Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Suggestions?
So, as a follow up to yesterday's post about the Carpenters, I wanted to get some opinions, if anyone has them, about Christmas music.
See, I like Christmas music. I know that's not hip with the kids and stuff, and it's cooler to hate things, and be counterculture, and to vomit a lot, but I fear for my tooth enamel with all that vomiting really.
My problem is that I'm kind of in that "I've heard it all" mentality right now. If I have to listen to another version "Sleigh Ride", "Do You Hear What I Hear", or "Baby, It's Cold Outside" I might wind up convicted of a violent crime, but I'll have a good defense, the crappy Christmas music drove me to it.
Part of my problem may be that I've been listening to the Christmas radio stations, which play as much Kenny G and Michael Bolton as they do Bing Crosby. But I'm tired to death of endless versions of the same songs with very little variety. I think I heard two different versions of "Do You Hear What I Hear" within a single five song block the other day. What the hell? Is there nothing else to choose from?
I believe that there must be something else to choose from, so I come to you begging for suggestions. What is your favorite Christmas music that I might check it out? Especially your favorite stuff that is original, and not endlessly remade by the hacks that are just out to fulfill a quick album in their contract with A&M or Geffen.
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6 comments:
I actually really like Zooey Deschannel's voice. She actually has a recording contract and they have done one of my favorite Christmas albums is right now on the front of the homepage.
http://www.sheandhim.com/
Anything that Nat King Cole sang, especially for Christmas music is the best of the best for me.
Other than that it's singles here and there.
I don't know if it's any good but that Very Special Christmas album thing just released a 25th anniversary. I don't know if it's any good but it's out there.
I'm not big on Christmas music and avoid it, but every year a listen to Jon Anderson's (from YES) album is in order. The original album was called Three Ships, but it may have come out as something else later.
Mannheim steamroller has a decent christmas album/CD as well.
That's about it. I'm pretty much a bah-humbug type. I can barely listen to the radio during Christmas for fear they will play Christmas music during the stupid commercials.
I do run some giveaways at my blog at this time of year, but that's more because I think people are out looking for stocking stuffers and goodies.
Sting has a sort-of Christmas album he put out that I heard recently called "Songs For A Winter's Night." It's not your typical Xmas CD with "Winter Wonderland" and "O Holy Night" and "Let It Snow" and "Christmas In Hollis," but rather is obscure, old tyme winter folk songs that you'd never hear on anybody else's alb--
Oh, who am I kidding? It's shite.
Well this will go pretty far back again, but I grew up with my Mom playing the Kenny Rogers Christmas album. I actually uploaded a song from it onto Youtube a few years back and I am surprized at the comments that I continue to get on it every year. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQHnFCMlTlg
The album has several other good original Christmas songs
I also second spaceVulture on Zooey Deschannel. She has a wonderful voice.
For something completely different, try the Celtic Fusion band Coyote Run. Since you have kids, you may enjoy John Denver and the Muppets Christmas Special. We also really like the VeggieTales albums, but those are more of an acquired taste.
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