Hickory Wind | New releases: Dec. 5, 2006

I've had the Brian Setzer Orchestra's "Dig That Crazy Santa Claus" stuck in my head this morning, and I'm happy to have it there.

Old 97's "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" is also a favorite this time of year.

Posted by: Sean at December 1, 2006 6:48 AM

I'm a serious fan of the Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan's rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." Don't laugh! That song has it all -- swinging melody, great vocals, let me rephrase that - amazing vocals, and it's all LIVE. It was recorded live somewhere. (I'm pretty sure it was live.) Still my favorite.

And listen here Scrooge, I mean, Stacy... I love me some Christmas music. As soon as Thanksgiving weekend is over, I start listening to it. ;-)

(Oh and Vince Guaraldi's "Charlie Brown Christmas" album, and John Lennon's "Happy X-Mas (War Is Over)", and the Chieftan's "Bell of Dublin" album, and the Kink's "Father Christmas"... and... and..)

Posted by: larry at December 1, 2006 8:27 AM

For Americana music though, my new favorite is Emmylou's "Light of the Stable" album. I love her version of "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" especially.

Posted by: larry at December 1, 2006 8:28 AM

Um....A Charlie Brown Christmas? How can that not be on someone''s list? They released a remastered version the other week which contains a few alternate takes.

Also - I found an album called 'Smoky Mountain Christmas.' It's all instumental...and features the Hammer Dulcimer. I'm not sure of the artist, though...

Bruce Cockburn has a pretty strong Christmas album, too.

As for bad Christmas - pretty much everything that features Chipmunks. Although, Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire by Bob Rivers is somewhat gratifying.

Posted by: Carlton at December 1, 2006 9:08 AM

'Tis the Season for Los Straitjackets (yeah, that is the CD title).

Posted by: Hal at December 1, 2006 9:58 AM

That "Smokey Mountain Christmas" CD is by the Cumberland Gap Reunion Band, released about nine years ago. I own two, in case one wears out!

You can get them on Amazon (sorry, indie store fundies!) for a few well-spent bucks. There are sound samples here:

http://www.amazon.com/Smoky-Mountain-Christmas-Cumberland-Reunion/dp/B000009RGQ

Posted by: Jim Pipkin at December 1, 2006 10:27 AM

Charlie Brown Christmas and some of the other songs listed above are about all I can stomach. If the music sucks 11 months out of the year, why does it suddenly become listenable in December?

Oh, and Paul McCartney should have been killed for "Wonderful Christmastime."

Bah humbug, indeed.

Posted by: Dusty Bear at December 1, 2006 11:10 AM

We use duct tape on our more recalcitrant guests, true.

But I like hearing "O Holy Night" played on acoustic instruments, and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" on hammer dulcimer sounds kinda like "Ghost Riders in the Sky" with enough Maker's Mark...

Posted by: Jim Pipkin at December 1, 2006 3:16 PM

I love Little Drummer Boy...the message of it is gorgeous, even if the arumpapumpum is a bit annoying. Also, Harry Connick Jr always accompanies our tree decorating (love this one), Nutcracker Suite is awesome, and come on...ELVIS of course!

Posted by: Waylon at December 1, 2006 4:09 PM

"Blue Christmas"...aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh......

Posted by: Jim Pipkin at December 1, 2006 5:28 PM

I just remember I have a bootleg recording of the Jazzy Nutcracker, as performed by the Toronto Septet led by Bill Mays on piano (I interviewed the sax player and he gave me a copy).

Man, they really swing some of the tunes. THAT is my favourite holiday recording.

Posted by: Dusty Bear at December 1, 2006 6:19 PM

Robert Earl Keen - Merry Christmas From the Family
'nuff said.

Posted by: trey at December 1, 2006 10:58 PM

I'll Have A Merry Christmas Without You by Flat Duo Jets

Posted by: Hal at December 2, 2006 12:28 AM

Mary Gauthier - Christmas in Paradise

The Goons (Spike Milligan) - I'm Walking Backwards for Christmas

Posted by: Annie at December 2, 2006 4:23 AM

Stacy, so something about your "Saw Momma Kissing Santa Claus" comment bothered me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it till now -- Freakin' John Freakin' Cougar Freakin' Mellencamp. C'mon? C'mon? You gotta love that one, right? It's got a freakin' killer fiddle all through it, and it rocks! Scratch one up for the farm boy.

Posted by: larry at December 2, 2006 2:55 PM

You know? I'm not entirely sure I've heard the JCM (or, as you put it, Lar, the FJFCFM) version. I'll get my hands on it and reassess, but man, I really hate that stupid song.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. After I posted this, I remembered that the David Bowie version of "Little Drummer Boy" is kind of awesome.

Posted by: stacy at December 3, 2006 8:30 AM

Christmas On The Bayou - Lonnie Brooks! Check out Alligator Records' Christmas Collection; absolutely the best!

I must agree about Mellencamp's version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" -- turned a stomach churning song into one of my favorites.

Posted by: HelloCaitlinT at December 3, 2006 10:10 PM

Caitlin pointed out a disc I can't believe I missed/forgot! Agreed, highly recommended!

Posted by: Hal at December 3, 2006 10:16 PM

Not a big fan of Christmas Carols in general, as I don't like any music being overplayed, but "Il est ne" by the McGarrigle Sisters is a beautiful french Christmas song, and Johnny Cash has a great rendition of "The little drummer boy" that manages to get me into the spirit.

Posted by: Christine at December 4, 2006 6:56 PM

Hey Stacy when you dig up JCM's version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," take a listen to Bob Segers version of "Little Drummer Boy" on the same album (the first (red cover) Very Special Christmas). One of my favorite versions.

Posted by: Eric at December 6, 2006 8:57 AM

SOme of the 80's MTV Christmas stuff is great/bad/funny

Bryan Adams - Reggea Christmas
Billy Squire - Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You

The Charlie Brown Song is actually titled "Linus & Lucy"

I've always liked "Merry Christmas, Baby"
and Clarence Carter's "Back-Door Santa" - that track is what's behind Run DMC.

I think the Phil Spector Christmas record is one of the best

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