I have over 100 different Christmas Albums/CD's with a wide variety of music and styles, but these are the 10 that jump to the top of my list as my personal favorites.
9) GLAD - An Acapella Christmas: It's out of print now and not even out there to download, but this one has been a family favorite since 1994!
8) Handel's Messiah - A Soulful Celebration: Handel's Messiah is a classic piece of music and this soulful celebration is a different and fun twist on Handel's masterpiece. The Hallelujah Chorus in particular is great!
7) Rescue - The First Christmas: Another acapella collection, but this is from a group of guys my sister is friends with in Oregon. A great collection of original music and original arrangements of some classics. Even without the family connection, this would be a favorite of mine.
6) Michael Buble - Let it Snow-EP: my only critique of this collection is that I wish there were more songs. It's primarily a collection of ballads, but they're solid renditions of each classic song.
5) James Taylor - At Christmas: If you like James Taylor, you'll really like this album. If you don't like his music then you might agree with the main review on iTunes. I happen to really like James Taylor music.
4) Harry Connick Jr. - When My Heart Finds Christmas: The one is Harry from the 90's and if you like his pseudo-jazz sound from the 90's you'll enjoy this one. The title track is probably the best song.
3) Steven Curtis Chapman - All I Really Want for Christmas: The was SCC's second holiday release and it's primarily his versions of classic Christmas songs with a few originals thrown in, but they're great songs. Especially All I Really Want which tells the story of Christmas from the perspective of an orphan child. I had a new baby again when this album was released and I remember listening to that song the first time and being so thankful for my kids and my family.
2) Avalon - Joy: There isn't a bad track in this collection. It's much more upbeat and energetic than most others on my list but Avalon put together a collection of music that any Holiday music lover would be proud to own.
1) Steven Curtis Chapman - Music of Christmas
In our house, this album is exactly what the title says it is. This album gets more play than any other on the iPod during the holiday season. It's primarily original music by SCC, with a couple traditional classics thrown in. I think this one has been so special to Marcy and Me because it came out right as we were celebrating our first Christmas as a married couple and the song Christmas is All in the Heart connected with where we were in life.
That's my list and I'm sticking to it - for now. Many of these have been on my list for a long time so it will take something new and amazing to bump any off.
I'd love to hear what your personal favorite Christmas CD's are. I am always looking for suggestions to continue to build my collection.
John Denver & the Muppets! - What can I say, I grew up with it. :)
ReplyDeleteAmy Grant: Home for Christmas - I can't say I'm an Amy Grant fan in general, but there is just something about this CD that gets me.
Christmas with the Trail Band - This is a local, incredibly talented band. Rindy Ross (one of the members) was formerly the lead singer of Quarterflash (we're talking the early, 80's). If you pick up this album, I guarantee you won't be sorry.
I need to make a point next year, of loading songs to my iphone instead of just playing k103. I simply never got around to it! I'll refer to your list next year for sure. :)
Good list! The Michael Buble is the only one I don't have. But then I only have 87 Christmas CD's. Rescue is at the top of my list though. Great sounds, interesting arrangements, lots of original songs of meaningful lyrics. With the CD player not working this holiday season, we had to rely on the K103 broadcasts and the 7 different holiday music channels on DISH TV. I agree with Sally that the Amy Grant: Home for Christmas is a special collection also.
ReplyDeleteI can only get away with Christmas music at work on Dec 1 - 24...my co-workers get really testy when I try to play it any other time! Fortunately, at home there is no seasonal limitation! Great season of blogs, Ryon! Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!!!