Christmas albums

[Mel O'Drama]

Which are your favourites?


A few of mine:


Elvis' Christmas Album - Elvis Presley (1957/1970)

This was the goto Christmas album in my house when I was young. The UK Camden version which had Why Can't Every Day Be Like Christmas? and Mama Liked The Roses. It wasn't Christmas until the album was out. I couldn't wait to hear it every year, and I can remember at least one occasion when I played it around September.



Christmas Portrait - Carpenters (1978)

An Old-Fashioned Christmas - Carpenters (1984)

Even though I grew up listening to their hits, I only properly discovered the Carpenters Christmas albums three years ago. They've become instant favourites. I love the mellow vintage feel and the balance of beautiful vocal tracks and sparkling, magical instrumentals. Each album feels like an event.



White Christmas - Martina McBride (1998/2007)

One of my favourite vocalists takes on Christmas music. It's a winner, especially the expanded 2007 version with an additional six tracks.



Christmas Spirit - Donna Summer (1994)

Hints of gospel and tradition run through this one. Not her most groundbreaking album, but charming nonetheless, with gorgeous orchestrations from The Nashville Symphony Orchestra.



A Very Special Season - Diana Ross (1994)

Sumptuously indulgent orchestrations paired with Diana's beautiful voice. It's a feast for the ears.



Wrapped In Red - Kelly Clarkson (2013)

This feels very contemporary and young giving some old standards a fresh sheen.​

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Each year I buy a number of Christmas albums. This year's haul has included:



These Are Special Times - Céline Dion (1998)

With typically polished arrangements and vocals. Her version of Happy Christmas (War Is Over) gives me chills.



A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector - Darlene Love; The Ronettes; The Crystals; Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans (1963)

For that Wall Of Sound Christmas.





Joy To The World - Faith Hill (2008)

This one started a mini Faith Hill jag for me. There are a few tracks on here that have been heavily played this month.





Holiday Wishes - Idina Menzel (2014)

I bought this on impulse last week after @Ome for Christmas posted one of the songs from it in a music thread. But I really wasn't expecting to fall for it in such a big way. I've been listening to it every day.​

 

[Angela Channing]

Songs For Christmas - Sufjan Stevens Songs

I love this album: quirky, original, fun and thought-provoking.

 

[Jason73]

Those are some of my favorites:

Christmas Portrait - Carpenters (1978)

White Christmas - Martina McBride (1998/2007)

Wrapped In Red - Kelly Clarkson (2013)

These Are Special Times - Céline Dion (1998)

Along with these:

Merry Christmas - Mariah Carey

Christmas Through Your Eyes - Gloria Estefan

A Mary Christmas - Mary J. Blige

Amy Grant - The Christmas Collection

Michael Buble - Christmas

This is a new one this year that I ended up really liking:

Brett Eldredge - Glow

 

[Jessie]

My favourite Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers

Carrie Underwood

II Divo

 

[Jason73]

Carrie Underwood

I don't think I knew she had one. I'll have to check it out.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Merry Christmas - Mariah Carey

While Mariah's style doesn't always speak to me I think I'll end up getting this one as I love the Spector-esque sound of All I Want For Christmas Is You. Are the other tracks in a similar vein?

Christmas Through Your Eyes - Gloria Estefan

I'm intrigued by this one. I've had a few experiences recently where I've heard a song I really like and then realised it was Gloria. Her voice seems to have richened over the years.

Amy Grant - The Christmas Collection

This also interests me, having enjoyed some of her work this year.

Michael Buble - Christmas

I have this one, and it's such a happy album. On a related note, his version of It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas was the soundtrack to my dream last night. I don't think it was a Christmas dream, per se, and only a mid-verse section of the song was "played", so it took me a few minutes this morning to work out which song it was.

Carrie Underwood

I don't think I knew she had one. I'll have to check it out.

Someone posted a CU Christmas song on the forum last year. Or possibly even the year before. At the time I investigated and discovered that her Christmas music is very expensive indeed. There's a Christmas Edition of Carnival Ride which has a bonus disc with five Christmas songs, but I've yet to find a reasonably priced one. I've had to content myself with her virtual duet of I'll Be Home For Christmas on Elvis's Christmas Duets album.

 

[Jason73]

While Mariah's style doesn't always speak to me I think I'll end up getting this one as I love the Spector-esque sound of All I Want For Christmas Is You. Are the other tracks in a similar vein?

I'm not sure I'd be able to pick out a Spector-esque sound, but I'd say overall the album has a similar sound to AIWFCIY. Other standout tracks for me are her versions of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town.

I'm intrigued by this one. I've had a few experiences recently where I've heard a song I really like and then realised it was Gloria. Her voice seems to have richened over the years.

Amy Grant, The Carpenters, Mariah and Gloria were probably the first four Christmas albums I bought myself and I associate them with my college years, so I have soft spots for all of them. I love Gloria's album. It might be my favorite of all my Christmas albums. She has some interesting interpretations of a couple of standards that make them stand out. I love her version of Silent Night-which is so gentle and dreamy it feels like a lullaby.

This song never fails to give me a nostalgic ache for my friends and family:

This also interests me, having enjoyed some of her work this year.

She has several different Christmas albums out. All of them are very good.

On a related note, his version of It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas was the soundtrack to my dream last night. I don't think it was a Christmas dream, per se, and only a mid-verse section of the song was "played", so it took me a few minutes this morning to work out which song it was.

I love it. Your mind must be saturated with Christmas tunes.

Someone posted a CU Christmas song on the forum last year. Or possibly even the year before. At the time I investigated and discovered that her Christmas music is very expensive indeed. There's a Christmas Edition of Carnival Ride which has a bonus disc with five Christmas songs, but I've yet to find a reasonably priced one. I've had to content myself with her virtual duet of I'll Be Home For Christmas on Elvis's Christmas Duets album.

Yes, I tried to find it last night but it's not on Spotify or Amazon.

 

[Alexis]

With typically polished arrangements and vocals. Her version of Happy Christmas (War Is Over) gives me chills.

I'm glad you enjoyed this one. It's perhaps obviously my favourite Christmas album and Happy Christmas (War Is Over) is my favourite song on the album.

I'm not sure I'd be able to pick out a Spector-esque sound, but I'd say overall the album has a similar sound to AIWFCIY. Other standout tracks for me are her versions of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town.

I'd say yes, that Mariah's Christmas album is kinda Specter-esque. It has that sort of vintage sound too it, all done in that big '90s pop way of course. It's another favourite of mine.

I would also add Kylie's one too. I haven't bought the reissue with extra tracks yet. But last year I really enjoyed her Christmas album. It was a nice mix of ballads and up tempo songs and new material and old classics. I know the reissue features a cover of East 17's Stay Another Day, which I really like.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I'm not sure I'd be able to pick out a Spector-esque sound, but I'd say overall the album has a similar sound to AIWFCIY.

I's say yes, that Mariah's Christmas album is kinda Specter-esque. It has that sort of vintage sound too it, all done in that big '90s pop way of course. It's another favourite of mine.

That's definitely put it on my radar. Maybe for Christmas 2017. Leona Lewis's Christmas album is also one I'm curious about as the songs I've heard have a similarly vintage vibe.

I love Gloria's album. It might be my favorite of all my Christmas albums. She has some interesting interpretations of a couple of standards that make them stand out. I love her version of Silent Night-which is so gentle and dreamy it feels like a lullaby.

Firstly - damn: the video wouldn't play. But I managed to find another.

Secondly - it's really lovely!

This song never fails to give me a nostalgic ache for my friends and family

That's really beautiful. I love the alternative lyrics and the leisurely, mellow vibe. It feels very warm.

Your mind must be saturated with Christmas tunes.

I think so. Apart from the videos above I've had a Christmas music free day, and have instead started listening to Barney Rosenzweig's Cagney & Lacey audiobook.

I'm glad you enjoyed this one. It's perhaps obviously my favourite Christmas album and Happy Christmas (War Is Over) is my favourite song on the album.

I'm already feeling a little sad about Boxing Day as I'll no longer be able to play it. Well, not legally, anyway.

I would also add Kylie's one too

That's got a real feelgood factor. I didn't recognise some of the songs, so I assume there's some original stuff on there too?

 

[Alexis]

I must say that all these years later and I still have no idea why Celine is smelling her present?

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I must say that all these years later and I still have no idea why Celine is smelling her present?

My cat does that.








So do I sometimes (but that doesn't leave this thread).

 

[Alexis]

That's got a real feelgood factor. I didn't recognise some of the song, so I suppose there's some original stuff on there too?

Oh there are and it features duets with Mika, James Corden, Iggy Pop and Dannii Minogue as well as a virtual one with Frank Sinatra.

Her and Dannii's disco duet is really good. And I absolutely love Kylie's version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

 

[Alexis]

My cat does that.








So do I sometimes (but that doesn't leave this thread).

It looks like it smells delicious anyways. Eye-closingly dreamily delicious. Maybe someone baked her delicious vanilla Christmas cookies?

 

[Jason73]

I would also add Kylie's one too.

Oh, I forgot to mention that one. I like it a lot. It's got a nice vintage, jazzy feel to it.

Leona Lewis's Christmas album is also one I'm curious about as the songs I've heard have a similarly vintage vibe.

I've liked the couple of songs I've heard from that one but haven't checked that one out in full yet.

and have instead started listening to Barney Rosenzweig's Cagney & Lacey audiobook.

I listened to that a couple of years ago. It came with the box set of Cagney and Lacey that I bought, I think. I found it really interesting.

Her and Dannii's disco duet is really good.

I love that one and the non-Christmas version of it is a staple in my workout playlist.

 

[Emelee]

Jill Johnson - The Christmas in You (I've got a signed copy)

Weeping Willows - Christmas Time Has Come

Enya - And Winter Came

Celtic Woman - Holidays & Hits

A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra

The Dean Martin Christmas Album

 

[Willie Oleson]

That is something I might enjoy, but right now I'm more interested in their other albums.
I just randomly youtubed some of their songs (I recognised "Blue And Alone", one of your previous nominations?) and they're really great.

Also loved that Christmas song by Celtic Woman (don't remember the title).

 

[Emelee]

That is something I might enjoy, but right now I'm more interested in their other albums.
I just randomly youtubed some of their songs (I recognised "Blue And Alone", one of your previous nominations?) and they're really great.

Also loved that Christmas song by Celtic Woman (don't remember the title).

I did nominate that song. I love WW. I think lead singer Magnus Carlson (not to be confused with Magnus Carlsson with 2 s's... not that Carlsson is bad, but I much prefer WW's Carlson) has such a great voice.
My favorite songs are their most known songs, which includes Touch Me and My Broken Promised Land

 

[Willie Oleson]

This is my current favourite:

There's a bit of Dire Straits and Soft Cell in it!

 

[Banana Hammock]