Brant's December 2011 Playlist

Jiminy Crickets! Is it time for another holiday playlist again already? The dancing Santa Claus on my hearth makes me think that it IS! Well, in that case - here is this month's playlist. I tried to find a balance of personal favorites and unusual suspects. Hopefully the result is a playlist that feels both fresh and familiar. Ho Ho Hope you enjoy!

1. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Andy Williams) - This optimistic anthem seemed like a great way to start this year's mix. When Andy sings it, I almost believe it.

2. Do They Know It's Christmas? (Band Aid) - The original version that inspired countless other celebrity choruses to sing for charity. As usual, this first attempt is much better than the efforts that would follow.

3. Ole Santa (Dinah Washington) - Peaceful Christmas ditty. You can almost visualize the children drifting off to sleep with smiles on their faces as they wait for Santa.

4. The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Vera Lynn) - Something tells me Vera was NOT the life of the party. Definitely a Debbie Downer tune, but I love the 1940's feel.

5. Snowflakes (Jeremy Fisher) - Sweet, nostalgic holiday stylings from Jeremy Fisher.

6. Christmas Island (Ella Fitzgerald) - I think the Andrews Sisters version is my fave, but since that was on last year's list I've substituted Ella's swinging cover.

7. Fairytale of New York (the Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl) - Hot-headed Irish couple visits New York, discovers the meaning of Christmas, gets arrested for disorderly conduct and public intoxication.

8. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Dean Martin) - Dino's version of the holiday classic.

9. The Christmas Waltz (Kristin Chenoweth) - Broadway & Glee star graces us with a Christmas greeting.

10. One Happy Christmas (Tammy Wynette) - I think the best Christmas songs are the ones that fit the vocalist and their personal style. It seems a lot of singers will pick popular songs and try to sing them and it just doesn't sound right. This tune, from Tammy's 1970 album Christmas with Tammy, sounds like a song she would have sung anyway. It just happens to be a Christmas song.

11. Angel /Holiday version/ (Jack Johnson) - Holiday version of his 2007 acoustic ballad

12. White Christmas (Bing Crosby) - A classic.

13. Chilly Winds Don't Blow (Nina Simone) - Nina's not trying to have a White Christmas. Snow is cold, bitches.

14. Flowers in December (Mazzy Star) - Quiet, wistful winter ballad

15. Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (Mabel Scott) - Mabel's barn-storming boogie will melt the snow off anyone's chimney.

16. Merry, Merry Christmas (Koko Taylor) - We lost Ms. Koko in 2009, but her bluesy vocals keep the spirit alive.

17. Operator (Manhattan Transfer) - I checked out their Christmas albums, but somehow kept coming back to this gospel song off their 1975 debut album. Probably not intended as a holiday song, but I love it anyway.

18. O Holy Night (Mahalia Jackson) - Okay, this is a gospel holiday song. Amen.

19. I'll Be Home for Christmas (She & Him) - New Girl Zooey Deschanel teams up with M. Ward for an uber-cool Christmas album. Once again - the laid back instrumentation seems perfectly suited for her voice (see comments from #10). No bells and whistles, just awesomeness.

20. Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me (Elvis Presley) - A bodacious Elvis holiday song that ISN'T "Blue Christmas".

21. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (the Carpenters) - Karen Carpenter could pretty much sing anything and it would sound good. Well, maybe not Heavy Metal...but anything else.

22. Sleigh Ride (the Ronettes) - Ronnie & the gang frolic in the snow. Not sure if Cher is singing back up on this song, but she sang back up on several Ronettes tunes.

23. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Diana Krall) - Smooth and mellow rendition that reminds me of sipping hot chocolate and watching the snow fall.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and holiday season! See you in 2012!

Brant's 2010 Holiday Playlist

So after much deliberation, this is my 2010 Holiday playlist. I got suggestions from Facebook friends, added some of my own, and threw in a couple of new discoveries. There were some that friends suggested that I liked, but after a few listens I didn't feel that they matched the mood of the rest of the playlist. I also wanted to include "Don't Be a Jerk (It's Christmas)" by Sponge Bob - but once again it didn't really fit in with the rest of the songs. My main goal was to have a few classics thrown in with some others that are good but haven't been played to death by the radio stations. Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

1. All My Bells Are Ringing (Lenka) - my favorite Christmas song of recent years.
2. Christmas/Baby Please Come Home (Darlene Love) - the original, now classic version. It's also been covered notably by U2 and Death Cab for Cutie.
3. Christmas Island (the Andrews Sisters) - this is probably my favorite classic Christmas song. I just love the harmonies and the non-traditional view of the holiday: no sleds and reindeer here!
4. Beautiful Star of Bethlehem (the Judds) - this one is over 20 years old, but just stumbled across it while searching through holiday songbooks. It deserves more attention (if it hasn't gotten attention already - I know I never heard it!)
5. Ain't No Chimneys in the Projects (Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings) - Sounds like classic 60s soul, but this is a contemporary band. Check them out!
6. Christmas Kisses (Ray Anthony) - I imagine swanky Yuletide Cocktail parties with tinsel trees and fondue pots when I hear this.
7. Merry Christmas/I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight (the Ramones) - I was really surprised nobody suggested this one. Love it! 80s Punk Rock holiday spirit.
8. I'm Gonna Lasso Santa Claus (Brenda Lee) - hilarious, campy and just waiting for a drag queen to perform it.
9. A Snow Globe Christmas (Pink Martini) - another new song I'm digging these days
10. Everybody's Waiting for the Man with the Bag (Kay Starr) - big band Christmas boogie
11. A Child Is Born (Rihanna) - I'm probably in the minority here, but I find Rihanna most engaging when she is true to her Caribbean roots, as she is here
12. Peppermint Twist (Joey Dee & the Starliters) - This one reminds me of my Mom, who used to play it all the time. Not sure it's a Christmas song, but it does mention peppermint!
13. Holiday (Vampire Weekend) - Jason suggested this. I'm not convinced it's a Christmas song either, but in my mind I picture people who get away from the winter weather to vacation somewhere tropical
14. River (Joni Mitchell) - a sad and beautiful Christmas song that has been covered quite a lot lately. Per usual, the original is still the best.
15. Ring Those Christmas Bells (Peggy Lee) - Another favorite of mine
16. Snowbird (Anne Murray) - Spread your tiny wings and fly away!
17. Cold Cold Winter (the Pixies Three) - Everything a 60s girl group song should be: catchy, bittersweet and sung like there's no tomorrow. Another one that deserves more attention!
18. Christmas Time Is Here (Ivy) - I got requests for Charlie Brown Christmas, so this is my salute to Vince Guaraldi. It manages to sound retro and new at the same time
19. O Holy Night (Mahalia Jackson) - Even if you're not a Christian, this woman can make you believe
20. Pink and Glitter (Tori Amos) - Another suggestion, from my friend Tyler. I love the big band feel to it
21. Blue Christmas (Elvis Presley) - I got multiple suggestions for this, and it is a great song
22. Christmas for Cowboys (Jars of Clay) - Jill had the John Denver Christmas cd on her holiday playlist, so this is my salute to her
23. What the World Needs Now Is Love (Jackie DeShannon) - This was never a Christmas song but in my head it seems to spell out everything Christmas is about (philosophically)
24. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (Nancy Wilson) - I love her voice, and this is another favorite holiday song of mine