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Holidays 2006: Holiday Music
By
Published: Jan 01, 2006
Category:
Beyond Classification
Holiday Music
I’ve been remiss. For me, the holidays are a time to go 24/7 Classical. It just doesn’t occur to me that others might like traditional songs as background music. Or that you like to sing along. Or even see an opportunity for humor in your choice of holiday music. My apologies.
For those whose musical cupboards are barren of holiday cheer, here you go.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Vince Guaraldi was an odd choice to score the Charlie Brown franchise. He was a noted jazz pianist, with a delicate right hand and a killer left. He turned out to be a genius addition to these shows — his music not only expresses the smart, bittersweet emotions of Charlie and his pals, it stands up on its own. Indeed, this may be the only Christmas recording you can play with pleasure all year.
Christmas with the Chipmunks
A gimmick. But the ultimate one. Tell me you’ve never pretended to be a Chipmunk. Liar! Liar!
Christmas with Dino
Dean Martin. No doubt recorded holding a glass of amber liquid. That it was almost surely iced tea shouldn’t stop your fantasy of a Vegas holiday.
A John Waters Christmas
The king of transgressive movies chooses his favorite — that is, most awful — holiday songs. Can you live without “Santa Is a Black Man" and "Here Comes Fatty Claus”?
Ultimate Christmas
Nat King Cole. Aretha. Bing Crosby. Elvis. Johnny Mathis. Luther Candross. Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick. Judy Garland. And more from the all-time “A” list.
A Very Special Christmas – Vol. 5
For the benefit of the Special Olympics. The most recent edition features Wyclef Jean, Jon Bon Jovi, Dido, Sheryl Crow, B.B. King & John Popper, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and Darlene Love’s immortal version of “White Christmas.”
Jazz to the World
For hep cats and kool kitties. Herb Alpert/Jeff Lorber, Dianne Reeves/Lou Rawls, Diana Krall, Stanley Clarke, Cassandra Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Anita Baker, Chick Corea and more.
