In Search of Good Christmas Music
11/30/2005 15:34 Filed in: Music
Guest Blog & Recommendations by Andrew Wells
Updated 12/7/2005
So this is Christmas...and the Christmas music is in abundance. It's amazing how many Christmas albums and singles are put out each year. Why, then, can no one seem to name any contemporary Christmas album worth buying?
One reason, I believe, is the roar of the market. It takes a lot of noise to get people's attention, especially in this day and age, and at Christmas, no less. This wasn't a problem even twenty years ago. Two, much of the Christmas music today is overproduced, rushed material hoping to capitalize on a singer's popularity. Three, the best Christmas music always looks to the past and to the standards--it is something in the very nature of the holiday.
With all this in mind, here are some Christmas albums and songs that I’ve discovered over the years that I think are jewels among the coal, along with a few comments:
Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas. It’s the soundtrack to the TV special, but it holds up beautifully on its own. The extended instrumental version of “Christmastime is Here” is like watching a fine snow fall out the window as you sit by a warm fireplace. I am not officially in the Christmas spirit until I listen to this.
Elvis Presley, If Everyday Was Like Christmas. There are several different compilations; this one is the best because you can compare Elvis' first Christmas album with his second one; it’s like hearing two different people singing, which is sad if you know about Elvis' life. Added bonus: really great liner notes and some awesome pictures, including Elvis in a snowman costume.
Sparrow Artists, Christmas. This is a 1988 Christmas album from Sparrow Records that highlighted the company's various artists and musical styles. "Various Artists" albums are usually a mixed bag; that’s not the case here. Added bonus: trying to figure out what happened to all the artists on this album--Steven Curtis Chapman is the only person on this album who is still recording, as far as I know. [Rick's update: with the help of the friendly folks at Sparrow records, I actually found this on iTunes.]
Ron Sexsmith, "Maybe this Christmas." Pure bliss. A song that manages in under two minutes to be hopeful, sweet, thoughtful, melancholic, and have a xylophone solo.
Melissa Etheridge, "Happy Christmas (War is Over)." I’m no fan of Melissa Etheridge or John Lennon, but her live version of his song has real power and meaning behind it. [Rick butts in again: I can't find a legal source for this song on the internet either.]
There are more runner-ups than I could list. I would also recommend listening to a radio show called American Routes, which looks at various musical traditions throughout America. They have a couple of Christmas-theme shows a year, and do a wonderful job of finding some obscure and unique musical treasures.
Andrew Wells can be contacted at awusceng@yahoo.com.
If you have your own suggestions, feel free to add them in the comments. If you know of links to purchase any of the music I couldn't find, let me know that as well.
Note: some links on this page require iTunes. If you don't have it, you can download it by clicking the link to the left. But why don't you already have it? It's free.
Updated 12/7/2005
So this is Christmas...and the Christmas music is in abundance. It's amazing how many Christmas albums and singles are put out each year. Why, then, can no one seem to name any contemporary Christmas album worth buying?
One reason, I believe, is the roar of the market. It takes a lot of noise to get people's attention, especially in this day and age, and at Christmas, no less. This wasn't a problem even twenty years ago. Two, much of the Christmas music today is overproduced, rushed material hoping to capitalize on a singer's popularity. Three, the best Christmas music always looks to the past and to the standards--it is something in the very nature of the holiday.
With all this in mind, here are some Christmas albums and songs that I’ve discovered over the years that I think are jewels among the coal, along with a few comments:
Sparrow Artists, Christmas. This is a 1988 Christmas album from Sparrow Records that highlighted the company's various artists and musical styles. "Various Artists" albums are usually a mixed bag; that’s not the case here. Added bonus: trying to figure out what happened to all the artists on this album--Steven Curtis Chapman is the only person on this album who is still recording, as far as I know. [Rick's update: with the help of the friendly folks at Sparrow records, I actually found this on iTunes.]
Ron Sexsmith, "Maybe this Christmas." Pure bliss. A song that manages in under two minutes to be hopeful, sweet, thoughtful, melancholic, and have a xylophone solo.
Melissa Etheridge, "Happy Christmas (War is Over)." I’m no fan of Melissa Etheridge or John Lennon, but her live version of his song has real power and meaning behind it. [Rick butts in again: I can't find a legal source for this song on the internet either.]
There are more runner-ups than I could list. I would also recommend listening to a radio show called American Routes, which looks at various musical traditions throughout America. They have a couple of Christmas-theme shows a year, and do a wonderful job of finding some obscure and unique musical treasures.
Andrew Wells can be contacted at awusceng@yahoo.com.
If you have your own suggestions, feel free to add them in the comments. If you know of links to purchase any of the music I couldn't find, let me know that as well.