Photoist
A Note from Editor Jim: Please welcome our newest author, Sarah Gormley! She's smart, sassy, and just generally a force to be reckoned with - and I'm not just saying that because she's my wife. Look out for posts from her in the future about volunteer opportunities around the city, as well as about various arts and entertainment topics, one of which she tackles below.
Used to be you could make it until the week after Thanksgiving before hearing the plaintive strains of "I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas" (as there is no emoticon we know of to signify "crooning," you’ll just have to use your Bing reserves to conjure the effect up). This year, a local station actually started the caroling before turkey day. Sacrilege. Now, as zero hour approaches, one can’t enter a store, doctor’s office, or most places of work without being subjected to a constant barrage of Mariah Carey’s "All I Want for Christmas." That ain’t right. So as a public service, Phillyist offers you some CD alternatives to the typical holiday cheer. Some contain the classics, but somehow they’re still all less grating than Ms. Carey.
The list after the jump...
Sufjan Stevens, Songs for Christmas
This Phillyist is not a particular fan of Mr. Stevens, but he’s all the rage with the kids these days. This is actually a five-disc set with a whopping 42 songs, representing five years’ worth of the xmas records he records and gifts to friends. So get a copy and be Sufjan’s friend.
Aimee Mann, One More Drifter in the Snow
Phillyist was lucky enough to catch Aimee Mann’s show at the Keswick in September, and doubly lucky that she dropped a few tracks from this, her first holiday album. Mostly classic tracks with a few new songs put together by her and hubby Michael Penn, the shiny star is her rendition of "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."
Anonymous, Ancient Voices: Vox Sacra
Not technically a Christmas album, this nonetheless is an especially soothing disc in the winter, especially good at counteracting any untoward "Santa Babies" you may encounter during your day. Also good for listening to on the ole ipod when the family feuding starts at the holiday table. Reminds Phillyist of midnight mass. For an even more authentic midnight-mass experience, try Christmas Chant by the venerable Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos.
Various Artists, New Orleans Christmas
Putumayo is always good for a compilation CD, and this one is no exception. Although less "jazzy" than one might expect, the quality of music is definitely what you’d expect from the Big Easy. And the best part? A portion of the proceeds will be donated to New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity to support their Musicians Village Project. What a gift!
Various Artists, Christmas Around the World
Another Putumayo offering, because they’re just so good at pulling together the goods. Even though the songs are familiar, this one really offers an alternative to B101, and once again a portion of the proceeds go to a good cause: the Putumayo Cross-Cultural Initiative, "a non-profit 501(c)(3) project of the Tides Center that uses world music, experiential learning, and the arts to inspire children and families to explore and connect with diverse cultures."
Mariah Carey, Merry Christmas
Just kidding.
Various Artists, A Very Special Christmas
Last, but certainly not least, the first in a long line of Special Christmases really does it for us, and is also a give back: proceeds benefit the Special Olympics. Besides the beautiful Sting ("Gabriel’s Message") and U2 ("Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)") offerings, it contains one of the greatest holiday songs of all time: Run-DMC’s "Christmas in Hollis." Now there’s a carol we can really get behind.
Merry Merry everyone!
Image Credit: Flickr user damonabnormal
add to digg
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
Well done, but you forgot/left off some very important Christmas music: the Muppets Christmas album, and the Chipmunks Christmas albums. :-)
What about the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas?
I have to apologize for my stunning disregard of the cartoon and muppet people when writing this post. There must be something ugly deep within myself. I am going to meet with muppet and cartoon leaders to explore this deficit, and to begin the healing process.
But if it makes you feel any better, I now have Alvin and company harmonizing "Please Christmas Don't Be Late" running through my head.
OK, Sarah - we'll forgive you this year. It does please me that you've got Alvin and company harmonizing "Please Christmas Don't Be Late" running through my head.
Also, I'm particularly inclined to check out Sufjan Stevens' "Songs for Christmas" and "Ancient Voices: Vox Sacra", so thanks for the suggestions.