Christmas 2004: Signs of the season in the family room. Here's hoping everyone's Christmas or other Winter holiday is at least as cozy and inviting as this.
Christmas standouts heard today:
'70s/'80s Holidays
- Joy To The World-Andy Williams (For those who associate Williams with "Happy Holiday" and "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," the slower than usual tempo and somewhat more sedate vocals might be surprising.)
Acoustic Christmas
- Frosty The Snowman-Fiona Apple (Many listeners might see this as casting against type. Don't let that prevent you from enjoying Apple's rendition. Her voice conveys the requisite carefree wonder needed here.)
Holiday Pops
- Away In A Manger-Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia/Peter Breiner, conductor (Brassy and regal.)
- Hugo Distler, arranger: Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming-The National Lutheran Choir (Airy, reverent vocals.)
- Christmas Time Is Here-Los Romeros (The tone-setting opening number from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" translates well to a guitar quartet.)
Holiday Soul
- The Christmas Song-The Stylistics (Smooth, soaring vocals, as usual.)
Holiday Traditions
- White Christmas-Beegie Adair (A swingin' piano-led version in an accessible jazz combo style; this is one of the stronger versions of "White Christmas" I've heard.)
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-Jackie Gleason (Endearing old school easy listening; plenty of strings with comforting backing vocalists.)
- It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year-Chris McDonald Orchestra (Slick saxophone, horns, and piano; I wouldn't be surprised if an ensemble was playing this rendition in the lobby of the swanky condo building across the street.)
Jazz Holidays
- Sleigh Ride-Take 6 (Not just any ensemble can pull off an a cappella version of this; it doesn't surprise me that Take 6 nails it.)
- Good King Wenceslaus-Manfredo Fest (One of the most simmering, percolating, energetic instrumental renditions I've heard.)
Noel Incontournable
- O Tannenbaum-Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra (Right from the opening cascade of descending notes, this is a perfect rendition, conveying the awe that a Christmas tree elicits.)
