Christmastime is Here - Vince Guaraldi

 

Just gotta have something from A Charlie Brown Christmas!  Merry Christmas Eve!

Cradle in Bethlehem - Nat King Cole

 

This is a Christmas carol that I often forget about but always love when I hear it.  This version is by the great Nat King Cole.  Enjoy!

Away In A Manger - John Rutter

 

This past Sunday I got to hear many of John Rutter's lovely arrangements of Christmas carols.  This was one and it's absolutely beautiful.  Enjoy!

That Holiday Feeling - Steve & Eydie

 

I have this record and really enjoy it. Just wanting to start of my Tuesday with some holiday feeling!  Enjoy!

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Johnny Mathis

 

I took a few days off of my Christmas songs, so I'm starting back with one of my favorite tunes by one of my favorite artists!  Enjoy!

The Gift of Love - Placido Domingo

 

The Gift of Love is a beautiful holiday song written by Placido Domingo's son, Placido Jr.  I first remember hearing it on a concert CD entitled Christmas In Vienna and have loved it ever since.  Enjoy!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby

 

This is a charming Christmas song from the musical version of "Miracle on 34th Street" called "Here's Love".  Written by Meredith Wilson, of "The Music Man" fame.  It's a fun holiday number and I hope you enjoy it!

The First Noel/Christmas Eve Waltz - arranged by David Lanz

 

I have loved David Lanz's music, both original and his arrangements for 30 plus years now.  His Christmas music is no different.  The First Noel is a beautiful carol and is intertwined with his original melody Christmas Eve Waltz.  Enjoy!

Angels We Have Heard On High - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

 

Just one of my favorite Christmas carols.  I always prefer hearing this sung by a choir than individually LOL  Just my preference!  Enjoy!

12 Days of Christmas - Dinah Shore

 

This is another very nostalgic recording to me.  The 12 Days of Christmas is not my favorite. I always get confused and frustrated after the 5th day, trying to remember what's next?  Lords, geese, maids?  I just can never remember.  LOL   Anyway, We had this record when I was growing up and as a small child, I was obsessed with Dinah Shore singing the 12 days.  I'd listen to this track over and over and  Mom happily obliged me.  I even remember taking this record to show and tell in kindergarten and Mrs. Shell let us listen to it.  I was happy to find a video of it, showing the actual record.  Enjoy!

Caroling, Caroling - Nat King Cole

 

I grew up listening to Nat King Cole's "The Magic of Christmas" album from 1960.  This was one of Mom's records and I still have it and play it often during the holidays.  This is my favorite song from that album, even though they're all great.  And, taking from yesterday's song, this is also one of Alfred Burt's yearly Christmas gift songs.  Another note of interest for this album is that it does not contain Cole's famous version of "The Christmas Song".  When the album was rereleased and renamed several years later, all of the tracks remained the same with the exception of "The Christmas Song" replacing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman".  Enjoy!

Some Children See Him - Diahann Carroll

 

This is one of the beautiful Christmas carols written by jazz musician Alfred Burt.  He wrote one each year for many years and gave them as Christmas gifts to his friends.  What a wonderful tradition that we have all benefitted from.  Here is the amazing Diahann Carroll singing this song.  I have her on several records performing it and it's always a joy to hear.  Enjoy!

The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone Chorale

The Harry Simeone Chorale gave us one of the best versions of "The Little Drummer Boy". I'd never seen this recording of them performing on Ed Sullivan.  I always love hearing them.  Enjoy!

 

Where Are You, Christmas? - Faith Hill

 

To me, this is one of the better Christmas songs written in the past few decades.  It leans towards the sad side sometimes, but I like it.  It is one of those songs that I listen to during the holidays when I'm trying to motivate myself.  Like today, I'll listen to it several times while I am decorating so that I will be motivated to keep going LOL  Enjoy!

Christmas Wishes - Anne Murray

 

This song takes me back to my childhood.  My mom introduced me to Anne Murray at a young age and I have been a fan ever since.  Her voice is so smooth and relaxing.  Her Christmas Album that came out in the 80's was a staple in our house.  We had the cassette and listened to it a lot, especially in the car.  This is one of my favorite tracks, even though I love the entire album.  Enjoy!

Candlelight Carol - John Rutter

 

This is another yearly favorite of mine.  I always enjoy Rutter's arrangements and original pieces.  I remember the first time I heard this, I was a freshman in college.  PBS aired one of the Christmas at St. Olaf specials and their women's choir sang this.  I immediately loved it and it has been a part of my Christmas music canon ever since.  Enjoy!

A Christmas Festival - Leroy Anderson

 

I feel the need to always include this in my Christmas music posts because for one, it's a wonderful arrangement of Christmas songs by Leroy Anderson, who everyone knows from his "Sleigh Ride".  And two because we played this every year in high school band.  It was always a crowd pleaser and it's not difficult at all, but sounds impressive.  Enjoy!

All Those Christmas Cliches - Nancy Lamott

 

This is still one of my favorites.  Yes, it's very sentimental but we're talking about Christmas music, right?  So I have absolutely no shame in loving it LOL  It describes my feelings about Christmases past, present and future, perfectly.  There never seems to be enough time to achieve my goal of all these Christmas cliches, but I do give it my best try.  And I enjoy myself in the process.  I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do.  

Still, Still, Still

 

This is one of my favorite carols and I listen to it throughout the year.  I realize that I listen to most of my Christmas music throughout the year, but this is a carol that I will specifically seek out.  It simply brings me peace and I love it.  Enjoy!

Somewhere In My Memory - John Williams

 

Along with my love of Christmas movies is the music and score used in the films.  Home Alone is no different.  I thoroughly enjoy this movie and it's one that I will get sucked into quite easily whenever it's on tv.  But John Williams score is a huge part of what makes this film so fun.  I find this particular song hauntingly beautiful and always enjoy hearing it at the holidays! Enjoy!

Jingle Bells - Julie Andrews

 

Jingle Bells is one of those songs that sometimes I love it and sometimes not so much.  It tends to get stuck in my head very easily LOL  But, it's Julie Andrews so what's not to love!  I have this record, which is wonderful, but she recorded this version several times for different albums.  Enjoy!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

 

I always start my holiday off with this classic Christmas song.  I remember being in high school when I saw this movie for the first time.  I had caught part of it on TCM and set the VCR (remember those?) to record it when it played again later that night.  It's a delightful film and I have enjoyed it numerous times.  It's one of those movies that just makes me feel good and I will always watch it if it's on.  At the time, I did not know that this classic song came from this film but what a wonderful scene.  In college, I bonded with Marcia over this movie and that's something I treasure.  Hope you have a wonderful first day of December!  Season's Greetings!