Christmas is upon us yet again. With Christmas comes holiday snacks, heartwarming movies and most importantly: holiday music. Bells ringing, voices crooning the major scale and jazz musicians over complicating a simple 3 chord song. What could be better? Here are my top five favorite Christmas albums that are sure to keep your holiday spirits set high.
- This Warm December Volume One – Various artists
Tired of the same old Christmas songs? This record might be the one for you. This record includes selections from artists such as Jack Johnson, Zach Gill, G. Love, ALO and others. These artists give a surfer, beach-fun spin on some classic tunes such as “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “Silent Night”. Included in this record are even some of covers of other popular artists’ songs, like “Someday At Christmas” by Stevie Wonder covered by Jack Johnson, a soft strumming song with a Hawaiian twist that can make anyone in the cold feel like they are lounging at the beach. Not only do these songs spread the holiday cheer, but can also teach you a bit on how to be a better person and always accepting of those around you. Jack Johnson’s version of “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” is a perfect example of this as he sings about always being accepting of others and not to fall into their “games” of forgiveness after fame. You go Jack.
- Christmas – Michael Bublé
A nice warm cup of hot chocolate goes well with this one. Bublé’s soothing voice adds a Frank Sinatra feel to these classics (still not Frank Sinatra of course, but still fantastic nonetheless). This is one of the records that defines Christmas. Listening to each song makes it feel as though the snow is blowing down hard outside and makes the joy and spirit of Christmas almost palpable. His upbeat versions of “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” make you want to dance while decorating your tree. His soft spoken “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Silent Night” make you want to curl up by a fire with a nice hot mug of hot chocolate and be surrounded by the warmth of your loved ones. If you want to really get into the spirit, pick up this record.
- Roastin’ Chestnuts with Zach Gill – Zach Gill
Oh boy oh boy, this one is a real treat. Pianist Zach Gill is a talented musician in terms of technicality and overall musicianship, but most importantly he’s talented with his musical ideas and adding his own twist onto classics. “White Christmas” proves his creativity with music. The sliding dobro and soft splashing waves in the background give a unique and also pleasant sounding melody to a classic song. His upbeat version of “Jingle Bells” with the bouncy piano playing and straight down beat from the bass drum would make even the biggest Christmas grinch bounce up and down with jolly. Gill takes no soft turn with any of the songs on this record. Even the soft sung “Oh Holy Night” and “Little Drummer Boy” take a drum machine and groovy piano-lick flight into the sky to rain down a California-surfer vibe down on all the inhabitants of the cold, gray winter north.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas – Vince Guaraldi Trio
If you have not listened to this before, then you are really missing out. Jazz pianist and virtuoso Vince Guaraldi sets the bar with how every Christmas album should sound. Classics such as “Linus and Lucy” and “O Tannenbaum” work well as a Christmas listen-along tracks or to establish a joyful ambiance around the dinner table with your family. This album will always remain a classic and be the epitome of what Christmas is. Sit back and relax and enjoy everything this record has to offer.
- Silver & Gold – Sufjan Stevens
This record stands out from all the rest. Standing 58 songs tall and at a length of two hours and 47 minutes, Sufjan Stevens’ Silver & Gold is not a record to be overlooked. This includes the classic Christmas songs from “Jingle Bells” to “Holly Jolly Christmas” but even songs that he wrote himself like “Particle Physics” just to keep things interesting. This prolific indie artist gives a post rock feel to the Christmas spirit with songs like “Mr. Frosty Man” and “X-mas Spirit Catcher”. Stevens does not hold anything back on this record. He adds his own flare to the songs such as “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” with synth heavy grooves and an exciting drum track to keep everyone hooked. This record, although very different and may not appeal to everyone, is definitely a must have for those looking from something wild and new.
