All of the original (and quite, um, impressive) songs we’ve had on the blog lately have gotten me thinking even more about Christmas music. I love listening to it this time of year. I didn’t want to start listening to it directly after Halloween, as on 103.3 FM, but once December hit I was ready for it.
I like listening to the radio, where I can hear the young Michael Jackson sing “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” or Adam Sandler doing his “Hannukah” song. A lot of the music on the radio is too sappy for me, though, and I end up finding my regular non-Christmas stations. (Like NPR or Lima’s 92.1) But at home…
I’ve got good memories from when I was a kid of listening to a John Gary Christmas record as my mom and I put up our decorations. It always had to be when my dad and brother were out of the house, because they couldn’t stomach it. But my mom and I loved it.
Later on it was The Messiah. Although I have to admit I didn’t always stand up when the Hallelujah Chorus came on.
Now we’ve got some new favorites. The kids have two special ones — Vince Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas, and, of course, A Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas (by, obviously, The Wiggles).
If Steve has his choice it’s either Charlie Brown or two others: The Blind Boys from Alabama or Amy Grant.
We all like different instrumental CDs, as well as the good oldies like Bing Crosby,Burl Ives, and Peter, Paul and Mary — with John Denver, Harry Connick, Jr., and Take 6 thrown in.
But my favorite? I’ve gotta say…it’s Elvis. I mean, who can resist Blue Christmas, his version of Silent Night, and Here Comes Santa Claus? Something about it just makes me feel good. No one can ever say his Christmas songs, no matter how familiar the tunes, are generic. I listen to him when I’m cooking, and my daughter comes in and says, “This music’s weird.” And while I may agree, it’s a GOOD weird. I love it.
After next week the Christmas CDs will go away until next December. Something about listening to them in other months of the year just doesn’t feel right. But for now, it makes the season…happier somehow. Good music will do that for you.
So remember (and try to channel Elvis while you do): “Santa knows that we’re God’s children. That makes everything right.”
Have a holly, jolly Christmas, everyone. See you in the new year.
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For me it’s Jimmy Durante’s Frosty the Snowman.
by C.R.
on December 20th, 2007 at 7:20 am
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For me it’s Jimmy Durante’s Frosty the Snowman, and of course, I share Casey’s all-time favorite, Have Yourself a Witchy Little Solstice.
by C.R.
on December 20th, 2007 at 7:21 am
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Boy, I only wish my man Jim Morrison had a Christmas lp/cd.
Or even good old Neil Young. But….oh well.
We have our box of Christmas music we pull out each year. But only in December. You are right about that J, this music only sound good now.
We have a real good mix of things. And as for lps, I have a bunch of Christmas stuff…these lps make me feel like my grandfather though. I have to hook up a bunch of items to catch a tune on the turn table….then answer a whole bunch of q’s from people as to what I’m doing! Lots of work so I just don’t do it.
Last year we put on display our Edison music machice….the one that plays the cylinders…complete with the big old horn. Sitting with it was the 40th Anniversary issue of Rolling Stone magazine.
All the nieces and nephews gave me some weird looks!
z
by Zorro
on December 20th, 2007 at 7:23 am
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The Beach Boys and the Carpenters. The entire Beach Boy Album…especially Brian singing I’ll Be Home For Christmas. And Karen Carpenter singing Merry Christmas Baby.
And anyone doing Frank Lescher’s song What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve.
All worth waiting an entire year for.
Oh…how did I forget Run Run Rudolph by Chuck Berry? That’s the best of all!
by Don
on December 20th, 2007 at 7:40 am
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OK, I guess its time to list a few of my Christmas music routines.
First and I hope for a long time to come, I alway listen to Britten’s Ceremony Of Carols very late on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas Day after all of the family has left for their homes. I listen while sipping some Bailey’s or smoky scotch or wine. For me, a Ceremony Of Carols is a must…and the best of Christmas music.
Then sprinkled thoughout the season we listen to a variety of things. Amoung my favorites:
A Winter Garden-Loreena McKennitt. This lady knocks me out. She has a number of other cd’s. One of her other seasonal type songs on her Parallel Dreams cd is song called Dicken’s Dublin (The Palace). Its an emotional song that mixes the meaning of Christmas with a poor/homeless woman looking for her home.
Then….Winter Nights-Al DiMeola
A Winter’s Solstice (the first of many)-Windham Hill Artist
The Christmas Collection(or any of the Narada xmas cds)-Narada
An Oscar Peterson Christmas-Oscar Peterson
December-George Wilson
Give them a listen….enjoy….and have a great Christmas.
Z
by Zorro
on December 20th, 2007 at 8:28 am
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Bernadette Peters singin’ Santa Baby — hoo !
by C.R.
on December 20th, 2007 at 8:31 am
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It’s funny, isn’t it, that no matter what we talk about, it always comes back to music. I’m thinking we need to take the band on the road! We’ve got CR on drums, Don on guitar. Judy, I’ll arm wrestle you for the tambourine!
by Casey
on December 20th, 2007 at 8:32 am
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Casey, if Don agrees to sing lead, you and I can be the back-up singers. I’ve always thought that would be fun. You know, wear the sparkly outfits and have a choreographed little swaying routine.
And Z, you reminded me of jazz — we enjoy Marcus Roberts’ Prayer for Peace and Dave Brubeck’s Christmas album.
by Judy
on December 20th, 2007 at 9:19 am
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No one mentioned Nat and the Christmas Carol? And honestly, I’d totally forgotten about the one that goes
I’m getting a top coat as my gift
If I don’t then I’ll be miffed
A top coat on the 25th
for Christmas
What else could it be?
The perfect gift for me
A top coat yes a top coat
for Christmas
I can’t remember the name or author, but it always brings tears to my eyes.
Don
by Don
on December 20th, 2007 at 9:23 am
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Judy
I’ll have to look those two up.
Z
Don,
I think the artist was….uhh,….I forget!
z
by Zorro
on December 20th, 2007 at 9:31 am
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I’ve always been a sucker for sparkle dresses so yes, let’s do the back-up singer routine. A perfect opportunity to add sparkle to my wardrobe.
I’ve only had one occasion to go all out in the sparkle category. That was when one of my romances was nominated as historical romance of the year by Romance Writers of America. They do a huge ceremony at their yearly conference, a very Oscar-like evening. No, I didn’t win, but it was fun to get wined and dined (in Chicago that year) by my editor. And I did get to buy a sparkle dress!
by Casey
on December 20th, 2007 at 10:05 am
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Another of my favorites is Louis Armstrong’s ‘Zat you, Santa Claus? Buster Poindexter (aka David Johansen, lead singer of the 70s glam rock group New York Dolls) also has a great recording of it:
Gifts I’m preparin’
For some Christmas sharin’
But I pause because
Hangin’ my stockin’
I can hear a knockin’
‘Zat you, Santa Claus
Sure is dark out
Not the slighest spark out
Pardon my clackin’ jaws
Uh, who there
Who is it
Uh, stoppin’ for a visit
‘Zat you, Santa Claus
Are you bringin’ a present for me
Something pleasantly pleasant for me
That’s what I’ve been waitin’ for
Would you mind slippin’ it under the door
Four winds are howlin’
Or maybe that be growlin’
My legs feel like straws
Oh my, my, me, my
Kindly would you reply
‘Zat you, Santa Claus
Yeah
Oh hangin’ my stockin’
I can hear a knockin’
‘Zat you, Santa Claus
Yeah, say now
Hey there, who is it
Stoppin’ for a visit
‘Zat you, Santa Claus
Whoa there Santa you gave me a scare
Now stop teasin’ ’cause I know you’re there
We don’t believe in no goblins today
But I can’t explain why I’m shakin’ this way
Well I see old Santa in the keyhole
I’ll give to the cause
One peek and I’ll try there
Uh-oh there’s an eye there
‘Zat you, Santa Claus
Please, please
I pity my knees
Say that’s you Santa Claus
That’s him alright
by C.R.
on December 20th, 2007 at 10:14 am
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Top Coat Song…C.R.somebody wrote that.
by Don
on December 20th, 2007 at 11:11 am
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I was just singing that one before I logged on and saw that you put the lyrics on, CR. Another favorite!
by Casey
on December 20th, 2007 at 11:11 am
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Don, you make it too easy:
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better be good
I’m telling you why
Carol got a topcoat for C.R.
She tried to keep it a secret
She swore she was telling the truth
But she couldn’t pull the wool over C.R.’s eyes
Cause he’s to damn fine a sleuth
Oh . . . .
by C.R.
on December 20th, 2007 at 11:36 am
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An open letter to Carol, CR’s better half:
Dear Carol,
Do not give that man a topcoat for Christmas. He is far too sure of himself, not to mention smug, and he needs to be taught a lesson.
It’s hard, I know, but it’s for his own good.
Sincerely,
The Bloggers
by Casey
on December 20th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
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Okay Zorro,
Take back the new broom for you-know-who. We menz have to stick together, no?
by C.R.
on December 20th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
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Consider it done.
No broom for da Witch.
Z
by Zorro
on December 20th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
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You guys need to check out Brian Setzer’s Christmas Album. Or just cruise the PBS stations. The album is filled with swingin’ kickin’ big band charts of your holiday favorites, including “That you, Santa Claus?” and a version of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” along with “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” Christmas in Vegas, baby!
I can’t listen to Christmas music on the radio anymore. I don’t want to hear some American Idol fluffball screeching out “Silent Night” like she’s trying to be Aretha. Pick a key, sweetheart, and go look up the word “virgin” while you’re at it.
Elvis respected the music, and the holiday. But then, who else could tell us Santa Claus is commin’ in BIG BLACK CADILLAC.
Merry Christmas, Baby!
