Dec 2, 2010

Life's Soundtrack - Holiday Edition


happy purple tuesday ~ the vintage ornament edition
Photo by Maureen

First things first - a HUGE thank you to Bee for filling in for me last week.  She did an amazing job and picked an awesome theme.  I've gone crazy this week listening to her songs and those you submitted (and finding a few of my own to add.)  I loved her theme so much that I thought we'd take it to the next logical step this week.

I'm one of those people who HATES to hear holiday songs before Thanksgiving.  But now that we've passed that point, I think it is time to dig out all of our favorites and listen to them loudly as we trim the tree, do our cyber shopping or pull out the baking supplies.  Because of my rule of only listening to these songs for one month a year, I try hard not to buy many albums, so combining all of our favorites sounds like a good way for us to put together an awesome collection without going even more in debt.  (But if you are looking for a new album to buy this year, make it The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs, several of my picks this week and your picks last week came from this amazing album.)

My very favorite song made the list last week, but that isn't going to stop me from starting this week's list with it too, I'm just going to share a cover version instead - because I know how we all love a good cover:

Sarah McLachlan - River
Priscilla Ahn - Silent Night
Jimmy Eat World - Last Christmas
Vince Gauraldi Trio - Greensleeves
Vanessa Williams - Star Bright
Faith Hill - A Baby Changes Everything
Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve/Sarajevo
Mannheim Steamroller - Do You Hear What I Hear

There are thousands of amazing holiday songs out there - which are your favorites?  Is there someone out there who can add some Hanukkah or Diwali songs to add some diversity to our list?  I'm thinking of doing the great cookie bake for the neighbors this year so I could really use some music to help me bake.

Now back to Bee's theme - you put together an incredible mix of songs that celebrate all things snowy and winter, there is enough love here to (almost) make ME love the snow.  I loved that Sandra Dee made the list, listening to her sing brought me back to all those Sandra Dee movies my mom introduced us too, heaven!

To hear the I Love Snow playlist, click on the sideways triangle in the middle of the box embedded above.  To skip to the next song or go backwards, click on the < or > to either side of the player.

Thanks again to the sweet, talented and lovely Bee - and to all of you for filling my Thursdays with music.

Don't forget to share your favorite holiday songs in the comments below.



13 comments:

Bonita Rose said...

I hv so many favorites, it's so hard to choose.. I love the classics... always make me smile! xo

k said...

My favorite right now is Coldplay's '1,000 miles' one. I think that's what its called :)

Lisa Gordon said...

I am with you Jamie, about holiday music so early. Here, it started right after Halloween this year! Dec. 1st is my day to begin listening, and I so anticipate it each year.

Have a wonderful day.

lisa.

Maureen said...

I love Christmas music. Love. it. But, like you, my rule is no Christmas songs until after Thanksgiving. And then? It's all Christmas all the time. My special treat each Christmas is to go to the Christmas concert performed by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. They perform a wonderful mix of classical music with contemporary tunes, and even have a sing along at the end of the concert.
I just checked and I have 93 Christmas songs on my ipod Christmas play list. I'll have to go through and choose just one or two to share here. :)
Thanks for featuring my photo today, so cool for it to be included here for the Christmas theme.
xo
maureen

Prairie Girl Studio said...

lovely, lovely image, maureen ...
so twinkly and magical for the season
and perfect for jamie's holiday playlist!

i love the first day of december just so we can embrace the music of the season ~ so many wonderful pieces to stir our spirits ... : )

the traditional classics and hymns warm me most, but i love them all ...

ave maria ~ helene fischer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djmvux5Toao&feature=related
while i absolutely love pavarotti and my hb loves jesseye norman's rendition, i have to say this version is stunning ... pure ... just voice and piano ... and in german ~ lovely! just for bee's boy and his family xo

o come, o come emmanuel ~ jamie finch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjjlzBtI1AY&feature=related

i love the little drummer boy and was especially delighted to find this version by bob dylan ~ the video is sensational … : )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcXW0Se4HMs&feature=fvsr

noel nouvelet ~ anuna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xolN0xgPNKM

tis definitely the season for me to play my harp, and of course 'what child is this?' is one i play again and again and again …
the performance and recording of this trio is exceptional …
what child is this? ~ adagio trio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7i1dusOS74

thanks, jamie ~ you truly are an angel : )
xo
prairiegirl

p.s. i have listened to bee's i love winter mix twice today while i work … just beautiful! delightful now, through, and after the holidays, too! think i am going to go for a winter walk … ox

urban muser said...

OK, I know I am going to get boo'd by many of you, but I am just not crazy about holiday music. Now, before you go calling me all bah humbug, just read on to see the list I made in the spirit of the holidays!

And, I promise to check out the playlist next week Jamie. I am sure I will like what you put together!!

"Baby Please Come Home" by U2

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland (love her)

"Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" by Bruce Springsteen

"Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" by The Ramones

"Little Drummer Boy" by Johnny Cash

bee said...

Eeeeee! First winter, and now holiday songs. I think I'm officially in the holiday spirit now! Thanks, Jamie, for your kind words and again for the wonderful opportunity to post for you last week. It really was fun and so nice now to see the beautiful mix everyone put together! :)

Now... on to holiday music, which for me growing up was all the traditional Christmas songs and carols that I still love today. One of my favourite things to do over the holiday is to sit at the piano and try to play all the way through the Reader's Digest Christmas Songs!

I have many favourite songs to listen to this time of year, but here are a few standouts:

Ron Sexsmith, Maybe this Christmas. As far as modern Christmas songs go, I think this is the best. It captures everything for me that the season should be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BAByJQGAIg.

Low, Silent Night. Love this band and their oh-so-pretty rendition of this tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOZwvRzPvz8&feature=related

John Lennon, Happy Xmas (War is Over). What can I say, this makes me cry every time. I think it's the kids choir. Sigh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCbZhIfQbA

O Holy Night. I don't know what it is about this carol, but it just is so beautiful to me. For my mom, who also just loves Christmas carols (probably as much as me and by beautiful aunt, PG)... Josh Groban... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWXfHzOKUU

The Three Kings was a beautiful choral piece that I sang once in a choir... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGUE8vm0LTQ

Looking soooo forward to this mix. :)

-Bee

Unknown said...

Love this song - Loreena McKennett (sp!) I look forward every year to listening to her Christmas CD - guess I better start digging!

Maureen said...

Okay, I went through my ipod Christmas play list and narrowed it down to a few to suggest. I love many traditional Christmas songs, but have listed here some less traditional songs, or covers.
In addition to some that have already been listed (love the titles Christy suggested)
All time favorite since it was first recorded ~ Do They Know It's Christmas by Band-Aid {this, in addition to John Lennon's Happy Christmas, always makes me tear up}
Winter Wonderland ~ Eurythmics
Christmas All Over Again ~ Tom Petty
Santa Baby ~ performed by Eartha Kit, Madonna or the Pussy Cat Dolls all good versions.
Jingle Bell Rock ~ Randy Travis
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus ~ John Mellencamp
This version is always the crowd pleaser at the symphony Christmas concert: Sleigh Ride arranged by Leroy Anderson
Can't wait to see the finished play list. Did I mention I looooove Christmas music?
Thanks PG for your sweet comment on my photo. :)
♥maureen

blue elephant photography said...

i love love holiday music! we don't have thanksgiving in the philippines so we actually start listening to christmas music when the "BER" months start...September...when this month starts, you will start seeing christmas lights and hear christmas songs everywhere. Christmas is a big deal there, since it's a Roman Catholic country. It's the biggest celebration, so I guess it starts early too =) holiday music makes me so happy.
I like the Baby it's cold outside song by Dean Martin =) i just find it fun and flirty ♥ I also like the little drummer boy

dbalyoz said...

i have been dying to find some new holiday music and will absolutely check these out. thanks so much for the musical inspiration jamie! x denise

kelly@thebluemuse said...

My very favorite "oldie" is The Christmas Song by Andy Williams, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...

knitalatte said...

Christmas is coming on fast! Music always makes the feeling of the season special. I'd like to add a couple of my favorites.
Leona Naess; Christmas
Michael Buble; Grown up Christmas list
Charlotte Church; The Prayer

Thanks Jamie...Looking forward to this list.