 PM
Quote from: Steve on December 01, 2012, 11:43:01 AM
I'm a Jew, so I have a short list:
I imagine you find the words to most traditional Christmas hymns offensive to your religion. But I'll ask you to look at it from a different perspective. I generally like or dislike Christmas songs not so much by the words as by the music. So, which Christmas songs/hymns do you like musically–i.e., which ones would sound best with other words or instruments only?
Why would he be offended? Are you offended by Jewish music? Islamic music? Buddhist or Hindu music?
No, I can't say that I am, but I know plenty of Christians who are. But he said "so" in his post; I assumed he had a short list because he found Christian hymns offensive to his faith. If that isn't what you meant, Steve, then I
am genuinely interested to know what you did mean.
... because I'm a Jew, I don't listen to Christmas songs? Is it really that hard to figure out? Even if I were Christian, I would only want to listen to my usual music anyway. It's not like I turn on Hanukkah songs in December.
I find Christmas music annoying, but not because of my (lack of) faith; rather, because most of the classics have gotten tiresome having been heard year after year, and whenever someone comes up with a new one, it just feels like a bald attempt to become one of those old classics that gets played year after year. That, and the new ones tend to be overly treacly (cf. "Christmas Shoes") and/or insipid and badly written (the "last Christmas I gave you my heart" one that Taylor Swift did a cover of).
I would be okay with "Sleigh Ride", but it was the first piece of music written in cut time that I ever had to play, and I will never forgive it for that.
As for the next holiday, I have found out it is a tradition for the Vienna Philharmonic to ring in the new year with Strauss's "Radetzky March", which I greatly prefer over "Auld Lang Syne".
Quote from: Steve on December 02, 2012, 08:21:58 PM
... because I'm a Jew, I don't listen to Christmas songs? Is it really that hard to figure out? Even if I were Christian, I would only want to listen to my usual music anyway. It's not like I turn on Hanukkah songs in December.
OK. The only Jewish family whose house I've been to around Christmas
did listen to Christmas music, and even had a decorated Christmas tree. So I guess I'm in the dark a little bit about Jews' relationship to Christmas. I would be interested to know your reaction to Advent songs that
anticipate the coming of a Messiah rather than proclaiming it as already having happened–such as O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (http://www.carols.org.uk/o_come_come_emmanuel.htm). Admittedly, there are very few hymns like that (ones I imagine a Jew singing in good conscience), but O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is a good, well-known example. It also happens to be in a minor mode, so yay.
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 02, 2012, 10:39:05 PM
I find Christmas music annoying, but not because of my (lack of) faith; rather, because most of the classics have gotten tiresome having been heard year after year, and whenever someone comes up with a new one, it just feels like a bald attempt to become one of those old classics that gets played year after year. That, and the new ones tend to be overly treacly (cf. "Christmas Shoes") and/or insipid and badly written (the "last Christmas I gave you my heart" one that Taylor Swift did a cover of).
I would be okay with "Sleigh Ride", but it was the first piece of music written in cut time that I ever had to play, and I will never forgive it for that.
As for the next holiday, I have found out it is a tradition for the Vienna Philharmonic to ring in the new year with Strauss's "Radetzky March", which I greatly prefer over "Auld Lang Syne".
Wow, you have summed up my feelings towards a lot of Christmas music very well! I actually cringe every year, knowing there's no way to avoid the corny, over-played, cutesy, annoying Christmas songs on the radio. It's even harder for me because my wife goes nuts for Christmas music, and only grudgingly waits until December to play them on the radio (at least when
I'm in the house, that is). Many of the classics are wonderful pieces of music, but have rubbed me raw by my having heard them
so many times and by
so many artists. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, for example, comes from a wonderfully bittersweet moment in a movie, and it
should evoke mixed emotions in me of sadness and hope for that reason; yet instead it's thrown in the mix with Jingle Bells, The Christmas Song, Frosty the Snowman, and all the other happy-happy-joy-joy-warm-fuzzy-smiley-make-you-want-to-puke stuff every department store belches from its speakers for a month straight every year.
It's just too much. I might be able to actually enjoy it for a week, but not for a whole month, with the same exact songs every year. Just too much.
I love Sleigh Ride as an instrumental piece of music. It's one of a short list that's extra special to me, since it's one I played percussion on for a CD recording in college. Yet I almost can't stand it with the words added. Again, I just find them to corny.
If you hate this you're a Repub.
If you hate you're a . . . OK, I got nothin'.
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 02, 2012, 10:39:05 PM
I find Christmas music annoying, but not because of my (lack of) faith; rather, because most of the classics have gotten tiresome having been heard year after year, and whenever someone comes up with a new one, it just feels like a bald attempt to become one of those old classics that gets played year after year. That, and the new ones tend to be overly treacly (cf. "Christmas Shoes") and/or insipid and badly written (the "last Christmas I gave you my heart" one that Taylor Swift did a cover of).
I agree with most of what you said. I don't mind the "classics" for the most part or covers of the classics which are tastefully done, however it's the cheesy covers of those songs played over and over and over that make me gag a little just by the thought of walking into a store this time of year. If I hear
Grandma got run over by a Reindeer one more time... :banghead: It's things like this (and Black Friday) that make me
very glad that I don't work retail any longer.
Religious hymns, on the other hand, are in a category by itself, and don't bother me.
Quote from: kphoger on December 02, 2012, 11:16:40 PM
...yet instead it's thrown in the mix with Jingle Bells, The Christmas Song, Frosty the Snowman, and all the other happy-happy-joy-joy-warm-fuzzy-smiley-make-you-want-to-puke stuff every department store belches from its speakers for a month straight every year.
Very well put.
Quote from: kphoger on December 02, 2012, 11:16:40 PM
I love Sleigh Ride as an instrumental piece of music. It's one of a short list that's extra special to me, since it's one I played percussion on for a CD recording in college. Yet I almost can't stand it with the words added. Again, I just find them to corny.
Someone's added words to that song?? :wow: I have vivid memories of playing that one in high school (percussion section as well), and that is one of a few songs that should
never have words sung to it.
Quote from: kphoger on December 02, 2012, 11:16:40 PM
It's just too much. I might be able to actually enjoy it for a week, but not for a whole month, with the same exact songs every year. Just too much.
Exactly. At least we should feel happy we do not have to work in the aforementioned department store. If you think it's bad for us, imagine hearing the same 20 songs...on loop...for eight hours a day...five days a week...for a month...
Well, if you run into a clerk while doing your shopping this year who's a bit on the snippy side, I think we can both understand.
Quote from: kphoger on December 02, 2012, 11:16:40 PM
I love Sleigh Ride as an instrumental piece of music. It's one of a short list that's extra special to me, since it's one I played percussion on for a CD recording in college. Yet I almost can't stand it with the words added. Again, I just find them to corny.
Agreed. Sleigh Ride simply cannot have lyrics included. But yeah, my feelings on it are split between the positive for having played it and appreciating it on that level and the traumatic memories it's given me for how difficult I found it the first time having to play it. I was in seventh grade, and simply could not parse the fact that half notes
suddenly have one beat. What the hell? The seemingly interminable bit in the middle with the weird key signature (I just dug the sheet music out, it's the bit between rehearsal markings D and F) didn't help matters much. G♯? A♯?
These are not concepts a novice trombonist understands! Why can't they just write it as the more familiar A♭ and B♭?? (This was before I knew what music theory was.) I played it a few years later in high school and it didn't seem quite so bad, but the memories of having to plow through this up-to-that-point alien piece of music still haunted me.
I am pretty sure that we played the "true" arrangement of it–nobody but Leroy Anderson has a credit on the sheet music, and the engraving certainly looks like it could have been done in 1948, the year of the copyright at the bottom.
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 03, 2012, 12:09:02 AM
Exactly. At least we should feel happy we do not have to work in the aforementioned department store. If you think it's bad for us, imagine hearing the same 20 songs...on loop...for eight hours a day...five days a week...for a month...
If you're lucky, you're too busy to notice the music, unless you worked in the stock room like I did for two years. The rest of the year however, wasn't much better, (at least in the days before satellite radio being piped in. Working an eight-hour shift, I'd hear the song
They've Paved Over Paradise... at least four times.
At times, satellite radio isn't all that much better. I estimate the chances of hearing "Blinded by the Light" at any given point on my shift at the casino to be 80%.
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 03, 2012, 12:09:02 AM
Exactly. At least we should feel happy we do not have to work in the aforementioned department store. If you think it's bad for us, imagine hearing the same 20 songs...on loop...for eight hours a day...five days a week...for a month...
At least at my store(s), the Christmas songs are interspersed by two regularly-played songs, and even then you hear an occasional oddball like "Christmastime" by the Smashing Pumpkins (which is probably the only Christmas song I'm
not tired of; otherwise throw me in the group of Christians who are tired of Christmas songs), so it's not as bad as some other places. In the case of the regular songs, I hear most of the same songs every day, but never more than once (anymore), and they'll play something like "Island in the Sun" by Weezer or "Sunset Grill" by Don Henley a couple times a week.
And I hate Sleigh Ride too.
Quote from: DaBigE on December 03, 2012, 12:22:04 AM
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 03, 2012, 12:09:02 AM
Exactly. At least we should feel happy we do not have to work in the aforementioned department store. If you think it's bad for us, imagine hearing the same 20 songs...on loop...for eight hours a day...five days a week...for a month...
If you're lucky, you're too busy to notice the music, unless you worked in the stock room like I did for two years. The rest of the year however, wasn't much better, (at least in the days before satellite radio being piped in. Working an eight-hour shift, I'd hear the song They've Paved Over Paradise... at least four times.
When I worked in retail, I was fortunate enough to work outside. I had the not-so-desirable job of pushing shopping carts full-time, along with various minor tasks inside every now and again. I might have been soaking wet from rain, but at least I didn't have to deal with people (has anyone noticed that might be a struggle for me? :-/) or listen to
Oops!... I Did It Again 6,000 times a day (gee,
that was a while ago, wasn't it?). I actually didn't work there through Christmas. There was a blanket policy that nobody could take time off during December, and I was going home for Christmas. So I quit. They offered me a chump-change raise and agreed to the time off if I stayed, but.....well, the economy was a little better back then, and I just opted to look for another job anyway.
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 03, 2012, 12:09:02 AM
Agreed. Sleigh Ride simply cannot have lyrics included. But yeah, my feelings on it are split between the positive for having played it and appreciating it on that level and the traumatic memories it's given me for how difficult I found it the first time having to play it. I was in seventh grade, and simply could not parse the fact that half notes suddenly have one beat. What the hell? The seemingly interminable bit in the middle with the weird key signature (I just dug the sheet music out, it's the bit between rehearsal markings D and F) didn't help matters much. G♯? A♯? These are not concepts a novice trombonist understands! Why can't they just write it as the more familiar A♭ and B♭?? (This was before I knew what music theory was.) I played it a few years later in high school and it didn't seem quite so bad, but the memories of having to plow through this up-to-that-point alien piece of music still haunted me.
He he he. We percussionists are laughing at your distress. Key signatures and enharmonic equivalents? Bwahahaha!
I may be the only 30-something guy out there for whom this is true, but I enjoy orchestral and choir arrangements of classic hymns most of all. Give me a madrigal arrangement or a seminary men's choir over a rock-and-roll rendition any day (and this from a guy who plays drum set in church).
Least favorite secular: Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer; I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.
Least favorite hymns: O Little Town of Bethlehem (St Louis setting); It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.
Favorite secular: Sleigh Ride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6QkFhoDFQU) (instrumental); hmmmm, I'm struggling to come up with another one, as I'm pretty much sick of them all.
Favorite hymns: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULfmzfo8VaU); Savior of the Nations, Come (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY5EztLcSVo).
does John Lennon's "Happy Xmas" count? that is a great song, but I don't think it is part of the regular holiday rotation.
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 02, 2012, 10:39:05 PM
I find Christmas music annoying, but not because of my (lack of) faith; rather, because most of the classics have gotten tiresome having been heard year after year, and whenever someone comes up with a new one, it just feels like a bald attempt to become one of those old classics that gets played year after year. That, and the new ones tend to be overly treacly (cf. "Christmas Shoes") and/or insipid and badly written (the "last Christmas I gave you my heart" one that Taylor Swift did a cover of).
Agree completely. I get so sick of hearing "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Mommy Kissing Santa" (or whatever it's called) at the stores, and they never play any
real Christmas music because the real stuff includes religious themes and so they're afraid they might offend someone. "Mommy Kissing Santa" might have been mildly amusing or cute 50 years ago. Now it's just become overplayed crap.
"Jingle Bells" has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, for that matter. I've never really been sure how it came to be seen as a Christmas carol.
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 02, 2012, 10:39:05 PM
....
As for the next holiday, I have found out it is a tradition for the Vienna Philharmonic to ring in the new year with Strauss's "Radetzky March", which I greatly prefer over "Auld Lang Syne".
I like "Auld Lang Syne" as performed by the E Street Band just after midnight at the Nassau Coliseum on January 1, 1980. Springsteen was cramming in as many short songs as he could to stretch it to midnight, at which point they played this and then segued into "Rosalita." RIP, Big Man:
http://mysite.verizon.net/1995hoo/GOS.mp3
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 03, 2012, 10:33:05 AMSpringsteen was cramming in as many short songs as he could to stretch it to midnight
why short songs? wouldn't a long song have allowed time to pass just as effectively? (i.e. what is the rationale for choosing two 2:30 songs over one five minute one?)
Quote from: agentsteel53 on December 03, 2012, 11:09:20 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 03, 2012, 10:33:05 AMSpringsteen was cramming in as many short songs as he could to stretch it to midnight
why short songs? wouldn't a long song have allowed time to pass just as effectively? (i.e. what is the rationale for choosing two 2:30 songs over one five minute one?)
I think it was just a case of having the setlist made out in advance and discovering it was close to midnight and then just guessing at what to play. He played "Ramrod" (4 minutes 32 seconds) and then "You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)" (about 3:50, though on the bootleg the track runs 4:55). Then he asked what time it was and started checking watches from the people in the crowd and he figured out that they had about five minutes, so he decided to play "Held Up Without a Gun," the B-side of the "Hungry Heart" 45. But it only ran about 1:30 and then he started asking what time it was again....and he found, not surprisingly, that everyone's watches disagreed. I think he asked someone to signal him just before midnight because he then had the band kick into "In the Midnight Hour" and he stopped the song after 1 minute 50 seconds to count down to midnight and New Year's.
So I think it was just a case of making it up as he went along. Two nights earlier they did a 10-minute version of "Incident on 57th Street" at exactly the same spot in the setlist ("Ramrod"-->"You Can Look"-->"Incident"-->"Rosalita"), but obviously that wouldn't work if you wanted to stop at midnight.
This debate about music has me thinking about this:
http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=2813
sounds like a fun show! any improvisation in the songs themselves, or just the setlist?
Quote from: agentsteel53 on December 03, 2012, 10:25:47 AM
does John Lennon's "Happy Xmas" count? that is a great song, but I don't think it is part of the regular holiday rotation.
A great song, and I don't know why it's not included in the regular rotation–especially when U2's 'Christmas' often does find its way into the rotation. Maybe the lines 'For black and for white/For yellow and red ones' are too politically incorrect to air on the radio? Maybe it's unpatriotic to wish for an end to war? Who knows?
Quote from: kphoger on December 03, 2012, 11:53:34 AMMaybe the lines 'For black and for white/For yellow and red ones' are too politically incorrect to air on the radio?
that's always been my guess... I don't know how liberal-sounding that line was in the early 70s (or how little John Lennon cared when writing the song) but in 2012 it does sound a bit sketchy and dated.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on December 03, 2012, 11:58:45 AM
Quote from: kphoger on December 03, 2012, 11:53:34 AMMaybe the lines 'For black and for white/For yellow and red ones' are too politically incorrect to air on the radio?
that's always been my guess... I don't know how liberal-sounding that line was in the early 70s (or how little John Lennon cared when writing the song) but in 2012 it does sound a bit sketchy and dated.
I started hearing it a lot more after Lennon was shot. Many radio stations have it their regular holiday rotation now.
Here's my "top ten" personal favorites list, in no particular order:
Andy Williams
Nat King Cole
Bing Crosby
Dean Martin
Amy Grant
Beach Boys
Perry Como
Herb Alpert
Johnny Mathis
All Motown artists
Reminds me a lot of Christmas in Chicago, especially when Bing sings White Christmas...
By the way.... John Lennon and Jethro Tull.... Who woulda thunkit?
Quote from: cjk374 on December 02, 2012, 09:52:37 AM
Manheim Steamroller has several Christmas CDs out. They do music similar to Trans-Siberian Orchestra (I DEFINITELY recommend you see TSO live in concert! An absolutely awesome show!! :clap: ). They have a jazzed-up version of "Deck the Halls" that you've probably heard before, but didn't know who did it. I really enjoy their rendition of "Silent Night". Listen to it on Christmas Eve night after all of the stores have closed, everyone has made it home, & drive slowly looking at all the light displays while listening to it....VERY soothing. :cool:
When Mannheim Steamroller was new back in the 80s, I hated it. I preferred the traditional stuff. Now Mannheim Steamroller is easily my favorite. When I listen to the radio stations that play assorted Christmas music, I get tired of it after awhile. I can listen to Mannheim Steamroller for hours and not get tired of it.
Quote from: roadman65 on December 01, 2012, 04:43:46 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on December 01, 2012, 02:48:43 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on December 01, 2012, 01:08:56 PM
Wizards in Winter is cool, especially the beer commercial using a house lit up with the music of the song changing the lights.
That was a viral internet video before it was a commercial. Someone in the Cincinnati suburbs who's a bit of a programmer set it up for Christmas of '05. The lights blinked in time and the music was broadcast over a small radio transmitter that cars on the street could tune into as they passed.
Someone in Celebration, FL did the same thing. He has his housed wired with thousands of lights, he has a small range FM station you tune your car radio in to and can listen to it. He features a rare posthumous version of The Christmas Song with daughter Natalie Cole singing a duet with her late dad, Do You Here What I Hear, and Wizards of Winter to set the house lights off.
These setups are quite popular now. There are probably at least 10 of them just in Lincoln, NE where I live, and more added every year.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on December 03, 2012, 11:36:59 AM
sounds like a fun show! any improvisation in the songs themselves, or just the setlist?
If that question was for me, it was a great show and I wish I could have been there live. Of course, I was also seven years old at the time.
Look for the "Nassau Night" bootleg if you want to hear it. Excellent recording.
Quote from: huskeroadgeek on December 03, 2012, 04:14:24 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on December 01, 2012, 04:43:46 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on December 01, 2012, 02:48:43 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on December 01, 2012, 01:08:56 PM
Wizards in Winter is cool, especially the beer commercial using a house lit up with the music of the song changing the lights.
That was a viral internet video before it was a commercial. Someone in the Cincinnati suburbs who's a bit of a programmer set it up for Christmas of '05. The lights blinked in time and the music was broadcast over a small radio transmitter that cars on the street could tune into as they passed.
Someone in Celebration, FL did the same thing. He has his housed wired with thousands of lights, he has a small range FM station you tune your car radio in to and can listen to it. He features a rare posthumous version of The Christmas Song with daughter Natalie Cole singing a duet with her late dad, Do You Here What I Hear, and Wizards of Winter to set the house lights off.
These setups are quite popular now. There are probably at least 10 of them just in Lincoln, NE where I live, and more added every year.
There's a house in Northern Virginia (1601 Collingwood Road) where the fellow has done that for years, but what made it really elaborate is that he had around 270,000 lights strung up around his house and the whole yard (and he has a very big lot) but with none of those tacky blow-up figures or anything like that.
Sadly, this year he decided he couldn't put it up because he couldn't take the entire month of November off work like he usually does to put up the display(!).
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi31.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc378%2F1995hoo%2F48285c54.jpg&hash=43a39ec259ffdb7b9e2a32be679c9267bf3d3d0d)
Quote from: kphoger on December 03, 2012, 10:12:15 AM
Least favorite hymns: O Little Town of Bethlehem (St Louis setting)
:-o Yay, I'm not the only one! I prefer the Forest Green tune setting much better for that hymn. Our hymnal has both, but I don't think they've ever played anything but the version with the St. Louis setting.
For any other pipe organ enthusiasts, I highly recommend the series entitled
The Christmas Organ by Kenneth Abbott (still available on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/The-Christmas-Organ-Volume-1/dp/B0001YXBOW)). It originated as a 4 volume release, however, Amazon seems to only have 2-4 now. All tracks are solo organ...no accompaniment.
Least favorite secular:
Last Christmas, I gave you my Heart; anything involving "singing" animals
Least favorite hymns: all of the obscure, little-played ones in our hymnal...too many to begin to list
Favorite secular:
The 12 Pains of Christmas;
Deck the Halls (Mannheim Steamroller);
Carol of the Bells (Mannheim Steamroller)
Favorite hymns:
Joy to the World;
Once in Royal David's City;
What Child is This?;
Glory to God the Angels Sing;
The First Nowell;
O Holy Night
I just discovered the existence of Sailor Moon Christmas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq3D55dnAZ8
I grew up singing in church choir at a High Chuch Anglo-Catholic Episcopal Church... I really like a lot of the Classical Christmas songs... My favorites are "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming" and " O Come, O Come Emmanuel" .. I really dont like "O Holy Night" because it is usually done by some 12 y/o girl who cant quite make the high notes on key/pitch... (Think Kartman on South Park)
As far as secular stuff I like "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses... 20 years ago it was on the Alternative Rock station but some Disney Channel chick did a cover and now it is over played
Quote from: jwolfer on December 05, 2012, 09:11:09 AM
... some Disney Channel chick did a cover and now it is over played
That's becoming the final resting place of all music.
Picture Demi Lovato doing Rush's "Subdivisions" in a straight 4/4 with all instrumental solos removed.
Quote from: jwolfer on December 05, 2012, 09:11:09 AMHigh Chuch Anglo-Catholic Episcopal Church
aren't the first and third descriptors of 'church' implied by the second? OK, Episcopal is needed as helpful for those who don't know 'Anglo-Catholic', but Anglo-Catholic implies high church (bells, smells, candles and so on).
As we're divving it up this way:
Least favorite secular:
- 'Christmas' songs that have nothing to do with even the broader season, but are considered Christmassy - The Power of Love is the most obvious interloper, getting onto Christmas compliations and expensive Christmas adverts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N8axp9nHNU).
- Frosty the Snowman, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, variations on that trite theme (I'm a bit more tolerant of Last Christmas as it isn't any more trite than other Wham love songs and it's a classic bit of 80s cheese).
- Any one done by the Jackson 5 or similar in style to them.
- Actually, I'm half tempted to say "anything traditionally American" - I wouldn't miss Bing, or Perry, or Frank at Christmas. But I don't want to press skip as badly on the other stuff in this list.
- I feel a bit guilty saying this, but that overly preachy 'right-on' type of song: Do they know it's Christmas, War is Over, Christmas Shoes type stuff. Only one that is tolerable is Stop the Cavalry (Jona Lewie)
- Anything by Cliff Richard - the songs can often be not bad, but he ruins them right out the of the gate (Millennium Prayer excepted - words good, tune fine, together awful - but also not first sung by him. He still took a bad song and made it worse) - Mistletoe and Wine (his most secular song) would be good if someone else had done it
- And possibly worst of the actual Christmassy ones is Santa Claus is coming to Town: one big warning to be nice else creepy beardy man won't give you gifts - "you better watch out!" "you better not cry!" "he sees you when you're sleeping..." "be good for goodness sake!".
Least favorite hymns (only going to deal with ones that are commonly used):
- O Holy Night (overdone, tune that's catchy but is all over the place, lyrics even more all over the place)
- Away in a Manger just no. no no no. NO.
- Little Donkey - please note that I'm not against the types of songs sung by very young ones per se, just specific ones
- Ave Maria
- Away in a Manger so bad I've listed it twice
Favorite secular:
- Fairytale of New York (The Pogues ft Kirsty McCall) - I'm certain that this will still be charting top-10 every year in the UK Christmas single charts 50 years from now. You can't beat it
- Christmas Wrapping (The Waitresses)
- I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day (Wizzard)
- Merry Xmas Everyone (Slade)
- 2000 miles (The Pretenders)
- Ring out Solstice Bells (Jethro Tull)
Favorite hymns: (ignoring advent, rather than specifically Christmas, carols because the list will be full of them) This is more a shotgun approach, rather than a complete list - a mix of styles, moods, lyrical focusses, old and new, familiar and rare (though not that rare or niche). If I could play or sing in a competent way, this would probably be my Christmas album (though not ordered right).
- From the Squalor
- For Unto Us a Child is Born (Handel)
- Joy to the World
- Hark the Herald
- O Come all Ye Faithful
- While Shepherds Watched
- Angels from the Realms of Glory
- We Three Kings
- Sussex Carol
- See him lying on a bed of straw
- Thou Who Was Rich
- What Child is This?
- O Little Town - with the better tune I grew up with: FOREST GREEN*
- See Amid the Winter's Snow - I better stop here - I've put down rather a lot!
*When I visited my Aunt in LA for Christmas, the Episcopal church on Sunday after Christmas used the bad (and thankfully unfamiliar) tune when we were singing it, and then the retiring organ solo was FOREST GREEN - not happy. Despite that, getting to actually sing a carol (we must have done 8 or 9 during the service) the whole way through was better than the MegaChurch on Christmas Eve - we did a medley of 5 verses and 2 choruses from 5 different carols and a medley of 3 verses and 2 choruses from 2 different carols and that was it for the 90 minute service - the rest of the music was all choir pieces, which have their place, but not at the expense of being about 3 times as many of 'sit and listen' as ones where the congregation get to join in.
The Power of Love - that's a Sailor Moon song, right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzNLZ37ZTZs
The TSO version of What Child is This? is EPIC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c13WssowHA
Quote from: jwolfer on December 05, 2012, 09:11:09 AM
.... I really dont like "O Holy Night" because it is usually done by some 12 y/o girl who cant quite make the high notes on key/pitch... (Think Kartman on South Park)
....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wofsgfQ2VSc
When I think of "Power of Love", it came out in the summer of 1985. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkAVfsw5xSQ
Quote from: english si on December 05, 2012, 03:13:40 PM
Quote from: jwolfer on December 05, 2012, 09:11:09 AMHigh Chuch Anglo-Catholic Episcopal Church
aren't the first and third descriptors of 'church' implied by the second? OK, Episcopal is needed as helpful for those who don't know 'Anglo-Catholic', but Anglo-Catholic implies high church (bells, smells, candles and so on).
I shouldnt have to give the descriptors but here in the Bible Belt there is an over abundance of as my Moms Priest describes "Happy-Clappy" Episcopal Churches.
Quote from: deanej on December 04, 2012, 10:56:13 AM
I just discovered the existence of Sailor Moon Christmas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq3D55dnAZ8
Congratulations, you have caused my brain to implode.
Quote from: kurumi on December 05, 2012, 11:17:22 AM
Picture Demi Lovato doing Rush's "Subdivisions" in a straight 4/4 with all instrumental solos removed.
Saying "conform or be cast out" without a hint of irony, at that.
Quote from: Big John on December 05, 2012, 04:21:18 PM
When I think of "Power of Love", it came out in the summer of 1985. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkAVfsw5xSQ
You mean the Jennifer Rush song, later covered by Celine Dion? :P I meant the 1984 Frankie goes to Hollywood song.
Quote from: jwolfer on December 05, 2012, 04:51:45 PMI shouldnt have to give the descriptors but here in the Bible Belt there is an over abundance of as my Moms Priest describes "Happy-Clappy" Episcopal Churches.
We do in England too. I go to one that would be considered such (it's a bit low for my liking, but either I don't stay local, go lower, or I go to 'middle-class Sunday club' liberal church where I might as well stay in bed). It is not, however, Anglo-Catholic.
All Anglo-Catholic churches are 'high' and 'Episcopalian' and while not all 'high' and/or 'Episcopalian' churches are Anglo-Catholic, you only need Episcopalian as people don't know what Anglo-Catholic means. And if they do, then they don't need to know the more niche term 'high-church' anyway (High and Low is an older thing that is only really of use now to distinguish different flavours of the liberal wing of the church - though the low liberals have pretty much died out now inside the Anglican communion - they became Methodists or Megachurch attendees).
Quote from: Big John on December 05, 2012, 04:21:18 PM
When I think of "Power of Love", it came out in the summer of 1985. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkAVfsw5xSQ
I think of the version by the Pinheads: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP1HeThUlvw
Quote from: jwolfer on December 05, 2012, 09:11:09 AM
... I really dont like "O Holy Night" because it is usually done by some 12 y/o girl who cant quite make the high notes on key/pitch... (Think Kartman on South Park)....
As an accompanist many years ago, I was not above claiming that I could not play "O Holy Night" in a certain key but only in a certain lower key. This had the consequence of forcing a 'singer' [using the term loosely] to sing in a lower key in which she or he could actually hit the notes on pitch and with good tone.
Now I only used this awesome power rarely - for the good of all. :)
I still have a child-like enjoyment of "John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together" and "Peter, Paul and Mary: A Holiday Celebration." I was not raised in the Jewish tradition, but my favorites from the latter are the Hannukah songs (and "A' Saolin," but that's - the nitpicker in me now surfaces - actually for All Souls' Day)
Quote from: Scott5114 on December 02, 2012, 10:39:05 PM
I find Christmas music annoying, but not because of my (lack of) faith; rather, because most of the classics have gotten tiresome having been heard year after year, and whenever someone comes up with a new one, it just feels like a bald attempt to become one of those old classics that gets played year after year. That, and the new ones tend to be overly treacly (cf. "Christmas Shoes") and/or insipid and badly written (the "last Christmas I gave you my heart" one that Taylor Swift did a cover of).
I would be okay with "Sleigh Ride", but it was the first piece of music written in cut time that I ever had to play, and I will never forgive it for that.
As for the next holiday, I have found out it is a tradition for the Vienna Philharmonic to ring in the new year with Strauss's "Radetzky March", which I greatly prefer over "Auld Lang Syne".
Hear! Hear!
I feel the same way about piped-in Christmas music,
especially when some stores start playing it THE DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN, for crying out loud!
A lot of that is because for years I worked at a plant nursery whose owner for some stupid reason during Christmastime decided that all of the customers suddenly became stone-deaf somehow, so he would blast the Christmas music at about the levels of an AC/DC concert.
The local Kinney's started selling Christmas stuff well before Halloween. It was quite weird to see the Christmas decorations right next to the Halloween costumes.
Quote from: US81 on December 08, 2012, 09:59:43 AMAs an accompanist many years ago, I was not above claiming that I could not play "O Holy Night" in a certain key but only in a certain lower key. This had the consequence of forcing a 'singer' [using the term loosely] to sing in a lower key in which she or he could actually hit the notes on pitch and with good tone.
Now I only used this awesome power rarely - for the good of all. :)
And for this, we all thank you. Maybe this will persuade others to help.
"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole.
Quote from: golden eagle on December 14, 2012, 08:26:41 PM
"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole.
Second! Love Nat King Cole - hearing the Christmas Song ("Chestnuts Roasting on a Open Fire") or really any of his Christmas carols/songs, esp when backed by the orchestra and chorus, makes me feel ever so nostalgic.
Quote from: Duke87 on December 01, 2012, 11:15:58 AM
There is no such thing as good Christmas music.
Except maybe the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
No. That goes to thanksgiving. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSBq8geuJk0
Good Christmas music does exist. Just not as cheap knock-offs, covers of classics, and anything written since the '70s. Which says a lot.
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 15, 2012, 04:49:35 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on December 01, 2012, 11:15:58 AM
There is no such thing as good Christmas music.
Except maybe the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
No. That goes to thanksgiving. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSBq8geuJk0
You're being sarcastic, right?
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 15, 2012, 04:49:35 PMGood Christmas music does exist. Just not...anything written since the '70s.
Only on your side of the pond. Listening to a Christmas album driving to Grandparents today, I released that all the American stuff was dire, or by guys who were big in the 50s, and all the decent British stuff was more recent.
We got through the 80s still making good Christmas music, but you guys want to keep your crappy Jackson 5 tat, and overplay the 50s stuff, so there's no room at the inn for more recent British stuff.
Quote from: DaBigE on December 15, 2012, 05:52:50 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 15, 2012, 04:49:35 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on December 01, 2012, 11:15:58 AM
There is no such thing as good Christmas music.
Except maybe the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
No. That goes to thanksgiving. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSBq8geuJk0
You're being sarcastic, right?
I actually meant it is a horrible song... Thanksgiving just wasn't meant to have songs written about it.
Quote from: english si on December 15, 2012, 06:47:34 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 15, 2012, 04:49:35 PMGood Christmas music does exist. Just not...anything written since the '70s.
Only on your side of the pond. Listening to a Christmas album driving to Grandparents today, I released that all the American stuff was dire, or by guys who were big in the 50s, and all the decent British stuff was more recent.
We got through the 80s still making good Christmas music, but you guys want to keep your crappy Jackson 5 tat, and overplay the 50s stuff, so there's no room at the inn for more recent British stuff.
Really? Interesting! I thought we had collectively run out of good melodies for christmas songs a long time ago!
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 15, 2012, 07:12:53 PM
Quote from: DaBigE on December 15, 2012, 05:52:50 PM
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 15, 2012, 04:49:35 PM
Quote from: Duke87 on December 01, 2012, 11:15:58 AM
There is no such thing as good Christmas music.
Except maybe the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
No. That goes to thanksgiving. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSBq8geuJk0
You're being sarcastic, right?
I actually meant it is a horrible song... Thanksgiving just wasn't meant to have songs written about it.
I agree, at least when it comes to secular songs & Thanksgiving.
Quote from: Molandfreak on December 15, 2012, 07:12:53 PM
I actually meant it is a horrible song... Thanksgiving just wasn't meant to have songs written about it.
Sure it was.
I reeeeally didn't want to click on that video. But it's a little like passing by a gruesome car wreck: you don't want to look, but you still turn your head. And you regret it later.
Now I need to know . . . is that too absolutely horrible to put on Facebook?
Is Facebook too absolutely horrible to put that on?
So, yeah. Now, for the last couple of days, I get Turkey in the Straw stuck in my head and can't get it out. I had shown the YouTube to my wife; if I start to whistle the song, she glares at me until I stop.
Oh, and not a single person commented on Facebook when I shared the video.
Poop on your head.
Quote from: kphoger on December 17, 2012, 04:54:48 PM
So, yeah. Now, for the last couple of days, I get Turkey in the Straw stuck in my head and can't get it out. I had shown the YouTube to my wife; if I start to whistle the song, she glares at me until I stop.
Oh, and not a single person commented on Facebook when I shared the video.
Poop on your head.
Call it by its original name ("Zip Coon") and they'll comment!
Colbie Caillat has an album out, I cannot find it in stores, but she has a single off of it called Christmas In The Sand. I think the song is cool, plus watching her perform in her videos is a treat as well. She has a lovely voice and of course she is cute!
Her dad produced the album, who is the same Ken Caillat who produced many of Fleetwood Mac's albums in the 1970's.
Fixed Colbie's name... and cuteness is in the eye of the beholder.
I tend to like modern renditions of traditional carols, as well as some more modern songs.
Little Drummer Boy- Jars of Clay
Mary Did You Know- Michael English
2000 Decembers ago- Joy Williams.
Joy to the World- Chris Tomlin
Do you Hear What I Hear?
Trans-Siberian Orchestra versions also tend to be good.
I get rather sick of the same Christmas & holiday songs sung over and over again. How many times can you hear "Jingle Bells" in the 50-million different variations of it? :ded:
Be original and give me something original like these:
The Waitresses, Christmas Wrapping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_qck_zNUNk
John Lennon, Happy Xmas 9War Is Over): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4Uu0OlmTg
Mariah Carey, All I Want For Christmas Is You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5bo4VDEH-U
Chuck Berry, Run Rudolph Run: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY4_d_JILH4
Beach Boys, Little Saint Nick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSynDh_K0EE
Much more fun. :cool:
The songs our family sang this year at Christmas:
On Christmas Night All Christians Sing
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Forest Green)
Gentle Mary Laid Her Child
What Child Is This
And my dad had arranged for guitar a hymn (http://starkekirchenlieder.blogspot.com/2008/12/stable-lamp-is-lighted.html) written by former US poet laureate Richard Wilbur–who died in October–so I played while he sang.
This year, I came to appreciate Pandora. When I want the choral classics, I can go to that channel. When I want jazzy renditions, I can go to that channel. When I want the American standards...you get the idea.
These three have been on my playlist
This is a rare one that isn't heard often...
Used to hear this one all the time as a kid:
Quote from: jp the roadgeek on December 26, 2017, 04:53:27 PMThese three have been on my playlist
Slade and De Burgh: very British (
A Spaceman Came Travelling isn't ubiquitous here, but isn't rare: it's is the 33rd most-played Christmas song (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/the-50-best-christmas-songs-bells-continue-to-ring-for-the-pogues-fairytale-of-new-york-8399101.html) in the UK 2010-16)
Quote from: cjk374 on December 02, 2012, 09:52:37 AM
Manheim Steamroller has several Christmas CDs out. They do music similar to Trans-Siberian Orchestra (I DEFINITELY recommend you see TSO live in concert! An absolutely awesome show!! :clap: ). They have a jazzed-up version of "Deck the Halls" that you've probably heard before, but didn't know who did it. I really enjoy their rendition of "Silent Night". Listen to it on Christmas Eve night after all of the stores have closed, everyone has made it home, & drive slowly looking at all the light displays while listening to it....VERY soothing. :cool:
Also all of Charles Schulz's piano music used in the Charlie Brown Christmas special.
You mean Vince Guaraldi, I think sir.
Quote from: US71 on December 26, 2017, 07:05:13 PM
Quote from: cjk374 on December 02, 2012, 09:52:37 AM
Manheim Steamroller has several Christmas CDs out. They do music similar to Trans-Siberian Orchestra (I DEFINITELY recommend you see TSO live in concert! An absolutely awesome show!! :clap: ). They have a jazzed-up version of "Deck the Halls" that you've probably heard before, but didn't know who did it. I really enjoy their rendition of "Silent Night". Listen to it on Christmas Eve night after all of the stores have closed, everyone has made it home, & drive slowly looking at all the light displays while listening to it....VERY soothing. :cool:
Also all of Charles Schulz's piano music used in the Charlie Brown Christmas special.
You mean Vince Guaraldi, I think sir.
I can't believe that was 5 years ago. But yes I did discover Friday the actual artist who did the soundtrack for the Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon. Listened to the whole thing...it was great!
Heard the first two at a block Xmas lights display synced to a low-power radio broadcast:
Weird Al, Christmas at Ground Zero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t039p6xqutU
Carol of the Bartenders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNQGiybQZ2s
Adeste Fideles, David Willcocks arrangement aka "that variation of O Come All Ye Faithful that really kicks ass in verse 3":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5rMQ6P12WY
John Rutter Arrangement of same -- sounds like John Williams for a while, but borrows a lot from Willcocks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugftSIGLjBA
Merry Christmas y'all
Crazy froG))))
A little late but my favorite is O Holy Night when Josh Groban performs it.
Quote from: Hurricane Rex on December 28, 2017, 03:33:49 AM
A little late
The twelve days of Christmas don't end until the night of January 5th, so you're good to go.
Good luck finding Christmas music still on the radio, but Pandora can be your best friend.
Quote from: kphoger on December 28, 2017, 10:58:07 AM
Quote from: Hurricane Rex on December 28, 2017, 03:33:49 AM
A little late
The twelve days of Christmas don't end until the night of January 5th, so you're good to go.
Good luck finding Christmas music still on the radio, but Pandora can be your best friend.
Sirius XM Ch 4 and Ch 70 through Dec 31
CORRECTION: They were dropped on Saturday
I have 3 of em in my head to share...may everyone here a happy holiday week.
Sir Paul McCartney - Simply having a wonderful Christmas time.
Mariah Carey - All I want for Christmas is you.
and the Late George Michael - Last Christmas (ironically he died on Xmas day last year).
Quote from: kphoger on December 28, 2017, 10:58:07 AM
Quote from: Hurricane Rex on December 28, 2017, 03:33:49 AM
A little late
The twelve days of Christmas don't end until the night of January 5th, so you're good to go.
Good luck finding Christmas music still on the radio, but Pandora can be your best friend.
Pandora or bust. I have 4 Christmas Stations.
Also with my Religion (Catholic) the Christmas season goes until the 13th. I think we are unusual in that regard though
Twisted Sister's "Twisted Christmas," and Rob Halford's "Halford III - Winter Songs" are my go to Christmas albums.
Quote from: Desert Man on December 28, 2017, 09:35:05 PM
Mariah Carey - All I want for Christmas is you.
I recently learned what might be the reason this song has gained such success–surpassing the success of pretty much any Christmas song since the standards of decades gone by. Both the style of the intro and even the chord progression are very similar to 'White Christmas.' Specifically, the chord progression { I – I
-7 – IV – ii
Ø7 } is what makes it sound so 'Christmassy,' because it's exactly the same as what's used in 'White Christmas'.
What I would like to know is why other version of songs by the same artists have been introduced to the radio market this year like another version of Jimmy Durante's Frosty The Snowman. This year they used a shortened version so it seems that leaves out the "Happy Birthday" beginning and the sad goodbye by Frosty at the end.
In addition I have been hearing the past three years another version of Perry Como's Home For The Holidays as this version has a musical intro rather than Perry singing the first line accapella. Plus the middle part with the chorus singing "Taking Plane, Take a Train, etc" which the normal version has been played does not have it in the one now being played but a clarinet solo instead. I read that Perry recorded two versions and the one played before is his original. But why all of a sudden stations now opted for the later version is a mystery.
Among my favorite Christmas albums are Bruce Cockburn's Christmas, Carnie and Wendy Wilson's Hey Santa, and Mantovani's Christmas Carols - the latter was a favorite of my parents, so it evokes great memories of Christmas as a kid when I listen to it. For 'novelty' Christmas songs, I'd have to rate Weird Al's Christmas at Ground Zero as a top favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t039p6xqutU
My brother showed me this song in the days before Christmas: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Sufjan Stevens (ignore the video and just listen to the song :)).
Did anyone mention DMX's version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"? Never knew it existed until this year. :D