The Definitive Christmas Song Thread

[bostontricky]

So we're working on Christmas carols this December with the youngest Trickette here, because she loves to sing and we're getting tired of hearing the same two carols over and over and over. So we're spinning some Xmas compilation with some pretty standard versions of carols, and a number of tracks led me to wonder what other JCers consider definitive versions of Christmas carols. Two tracks in particular:

The first track on the disc is a good start for discussion: Nat King Cole's version of "The Christmas Song". You could certainly make a case for Mel Torme.

There's also a version of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Johnny Mathis (cringe) which had me wondering, what happened to Andy Williams? He owns that song, as far as I'm concerned.

There were a number of other picks that seemed spot on, though:

White Christmas - Bing Crosby
Home for the Holidays - Perry Como
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry

Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett have got to own at least one, and many others. A penny for your thoughts.

[Ron Thorne]

It's pretty hard to top Nat King Cole's version of The Christmas Song, in my estimation.

Another favorite is I'll Be Home For Christmas, by Tony Bennett, along with Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, from the album Tony Bennett - The Christmas Album/Snowfall. That's a really fine recording.

I also really enjoy this Frank Sinatra compilation.



Another nice, less frequently heard one from this recording is I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

More later.

[jeff54]

Christmas Don't Be Late

[Scott Dolan]

Little Drummer Boy - Ray Charles

[vibes]

Throw in a track or two from the Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown Christmas album for a break from vocals. Skating and O Tannenbaum are personal favorites.

[bostontricky]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Little Drummer Boy - Ray Charles

Much as I love Ray's version, shouldn't this be like the fucking Vienna Boys Choir, or something like that?

Should we throw a bone to Ray Conniff? The Twelve Days of Christmas, or something like that?

[Vince Kargatis]

Tops in my book go to Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride", the classic instrumental version.

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by bostontricky

Much as I love Ray's version, shouldn't this be like the fucking Vienna Boys Choir, or something like that?

Are you interested in the definitive version, or not?

[John L]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

It's pretty hard to top Nat King Cole's version of The Christmas Song, in my estimation.

If I had to pick just one, that would be my choice too.


When my kids were growing, their favorite was Chuck Berry's "Run, Run Rudolph." That is another good'un.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Merry Christmas Baby -- Charles Brown

Jingle Bells -- Ella Fitzgerald

What Are You Doing New Years Eve -- Ella Fitzgerald

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree -- Brenda Lee

Baby It's Cold Outside -- Dean Martin

Snowfall -- Claude Thornhill

White Christmas -- The Drifters (but we'll give Der Bingle

Silver Bells -- Bing Crosby

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

Tops in my book go to Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride", the classic instrumental version.

I absolutely love that too, Vince! The only thing more fun than hearing it is playing it, which I'm glad I've been able to do several times, both in high school and in college.

[Ron Thorne]

In a related story, I couldn't resist ordering the following from Mosaic last night for $12.98. Even if I'm not crazy about every track . . .



Fifty-six years in the making, the earliest track on THE ULITMATE JAZZ CHRISTMAS ALBUM is Nat King Cole's rare 1946 original trio version of "The Christmas Song" written that year by Mel Torme and Robert Wells; the most recent track is Norah Jones' poignant version of Horace Silver's beautiful "Peace," a 2002 track from the EP that Norah Jones recorded upon signing with Blue Note Records.

Jazz has never been a slave to convention and this collection includes other contemporary pieces like Duke Pearson's haunting "Christo Redenter" by Donald Byrd with a vocal choir, Thad Jones's touching "A Child Is Born" by the orchestra he co-led with Mel Lewis and Johnny Moore's ultra-cool "Merry Christmas Baby" sung by Charles Brown.

And when it comes to holiday classics, Count Basie, Eliane Elias, Duke Pearson and Booker Ervin swing them and Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls sing them as never before. Unlike most Christmas collections, there's not a corny tune or a schlocky performance to make you reach for the skip button. It is, after all, the ultimate jazz Christmas album.

[Gary Sisco]

A Love Supreme

[Root Doctor]

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

White Christmas -- The Drifters

This version, along with Chuck Berry's "Run, Run Rudolph" (Keith Richard does a great job of it, too), were favorites of my son when he was younger. Right now, we're partial to NRBQ's rewrite of "The Christmas Song:"

Snow everywhere
Can't go anywhere
Skating angrily in style

[Brian Olewnick]

At our most recent record club, befitting the season, I played my personal favorite, Beefheart's "There Ain't No Santa Claus on the Evenin' Stage"

[walto]

Dr. Elmo, "Chucky Got a Chainsaw for Christmas"--from

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by Root Doctor

This version, along with Chuck Berry's "Run, Run Rudolph" (Keith Richard does a great job of it, too), were favorites of my son when he was younger.

So does Dave Edmunds.

The Tempts singing "Rudolph" is pretty great.

[CatBenson]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

In a related story, I couldn't resist ordering the following from Mosaic last night for $12.98. Even if I'm not crazy about every track . . .

This is a nice CD, thanks for the recommendation.

***
While not on par with Vince G, but still nice:



I like this one too:

[Gentle Giant]

The Jewish Brian Wilson fan shows up, and you all probably think I'm going to suggest Little St. Nick. But I'm not, I hate that song as much as I hate Kokomo. But last year, Brian put out a Xmas album of his own, and all I'll say is that if you're looking for chestnuts with beautiful vocal harmonies, it's well worth a listen.

However, my main point here is that if you're open to a "new" standard, there is a lovely original song, the title track, with lyrics by Jimmy Webb, that I do highly recommend. Just imagine, a songwriting credit that reads "Wilson-Webb." Should've happened long ago.

[CatBenson]

Roswell Rudd has a great version of All Through the Night on his Malicool CD.

[groover]

I'm still partial to local Philly boy Pat Godwin's "Grandma Got Worked Over By A Mobster".

"You may say that there's no Cosa Nostra,
But as for me and Grandpa, we believe."

Always brings a tear to my eye!

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

White Christmas -- The Drifters

Clyde!

And don't forget

Bebop Santa Claus -- Babs Gonzales

[bostontricky]

I remember Garrett Morris burning the house down on SNL with his version of "Winter Wonderland": I suspect this may have had roots in the Phil Spector album.

[rollhead]

Does it have to be Christmas? or will late December do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liyiT_DGREA

[Gentle Giant]

Almost forgot, I have a swinging version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Nancy Wilson that comes from a collection called Home For the Holidays.

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Originally Posted by rollhead

Clyde!

Actually Clyde was on active duty when The Drifters recorded White Christmas, so the lead was sung by their baritone, Bill Pinkney. The arrangement, BTW, is a note for note copy of The Ravens' version from 1949.

Originally Posted by CatBenson

Roswell Rudd has a great version of All Through the Night on his Malicool CD.

Yes, a gorgeous cut from a beautiful album!

[Mike Schwartz]

Marla's Mom has this wonderful Christmas CD out.

IMO, "Cape Cod Christmas" is a new classic!!

[jeff54]

one of my personal favorites

[jeff54]

and for those who aren't into the Christmas spirit

[John L]

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

Actually Clyde was on active duty when The Drifters recorded White Christmas, so the lead was sung by their baritone, Bill Pinkney.

Maybe Clyde phoned it in from Korea, but he definitely found some way to get on the record.