Every year I try to keep the tradition of putting together a mix of songs for the Holiday season alive. From CDs burned on my Dad's macbook to digital playlists, the Mix has been a collection of the old, the new, the traditional, and the unusual. This year has been a mix of good and bad for me, and I think this Mix represents the feelings I've had about Christmas as both a celebration of the good and a way to overcome the bad. And so, here are this years entries and why I chose them.
"Christmas Time Is Here (Remastered)" - Meaghan Smith. The original song is fairly melancholy as fits The Charlie Brown Christmas Special's vibe, however this cover is more of a jazz inspired, big band styled song to start the Mix on a strong vibe with high energy.
"All the Gifts I Need" - JD McPherson. I've been picking off the SOCKS album for years since we first put the eponymous track on a previous Mix. All of the songs are fairly optimistic and nostalgic with that joyous passion for the Holidays we had as kids and can keep around to make the stress of the season more bearable.
"Christmas Can't Be Far Away" - Nick Lowe. Switching from high energy to a chill, relaxed, and key-heavy vibe without losing that feeling of warm sentiment was important, and this Nick Lowe track very much fits the bill with a warm consideration of that special kindness and mischief people get up to this time of year.
"I Saw Three Ships/The Wren" - MaddRegaeles Muse. One of the benefits of Spotify is how easily accessed underground and Independent music is. MaddRegaeles Muse certainly isn't well known, but the celtic folk they create is absolutely beautiful and perfect for touching on those memories of listening to Celtic Christmas CDs on Boxing Day.
"We Need a Little Christmas" - Ages and Ages. I wasn't sure which cover of the song to put on, but in the early stages of planning the Mix I was certain that a version was needed. The year has been exhausting, and (small confession) I began to prepare this Mix in late October to help cope with the recent passing in our family. Christmas has always been healing, and I wanted the feeling of needing to get Christmas on the go to be a part of this Mix.
"Skating" - Vince Guaraldi Trio. Going from a melancholy song requires something more bright but definitely not high energy to avoid whiplash, and the original Charlie Brown Christmas Special soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi is perfect for this."Skating" in particular is never overwhelming but always comforting and bright.
"Deck the Halls" - Jake Johnson. Even better than the sentimental Christmas memories are the funny Chrismtas moments. Having the chance to enjoy and play is part of why Christmas is so important to kids and adults alike, and hearing a pre-midlife crisis Spider-Man go through Deck the Halls and fail to do crowdwork is particularly good for a laugh.
"Winter, Fire, and Snow" - Charla Peterson. Dipping back into the melancholy and, as my partner described it, "bold", we have this gentle track from Charla Peterson. It's been on the shortlist for a couple of years now, so I'm glad it finally has a chance to shine.
"Christmas Song" - The Once. Let's be honest, a lot of religious Christmas music comes too close to being preachy or worse, feel like a sermon that detracts from any actual teachings of Jesus. The Once avoids this with this summary of His life with influence from "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles by focusing purely on what I believe the meaning of Christmas to be whether Christian or not: Peace, Love, and Goodwill to All.
"Hot Chocolate" - Tom Hanks. Alright let's kick up the energy again. Whether The Polar Express is good is definitely controversial, but even those who don't like it can't deny the absolute bop of "Hot Chocolate" and its infectious big-band energy.
"Christmas Day in the Morning" Jennifer Cutting's Ocean Orchestra & Sue Richards. It's time for another breather, both emotionall and tonally, and a light, quick instrumental does the trick here. It's gentle, familiar, yet entirely refreshing.
"The Christmas of My Dreams" - John Roberts, H.J. Benjamin. Like I said, comedy is very important for the season, and this song in particular from Bob's Burgers really summarizes how me and my partner act at this time. One of us is super excited about an idea they just got, and the other really wants to go back to sleep.
"Jingle Bell Jamboree" - Keb' Mo. Like the last song, this one is about a big get together, and family is just as important to me this time of year as joy. This year especially has been challenging for all of us, and I'm grateful that my family has been here for each other through it all, and I'm looking forward to getting together in the kitchen and living rooms around town.
"O Holy Night" - Nat King Cole. When I hear "Classic Christmas Music", I immediately hear Nat King Cole. And his cover of "O Holy Night" absolutely fufills my personal criteria for a cover of it, and that's whether the chorus entirely surrounds you with vocal power and passion, though that is true for any song by Nat King Cole if we're being honest.
"One is A Bird (feat. Shirley Jones)" - The Blasting Company, Shirley Jones. Ok, so this is not technically a Christmas song, but I'm justifying it with how important counting songs are for Christmas music and how good the Over the Garden Wall soundtrack is. Plus, it's my list and I have full editorial authority.
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" - Sufjan Stevens. In trying to move away from the melenacholy and seriousness, this Sufjan Stevens cover really works as something mythical but also gentle and filled with a sense of play. It's less reminiscent of any traditional rendition of the song, but of the earnest Charlie Brown Christmas Special rendition by children.
"Bourbon in My Eggnog" - Jones Street Station. Not quite a full comedic song, the bluegrass, lo-fi mastering of the track makes the classsic joking tone work and not feel too insincere for my tastes. It's cheeky, honest, and gleefully indulgent in the old-school Appalachian country sound.
"It's Hard to Be a Shantyman on Christmas" - The Longest Johns. This original sea shanty is great at conveying the main theme of sea shanties which is "It sucks to sail and I want to go home" which is a sentiment shared with the more classic Christmas theme of wanting to return home. Thankfully I've never needed to get home for Christmas, but the feeling of trying to find cheer as things get rough during the season is just as familiar to myself, especially after an exhausting year like this one.
"Blankets of Snow" - The Okee Dokee Brothers. Not quite Christmas music, but definitely more than just music about winter. What's the difference? To me, Christmas is just as much about being cozy, being with the ones you love, and enjoying yourself as it is about the impending winter and coming New Year. "Blankets of Snow" eagerly indulges in the comfort of cabins filled with wood smoke and homemade cocoa.
"Footsteps on the Roof" - Paul Loren. Paul Loren's 2018 Christmas record Holiday Cheers! was both an incredible find and an unfortunate sacrifice given my rule of only having one song from an artist per Mix (unless I like to play favourites). Classic and reminiscent of the later 20th century Christmas hits from James Brown and Darlene Love, "Footsteps on the Roof" is the first of what I imagine to be many inclusions from this record on the Mix.
"Carol of the Spells" - Ginny D. What's Christmas without a little self-indulgance. And since most of the audience of this Mix is friends and family who generally don't play Dungeons & Dragons, a cover of "Carol of the Bells" made entirely of spells from D&D is absolutely self-indulgent for myself and my fellow nerds.
"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" - Anna Gasteyer. It's been a joy to find more recent albums and EPs return to the jazz and big-band styles of Christmas music over more the generic pop sound (Sorry Mariah). One of these has been SNL alum Anna Gasteyer's holiday record Sugar and Booze.
"What Are You Doing New Years' Eve" - Ingrid Michaelson. Even more vintage than previous entries, Ingrid Michaelson is another artist that I've been picking through for the past couple of years. The post-War sound you would associate with black and white classics like It's A Wonderful Life is fully present with excellent mastering in this more relaxed New Year's carol to wind down the Mix.
"Auld Lang Syne" - Salsa Celtica. Para me Abuela. Hasta que nos encontremos de nuevo.
"Be Merry Swete Lorde" - Daniel Hart. Finishing off the Mix is a truly Medieval carol from the soundtrack to The Green Knight. Cheerful, light, and fitting for the final song of the mix. It works both as the last song of the Mix and the beginning of the first of many replays.
For those who missed the link:
Comments