Christmas music listening

[traininvain]

Hmm, I own somewhere in the range of 100 Christmas albums and have been in the habit of making a new mixed tape/cd every year for the past 25 or so, although this year I've spread myself way too thin and I think I'll not be doing it.

Some of the best Christmas albums:

Phil Spector's - A Christmas Gift For You
The Jackson 5 - Christmas Album
Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas
Bruce Cockburn - Christmas
The Chieftains - The Bells of Dublin


That's all I can think of off the top of my head, there are many great Christmas song on there own, too numerous to mention, or remember right now.

So beast, would you like me to send you a Christmas cd or two?

[mellytu74]

Love the Phil Spector Album and the Charlie Brown Christmas.

Have never heard The Cheiftains album. I'll ask the Irish side of the family about it on Saturday (a party for my 94 YO aunt).

Actually, they might have it playing.

[Appa23]

Have you heard the Kathy Mattea version of "Mary, Did You Know?"

The bare-bones, guitar version is the best, IMO.

I don't think so - I'd probably remember it if I had.

Here is a video on YouTube with the Mattea version as the music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqW795-G8do

(Last year, there was a clip of her singing the song on some country show.)


BTW, my ultimate Christmas song is Sarah Grove's version of "Breath of Heaven (Mary's Song)." Rachael Lampa also does a fine version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5iiOzJclHo

[Appa23]

Melly, Rec on the BNL-McLachlan version of "God Rest You Merry".

[SportsFan68]

But you probably prefer my version....

Yep.

[cindy.wellman]

We had two break-ins whilst living overseas. The first break-in involved our two vehicles. Like a silly, I had a big huge case of our CDs in the backseat of my car. They were taken. Mr W had his stereo stolen out of his car, so.....

The only thing that saved me was the backup I did on the old dinosaur of a computer. In addition to my old Napster stuff (before it became taboo) I uploaded every single one of our CDs prior to leaving Alaska. We did buy 10-15 more CDs after arriving, but before the theft, but that was ok. The one exception to the "ok' of it all was a personal CD from a friend of ours and his band. They gave it to us as a gift right before we left AK, and for some reason I didn't back it up to the computer. It also had some personal notes he hand wrote on the inside of the CD, that can't be replaced as well

I was happy to know that I had the the Very Jipter Christmas backed up along with the EXCLUSIVE SS CD from Cori that she sent me as well.

I miss Cori something terrible.

[mellytu74]

I just found my copy of A Very Jipter Christmas.

We will listen to it in the car as we drive to my aunt's birthday party (Dad's sister - the 94 YO one).

AND another song for the WMEL Christmas playlist -- That's What Christmas Means to Me by Stevie Wonder.

[VAdame]

I happen to LIKE Domenic the Donkey too!

I was going to ask what's the Hippopotamus Song -- somehow I've managed to never hear that one. I just searched it out on NotMe-Tube. Still, never heard it anywhere else.

I still think the worst "mainstream" Christmas song ever is "The Christmas Shoes" (since I've never heard "Mom & Daddy Please Don't Steal For Me This Christmas" on the radio -- just on the MusicalFruitcake website.

There are some other pretty bad ones on there too!


http://www.musicalfruitcake.com/

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

My father-in-law bought this for the girls:

[minimetoo26]

Heresy Alert!

Sharpen the pitchforks and gather the wood for the bonfire!!


I prefer the Madonna version of Santa Baby. I think Betty Boop works better than Sultry Siren for the purpose of the song. I mean, putting "seductive" and "Santa" into the same sentence is just creepy/icky on too many levels. Except for Bad Santa. That's just funny.

Of course, you're talking to someone whose favorite Christmas song is Elvis' Santa Claus is Back in Town. But I just lurves me some Elvis, and I'm fairly irreverent to boot.

I had never heard Dominick the Donkey! I had to go hunt it down, and it is cute and catchy and totally innocuous. Then again, I haven't heard it 60 bajillion times yet, so ask me again in a year or two.

I also love Kenny Loggins' Celebrate Me Home, which isn't actually a Christmas song, but it starts off with "Home for the holidays," so it works with the holiday of your choice.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

No pitchfork from me.

I like Madonna's version as well.

[Kazoo65]

I happen to LIKE Christmas music-blame it on Catholic school!

Some of my favorites are:

Silent Night
O Holy Night-the Josh Groban version is good, as is Michael Crawford's.
O Come All Ye Faithful-Celine Dion and Josh Groban both do good versions of this
Angels We Heard on High-ever since we had to sing it in 5th grade, I've liked this one
Away In a Manger


Some of the ones I can't stand:
Last Christmas-Wham
Another Auld Lang Syne-Dan Fogelberg
There's No Place Like Home for The Holidays

I've never heard "Dominick the Donkey" but I've heard the hippo song, and the one called "There's Something In the Chimney" or something like that-silly and annoying. The Village People did a Christmas version of Macho Man where they sing about wanting to be like Santa Claus. That's kinda cute.

[mellytu74]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Want_a_H ... _Christmas

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door,
that's the easy thing to do

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too

Mom says the hippo would eat me up, but then
Teacher says a hippo is a vegeterian.
(Short Music Interlude)
There's lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I'd feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage

I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
to see a hippo hero standing there

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me too!

[mellytu74]

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)

Santa's got a little friend,
his name is Dominick.
The cutest little donkey,
you never see him kick.
When Santa visits his paisans,
with Dominick he'll be.
Because the reindeer cannot
climb the hills of Italy.

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)

Jingle bells around his feet,
and presents on the sled.
Hey! Look at the mayor's derby,
on top of Dominick's head.
A pair of shoes for Louie,
snd a dress for Josephine.
The labels on the inside says,
they're made in Bruccalin'. (Brooklyn)

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)

Children sing, and clap their hands,
And Dominick starts to dance.
They talk Italian to him,
And he even understands.
Cummare's and cumpare's
Do the dance 'a tarantell',
When Santa Nicola comes to town,
And brings 'o ciucciarell.'

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)
Hey! Dominick! Buonn Natale!

(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)

[mellytu74]

SOmebody else has a recording of Wham's Last Christmas.

It's still just as bad in that version, too.

[VAdame]

Oh, crap! Up until today, I'd never heard of the Hippopotamus Song. So I got curious & looked it up on that site that rhymes with NewBoob.

And now, the Hippopotamus Song is stuck in my head!!!!! It's an EARWORM!

Accckkkk! Out, out damned river horse!!!!

Heeeellllllllp meeeeeeeeeeee.............................

[littlebeast13]

Heresy Alert!

Sharpen the pitchforks and gather the wood for the bonfire!!


I prefer the Madonna version of Santa Baby. I think Betty Boop works better than Sultry Siren for the purpose of the song. I mean, putting "seductive" and "Santa" into the same sentence is just creepy/icky on too many levels.

They play a version of Santa Baby on the store radio every once in a while, but I had no idea until reading this whether it was Madonna's or Kitt's version. Betty Boop it is, so it must be Madonna's version.

And in the coincidence to end all coincidences, while driving to work last night, my radio station (which pretty much doesn't play Christmas music since they have their own all-holiday station online) plays the Eartha Kitt version, so I know for a fact that it's the Madonna version that's played at work.

Sorry, but I have to agree with mini and PSM here. If I were tied up and forced to listen to one of these versions over and over again, I'd be less miserable listening to the Madonna version...

lb13

[traininvain]

SOmebody else has a recording of Wham's Last Christmas.

It's still just as bad in that version, too.

There are a bunch of them but, the version by Jimmy Eat World is pretty good.

[peacock2121]

Does anyone recall the 'real' or the 'former' kazoo ever using a ?

[VAdame]

Leah has a musical teddy bear (it's a girl bear, so maybe a Theodosia Bear?) that sings Santa Baby. Can't recall which version!

Personally, I vote for Eartha.

Last night I was in the mood for some Christmas tunes, so I went on YouTube & found the Kinks "Father Christmas," which I love, and Jethro Tull's "Christmas Song," which I have on a CD out in the car anyway.

Also found this pretty funny video to Bob Rivers' "AquaClaus."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBMXwN6eAEE

[KillerTomato]

My Christmas Album Collection:

A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi: Probably my favorite, if only for "Christmas Time Is Here" and "Skating"

December - George Winston: His versions of "The Carol of the Bells" and "Variations on the Kanon by Pachelbel" are sublime

O Holy Night - Luciano Pavarotti: Mainly for "Gesu Bambino" and "Panis Angelicus"

Dr. Demento's Holidays in Demential - Various Artists: "It's So Chic To be Pregnant at Christmas" makes me smile, as does the Waitress' "Christmas Wrapping". But it's Mona Abboud's "The Pretty Little Dolly" that may just be my favorite "non-traditional" Christmas tune.

A Very Jipter Christmas - Various Artists: Mentioned before, this Cori Complilation is wonderful

The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole: Love it.

and finally, for when I'm feeling "jazzy"

Crescent City Christmas Card - Wynton Marsalis: Mostly in minor keys, the versions of "Carol of the Bells" (can you tell that's a personal favorite of mine?) and "Sleigh Ride" -- along with an 8 minute spoken word and jazz rendition of "The Night Before Christmas" -- are wonderful.

[minimetoo26]

So I exposed my children to Dominick the Donkey and I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas. They are a huge hit with the younger two. I am not sick of them yet. Yet.

I have The Bells of Dublin. It is great. I am thinking of hiding the Celtic Christmas with those uleann pipes that make you want to end it all with your head in the gas oven. I think I see why they play bagpipes at funerals. They're hoping the deceased will awaken and tell them to knock it of for the love of Pete....

[ontellen]

My favourite Christmas album (and I found it at Amazon about 3 years ago!) is the Johnny Mathis one. I have the old album and there was never a Christmas since it came out without it.

My second favourite album is the Boney M Christmas Album with Mary's Boy Child. I hear Wal-Mart has it this Christmas (it was unavailable before) so I must get this.

I can't believe that no one has mentioned my favourite Christmas song and that's John Lennon's And So This is Christmas - never ceases to choke me up.

Another one I've grown to love is the theme from Christmas Vacation. It's the old Phil Spector surroundsound thing.

My favourite carol is O Holy Night and I think Johnny Mathis' is the best.

[minimetoo26]

Oh, crap! Up until today, I'd never heard of the Hippopotamus Song. So I got curious & looked it up on that site that rhymes with NewBoob.

And now, the Hippopotamus Song is stuck in my head!!!!! It's an EARWORM!

Accckkkk! Out, out damned river horse!!!!

Heeeellllllllp meeeeeeeeeeee.............................

I've gotten the Dominick the Donkey earworm. At least it is pleasant!

La la la, la la lalalala la.....

[Dominick the Donkey]

Oh, crap! Up until today, I'd never heard of the Hippopotamus Song. So I got curious & looked it up on that site that rhymes with NewBoob.

And now, the Hippopotamus Song is stuck in my head!!!!! It's an EARWORM!

Accckkkk! Out, out damned river horse!!!!

Heeeellllllllp meeeeeeeeeeee.............................

I've gotten the Dominick the Donkey earworm. At least it is pleasant!

La la la, la la lalalala la.....

Good, I could use a nice home during the warmer months. I'm housebroken, sort of....