Party Play List

I am a huge fan of Christmas music.  Maybe not as much as my sister, who admits to listening to Christmas CDs before Thanksgiving.  But definitely more so than my other sister who works retail and is forced to listen to Christmas music all day every day from Halloween to Christmas.  And enough to have gathered a stash of holiday CDs that I love.

When my son isn't demanding the Grinch song or the Chipmunks (I want to hear the one where the guy yells "ALVIN!", Mommy!), I have a rotation of Christmas CDs I love to listen to this time of year (actually, they are now all on my ipod to simplify).  Some of them, like Alabama Christmas (those of you that know my taste in music are shocked I just admitted owning a country CD) are well loved because they bring back childhood Christmas memories.  Some of them though are just fun and festive - which would make them perfect for background music for any holiday events you have this week!

The good news is that in today's technology, you don't have to run out and track down a CD.  My links here are to the Amazon mp3 downloads (although iTunes is a great source too!).


1. When My Heart Finds Christmas, by Harry Connick, Jr.

This is an old one - I think it was released in 1993.  But holiday music never gets old, right?  Plus it is the best Harry Christmas CD I think out there (and yes, he has a few).  Good mix of the tunes you know by heart (Rudolph and O Holy Night - my favorite) and some original tunes.  Plus it has my favorite underplayed Christmas song ever - Parade of the Wooden Soldiers!  Definitely something for everyone in this one.

2. Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan

This is a nice CD if you want a more mellow background for a dinner party.  Another great mix of songs you love with original, and even some traditional ones that you just don't hear that often (like Happy Christmas, War is Over from John Lennon).  Also love her version of Christmas Time is Here (the Charlie Brown Christmas song!) with Diana Krall!

3. 97.3 KBCO Happy Holidays Music

Quite a few years back I received the best free gift in the mail EVER.  A local radio station put together a mix of holiday tunes and sent them to all their listeners.  Unfortunately for you, some of the songs are not available as mp3's as they were recorded in the KBCO studios (like the last track, which is a bummer because it is beautiful).  You can find the CD resold on Amazon.  But I've linked all the individual mp3's that I was able to find below if you'd like to add what you can to your own mix.  Trust me, every tune on here is fantastic, and the mix is perfect for a party!

And yes, this is more my music style than country music!

1 James Taylor - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
2 Coldplay - 2000 Miles
3 The Brian Setzer Orchestra - Angels We Have Heard On High 
4 Fiona Apple - Frosty the Snowman 
5 Keb' Mo' - We Call It Christmas (This is available as free download if you google it)
6 Trans Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24
7 Shawn Colvin - Christmas Time Is Here
8 Los Lobos - The Christmas Song
9 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Last Night (I Went Out With Santa Claus)
10 Los Lonely Boys - Feliz Navidad
11 Diana Krall - Jingle Bells 
12 deSol - Little Drummer Boys 
13 Sheryl Crow - Run Rudolph Run 
14 Barenaked Ladies - Carol Of The Bells
15 Suzy Bogguss and Delbert McClinton - Baby It's Cold Outside
16 The Fray - Oh Holy Night

I'm always on the hunt for new Christmas tunes to add to my rotation, so please share - what is your favorite Christmas CD?