I said, I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmas’ be white
The Drifters “White Christmas” 1954
So I missed last week. Oops. I’m still trying to get my best in 2020 whittled down to 100 songs and it’s proving a bit of a challenge. Mostly, I was busy trying to wrap up my semester (I had a math group project to finish, FUN!). But, I am here today to share with you some of my favorite Christmas albums!
This isn’t a comprehensive list, mostly because I’m not “down” with too many Christmas albums. It’s rare for me to find one I like from start to finish, but these are a few that I truly enjoy that have some good holiday bangers. Enjoy.
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector, 1963
Darlene Love and Christmas go together like peanut butter and jelly. This Phil Spector produced record has your favorite Christmas classics sung by the likes of Darlene Love (QUEEN), The Crystals and The Ronettes. Even when I’m at my most grinchiest (it happens sometimes), this record gets me in the holiday mood like no other. These are seriously outstanding arrangements, and a great change from more traditional holiday musical fare. Perfect for a quiet night of holiday cocktails with that special someone.
Songs for Christmas, 2001-2006
This was a big one for me in college, where I first discovered Sufjan Stevens. This collection consists of 6 cds of holiday songs, some original and some more traditional. What I really like, is that he covers some pretty obscure traditional carols that don’t really get a ton of radio play (like “The Friendly Beasts”), which is a nice break. Also, his original songs are just silly and fun. This is one that gets played pretty much every year.
Elvis’ Christmas Album, 1957
It is not Christmas until I have heard Elvis Presley sing “Blue Christmas”. That beautiful baritone voice just makes me want to sit in front of a roaring fire with a glassful of boozy eggnog and snow coming down outside. This is a two-disc record, disc 1 has your secular classics such as “Blue Christmas and “Here Comes Santa Claus”, while disc 2 has your non-secular songs like “Silent Night”. Enjoy this one from The King, cause they don’t make them like this anymore.
A Very She & Him Christmas, 2011
I love Zoey Deschanel’s voice, and I’ve loved She & Him for awhile, and this album is just really pretty. It’s soothing and calming, and it gets bonus points for including “The Christmas Waltz” which is an underrated holiday gem. It’s wonderfully mellow and charming on every level. Perfect for a quiet night at home, and if you like this they did another Christmas Album in 2016. Once we’re out of the Corona times, this would be perfect for the background of your holiday cocktail party.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, 1965
What else can I about this perennial classic that hasn’t been said before? It’s instrumental gold, sure to put even the grinchiest bastard in the holiday spirit. The arrangements are beautiful and “Christmas Time is Here” still manages to puts a smile on my face to this day. I love throwing this on as background music for decorating, baking cookies, or wrapping presents. Highly recommend this one, it’s a banger.
BONUS: A Motown Christmas, 1973
Motown and Christmas Carols are a wonderful combination, and this 2-LP compilation has some of the best. The Jackson 5, The Temptations, The Supremes AND Stevie Wonder, it’s just so good! These arrangements are some of my favorites, and the ones I love when I get to hear them on the radio. They’re also the ones that tend to end up on my holiday mixes cause they are different. Perfect to get you in the holiday mood and as the soundtrack for whatever holiday hi-jinx you get into.
Okay everyone, that’s it from me. I’m going to update Tuesday/Wednesday to talk about some of my favorite Christmas songs, and then next Sunday will be my Best of 2020 mix! So stay safe, wear a mask, and enjoy your holidays however you choose to spend them!
Mixtape-Postcards 