Appealing Christmas selections I've heard today:
'70s/'80s Holidays
- God Bless The Children-B.J. Thomas (In the wrong voice, this could sound treacly or insincere. Thomas pulls off the right mix of sincerity and perspective in his vocals here, though. I used to look forward to this track during KYKY's 1985-1991 36--in later years, 24--hours of Christmas music rotation.)
- Christmas Wrapping-Denny Lloyd (I can't fathom ever wanting to skip Christmas, but after hearing this rendition, I have to respect those who downplay or don't celebrate the holiday. Lloyd's vocals convey the right balance of fun and resignation, in a wider vocal range than that of the original version by The Waitresses.)
- Frosty The Snowman-Fiona Apple (If "Criminal," "Fast As You Can," or "Shadowboxer" come to mind first when you hear Apple's name, check out Apple's sense of whimsy here, which some listeners might not expect.)
- Joy To The World-Bing Crosby (You're a commanding presence when you can ask everyone to sing in the family key, and everyone complies without question.)
- The Christmas Song-American Horn Quartet & Queensland Symphony Horns (A suitably nostalgic arrangement, with appropriately reflective-sounding brass.)
- Sleigh Ride-Imani Winds (If I were walking through the woods and came upon forest animals playing instruments, I suspect it would sound a lot like this.)
- Happy Holiday-The London Sound 70 Orchestra and Chorus (A throwback of an arrangement for carolers; I've always liked this version since first hearing it on KCFM in 1982. Apparently, its decadent easy listening sound has kept if off the radio here since then; that's a shame, as this ensemble's 1970 treasure trove of tasteful Christmas carol arrangements deserves more recognition.)
- Silent Night-The Carpenters (Karen Carpenter's moving voice fits sacred and secular material equally well.)
- Sleigh Ride-Ella Fitzgerald (One of the classier vocal renditions, with big band underpinning.)
- Winter Wonderland-Ray Charles (Everything about this rendition, from the vocals to the keyboard to the fadeout, radiates coolness.)
- It Feels Like Christmas-Ghost Of Christmas Present ("The Muppet Christmas Carol" soundtrack) (This joyous look at the feeling behind Christmas is a highlight from the movie soundtrack. Also recommended: "Bless Us All" and "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas.")
- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town-Don Patterson (A bouncy organ rendition, with plenty of room for the guitarist to improvise.)
- Winter Wonderland-Chet Baker (This fast trumpet-led rendition cooks. If you want to breeze rather than stroll through a winter wonderland, this is your version.)
