Have Yourself a Merry Music Christmas
🎄🎄🎄 In no particular order, I would like to celebrate the Christmas season by sharing some of my favorite seasonal carols in various categories …
TRADITIONAL: While numerous artists have recorded remarkable versions of O Holy Night, I am partial to John Denver’s live version recorded at a Christmas concert in 1996 less than a year before his death. His rendition is simple, yet it earnestly expresses the wonder and awe of that evening without vocal or musical embellishments. (The original recording is from his 1975 Rocky Mountain Christmas)
VOCALLY CHALLENGING: Ding Dong Merrily on High. Try singing “Gloria” in one breath. The lyrics are equally challenging so look for a recording that includes them. I am partial to choir versions.
NEW RELEASE: Go Tell it on the Mountain by King & Country, a Christian pop duo, from their 2020 A Drummer Boy Christmas. Born in Sydney, this pair of dynamic brothers have won several Grammy and Dove awards. I would love to see them live at a concert, especially during their Christmas tour.
DUET: Drummer Boy. In My Gift from 2020, Carrie Underwood sings with her son Isaiah Fisher. The album jacket cover is as beautiful as her voice and listening to her sing with her child illuminates seasonal sentiments of me doing the same.
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN: It’s Christmas, by Chris Tomlin from Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship 2015. This one is a snappy medley of “Away in a Manger” with an added composition he wrote that will make you want to get out of your seat and do a praise dance!
CHILDREN: One More Dream ‘Til Christmas by Cabbage Patch Kids on A Cabbage Patch Christmas from 1984. Once upon a time, I was raising two adorable little girls who loved Christmas and their Cabbage Patch dolls. This song brings back so many wonderful memories.
FROM A MOVIE: Though not a true Christmas tune, Sisters (with Rosemary Clooney) was written by Irving Berlin and sung in the classic musical White Christmas from 1954. Growing up, I fantasized that my sister and I would become famous sister performers.
HARMONIES: Mary’s Boy Child was first recorded and released in 1956 as a single by Harry Belafonte. My favorite rendition is from Home for Christmas by Celtic Woman, 2012. I love how the harmonies build that line that says it all: “Man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day.”
PURE ENTERTAINMENT: A few years ago, I had the incredible experience of seeing Straight No Chaser perform in a live Christmas concert. Their rendition of Twelve Days of Christmas was awesome! It intertwines their fine acapella vocals with comedy and showmanship.
STRONGEST MEMORIES: The Greatest Gift of All is on Once Upon a Christmas, a 1984 collaboration featuring Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. The two sang it on a television Christmas special, A Christmas to Remember the same year. This song is especially precious to me because each Christmas Eve since its release, I slow-dance with my husband while we serenade each other, making yet another Christmas to remember.
SILENT NIGHT: Silent Night has its very own category. Here are my top three:
Acoustic — Boyce Avenue, 2019. Three Floridian brothers strumming guitar and vocal cords.
Country — Clarkson/Yearwood/McIntire, 2013. Three female legends showcasing their vocal and harmonic talents.
Instrumental — Mannheim Steamroller, 1984. Three things you’ll find yourself doing: Singing. Adoring. Rejoicing.
Lastly, I offer My Christmas Card to You, a 1971 Christmas tune from my youth recorded by David Cassidy and his television family on A Partridge Family Christmas Card. May you find peace and happiness this Christmas and always. 🎄🎄🎄