that would just be sacrilege

Today as I sang the alto harmony to "Silent Night" with Garth Brooks and to "The First Noel" with Suzy Boggus I was taken back to the music room at Balboa High School- circa 1974.  We practiced all semester for the Christmas music program.  Our teacher (whose name escapes me) laid down on the floor one day in class and had someone stand on his abdomen so he could demonstrate proper use of the diaphragm with breathing while singing.  Clearly it made an impression on me since I can still visualize it 40 years later. 

One of the best parts of this season, for me, has always been the music.  From The New Christy Minstrels singing "Beautiful City", to Celine and Andrea knocking out "Oh Holy Night", to Brenda Lee "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree", and Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad", it's all good.   This may sound strange but "Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel" sounds especially good with the acoustics in the shower at my house.   No one has a better version of "I Saw Three Ships" than Judy Collins and "White Christmas" should be left to Bing Crosby.   Tell me what your favorites are... and please don't say that any rendition of "Santa Baby" is better than Eartha Kitt's.   That would just be sacrilege. 

 

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Comments

[LuAnn]

TOTALLY agree with the Eartha Kitt comment - nobody else even comes close!

[Emie]

My favorite Christmas song, although rather obscure, is "I Believe in Father Christmas" written by Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Check it out if you have a chance... quite different from my usual standbys.

[Janet]

"I'll be Home for Christmas"--so nostalgic. Have a good one and a happy new year!!

[Sharon Walworth]

Well I don't know about music choices, but ANY blog entry with a picture (however tiny) of Mama Moss is definitely a favorite over here!!!! Please find more ways to drop her image into your lovely messages.

[Sharon]

And no one can match Judy Garland's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Brings me to tears every time I hear it.

[Leslie J. Moran]

Johnny Mathis ~ "The Christmas Song"....Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.....Ahhhh yes! When I was very little my father had a Christmas party for his department at work. One of the women played the piano and they all sang "Silver Bells" - in harmony no less, and every time I hear it I am transported. Music does that. Happy Christmas everyone! Meanwhile, here in the great green north we are dreaming of a white Christmas :)

[Pam]

The Wassail Song (traditional)
"Here we come a wassailing among the leaves so green, Here we come a wand 'ring So fair to be seen. Love and joy come to you and to you your wassail too, And God bless you and send you a happy new year, And God send you a happy new year."

Thanks for asking :)

[Dana Burrell]

Carol!... You absolutely have to get the album "We Three Kings" by The Roches! Three sisters singing a cappella. Their harmony is to die for. It's my favorite! For a taste check them out on YouTube. If the link doesn't post just google The Roches Christmas and you'll find it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lmf4j_isjA

[SarahS]

Believe it or not, Jimmy Buffet has a great Christmas album! Christmas Island is a good song that we love.

[Maureen]

Dana picked one of my favorites, The Roches who I first heard in the mid 90s.

One that also is unusual but now signals the start to the season for me is Christmas at K-Mart. A friend tracked it down for me pre YouTube! Wacky but kinda true in letting you know what gratitude for what 'is' can be all about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X96Un6POoo8

[Betsy]

A little late, but I wanted to chime in...I third the Roches suggestion of We Three Kings. Also Shawn Colvin's Holiday Songs and Lullabies, very sweet. And Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells is fun. The music of the season is also my favorite part. Happy New Year!