# Recommend some unusual/exceptional Christmas music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 17, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540 "2010-12-17T18:39:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FlyingDragonFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@FlyingDragonFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingDragonFan)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/1 "2010-12-17T18:39:30Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/2 "2010-12-17T18:55:58Z")
The second half of [The Mighty Tubadours](http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Tubadours-Victor-Herbert/dp/B00002SFM3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292611523&sr=8-1) (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](http://www.amazon.com/Ventures-Christmas-Album/dp/B000002Z9K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1292611890&sr=8-4) 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? ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/3 "2010-12-17T19:00:21Z")
as just mentioned in another xmas music thread: Trans Siberian Orchestra’s ‘Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.’ ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/4 "2010-12-17T19:02:22Z")
Jonathon Coulton - [“Chiron Beta Prime”](http://www.jonathancoulton.com/wiki/index.php/Chiron_Beta_Prime/Lyrics) ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/5 "2010-12-17T19:03:00Z")
[Christmas Music with a Twist](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=586656) A lot of effort and posts already went into this thread this year. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/6 "2010-12-17T19:43:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/7 "2010-12-17T19:53:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/8 "2010-12-17T20:20:09Z")
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: > [@](#): > > When dreary Christmas decorations > Line the streets and filling stations > And dimestore Santas can’t disguise > Their empty hands and empty eyes > In the dead of winter > When the tinsel angels come > You’re my sweet maple sugar, honey > Hot buttered rum And, of course, [Fairytale of New York](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAwK9juhhY)! (Back to the reverent, [Kemper Crabb](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqnVcLRl_cE) is worth a listen.) ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/9 "2010-12-17T20:44:37Z")
Bach - Christmas Oratorio - [Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS1KoQyMNNs) Poulenc - [O Magnum Mysterium](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VShyqHcWjPY) - [Hodie Christus Natus Est](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XKbcrHlhBY). Berlioz - L’enfance de Christ - [The Shepherds’ Farewell](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0vO4LDImrc) Britten - A Ceremony of Carols - [This Little Babe](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTyIP7m8Btg). 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. ---
**Author:** ![Seamack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/46a35a/32.png) [@Seamack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seamack)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/10 "2010-12-17T21:52:20Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/11 "2010-12-17T22:34:06Z")
If you can find it, I strongly recommend Tom Waits’ version of _Silent Night_. Incredible. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/12 "2010-12-17T23:36:32Z")
If you want something strange, try Merry Christmas from the Space-Age Bachelor Pad by Juan Garcia Esquivel. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/XTLmTyVwtu4/hqdefault.jpg "Jingle Bells by Esquivel") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTLmTyVwtu4) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sv42AChiC0A/hqdefault.jpg "Esquivel!: White Christmas") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv42AChiC0A) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/v-10bWTv84k/hqdefault.jpg "Esquivel!: The Christmas Song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-10bWTv84k) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/n7LCPZF-ty4/hqdefault.jpg "Esquivel!: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7LCPZF-ty4) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BYdx2Uj6_sc/hqdefault.jpg "Esquivel!: Frosty The Snowman") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYdx2Uj6_sc) ---
**Author:** ![3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/47e85d/32.png) [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3_20_59_or_bust)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/13 "2010-12-18T00:24:53Z")
A fantastic Christmas song from a horrible movie: [Lonely Christmas Eve](http://www.last.fm/music/Ben+Folds/_/Lonely+Christmas+Eve) by Ben Folds. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/14 "2010-12-18T02:20:40Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/15 "2010-12-18T05:57:49Z")
Hardly anyone has heard the Davis Sisters’ _[Christmas Boogie](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPRgtmmfDvQ)_, 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. ---
**Author:** ![Krav\_Manga](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/krav_manga/32/3153_2.png) [@Krav\_Manga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krav_Manga)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/16 "2010-12-18T09:04:53Z")
Paul Kelly - [How to make gravy](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh79619xxk8) ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/17 "2010-12-18T11:20:46Z")
[Little Drummer Boy - Bob Seger](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qwVeobnWLc) [God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - los straitjackets](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfLAP1jAHag) [Must Be Santa - Brave Combo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnc076s4jt4) [Smooth Jazz Christmas Overture (medley) - Dave Koz and Friends](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-6_c39YRJY) [O Holy Night - Gypsy Soul](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4HdY8hQ69g) [Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Lori Andrews Jazz Harp Quartet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWqrT9gtjXM) [Jimi’s Christmas medley - Jimi Hendrix](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXrWJ-p1unE) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/18 "2010-12-18T13:30:29Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Bach - Christmas Oratorio - [Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS1KoQyMNNs) From the same work, I prefer [Cantata #1](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrpL9lCNs5o). ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/19 "2010-12-18T14:23:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-unusual-exceptional-christmas-music/564540/20 "2010-12-18T16:08:23Z")
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