Christmas (Holiday) Music

[Weird Harold]

Nope, not a thread complaining about the "muzak" in stores this time of year.

I just stumbled into a documentary on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on PBS as was reminded that I need to replace the worn out cassette of their Christmas album and see if I can find one of the Vienna Boy's Choir's Christmas albums.

For me, the best Christmas Music has always been Choral works with four-part harmony and Big Choirs -- or the slow melodic "Bing Crosby" soud.

While I love things like the Nutcracker Suite, I don't really associate Ballet and Orchestral arrangments as "Christmas Music."

So, the question is, what is your preference in Christmas Music?

 

[S-Des]

Nope, not a thread complaining about the "muzak" in stores this time of year.

I just stumbled into a documentary on the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on PBS as was reminded that I need to replace the worn out cassette of their Christmas album and see if I can find one of the Vienna Boy's Choir's Christmas albums.

For me, the best Christmas Music has always been Choral works with four-part harmony and Big Choirs -- or the slow melodic "Bing Crosby" soud.

While I love things like the Nutcracker Suite, I don't really associate Ballet and Orchestral arrangments as "Christmas Music."

So, the question is, what is your preference in Christmas Music?

I like both kinds....Country & Western


Seriously, I've never been an orchestra kind of guy (I like solo artists), so I don't listen to much of that. Usually, I'll listen to parody songs (something I can share with the kidlet) or Gary Hoey (a really cool metal guitarist who did interesting interperatations of the classics). I get plenty of the other stuff everywhere I go during the holidays.

 

[Weird Harold]

Seriously, I've never been an orchestra kind of guy (I like solo artists), so I don't listen to much of that.

I am a Classical Music fan, but I'm normally not much for Choral music -- except at Christmas time.

It's hard to explain, but for example, Bing Crosby's solo recording of White Christmas is a wonderful Christmas song, but it pales in comparison to the four-part version sung by a mixed quartet in the original movie -- and both of those versions simply "white out" when compared to the four-part harmony of a full, massed Choir's 300 voices. It's not casual listening, though; you have to pay attention to it to really appreciate it.

 

[rgraham666]

My preference in Christmas music is as little as possible.

Although for some reason 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' is an earworm at the moment.

 

[S-Des]

I am a Classical Music fan, but I'm normally not much for Choral music -- except at Christmas time.

It's hard to explain, but for example, Bing Crosby's solo recording of White Christmas is a wonderful Christmas song, but it pales in comparison to the four-part version sung by a mixed quartet in the original movie -- and both of those versions simply "white out" when compared to the four-part harmony of a full, massed Choir's 300 voices. It's not casual listening, though; you have to pay attention to it to really appreciate it.

For some reason, I've always been attracted to the soloists. I'd much rather hear a violinist perform Bach or a pianist perform Liszt than listen to an orchestra. I don't know why, but it's been that way as long as I can remember. I'll always listen to a really good violinist play christmas music, no matter what it is.

Have you listened to Manheim Steamroller? I find that pretty interesting.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

I think I'll skip the traditional stuff this year for obvious reasons. Music is so incredibly powerful.

I did, however download the Aimee Mann Christmas Album, which is different, but really beautiful.

 

[Weird Harold]

Have you listened to Manheim Steamroller? I find that pretty interesting.

Yep, I really enjoy their Christmas albums -- and other their non-holiday music -- but it just isn't the same as a massed choir.

I also got into Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas albums last year -- beautiful and exhuberant, but just not as emotionally fulfilling as the effect of a massed choir.

Don't get me wrong, I do like many different kinds of music, and I'm actually indifferent to choral music and massed choirs most of the year. It's just that there is something very special to me about the way Christmas Music and Massed Choirs go together.

 

[Alessia Brio]

So, the question is, what is your preference in Christmas Music?

It varies. I have a mixed CD that I created years ago that's my default. Tracks include:

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Barenaked Ladies)
Where Are You Christmas? (Faith Hill)
You’re A Mean One, Mr Grinch (Dr. Seuss)
Little Drummer Boy - Peace On Earth (Bowie & Crosby)
Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child (Mariah Carey)
Santa Baby (Madonna)
Coventry Carol (Alison Moyet)
Winter Wonderland (Eurythmics)
Ay, Ay, Ay, It’s Christmas (Ricky Martin & Rosie)
Do You Hear What I Hear? (Whitney Houston)
I Saw Three Ships (Sting)
What Child Is This? (Vanessa Williams)
Jingle Bells (The Hillsboro Singers) / instrumental
Blue Christmas (Ann & Nancy Wilson)
Step Into Christmas (Elton John)
Children Go Where I Send Thee (Natalie Merchant)
Silent Night (Mariah Carey)
Have Yourself Merry Little Christmas (Billy Joel & Rosie)
Sleigh Ride (Carpenters)
Every Little Wish (Raffi)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (my son, age 3)​

 

[TheEarl]

Tom Lehrer. The man. The Legend.

Christmas time is here, by golly!
Disapproval would be folly.
Deck the halls with hunks of holly,
Fill the cup and don't say when.
Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens,
Mix the punch, drag out the Dickens.
Even though the prospect sickens,
Brother, here we go again.

On Christmas day, you can't get sore.
Your fellow man you must adore.
There's time to rob him all the more,
The other three hundred and sixty four.

Relations sparing no expense'll
Send some useless old utensil.
Or a matching pen and pencil.
"Just the thing I need.
How nice."

It doesn't matter how sincere it is,
Or how heartfelt the spirit.
Sentiment will not endear it;
What's important is - the price.

Hark the Herald... Tribune sings,
Advertising wondrous things.
God rest ye merry merchants
May ye make the Yuletide paaaay.
Angel we have heard on high.
Tell us to go out and buy!

Sooooooo
Let the racous sleighbells jingle,
Hail our dear old friend, Kris Kringle.
Riding his reindeer across the sky!
Don't stand underneath when they fly by!


The Earl

 

[Guest]

Christmas time is here, by golly!
Disapproval would be folly.
Deck the halls with hunks of holly,
Fill the cup and don't say when.
Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens,
Mix the punch, drag out the Dickens.
Even though the prospect sickens,
Brother, here we go again.

On Christmas day, you can't get sore.
Your fellow man you must adore.
There's time to rob him all the more,
The other three hundred and sixty four.

Relations sparing no expense'll
Send some useless old utensil.
Or a matching pen and pencil.
"Just the thing I need.
How nice."

It doesn't matter how sincere it is,
Or how heartfelt the spirit.
Sentiment will not endear it;
What's important is - the price.

Hark the Herald... Tribune sings,
Advertising wondrous things.
God rest ye merry merchants
May ye make the Yuletide paaaay.
Angel we have heard on high.
Tell us to go out and buy!

Sooooooo
Let the racous sleighbells jingle,
Hail our dear old friend, Kris Kringle.
Riding his reindeer across the sky!
Don't stand underneath when they fly by!


The Earl

Yep. Tom Lehrer.

Well done, Earl.

 

[nctoddmc]

I like all kinds of Christmas music. I was in several choirs in high school and college, and I have a special love for that kind of music, but I enjoy all types, from traditional songs to new arrangements, either by individuals or groups, with accompaniment or a capella, with voice or instrumental, or a new song, totally unrelated to any previous recording.

Long story short, I like them all!

 

[Guest]

I really do like Christmas music, too. Most kinds, really.

I love "Lo, how a rose" done by brass choir.

I love "Carol of the Bells" done by vocal chorus.

I love "Sleigh Ride" done by full orchestra.

And I really like the crooners doing all the solo tunes.

I'm a romantic music sap, I guess.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

Yeah I like traditional music, but I have fun favorites too.

Dominic the Donkey
That chipmunks song
Mr. Grinch
all I want for christmas is you
merry christmas, happy holidays

one of my faves is sarah mclachlan and the barenaked ladies doing god rest ye merry gentlemen. very folksy, very nice. sound kinda like peter, paul, and mary

another fave: mahalia jackson singing joy to the world

 

[Belegon]

The Brian Setzer Orchestra has done a couple christmas albums that I dearly love...

Dig That Crazy Christmas & Boogie Woogie Christmas

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy also has a swingin' Christmas album out there...

 

[Weird Harold]

Christmas time is here, by golly!
Disapproval would be folly.
Deck the halls with hunks of holly,
Fill the cup and don't say when.
Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens,
Mix the punch, drag out the Dickens.
Even though the prospect sickens,
Brother, here we go again.

Wouldn't that be Anti-Christmas Music? Or maybe it's a "Christmas Protest" song?

I wonder if the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has a copy of that -- not all of their Christmas Music is serious and religious; One of their 1960's era Christmas albums featured a massed-choir rendition of Spike Jones' "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"

I don't think they've stooped low enough to do "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" -- a song I expect to get thoroughly sick(er) of over the next month -- but they've usually included a "Pop" Christmas parody or two in their Christmas program.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

Anyone know where I can find the lyrics to Dominic the Donkey - The Italian Christmas Donkey?

 

[Stella_Omega]

The Roches "We Three Kings" is my all-time favorite Christmas album!
http://www.amazon.com/We-Three-Kings-Roches/dp/B000009V0M

Stylistically, I like the bitter-sweet songs about Christmas, rather than carols;
"Have yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
and "I'll be home for Christmas" are two of my favorites.

 

[TheEarl]

Wouldn't that be Anti-Christmas Music? Or maybe it's a "Christmas Protest" song?

I wonder if the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has a copy of that -- not all of their Christmas Music is serious and religious; One of their 1960's era Christmas albums featured a massed-choir rendition of Spike Jones' "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"

I tend to take it as a Christmas song, as it reminds me very strongly of family (we all like Tom Lehrer) and is also pretty funny. But that's just me.

The Earl

 

[glynndah]

We have a huge collection of Christmas music, including several CDs that my husband has assembled. The selection is very wide: from traditional brass ensembles to joke songs, "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" and a parody of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" featuring the line "A broken transistor radio". We have mariachi Christmas music; mandolin Christmas carols; and music box Christmas carols (more than one carol is guaranteed to send you screaming out the door). One of my personal favorites is "Toolbox Christmas", a CD where all the Christmas songs are played on power tools and garage stuff (duct tape, jars of screws and nails, etc.)

 

[R. Richard]

I don't really like Christmas music. However two songs that I can tolerate are:

Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
Silver Bells - Bing Crosby [I used to live in NYC]

 

[oggbashan]

How I like my carol singing

Vienna Boys' Choir
Cathedral Choir with church organ
Welsh Male Voice choir (but NOT massed choirs - the subtelty is lost)
Brass Band

and best of all - going out in the cold and singing along with a brass band and church choir leading the crowd.

Og

 

[Adrenaline]

I like pretty much everything that's not pop. Starbucks usually releases a good collection of jazzy with a touch of broadway Christmas compilations. It doesn't get better than Ella asking what are you doing New Year's Eve. I also dig traditional choral music: the carols, hymns and such. Then there's the folksy stuff courtesy of Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band, who released two excellent Christmas albums. The square dance version of "Angels We Have Heard on High" is a favourite. Of the more Celtic kind Loreena McKennit did about two holiday albums as well.

So, as long as it's not Elton John or Christina Aguilera warbling O Holy Night, I'm set.

 

[McKenna]

I just bought the Celtic Woman Christmas Album. Beautiful.

I'm also a fan of Mannheim Steamroller for Christmas tunes.

 

[glynndah]

"Dominick the Donkey (The Italian Christmas Donkey)"
Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey,
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-dee-oh-da)
Santa's got a little friend,
his name is Dominick,
the cutest little donkey,
you never see him kick,
when Santa visits his paisans,
with Dominick he'll be,
because the reindeer cannot
climb the hills of Italy
Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
it's Dominick the donkey,
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
the Italian Christmas donkey
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-dee-oh-da)
Jingle bells around his feet,
and presents on the sled,
hey! Look at the mayor's derby,
on top of Dominick's head,
a pair of shoes for Louie,
and a dress for Josephine,
the labels on the inside say
they're made in Bruccalin'
Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
it's Dominick the donkey,
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
the Italian Christmas donkey
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)
Children sing and clap their hands,
And Dominick starts to dance,
they talk Italian to him,
and he even understands
Cummare's and cumpare's
do the dance 'a tarantell',
when Santa Nicola comes to town,
and brings 'o ciucciarell',
Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
it's Dominick the donkey,
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
the Italian Christmas donkey
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)
Hey! Dominick! Buonn Natale!
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
*some explanations:
- paisans: Neapolitan 'paisano' = fellow countryman
- Bruccalin': dialect = Brooklyn, NYC
- Cummare's: Neapolitan 'cummare' = Godmother, female relative
- cumpare's: Neapolitan 'cumpare' = Godfather, male relative, chum
- 'a tarantell': Neapolitan 'a tarantella' = southern Italian dance
- Santa Nicola: dialect = St. Nick, Santa Clause
- 'o ciucciarell': Neapolitan 'o ciucciarello' = little donkey
- Buonn Natale!: Neapolitan = Merry Christmas