Being There 2004 Holiday Music Guide
By Russell Bartholomee

During the Christmas season, you can’t get very far in public without hearing Christmas music.  It’s piped over the PA systems of every store and shopping mall.  It’s in commercials, on TV shows, and on the radio.  Every endcap in every major record store right now has a few dozen collections of Christmas songs to choose from.  And let’s face it — most of it is schlock.  Even if you like the songs themselves, the vast majority of what is available is horrible.  How do you find holiday music that isn’t the same old tired crap? (I’m looking at you, Kenny G).  How do you find the one drop of quality in the sea of kitsch out there? 

Well, don’t fret.  You don’t have to wade through the stacks of Christmas CDs for hours just to find one decent disc; I did that for you.  Below are my picks for essential holiday music.  Some are more essential than others, and not all of them are likely to appeal to everyone.  But you should be able to find something here that can serve as a soundtrack to your season.

These are not ranked from best to worst.  Rather, they are grouped by genre and are in no particular order.  You’ll find a few suggestions from several different styles of music—Rock, Jazz, Country, R&B, etc.  Happy hunting, and happy holidays.


Single of the Season:



Band Aid 20 – “Do They Know It’s Xmas”

Twenty years after imploring us all to help “feed the world,” Sir Bob Geldof returns with a new version of his New Wave Christmas classic “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”  The single includes the original 1984 recording, the 1985 Live Aid version, and a new recording featuring a few of the original singers (Bono reprises his “Tonight thank God it’s them instead of you”) and a few dozen newer, mostly British artists (Robbie Williams, for one).  The new version has more energy than the first—the singers sound demanding—“Feed the World” is not a suggestion this time.  The proceeds will once again go for famine relief, so it’s a completely worthwhile purchase.


Country Christmas Classics:



Emmylou Harris - Light of the Stable

Released 25 years ago, Emmylou Harris’ Light of the Stable has more or less defined what a country Christmas record ought to sound like.  The current Nashville crowd ought to revisit this record and learn a thing or two.  The songs are mostly traditional fare, with a couple of excellent originals (like the beautiful “Angel Eyes” by Rodney Crowell).  If it were just Emmylou Harris singing these songs with that voice of hers, it would be enough.  But the record features guest appearances by Neil Young, Ricky Skaggs, Rodney Crowell, and Dolly Parton (among others).  The 2004 re-release includes three bonus tracks, making this fantastic disc a bargain not to be passed up.



Johnny Cash - The Christmas Spirit

In the months after Johnny Cash died last year, much attention was paid to his recent recordings with Rick Rubin (deservedly so).  However, the songs presented on this 1964 Christmas album are a good reminder of what a great artist Johnny was in his early years as well.  Johnny’s rich baritone sounds marvelous on old favorites like “Little Drummer Boy” and “Blue Christmas.”  But one of the best features of this record is the non-traditional Christmas songs included.  “Here Was a Man” and “Ringing the Bells for Jim” are great, and Johnny’s rendition of “Ballad of the Harp Weaver” will give you chills.


Deck the Halls with Rhythm & Blues:



Motown Christmas



Motown Christmas 2

Sometimes what a Christmas carol needs most is a groove.  These two collections provide plenty, courtesy of a slew of great Motown artists like Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, the Supremes, the Temptations, and Marvin Gaye (all backed by the fabulous Funk Brothers).  Between these two discs, you’ll find every great track you grew up with, plus a few new favorites.  Volume one has the amazing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by the Jackson 5, which frankly is the only version of that song I ever want to hear again.  And Volume 2 includes the Supremes doing all kinds of justice to “O Holy Night.”  It also contains an underappreciated gem—Marvin Gaye singing “Purple Snowflakes.”



A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector

I probably wouldn’t open a package from Phil Spector these days, but this holiday classic is still a great stocking stuffer.  Originally released in 1963, this collection features Phil’s signature “wall of sound” production and superb performances by the Ronettes, Darlene Love, the Crystals, and Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans.  Highlights include “Sleigh Ride” by the Ronettes and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” by Darlene Love.  Spector’s genius is the true star throughout.  This album is so good you may find yourself listening the whole year through.



Ray Charles - The Spirit of Christmas

If you’re a Ray Charles fan (and who isn’t these days?), you need this in your collection of Christmas CDs.  In spite of the title, there are only a few overtly spiritual tracks, the best of which is the first track, “What Child is This?”  And Ray does a great job with children’s songs like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”  But it’s on the grown-up material that this album delivers it greatest gifts.  Ray Charles’ voice is exquisite on “Winter Wonderland,” and “Christmas in My Heart.”  The best track is “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” a duet with Betty Carter.  Put that on with a fire in the fireplace and the one you love by your side.  It will be a very Merry Christmas.


The Reason For the Season (if you’re a Gentile)




Lifted: Songs of the Spirit

Technically, there’s only one actual Christmas song on this compilation.  Even so, it seems to fit the season perfectly.  There is an incredible collection of songs here, by an impressive group of artists, including Norah Jones, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, the Blind Boys of Alabama, and Solomon Burke.  The songs all share a spiritual flavor, though not all are actual hymns (Burke’s “None of Us Are Free,” for example).  Highlights include Rufus Wainwright’s haunting rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” and the Blind Boys of Alabama’s “People Get Ready.”



The Blind Boys of Alabama - Go Tell It on the Mountain

I first heard the Blind Boys of Alabama on the Peter Gabriel track “Sky Blue” and quickly sought out their other recordings.  Released last year on Gabriel’s Real World label, Go Tell It On The Mountain is quickly becoming one of my favorite holiday CDs.  All but two of the tracks feature guest vocals by some of my favorite artists—Tom Waits, Mavis Staples, Solomon Burke, Chrissie Hynde, and Michael Franti among them.  Nearly every song is a traditional hymn (with the exception of a terrific cover of Harry Connick, Jr.’s “I Pray on Christmas”), and with the exception of one track (the head-scratching duet with Meshell Ndegeocello on “O Come All Ye Faithful”), the record is a revelation.

Swinging Jingle Bells



A Charlie Brown Christmas

It’s not Christmas until I’ve seen A Charlie Brown Christmas.  So woven into the fabric of American pop Christmas culture is this perennial TV special that its soundtrack has become required listening at this time of year. Vince Guaraldi provides the piano-driven jazz, as always.  There are several instrumental holiday songs from the show, as well a couple of vocal tracks.  All but a couple of the tunes are holiday-specific, but it’s a testament to the staying power of the music that even “Linus and Lucy” (the Peanuts theme) sounds like a Christmas song this time of year.



Harry Connick, Jr. - When my Heart Finds Christmas

Harry Connick, Jr. has made a career out of making modern records that sound like instant classics.  His first collection of holiday music was no exception.  This is a very fun record, with Connick’s original compositions holding ground against standards like “O Holy Night” and “Sleigh Ride.”  Harry croons, swings, and grooves his way through 14 numbers, all of which are delightful.  “It Must Have Been Ol’ Santa” is incredibly infectious and his “I Pray on Christmas” is one of the best Christmas songs of the last decade.  



Christmas with the Rat Pack

Maybe you think Harry Connick, Jr. sounds too much like Frank Sinatra.  If so, you can find Old Blue Eyes himself, joined by Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., on this great collection of Christmas tunes.  It’s great to hear these cats swinging away on 21 songs you already know by heart.  Sammy’s “Christmas Time All Over the World” is lush, as is Dean.  Sorry.  Actually, Dino does a terrific job on “Silver Bells.”  But it’s the Chairman who steals the show with “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”  It makes Bing’s version look silly.  This might be the hippest collection on the list.  Just keep Dean away from the Virgin Mary. 



Wynton Marsalis - Crescent City Christmas Card

Jazz Christmas compilations are nothing new.  They’re also usually not that great, either.  Unfortunately, even great artists have been guilty of phoning in a collection of Christmas tunes just to cash in.  Marsalis’ Crescent City Christmas Card is a rare and welcome exception.  The tunes are all familiar holiday standards, but the musicianship is outstanding throughout.  The arrangements are complex, and Marsalis goes out on more than a couple of limbs.  Like Coltrane did with “My Favorite Things,” Marsalis takes kitschy fare like “Jingle Bells” and elevates it to high art.  This is a great jazz album that happens to consist of Christmas songs.


Merry Post-Modern Christmas



The Edge of Christmas



Maybe This Christmas Tree

Both of these discs are good collections of modern rock Christmas songs, many of which are downright grinchy.  The Edge of Christmas has been around for about 10 years and features a few absolute must-have tracks, like the Ramones’ “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” and the Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping.”  The Pretenders’ “2000 Miles” is excellent as well, as is Dave Edmunds’ “Run Run Rudolph.”  The best track is far and away “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, which is so depressing that you’re bound to feel better by comparison.  Maybe This Christmas Tree is the third in a series of recent Holiday music releases.  The first two are pretty good as well, but this one is really outstanding.  Polyphonic Spree do a wonderful version of “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” to start things off.  There are also great contributions from Pedro the Lion, Ivy, Death Cab for Cutie, Jars of Clay, and Royal Crown Revue.



Kristen Hersh - The Holy Single

Though only four songs in length, this EP is a gem.  You may know Hersh from her work with the brilliant Throwing Muses, but her mostly acoustic solo work is exquisite as well.  This disc contains Hersh’s covers of four songs loosely related to Christmas.  She does a glorious rendition of both Alex Chilton’s “Jesus Christ” and the Carter Family’s “Can The Circle Be Unbroken.”  She does a very nice—if nontraditional—arrangement of “Amazing Grace,” as well.  Fans of Throwing Muses will like “Sinkhole” a lot—it’s a churning tune penned by Hersh’s father. 


For a Twisted Yuletide



Brave Combo - It's Christmas, Man!

Simpsons creator Matt Groening has referred to Brave Combo as his favorite band on more than one occasion.  It’s not hard to see why.  This Denton, Texas-based band never met a rhythm they didn’t like and are fearless about messing with sacred cows.  They’ve made no exception here, on this bizarre and beautiful Yuletide romp.  “O Christmas Tree” is rendered as a Samba, “Feliz Navidad” is played Cumbia-style, and “Santa’s Polka” is...well, a polka.  They also do a fantastic Hora with “Hanukah, Oh Hanukah.”  Recommended if you want to dance a lot.  You need this in your life.



Tiny Tim - Christmas Album

If you’re into the truly odd, you might want to try this Tiny Tim collection of Christmas songs.  I’m not saying it’s good.  But it’s truly odd.  And that has some value all its own.  If you hated “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”…you’ll hate this as well.  Tiny does his trademark falsetto on 11 standard holiday songs and “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.”  I’m not making that up. 



Dr. Demento Presents: Greatest Christmas Novelty CD of All Time

We all have an inner pre-teen that needs an occasional fix.  At Christmas time, that can be achieved by playing a few tracks from this collection (I don’t recommend listening all the way through, unless you’ve been repressing your childhood for over a decade).  There’s some filler here, but nowhere else are novelty classics like “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late),” Spike Jones’ “All I Want For Christmas Is my Two Front Teeth,” Bob & Doug McKenzie’s “12 Days of Christmas,” and Weird Al Yankovic’s (priceless) “Christmas at Ground Zero” to be found in one place.  There’s even “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” if you absolutely must.  It also includes Cheech and Chong’s much-loved “Santa Claus and His Old Lady” routine.  You can make a resolution to grow up after New Year’s.


If You Want A Little Of Everything Above, But Don’t Want To Spend A Lot Of Money




Now That's What I Call Christmas!



Best Christmas Album in the World Ever

Both of these compilations have obnoxious titles.  And normally, the “Now That’s What I Call Music” series makes me physically ill.  But they actually have one set worth owning, and this is it.  Both of these are two-disc sets, containing an impressive number of essential holiday favorites.  On Now, you get definitive versions of classics like Nat King Cole’s “Christmas Song,” Burl Ives’ “Holly Jolly Christmas,” Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas,” and Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.”  On Best, you get some of the same, as well as Dean Martin’s “Rudolph.”  Both collections give you Band Aid’s modern classic “Do They Know It’s Christmas” and John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s masterful “Happy Xmas (War is Over).”  Unfortunately, there are plenty of duds to wade through on both sets as well (the Spice Girls and Britney Spears are unfortunately included).  Still, both sets are eclectic collections, with plenty of tracks to please every age group and musical taste.  And they both have the Bing Crosby/David Bowie duet on “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy.”  If you need to save your money and just buy one collection to cover most of your bases, one of these will probably do nicely.


And Now For Something Completely Different:



Klezmer Nutcracker

My oldest friend (who happens to be Jewish) and I were lamenting recently that there is a real lack of quality Chanukah music.  For such a festive holiday, with a rich musical heritage (even beyond the “Dreidel Song”), there has been precious little recorded that doesn’t suffer either from excess schmaltz or from groups of kids singing off key.  Most of what’s on offer is either too childish or too cheesy.  I’d like very much for anyone out there with a solid recommendation to contact me if I’m wrong.

Until then, this quirky release my have to do.  As the title suggests, it’s the “Nutcracker” rendered in klezmer form.  What may sound like a mere novelty is actually a real joy to listen to.  It retains the familiar structure of Tchaikovsky’s best-known work, but also functions on an entirely different level as a great klezmer record.  The titles have been humorously changed (“Dance of the Latkes Queens” and “Hungarian Goulash,” for example).  Highly recommended for klezmer fans or for people who just want to hear something delightfully original.

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