VINTAGE CHRISTMAS ALBUMS

 

A CLASSIC CARTOON CHRISTMAS TOO

Next to the strange speaking voices of those Christmas cartoon characters and clay figures, the best thing about them were the songs they sang--or, the songs that were sung about them, as was the case with "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." If you don't think that one's a holiday classic, just try saying the title without breaking into song. Or what about "We're a Couple of Misfits," from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? This Nick at Nite collection captures the songs that put the shows they came from on the proverbial holiday map. Jimmy Durante's "Frosty the Snowman" is just aching for a "ha-cha-cha-cha," and Fred Astaire's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" is as smooth as his footwork. Not all of the music here comes from such tried and true veterans--some newer "classics" are included, like the Muppets' version of "We Need a Little Christmas." Whether or not you feel the Muppets belong with the likes of the Grinch, Yukon Cornelius, and Herbie the Dentist is strictly a generational thing--but it shouldn't keep you from enjoying the tunes.

Track Listing:
1. Heat Miser [From Year Without a Santa Claus]
2. Snow Miser [From Year Without a Santa Claus]
3. We Wish You a Hairy Chestwig
4. The First Toymaker to the King [From Santa Claus Is Coming to Town]
5. No More Toymakers to the King
6. Silver and Gold [From Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]
7. There's Always Tomorrow [From Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer]
8. Holidays [From Madeline's Favorite Songs]
9. Follow That Star [From the Beginner's Bible Sings]
10. The Lord's Bright Blessing [From Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol]

 

 

SHEDAISY – BRAND NEW DAY

The award for the most original Christmas album for 2000 goes hands down to the three Osborn sisters--Kristyn, Kelsi, and Kassidy--of Shedaisy for their ambitious pop-rock mini-masterpiece Brand New Year. Exemplary rewrites, rearrangements, and rewired standards such as "Jingle Bells," "Deck the Halls," "Sleigh Ride," and others may tug at your holiday heartstrings for a whole other set of reasons. Add a handful of memorable and sometimes mesmerizing originals and rediscovered gems such as "Christmas Children" from the 1969 musical Scrooge and you've got a record that, at times, almost tries too hard to be too innovative, arty, and occasionally even Beatles-inspired (check that dense harmony and musical interplay/production on "Tinseltown" and the breathtaking arrangement of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Carol of the Bells"). Still, this is an immensely gratifying album even with its slight misses: creative, sometimes caustic, playful, and always full of changes that demand your attention. You won't be disappointed; its rewards for those who stay tuned are many (including a ghost track of a stirring a cappella arrangement at the end).

Track Listing:
1. Deck the Halls
2. Santa's Got a Brand New Bag
3. That's What I Want for Christmas
4. Jingle Bells
5. Tinseltown
6. Sleigh Ride
7. What Child Is This?
8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Carol of the Bells
9. The Secret of Christmas
10. Christmas Children
11. Twist of the Magi
12. Brand New Year (My Revolution)

 

CHRISTMAS WITH THE BRADY BUNCH

They may not be the best singers, but Christmas with the Brady Bunch does carry some nostalgia with it which earns it a lot of credit. Maybe growing up with the Brady's and listening to this album for many years brings back happy memories.

Track Listing:
1) The First Noel - Mike
2) Away in a Manger - Maureen
3) The Little Drummer Boy - all 6 kids
4) O Come All Ye Faithful - Eve
5) O Holy Night - Maureen & Barry
6) Silent Night - all 6 kids
7) Jingle Bells - all 6 kids
8) Frosty the Snowman - Susan
9) Silver Bells - all 6 kids
10) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - all 6 kids
11) Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Barry
12) We Wish You a Merry Christmas - all 6 kids