<p>I didn’t see if the Carpenters was mentioned , that reminds me of one winter break when I was in junior high and by some fluke was in the “Popular” crowd while the rest must have been off in Hawaii</p>
<p>I highly recommend an acoustic album by John Fahey
Don’t remember if tHe “new possibility” was the name of his band or the album but they are beautiful.</p>
<p>I just heard a beautiful version of “Rudolph” sung by my neighbor’s D & her Brownie troop. They were caroling and collect for the local food bank :)</p>
<p>Bunsen----EXCELLENT typo. I think it is spelled “Whiner Song”, which happens to be my theme music.</p>
<p>We are playing the all Christmas all the time station at my store. I think they are playing Winter Wonderland just about every hour, one version or another. </p>
<p>We particularly like Snoopy and the Red Baron, Jingle Bell Rock, and Little Saint Nick</p>
<p>I love Christmas Card From a Hooker in Minneapolis by Tom Waits</p>
<p>I also really enjoy George Winston’s CD December.
Another big favorite: River by Joni Mitchell</p>
<p>In case anyone is interested, there is plenty of <strong>FREE</strong> Christmas music on iTunes today!! I just downloaded a whole xmas sampler that’s in the Free Music section…</p>
<p>Anyone remember the Firestone Christmas albums from the 1960s? Leontyne Price, Franco Corelli, Julie Andrews, the Vienna Boys Choir (Wiener S</p>
<p>I can’t believe that no has yet mentioned either of the ‘Straight No Chaser’ Albums.
Their new album ‘Christmas Cheer’ is terrific. Look on youtube for the ‘Christmas Can-Can’. Very funny and well done.</p>
<p>Online radio: accuradio Holiday channels.</p>
<p>I have a ton of Christmas cd’s – including: Windom Hill, Rosie O’Donnell, James Taylor, Kristin Chenowyth, Smokey Mountains, the Chieftains, the Muppets, Fourplay, tons of instrumental stuff, high school acappella groups, etc. etc. Oh, and Dr. Demento, of course… Some of my stuff makes the kids groan, but I can play appropriate collections when need be.</p>
<p>Karen - I saw SNC do the “can-can” live at U Buffalo a couple of weeks ago, it was totally hilarious! Especially when Walter (the Jewish guy) walks off saying “I’m going out to get some Chinese food!”</p>
<p>I remember those 60’s compilation albums too - Bobby Vinton, and Tammy Wynette’s “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” (gotta look for that now) We also played Captain Kangaroo Christmas, with the Little Fir Tree and that Hippo song…</p>
<p>I love Straight No Chaser too! Also, my new favorite this year is “What if Mozart wrote White Christmas” . Listening to it now, and it’s beautiful music.</p>
<p>Can not stand the Christmas shoes song. Change the channel every time on that one. Merry Christmas everyone!</p>
<p>I can’t believe no one has mentioned Jewel’s Christmas album (from 1999 or so). Beautiful.</p>
<p>Favorite verse of favorite Christmas carol:
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!</p>
<p>And absolute worst: Baby’s First Christmas. It brings out the grinch in me!</p>
<p>Niel Diamond and Barbara Striesand have suprisingly excellent Christmas albums.</p>
<p>But in the end, in our house, Christmas belongs to Elvis!</p>
<p>Dwight Yokum’s Come on Christmas. John Fahey’s Christmas Guitar and of course anything by Bing Crosby.</p>
<p>Shyparentalunit–that is my absolute, absolute favorite Christmas carol verse, too!!! I used the first four lines on a homemade Christmas card, once.</p>
<p>My favorite album is Leon Redbone’s “Christmas Island.”</p>
<p>What I hate: any and all versions of Little Drummer Boy (although I do admire the weirdness of the Bing Crosby/David Bowie duet version). I can’t get past the stupidity of playing a drum for a sleeping baby. I also can’t stand the repetitiveness of the song. Did I mention the repetitiveness?</p>
<p>Chris Isaak has a good Christmas album.</p>
<p>A Motown Christmas is great as well.</p>
<p>We often listen to Chanticleer and Harry Belafonte’s Christmas albums.</p>
<p>Favorites: Harry Connick, jr’s, When My Heart Finds Christmas (love whole album) and “2000 miles”.</p>
<p>Cringe: “Dominick the Donkey”</p>
<p>Add to cringe list: “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time.”</p>