Christmas Music--Praise or Condemn Here

Rocket #9 · December 5th, 2004, 08:40 PM

To coin a phrase, "it's the most wonderful time of the year". The time when with heavy and glad hearts we take our beloved and despised Christmas CDs from their hiding place and bombard ourselves with Christmas cheer (or Hanukah cheer, though I don't know any specific albums for Haunkah).

What's good and what's bad? What do you hate but play anyway?

We always play the Ella Christmas CD, but every time she does that jokey "I'm just crazy 'bout horses" line at the end of "Jingle Bells", I want to snap the disc in half. Otherwise not bad, though a bit forced. The remastering could be better.

We also play the Diana Krall Christmas disc (only three songs), recorded at the beginning of her play-everything-as-slowly-as-possible-to-make-it-seem-more-dramatic trend. Not horrible, but no original spark, and the pace will make the songs good for the upcoming Verve Christmas for the Depressed compilation.

Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas is a solid classic, one of the very few "Christmas" discs I'm happy to listen to year 'round. If you're a United Statesman of a certain age this music is practically encoded in your DNA.

I'm also very fond of Scott Hamilton's Christmas album. He doesn't condescend to the material, but plays for real with good support from Alan Broadbent, who also arranged the accompanying London String Ensemble. The result is good Christmas music that is also good jazz, a rare combination. Hamilton haters (you know who you are) may disagree.

The worst, the absolute nadir of the Christmas discs I have must be The Jingle Cats' Have a Meowy Christmas (God help us, there's even a follow-up Here Comes Santa Claws). Some geek followed his cats around recording their meows and sampled them into generic Christmas song arrangements using what sounds like one of those organs you used to find at the mall. The result is abysmal. Listen if you dare.

There's more, of course, But I already know what I like/hate. What do you like? What do you avoid?

Merry Christmas, and happy listening.

Ed

Jim R · December 5th, 2004, 09:52 PM

"What do you hate but play anyway"

You gotta love it.

I think I have individual tracks on some xmas CD's that I hate, but nothing I hate all the way through.

I never did pick up an Ella Christmas CD... used to have an LP, but it was beat up pretty bad. I've got some jazz ones I like (Guaraldi, George Shearing, Oscar Peterson, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, Ron Eschete, Tony Mottola, Tuck Andress, a couple of various artists); and some classic vocalists that I always seem to come back to (Cole, Sinatra, Crosby, Torme, Andy Williams, Rosie Clooney, Helen Merrill).

James · December 5th, 2004, 11:05 PM

Over the years I did a radio program, I was exposed to a *great* many Christmas CD's - many of which were awful, and some which were fantastic. I recall, for instance, a version of "Merry Christmas Baby" by Bobby Blue Bland from his (vinyl) release "Sweet Vibrations" which was great. But I'll be damned if I can remember any specific recordings from either the "great" or "not so great" catagory.

One fairly new Christmas release which stands out in a huge way is "The Secret of Christmas" by jazz vocalist Rebecca Parris. 0% schlock, 100% soul and power - this one is an absolute essential IMO. Check out sound samples here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/rebeccap

champjams · December 6th, 2004, 03:26 AM

A great Christmas album is the "Joe Williams" album that came out in the late 90's. It has a great line up, and I think Joe's version of "Silent Night" is about as beautiful as you could hope for.

soshigaya · December 6th, 2004, 03:40 AM

Don't want to sound like Scrooge but I loathe all Xmas music. I work on a busy shopping street in a bustling Tokyo suburb and right outside my window used to be a PA system speaker that played ' Rocking Around The Xmas Tree' from early November, over & over & over & over & over & over... you get the picture.

jlhoots · December 6th, 2004, 08:04 AM

I like 2 "Christmas" songs:
1.) God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman (MJQ)
2.) We Three Kings (Roland Kirk) - he called it We Free Kings

jazzcritic · December 6th, 2004, 08:39 AM

A Dave Brubeck Christmas is a beautiful album of solo piano
with strong arrangements and delightful originals as well.

I always like the Blue Note compilation Yule Struttin' too.
I don't have my Christmas CDs within reach at the moment.

xricci · December 6th, 2004, 08:43 AM

i agree, there are some classics out there--some dreck too.

perennially played...

* a charlie brown christmas by vince guaraldi (i also dig charlie brown's holiday hits)
* the nutcracker by the classical jazz quartet
* winter: an origin records holiday collection
* sound of chrismas by ramsey lewis (recently reissued)

others that i play less frequently...

* christmas ivory by dave mckenna
* christmas in swingtime by harry allen
* hymns, carols and songs about snow by tuck andress

vocals, collections, and less jazzy...

* classic christmas (a pottery barn collection)
* naxos christmas sampler
* festival of carols and brass by the philadelphia brass ensemble
* christmas with the canadian brass
* nat king cole

an aaj buddy burned me an xmas jazz cd compilation last year. we free kings (r. kirk), santa claus is coming to town (b. evans), my favorite things (j. coltrane), god rest yee merry gentlemen (j. smith), etc.

victor · December 6th, 2004, 08:44 AM

since my mother passed away i will NOT listen to christmas music.....im depressed enough as it is already i dont need anything to remind me of this sad time....since i wont have any presents to open i think i just might build a bonfire and throw all the christmas records(except sinatra) in

justHerb · December 6th, 2004, 09:51 AM

Yule Struttin' also gets a nod for having one of the best covers...

Saxman · December 6th, 2004, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justHerb

Yule Struttin' also gets a nod for having one of the best covers...

The music is pretty darn good, too, being a seasonal perennial in our house. I also like the second Blue Note Christmas volume (with Bruce Lundvall as Santa on the cover). That's gets a lot of play, too.

Tenorman · December 6th, 2004, 02:35 PM

Christmas is the time of year when good taste slips out the door some time around late November or early December, and doesn't return until the New year's hangover has abated.

Wonder where it goes???

nkipa · December 6th, 2004, 04:47 PM

I generally dislike Christmas music, but the Guaraldi and Ramsey Lewis records are good.

The only Christmas music that is truly capable of sickening me is that of Mannheim Steamroller.

GA Russell · December 6th, 2004, 07:10 PM

I've noticed this year that the Christmas music I hear on the radio of recent vintage has a hard edge to it - like Celine Dion singing O Holy Night at the top of her lungs. The music from my youth was often sappy, but it was easygoing and pleasant, which I think is appropriate for a holiday like Christmas.

xricci · December 7th, 2004, 08:33 AM

Man, how did i forget Yule Struttin'!! I do dig Scofield's "Chipmunk Christmas".

I agree about about Mannheim Steamroller or anything "smooth" for that matter.

December 5th, 2004, 08:40 PM	#1
Rocket #9 AAJ's Myth Science Admin Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bangkok Posts: 555	Christmas Music--Praise or Condemn Here To coin a phrase, "it's the most wonderful time of the year". The time when with heavy and glad hearts we take our beloved and despised Christmas CDs from their hiding place and bombard ourselves with Christmas cheer (or Hanukah cheer, though I don't know any specific albums for Haunkah). What's good and what's bad? What do you hate but play anyway? We always play the Ella Christmas CD, but every time she does that jokey "I'm just crazy 'bout horses" line at the end of "Jingle Bells", I want to snap the disc in half. Otherwise not bad, though a bit forced. The remastering could be better. We also play the Diana Krall Christmas disc (only three songs), recorded at the beginning of her play-everything-as-slowly-as-possible-to-make-it-seem-more-dramatic trend. Not horrible, but no original spark, and the pace will make the songs good for the upcoming Verve Christmas for the Depressed compilation. Vince Guaraldi's A Charlie Brown Christmas is a solid classic, one of the very few "Christmas" discs I'm happy to listen to year 'round. If you're a United Statesman of a certain age this music is practically encoded in your DNA. I'm also very fond of Scott Hamilton's Christmas album. He doesn't condescend to the material, but plays for real with good support from Alan Broadbent, who also arranged the accompanying London String Ensemble. The result is good Christmas music that is also good jazz, a rare combination. Hamilton haters (you know who you are) may disagree. The worst, the absolute nadir of the Christmas discs I have must be The Jingle Cats' Have a Meowy Christmas (God help us, there's even a follow-up Here Comes Santa Claws). Some geek followed his cats around recording their meows and sampled them into generic Christmas song arrangements using what sounds like one of those organs you used to find at the mall. The result is abysmal. Listen if you dare. There's more, of course, But I already know what I like/hate. What do you like? What do you avoid? Merry Christmas, and happy listening. Ed __________________ "Malice, sir, is the spirit of criticism, and criticism marks the origin of progress and enlightenment." Thomas Mann

December 6th, 2004, 03:26 AM	#4
champjams The Bebop Purist Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 161	A great Christmas album is the "Joe Williams" album that came out in the late 90's. It has a great line up, and I think Joe's version of "Silent Night" is about as beautiful as you could hope for. __________________ I believe.

December 6th, 2004, 08:04 AM	#6
jlhoots Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Santa Fe. NM Posts: 1,392	I like 2 "Christmas" songs: 1.) God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman (MJQ) 2.) We Three Kings (Roland Kirk) - he called it We Free Kings __________________ Larry

December 6th, 2004, 02:35 PM	#12
Tenorman AAJ's Spammer Exterminator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: London - expat Scot Posts: 12,165	Christmas is the time of year when good taste slips out the door some time around late November or early December, and doesn't return until the New year's hangover has abated. Wonder where it goes??? __________________ Birth Controller to the Jazz Community. (click on the underlined text for more information)

December 6th, 2004, 07:10 PM	#14
GA Russell Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 876	I've noticed this year that the Christmas music I hear on the radio of recent vintage has a hard edge to it - like Celine Dion singing O Holy Night at the top of her lungs. The music from my youth was often sappy, but it was easygoing and pleasant, which I think is appropriate for a holiday like Christmas. __________________ www.russellmoon.com

December 5th, 2004, 09:52 PM	#2
Jim R Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: S.F. Bay Area Posts: 1,024	"What do you hate but play anyway" You gotta love it. I think I have individual tracks on some xmas CD's that I hate, but nothing I hate all the way through. I never did pick up an Ella Christmas CD... used to have an LP, but it was beat up pretty bad. I've got some jazz ones I like (Guaraldi, George Shearing, Oscar Peterson, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, Ron Eschete, Tony Mottola, Tuck Andress, a couple of various artists); and some classic vocalists that I always seem to come back to (Cole, Sinatra, Crosby, Torme, Andy Williams, Rosie Clooney, Helen Merrill).

December 5th, 2004, 11:05 PM	#3
James Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 1,094	Over the years I did a radio program, I was exposed to a great many Christmas CD's - many of which were awful, and some which were fantastic. I recall, for instance, a version of "Merry Christmas Baby" by Bobby Blue Bland from his (vinyl) release "Sweet Vibrations" which was great. But I'll be damned if I can remember any specific recordings from either the "great" or "not so great" catagory. One fairly new Christmas release which stands out in a huge way is "The Secret of Christmas" by jazz vocalist Rebecca Parris. 0% schlock, 100% soul and power - this one is an absolute essential IMO. Check out sound samples here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/rebeccap

December 6th, 2004, 03:40 AM	#5
soshigaya Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 559	Don't want to sound like Scrooge but I loathe all Xmas music. I work on a busy shopping street in a bustling Tokyo suburb and right outside my window used to be a PA system speaker that played ' Rocking Around The Xmas Tree' from early November, over & over & over & over & over & over... you get the picture.

December 6th, 2004, 08:39 AM	#7
jazzcritic Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 6,531	A Dave Brubeck Christmas is a beautiful album of solo piano with strong arrangements and delightful originals as well. I always like the Blue Note compilation Yule Struttin' too. I don't have my Christmas CDs within reach at the moment.

December 6th, 2004, 08:43 AM	#8
xricci AAJ's Barrel Roller Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Lansdale, PA Posts: 10,893	i agree, there are some classics out there--some dreck too. perennially played... * a charlie brown christmas by vince guaraldi (i also dig charlie brown's holiday hits) * the nutcracker by the classical jazz quartet * winter: an origin records holiday collection * sound of chrismas by ramsey lewis (recently reissued) others that i play less frequently... * christmas ivory by dave mckenna * christmas in swingtime by harry allen * hymns, carols and songs about snow by tuck andress vocals, collections, and less jazzy... * classic christmas (a pottery barn collection) * naxos christmas sampler * festival of carols and brass by the philadelphia brass ensemble * christmas with the canadian brass * nat king cole an aaj buddy burned me an xmas jazz cd compilation last year. we free kings (r. kirk), santa claus is coming to town (b. evans), my favorite things (j. coltrane), god rest yee merry gentlemen (j. smith), etc.

December 6th, 2004, 08:44 AM	#9
victor Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 2,833	since my mother passed away i will NOT listen to christmas music.....im depressed enough as it is already i dont need anything to remind me of this sad time....since i wont have any presents to open i think i just might build a bonfire and throw all the christmas records(except sinatra) in

December 6th, 2004, 09:51 AM	#10
justHerb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 1,360	Yule Struttin' also gets a nod for having one of the best covers...

December 6th, 2004, 04:47 PM	#13
nkipa Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 208	I generally dislike Christmas music, but the Guaraldi and Ramsey Lewis records are good. The only Christmas music that is truly capable of sickening me is that of Mannheim Steamroller.

December 7th, 2004, 08:33 AM	#15
xricci AAJ's Barrel Roller Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Lansdale, PA Posts: 10,893	Man, how did i forget Yule Struttin'!! I do dig Scofield's "Chipmunk Christmas". I agree about about Mannheim Steamroller or anything "smooth" for that matter.

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