Puddles Pity Party
And we have a winner! Hearing Mariah’s fifth-rate knockoff on the radio instead of the divine original makes my blood boil.
I really like Train’s Shake up Christmas. It was on medium rotation at my store this year and I never tired of hearing it.
Still this. She performed it on the last episode of David Letterman each year which will never happen again I assume. Quite a spectacular performance with the Paul Schaffer band and her own exquisite backup singers.
The aforementioned “O Magnum Mysterium” by Victoria.
“O Magnum Mysterium” by Poulenc. Here performed by the Robert Shaw Festival Singers. Wonderful rendition. Francis Poulenc - O Magnum Mysterium - YouTube
“A Spotless Rose” by Herbert Howells. I’ve listened to a number of performances, and this is the best. In my opinion, the soloist is just perfect. - YouTube
“Truth From Above”, arranged by Vaughan Williams. The Truth From Above - YouTube
“Virga Jesse Floruit” by Anton Bruckner. Bruckner,Virga Jesse floruit - YouTube
“Carol of the Birds”, performed by the Robert Shaw Chorale. Carol of the Birds ("El cant dels ocells") - YouTube
Of course, I have copies of all these and I can play them at any time (and I do).
There is one I haven’t heard for many years: “D’où viens-tu bergère?” in a simple arrangement performed by a children’s choir. They used to play it on WFMT, but I’m no longer a regular listener.
Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant
O Holy Night by anyone
Mary Did You Know by anyone
All of those songs bring me to tears.
The Angel Gabriel by Sting
Christmas Blues by Dino
Joseph’s Lullaby by MercyMe
Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel by anyone
The Friendly Beasts by Burl Ives
Riu Chiu by the Monkees
I like the minor key folk-songish Christmas carols, the old ones. We Three Kings, Good King Wencelas, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Three songs I adore: Mary’s Boy Child by Boney M - so beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemn by Annie Lenox (though the accompanying video with hurdy-gurdy and a parade of pagans is awe-inspiring) and O Holy Night by Mr. Michael Crawford (or Celine Dionne)…when either of them sings it and hits that second high note at the end…chills down my spine!
[quote=“furryman, post:80, topic:774090”]
Why don’t they ever play this song during christmas?
Good King Wenceslas
Loreena McKennitt, mentioned earlier, does my favorite version of Good King Wenceslas.
Another one I like: Little Drummer Boy by Low. I like the distortion, and how slow and deliberate it is. Somehow those few little key changes that happen seem to give it more gravity.
There was one we sang in high school, “No Golden Carriage.” As I recall it was really beautiful, but I’ve never heard it since.
GKW is in a major key.
The Holly and the Ivy
Oak, Ash, and Thorn
I Saw Three Ships
The Boar’s Head
Coventry Carol
I used to have a group of musician friends who would carol together.
Bruce Springsteen “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (no video available)(sorry)