Nine noteworthy Christmas gems heard this morning:
Holiday Instrumentals
- Winter Wonderland-Joe Gransden (A classy, swingin' big band rendition.)
- Deck The Halls-Chet Atkins (A modest, pleasant guitar version.)
Holiday Pops
- The Holly And The Ivy from Three Nativity Carols-Stephen Paulus (An interesting downcast arrangement for choir, bassoon, and harp.)
- I Saw Three Ships-Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass (This is one of the fastest versions of this carol I've ever heard.)
Holiday Soul
- Silent Night-The Temptations (Although the group's earlier, shorter version is moving and reverential, their longer, six-minute rendition is even more impressive, showcasing the warmth of their tenor and baritone vocalists. The band's closing wish, "Merrrrry Christmas--to. all. of. you," is a sincere, effective ending.)
Holiday Traditions
- We Need A Little Christmas-Lisa Addeo (To my ears, The New Christy Minstrels are about the only group to record an appealing version of this. However, by slowing down the tempo and making it a piano instrumental, Addeo plays one of the few other non-cloying renditions.)
Noel Incontournable
- Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant-Paul Mauriat & His Orchestra (Most listeners have probably heard this swooshing, upbeat melody in one form or another without knowing its title. The English translation is "The Divine Infant Is Born.")
Real Jazz Holiday
- Jingle Bells-Don Patterson/Pat Martino (One of the hipper instrumental versions, thanks to the Jimmy Smith-style organ playing underscoring the guitar.)
Sleep Christmas
- It Came Upon A Midnight Clear-Janice Faber (This new age-style piano arrangement would translate well to the harp.)
