Christmas Music

janmike
janmike Posts: 6,146
edited December 2006 in Music & Movies
Anyone have a GOOD QUALITY Christmas music that they would like to recommend. I do not have a lot of music in this category and every year my wife points that out. I say GOOD QUALITY as I have way too many poor quality CD's in my collection. So this year I will attempt to fill the void. Thanks folks.
Michael ;)
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
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  • mikesd
    mikesd Posts: 43
    edited October 2006
    My favorites are the GRP Christmas collections [http://www.amazon.com/GRP-Christmas-Collection-Various-Artists/dp/B000006L5L/sr=8-1/qid=1160318556/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6300583-1167268?ie=UTF8&s=music] and the Vanessa Williams colllections.
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited October 2006
    Trans-Siberian Orchestra
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • TheReaper
    TheReaper Posts: 636
    edited October 2006
    Dig That Crazy Christmas - Brian Setzer Orchestra
    Win7 Media Center -> Onkyo TXSR702 -> Polk Rti70
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited October 2006
    It's hard to fathom that we're already talking about Xmas music.:rolleyes:
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited October 2006
    Another good one that most miss is the ELF movie Soundtrack!

    It's got great Christmas songs... and variety too!
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited October 2006
    While it's not Christmas music per se, George Winston's "December" is an excellent CD from a sonic and music perspective. Any of the Mannheim Steamroller CDs are very well recorded and very good if you like their interpetation of the genre. Their first 3 Chrismas albums, "Christmas", "Fresh Aire Christmas" and "Christmas in the Aire" are their best IMO. I like The Carpenter's "Christmas Portrait". Karen Carpenter had a wonderful voice and did great rendetions of some of the classics. If you are into religious music and have SACD, FIM (First Impression Music) has a great recording of Handel's "Messiah". If you are into more Contemporary Christian varity, Jaci Velasquez's "Christmas" is quite good. An instrumental with many favorites is Canadian Brass' "Canadian Brass Christmas" and lastly if Motown Christmas is your thing, "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" is the ticket.

    I have all of the above (and many more) and can highly recommend any/all of them.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2006
    ND13 wrote:
    It's hard to fathom that we're already talking about Xmas music.:rolleyes:

    Well it snowed this morning (first of the this season) in Yellowknife. Just a light dusting, but as I was driving by the lakes at 6:30am this morning and light flurries starting coming down I could not help but think of the festive season.
    Thanksgiving, Hallowe'en, Rememberance Day and then BAM it's here.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited October 2006
    'Mistletoe and Merriment' is a good multi-artist blend.
    If you like contemporary christian, Amy Grant's stuff is decent. (If the 80s count as "contemporary". :) )
    Then of course there's always Sinatra Christmas.
    Oh, and David Foster.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2006
    Zero wrote:
    http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Classics-Dan-Gibson/dp/B000008KWL/sr=1-2/qid=1160333221/ref=sr_1_2/002-2059486-8235204?ie=UTF8&s=music

    Pretty good quality, amazing composition and music. Your wife will LOVE it. If not, I'll buy it right from ya.

    One down. Done deal. Thanks Zero. I should let the wife pick a few from this list at some point.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • seo
    seo Posts: 305
    edited October 2006
    This is a great one, Martina McBride - White Christmas

    Great showcase for Martina's voice. O Holy Night is wonderful.
    http://www.amazon.com/White-Christmas-Martina-McBride/dp/B00001NFHH/sr=1-8/qid=1160338965/ref=sr_1_8/104-7652514-5695944?ie=UTF8&s=music

    Does not sound like a Country album ,just very well sung classics
    Signature goes here
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,958
    edited October 2006
    Bruce Cockburn's "Christmas".
    This is one you (well, I, at least) could listen to all year. Bruce's muscular acoustic guitar and (shall we say) wry style; interesting arrangements, and beautiful recording quality. A terrific package. No "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" stuff, though.
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  • jgido759
    jgido759 Posts: 572
    edited October 2006
    TheReaper wrote:
    Dig That Crazy Christmas - Brian Setzer Orchestra

    Excellant choice for up-tempo Christmas music.

    You can also try:

    B000007XUQ.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
    The Carpenters "Christmas Collection"

    B000009RVB.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
    The Beach Boys' "The Ultimate Christmas Collection"

    B000003BD7.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
    Phil Spector "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector"
    Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so? There's a support
    group for that. It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.
    -Drew Carey

    There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
    -Unknown

    My DVD Collection
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited October 2006
    The Phil Spector is my favorite Christmas thing of all-time. The Ronettes doing "Sleigh Ride" is so good. The sleeper is Darlene Love (Danny Glover's wife in all the Lethal Weapon movies) doing, "Christmas, Baby Please Come Home". By the time it's over you want to find that boy and drag him to her by his ears. Just buy it.

    As for GOOD QUALITY..... it's in mono, but who cares.
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited October 2006
    C'mon, the end all be all of Christmas music is Vince Guaraldi's CHarlie Brown Christmas :)
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited October 2006
    bobman1235 wrote:
    C'mon, the end all be all of Christmas music is Vince Guaraldi's CHarlie Brown Christmas :)

    Thank you. Saved me from looking up the spelling of his last name.:D
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2006
    strider wrote:
    Thank you. Saved me from looking up the spelling of his last name.:D

    ditto:D
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2006
    21231.x-news-sufjanstevenssongsforxmas.jpg
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2006
    My Morning Jacket Does Christmas Fiasco Style
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited October 2006
    Michael, the Nutcracker is traditional at Christmas and heres an excellent collection at a bargain price.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2006
    Believe it or not, Kenny G's Chistmas albums are VERY good recordings.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2006
    steveinaz wrote:
    Believe it or not, Kenny G's Chistmas albums are VERY good recordings.

    Kenny G blows hard. *snicker*

    Ba dum ching!
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2006
    Normally I feel the same way, but for S&G's I bought his Christmas album 2 years ago--it is very good, both quality and content. It's right up there with the best recordings I have from Chesky and Mapleshade.

    The 911 (Ol ang sine sp??) tribute will raise the hair on the back of your neck, it's that good.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2006
    I was talking about his sax playing! ;)
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2006
    That would be Auld Lang Syne!;) :)

    steveinaz wrote:
    The 911 (Ol ang sine sp??) tribute will raise the hair on the back of your neck, it's that good.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited October 2006
    My two favorites are the Charlie Brown Xmas album and the Herb Alpert Xmas album. That Charlie Brown album is perhaps the most played album out of everything I own.
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  • MattN03
    MattN03 Posts: 558
    edited October 2006
    ND13 wrote:
    Trans-Siberian Orchestra

    They're coming to Memphis soon. Is it worth hearing/seeing in person?
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2006
    MattN03 wrote:
    They're coming to Memphis soon. Is it worth hearing/seeing in person?

    YES!

    It's amazing. Go.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2006
    cfrizz wrote:
    That would be Auld Lang Syne!;) :)

    LOL, thanks for the assist Cathy. I knew something didn't look right.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Maurice
    Maurice Posts: 517
    edited October 2006
    This is an ooold one, but if you can find it the Jackson 5 Christmas album is classic. Came out in the early 70's before Michael wigged the f*ck out.
    Everytime I think I'm out, THEY PULL ME BACK IN!!!!!!

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  • aaharvel
    aaharvel Posts: 4,489
    edited October 2006
    Transiberian Orchestra/Savatage, Nutcracker Suite on Vinyl
    H/K Signature 2.1+235
    Jungson MagicBoat II
    Revel Performa M-20
    Velodyne cht-10 sub
    Rega P1 Turntable

    "People working at Polk Audio must sit around the office and just laugh their balls off reading many of these comments." -Lush
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