My Fave Christmas Music

I have always had a bit of an eclectic taste in music and that is even more so when it comes to Christmas music. I've never been a big fan of the choral or old traditional hymn versions of songs. For the most part, I prefer fairly mellow, easy listening holiday music with a generous dose of more modern standards that have been made popular by performers of the last 75 years. Like other music genres, there are certain singers and songs I avoid like the plague. There are also artists that I truly love!

Over the last few years, I've made a point of listening to a fair bit of seasonal music - and made lists of artists and songs that I liked. I thought I'd end up with enough to burn a couple of CD's but I was wrong! Turns out, that I liked more than I thought I did! I had enough for 7 CD's!

The next decision was to figure out the best way to truly enjoy the music of the holiday season. Luckily, I had a few options. The speakers on my desktop computer have very good sound so I could just put the playlist on shuffle. I could also transfer the list to my mp3 player. However, I chose to burn the entire collection to a Data CD. Pretty much any computer with a disk drive can play a data CD. Some DVD and CD players will also recognize the format. Last year, I treated myself to a Bose Wave III which, as most people know, has EXCELENT sound! Bose systems also recognize Data CD's!

This collection has a bit of everything! Instrumentals, groups, male and female artists. There is easy listening, pop, light rock, country, jazz, folk, swing, big band and a bit of blues. There are a few quirky or off the beaten track tunes that you may never have heard before. I've no doubt, you'll recognize most of the titles but not necessarily the versions I've chosen. Some are full of joy and others are a bit melancholy. Some are very mellow and some are quite upbeat - but they all blend together to create great background music for a gathering where you can actually talk to other people without shouting over the music! The collection is 151 songs from just over 70 artists and almost 8 hours long so more than enough to last for most gatherings. Yes, there are more than one version of certain songs but I felt they were different enough in style. Okay, I admit it - I just couldn't decide which version I liked best for some but I limited it to a max of three versions of any one song.

My taste in holiday music may not be the norm this time of year but the list below (alphabetical by title) is me - unique and eclectic!

Title (Length) Artist (Album)

The All-Purpose Christmas Carol (3:28) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Mood

Amazing Grace / Jesu Joy (3:33) Jim Brickman (A Christmas Celebration)

Angels (3:18) Jim Brickman (The Gift)

Angels We Have Heard On High (2:42) David Ian featuring Acacia (Vintage Christmas Wonderland)

Aspenglow (2:24) John Denver (Rocky Mountain Christmas)

Auld Lang Syne (2:08) Guy Lombardo (--)

Auld Lang Syne (3:52) Tom Ouimette

Ave Maria (2:17) Susie Ariolli (Christmas Dreaming)

Away In A Manger (2:17) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Card)

Baby It's Cold Outside (2:52) Bing Crosby (Gold Christmas Collection)

Beautiful Star Of Bethlehem (3:08) Emmylou Harris (Light Of The Stable)

Bittersweet (3:33) Jim Brickman (Winter Solstice)

Blessings (2:29) Jim Brickman (Peace)

Blue Christmas (3:31) Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas Baby)

Blue Christmas (3|00) Jill Barber (New Kind Of Light)

Brahms' Bethlehem Lullaby (2:45) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Present)

Brahms' Lullaby (3:14) Kenny G (Miracles: The Holiday Album)

Carolling, Carolling (2:02) Nat King Cole (The Christmas Song)

The Carols Those Kids Used To Sing (2:45) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Wishes)

Christmas Bells (2:40) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

Christmas Bells (3:16) Jill Barber (New Kind Of Light)

The Christmas Blues (2:58) Holly Cole (Christmas Blues)

Christmas Cannon (3:51) Transiberian Orchestra (--)

Christmas Can't Be Very Far Away (2:59) Eddie Arnold (--)

Christmas Can't Come Too Soon (2:29) Matt Kiersch (--)

Christmas Country Style (1:59) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Present)

Christmas Dreaming (2:38) Harry Connick Jr (When My Heart Finds Christmas)

Christmas Dreaming (3:27) Susie Ariolli (Christmas Dreaming)

Christmas Is Leading Me Home (3:22) Haley Sales

Christmas Kiss (3:04) Meaghan Smith (It Snowed)

The Christmas Song (4:24) Diana Krall (Christmas Songs)

The Christmas Song (3:10) Nat King Cole (The Christmas Song)

The Christmas Song (3:18) World's Greatest Jazz Band (--)

Christmas Spirits (3:39) Alex Pangman & Her Allieycats (Christmas Gift)

Christmas Time Is Here (3:35) Diana Krall (Christmas Songs)

Christmas Times A-Coming (2:55) Emmylou Harris (Light Of The Stable)

Christmas To Me (4:12) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Card)

A Christmas To Remember (3:41) Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton (Once Upon A Christmas)

The Christmas Waltz (2:45) Rosemary Clooney (White Christmas)

Christmas Wish (3:41) Tuck & Patti (Winter Solstice)

Christmas Without You (3:50) Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton (Once Upon A Christmas)

Christmasland (2:24) Tony Bennett (Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album)

Church Bells Ringing / Christmas In The City (4:04) The Skydiggers (Angels)

Count Your Blessings (3:41) Diana Krall (Christmas Songs)

Deck The Hall (1:08) Nat King Cole (Christmas Songs)

Deck The Halls (2:56) Jim Brickman (Homecoming)

Early Snowfall (3:05) Jim Brickman (Peace)

Everybody's Waiting For The Man With The Bag (2:51) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

The First Noel (2:25) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

The First Noel (3:20) Jim Brickman (Christmas Collection)

Frosty The Snowman (2:21) Perry Como (Greatest Christmas Collection)

Frosty The Snowman (4:06) Glenn Miller (In The Christmas Mood)

The Gift (4:09) Peabo Bryson (Winter Solstice)

Go Safely Into The Night (3:08) The Ennis Sisters (It's Christmas)

Good King Wenceslas (2:30) Glenn Miller (In The Christmas Mood)

Greensleeves (3:29) Kenny G (Miracles: The Holiday Album)

Greensleeves (3:14) Coleman Hawkins (Christmas Songs)

Grown-Up Christmas Wish (3:41) Michael Buble (Let It Snow)

Happy Christmas (3:36) John Lennon (The Best Of John Lennon)

Happy Holiday (1:57) Peggy Lee (Christmas)

Have A Holly Jolly Christmas (2:16) Burl Ives (Have A Holly Jolly Christmas)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (4:19) Dianna Krall (Christmas Songs)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (3:57) Kenny G (Miracles: The Holiday Album)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (4:32) Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas Baby)

The Holly And The Ivy (4:20) Jim Brickman (Christmas Romance)

I Believe In Santa's Cause (2:57) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Card)

I Just Want A Prairie Christmas (4:12) Connie Kaldor (--)

I Never Spend A Christmas That I Don't Think Of You (2:41) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Card)

I Want You For Christmas (2:39) Alex Pangman & Her Allieycats (Christmas Gift)

I'd Like To Hitch A Ride With Santa Claus (2:18) Holly Cole (Christmas Blues)

I'd Like You For Christmas (2:16) Julie London (Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails)

If Every Day Was Like Christmas (2:54) Elvis Presley (--)

If I Don't Make It Home This Christmas (2:38) Megan Schroder (--)

I'll Be Here For Christmas (4:24) Meaghan Smith (New Kind Of Light)

I'll Be Home For Christmas (3:30) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

I'll Be Home For Christmas (4:06) Jim Brickman (Christmas Romance)

I'll Be Home For Christmas (3:30) Rosemary Clooney (Let It Snow)

I'll Be Home With Bells On (2:42) Dolly Parton (--)

In The Bleak Mid Winter (2:42) Meaghan Smith (New Kind Of Light)

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (2:57) Dave Young (--)

It Just Wouldn't Be Christmas Without You (3:43) Connie Kaldor (--)

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas (2:47) Bing Crosby (Christmas Carols)

It Snowed (3:44) Meaghan Smith (It Snowed)

It's A Marshmallow World (2:40) Dean Martin (--)

It's Christmas Everywhere (3:05) Paul Anka (--)

It's The Most Wonderful Time (2:25) Johnny Mathis (The Christmas Music Of Johnny Mathis)

I've Got The Blues For Christmas (3:44) Russell de Carle

Jingle Bell Rock (2:13) Bobby Holms (Jingle Bell Rock)

Jingle Bells (1:56) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

Jolly Old St Nicholas (2:31) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

Joy Ride (3:13) Mark Snow (Winter Solstice)

Let It Snow (2:52) Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas Baby)

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (3:10) Kenny G (Faith: A Holiday Album)

Let's Share Christmas (3:57) John Pizzarelli (Let's Share Christmas)

Light Of The Stable (2:19) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit(

Light Of The Stable (2:24) Emmylou Harris (Light Of The Stable)

Little Toy Trains (2:05) Roger Miller (Country Christmas)

Magic Forest (5:03) Ensemble (Winter Solstice)

The Man With The Bag (3:56) Alex Pangman & Her Allieycats (Christmas Gift)

Mary Had A Baby (4:42) Bruce Cockburn (Christmas)

My Favorite Things (3:21) Carole King (A Holiday Carole)

New Kind Of Light (3:24) Rose Cousins (New Kind Of Light)

New Year's Day (3:55) Carole King (A Holiday Carole)

O Christmas Tree (2:39) Kenny G (Faith: A Holiday Album)

O Little Town Of Bethlehem (3:17) Oscar Peterson (--)

Old Fashioned Christmas (2:33) Dick Van Dyke And The Vantastix (Put On A Happy Face)

Old Fashioned Christmas (2:49) Guy Lombardo (--)

Old Toy Trains (2:34) The Statler Brothers (Christmas Present)

Please Come Home For Christmas (3:00) The Eagles (Christmas Of Hope)

Please Come Home For Christmas (3:17) Holly Cole (Christmas Blues)

Pretty Paper (3:43) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

Pretty Paper (2:47) Roy Orbison (Time-Life Treasury Of Christmas - Holiday Magic)

The Quiet Gift Of Love (2:58) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

River (4:04) Joni Mitchell (Blue)

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree (2:05) Brenda Lee (Rockin' Little Christmas)

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (2:10) Burl Ives (Have A Holly Jolly Christmas)

Santa Baby (3:25) Eartha Kitt (Billborad Greatest Christmas Hits)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (2:48) Rod Stewart (Merry Christmas Baby)

Sending You A Little Christmas (4:06) Jim Brickman (Peace)

Silent Night (3:30) World's Greatest Jazz Band (--)

Silent Bells (3:04) Bing Crosby (Bing! His Legendary Years 1931 - 1957)

Silver Bells (3:10) Meaghan Smith (It Snowed)

Skating (2:57) George Winston (Winter Solstice)

Sleigh Ride (2:58) Ella Fitzgerald (Wishing You A Swinging Christmas)

Snow (2:43) Bing Crosby (White Christmas)

Snowbound For Christmas (3:20) Jackie Gleason (--)

Snowfall (2:50) Tony Bennett (Stars At Christmas - Volume 2)

Snowflake (3:12) Jim Brickman (Christmas Romance)

Song For A Winter's Night (3:02) Gordon Lightfoot (The Way I Feel)

Star Of Night (2:36) Jim Brickman (Christmas Celebration)

Starbright (Jim Brickman (The Gift)

Thanksgiving (3:31) Jim Brickman (Homecoming)

There Is No Christmas Like An Old Fashioned Christmas (3:17) Perry Como

There Is No Place Like Home For The Holidays (2:58) Perry Como

This Christmas (3:55) Jeffery Osborne (Winter Solstice)

Two Thousand Miles (3:31) Holly Cole (Christmas Blues)

Warm December (1:57) Julie London (Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails)

We Need A Little Christmas (1:57) Johnny Mathis (The Christmas Music Of Johnny)

We Wish You A Merry Christmas (1:56) Border Brass (Tijuana Christmas)

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (4:19) John Pizzarelli (Let's Share Christmas)

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (3:02) The Chenille Sisters (In The Christmas Spirit)

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (3:34) Ella Fitzgerald (Wishing You A Swinging Christmas)

What Child Is This (2:47) John Denver (Rocky Mountain Christmas)

When My Heart Finds Christmas (2:32) Harry Connick Jr (When My Heart Finds Christmas)

White Christmas (3:07) Bing Crosby (Greatest Hits)

Winter (5:00) Phil Perry (Winter Solstice)

Winter Solstice (1:56) The Wyrd Sisters (--)

Winter Wonderland (3:01) Louis Armstrong (Christmas Collection)

Winter Wonderland (2:53) Susie Arioli (Christmas Dreaming)

WinterskøL (2:02) Dan Fogelberg (First Christmas Morning)

Wonderful Christmas Time (3:48) Paul Mc Cartney

Yesterday's Rain (4:29) W G Snuffy Walden (Winter Solstice)

Merry Humbug!

dn