unifiedtheory Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Happy holidays, VCers! I'm on the hunt for some fresh holiday music, looking specifically for things that are slightly off the snow-tromped path. What are some of your favorites? To stoke the fire I'll offer a few favorites of my own: the album Quality Street by Nick Lowe and the song The Week Between by Jonathan Coulton and John Roderick. Recordings of past Aimee Mann Christmas shows are also a staple in our house this time of year -- they are funny and freewheeling and loopy. Her cover of the Snow Miser/Heat Miser song is great fun, and Calling on Mary has a kind of mournful, searching beauty that ventures beyond the often narrow emotional terrain of the holiday music genre. Thanks, and here's wishing you all a healthy and festive holiday season. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 My all time Christmas Classics:A Christmas Gift for You from Phil SpectorChristmas Cookin - Jimmy SmithA Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi TrioSongs for Christmas - Sufjan StevensElla Wishes You a Swinging Christmas - Ella FitzgeraldNutcracker Suite - Duke EllingtonThe New Possibility - John Fahey's Guitar Soli Christmas AlbumOther Great Christmas Albums:Christmas Caravan - Squirrel Nut ZippersChristmas in the Heart - Bob DylanWe Three Kings - Reverend Horton HeatA Very She & Him Christmas - She & HimSilver & Gold - Sufjan StevensA Dave Brubeck Christmas - Dave BrubeckIn the Christmas Spirit - Booker T & The MGsThe Classic Christmas Album - George Jones & Tammy WynetteChristmas Songs - Diana KrallSomeday at Christmas - Stevie WonderChristmas with Kitty Wells - Kitty WellsSoul Christmas - a Stax compilationNatty Christmas - Jacob MillerSound of Christmas - Ramsey Lewis TrioJingle All the Way - Bela Fleck & The FlecktonesChristmas - LowLlego a Navidad - Los LobosHi-Fi Christmas Guitar - Joel PatersonA Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra - Frank SinatraPretty Paper - Willie NelsonA Soulful Christmas - James BrownAnd there you have it - other than some individual songs, every album on my xmas playlist mix. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Ramones - "Merry Christmas Baby (I Don't Want to Fight)"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y5GtaTrPHM Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 I like the Old 97s Christmas album from last year. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TCP Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Christmas in the Heart - Bob Dylan The only Christmas album worth listening to, IMHO. I will champion this album till my dying breath. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chez Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Another vote for Nick Lowe's "Quality Street" and for Low's "Christmas." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unifiedtheory Posted December 9, 2019 Author Share Posted December 9, 2019 Thanks, everyone! On the jazz side of things I also love An Oscar Peterson Christmas and Kenny Burrell's Have Yourself a Soulful Christmas. And another recent favorite to add: Khruangbin's dreamy, funk-inflected cover of Guaraldi's Christmas Time is Here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 I am LOVING Ana Gasteyer's new xmas album: Sugar & Booze. Also: Marah's A Christmas Kind of Town. Originals, classics, and hilarious between-song patter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 I am sucker for Neil Diamond, so I was kinda excited when I came across new vinyl copy of the below for $7 -- but it is completely dull and listless. Had to spin Dylan's Christmas cd twice to cleanse our decorating palate.Also dug through my parents old records and came across an old Peggy Lee Christmas record from the early 60's, which was rather delightful Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 The only Christmas album worth listening to, IMHO. I will champion this album till my dying breath.I'm curious how others feel. I found it unlistenable when it first came out. I re-listened to quite a bit of it just now, same reaction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boss_Tweedy Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 A few that haven't been mentioned: The 25th Day of December - Staple Singers It's a Holiday Soul Party - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Please Come Home for Christmas - Charles Brown Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 I'm curious how others feel. I found it unlistenable when it first came out. I re-listened to quite a bit of it just now, same reaction. I have always enjoyed the instrumentation and the background vocals --- I will be the first admit that I am a Dylan 'apologist' - but, I never thought this record was phoned in. My 10 and 7 year old didn't complain this year --- actually I don't think they have ever complained about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Bruce Cockburn - Christmas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mountain bed Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Always a part of my holiday season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD2_gx9PrZc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 best xmas song ever. esp if you are a Who fan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTN_w7KBJng Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 The only Christmas album worth listening to, IMHO. I will champion this album till my dying breath.well, i'd hazard that this one belongs on that list too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPHyygoSnnE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 best xmas song ever. esp if you are a Who fan. That was funny - who was that? Here's my nominee. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 That was funny - who was that? Billy Childish in one of his many incarnations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisoxjtrain Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 I Want an Alien For Christmas-Fountains of Wayne. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Been listed above but I like this version as I'm a big fan of Glenn Richards https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GALNvntMEeU Also St Etienne:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhXJb6S3z38 And in the so bad it's good from the 70s category:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyy0Leo3Lw4 Don't worry, you'll be singing it to yourself later ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unifiedtheory Posted December 14, 2019 Author Share Posted December 14, 2019 Bruce Cockburn - ChristmasI love Bruce Cockburn -- Bruce Cockburn Live was on heavy rotation in my dad's house when I was a kid -- but somehow missed that he did a Christmas album. Will check it out! I Want an Alien For Christmas-Fountains of Wayne.After just a few days, this one has already become one of my kids' favorites. Thank you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Yaz Rock Posted December 14, 2019 Share Posted December 14, 2019 Spiraling - Do You hear What I Hear (Baba O'Riley mash up) Pearl Jam - Don't Believe In Christmas - (Original by The Sonics but this version is easier on the ears). Pearl Jam - Santa God Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 I love Bruce Cockburn -- Bruce Cockburn Live was on heavy rotation in my dad's house when I was a kid -- but somehow missed that he did a Christmas album. Will check it out! After just a few days, this one has already become one of my kids' favorites. Thank you! Yeah, that Bruce Christmas album is great. Mostly traditionals, with one original. Bruce is in fine form, and there's no Tin Pan Alley crap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisoxjtrain Posted December 15, 2019 Share Posted December 15, 2019 I love Bruce Cockburn -- Bruce Cockburn Live was on heavy rotation in my dad's house when I was a kid -- but somehow missed that he did a Christmas album. Will check it out! After just a few days, this one has already become one of my kids' favorites. Thank you!It is just a really dumb, fun song. If Dominic the Donkey gets regular radio play, this one should too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted December 16, 2019 Share Posted December 16, 2019 My favorite Christmas song is Santa’s Beard by They Might Be Giants Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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