Dec
02
2008
Christmas Music Worth Having
I thought I would pass along ten of our favorite artists who have terrific Christmas CDs. If you have some recommendations to add to this list, please do!
1. Home Alone
John Williams
The original scores for these two movies make for great Christmas music. A must-have for Christmas fans. “Somewhere in My Memory” is one of the prettiest Christmas tunes ever composed.
2. MIRACLES, FAITH
Kenny G
Romance! Nothing quite compares with the sweet sound of the saxophone at Christmas time. Kenny G captures the Christmas sound with some fantastic arrangements of great Christmas songs.
Highlights from these CDs: “The First Noel,” “We Three Kings/Carol of the Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Away in a Manger,” “O Holy Night,” and “Jingle Bells”
3. CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
The Carpenters
The Carpenters’ Christmas Collection is a double-CD set that includes all of their Christmas music from the late 70′s, and early 80′s. There is nothing like Karen Carpenter’s warm voice on a cold wintery day and Richard Carpenter’s creative arrangements. I like these two CDs because each song leads into the next as if the album were a suite of Christmas music.
Highlights: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” the slowed down version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” the awe-inspiring quietness of “Christ is Born,” and the fun “Sleigh Ride”
4. CHRISTMAS & CHRISTMASTIME & IT’S A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS
Even if you’re not a big Michael W. Smith fan, you’ll probably enjoy his Christmas music. The first CD (from the 80′s) is arguably better than the second, but both are terrific. The third CD was released last year and is a worthy addition to your collection The orchestral sound and terrific original compositions give the later CDs a “timeless” quality about them.
Highlights: “No Eye Has Seen” with vocals from Amy Grant, the boy choir on the spine-tingling “All is Well,” the revved up “Gloria,” and the instrumentals on Christmastime.
5. A CHRISTMAS STORY
Point of Grace
There’s just something about the harmonies of Point of Grace that go over great at Christmastime. Both of these CDs are terrific. Point of Grace follows the Carpenters’ formula and utilizes the “suite” mentality on the first CD, letting songs flow right into each other. The new Tennessee Christmas features the best of both original CDs.
Highlights: the big band version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “One King,” the a cappella “In the First Light,” “Let it Snow/Sleigh Ride,” and “Jingle Bells.”
6. CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Manheim Steamroller
20 years might have passed, but these instrumental CDs from Manheim Steamroller remain a Christmas staple for our family every year. Creative sound, standard Christmas hymns, beautiful orchestration.
Highlights: “Carol of the Bells,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “Still, Still, Still,” “O Holy Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
7. THE MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS
Steven Curtis Chapman
I’ve enjoyed this Christmas CD the past few years. There are some fantastic arrangements of classic Christmas songs, as well as a few original songs that quickly become favorites.
Highlights: “Christmas is All in the Heart” with CeCe Winans, “Carol of the Bells” played on the guitar like you’ve never heard it before,” “Music of Christmas,” a medley of Christmas songs done instrumentally, “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” to a different tune.
8. A CHRISTMAS ALBUM, HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER, THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
No Christian artist does Christmas quite like Amy Grant. Her 4 albums get spun a lot around our house during the Christmas season.
Highlights: “Emmanuel,” “Christmas Hymn,” “Breath of Heaven,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Silent Night,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
9. NOEL
- Josh Groban
Great vocals (it’s Josh Groban, after all) combined with some really creative arrangements.
Highlights: “Angels We Have Heard on High” with Brian McKnight, “Little Drummer Boy” and a rousing rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful”
Honorable Mentions
What favorite Christmas CDs are you listening to this year?
written by Trevin Wax © 2008 Kingdom People blog