Tuesday, December 03, 2002
Hello, fellow blog readers! It's time for Larry's Annual Christmas Music Album Countdown!
If you were around these parts last year, you will notice that there wasn't an Annual Christmas Music Album Countdown. That's because there was no blog last year. So, consider this the first, and I have an idea. If you have a better name for the contest, write me at the address above!
So, lets get listening! And, thanks to CDNOW for the links to buy (but I'm not getting a dime out of this!) They have links for you to sample the music too.
NUMBER 17: Esquivel!! Merry Christmas From The Space Age Bachelor Pad. It's 60s kitsch with a swingin' beat. The music your parents (or grandparents) listened to when you were a kid. BUY
NUMBER 16: Joemy Wilson, Gifts III, Christmas Music From Around The World. If you've never heard a hammered dulcimer, you are in for a treat. This disk of 19 songs is played on traditional folk instruments and is beautiful. It's hard to find, so order it direct from www.dargasonmusic.com, its catalog number DMCD-108
NUMBER 15: The Baltimore Consort, Bright Day Star. A wonderful disk full of "songs sung madrigal," with unique interpretations of old familiar and not so familiar holiday music from Europe. BUY
NUMBER 14: Perry Como, Sings Merry Christmas Music. The one album I remember so well as a kid, with the most remembered versions of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and the Twelve Days of Christmas. BUY:
NUMBER 13: James Galway, Christmas Carol. James Galway's flute and choirs do traditional Christmas music with a romantic flair. This was a TV special also, but get the CD, its all you need to enjoy. BUY:
NUMBER 12: The Inner Voices, Christmas Harmony. If you are a fan of a capella singing as I am, this jazz-flavored group of four women take harmonies soaring with modern and traditional songs. Even Johnny Mathis is a fan! (Out of print, Rhino Records,1995).
NUMBER 11: Tony Bennett, Snowfall, The Christmas Album. Only Tony can interpret "The Christmas Song" so sincerely, and his "Snowfall" is a romantic journey. BUY:
NUMBER 10: Phil Spector (producer), A Christmas Gift For You. Yes, its the Wall of Sound guy with his stable of 60s girl groups singing Christmas songs as only the Ronnettes and Darlene Love could. BUY:
NUMBER 9: Vince Guaraldi Trio, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Hey, it's Linus, Lucy and Charlie Brown in the music from the specials. One disc you can leave on repeat and relax with all afternoon. BUY:
NUMBER 8, 7 and 6: Mannheim Steamroller, Christmas, Fresh Aire Christmas, In The Aire. How Christmas music was redefined in the 90s, Chip Davis has had the best selling Christmas albums of all time! Fusing Rock and Orchestra, the arrangments are unique, catchy, and beautiful. Available everywhere, or BUY:
NUMBER 5: Harry Connick Jr., When My Heart Finds Christmas. Easily the best of the jazzy gendre of today, Harry brings a bouncy beat to Christmas songs. My favorite is "(It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus. BUY:
NUMBER 4: George Winston, December (20th Anniversary Edition). When you are in front of the fireplace and want to contemplate, pus this disc on, and let it slowly bring you into the holiday mood. Solo piano from a romantic master. BUY:
NUMBER 3: Kenny Rankin, A Christmas Album. You should all know how much I like Kenny, and this album of Christmas favorites is done like his other albums, a unique Kenny style of his wide singing range, scat and arrangement. BUY:
NUMBER 2: Chicago, 25 The Christmas Album. Classic Chicago, with Christmas songs in their style. Gets you going with the famous horns and uptempo melodies. Number 2 favorite! BUY:
And finally, NUMBER 1: Various Artists, Your King Has Come. My favorite Christmas album, an honest, sometimes gritty but soulful Christmas outing by some young Christian artists. The music grows and grows on you, and touches your heart. Search for Your King Has Come at: CD Freedom
Hits of Yesterday goes All Christmas, All The Time starting Sunday, December 22 through Christmas Day. Tune in at Hits of Yesterday and while you are waiting for the Christmas music, listen to the hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Au revoir!
|
If you were around these parts last year, you will notice that there wasn't an Annual Christmas Music Album Countdown. That's because there was no blog last year. So, consider this the first, and I have an idea. If you have a better name for the contest, write me at the address above!
So, lets get listening! And, thanks to CDNOW for the links to buy (but I'm not getting a dime out of this!) They have links for you to sample the music too.
NUMBER 17: Esquivel!! Merry Christmas From The Space Age Bachelor Pad. It's 60s kitsch with a swingin' beat. The music your parents (or grandparents) listened to when you were a kid. BUY
NUMBER 16: Joemy Wilson, Gifts III, Christmas Music From Around The World. If you've never heard a hammered dulcimer, you are in for a treat. This disk of 19 songs is played on traditional folk instruments and is beautiful. It's hard to find, so order it direct from www.dargasonmusic.com, its catalog number DMCD-108
NUMBER 15: The Baltimore Consort, Bright Day Star. A wonderful disk full of "songs sung madrigal," with unique interpretations of old familiar and not so familiar holiday music from Europe. BUY
NUMBER 14: Perry Como, Sings Merry Christmas Music. The one album I remember so well as a kid, with the most remembered versions of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and the Twelve Days of Christmas. BUY:
NUMBER 13: James Galway, Christmas Carol. James Galway's flute and choirs do traditional Christmas music with a romantic flair. This was a TV special also, but get the CD, its all you need to enjoy. BUY:
NUMBER 12: The Inner Voices, Christmas Harmony. If you are a fan of a capella singing as I am, this jazz-flavored group of four women take harmonies soaring with modern and traditional songs. Even Johnny Mathis is a fan! (Out of print, Rhino Records,1995).
NUMBER 11: Tony Bennett, Snowfall, The Christmas Album. Only Tony can interpret "The Christmas Song" so sincerely, and his "Snowfall" is a romantic journey. BUY:
NUMBER 10: Phil Spector (producer), A Christmas Gift For You. Yes, its the Wall of Sound guy with his stable of 60s girl groups singing Christmas songs as only the Ronnettes and Darlene Love could. BUY:
NUMBER 9: Vince Guaraldi Trio, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Hey, it's Linus, Lucy and Charlie Brown in the music from the specials. One disc you can leave on repeat and relax with all afternoon. BUY:
NUMBER 8, 7 and 6: Mannheim Steamroller, Christmas, Fresh Aire Christmas, In The Aire. How Christmas music was redefined in the 90s, Chip Davis has had the best selling Christmas albums of all time! Fusing Rock and Orchestra, the arrangments are unique, catchy, and beautiful. Available everywhere, or BUY:
NUMBER 5: Harry Connick Jr., When My Heart Finds Christmas. Easily the best of the jazzy gendre of today, Harry brings a bouncy beat to Christmas songs. My favorite is "(It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus. BUY:
NUMBER 4: George Winston, December (20th Anniversary Edition). When you are in front of the fireplace and want to contemplate, pus this disc on, and let it slowly bring you into the holiday mood. Solo piano from a romantic master. BUY:
NUMBER 3: Kenny Rankin, A Christmas Album. You should all know how much I like Kenny, and this album of Christmas favorites is done like his other albums, a unique Kenny style of his wide singing range, scat and arrangement. BUY:
NUMBER 2: Chicago, 25 The Christmas Album. Classic Chicago, with Christmas songs in their style. Gets you going with the famous horns and uptempo melodies. Number 2 favorite! BUY:
And finally, NUMBER 1: Various Artists, Your King Has Come. My favorite Christmas album, an honest, sometimes gritty but soulful Christmas outing by some young Christian artists. The music grows and grows on you, and touches your heart. Search for Your King Has Come at: CD Freedom
Hits of Yesterday goes All Christmas, All The Time starting Sunday, December 22 through Christmas Day. Tune in at Hits of Yesterday and while you are waiting for the Christmas music, listen to the hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Au revoir!
|
