I just got back from digging in the basement.
Digging for what you say?
Well, it's that time of the year.... time to search for, locate, and extract the box of Christmas music CD's.
I love Christmas music!
Many of the new songs that have been written in the last 20-30 years are very cool. But, you just can't beat the old classics and carols. I especially enjoy when they take those old songs and give them a jazzed/rocked up new arrangement that breathes another round of new life into a great classic.
Some of my favorite new versions of old songs:
* "12 Days of Christmas" by both Straight No Chaser and by Relient K
* "Winter Wonderland" by Brooks & Dunn
* "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by Chicago
* "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns
* "Gloria" (Angels We Have Heard on High) by Michael W. Smith
* "Little Drummer Boy" by both Jars of Clay and by Lonestar
* "We Three Kings" by Carman
Each year, I add at least 1 new CD to our collection. Guess you might say it's kinda just ingrained as part of the whole holiday tradition for me. Throughout 2013, I have gotten lucky and found several Christmas CD's at flea markets for like a buck or 2 a piece:
Straight No Chaser is incredible -- giving an awesome a-cappella twist to Christmas tunes!
I know some people "knock" or "diss" Christmas album releases for a variety of reasons:
* Christmas means little to nothing to these entertainers; not authentic
* Christmas albums are just an easy way to record and produce an extra album in order to generate cash
* Entertainers are taking advantage of the Christmas season
* There is little new material on Christmas albums
* These are songs that will never be heard live at the entertainer's concert
I see some legitimacy in a few of these reasons, but in general, I respond with a big BAH HUMBUG! In my opinion, there will never be enough Christmas music!!
I've tried to assemble a complete list of all the new Christmas album releases that will be coming out for the 2013 holidays:
Gretchen Wilson
Kelly Clarkson
Restless Heart
Trace Atkins
Duck Dynasty family
Leona Lewis
Bad Religion
Mary J. Blige
Bill and Gloria Gaither
Jewel
Il Volo
Celtic Woman
Celtic Thunder
Susan Boyle
Straight No Chaser
Johnny Mathis
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Marvin Sapp
Brandon Heath
Heart
Phillips, Craig and Dean
Steve Wariner
** New Releases of Old Material:
Alabama
Johnny Cash
Martina McBride
George Jones and Tammy Wynette
Barbara Streisand
Merle Haggard
Andy Williams
Patti Page
Gladys Knight and the Pips
Looking thru that list, I only see 1 that immediately jumps to the top of my list as a "must have": Kelly Clarkson. love that gal.
Maybe Phillips, Craig and Dean too. these guys are great.
Simply put, it's October 26, and I'm completely ready for the "sounds of the season".
Bring on those Jingle Bells, Glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria's, rum pum pum pum's, and fa-la-la-la-la's !!!
Out for now.....
Matt