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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: splent on November 29, 2017, 06:54:55 AM
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You know how I am about Christmas music, and I’m going to start my top 100 Christmas songs on Friday. It evolves every year, and this year there will be a new number one. However, I am a little bit meh on a few playlist that I have made in the past. I am always looking for new music to put on playlists. Can you guys recommend me your favorite Christmas music? It would be something unique, or can be something that’s a standard. Either way, I’m only going to put recommended songs that I like on my playlist LOL
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Happy you did this because I am so sick of all the Christmas music I normally listen to. Great to get some new ideas!
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I LOVE the Alpha Rev Christmas album. I also enjoy the Sarah McLachlan and Kelly Clarkson Christmas albums. Also, you have to have some Mannheim Steamroller.
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Happy you did this because I am so sick of all the Christmas music I normally listen to. Great to get some new ideas!
I hope so. Check the top 100 I’ll stwrt Friday. You’ll have some new music on there for sure lolI LOVE the Alpha Rev Christmas album. I also enjoy the Sarah McLachlan and Kelly Clarkson Christmas albums. Also, you have to have some Mannheim Steamroller.
Well obviously I’ll have MS. Joy to the world is my kam
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We have a radio station in Chicago that changes to all Christmas music on November 1 each year, but they tend to focus on the same 20-30 classic songs and play them over and over.
A lot of musicians (pop, country, etc.) have done Christmas albums, so if you're looking for variety, try searching for those. That same radio station has been playing some Kelly Clarkson Christmas songs, which I found so refreshing compared to hearing Jingle Bell Rock again and again.
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It's not Christmas without the Chtulu mythos mashup songs of the HP Lovecraft Historical Society ;D
https://store.hplhs.org/collections/filk
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I'm not a christmas music fan at all, but I love this funky Vulfpeck song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5K3UgrPdbQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5K3UgrPdbQ)
Sleep Party People did a haunting version of Silent Night which is pretty rad as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wbRmDVU638 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wbRmDVU638)
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I saw this song being plugged on Twitter around this time a few years back. A pretty darn rocking song.
Trucker Diablo - We're Gonna Rock This Christmas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc4-Q__CWkg)
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I really love the 1st Trans Siberian Orchestra album. Nothing new I know. Otherwise I am pretty much a corny traditionalist.
Also check out Morris the Moose and other songs by the Peppermint Kandy Kids, your life will never be the same. :)
Kidding aside I grew up on that album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42_wsfIF8gA
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Best Christmas Song Ever - "I Believe in Father Christmas" by Greg Lake.
Oh, and "We Wish You A Wombling Merry Christmas" by The Wombles, of course...
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I like to collect odd Christmas songs and I'm always looking for more.
Here's one of my favorites from the Asylum Street Spankers Red Nosed Reindeer Blues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As6QDvI_XKk)
Actually, that entire album is pretty fun.
[edit] Here's one I added to my play list last year. I Know What You Want for Christmas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwyE4NTJmDg) -- Kay Martin and Her Body Guards [/edit]
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I don't get the hate really, for most Christmas songs. Maybe it's because I grew up on Elvis and Andy Williams, but I LOVE "All I Want For Christmas", and "Step Into Christmas", and "Last Christmas". Oddly, since I'm a McCartney freak, the one song I don't care for is his. Then again, I'm not really a McCartney SOLO freak, but a Beatles freak.
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I don't get the hate really, for most Christmas songs. Maybe it's because I grew up on Elvis and Andy Williams, but I LOVE "All I Want For Christmas", and "Step Into Christmas", and "Last Christmas". Oddly, since I'm a McCartney freak, the one song I don't care for is his. Then again, I'm not really a McCartney SOLO freak, but a Beatles freak.
I don't think anyone in this thread is hating on Christmas songs. Just the opposite, really. I love Christmas songs and probably my favorite piece of music all time is O Holy Night. The "fall on your knees, o hear the angel voices, o night divine" is chill inducing every single time I hear it...and this coming from an atheist. :lol
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I don't get the hate really, for most Christmas songs. Maybe it's because I grew up on Elvis and Andy Williams, but I LOVE "All I Want For Christmas", and "Step Into Christmas", and "Last Christmas". Oddly, since I'm a McCartney freak, the one song I don't care for is his. Then again, I'm not really a McCartney SOLO freak, but a Beatles freak.
Ugh...I cannot stand that McCartney song.
I'm fairly traditional when it comes to Christmas music. I like most of the classics (including those that are religious in nature), with Sleigh Ride and Carol of the Bells probably being my favorites. The TSO stuff is ok once in a while as a change of pace, but too much of it is...well...too much. I was going to say that Amy Grant did a Christmas album that I really like, and then I see that she's done a shitload of Christmas albums. The one I'm talking about is Home for Christmas. It has many traditional Christmas songs and one called Breath of Heaven that I think is an original.
Back in the early days of our relationship, my wife had me buy an album called "Music Box Christmas" (or something like that) by someone named Rita "Don't Call me Lita" Ford. It's basically a bunch of recordings of music boxes playing Christmas songs and is ANNOYING AS FUCK, and I strongly recommend you all avoid it like the plague.
George Winston did an album int he early 80s called December that I like. However, it's most memorable to me for what I recall as being a rather hilarious disclaimer in the liner notes about the album not endorsing Christianity or any particular religion.
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Yeah, George Winston is pretty much a nerd that way, but that December album is fantastic. It contains my all time favorite rendition of Carol of the Bells...mesmerizing.
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Love the holiday, HATE the music. I do like the orchestral stuff, but anything else I despise. Why? I've been hearing this annoying shit for 32 years. I don't want to hear it anymore!
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(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71tVqcslWYL._SL1079_.jpg) (https://www.amazon.com/Jingle-All-Bela-Fleck-Flecktones/dp/B001EOQTOC)
One of my favorite Christmas albums of all time, by one of my favorite bands, featuring some great renditions of classic songs, but with a Flecktones twist, including the highlight of the album, "The 12 Days Of Christmas". It features each day-verse in ascending chromatic keys, each featuring a time signature based on the day (3rd day is a waltz in 3, 7th day is in 7/8, 11th day is in 11/16, etc.).
Definitely check this out if you want jazzy/blues/folk-inspired renditions of classic X-mas tunes, with a banjo!
-Marc.
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^Sounds great, Marc. I'll check it out
I don't think anyone in this thread is hating on Christmas songs.
Love the holiday, HATE the music. I do like the orchestral stuff, but anything else I despise. Why? I've been hearing this annoying shit for 32 years. I don't want to hear it anymore!
Well, no one was until Zook popped in. :lol
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One of my favorite Christmas albums of all time, by one of my favorite bands, featuring some great renditions of classic songs, but with a Flecktones twist, including the highlight of the album, "The 12 Days Of Christmas". It features each day-verse in ascending chromatic keys, each featuring a time signature based on the day (3rd day is a waltz in 3, 7th day is in 7/8, 11th day is in 11/16, etc.).
Definitely check this out if you want jazzy/blues/folk-inspired renditions of classic X-mas tunes, with a banjo!
-Marc.
That sounds very cool. :)
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One more I forgot...Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson did a Christmas album in the early 2000s. Lots of good stuff, including something called We Five Kings, which, IIRC, is a version of We Three Kings but done in 5/4 or 5/8 time.
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One more I forgot...Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson did a Christmas album in the early 2000s. Lots of good stuff, including something called We Five Kings, which, IIRC, is a version of We Three Kings but done in 5/4 or 5/8 time.
That's probably my favourite Christmas album actually, not that I know a lot of them. First Snow on Brooklyn is my favourite from that.
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One of my favorite Christmas albums of all time, by one of my favorite bands, featuring some great renditions of classic songs, but with a Flecktones twist, including the highlight of the album, "The 12 Days Of Christmas". It features each day-verse in ascending chromatic keys, each featuring a time signature based on the day (3rd day is a waltz in 3, 7th day is in 7/8, 11th day is in 11/16, etc.).
Definitely check this out if you want jazzy/blues/folk-inspired renditions of classic X-mas tunes, with a banjo!
-Marc.
Their version of Linus and Lucy alone is worth the price of admission! Great call Marc.
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One of my favorite Christmas albums of all time, by one of my favorite bands, featuring some great renditions of classic songs, but with a Flecktones twist, including the highlight of the album, "The 12 Days Of Christmas". It features each day-verse in ascending chromatic keys, each featuring a time signature based on the day (3rd day is a waltz in 3, 7th day is in 7/8, 11th day is in 11/16, etc.).
Definitely check this out if you want jazzy/blues/folk-inspired renditions of classic X-mas tunes, with a banjo!
-Marc.
Their version of Linus and Lucy alone is worth the price of admission! Great call Marc.
Nothing beats the original for my money, though.
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I grew up listening to 'crooners' singing Christmas classics. Maybe it's a comfort thing but that's what I enjoy most... Dean Martin for example
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I grew up listening to 'crooners' singing Christmas classics. Maybe it's a comfort thing but that's what I enjoy most... Dean Martin for example
Andy Williams for me. Can't not think of my Mother whenever I hear him sing It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
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I grew up listening to 'crooners' singing Christmas classics. Maybe it's a comfort thing but that's what I enjoy most... Dean Martin for example
Andy Williams for me. Can't not think of my Mother whenever I hear him sing It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
You and me both, Podaar, that very same song. Always conjures thoughts of my mother in the kitchen with the stereo doing holiday stuff. Happy times...
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I grew up listening to 'crooners' singing Christmas classics. Maybe it's a comfort thing but that's what I enjoy most... Dean Martin for example
Andy Williams for me. Can't not think of my Mother whenever I hear him sing It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
You and me both, Podaar, that very same song. Always conjures thoughts of my mother in the kitchen with the stereo doing holiday stuff. Happy times...
You are either near my age or just have an old soul. :lol
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You are either near my age or just have an old soul. :lol
26. Just a brittle, old soul :lol
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You are either near my age or just have an old soul. :lol
26. Just a brittle, old soul :lol
God damn! I've got four children older than you! :biggrin:
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Your welcome and i'm sorry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUYtIpqB7t0
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We have a radio station in Chicago that changes to all Christmas music on November 1 each year, but they tend to focus on the same 20-30 classic songs and play them over and over.
Yes. 93.9. I’m already sick of that station. I put you down for maybe a song or two every once in a while but they’re the same songs over and over again. I like a variety in my Christmas music. Those are the songs other than maybe 10% of them that in my opinion are timeless classics that I try to avoid.
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OK. OK. I’m seeing a lot Andy Williams in this thread. I don’t mind Andy Williams, except it’s the most wonderful time of the year is probably the most overplayed song of the holiday season and I’m already sick of it. Anything else by Andy Williams I’m down with. His version of sleigh ride is one of my guilty pleasures to be quite honest.
I grew up in the 80s, and my dad was relatively young at that point so I grew up with Manheim steam roller at Jon Anderson’s three ships which is still one of my favorite albums. Call cell Amy Grant and the carpenters have many songs that in my opinion are timeless.
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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6b/Monster_Ballads_XMas.jpg/220px-Monster_Ballads_XMas.jpg)
(https://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_500/MI0000/395/MI0000395678.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
And the Gary Hoey instrumental albums
Danger Danger ‘s Naughty Naughty Xmas is my favourite Xmas song.
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Oh here’s my favorite: (this won’t be on my list because my wife would kill me if I played this in public)
https://youtu.be/Zn1eH--7IMU
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I've purchased both the Alpha Rev and Bela Fleck albums listed above. Thank you, folks!
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You are either near my age or just have an old soul. :lol
26. Just a brittle, old soul :lol
God damn! I've got four children older than you! :biggrin:
I remember a time when I thought people at 26 were old. I feel like a child now. :lol
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I had a smooth jazz/new age period sometime in the 90s when I picked up a bunch of holiday collections from one of the CD clubs.
The GRP Christmas collections were jazz and one of them had a killer version of "Linus and Lucy" by David Benoit.
But this is one of my favorites, from the Windham Hill "A Winter's Solstice" collections (relaxing, mellow, atmospheric, new agey).
"Crystal Palace" by Øystein Sevåg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WhIBVh2Fyg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WhIBVh2Fyg)
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I've purchased both the Alpha Rev and Bela Fleck albums listed above. Thank you, folks!
Awesome! :tup I hope you like Jingle All The Way as much as I do! Please post your thoughts on it as soon as you get around to listening to it!
A couple more recommendations I want to make are the December People albums, headed up by Robert Berry. The first album re-imagines Christmas tunes in the style of classic rock and prog, while the second album is mostly focused on classic rock. They've since released two more albums that are a mix of tracks from their first two albums and a few new tunes, still all based on other artists' songs, which can have some neat effects. If you're a fan of a lot of the bands they pay homage to, you'll enjoy their takes on them with Christmas lyrics.
And of course, I'd be a poor Neal Morse fan if I didn't mention the Prog World Orchestra's A Proggy Christmas, featuring members of Transatlantic, Steve Hackett, and many more guests as they tackle some interesting arrangements of classic Christmas songs done by Neal Morse. There are several stand outs, but as a whole, the album is quite enjoyable and different from the usual standard rock-versions of these songs.
-Marc.
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For those of you into Nightwish, their ex singer Tarja just released an album of Christmas songs in a dark, eerie and "Tim Burton-esque" style:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5T1sA6iXaihuFB6valfMd7
"From Spirits and Ghosts (Score for a Dark Christmas"
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLlzX0DObCY
Brandnew Christmas album by German awesome crazy guys Panzerballett. The video mostly contains interviews.
Trailer with music snippets only: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nut3Nx8aMvs
:metal
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I've purchased both the Alpha Rev and Bela Fleck albums listed above. Thank you, folks!
Awesome! :tup I hope you like Jingle All The Way as much as I do! Please post your thoughts on it as soon as you get around to listening to it!
I love it! And most importantly, Mrs. P loves it too. She's particularly tickled with when they do add vocals that they have a "Minion quality" (her words) to them. :lol
The banjo really adds a lot of flavor to the arrangements that is a nice contrast to our usual playlist.