I am a self-proclaimed Christmas music expert. How did I earn this title? Well, I own over 50 Christmas albums, hundreds of Christmas singles, and I start playing them in early November each year. My kids think it’s awesome, the rest of my family thinks it’s amusing (up to a point), and I take my job of critiquing the season’s new Christmas albums very seriously. You'll notice there’s no Mario Lanza, Vince Guaraldi or Mannheim Steamroller. They weren’t even in my Top 20! Let me know what your fave Holiday albums are.
By KATRINA CAREFOOT
Christmas Albums: The 10 You Need to Own
I am a self-proclaimed Christmas music expert. How did I earn this title? Well, I own over 50 Christmas albums, hundreds of Christmas singles, and I start playing them in early November each year. My kids think it’s awesome, the rest of my family thinks it’s amusing (up to a point), and I take my job of critiquing the season’s new Christmas albums very seriously. You'll notice there’s no Mario Lanza, Vince Guaraldi or Mannheim Steamroller. They weren’t even in my Top 20! Let me know what your fave Holiday albums are.
By KATRINA CAREFOOT
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Phil Spector, A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
If you like rock and roll from the 1960s, you will love this album. It’s some of legendary producer Phil Spector’s finest work. (In the spirit of the holidays, we’ll just overlook that whole murder situation, for the moment.) The best known track is “Sleigh Ride” by The Ronettes but my personal favourite is “Marshmallow World” by Darlene Love. This is what music is all about -- not that over-produced, auto-tuned Glee stuff. -
Take 6, He is Christmas
Hands down, the first album I want to listen to every Christmas season is “He is Christmas” by Take 6. I have been in awe of this vocal jazz group since their first self-titled release in 1998. If you buy one new (to you) Christmas album this year, make it this one. -
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Once Upon a Christmas
Dolly holds a special place in my heart. I admire any woman who has a theme park named after her. This album is based on a Christmas TV special that Dolly and Kenny did in 1984. “Hard Candy Christmas” is especially poignant in the way only a country song can be with lyrics like “Maybe I’ll sleep real late, maybe I’ll lose some weight, maybe I’ll clear my junk, maybe I’ll just get drunk.” Keep it real, Dolly! -
Frank Sinatra, Christmas Songs by Sinatra
Michael Bublé has a new album out and though we’re sure it’s great, start with this. In fact, I’m willing to bet if you asked Michael Bublé which album you should buy, he would respond “Frank” every day of the week. -
Ella Fitzgerald, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
I own a lot of terrific Christmas CDs by female jazz vocalists. The thing they all have in common is they were heavily influenced by Ella Fitzgerald. I am known to play this particular Christmas album on repeat until my family starts complaining. That’s when I smile, pretend to put something else on, and take it from the top. Nobody messes with Ella. My favourite track on this album is “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” but only by a slim margin - the entire album is stellar. -
Oscar Peterson, An Oscar Peterson Christmas
My father hipped me to this album when I was in university. Or rather, I saw it in his CD collection, “borrowed” it, and haven’t returned it since. It’s hard to pick a favourite track on this album – it flows wonderfully from beginning to end. “What Child Is This” gives me shivers and stops me mid-sentence so that I can listen. The part I listen for every time I hear this song is the cymbal scrape by drummer Jerry Fuller at 0:56 -- yes, I am a music nerd. -
First Call, An Evening in December
This album came highly recommended by a fellow Christmas music aficionado and is a new addition to my collection. It’s a collaboration between a contemporary Christian a cappella trio and arranger David Maddux. Apparently they had no idea how popular this album would become and have since released a follow-up Christmas album. The first track to listen to is "Joy to the World/Come All Ye Faithful" medley. You may have to do a bit of digging to find this album, but it’s worth it. -
Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas
This is Mariah Carey at her best (remember, from back in the day? 1994!). Her voice is a natural wonder, the arrangements are fun, and she sounds like a million bucks. “All I Want for Christmas” is one of the most joyous holiday tracks I’ve ever heard. Hey - even Justin Bieber covered it! There is a smooth blend between pop and gospel that makes me want to car dance while also reminding me what Christmas is truly about. Sure, other divas have released Christmas albums, but Celine Dion and Christina Aguilera don’t hold a candle to my girl Mariah -- hate all you want, you know it’s the truth! -
Destiny’s Child, 8 Days of Christmas
Silly Beyoncé, there aren’t eight days of Christmas! But whatevs, this album is full of catchy, booty-shaking grooves and if you don’t like this album, don’t forget your Scrooge hat at the door. I am 100 per cent certain that the girls have completely missed the entire sentiment of the holidays, but with lyrics like, “On the eighth day of Christmas, my baby gave to me, a pair of Chloé shades and a diamond belly ring”, who really cares? If you still need convincing, check out the video for 8 Days of Christmas. Pure gold. -
Cadence, Cool Yule
Every year, I like to buy at least one new Christmas album. My favourite album of the Christmas 2011 season is “Cool Yule” by Toronto-based, Juno-nominated vocal band Cadence. These four fellas will blow your mind with what they can do with the human voice and on top of that, they have a terrific sense of humour that will bring a smile to your face. So before you run out and buy the new Justin Bieber album, give your head a shake and then go buy “Cool Yule”.
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