We don’t break out the Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. My husband collects Christmas albums so it’s all I can do to refrain him from starting the Christmas caroling on Halloween. However, the other day my husband took Lydia to the store. When they got back they confessed to their disobedience: THEY LISTENED TO CHRISTMAS MUSIC ON PANDORA! And that has opened the flood-gate. It has been all Christmas music all the time ever since then.
I, of course, have my favorites: Harry, Vince Guaraldi and uh, more Harry. But today, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I’m sharing my TOP TEN CHRISTMAS ALBUMS YOU PROBABLY DON’T OWN BUT SHOULD. That way you can spend your Black Friday buying Christmas albums on Amazon instead of getting trampled in Walmart. (Plus, if you click my links and actually buy something from Amazon? I’ll get some pennies in my paypal account!)
1. Holiday by Crystal Lewis
Crystal Lewis is one of my perpetual favorites. She’s soulful and kinda r&b-ish but jazzy, too. Her voice is unique and just lovely. After looking through all my Christmas albums tonight, I have discovered that it has DISAPPEARED. I am rectifying that on itunes immediately.
Best song: Joy To The World. Or Let It Snow. Or Go Tell It On The Mountain. Or…
2. A Christmas Song by Russ Taff
I do not know one other song by Russ Taff. He’s like an old old old school contemporary Christian singer. My husband can sing some of his old stuff. He had the record. Like RECORD. But this cd? Oh, it’s just jazzy yumminess and you MUST own it.
Best Song: Let It Snow
3. Behold the Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson
The only time I saw Andrew Peterson he was opening up for another band. At his table he had T-shirts that said, “Andrew Peterson is my friend.” And I immediately liked him. He is also a children’s book author. So, of course I love him. This CD is not “Christmas-y” in the way I normally like but what I do like about it is this: he tells the entire Christmas narrative throughout the CD. It’s not just a CD, it’s a story!
Best song: Matthew’s Begats (how ironic.)
4. Christmas Caravan by Squirrel Nut Zippers
I love Squirrel Nut Zippers. The girl’s voice is gravelly. GRAVELLY. And I love it. Actually, there are only about 2 songs I like on this album: The Gift of the Magi and Winter Weather. But they are both SO worth it!
Best Song: Gift of the Magi
5. Christmas Time Is Here by Erin O’Donnell
Erin O’Donnell is another Christian artist that I don’t really know. I’ve never listened to any of her other stuff but if this album is any indication, I love her! It’s a nice classy, jazzy, Christmas-y album with one of my favorite original songs: Christmas Kiss.
Best song: uh…Christmas Kiss
6. Christmas Cheers by Straight No Chaser
I have to admit, I don’t really own this album. I was invited to a Bloggy Meet & Greet with them last week. I failed to RSVP and had friends come to town, so I missed it. But just watching the videos on their website made me love them. They are an a capella group who met in college and now 10 years later are making the big time!
Best Song: Christmas Bells
7. Have a Fancy Yancy Christmas
A rockin’ fun Christmas CD for the whole family! Yancy, is of course, one of my great friends and one of Lydia’s idols. This is Yancy’s first Christmas CD and we already love it. The other day Lydia heard a Christmas song while we were shopping and said, “This is on Aunt Yancy’s CD!!”
Best Song: The Greatest Gift
8. Yo! Ho Ho!
*snicker* This might be the best CD tape of all times. *snort* If you like old Christian rap (and who doesn’t?), then this is the album for you. Come on, how can you not love a song like, “You can’t spell Christmas without Christ! Pump it up! You got to be heard!” *sigh* I really did love this album in 7th grade. Please tell me someone else had this tape. Please.
9. The Elliott Yamin Holiday Collection
My guilty pleasure CD. You know I’m not a big American Idol fan. But this one was a Target special a few years ago. And we love it!
Best Song: uhm…not sure. But I know I like this one…
10. Christmas Celebration of Hope by BB King
Actually, this is the album you should NEVER EVER OWN IN A MILLION YEARS. I thought this would be a cool one to have on the playlist. But as soon as I heard “Back Door Santa” I couldn’t listen to the rest of it. OMG. Please. Never buy this CD.
Best Song: THERE IS NOT ONE.
So, what’s your favorite Christmas album?
:: :: ::
It’s the week of Thanksgiving. I know you’re low on blog fodder. Why not try a list? Specifically a Top Ten list? It could be the Top Ten Recipes You Are Cooking for Thanksgiving. Or the Top Ten Relatives You Want to See (Or NOT See) on Thursday.
Let’s see what you come up with! Just post a list on your blog, link to me in the post, then put the URL to your specific post in the linky below. Then, travel around to the rest of the Top Ten participants and leave a comment and make a friend!
amy2boys says
This is AWESOME! I will iTunes a lot of these tomorrow. Thanks for posting this!
I LOVE LOVE Amy Grant’s Breath of Heaven – one of my very fave Christmas songs. And the Boston Pops recording of Sleigh Ride – most classic, fantastic Christmas song evah!
.-= amy2boys´s last blog ..Harvard Beets =-.
KristenWDW says
Very nice list! I love Christmas music but like you I prefer to hear it after Thanksgiving.
.-= KristenWDW´s last blog ..Top Ten List of things to do with the pack of Giblets that come with the Turkey =-.
mandi @ its come to this says
You’re so well rounded!!!! I don’t even think we own a Christmas CD. That’s horrible. I know.
.-= mandi @ its come to this´s last blog ..How do you get a haircut? =-.
Camille says
OH! HCJ! You’re a girl after my own heart! Christmas just isn’t the same without his albums! But I’m willing to expand and listen to your suggestions here. 🙂
I love Sarah McLahlan’s “Song for a Winter’s Night” and Amy Grant’s “Breath of Heaven”. They just melt my insides… 🙂
.-= Camille´s last blog ..Live in Thanksgiving =-.
Heather @ Not a DIY Life says
My fave Christmas albums are Bing and Harry. I do love Squirrel Nut Zippers and would love to hear their Christmas music. And Eliot Yamin? Love him too!
I’m ready for Christmas music too! I’ll have to go on a hunt to find them!!
.-= Heather @ Not a DIY Life´s last blog ..Ask Heather =-.
Leigh says
OH! I am SO glad you put Behold the Lamb on there – We saw Andrew Peterson do that last year and it was so fabulous – I cried because of the beauty of the music and what it was saying! And I love the Squirrel Nut Zippers CD – I actually like the whole thing! It makes me want to dance around and clean the house! …um, don’t ask.
Janna says
You are right…I don’t own any of these! I had to laugh about Russ Taff – I am familiar with him but I am older and I grew up on Southern Gospel music!
I will tell you my uber cheesy favorite…Kenny (Rogers) & Dolly (Parton) on Once Upon a Christmas. It makes me smile every time!
.-= Janna´s last blog ..My Happy Place =-.
Musings of a Housewife says
I can’t wait to check these out! I want to add some music to my Christmas playlist this year.
.-= Musings of a Housewife´s last blog ..What I Learned This Week =-.
PJ Mullen says
Great list, Squirrel Nut Zippers and BB King are definitely in the rotation in our house. We also play Harry Connick’s CDs a lot, the James Taylor holiday CD and Now That’s What I Call Christmas compilation because of the various artists on there. Of course the season isn’t complete to me until I hear Bing Crosby and David Bowie sing Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth or Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band doing Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
.-= PJ Mullen´s last blog ..Defining modern manhood =-.
Melissa@Simply Mel says
Great meme! I found you through Heather at Not A DIY Life. I love Christmas music. Some of my favorites are the Carpenters’ ” Christmas Portrait”, “Christmas Carols For The Young Messiah”, Kenny G’s ” Miracles” album, Toys For Tots’ ” All Time Christmas Favorites”, “Christmas All-Time Greatest Records” ( a compilation of all the oldies from Bing Crosby etc) and any Christmas music by Harry Connick Jr and Josh Groban.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
I LOVE Straight No Chaser! I wanted to get their CD last year (we buy a Christmas album each year), but didn’t get the chance. So it will definitely be my 2009 purchase!
And I can’t believe you almost went to a meet and greet!! So almost cool!! 😉
.-= Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s last blog ..Here’s the story of a tiny baby… =-.
Amy @ Amy Loves It! says
LOVE this (but, when, oh when will dear sweet Harry get us some Christmas music?!).
I do have to add one: 98 Degrees’ Christmas cd from *ahem* years ago. It is still my favorite!
.-= Amy @ Amy Loves It!´s last blog ..Ministry Monday =-.
Christine says
I can’t believe your husband caved and listened to Christmas Music before Thanksgiving! Mine is the same way and I don’t know if he’ll ever break down and listen early. Maybe when our baby is older. Kids seem to change you! My favorite album is Mariah Carey’s Christmas album. That girl has some pipes! I’m going to have to change things up and listen to some of your suggestions though. Great list!
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday – Thanksgiving Edition =-.
Mary-Carolyn says
You’re right, I don’t know any of these! But, I do love Christmas music — some of my favorites are Josh Groban’s “Noel,” Handel’s “Messiah,” and I love the song from Love Actualy, “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes,” it gets me ready for Christmas every year!
.-= Mary-Carolyn´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday — Thanksgiving Edition! =-.
Gayle Rogers says
One more time – Bah Hum Bug
Mandi @ Organizing Your Way says
Yes to Harry…I find myself singing “Bumpity-bump-bump…bumpity-bump-bump…look at Frosty go” all year for some reason…!
And another favorite? City on a Hill. Actually, that’s my MOST favorite! Funny story…I totalled my car a month after my husband and I got married, and I had that CD in at the time. We forgot to get it out when we cleaned out the car, and I have missed it every year since then! I FINALLY replaced it last year!
.-= Mandi @ Organizing Your Way´s last blog ..Prepare for Black Friday Shopping =-.
Staci says
Russ Taff?
Oh Amanda…
.-= Staci´s last blog ..Things that Made me Happy Today! =-.
Babybloomr says
Gotta love that old old old Russ Taff album… I commend your taste!
(Also? I sleep with him!)
.-= Babybloomr´s last blog ..Photo Friday, Ya’ll! =-.
Becky says
I can’t believe I almost forgot to link up!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday =-.
amber says
Thanks for having this link up! I was stumped today. I’m seriously going to check those albums out – we need some new tunes here.
.-= amber´s last blog ..Top Ten Things I’m Thankful For. =-.
Catie says
Crystal Lewis! I love her! I’m glad that we have so much history because I never find people who love her like I do.
.-= Catie´s last blog ..Black Friday (Welcome to the jungle) =-.
Diane says
You missed the all-time BEST Christmas Album ever…..
Relient K-Let it Snow Baby, Let it Reindeer
phan mem diet virus says
The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod’s. It works well, but isn’t as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that’s not an issue, but if you’re planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod’s larger screen and better browser may be important.
how to jailbreak says
This blog has inspired me to continue writing on my own blog
Kindle Covers Canada says
I’m glad that I found your post and your blog – will be bookmarking your blog! Thanks!
kore dizileri izle says
i bookmarked you in my browser admin thank you a lot i might be looking for your following posts
Regan says
oh my god great put up admin will test your web site often
backlinks says
With immense pride I wholeheartedly recommend the website http://www.seo-backlinks.org.uk to all those who are searching for quality Backlink Diversity that will knock out google panda and penguin crush your competition and catapult your website to the first page of Google search engine. I am extremely happy and impressed with their professional, prompt and dedicated services. So go online and explore the web now.
Kindle 3G Canada says
Awesome post! 2 Thumbs up! Happy to read your post! Thanks!
direct payday loan says
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass’ favor.
unlock iphone 6.0 says
whoah this weblog is magnificent i love studying your articles. Keep up the good paintings! You know, lots of people are hunting round for this information, you can aid them greatly.
ats says
I intended to put you this very small observation to help thank you so much again just for the pretty suggestions you’ve documented in this case. It was really extremely generous of people like you to provide unreservedly what many of us might have sold for an e-book to end up making some cash for their own end, notably now that you might well have tried it if you decided. These solutions as well worked to become easy way to be certain that other individuals have the identical fervor just like my very own to know the truth good deal more when considering this issue. I am certain there are some more fun occasions ahead for many who take a look at your blog.
Rebekah says
I totally had that Yo Ho Ho album somewhere in Secondary school. We finally got rid of most our tapes because of lack of players and quality. It is hard to find them again digitally, though. I loved that era.
Abby says
I love Yo Ho Ho. It is one of my favorites still. I can not wait to play it for the kids in a couple weeks. I listened to the tape constantly when I was younger. I have had the tape transposed to a CD now lol
Becky says
I love, love, love Cjristmas and have a huge collection of albums. My favorite that you’re missing is John Denver and the Muppets!
Shannon says
Rain for Roots’s “Waiting Songs” is my favorite to listen with kids. Sweet, beautiful, and full of truth. There are a few songs that never fail to bring me to tears. I will definitely be adding Andrew Peterson’s album to our rotation.
Mae says
Rend Collective has a Christmas album, and it’s free to listen to on Amazon, if you’re a Prime member. Try it out!! I love their sound!
Alex Ayers says
I gotta plug Randall Goodgame’s new Christmas album.