It’s Christmas Eve, so I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!
Or… in the interest of being politically correct, happy whatever holiday you celebrate.
Just last week, a friend on Epinions alerted me to a great album for those who like Celtic Christmas music. Keith and Kristyn Getty are both from Belfast, Northern Ireland and they released a dynamic Christmas album in 2012. I downloaded it last week after reading befus’s excellent Epinion review.
Let me tell you, folks, the first time I listened to this album, I was very moved by the music. I actually cried! Here are a few videos someone uploaded to YouTube for those who are curious. It’s my favorite of the three new Christmas albums I’ve purchased this year. It is a religious album, naturally, so if you aren’t into religion, maybe this album is passable for you.
I think this may be the most exciting version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” I’ve ever heard. And I’m not even a Riverdance fan…
“Joy Has Dawned/Angels We Have Heard On High” is a pretty medley combining an original tune with a classic.
Here’s the breathtakingly beautiful “Magnificat (with Wexford Carol)”…
And for those who would like to see the Gettys performing “live”, here’s a video with highlights from Joy: An Irish Christmas.
I might be persuaded to go back to church if they were playing in one nearby…
I hope everyone has a peaceful holiday! I intend to spend mine listening to music, eating good food, loving my dogs, husband, and mother-in-law, and fretting about 2014. That’s just how I roll!
So my last post was on awful Christmas songs. It only follows that today’s post will be on excellent Christmas songs, right?
I know this time of year can be very annoying when it comes to holiday music, especially if you happen to work in retail, where the season may start as early as late October. There are also plenty of people who like to listen to Christmas music as soon as the holidays start. It’s easy to find awful Christmas songs, but what about the excellent ones?
A few years ago, when I was writing a whole lot of music reviews on Epinions.com, I went through a phase during which I reviewed a bunch of Christmas albums. I started in early October, reasoning that my reviews would be available just in time for the holiday season, giving people time to buy them in time for Christmas. Of course, now I sit here thinking it was funny that my husband once gave me two Christmas themed albums for Christmas. You’d think by December 25th, I’d be tired of listening to any music having to do with the holidays… and the holidays would be over in a week, anyway.
In any case, there are a few albums from that time period that I go back to again and again, year after year. And I have also made some new discoveries this year. So, without further ado, here’s a few excellent Christmas songs for your listening and viewing pleasure. And if you have any to add or beg to differ, please feel free to leave me a comment.
Some Children See Him
The first time I heard this very progressive Christmas song was in 2004, when I happened to buy James Taylor’s Hallmark album, A Christmas Album. I was very moved by the lyrics, which are about how different children around the world see baby Jesus. Of course, we all know that not all children believe in Jesus Christ. Indeed, I’m not even sure if James Taylor is a believer. I do love what he does with this song, though.
Celebrate Me Home
Kenny Loggins has done his share of holiday music. His 1999 album, December, is full of original and traditional music for the holiday season. One song that was not on that album is this classic, “Celebrate Me Home”. I never get tired of it any time of the year. It’s about coming home for the holidays, but it’s full of heart and hope.
This Christmas
Mary J. Blige’s new holiday album includes this classic hit, which was first made popular by Donny Hathaway in 1970. The first time I heard it, Jane Monheit was singing it; but I think I prefer Mary J. Blige’s more soulful rendition. I also like that it’s new for 2013!
You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Of course, this song is a classic at Christmas time, thanks to Christmas TV specials. Cee Lo Green takes on the Grinch with his fun rendition of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch”. I dare you to listen to this and not break into a big smile.
Mary, Did You Know?
“Mary, Did You Know” is another newer song which has been recorded by a lot of people, everyone from Wynonna Judd and Kenny Rogers to opera diva Kathleen Battle. The version I have included to this list is by Sonya Isaacs, a bluegrass artist whose voice, in my opinion, is just gorgeous. Yeah, this song is very emotional and some may find it a little over the top religious. It still touches me every year. I love the melody and Isaacs’ vocal reading.
Gabriel’s Message
Sting covered this song in 1987 for the very first A Very Special Christmas compilation. Since then, he has updated it with a more haunting, deeper version for his 2009 album If On A Winter’s Night. I like them both, but I think I prefer Sting’s edgier, earlier version from 1987.
Highland Cathedral
Technically, I wouldn’t call the beautiful German piece “Highland Cathedral” Christmas music, per se. Amy Grant included it on her 1999 album A Christmas to Remember and I later used it as my wedding march in November 2002. I could listen to this all year, but I’m a little biased. “Highland Cathedral” was composed by Ulrich Roever and Michael Korb in 1985 and is now quite popular in Scotland. I think it fits very well during the holiday festivities.
Christmas Time Is Here
I never get tired of “Christmas Time Is Here”, especially when it is performed by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The above version includes vocals by the Peanuts gang, but I love the haunting melody on its own, too.
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
I’m talking about the one done by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, of course. I have heard this song done by plenty of folks and no one does it quite like The Boss does.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
I have included Judy Garland’s iconic version here, but this song has been successfully covered by a lot of fine singers. I am pretty partial to James Taylor’s version, myself. This song is meant to be consoling and sweet and Judy Garland certainly captures that in the film Meet Me In St. Louis.
And with that, folks, I hope your holiday season is going well… See you next time!
Holiday music sucks! No, actually it’s only sappy overplayed Christmas music that gets annoying. The listening environment counts too. Anything played at Christmas Tree Shops while you are waiting for your mom to decide what size glass beads to buy will torture you. Jimi Hendrix and John Coltrane could be jamming right in front of you but the stink of scented candles and the puddle of sweat inside your jacket will ruin everything.
Relax. The truth is there are some really great Christmas CDs available. Here is a guide to some holiday music that won’t kill you.
Part One:Â Christmas Present
Various Artists – We Wish You a Metal Christmas and a Headbanging New Year
The obvious comparison is to Twisted Sister’s 2006 release Twisted Christmas. This is way better.
The CD was produced by Ronnie James Dio’s wife/manager and one of the Kulick brothers. (I can never remember which one is the producer and which was in Kiss, but it doesn’t matter for this review.) It contains twelve very well-known Christmas songs performed by very well-known 70s and 80s metal and hard rock guys. Here are just a few of the bands they were in: Kiss, Motorhead, David Lee Roth (not him, thankfully), Alice Cooper (yes, him), ZZ Top, Foo Fighters, Black Sabbath, Dokken, Dio, Styx, Judas Priest, and Deep Purple.
The lineup is what makes this CD so successful. All the musicians are really good (much better than anybody in Twisted Sister), but it’s really the variety that makes this work. The concept could get boring very quickly (Beatallica, anyone?). A different lineup and singer on every track keeps things fresh.
If you think you might like it, you probably will. If not, read on…
Enya – And Winter Came…
Like the previous selection, this is exactly what you would expect. Remember the song that goes “Sail away, sail away, sail away?â€Â No, not Randy Newman. I mean the one that sounds like the music Jet Blue plays when it’s time to get off the plane.
This CD sounds just like everything else Enya has done. If you like her ethereal vocals, orchestral synth playing and new agey Celticness, you will dig this. Holiday CDs can frequently disappoint, but I think this one works because Enya put a lot into it. She wrote ten of the twelve songs and came up with interesting arrangements for the other two.
Many songs are not specifically about Christmas. Some just refer to winter or the Star of Bethlehem. Two songs are about time passing, which makes them really more appropriate for the Winter Solstice or New Years.
James Taylor – At Christmas
Smarm Sandwich.
Various Artists – The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs
This new compilation showcases the new generation of female singer-songwriters. It’s mostly very good, but I find myself skipping some of the standards. That’s to be expected from a holiday comp and I don’t think it’s a big problem, especially for people who really like this kind of music. Many of these women are good songwriters and it’s the original songs that I find most compelling. Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson, Brandi Carlisle, Lenka, Meiko, and Colbie Caillat all contributed very interesting songs. Priscilla Ahn’s version of “Silent Night” is really cool and a couple lesser names handle their standards well. KT Tunstall, Alice Smith, Katy Perry, and Nicole Atkins are among those who decided to turn their chestnuts into torch songs.
Like the metal CD, if you think you’ll like this, you probably will.
I’ll be back soon with Christmas Past and Future. Shine on.
Rock Dad is hoping whoever brings presents for the winter solstice brings him the Genesis 1970-75 box set and a good rock and mineral field guide.
