List of Fives Part Nineteen
Five Really Good Christmas albums:
1. A Christmas Celebration by Celtic Woman. "Let It Snow" was such a surprise that one may forget all the other goodies on this album. Orla's rendition of "Away in a Manger" is just lovely. Meav's "Wexford Carol" is nice. But it is when these ladies sing together that they really shine. "Christmas Pipes," "Carol of the Bells," "O Holy Night," and of course, "Let It Snow." You should also pick up the EP A Celtic Family Christmas, as it features "The First Noel," and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" as well as a couple of songs from the High Kings (Celtic Woman's all male counter-act). If you are in to that sort of thing.
2. Christmas Portrait by The Carpenters. Call me a nerd or a geek but I love the Carpenters. This album goes from the fun stuff to more traditional spiritual music. Who can resist Karen's vocals on "Little Altar Boy?" Seriously. And it does include "Merry Christmas Darling," which is always played on the radio at this time of year.
3. Midwinter Graces by Tori Amos. Just released, I not only consider this album one of the best Christmas albums in a long time but one of Amos' best albums ever! Placing her own unique spin on classic favorites as only she can, Tori delivers an album that is beautiful to listen to, even if you are an old Scrooge like me. "Star of Wonder," "Holly, Ivy, and Rose," "Jeannette, Isabella," and "A Silent Night With You" stand out, but the entire album is worth a listen.
4. A Midwinter Night's Dream by Loreena McKennitt. It has taken over a decade but I am really falling in love with this woman's music. This album is just lovely. McKennitt also uses traditional songs and puts her own spin on them, delivering a more classic, ageless collection rather than a traditional re-hash of Yuletide songs. Her classic song, "Snow" is featured and is one of my personal favorites.
5. Christmas in the Stars, a Star Wars Christmas album. No, this has nothing to do with the Holiday Special, which should best be remembered as a drunken night in which details are lost in a fog of cloud and dust. No, this is a cute little album put together by who knows to cash in on the Star Wars phenomenon. It features vocals of R2-D2 and Anthony Daniels as See-Threepio. Classics include "What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)," "Meaning of Christmas" and the titular "Christmas in the Stars." It's fluff, really, but I look the other way when the fluff is Star Wars-related.
1. A Christmas Celebration by Celtic Woman. "Let It Snow" was such a surprise that one may forget all the other goodies on this album. Orla's rendition of "Away in a Manger" is just lovely. Meav's "Wexford Carol" is nice. But it is when these ladies sing together that they really shine. "Christmas Pipes," "Carol of the Bells," "O Holy Night," and of course, "Let It Snow." You should also pick up the EP A Celtic Family Christmas, as it features "The First Noel," and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" as well as a couple of songs from the High Kings (Celtic Woman's all male counter-act). If you are in to that sort of thing.
2. Christmas Portrait by The Carpenters. Call me a nerd or a geek but I love the Carpenters. This album goes from the fun stuff to more traditional spiritual music. Who can resist Karen's vocals on "Little Altar Boy?" Seriously. And it does include "Merry Christmas Darling," which is always played on the radio at this time of year.
3. Midwinter Graces by Tori Amos. Just released, I not only consider this album one of the best Christmas albums in a long time but one of Amos' best albums ever! Placing her own unique spin on classic favorites as only she can, Tori delivers an album that is beautiful to listen to, even if you are an old Scrooge like me. "Star of Wonder," "Holly, Ivy, and Rose," "Jeannette, Isabella," and "A Silent Night With You" stand out, but the entire album is worth a listen.
4. A Midwinter Night's Dream by Loreena McKennitt. It has taken over a decade but I am really falling in love with this woman's music. This album is just lovely. McKennitt also uses traditional songs and puts her own spin on them, delivering a more classic, ageless collection rather than a traditional re-hash of Yuletide songs. Her classic song, "Snow" is featured and is one of my personal favorites.
5. Christmas in the Stars, a Star Wars Christmas album. No, this has nothing to do with the Holiday Special, which should best be remembered as a drunken night in which details are lost in a fog of cloud and dust. No, this is a cute little album put together by who knows to cash in on the Star Wars phenomenon. It features vocals of R2-D2 and Anthony Daniels as See-Threepio. Classics include "What Can You Get a Wookiee for Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb?)," "Meaning of Christmas" and the titular "Christmas in the Stars." It's fluff, really, but I look the other way when the fluff is Star Wars-related.
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