Brant's Christmas 2016 Playlist

2016 has kicked my butt so far, but I'mma get through these holidays if it kills me!  

Y'know, last year I didn't do a Christmas playlist.  I wasn't exactly in the holiday spirit for whatever reason.  This year, I think I'm actually looking forward to the holidays.  2016 has been a bear of a year, so I'm ready for the fun, goodwill, and fellowship that I'm hoping will come with the holidays.  And now that Thanksgiving has been given its due - I see no reason not to jump right in!  So here's a smooth mix of old faves, new releases, and a couple of lost gems.  Hope you enjoy.  To listen on Spotify, click HERE.

1.  Please Come Home for Christmas (Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings) - This year has been one devastating loss after another (Prince, David Bowie, etc), and the loss of Sharon Jones is no exception.  She did a great job with this holiday standard.  RIP.

2.  Someday at Christmas (Andra Day and Stevie Wonder) - I love seeing new artists pay tribute to the legends.  Here, Grammy nominated Andra Day teams up with Stevie Wonder for a re-recording of his 1967 holiday classic.

3.  It Must Have Been the Mistletoe (Barbara Mandrell) - Growing up in the 70s/80s, I was no stranger to variety shows, and the holidays were always chock full of them.  I remember Barbara and her sisters doing a variety show back in the day, and this tune seems like a great example of the kinda sappy, kinda catchy stuff you'd hear.  Isn't it time for Barbara to make a comeback???

4.  I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Cecile McLorin Salvant with the Jean-Francois Bonnel Paris Quintet) - A modern take on the holiday jazz standard.  Not on Spotify, but you can hear it on YouTube.

5.  Winter Wonderland (the Andrews Sisters) - I've always loved these ladies, ever since the days when I was little and my grandparents would listen to them.  Hearing them always brings back great memories for me.

6.  Christmas Island (the Brian Setzer Orchestra) - This was another Andrews Sisters tune, and Brian Setzer does a jolly good job covering it!

7.  2000 Miles (Train) - One of my fave Christmas songs, as sung by one of my fave bands!  It's currently an Amazon exclusive, but hopefully will be more widely available as we move into the holidays.  You can hear it on YouTube.

8.  Chilly Winds Don't Blow (Maxine Weldon) - A bluesy rendition of Nina Simone's winter classic.

9.  What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas? (the Emotions) - I had to triple check this, because I couldn't believe I hadn't used it on previous playlists!  This one is still in heavy rotation on the airwaves almost 50 years after its 1973 release.

10.  My Favorite Things (Leslie Odom Jr) - Meanwhile, in NEW releases - this is from the Hamilton singer's brand spankin' new Christmas album.

11.  Baby It's Cold Outside (Blossom Dearie with Bob Dorough) - I was researching holiday albums by old jazz/cabaret singers, and wondered if one of my personal favorites had ever done one.  Turns out, she did a few seasonal recordings - but everything's out of print!  You can hear this duet on YouTube, however.

12.  The Christmas Waltz (Frank Sinatra) - Ol' Blue Eyes imbues this Christmas standard with his characteristic croon.

13.  What the World Needs Now Is Love (Rumer) - I've put this on a few of my holiday playlists, mainly because it seems to embody the spirit of the Christmas season.  What a treat to hear Rumer sing it on her new album!

14.  White Christmas (the Drifters) - Another song that is still in heavy rotation decades after its release, for good reason!

15.  Christmas Blues (Dean Martin) - You can almost envision Dino drowning his sorrows in a chilled martini glass as he sings this!

16.  Glad Tidings (Merry Clayton) - Is this a Christmas song???  They mention Christmas.  The woman singing it is named Merry.  I say, why not?!  Great, soulful version of one of Van Morrison's signature tunes.

17.  Christmas Time Is Here (Nancy Wilson) - Icy and cool delivery from the jazz legend.

18.  Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (the Carpenters) - Karen Carpenter's voice is still as warm and inviting as fresh-baked gingerbread.  Gone but not forgotten.

19.  What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?  (Rufus Wainwright) - Closing out the holiday playlist with an eye towards the New Year.  Here's hoping 2017 is better than 2016.

So that's it.  Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.  I'm off to my first holiday party of the season.  I'll see ya in the New Year!