Holiday music

[Gentle Giant]

I assume people will want to recommend/discuss holiday music that they like for the upcoming season. I just want to start it off with Brian Wilson's new release, What I Really Want for Christmas. While my strong pro-Brian bias will no doubt make some people dismiss my superlatives (plus the fact that Jewish people are generally suspect Xmas-music reviewers), I really think this is year-round quality music. The ideal follow-up to SMiLE? Yes and no. While its aspirations aren't as lofty, it's also probably wise to do something completely different so as to limit comparisons. That said, the production genius behind both projects is in clear evidence here.

But you don't have to take my word for it. On Brian's site, there's a "blog" for the new release that lets you hear five full tracks and view a 19-minute making-of video that shows how Brian works, and how solid a crew his band is. I might add that in addition to classic carols and remakes of two tunes from the original Beach Boys Christmas Album, there are two new tunes: one with lyrics by Jimmy Webb, and one with lyrics by Bernie Taupin.

[groover]

The Jethro Tull Christmas Album
Jethro Tull

Here's another fine choice to enjoy by your Christmas tree... or maybe even your Hanukkah menorah?

Sure to be as heartily embraced as the Brian Wilson recommendation by this crowd.

[Doc Martin]

A few favorites:




PEGGY LEE: CHRISTMAS



LOUIS ARMSTRONG: CHRISTMAS IN NEW ORLEANS



LOU RAWLS: CHRISTMAS IS THE TIME



CHRISTMAS SONGS WITH RAY BROWN



CHRISTMAS WITH MAHALIA JACKSON



ELLA WISHES YOU A SWINGING CHRISTMAS



JOE PASS: SIX STRING SANTA



LOUIS ARMSTRONG, ELLA FITZGERALD, JOHN COLTRANE, BILL EVANS AND SARAH VAUGHAN: VERVE PRESENTS: THE VERY BEST OF CHRISTMAS JAZZ



KENNY BURRELL: HAVE YOURSELF A SOULFUL LITTLE CHRISTMAS

[Gentle Giant]

Originally Posted by groover

The Jethro Tull Christmas Album
Jethro Tull

Here's another fine choice to enjoy by your Christmas tree... or maybe even your Hanukkah menorah?

Sure to be as heartily embraced as the Brian Wilson recommendation by this crowd.

Didn't know this existed. Always loved A Christmas Song ("The Christmas spirit is not what you drink").

[Enforcer]

By far the worst rendition of Jingle Bells can be found on a late 60s recording by Barbra Streisand. I believe it's titled "Jingle Bells?" and the query is appropriate.

[Dr Dave]

This is the one, including the incredible "Santa Claus, Go Straight To The Ghetto" as well as the nearly as incredible "Go Power At Christmas Time"



Also, "A John Waters Christmas" has the wonderful "Santa Claus Is A Black Man" which I used to hear on WDKX in Rochester, NY, recorded by the mysterious Akim.

[groover]

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

Didn't know this existed. Always loved A Christmas Song ("The Christmas spirit is not what you drink").

My favorite "seasonal" albums either have no lyrics or few overt Christian references.

If you like that sort of Anglo-Celtic thing, you might also dig this album of not quite Christmas music:


Drive the Cold Winter Away
Horslips

Review by Dave Sleger

At a time when Horslips were rapidly drifting away from their quasi-traditional Irish roots, they unexpectedly delivered this gift-wrapped gem. With the exception of Barry Devlin's electric bass and John Fean's occasional contemporary guitar stylings, this is a solid traditional Irish album and certainly the most autochthonous recording by Horslips. All 13 of the selections are of Irish origin, among them three Turlough O'Carolan tunes including the sprightly "Sir Festus Burke" (it is unclear whether it was ever intended as a Christmas song). It unfolds into a Celtic "wall of sound" featuring Jim Lockhart's harpsichord, with banjo, flute, fiddle and guitar gradually joining in the round. "Thompson's/Cottage in the Grove" is a pair of reels that progress in much the same fashion. This time, the concertina of Charles O'Connor is followed by banjo, piano, whistle, bodhran and bones. The nearest this record gets to familiar holiday carol territory is found in a passage from the hornpipe "Piper in the Meadow Straying," which bears a calculated resemblance to "Don we now our gay apparel" from "Deck the Halls." This was a surprising and risky recording for a mid-'70s rock band, but it definitely rejuvenated them and paved the way for their 1976 tour de force Book of Invasions: A Celtic Symphony.

[Enforcer]

There's a song that used to play on our Christmas muzak at work about ten years ago. I never did find out who the artist was or what the name of the song is. It's sung in a low, almost whisper-like voice. Sounds like a baritone, but it borders on hipster rambling, not really singing so much. The music is almost bossa nova. it sounds like lounge music. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Dean Martin. Problem is, I've browsed the web many times and checked out sound samples at AMG, but never found it.

I wish I could figure out who it was. It's not that I like the song or anything, but I really want to solve the mystery. I don't even know the lyrics. It was written in a pretty cheesy style. The rhythm of verse reminded me of Iambic Pentameter.

Someone help me.

[Gentle Giant]

[Gentle Giant]

You might ask yourself, what does the funky blues of Peter Himmelman's "Lighting Up the World" have in common with the spirited klezmer of Don Byron's "Oi Tata"? Somehow, after listening to Festival of Light, you'll see the connection. Throughout this compilation--one of the most eclectic collections of Hanukkah music available--you find diverse, yet soulful music that somehow captures the spirit of the holiday and its people today. The Covenant meld the future sounds of electronica and trance with the gorgeous vintage vocals of Cantor Ben Zion Kapov-Kagen on "Kiddush Le-Shabbat" to great affect; the Masada String Quartet performs John Zorn's playful "Bikkurim" in one of the disc's most sublime moments; and Jane Siberry's take on "Shir Amami" puts a modern spin on the traditional tune. Whether you favor the lush sounds of worldbeat or the sincere messages of world-class singer-songwriters, there's something for you here. --Jason Verlinde

[Sergio Zamora]

Kool Moe Dee:
Ho Ho Ho
Open up ya do
I'm Santa Claus and guess what y'all
I got something to show
I came to bring some Christmas Spirit
I got a big bag now guess what's in it
Something for the rich and something for the po
So Merry Christmas and ho ho ho

L.A. Sunshine:
Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas my foot
I'ma tell you what Santa really put
under my so-called tree but in reality
looked like nothin but a decorated pole to me

Special K:
Man, you talk about a tree it makes wonder
cause I never had a tree to put anything under
if I ever did luck up and get a tree
there was never anything under it for me

Kool Moe Dee:
Man I don't what y'all talking about
cause when I come to your town I just get kicked out
You think I'm getting presents made for free
I gotta pay them elves and ain't nobody paying me

L.A. Sunshine:
You big fat whale you might as well quit
cause I can name a hundred presents that I didn't get
and if I did get a present it would be a hand-me-down
Yo I got this for Christmas now how that sound

Special K:
It sounds good to me cause I'm about to freeze
you wanna see something look at the bottom of these
me and brothers can't go out at the same time
cause a coat that's theirs is a coat that's mine

Kool Moe Dee:
Man I know one thing y'all better get off my neck
and wait till you get ya welfare check
go on down to the office and stand in the line
better hurry up see I got mine

Chorus:
Jingle, Jangle, Jingle for the po
and once you get your welfare check
Yo kiss my mistletoe
Ho Ho Ho
Ho Ho Ho

L.A. Sunshine:
That's why the presents keep getting mixed up
cause year after year you keep fucking up
and now I know why cause you always drunk
instead of G.I. Joe you send me this junk

Special K:
That ain't a G.I. Joe that's a G.I. jerk
with a kungfu grip that don't even work
so all I did was just put him away
cause my G.I. Joe looked G.I. gay

Kool Moe Dee:
That's why you don't get presents now
cause you're just ingrates
if the G.I. Joe is gay what difference does it make
after all he's just a doll ain't too much he can do
if you ask me boy I ain't to sure about

L.A. Sunshine:
Listen bloato in your big fat suit
next time say no don't send no substitute
cause I asked you for a beatbox and you know what I got?
Dougie Fresh, you know that kid from down the block

Dougie Freshbeatboxing)

Special K:
For a fascimile we must admit
Dougie Fresh was good and made a perfect fit
He's the only reason why we weren't totally mad
Without Dougie our Christmas would've been really sad

Kool Moe Dee:
Well let's get Doug E. Fresh and Magnificent Force
and head on out the do
and leave these partypeople singing
Jingle, Jangle for the po
Sing!

[Gentle Giant]

To the tune of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man":

Artist: Bob Rivers
Song Title: I Am Santa Claus

I am Santa Claus

Ho ho ho ho ho

Flying Through the snow
Can you hear him ho ho ho
He's so full of cheer
only has to work one day a year

Children in their beds
Visions of sugar plums fill their heads
So many kids out there
Santa must be a billionare

Red suit, boots of black
Big sack of toys hanging off his back
How much does he weigh
How do the reindeer pull his sleigh

Nobody sees him
as he travels the world

Leaving his presents
for the good boys and girls

Ho ho ho ho ho

Sees every move you make
Better be good for goodness sake
Leave him cookies and beer
He'll be back to your house first next year

I am Santa Claus

Ho ho ho ho ho

[kazeye]

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

That said, the production genius behind both projects is in clear evidence here..........that shows how Brian works, and how solid a crew his band is.
http://www.brianwilson.com/blog/index.html

[Sand]

Funny this thread should surface just now.

In June I bought a Christmas recording for one dollar, and soon found out it could be enjoyed greatly through all seasons. Only two days ago I found this review that is to the point (it popped up as soon as I wrote pop in the address field of my browser - it's from popmatters):

]BUKKENE BRUSE
The Loveliest Rose
(Northside/Grappa Musikkforlag)
US release date: 17 September 2002
European release date: December 2001 by Gypsy Flores




The Loveliest Rose is an album of Christmas music from Norway; but don't expect "Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly" or even "Good King Wenceslas". This is an album of mostly traditional music of Norway and some tunes composed by the band; and even though, the CD is of Christmas music, there is no reason to restrict its playing to only this season. The Loveliest Rose would be beautiful all year round, especially on a long cold winter's night when one feels the need for gentle music that is beautifully played and sung.

Formed in 1988, this is the fourth release by the Norwegian group Bukkene Bruse (or the Billy Goat's Gruff). Band members are Norwegian superstar, Annbjørg Lien, on hardingfele or hardangar fiddle and nyckelharpa, Arve Moen Bergset also plays hardingfele and fiddle and vocals as well, Steinar Ofsdal on flutes, and the newest member of the group, Bjørn Ole Rasch on church organ and keyboards. Bukkene Bruse (pronounced BUH-kay-na BREW-sah) have toured in many countries as representatives for Norway including China where they played with leading Chinese musicians. They were also the official band representing Norway at the winter Olympics in Lillehammer.

The Loveliest Rose was recorded January 2001 in Sofienburg Church in Oslo and has the airy sound quality that is produced in such a setting. Arve Moen Bergset's voice soars through the repertoire with crystalline beauty. He is a wonderful representative of the Norwegian folk style of singing known as kveding. Wonderfully ornamented and yet sounding as if he is simply telling you a tale with his songs, he makes it intimate and accessible as his voice floats above the instruments.

Although Annbjørg is definitely a star in Norway, with Bukkene Bruse she sits a little further back and does not seem to feel the need to outshine her fellow musicians. Not that she cannot be heard or that she isn't just as wonderful as she is on her solo recordings; but the band members are all experts and Annbjørg is relaxed enough to be just one of them. .....

Listening to this recording over and over, it is easy to see why it was nominated for a Norwegian Grammy award. The instruments blend beautifully with the vocals and become a harmonious one that is rare in most recordings. This is not only due to the nature of the music, itself, but to the resonant quality of each instrument as it is played by these extraordinarily talented musicians. The album shines like a clear Christmas night when the trees are bare and the newly fallen snow lies in the fields undisturbed. They invite the stranger at the door to come inside where it is warm, the music is playing, the dancers are doing a gangar, and there is a cup of hot cider and fresh gingerbread just waiting for you.

If one has never heard traditional Norwegian music, The Loveliest Rose would be a very good place to begin. But be careful -- one might just find oneself becoming addicted to the sounds of kveding or the hardangar fiddle. Then who knows -- there is all those regional dances such as Telespringar or Valdresspringar to be learned!

— 13 January 2003

[Xavier]

I like Nat King Cole's and Vince Guaraldi's Christmas recordings. I've been listening to them since I was a kid and they're still wonderful.

[Gentle Giant]

Originally Posted by kazeye

Do you disagree, or did the link not work for you?

[Gentle Giant]

Holiday greetings from Michael Nesmith