Ten On TuesdayChristmas Albums!

I will never have enough, and can't narrow it down to ten favorites, but I'll put up the ones that have been getting early play.

You'd better listen to every.single.track! that I have included here. My lame and limping laptop won't play any youtube videos, which doesn't matter anyway because the sound went with the keyboard. I spent much time between iTunes (which I can't hear and kept crashing), my iPod (which is so small that I couldn't see anything and doesn't show all the info fast enough-scroll, scroll, scroll), my iPhone, Pete's iPad (where I would search for the video so that I could hear it) and my laptop (where I would search again so that I could cut and paste the code into my post) that if you all just skim this post and not listen to anything it will have been all a waste. So you WILL! LISTEN!

I really did try to keep it entertaining and left off some of my real faves in case they drive some of you crazy. You know, The Ray Conniff Singers (I LOVE THEM) and Johnny Mathis and one of my very favorites, Bing Crosby White Christmas. All throw backs to childhood Christmases that really bring the spirit in. I spared you those. (I know you really like them, though, deep down. Where it counts.)

1. The Manhattan Transfer The Christmas Album. My favorite. Hands down. This video is a pretty good sampling of the entire album. You'll want it after you listen.
   
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie soundtrack. This song is one of my favorites (ignore the really lame video).
   
3. Eddie Higgins Trio. This is from Christmas Songs II, which I love equally as well as the first album.
   
4. The Ramsey Lewis Trio Sounds of Christmas. We wore the grooves out on this one, it was played often in our home when I was a wee child.
   
   
   
5. Louis Armstrong's What A Wonderful Christmas.
   
6. Jane Monheit The Season.
   
7. Ella Wishes You A Swingin' Christmas. This is one of my favorite versions of this song and BONUS on the Rod Stewart album, they duet on this one. FABulous!


8. Yo-Yo Ma Songs of Joy and Peace. This one always makes my favorites list. This song is on my 'holiday running playlist". Yes. I have one of those.


So is this next song, but only if I want to run a lot faster. If you only listen to one song on this list, make it this one. You'll see why it makes a great running list tune.

9. Appalachian Christmas, Mark O'Connor and more.
   
   
10. A Winter's Solstice V. This is one of my absolute favorites for Christmas Eve or any quiet night leading up to Christmas.
    

2012. This doesn't even include any classical, like Rene Fleming's album or Rutter. I have so many Christmas albums. So! Many! Listen early, listen often is my motto starting Thanksgiving day.

Comments

[Laurie]

I listened to them ALL. Thank you! Such a different and eclectic take on holiday music! I loved it.

[margene]

I love your mix of genre from jazz to classical! Good list!

[Carole]

I am thinking I need a holiday running playlist, too!

[Carole]

Oh, and I didn't listen to them all yet but I will later when I'm home from work and knitting.