The Gift of Love - Placido Domingo

 I bought the Christmas in Vienna cd when I was a freshman in college back in 1993.  It's a holiday concert with Placido Domingo, Diana Ross and Jose Carreras. It's filled with beautiful Christmas music but this particular song was one I played over and over.  It is performed by Placido Domingo and it was written by his son, Placido Domingo Jr. It's simply beautiful and I hope that you enjoy it.

Sleigh Ride - Steve & Eydie

 I love Steve and Eydie's version of Sleigh Ride.  It is on one of the Goodyear Christmas albums that Mom had that I know have, so I grew up listening to this one.  I also have the same version on their album, That Holiday Feeling!  It's just a fun, spirited version of the song and I hope that you enjoy it!

Somewhere in My Memory - John Williams

 John Williams score to the film Home Alone is simply magnificent.  It is as important to that film as any other component.  Williams wrote the Christmas song Somewhere in My Memory for the film. I think it is simply beautiful and I hope you enjoy it.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day - the song and the story

 I was listening to an episode of "Music and the Spoken Word" the other day and this was one of the pieces they played.  I didn't really know the story behind the song, which I've heard my entire life. It's a beautiful song, but now it means so much more.  The words are extremely powerful for us today just as it was for Longfellow over 150 years ago.  Be blessed.

In the Bleak Midwinter

 This is a carol that I never paid much attention to for years simply because of its title.  It did not sound very holiday like to me.  But I happened to be listening to one of my Christmas records and really paid attention to the song and fell in love with it.  And it was years later that I realized the music was written by Gustav Holst, a favorite composer of mine. Julie Andrews does a very beautiful version and I hope you enjoy.

Still Still Still

 Still Still Still is one of my favorite Christmas Carols.  I absolutely love this arrangement by Norman Luboff and I have it on many recordings.  There are many other wonderful arrangements, but this one is my favorite.  The Mississippi College Singers perform it here and do a wonderful job with it. Such a beautiful piece of music. 

All Those Christmas Cliches - Nancy LaMott

 This has been one of my favorite Christmas songs since I first heard this album in 1994.  It's very sentimental which, if you know me, is right up my alley.  Having just come from Dad's for Thanksgiving and spending time with the family, this song really resonates with me right now.  I suppose the fact that I'm turning 50 in a few days is a big factor. This year, more than others in the last decade or so, I really do want all of these Christmas cliches.  Enjoy!