Christmas Recs?

[noddin0ff]

Have there been any good Christmas albums put out in the last handful of years? Recommendation worthy good, I mean. Any genre but my interests might rank starting with classical, jazz then country, pop...other...

[3LB]

Jethro Tull put out a Xmas album with a mix of traditional and original material a few years ago.

Your local grocery store has few Xmas jazz discs.

[Finch Platte]

'll bet that Xmas disc by that guy who used to be in STP is really smokin' crack

[noddin0ff]

Heh. I finally broke down and checked out samples of the JT Christmas. As much as I can judge, it sounded like a pretty decent effort for a JT album, never been a big follower. Seemed to lack the traditional spirit I was hoping for though. Last Man at the Party sounded like a potential winner for the 'reminiscing-on-a-drunken-holiday-party-theme" award. There's got to be some added mileage one could get out of the lyric "Who cares what state the goat is in..."

I picked up "A Very Special She & Him Christmas" while succumbing to double grande latte temptation at Starbucks.

I like the M. Ward album I have so I figured it was worth a shot. The album met some positive expectations. It's simple and charming. It has a nice cozy lo-fi sound and a warm traditional feel. It's very well recorded. The piano sounds just like the family piano in the living room. That said, it's not putting any great spins on the standards. The interpretations are a bit flat. M. Ward has some nice playing though. It could have been a solid winner if it emoted a touch more cheer and wonder. As it is, its pleasant enough and perfect for familiar holiday background music.



NPR just put up John Zorn's A Dreamer's Christmas for streaming. NPR Link Here


My first thought when I saw the name was "you've got to be kidding...really?" Then I listened.

It's really good! For me it walks that gentle line between traditional orchestration, well executed jazz, and pitch perfect sentiment. There's good cheer, reminiscence, a touch of humor, a touch of wonder, uptempo, slow tempo. It's not going to replace Vince Guaraldi's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" but it does approach it. It covers much more emotional and musical space (even a fusion-ish track "Magical Sleigh Ride" invites holiday spirit) and holds together as a Christmas album you can listen to and enjoy end to end.

[Pat D]

Have there been any good Christmas albums put out in the last handful of years? Recommendation worthy good, I mean. Any genre but my interests might rank starting with classical, jazz then country, pop...other...

The Mystery of Christmas on Naxos is very nice.

http://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Christ...3991060&sr=1-1

This one is even nicer, but it's mostly in French.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...3991361&sr=1-9

A lot of people like Handel's Messiah at Christmas. I have long liked this with with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with a very competent set of soloists.

Amazon.com: Handel: Messiah (The Complete Oratorio): George Frideric Handel, Robert Shaw, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Richard Stilwell, Layton James, Alfreda Hodgson, Kaaren Erickson, Sylvia McNair, Jon Humphrey: Music

[markw]

Putumayo's New Orleans Christmas is the newest member of our Christmas music collection, and a very welcome one at that.

The link has some clips to audition.

[audiobill]

Hey Pat D!!

It's been a while since I saw some classical love here & of course it's fitting that you're the one who delivered.

Matter of fact - last night, we went and saw the Toronto Symphony Orchestra deliver their version of Handel's Messiah. It was mesmerizing, familiar and absolutely breathtaking!!

Best recd'n - Handel's Messiah - take your pick of orchestra and soloists. You cannot go wrong.

Thanks Pat D.

The Mystery of Christmas on Naxos is very nice.

Amazon.com: The Mystery of Christmas: Carl Thiel, Harold Darke, Healey Willan, Franz Xaver Gruber, Arthur Honegger, Francis Poulenc, Elizabeth Poston, John Rutter, Noel Edison, Elora Festival Singers: Music

This one is even nicer, but it's mostly in French.

Amazon.com: En la Fete de Noel - O Holy Night: Martin Dagenais, Anonymous, Claude-Beninge Balbastre, Guillaume Costeley, Franz Xaver Gruber, Mykola Dmytrovich Leontovych, Diane Loomer, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Canadian Traditional, Christmas Traditional

A lot of people like Handel's Messiah at Christmas. I have long liked this with with Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with a very competent set of soloists.

Amazon.com: Handel: Messiah (The Complete Oratorio): George Frideric Handel, Robert Shaw, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Richard Stilwell, Layton James, Alfreda Hodgson, Kaaren Erickson, Sylvia McNair, Jon Humphrey: Music

[noddin0ff]

There's a nice little streaming audio interview at NPR (link here) with Zorn, regarding the above album, and also with Bob Dorough who sings one of my favorite Christmas 'classics'. I didn't know that Dorough was also the man behind many of the Schoolhouse Rock songs as well. "Lolly, Lolly, Lollies, get your adverbs here..."

Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)

[noddin0ff]

Are there recommendation worthy bell recording? My parents used to play in a local bell choir during the holidays. I always really enjoyed that.

[Mr MidFi]

Any RR thread with the legendary Pat D in it is a good thread for popping in and saying hi.

Happy holidays, everyone!

[markw]

Here's one of my favorites that's always a joy to rediscover every year. It's a perfect balance between modern pop and light classical and recorded with great care. ...about fifty yeas ago!.

This site won't let me post a piccie because of it's chintzy 20 k size limitation. It's "Pops "Christmas Party with Arthur Feidler and the Boston Pops on RCA's Living stereo.

Every year when I play it I'm amazed at the sound of this thing, and the music is first rate, too.