Christmas is my favorite time of year. Hot cocoa, family, tons of Christmas movies and decorations, and music! So many artists have contributed to the Christmas music canon, and we get to listen to all of it every single year!
Harry Connick Jr.
One of my all-time favorite artists around the Holiday season to listen to is Harry Connick, Jr. In the 80s and 90s, he brought back the class and jazziness of the first half of the century in a new way and to a new audience. His Christmas album "When My Heart Finds Christmas" is a gem! With renditions of classics such as “Let it Snow," “Sleigh Ride,” and “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” it’s a classic you just have to have on in December.
Celine Dion and Josh Groban
While they’re not as jazzy, Celine Dion’s "These Are Special Times" and Josh Groban’s "Noël" are very special and sweet collections of warm Christmas feelings. Celine’s album features the popular renditions of “Feliz Navidad,” “Blue Christmas,” and her famous “O Holy Night,” as well as popular original songs “Don’t Save it All for Christmas Day” and the hit featuring Andrea Bocceli, “The Prayer.” You cannot neglect this holiday classic. Groban’s album also features his beautiful voice on pieces like “Silent Night," “The First Noel,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey’s "Merry Christmas" is also one you can’t miss, with her own rendition of “O Holy Night,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” and the ever-so popular original “All I Want for Chrismas is You.”
George Winston
One of my family’s favorites is classical pianist George Winston’s "December." Filled with wintery tones, December is a beautiful musical painting of the winter season featuring originals and standards like “Carol of the Bells,” “Variations on Pachelbel’s Kanon," and “The Holly and the Ivy.”
Speaking of “Carol of the Bells,” you just have to listen to The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s version. There are also singles like “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, “Blue Chrismas” by Elvis Presley, and “Grown Up Christmas List” by Amy Grant.
Frank Sinatra
You also need to pick up Frank Sinatra’s "The Sinatra Christmas Album," which I love to listen to on vinyl with a cup of Hot Chocolate and a warm blanket. Right when it’s over, I’ll throw on Nat King Cole’s "The Christmas Song" album, with “The Christmas Song," “The Little Drummer Boy,” and “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” It’s the perfect night by the fire.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
But my all-time, absolute favorite Christmas album to listen to is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. With “O Tannenbaum," “What Child is This," “Christmastime is Here,” and “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," there is no limit to the amount of times I can listen to this album on repeat!
Just listing these is making me excited to start listening. But I’m going to be patient and wait for after Thanksgiving, as is tradition.
