I got a message from Jack Roberts about a holiday music column he was planning to do on people’s favorite Christmas or Holiday LPs on his website, The Audio Beatnik, and asking if I’d like to make some recommendations.
Sure, I thought, “That’d be fun!” You can see my contributions to Jack's column here.
Then I got to thinking that I ought to share some Holiday fun with you here at my place too, so here's some ideas for some holiday music you might enjoy!
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I always enjoy the Holiday Season. Seeing the decorations on the Christmas trees, having a nice hot Tom and Jerry drink to celebrate the Season, and watching a fire roar away in the fireplace while the snow falls always warms my heart.
Memories past and present, celebrating Holidays with family and friends, laughter and tears, surprise and joy, the aroma of a big Holiday meal cooking in the kitchen teasing the senses!
Music was always a part of the Holidays for me, and I thought I'd share a few of my favorites over the years with you.
Frank Sinatra – A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra.
From my earliest memories, the 1957 Capitol Records A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra was always in heavy rotation on the turntable during the holiday season at Mom and Dad’s place.
A fire burning in the fireplace, snow falling outside the windows, the aroma of Thanksgiving and Christmas meals wafting through the house, friends and family laughing and making merry, that was the holiday season at the Day’s home.
Capitol Records W 894, mono LP, 1957.
Fun holiday music and a great recording make the 1957 Capitol Records A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra a must have album during the holiday season!
Bing Crosby – Merry Christmas
Bing Crosby’s 1955 Decca Merry Christmas album was another holiday favorite at the Day household.
Decca DL 8128
When my Dad was growing up in Spokane, Washington, working as a kid at the Davenport Hotel, Bing was known to occasionally show up at the Davenport for dinner and drinks.
One fine evening a very stoned Bing jumped up on the table and began to sing to the gasps and delight of guests and staff. An instant beloved story to pass on to the kids for those in attendance!
This Decca Records mono recording doesn’t have the best fidelity in the world, but it is chock full of delightful holiday music, and “White Christmas” is worth the price of admission alone.
Amy Grant – A Christmas Album
Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, my ultra-talented musician friend Jonathan Barnett used to go the Estes Park, Colorado, music festival and play music with his friends, which included a young Amy Grant.
In 1983 when Amy Grant’s A Christmas Album was released I bought a copy. A Christmas Album remains one of my favorite holiday albums, and every time I play it I think of the good old days, and remind myself that it has been way too long since I have visited with my friend Jonathan.
Myrrh – 7-01-676806-6
The 1983 A Christmas Album by Amy Grant is full of beautiful holiday music, and is a decent recording as well!
Vince Guaraldi Trio – A Charlie Brown Christmas
The 1965 Fantasy Records A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio is a stunning album both musically and sonically.
Analogue Productions – AJAZ 8431, Fantasy – 8431, Fantasy 45 Series
The version of A Charlie Brown Christmas I have is the Analogue Productions 45rpm version, and it is a fantastic album. Aside from being a great holiday album, this is jazz at its finest, and deserves a place in every jazz lover’s music library!
She & Him – A Very She & Him Christmas
The 2011 Merge Records A Very She & Him Christmas by folk/indie rockers Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward became an instant favorite of mine the first time I heard it.
Merge Records – MRG424
Fantastic recording quality and an intimate setting make A Very She & Him Christmas a must have holiday album!
The Wonderful Sounds Of Christmas - Various Artists
The 2015 Analogue Productions 2 LP set The Wonderful Sounds of Christmas is chock full of great holiday music that is beautifully recorded.
Analogue Productions, Universal Music Special Markets, APP 094, B0024364-01
The Wonderful Sounds of Christmas is another new favorite holiday album for me, and I predict you’ll enjoy it too!
Christmas Card from the late 1950s with Dad (Jack), Mom (Jaine), Bob, and Jeff (the little guy).
From my family to yours, may your holiday season be filled with peace, joy, and love in abundance!
