*~*~*Christmas Music 2011*~*~*

[AGBF]

I thought that since there has been a Christmas and holiday movie thread in Hangout for a while now, it was time to get the Christmas music thread for this year started!

I looked up new Christmas music releases for 2011 and was taken by the the album: "Libera: The Christmas Album". I have to admit that I had previously been unaware of the British boys choir Libera, but I like them very much. I love harmony. I only wish that, "Angels We Have Heard On High" was on the album since so many other, similar, songs are. I would have loved to hear them on the, "Glorias"!!!

Here is a link to a site where you can sample a little of each song on the album!

http://www.libera.org.uk/music/the_christmas_album

I hope everyone has fun contributing favorite Christmas/holiday songs to this thread. Every year I hear of new, wonderful songs here on Pricescope!

Deb/AGBF

 

[VRBeauty]

Ask me again in a few weeks.

 

[AGBF]

Ask me again in a few weeks.

Don't worry. The thread will still be here!

Deb

 

[dragonfly411]

I always revert back to the Hanson Christmas Album and their rendition of O' Holy Night. It is by far my most favorite Christmas song EVER.

I also enjoy Believe by Buble' from the Polar Express Album.

 

[AGBF]

I always revert back to the Hanson Christmas Album and their rendition of O' Holy Night. It is by far my most favorite Christmas song EVER.

I also enjoy Believe by Buble' from the Polar Express Album.

Links would be super. I always end up looking for music after I read the recommendations people post here!

Deb

 

[Skippy123]

I love the oldies, like Judy Garland's Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo&feature=related ! Deb, have you checked out pandora.com? if you type in Christmas you can listen to all sorts of Christmas music! I love it and am already in the mood for Christmas!!!! Yay for your thread!!! You put in me in the spirit, friend!!

Andy Williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtb3EtjEic&feature=related

eta: ops, I see you say albums, I messed up.

 

[AGBF]

I love the oldies, like Judy Garland's Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo&feature=related ! Deb, have you checked out pandora.com? if you type in Christmas you can listen to all sorts of Christmas music! I love it and am already in the mood for Christmas!!!! Yay for your thread!!! You put in me in the spirit, friend!!

Andy Williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtb3EtjEic&feature=related

eta: ops, I see you say albums, I messed up.

I didn't mean "albums", Skippy! I misspoke. I just meant, "music links" (of any kind whatsoever). Thank you so very much for participating as always. You are the cheerleader of Pricescope, and we truly need your Christmas spirit all year 'round!!!

Hugs,
Deb

 

[mrssalvo]

I just started pulling out all my Christmas cd's today. Some of my favorites:

Bing Crosby's Christmas
Harry Connick- When My Heart finds Christmas
Amy Grant - A Christmas Collection- Breath of Heaven and Grown up Christmas List....tear jerkers and beautiful
you'll like this one Deb!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmF2rsDHOZc (grown up Christmas list)

Mariah Carey's Christmas, although a little dated, I still like it...
Karen Carpenter's "Merry Christmas Darling"
nutcracker tchaikovsky- always makes me think of Christmas

I'll come back with more

 

[canuk-gal]

I just started pulling out all my Christmas cd's today. Some of my favorites:

Bing Crosby's Christmas
Harry Connick- When My Heart finds Christmas
Amy Grant - A Christmas Collection- Breath of Heaven and Grown up Christmas List....tear jerkers and beautiful
you'll like this one Deb!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmF2rsDHOZc (grown up Christmas list)

Mariah Carey's Christmas, although a little dated, I still like it...
Karen Carpenter's "Merry Christmas Darling"
nutcracker tchaikovsky- always makes me think of Christmas

I'll come back with more

This is what I love about these threads. Always something "new"! Thank you all for sharing!

cheers--Sharon

 

[missy]

Oooh, I have to admit that I love Christmas music and I am so excited it is (almost) that time of year for that very reason!
I love all the classic standards and there is a new addition to the list this year (well actually last but I am only just adding it here now).
Last holiday season a colleague of my dh's gave him a homemade CD with holiday music less commonly known/heard (at least by us) and it was fantastic! My very favorite song on that CD was Perfect Gift by Natalie Hemby. It took me forever to find this on youtube just now so I hope it works. Ignore the hokey video. Really love this song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv2M-iYIHMA&feature=player_embedded



ETA Another one of my favorite holiday songs is River by Joni Mitchell from the album Blue. This has been a favorite from way back. Sigh. A masterpiece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCov0TYXBp8

 

[Enerchi]

For me, nothing starts the holiday season off for me, like The Nutcracker Suite by Tchiakovsky. It is just heaven! Then, a total flip in a different direction is Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad" and I also love Toby Keith's "Joy to the world"!!!

I guess there is something for everyone at this time of year!
(but my absolute favourite song of the season, is "Happy Birthday to *ME*" on the 24th -hahahahaha!!)

 

[AGBF]

Another one of my favorite holiday songs is River by Joni Mitchell from the album Blue. This has been a favorite from way back. Sigh. A masterpiece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCov0TYXBp8

I have always loved Joni Mitchell as a performer as well as a composer, going back to the days when Judy Collins used to make very popular recordings of her songs while Joni would make quirky recordings of the same songs. I must suggest here, in the interest of Pricescope members hearing the most beautiful music available to them, that they listen to the Sarah McLachlan recording of the song, however. In the instance of this song, I think that Miss Mitchell composed a great song (or at least a lovely one), but does not do it justice in performing it. Sarah McLachlan reaches down inside herself and finds the feeling for the song as well as having the vocal capacity to make it sound far, far more liltingly lovely than Miss Mitchell does.

Thanks for posting this, missy. And thanks for posting, "Perfect Gift", too!

Sarah McLachlan version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulr7MPyhPaY&feature=related

Deb/AGBF

 

[canuk-gal]

ETA Another one of my favorite holiday songs is River by Joni Mitchell from the album Blue. This has been a favorite from way back. Sigh. A masterpiece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCov0TYXBp8[/quote]

Agreed. But she had me at "Carey".

Another wonderful song. And not b/c she is also "Canadian, but that voice.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jr-2eyRtV4

Just as sweet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMFzQhR9dJw

cheers--Sharon

 

[Anastasia]

Please don't tell anyone, but I have already started listening to Christmas music!! We have a station in the area that has been playing ALL Christmas music this week, and I have gotten sucked in!

I have so many favorites.

I just heard "Mary did you know" by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna today, and it gives me chills. I am not particularly religious, but for some reason, this really moves me. Maybe it's because I'm a mom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQM2rszMAfY

I am looking forward to getting Michael Buble's new Christmas cd.

I love Joni Mitchell's "River" also. James Taylor does a great version of it on his Christmas Album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovyYgB-yuc4

 

[missy]

duplicate post...Am I the only one who finds PS is wonky in the early AM East Coast time...

 

[missy]

Sharon- love that version of Holy Night by Celine Dion! So beautiful. Thanks for posting it - I just listened to it again and it is a lovely song to wake up to. Helps take the sting out of awaking at 4:45 AM! Also love her album Carey.

AGBF -I also love Sarah McLachlan's version of River (as well as James Taylor's version).
Anastasia- I agree...Mary did you know by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna is chillingly lovely. And I have also started listening to Christmas music Anastasia so you are not the only one.

 

[HollyS]

Last year, on a search for Christmas music via youtube, I came across Loreena McKinnitt. She is both an instrumentalist and a vocalist.

Here is her "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Coventry Carol".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g7-exAMKAY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5H3n4JWRrQ&feature=related

And a very interesting version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

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

If these links don't work, just go to youtube and type in her name. She has many offerings, both Christmas and New Age.

 

[Gypsy]

OH I listen to my Christmas favorites all year round.

The best of the best, IMO:

Faith Hill: O Holy Night -- her voice is just heart stopping. Not the slow version, the faster one (NOT this version, too much breathing: http://www.amazon.com/O-Holy-Night/dp/B001GTZPR2)

Jewel: Silent Night-- I love that she does three full verses. Her voice is just right for this song.

Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan-- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Bing Crosby and David Bowie -- Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy

John Williams-- Carol of the Bells (from the Home Alone Soundtrack)

Bruce Springsteen-- Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Trans Siberian Orchestra: 8. Christmas/ Sarajevo 12/24 (Instrumental) and A Mad Russian's Christmas (Instrumental) and Carol of the Bells (with God Rest ye Gentlemen violin intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vNcGlM8O3I)

 

[movie zombie]

i will admit that i have a John Waters christmas cd that i love......totally too much fun.
2nd fav is a leon redbone doing some traditional songs with that drawl of his.....
some celtic music comes to mind.....
otherwise, not too much into the christmas music thing......except for very old [1600-1800's] spanish christmas music.

 

[AGBF]

Last year, on a search for Christmas music via youtube, I came across Loreena McKinnitt. She is both an instrumentalist and a vocalist.

Here is her "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Coventry Carol".

And a very interesting version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

If these links don't work, just go to youtube and type in her name. She has many offerings, both Christmas and New Age.

Thanks for your offerings, Holly. I knew they would be pleasant to hear! You inspired me to look for another recording of, "In The Bleak Midwinter". How do you like this one by Kiri Te Kanawa? I really, really love it!

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

Deb

 

[artdecogirl]

I love holiday music and have to admit I have it in my regular playlist on my ipod all the time I agree that Sarah Mclachlans version of River is lovely, she really does it justice, her Winterson album is one of my favorite all time holiday albums, I love Song for a winters night, sorry I do not know how to link a song... One of the albums that most means the holidays to me is Joan Baez, Noel. They are not all my favorite versions of songs but reminds me most of christmas as a kid. I like her Ava
Marie but I think Nana Mouskori does it better and I also love Josh Grobans And baking cookies with the Nutcracker playing in the background makes me very happy

 

[AGBF]

I do not know how to link a song... One of the albums that most means the holidays to me is Joan Baez, Noel. They are not all my favorite versions of songs but reminds me most of christmas as a kid. I like her Ava
Marie but I think Nana Mouskori does it better

Here is a link to Joan Baez singing, "Ave Maria" (in German). She and Nana Mouskouri are among my favorite popular singers, too, artdecogirl. I will also try to post Nana Mouskouri's version.

Joan Baez also does a mean, "Cantique de Noel"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ6cz08pzNI

Deb/AGBF

 

[missy]

I do not know how to link a song... One of the albums that most means the holidays to me is Joan Baez, Noel. They are not all my favorite versions of songs but reminds me most of christmas as a kid. I like her Ava
Marie but I think Nana Mouskori does it better

Here is a link to Joan Baez singing, "Ave Maria" (in German). She and Nana Mouskouri are among my favorite popular singers, too, artdecogirl. I will also try to post nana Mouskouri's version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ6cz08pzNI

Deb/AGBF

Ave Maria is one of my favorites!
and so is Noel.

 

[aviastar]

Ohhhhhh- Loreena Mckennitt is my FAVORITE any time of year! She has a European tour this spring and I am very seriously trying to work out a way to get to Rome to see her; she doesn't tour often and I have never gotten to see her live!

For anyone looking for something a little quirky, but oh so much fun, try Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ot-TP2gxvY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGJQVOKSSeE

There is a whole album, A Very Ping Pong Christmas, on iTunes, but most of the songs have not made it to youtube yet!

 

[dragonfly411]

Sorry about that Deb:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVQDYnsDdCo&noredirect=1 - the Hanson. It is actually Silent Night Medley by title. But it combines Silent Night, O Holy Night and O Come all ye Faithful.

I'm also really Horrible. Buble did not do believe. Josh Groban did. Sorry to all and to Josh Groban.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gmeq2jD4UY

 

[HollyS]

Last year, on a search for Christmas music via youtube, I came across Loreena McKinnitt. She is both an instrumentalist and a vocalist.

Here is her "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Coventry Carol".

And a very interesting version of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

If these links don't work, just go to youtube and type in her name. She has many offerings, both Christmas and New Age.

Thanks for your offerings, Holly. I knew they would be pleasant to hear! You inspired me to look for another recording of, "In The Bleak Midwinter". How do you like this one by Kiri Te Kanawa? I really, really love it!

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

Deb

That is a beautiful version. I love quiet, contemplative Christmas music in the days leading up to The Main Event. When Christmas is finally here, I enjoy the standards from the big names like Bing, Dean, Andy, Nat, etc. I even like Jose, Elton, and The Carpenters. But I will turn the channel on Paul McCartney and most of the other living pop icons.

I despise this: http://music.yahoo.com/harry-connick-jr/videos/view/when-my-heart-finds-christmas--184532824 and I love Harry!
I might even hate it more than I do Band-Aid or ex-Beatle bunk. Bleh.

 

[AGBF]

I do not know how to link a song... One of the albums that most means the holidays to me is Joan Baez, Noel. They are not all my favorite versions of songs but reminds me most of christmas as a kid. I like her Ava
Marie but I think Nana Mouskori does it better

Here is a link to Joan Baez singing, "Ave Maria" (in German). She and Nana Mouskouri are among my favorite popular singers, too, artdecogirl. I will also try to post Nana Mouskouri's version.

Joan Baez also does a mean, "Cantique de Noel"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ6cz08pzNI

Here is Schubert's, "Ave Maria" sung by Nana Mouskouri (in Latin):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1kQ5xJAJFw

Deb

 

[AGBF]

I just heard a piece of Christmas music I had never heard before and liked a lot. It is by a group called, "Casting Crowns" and is on an album/ CD called, "Peace on Earth". The only question I have is whether the song itself is actually called, "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" as it supposedly is. It isn't the traditional version of the song, that's for sure! I really enjoyed listening to it, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK8xB1opuQ8

Deb/AGBF

 

[AGBF]

2011 must be the year for, "The River". I noticed it was on the new Christmas CD made by The Glee Cast when I was in a store so I checked YouTube and here is the version they do. (I like it!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3YhRkzXhRo&feature=related

Deb/AGBF

 

[OUpearlgirl]

I know I'm obsessed with him, but Michael Buble's new Christmas album is great.

One of my favorites is his version of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfzKCJX82HE