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Some of the strongest Christmas selections I've heard today:
'70s/'80s Holidays
- Driving Home For Christmas-Chris Rea (Rea's vocal rasp suits his own tune well. I'm glad this song has held up over the decades because it captures the warmth of the season and the desire to see one's family. The High Kings and Michael Ball also recorded strong versions of it.)
Acoustic Christmas
- White Christmas-Norah Jones (Jones is in fine form vocally, as usual, leading a solid jazz combo. There's a nice tribute to The Drifters during her "May your days, may your days, may your days..." section of the chorus.)
Cool Jazz Christmas
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring-Russ Freeman (Freeman's modest, acoustic guitar renditions of carols are among his best work. Also recommended: Freeman's relatively quick takes on "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Angels We Have Heard On High.")
- The Little Drummer Boy-Ragan Whiteside (Making this tune sound jazzy, hip, and contemporary is no mean feat. Whiteside's flute rendition of it from last year pulls it off impressively.)
Holiday Instrumentals
- We Wish You A Merry Christmas-Booker T. & The MGs (If you like the rhythm and general vibe of "The 'In' Crowd," you'll likely enjoy the organ and guitar playing here.)
- White Christmas-Raymond Lefevre (Lush, easy listening strings and backing vocals, not unlike those on Paul Mauriat's Christmas selections.)
Holiday Pops
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring-Westminster Concert Bell Orchestra (An ideal number on which to give handbells center stage. This particular version got my attention as it's played at the same tempo I remember "Jesu..." being played on the organ during Communion during Mass in the '80s.)
Holiday Traditions
- Silver Bells-Al Hirt (This is how Henry Mancini's orchestra and chorus might have sounded with a solo trumpeter.)
- Mary's Boy Child-The Brothers Four (Harry Belafonte's version is the definitive one, in my opinion, but this version has strong folk vocals.)
Real Jazz Holiday
- Winter Wonderland-B3 Kings (Cool organ underpinning of a slick ensemble.)
Sleep Christmas
- It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year-Beegie Adair (One of the most pleasant versions I've heard. Beegie shines on piano, as usual, and the strings add warmth and gravity.)
- In The Bleak Midwinter-Doug Hammer (Appropriately modest, solemn piano playing.)
