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yule blog

Our Fifth Annual "Too Cool for Yule Blog"

Published: December 3, 2012

The classified confetti from Macy’s parade is now gone.  
Black Friday and Cyber Monday, too. 
It’s that most wonderful time of the year
when holiday tunes  reappear
and the sounding joys repeat on and on.

You’re sure to find something new.
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2? 
Acid rock, jazz, classical, neo-prog?
Cementing our rep as a hip library blog.

The playlist lasts about an hour.
So grab a cuppa somethin’; a spot by the fire.
And don’t touch that dial.
Relax; crack a smile. 
And jingle, juke and jive for a while.

As you click, spin or play your way into the holidaze
consider  posting a comment below with YOUR seasonal faves.     
Memories of Hanukah? Eid? Kwanzaa?
Each is welcome in this seasonal bonanza.

APL has had a wonderful year and for that we thank all of you.
We wish you joy and good cheer and a bright new year, too.

 


The “Don’t Touch That Dial” Mix 2012:

Joan Baez – Good King Wenceslas (Instrumental) (Instrumental) from “Noel”

Cyndi Lauper – Blue Christmas from “Blue Christmas” 

Louis Armstrong – Winter Wonderland from “It’s Christmas Time”

Ella Fitzgerald – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas from “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas”

The Accidentals – I’m Not Going Home For Christmas from “Christine Lavin Presents: Just One Angel”

Miles Davis – Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern) from “Jingle Bell Swing” 

Mark Murphy – My Favorite Things from “Rah” 

John Coltrane Quartet – Greensleeves from “Africa/Brass”

George Strait – Hark, The Herald Angels Sing from “Classic Christmas”

The Chenille Sisters – Light Of the Stable from “In the Christmas Spirit”

Jethro Tull – Jack Frost And The Hooded Crow from “Christmas Album”

Doc Watson – Christmas Lullaby from “Sugar Plums – Holiday Treats from Sugar Hill”

The Christmas Revels – Brightest And Best from “Christmas Day in the Morning: A Revels Celebration of the Winter Solstice”

Anonymous 4 – The Shepherd’s Star from “The Cherry Tree: Songs, Carols & Ballads for Christmas”

Magnum Chorum – Hallelu! from “Wonder Tidings: Christmas Music of Stephen Paulus”

Susan Graham – Ned Rorem’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening from “40 Most Beautiful Christmas Classics”

Musica Intima – The Wexford Carol (arr. L. Price): The Wexford Carol from “O Nata Lux”

The Moody Blues – White Christmas from “December”

Cee Lo Green – You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch (feat. Straight No Chaser) from “Cee Lo’s Magic Moment”

The Four Seasons – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town from “The Four Seasons’ Christmas Album”

Andy Williams with Robert Mersey &  His Orchestra (Arranged by Johnny Mandel) – It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year from “The Andy Williams Christmas Album” 

Bonus Track: Dreams So Real – Red Lights (Merry Christmas)

Added in Memoriam, Dec. 5, 2012: Dave Brubeck – The Christmas Song from “A Dave Brubeck Christmas”

 

And revisit Yule Blogs Past…

2008 / 2009 / 2010 / 2011

All photos by Diane Kresh

 

Director's Blog

December 3, 2012 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog Tagged With: yule blog

Don’t Touch That Screen: Fourth Annual Good Tidings and Tunes Yule Blog

Published: November 26, 2011

 

©Lloyd Wolf /Arlington Photographic Documentary Project

Each year, the Christmas season seems to arrive a little earlier. A few weeks ago, it was not yet Halloween and Macy’s at Pentagon City was setting up its Christmas shop.

Ever the stickler for tradition, for me the season still begins with Santa’s wave, signaling the end of the Macy’s Day parade in New York and the start of the year-end count down. Only then do I allow myself to feel the gravitational pull toward my favorite songs of the season and reach for my sacks of little round discs (yes, I still have them) to drive the cold winter away.

So here are some of my favorites holiday songs. Let us know YOURS by posting a comment below. And celebrate the rest and best of the season, be it Christmas, Eid, Pongol, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, the Solstice or any other.

From our house to your house, for a bright 2012.

1. “The Wexford Carol” from “Songs of Joy & Peace, Yo Yo Ma & Friends,” Alison Krauss, vocals. Spare and radiant.

2. “Merry Christmas Baby,” title track from “Charles Brown and Friends.” Bluesy and swinging; a perfect accompaniment to a warm cuppa cheer.

3. “Run Rudolph Run,” Keith Richards. We know him as one half of the Glimmer Twins (Mick Jagger being the other), but what we didn’t know, until he released his highly readable “Life” last year, is that as a child growing up in Kent, England, he wanted to be a librarian, saying that “The library was the only place around where I willingly obeyed the rules.” Rocking and rollicking good fun, both this cover and the book between the covers.

4. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” from Bill Evans’ “Trio 64.” (Evans, piano, Paul Motian–sadly he passed away Nov. 22, 2011, drums–and Gary Peacock, bass). A Dec. 18, 1963 session was likely the reason for this seasonal classic. Hardly album filler, it’s a classic example of post-bop.

5. “Christmas Time is Here” from Shawn Colvin’s “Holiday Songs and Lullabies.” The Vince Guaraldi classic by one of my very favorite singers.

6. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from She and Him’s (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward’s) “A Very She & Him Christmas.” This year’s nominee for re-imagined standards, cue “zone out” on your iPod (or whatever device you have ) and chill after a long day of doing whatever it is you do to make the season bright. Zooey’s singing voice is as deadpan sardonic as many of her best film performances (“The Good Girl,” “All the Young Girls,” both terrific and underrated films). She also duets with and marries Buddy the Elf.

7. “Greensleeves” by Mason Williams. The composer of “Classical Gas” (which he quotes in the middle of this piece and which I used as the soundtrack for a Super 8 film montage I made in high school), he was also a comedy writer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” and introduced Steve Martin to the world. He was also the brains behind the Pat Paulsen for president candidacy in the turbulent election year of 1968. In the midst of assassinations, Chicago and Viet Nam, there was Pat Paulsen deadpanning for president and leaving all to wonder–was he or wasn’t he?

8. “Baloo, Lammy (Hush My little Lamb),” from “Song of Solstice,” featuring Sue Richards with the Jennifer Cutting Ocean Orchestra. A shout out to a former colleague of mine at the Library of Congress. Jennifer Cutting, one of the finest musicians I know. A winter solstice album for anyone who loves Celtic, Renaissance, classical and pop music.

9. “Dadme Albricias” from “Navidad Renacentista” by Capella De Minitrers/Carles Magraner. A sumptuous recording by the early music group formed in 1987 in Valencia, Spain. Dedicated to celebrating Valencian musical culture.

10. “Go Where I Send Thee” from “The Weavers’ (Lee Hays, Pete Seegar, Fred Hellerman and Ronnie Gilbert) at Carnegie Hall.” The gold standard for the folk music revival of the 1950’s and 60’s. Begun in 1948 out of the disbanded Almanac Singers (Seegar and Hellerman), the Weavers personified the unification of folk music and political activism. The concert in New York City on Christmas Eve 1955 was the group’s sold-out triumphal return to the stage and a comeback of sorts for one of the few musical entities blacklisted during the McCarthy hearings. Seegar’s “release” from television’s blacklist didn’t end however until the late 60s when he appeared on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in 1968 (see number 7 above).

11. “Rise Up Shepherd and Follow,” performed by the St. Olaf Choir on “Songs from My Heart: Choral Music of André Thomas.” Gorgeous.

12. “All I Want for Christmas is You,” from Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas II You.” Sans the Bieber (thankfully), the tune gets the Carey treatment: plenty o’ sass and spunk.

13. “Mr. Santa,” from Suzy Boggus’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” A holiday version of the popular hit “Mr. Sandman,” penned by Pat Ballard, first recorded by the Chordettes (whose other big hit was “Lollipop”) in 1954. Youngsters out there will recall the cover of “Mr. Sandman” by Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt from “Trio.”

14. “Sleigh Ride” by Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. For the tuxedo clad Dino/Sammy/Frank-o-philes out there. Silly and fun.

15. “Winter Wonderland” from Rockapella’s “Christmas.” Bop shoo op.

16. “The Christmas Song” from the New York Latin Jazz Allstars off “Feliz Navidad.” Roasting hot.

17. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” Patti LaBelle, “Christmas at Miss Patti’s.” Wistful and nuanced.

18. “Oublions l’an passé (Let’s Forget the Old Year),” the Washington Revels featuring Riki Schneyer, from “Le Temps des Fetes.” Spirited delivery of a traditional French Canadian tune authentically presented by the Washington Revels, under the musical direction of Elizabeth F. Miller. The Revels are dedicated to reviving and celebrating cultural traditions from across the glove through music, dance, storytelling, drama and ritual.

19. “Peace” by Norah Jones on “A Very Special Acoustic Christmas.” Nice. Really, really nice…

20. “Star of Wonder,” by the Roches on “We Three Kings.” Shimmering harmony from a trio of quirky sibs.

Bonus Tracks!
21. “Carol.” Chuck Berry. If the song title fits, include it.

22. “What’s So Funny ’bout Peace Love and Understanding.” Elvis Costello sings Nick Lowe on “Armed Forces.” Nothing. Nothing at all.

November 26, 2011 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog Tagged With: yule blog

Too Cool for Yule: 3rd Annual Holiday Tunes from the Director, Part 3

Published: December 20, 2010

 

Director's Blog

And now we bring you the last part of the Library Director’s annual “Don’t Touch That Dial” holiday-music blog post, designed to chase the dark away.

2010, PART 3….

17. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon, The Harlem Community Choir, Yoko Ono & The Plastic Ono Band, from John Lennon & Yoko Ono Power to the People – The Hits (Remastered) 2010
John Lennon’s death is right up there with the Kennedy Assassination as two of the defining events of my life. Never a fan of Yoko (she broke up the Beatles)

18. A Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives, from Have a Holly Jolly Christmas 1965
Good songs, goofy animation, grrrrreat characters: Hermey, the elf who wants to be a dentist, Yukon Cornelius, Charlie in the Box and his pals on the Island of Misfit Toys. CLASSIC!!!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sooHzHHh4kM?fs=1]

19. God Bless The Master, from Folk Songs Of The Four Seasons
. Folk poetry that blesses the Master, the Mistress, the House and Cattle, too. Powerful in its simplicity, the song closes every performance of Revels, a national arts organization founded in 1971 by musician, educator and author John Langstaff to celebrate the seasons through the power of traditional song, dance, storytelling and ritual from cultures around the world.

20. Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag by The Bobs, from Too Many Santas
The a cappella Bobs salute “the hardest-working man in show business, the great James Brown (May 5, 1933 – December 25, 2006).
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ss0ww5o_8A?fs=1]

Bonus Tracks in Honor of Holiday Feasting

21. Nobody’s Fat in Aspen Christine Lavin, from Future Fossils 1984
Neo-folkie Lavin reveals the shallow, fallow under-girding the beautiful people. But it’s not a downer when sung by Lavin’s chirpy, quirky soprano. It makes the list because it references snow. And skiing.

22. He’s a Chubby Little Fellow by The Singing Cowboy Gene Autry, from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Other Christmas Classics 2003
Creator of the Cowboy Code (“a cowboy must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits”), Autry was famous for his Christmas classics, the most famous of which is the aforementioned Rudolph. But I liked this one better.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCdcT_DY7ew?fs=1]

December 20, 2010 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog, News Archive Tagged With: yule blog

Too Cool for Yule: Holiday Tunes from the Director, part 2

Published: December 19, 2010

This week we bring you the Library Director’s annual “Don’t Touch That Dial” holiday-music blog post, designed to chase the dark away.

PART 2….

9. Angels We Have Heard On High by Indigo Girls from Holly Happy Days
Girls with guitars who have known each other since grade school and whose voices blend like a yogurt smoothie.

10. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by The Pointer Sisters from A Very Special Christmas 1987
Silly, sassy and so much fun.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuQRXoIP3uI?fs=1]

11. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Eddie Higgins Christmas Songs 2005
This year’s pick of my favorite Christmas pop song.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArFBB0Ik9-4?fs=1]

12. Greensleeves by Paul Desmond & The Modern Jazz Quartet
Recorded on Christmas Day 1971, by Paul Desmond and the Modern Jazz Quartet, the first and only time they played together.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-brmiryqxxY?fs=1]

13. The Christmas Waltz (Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne) by Peggy Lee from Christmas Carousel, 1960
For those who might remember only her woozy sounding pop charter of 1969, “Is That All There Is?”, Peggy Lee (March 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002) was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer and actress in a career spanning nearly seven decades. This track was recorded in 1960, at the height of her popularity.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n1yapgYn8o?fs=1]

14. Silver Bells by Dean Martin, from My Kind of Christmas, issued 2009
Okay, I needed someone to represent the SammyPerryAndyTonyBingFrankSteveandEdie spectrum, and settled finally on Dino, whose boozy on stage persona eclipsed a croony, real life hipness. Warm and easy; a recording that’s amore.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D5t9wPjhyE?fs=1]

15. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Jo Stafford, from Happy Holidays – I Love the Winter Weather (Re-mastered)
I love, love LOVE Jo Stafford. Play this in any kind of weather. Repeatedly.

16. Last Christmas by Wham! From Music from the Edge of Heaven 1986
Before there was George Michael, paparazzi fodder, there was Wham, his and Andrew Ridgeley’s revival of teen pop. A great song; give it to someone special.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI?fs=1]

Stay tuned for Part 3, coming Monday night…

December 19, 2010 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog, News Archive Tagged With: yule blog

Too Cool for Yule: 3rd Annual Holiday Tunes from the Director, in 3 Part Harmony

Published: December 18, 2010

 

Director's Blog

This week we bring you the Library Director’s annual “Don’t Touch That Dial” holiday-music blog post, designed to chase the dark away.

PART 1….

1. The Gloucestershire Wassail by Waverly Consort, from A Waverly Consort Christmas: Christmas From East Anglia To Appalachia –
What holiday is complete without some good old, wassailing? Take some apples, add some sugar and spice and you end up with something hot and nice.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrZnZ6MZtVA?fs=1]

2. I Wonder As I wander/Noëls Anciens and
3. Coventry Carol by Musica Intima, from Nativité
Two a cappella classics from a Vancouver based ensemble. Breathtakingly beautiful.

4. Angelus Ad Virginem by The Boston Camerata, from Sing We Noel

Founded the year of my birth, Boston Camerata is one of the oldest early music ensembles in the United States. The song is a medieval carol, with text that is a poetic version of the Hail Mary. Interesting Factoid from Wikipedia: AAV was the first piece of music sung at the annual Bracebridge Dinner, a lavish Christmas feast held for many years at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. The song, sung as the guests entered the dining room, was selected by Ansel Adams in 1929, who was director of the pageant at that time.

5. Good People All by Anonymous 4, from Wolcum Yule – Celtic and British Songs and Carols.
Luminous and pure in tone. Play repeatedly.

6. Zat You Santa Claus? by Buster Poindexter and His Banshees of Blue, from How Cool Is That Christmas
In which Buster Poindexter (alter ego of frontman David Johansen, of glam band New York Dolls fame) channels Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), fabled New Orleans trumpeter and titanic entertainer.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP8C_SUKQbs?fs=1]

7. Winter Wonderland by Aretha Franklin, from How Cool Is That Christmas
‘Retha swings in this 1964 rendition of the timeless classic. Sleigh bells ring. Are you listenin’???
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svm0K7ykYbA?fs=1]

8. Good King Wenceslas by John Fahey, from Christmas Guitar, Vol. 1 1982
Local (Takoma Park, MD) folkie, bluesman and acoustic guitar innovator, John Fahey (February 28, 1939 – February 22, 2001) picks apart this medieval carol and creates an off brand holiday classic. A must in any serious music collection, holiday or otherwise.

And this is just the start of of 2010’s Yule Tunes from the Library Director’s collection! Check back on Monday and Tuesday for Part 2 and Part 3…

December 18, 2010 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog, News Archive Tagged With: yule blog

Don’t Touch That Dial – The Second Annual Yule Blog

Published: December 15, 2009

Director's Blog

 

Here we come a caroling—‘tis the season to be seasonal. It’s that most wonderful time of the year for decking and hauling, tinseling and snowballing (at least somewhere), so it’s time for another list of much beloved songs to drive the dark away. In looking over last year’s inaugural list, I see we have a hard act to follow. Decisions, decisions—whether to go ironic or indie? Caroler or crooner? Classical or comedy? Hipster or hippie? Rhythm ‘n’ blues-er or rocker? Too much to choose from because ANYONE who has ever dared to call himself or herself a singer has made an album or two (or three) of seasonal favorites, those tunes that nestle in like ear worms as the Macy’s T-Day balloons are launched, not to be freed until early January.

Much as I did last year, I decided to go for the eclectic sampler, the kind of box of treats my family used to buy at the Russell Stover Candies store at Seven Corners Shopping Mall.

 

 

No barking dogs, no marauding reindeer committing granny-cide, no warbling, woodland rodents, and not a lot you’re likely to hear in the grocery aisles. Not even a Bob Dylan re-interpretation (too scary). Just a little of this and a little of that—something new, something blue and maybe a tune (or two) new to you.

So grab a hot cuppa, slip into a Snuggie and, once again click, spin or play your way into the holidays. And post a comment below with YOUR list of favorites—be they musical, audio-visual, photographic, literary or memories of the most notable gifts ever given or received as you and yours celebrate the best of the season—be it Christmas, Eid, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, the Solstice or any other.

Repeat the sounding joy. . .

10. “Winter Wonderland”—Rosemary Clooney. Long before there was dreamy George there was his Aunt Rosie, one of the best of the canaries (girl singers) to come outta the Big Band era. She really swings, “are you listening?”

9. “Do You Hear What I Hear”—The Roches (from “We Three Kings”). A trio of hip sisters, neo-folkies with a twist. I picked this one because I like the song so much but the whole deal is great.

8. “Jingle Bells”—Barbra Streisand. On steroids. A frighteningly fast take on a holiday classic, recorded in 1967 when La Barbra was no doubt still channeling Fanny Brice. Catch it if you can; it must be heard to be believed.

7. “Greensleeves”—John Coltrane, live in 1961 at the fabled Village Vanguard with his greatest band ever, featuring pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones.

6. “River”—Herbie Hancock: The Joni Letters.

It’s coming on Christmas.
They’re cutting down trees.
They’re putting up reindeer.
And singing songs of joy and peace.

Herbie and Joni, it doesn’t get any better than this.

5. “The Wild Wood Carol”—Cambridge Singers (from “Christmas Day in the Morning”), conducted by John Rutter. After a nine millionth hearing of the John Rutter “Gloria” last Christmas, a friend of mine remarked that he was going to devote the rest of his life to destroying every extant recording of it. But that’s Rutter the composer. Rutter the choral conductor puts the Brit stiff upper lip to good use with this crystalline clear collection of classics that stays in my CD changer throughout the whole of December.

4. “A Christmas Song”—Charles Bressler and Ned Rorem (from “Rorem: Songs of Rorem”). And for the truly adventuresome, check out Susan Graham’s “Songs of Ned Rorem.” Take special note of “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.” Luscious.

3. “Santa Claus is Back in Town”—Elvis Presley. The King.

2. “Run Run Rudolph”—Chuck Berry. Hey hey my my. Rock and roll will never die.

1. “Have Yourself A Merry Christmas”—The Carpenters. Last year I closed my list with Judy Garland’s version . With this pick, I am starting a tradition within a tradition, to close with a different cover of my super all-time fave song of the season. I own a lot of versions and there are scores out there–even one by Twisted Sister. So we should be more than good until 2050. And still I will never, ever put Bob Dylan’s version on this list.

 

Bonus Tracks: One silly, one serious and one off-the-wall.

1. “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time”—Wings. Sir Paul McCartney doing what he does best. Tossing off a little nothing and making it all look easy.
2. “I Fell Out of A Christmas Tree”—Little Rita Faye. Okay. This is the off-the-wall one. From a goofy and strange Christmas album I owned when I was a kid. It had Lionel Barrymore reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, among other strangenesses. The whole thing is just plain weird.
3. “The Holly and the Ivy”—The Medieval Babes. The whole album is a little new agey and other worldly.

 

 

December 15, 2009 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog, News Archive Tagged With: yule blog

Don’t Touch that Dial—A Yule Blog from the Director

Published: December 18, 2008

Director's Blog

Do you hear what I hear?

As another holiday season has us in the grip (or gripe), I am reminded once again of the thing that still makes me tingle (and ring-ting-a-ling-a-ling, too). Seasonal music! The stuff that snuggles like a treasured knitted scarf. Those tunes that hibernate in your head only to spring, like Rudolph and his happy feet, at the first whiff (or taste?) of eggnog, pine and fruitcake.

Christmas music, long the Hallmark of Bing, Nat, Johnny, Rosie, Perry, Andy and Alvin got hip-ish when Elvis, the Beatles, the Beach Boys and others of their elk (er, ilk) started rocking around the Christmas tree. Then there were all of those Celtic, Brit-ic, medieval-ic rediscoveries. A British invasion of another sort. And today’s new age-ic global village brings its own brand of seasonal confection.

Now I’m not talking about Christmas novelty songs spawned by the likes of Dr. Demento, Stan Freberg and Root Boy Slim (“Christmas at K-Mart”). I am talking about the real thing here–timeless carols, “newly “interpreted” classics,” spiffed up and re-packaged to drive the dark away. Some of my happiest childhood memories are of listening to Christmas music. At our house in the mid-1960s, the latest Firestone Christmas music album was as eagerly anticipated as the Sears “Wish Book.” Hymns and jingles sung by the likes of Rise Stevens, Roberta Peters, Burl Ives, Robert Goulet, Mitch Miller and his gang, the Vienna Choir Boys, the New Christy Minstrels and the Young Americans. Stars of stage, studio and the small screen. Ghosts of Christmas past. For a buck a pop, these records, with their colored wrapping paper and big red bows screamed Christmas like nothing else. And I loved them.

Firestone stopped the series at No. 7. Maybe they felt they had nothing left to say? Maybe they felt that the whole series was a little played out (pun intended)? Besides, the times were changing. In the years covered by the series, 1962-1968, there had been three assassinations, marches for civil rights, an unpopular war, the Summer of Love. The world was too much with us. Time to put away childish things.

And yet, every year about this time I can’t help but scan the web for the latest in seasonal grooves. And then I find myself wondering, as I wander, what if Firestone were willing to issue an 8th and final “Best of Christmas” collection? Like Dylan’s basement tapes, masters from the vaults, what Christmas classics would I want to bring back, re-package, find new audiences for? So after some humming and hawing, my “Best Of” list, in Letterman order–plus two bonus tracks, in the spirit of giving. Firestone, are you listening?

10. “Good King Wenceslaus” – The Ames Brothers. From “There’ll Always Be a Christmas,” 1957, Taragon label. One of my all-time favorite carols and my all-time favorite cover. Dig the counter-tenorish “mark my footsteps my good page.” Nothing said Christmas at 6922 N. 29th St.like this recording. It still gives me chills.

9. “Personent Hodie.” Okay, I didn’t say I didn’t like this stuff, I only noted its proliferation. Lots of good versions, though I am partial to Anonymous 4‘s (“Legends of St. Nicholas”).

8. “Let it Snow” – Jo Stafford. Nothing says cool like Jo Stafford, who passed away this last July. Hip, sophisticated and oh-so-smooth.

7. “Sleigh Ride” – Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops. “Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap let’s go/Let’s look at the snow.” For a few hot minutes, I could imagine what it would be like to live in the New England countryside. And then I would come back down to earth. Great sound effects.

6. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – Ray Charles and Betty “Bebop” Carter. It just does not get any better than this.

5. “Caroling,Caroling/Happy Holiday” – Johnny Mathis. I’ll take anything by Johnny Mathis. He could sing the phone book and I would like it. An old style crooner with heart and soul.

4. “My Favorite Things” – John Coltrane. It gets on the list because of its lyrics (“snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes”). And Coltrane spent a career recording multiple versions. I never tire of it. A 1960 release that introduced the Coltrane quartet with drummer Elvin Jones, pianist McCoy Tyner and bassist Steve Davis. Yes, I never get tired of this record.

3. “The Christmas Song” (“Chestnuts roasting…”) – Nat King Cole. Mel Torme wrote it but Nat owned it. ‘Nuf said.

2. “Wexford Carol” – Cambridge (Mass.) Revels. From “Christmas Day in the Morning.” I have never heard a version of this song that I didn’t like but picked this one because of its old-timey feel and spirit. Percussive and pure.
1. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – Judy Garland. Introduced by Garland in the holiday classic “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Judy at her most limpid and luminous; future first husband Vincente Minelli at his most Minelli-ish. MGM really knew how to make movie musicals.

Bonus Tracks:
“Christmas Time is Here” – Vince Guaraldi. From the TV evergreen, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Still holds up after all these years.
The album “Light of the Stable” – Emmylou Harris. As crystalline pure today as it was when it was released almost 30 years ago. A classic from start to finish.

So click, spin or play your way into the holidays. And post a comment below with YOUR list of holiday favorites—be they musical, audio-visual, literary or memories of the most notable gifts ever given or received. Hanukah tunes? Eid? Kwanzaa?
And have yourself a merry little. . .

December 18, 2008 by Web Editor Filed Under: Director's Blog, News Archive Tagged With: yule blog

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