11 December 2009

Linda's Top 10 Christmas Songs

Per Ivan's informal challenge...but, sorry, in no particular order (it being understood that these will probably change...maybe by tomorrow...LOL!):

Nat King Cole, "The Christmas Song" — So many versions, but this one just says "Christmas" to me.

Mannheim Steamroller, "Silent Night" — What an arrangement; nearly breaks my heart.

The Carpenters, "It's Christmas Time/Sleep Well, Little Children" — I love to sing along with the first half of this one and try to keep up; the second half makes me feel soft and warm and safe.

Andy Williams, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" — Gets all those happy Christmas juices going! (Trying to figure out which other of the songs on the first side of Andy Williams "red album" I would pick, as I love 'em all; probably "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells." Talk about a song that gets your pulse pounding!)

Bing Crosby, "White Christmas" — Another "safe and warm" song, and reminds me of my mom; but I have to admit, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" would come in a close second.

James Galway, "Shepherd's Pipe Carol" — Almost impossible to pick one from Galway's Christmas album, but I think this one edges out the rest...the sense of joy is tangible.

Johnny Mathis, "I'll Be Home for Christmas"? — always makes me cry.

The Singers Unlimited, "Bright, Bright, the Holly Berries" — One of the standards on Providence's old "beautiful music" station WLKW

From the Charlie Brown Christmas album, "Christmastime is Here" — Probably the most perfect of the post-1960 carols.

Bruce Mitchell, "Joy to the World" — Great, great instrumental arrangement from the Narada Christmas album.

With honorable mentions to:

John Denver, "Aspenglow"

Nancy Wilson, "The Christmas Waltz"

Oh, yeah, and the album version of John Denver and the Muppets "We Wish You a Merry Christmas": "Figgy pudding! Figgy! It's made with figs!" "Oh!" "And bacon!"

No comments: