one reason why I love Christmas so much is because of the wonderful music associated with this time of the year. Over time, we've amassed quite a collection of Christmas CDs...but I have to admit that there are those perennial favorites that we, as a family, just listen to over and over again. Our Christmas favorites?
1. Ella Fitzgerald: Ella wishes you a swinging Christmas
This is Christmas jazz at its finest! We love this one so much that we'll often buy several discs to hand out to our friends at Christmastime.
2. Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas
How can you not love this one? We actually listened to this one so much that we eventually had to replace it because our first disc got so beat up from the constant handling.
3. Dianna Krall: Christmas Songs
Before she was wildly famous, we got to see her perform at a very intimate gathering. It was so cool. And, of course, we've loved everything she's done ever since!
4. The Manhattan Transfer: The Christmas Album
Jack has always been a big fan of the Manhattan Transfer and he quickly sold me on this one. It's so fun and upbeat that you can't help but like them too!
5. Barenaked Ladies: Barenaked for the Holidays
These guys always make me laugh and they don't disappoint on this one at all. Plus, Matthew and Hoonie can't get enough of their version of Jingle Bells!
So how about you? Do you have a favorite Christmas CD that you or your family just can't live without? Do share! :)
Looks like we have pretty much the same taste in music Margaret. :) My top 3 are Ella, Charlie Brown and the wonderful BNL Xmas album.I think this (BNL) is my all time fave Xmas cd! And my CB cd is also pretty scratched up from lots of loving. ;p They've all been in heavy rotation since I finally found them after searching for days- I had hidden them away last year and forgotten where I'd stashed them. How's that for efficiency? ;p
Posted by: melanie louette | December 10, 2008 at 07:31 PM
I love Charlie Pride's Christmas in My Home Town. It was the music I listened to as a child with my parents and siblings and now I listen to it with my family.
I also love the CD of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I have it on my iPod and run to the story. At least no one can really see me saying every line with Boris Karloff. Hee, hee!
I also like the Beach Boys Christmas, Chicago 25, and George Straits Christmas album. How's that for variety?
Posted by: Joan in Kingman | December 10, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Love your picks, Margaret! Isn't Christmas music just the best? One CD that I love is Ronnie Milsap's Christmas CD. My parents played it every Christmas growing up so it always reminds me of those great memories growing up. I also love Josh Groban's Noel CD and I'm not ashamed to say that Nsync'S Christmas CD is a lot of fun too! Ha! "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by Nsync is really fun! LOL! ;)
Posted by: kristina | December 11, 2008 at 06:22 AM
The Barenaked Ladies 'Jingle Bells' is my kids' favorite, too (they also like the Crash Test Dummies Cossack-style version). I've been listening to Emmylou Harris' Light of the Stable recently and the Roches 'We Three Kings' is on my wish list. For traditional music, I don't think you can beat "The Many Moods of Christmas" by the Robert Shaw Chorale (that was my favorite album in my parents' collection as a child and I still enjoy it today) and "The Joy of Christmas" by Leonard Bernstein with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Posted by: Cathy S | December 11, 2008 at 10:57 AM
We have EXACTLY the same taste in Christmas music. Are you sure we weren't separated at birth. Seriously freaky, baby!
Posted by: Tina | December 11, 2008 at 11:04 AM
we love ella and bnl too. and brian setzer and barry manilow :blush:
Posted by: emily pitts | December 11, 2008 at 11:06 AM
you've got some of my favs! i love ella, BNL, and the Vince Gueraldi Trio. also Harry Connick Jr...just L O V E him!!
Posted by: Aly D | December 11, 2008 at 03:51 PM