Recommend some unusual/exceptional Christmas music

I’m trying to put together a playlist for Christmas morning, but if I hear one more version of “Jingle Bells” by some pretty-voiced but generic singer, I’ll vomit into my stocking. What I’m looking for is something everyone may not have heard. Some of what I’ve got already is:

  1. “I’m In Your Church at Night” by Active Child - Cool synth-pop-ish tune with almost choral sounding vocals by the lead singer, it’s kind of a love song but doesn’t sound it.
  2. “Gift of the Magi” by Darryl Purpose - A song version of the classic tale by a folky singer-songwriter who sounds kind of like James Taylor.
  3. “Last Christmas” by The Puppini Sisters - A trio of jazz/lounge singers with tight harmony.
  4. “That Was the Worst Christmas Ever” by Sufjan Stevens - Folk singer with a light tune about, obviously, a really bad Christmas.
  5. Annie Lennox’s new Christmas Cornucopia - Damn, this is a good album. Traditional tunes, but she really brings something new to them. A standout on the album is “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” which she really belts out, adding in Middle-Eastern drums and even auto-tunes her voice for one verse.

So it’s not that I don’t like the traditional tunes, but it’s got to have something new. Or new songs about Christmas by good musicians. Got any other suggestions?

The second half of The Mighty Tubadours (it’s a compilation of two LPs) is a really enjoyable selection of traditional tunes played by a talented brass quartet. The first half has some oom-pah and novelty stuff, but the Christmas tunes are mellow and rich. Very nice listening.

The Ventures’ Christmas Album takes the surf sound of classic '60s tunes and morphs them into Christmas songs while you’re not looking: “Walk, Don’t Run” becomes “Sleigh Ride,” “Tequila” turns into “Frosty the Snowman.” Why isn’t there a sequel?

as just mentioned in another xmas music thread:

Trans Siberian Orchestra’s ‘Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.’

Jonathon Coulton - “Chiron Beta Prime”

Christmas Music with a Twist
A lot of effort and posts already went into this thread this year.

My favourite is The Irish Rovers - 'Twas a Night Like This if you can find it. Be warned, it does have Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer BUT it more than makes up for it with the title song as well as The Christmas Wish and The Christmas Traveller.

Several songs on Joan Baez’s Noel are not well-known. I particularly like “The Carol of the Birds”, which was originally Catalan (although she sings it in English); IIRC, it was a favorite of Pablo Casals.

Another vote for Joan Baez’s wonderful *Noel *album. Done early in her career when many just considered her a protest singer–she used her wonderful voice on some ancient & unusual songs, with sensitive instrumental arrangements by Peter Schickele (AKA PDQ Bach).

“Hot Buttered Rum” by the Red Clay Ramblers. I think it’s on Rhapsody; one verse here:

And, of course, Fairytale of New York!

(Back to the reverent, Kemper Crabb is worth a listen.)

Bach - Christmas Oratorio - Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen

Poulenc - O Magnum Mysterium

Berlioz - L’enfance de Christ - The Shepherds’ Farewell

Britten - A Ceremony of Carols - This Little Babe.

John Joubert - Torches. I haven’t found a YouTube performance that really does this piece justice. I grew up performing in a church choir that sang this as a processional for the midnight carol service on Christmas Eve. No one has captured the exuberance and joy that I always associate with the piece.

A lump of coal - Various Artists
Excellent compilation of late 80’s early 90’s by indie bands/artists of the era. Henry Rollins’ interpretation of ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ is nothing short of stunning - and very very creepy

If you can find it, I strongly recommend Tom Waits’ version of Silent Night. Incredible.

If you want something strange, try Merry Christmas from the Space-Age Bachelor Pad by Juan Garcia Esquivel.

A fantastic Christmas song from a horrible movie:

Lonely Christmas Eve by Ben Folds.

I have tried & failed to find this online. “Lullaby” by the Church (actually Steve Kilbey & Marty Willson-Piper). A sort of low-key, mildly anachronistic song to the Christ child from the Magi.

Hardly anyone has heard the Davis Sisters’ Christmas Boogie, which is a shame because it’s fun on several levels.

The Davis Sisters were Betty Jack Davis (real name) and her friend Skeeter Davis (stage name). They had some modest success before Betty Jack died in a car accident. Eventually Skeeter forged a notable solo career.

Paul Kelly - How to make gravy

Little Drummer Boy - Bob Seger

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - los straitjackets

Must Be Santa - Brave Combo

Smooth Jazz Christmas Overture (medley) - Dave Koz and Friends

O Holy Night - Gypsy Soul

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Lori Andrews Jazz Harp Quartet

Jimi’s Christmas medley - Jimi Hendrix

From the same work, I prefer Cantata #1.

Pop over to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and check out their Carols for a Cure CDS. Lots of traditional music and lots of very untraditional stuff, as only theatre composers can do. And it’s all for a very good cause.

2001 has A Full Frontal Christmas (My stocking’s empty but my monty’s full), The Davey Dinkle Song (cause he tinkled in the snow and saved Christmas) and 42nd St doing a tap dancing Silent Night. It is a gem.

Santa Claus - Sonny Boy Williamson
Everything’s Gonna Be Cool This Christmas - The Eels
Xmas Time is Here - My Morning Jacket
A Change at Christmas - The Flaming Lips
Merry Christmas - The Ramones
Sixteen, Maybe Less - Iron & Wine with Calexico