Top Ten Christmas CDs
There’s nothing special about this list�we just got out all the Christmas music and I picked some of our favorites, in case you needed some suggestions for a new CD this year. I welcome any suggestions you might have for me, too! I’ll add this list to my Top Ten page.
Christmas in the Aire by Mannheim Steamroller. Everyone knows about this one, but it has some really nice songs done in Mannheim Steamroller’s trademark instrumental style; our favorite on this CD is “Pat a Pan.” There is a free song from them to download at Amazon, too.
Beyond December by First Call. This one may be hard to find. It has mostly new songs with Christmas themes, some well-known Christian guest vocalists on several songs. The arrangements are very creative, some with an old-fashioned Celtic sound.
A Medieval Christmas by Kemper Crabb. Kemper is a strange, eclectic guy with a very neat voice. This CD has “Let All Mortal Flesh Be Silent” along with many old, traditional Chrismas carols. You can download one of the songs at Amazon.
Carol by The American Boychoir. Mostly traditional carols, beautiful voices, lovely arrangments (many by John Rutter).
Handel’s Young Messiah. This may be sacreligious to some who have issues with messing with the original, but I really like the contemporary (1990) arrangements of some of Handel’s Messiah highlights (and I’m all hymns and psalms in church). Singers include Matthew Ward, Annie Herring, Twila Paris, Cynthia Clawson, Russ Taff, Sheila Walsh, Wayne Watson, First Call and The Imperials.
Home Alone soundtrack. Since I shocked you with the last one, I thought I’d sneak this one in, too. The music is composed and conducted by John Williams, and it has a beautiful version of my favorite Christmas song, “O Holy Night.”
The Music of Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman. Very Christ-centered, a combination of new and traditional.
The Promise by Michael Card. All original songs about the birth of Christ, includes the song “Immanuel.”
The Holly and the Ivy from John Rutter. Beautiful choral music and lots of it.
In the Christmas Mood by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Every night after dinner we put on some music for Baby Braveheart and dance with him. Several of the songs are secular wintertime tunes, but they are fun to dance to with a lively toddler!
November 26th, 2004 at 9:21 pm
Carmon,
Not trying to cause trouble here. But I love listening to Christmas music all year round!!! I think it is too pretty to only listen to in December only.
November 26th, 2004 at 10:59 pm
Wait, Anita, you forgot to tell us your favorites! Come baaaaaack!
What a fun topic, Carmon. I’ll be back, too.
November 27th, 2004 at 5:41 am
I actually love Home Alone 2. Most of the songs are very upbeat and inspire dancing!
(Back in the day when I taught aerobics, I used many of these songs during the Christmas season!…I still remember the routines)
November 27th, 2004 at 6:41 am
Carmon, I read your blog all the time. You should get advertising kickbacks from all the helpful products you’ve inspired me to purchase! Anyway, you have to somehow get a copy of Bruce Cockburn’s Christmas album. It’s my absolute Favorite. It may be out of print, but I’m sure that a resourceful person such as yourself can find it! Happy Advent!
November 27th, 2004 at 6:44 am
Carmon,
My favorite Christmas CD is the one Charlotte Church put out a couple of years ago. It includes all of the traditional carols sung in Charlotte’s beautiful soprano voice. (I’m a huge opera fan, so I have all of Charlotte’s music). I also have a video of Charlotte’s trip to the holy land and it includes all the same music from the CD. I have a feeling you would love it. And yes, being an opera fan, I cringe whenever I hear any of the music from "Young Messiah." It’s just not right!
November 27th, 2004 at 7:43 am
More favorites…
The Judds Christmas Album
Dolly and Kenny
Kathy Matea/Good News (best ‘Mary did you know’ rendition)
Amy Grant Christmas (both of the old ones)
I’ve got the country thing goin’.
November 27th, 2004 at 8:02 am
What?? No Charlie Brown Christmas??
November 27th, 2004 at 9:11 am
Great suggestions! Kim, I don’t have that one so I didn’t mention it, but I love Vince Guaraldi’s Charlie Brown music. I have the Linus and Lucy tape with George Winston’s piano.
Pam, iTunes has that Bruce Cockburn album ;-).
Inspired by Kim, I also looked for the Charlie Brown music, and guess what I found? George Winston’s Forest album has three songs from The Snowman, one of our favorite Christmas movies/stories (there is a small Santa/Father Christmas part). The music from the movie is gorgeous, and our favorite song, "Walking in the Air," is at iTunes. If anyone buys music there, it is well worth the 99 cents to purchase the almost 8-minute song. Muffin Mix #2 is learning to play it on the piano.
Sorry to make you cringe, Debra!
November 27th, 2004 at 11:57 am
My fav is definitely The Nutcracker, For C.hristmas
November 27th, 2004 at 1:35 pm
Donna, I’ll throw in our country favorite…both the Alabama Christmas CD’s. (favorite song:’ Christmas in Dixie’). Kenny Rogers "The Gift". (that’s the best ‘Mary did you know’ IMHO).
I’m not a John Tesh fan (so don’t moan!) but "A Family Christmas" & "A Romantic Christmas" are beautiful.
Maranatha Music: Both their Christmas Colours CD’s
Brentwood Music:" New England Christmas"
John Berry: "Oh Holy Night"
Boney M : (They do a very unique ‘Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord song)
We love Mannheim Steamroller, also. (fav. song: Stille Nacht)
We have all kinds of Christmas music: Cajun, Jazz, Celtic, Caribbean, Smoky Mountain, etc. Just as long as the CD is at least 75% traditional carols.
November 27th, 2004 at 2:36 pm
Carmon,
No apologies necessary!! In my family no one agrees on music and I am the only opera fan out of 8 of us. My son, Jeremy, groans and cringes everytime I put on what I like. By the way, I do agree on the music from Home Alone and have often wondered about getting the soundtrack. I also love the version of "O Holy Night" that I heard on the movie.
Debra
November 27th, 2004 at 3:54 pm
My favorite is Jars of Clay’s Little Drummer Boy.
November 27th, 2004 at 4:21 pm
My two new favorites this year are Martina McBrides’s "White Christmas" (no Santa Claus songs, just all traditional carols sung in her beautiful voice) and the very best of Bing Crosby’s Christmas (Santa Claus songs included but great old tunes also, sung in his soothing baritone). One of my all time favorites has been mentioned already-the Christmas album by Michael Card-can’t let a season go by without that one.
Carmon, can you post a question about favorite Christmas videos? I’m looking for old movies that we’ve never seen before. We have "White Christmas" but I’m totally unfamiliar with other old favorites. Pweety pweese???
Oh! I also wanted to sneak in a mention about my two favorite jazz artists-Beegie Adair (instrumental) and Steve Tyrell (vocals-he sang the songs for both "Father of the Bride" movies-great songs!!). If you like jazz check out their CD’s-they are fabulous!!
November 27th, 2004 at 4:28 pm
My favorites??? I love it all!!!! I listen to Bing Crosby to piano solo’s. Anything that praises my Lord and Glorify’s Him and Him alone!
November 27th, 2004 at 7:05 pm
My all-time favorite Christmas cds include:
David Benoit – Remembering Christmas)
I’ve been a huge fan of this jazz artist for years (Joanna, do you like any of his stuff?). He is well-known for his recordings of Vince Guaraldi songs (aka “Snoopy music”) and this cd features three of them: “Skating”, “Christmas is Coming”, and a very suave rendition of “Christmas Time is Here” sung by vocalist Michael Franks. The rest of the cd consists primarily of comforting traditional carols, including a really beautifully done “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”. (I am also partial to David Benoit because he lives, records and is very involved in the communities of my old stomping grounds, the Hermosa Beach/Torrance/Palos Verdes area of the South Bay in L.A.
Michael W. Smith – Christmas
This is the older of his two Christmas cds and the better one, in my opinion. It’s rich. Some of the songs are tremendously worshipful while others are exhilarating and just make you feel joyful all over. I love “Gloria”, part of which is a very energizing MWS interpretation of “Angels We Have Heard on High”. The whole cd is just a great one to listen to when you want your heart to soar, celebrating the Savior’s birth. (Well, that’s the effect it has on me, anyway.) No Santa, no Frosty, no Nutcracker, and no, not even any Snoopy. This cd is all about JESUS.
Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel – The Gift
The word that comes to my mind for this acoustic, instrumental cd is “peaceful”. It’s not hyper, but it’s not definitely not muzak. It’s just right. The songs are all traditional carols and each has a lot of originality and character. It’s a very calming cd. It’s perfect for creating ambience for a meal, or for listening to after a long, stressful day. I enjoy it most late at night while I’m wrapping presents, baking, or just enjoying the candles, lights and fireplace.
Kyle Shepherd – A Kyle Shepherd Christmas
With the exception of his grandma, I don’t suppose anyone else would value this cd quite like I do. That’s because it is a recording of acoustic guitar and vocals my husband helped our eldest son make for me last year for Christmas. They purchased the software and equipment to record and produce a home-made but professional looking cd of Kyle’s guitar playing and singing, which includes a duet of “Jingle Bells” with his (then) five-year old little brother, Jay-El. Kyle, who had long been embarrassed of his singing voice, secretly and bravely sung all the songs while playing his guitar, down in our basement, and Jay took a handsome picture of Kyle and his guitar for the cover. Jay and Kyle worked many hours to get it made, and when Kyle presented it to me last Christmas morning, I pretty much just fell apart, so touched by his accomplishment and labor of love for me. I’m sorry, but my mother’s heart just can’t help but share about his sweet little cd. As I said, it may not sell millions, but it will always be a priceless treasure to me.
I’m sorry to be so long-winded. I know I get rather wordy and sentimental. One day I’ll try to get my own blog. Thanks for letting me ramble, Carmon. I’m glad everyone’s enjoying their good music.
Thank you, Father, for sending your Son. Happy Birthday to the King of Kings!
November 28th, 2004 at 3:25 am
Sandpiper, Homemade gifts are the nicest kind!! You really do need to get a blog. ( No, not because you ramble) Just would like to ask you about your candles, lights and fireplace
Joanna, There’s a great book to help you…."It’s Christmas Time at the Movies" by Gary J. Svehla & Susan Svehla (Midnight Marquee Press, Inc.) It has over 300 movies listed, from the 1930’s to 1998, which was when the book was published. Complete descriptions about each movie……it’s like reading a mini book about each of them. Great pictures. Totally family friendly.
November 28th, 2004 at 8:14 am
Besides the many wonderful traditional Christmas carols, I love Harry Connick, Jr.’s older Christmas album. But, my all time favorite is, Alvin and the Chipmunks. Alvin, Simon, Theodore……
Harkens back to the 70’s (when I did all that growin’ up!)
November 28th, 2004 at 8:36 pm
Kemper Crabb is doing a concert of medieval Christmas music at my church here in Houston On Dec. 17th, and the best part is that it’s free. I’m really looking forward.
And we sing "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" at my church all year long. I’m planning to post the words on my blog soon. I really like the part about"six-winged seraphs" and "cherubim with sleeples eyes."
November 29th, 2004 at 6:39 am
We too love Christmas music all year long.
Some favorites I don’t see mentioned are:
Vince Gill: Let There Be Peace on Earth - CD 1993
Vince Gill: Breath of Heaven - CD 1998
George Winston: December - CD 1982 [Piano Solos]
Michael W Smith: Christmas - CD 1989
Harry Connick Jr: When My Heart Finds Christmas - CD 1993
Wayne Watson: One Christmas Eve - CD 1994
as well as the previous mentioned Amy Grant(A Christmas Album & Home For Christmas) CD’s, and John Berry’s O Holy Night CD
The Handel’s Messiah we have and love is:
Messiah: Trevor Pinnock and The English Concert & Choir on authentic instruments - CD 1988
We haven’t purchased anything new for a long time, in this vein, so those above are our traditional "old-time" favorites.
Oh well, just to get this out there: Here’s the newest music I do have, add it to your Vivaldi collection, it goes year round or can be Christmasy (Vivaldi is all of life for me!) It’s a fantastic orchestral, as well as vocal CD.
Vivaldi: Nisi Dominus; Motets