My Top 10 Christmas Albums!
Yep, it’s that time of year, I start to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving (luckily, no one in my house seems to mind, but if they do, I put in my airpods!) Over the years, I have a tradition of getting one new Christmas album a year, exposing myself to new artists and arrangements. And, I can’t seem to put a choral album on the list, because there are just too many to recommend, so I have my Choral Christmas Pandora station on daily, just thumbs up or down to your liking! But sans choral, there are a few albums that just seem to always make my top 10, every year since I obtained them. So, if you are looking to add to your collection, may I recommend:
#1 Harry Connick Jr., Harry For the Holidays -He has 3 albums for Christmas, but this is my favorite. He is an AMAZING arranger, pianist, musician. Any musician will love analyzing this music, but my 5 year old loves it, too!
#2 Christmas with the Rat Pack -This Classic will really get you in the spirit (and make you think of the old times when singers thought smoking was cool to do while singing!)
#3 Jewel, Joy: A Holiday Collection -Her twist on these classics with choir back up and duet with her mom is just so sweet, and I am reminded how much, if I want, I can emulate her twang!
#4 A Festive Christmas, for Trumpet and Organ -A gift from my sister, years ago, this album is hard to find! But, if you want to feel like you are in a church, without lyrics, this is beautiful.
#5 Home Alone Soundtrack - Classic, diverse, and you can picture the movie in your head while listening to it!
#6 Barbra Streisand, A Christmas Album -The Jingle Bells is a study, for any voice. You’re welcome.
#7 Christmas Jazz: Instrumental Jazz for the Holidays -I adore this album. Perfect background tracks for dinner or a party.
#8 Michael Bublé, Christmas -Fun, uplifting, and good for a sing along.
#9 Jane Monheit, The Season -For the cultured, she has a few classics here, but also some less-Christmassy songs, but the real clencher is her voice, sultry, smooth, and perfected registration. I adore her.
#10 Leslie Odom Jr. Simply Christmas -A new listen for me, but he has a lovely instrument, and interesting take on the classics.
I hope you enjoy the season as much as I do. Part of advent should be curating your Christmas music, am I right?!
