It seems so close yet so far away. I am so ready for it to be here, and still I know that it will mean the end of the season. How bitter sweet you are, Christmas. How bitter sweet you are.
So as I sit here watching A Christmas story for the 4th time since Thanksgiving (seriously, it's the best movie ever made), I shall reveal the final two picks for my favorite Christmas albums. Here we go...
2. Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas -
Not only a great Christmas album, I really believe this is one of Ella's finest moments in her carrier (and i love this woman so very much). Arranger Frank Devol (who composed music for The Dirty Dozen, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and the Brady Bunch to name a few), gives us some really fresh and beautiful arrangements. I have always considered Mrs. Fitzgerald's voice as my favorite from the fairer sex, and on this album she is perfect. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, What Are You Doing New Year's Eve, and Sleigh Ride have never sounded better, but the best part of the album comes at the end of Jingle Bells. Ella belts out that she is crazy about horses. Aren't we all Ella? Aren't we all.
Take a listen to Jingle bells...
And the number one Christmas album of all time according to me is...
1. Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas -
Nostalgia hits me in the ears from the very first note of "O Tannenbaum". I am taken back to the 1980's where December evenings in Detroit were spent watching television Christmas classics. Vince Guaraldi has completely put his signature on the classic tunes, and wrote some wonderful songs of his own. i ask you to show me a finer jazz Christmas album. Show me.
My favorite part of the album are the two versions of Christmas time is here. One is instrumental the other with a choir. Both wonderful and it is one of my favorite Christmas songs ever.
Now, any of you who kept up with my Christmas postings on my regular blog last year will not be surprised to see these same 5 albums here again. However this year I have discovered many Records that could take their places. Some old. Some new. Who knows. You will have to come back next year and see.
Now that I have reviled my musical wisdom to you, I shall reveal my top five favorite Christmas movies & television specials. So keep a look out over the next two weeks for these, and I'm sure you all agree with me when I say that Velvet is dearly missed around here. You know she is the only one who gets comments :) Don't be afraid of me kids. I really am a great person.
Mikey
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