# Greatest Christmas Albums **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 8, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501 "2009-12-08T20:45:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/41 "2009-12-09T21:40:39Z")
> [@VarlosZ](#): > > +1. We’ll be at +25 by the end of the first page. +1 I’m doing my part. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/42 "2009-12-10T01:23:53Z")
My chorus has put out two Christmas CDs, and we beat the pants off all the others. (And I designed them both.) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/43 "2009-12-10T01:38:35Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > **Jane Siberry** (now Issa), I had no idea she’d retitled herself. That’s certainly an ambitious choice of names. Oh, and +1 for Vince Guaraldi. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/44 "2009-12-10T02:02:33Z")
> [@ministryman](#): > > IMLTHO, here are the only Christmas Albums worthy of a desert island stranding: > > Alvin and the Chipmunks (the Original) Christmas Album Ugh. Even the misfit toys would throw you off their island… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/45 "2009-12-10T02:31:34Z")
[Now, That’s What I Call Christmas!](http://www.amazon.com/Now-Thats-What-Call-Christmas/dp/B00005OLYC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260411449&sr=8-1) - some of the greatest Christmas singles in history. White Christmas - Bing Crosby Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry Blue Christmas - The King and do I even need to mention Santa Claus Is Coming To Town by Bruce Springsteen? And a very close #2 is [A Swingin’ Christmas](http://www.amazon.com/Swingin-Christmas-Tony-Bennett/dp/B001EYGOG0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260411748&sr=1-1) by Tony Bennett. Bennett is one of the greatest crooners in history, and a personal favorite on this album is the Vince Guaraldi classic “Christmas Time Is Here” from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/46 "2009-12-10T02:41:18Z")
We always trim the tree with A Charlie Brown Christmas playing. Trans-Siberian Orchestra - YES! I have a Christmas CD by Brian Setzer Orchestra. I also like Boney M, Dean Martin, and the Beach Boys. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/47 "2009-12-10T03:01:01Z")
To me the Carpenters is the only must have Christmas album. That is the first one that was put out. I also like the first Barbra Streisand Christmas and Crystal Gayle does a good job and the Muppets Christmas album is fun. Other than that, I just like tracks. Of course you have Brenda Lee’s _Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree_ is a must and the Beach Boys’s, _Little St Nick_. And there is that song by the Chipmunks and Judy Garland’s _Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas_ ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/48 "2009-12-10T03:15:58Z")
> [@Umbriel2](#): > > **A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector** – Even though his concluding message is a bit creepy to listen to nowadays… That’s what I came in to mention. I’ll also add a vote for the Charlie Brown one, and add Sufjan Stevens’ _Songs For Christmas_ box set. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/49 "2009-12-10T03:22:16Z")
Sarah McLachlan’s **Wintersong**. Hands down. ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/50 "2009-12-10T03:45:44Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > Trans-Siberian Orchestra - YES! Did you say _Yes_? Jon Anderson, [Three Ships](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpiVm8eilXU) ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/51 "2009-12-10T05:02:17Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > _The Little Drummer Boy_ (original title: _Sing We Now of Christmas_) by the Harry Simeone Chorale. This is a sentimental favorite from my youth (it came out around 1963). Kind of progressive for the time, and I think it’s held up very well overall. This was THE Christmas album at my house. When I got married I went and found it on cassette for my Christmas, and now have it on CD. In addition, TSO. well worth a listen. When you listen to Christmas Eve and other stories for the first time, you have to read the liner notes as the music plays. The Carpenters Christmas album Karen Carpenter had one of the most pure voices ever. And to mix it up, throw in one of Bob River’s Christmas albums. ---
**Author:** ![brix11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@brix11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brix11)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/52 "2009-12-10T20:18:38Z")
Ditto Sufjan Stevens, Squirrel Nut Zippers and John Denver and the Muppets. Some great (and completely different) songs found on the compilation alubms _Maybe This Christmas_ and _Maybe This Christmas Too?_, but also some stinkers too. There was a third one, but the ratio of good to bad was even worse. Reliant K has some decent renditions on their album, _Let It Snow Baby…Let It Reindeer._ My kids go nuts for the Chipmunks songs I put on their Christmas mix CD. But, and I can’t believe I’m admitting this on a public message board, my favorite Christmas album is _Once Upon a Christmas_, featuring Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. This is primarily because my mom had this on cassette, and it was in heavy rotation when we’d pile into the car to drive around and look at Christmas lights. Pure nostalgia. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/53 "2009-12-11T08:03:38Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > _The Ventures Christmas Album_. Brilliant surf-guitar arrangements of old favorites. _Walk Don’t Run_ turns into _Sleigh Ride_, _Wooly Bully_ turns into _Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town_, _Tequila_ turns into _Frosty the Snowman_. I waited a long, long time to upgrade my bootleg tape of this one. If you like that, you should check out [Tis The Season For Los Straitjackets](http://www.amazon.com/Tis-Season-Los-Straitjackets/dp/B00006JM99/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1260518508&sr=8-4). Twangy surf guitar while wearing Mexican wrestling masks! They’re on their [Xmas tour](http://www.straitjackets.com/index.html) right now. I may have to head up to San Francisco early to catch their show at the Independent! ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/54 "2009-12-11T22:18:13Z")
_A Fresh Aire Christmas_ **Mannheim Steamroller** 1. “Hark! The Herald Trumpets Sing” 2. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” 3. “Veni Veni (O Come, O Come Emmanuel)” 4. “The Holly and the Ivy” 5. “Little Drummer Boy” 6. “Still, Still, Still” 7. “Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming” 8. “In Dulci Jubilo” 9. “Greensleeves” 10. “Carol of the Bells” 11. “Traditions of Christmas” 12. “Cantique De Noel (O Holy Night)” ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/55 "2009-12-11T22:22:25Z")
> [@Umbriel2](#): > > **A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector** – Even though his concluding message is a bit creepy to listen to nowadays… Yep. This is also my pick. I love seeing Darlene Love on Letterman every year singing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”. ---
**Author:** ![theoldman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b782af/32.png) [@theoldman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theoldman)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/56 "2009-12-11T22:23:40Z")
gotta go with Bob Dylan - Christmas in the Heart… listening to it right now. seriously, it’s awesome. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/57 "2009-12-12T01:48:42Z")
_Christmas in Dementia_ (Dr. Demento) _A Charlie Brown Christmas_ (Vince Guaraldi) ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/58 "2009-12-12T11:19:58Z")
**Brian Setzer.** Failing him. \*\* The Reverend Horton Heat\*\*. Failing **him** … **CANNED HEAT!** **Love** The Bear!🙂 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/59 "2009-12-12T14:51:21Z")
This thread has been terrific. It’s reintroduced me to several albums I’d forgotten about. I sampled some of the Harry Simeone Chorale on Amazon and it brought back a flood of memories. Same thing with Phil Spector’s Christmas gift. I ordered several Christmas cd’s today. Christmas music encompasses such a huge swing of styles. For me, it’s Bing Crosby. That’s my _earliest_ memory watching my parents trim the tree and opening presents. Songs from the 60’s specials like Frosty, Rudolph, and Charlie Brown came when I was in elementary school. The Carpenter’s Christmas music came out when I was in high school. Music from the following decades reflect a much different style. It’s equally important to the kids that grew up during that time. No poll could include all the favorites. But, I definitely should have included a _Charlie Brown Christmas_. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501/60 "2009-12-13T06:42:17Z")
Oh **Og** , Oh **Og** , Oh **Og** I thought I lost my \*\*Canned Heat \*\* Christmas cd, but I ran it over some cool water and got it back! Here’s a cut with **The Bear!** Bob Hite! [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uCQxZp1-6dw/hqdefault.jpg "Canned Heat - Future Blues - 13 - Christmas Blues") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCQxZp1-6dw) Happy Holidays! Der Quas’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-christmas-albums/520501.md?page=4)