Please enjoy while doing things that are ever so Christmassy.
Unfortunately Spotify has been a bit Scrooge-like and not all the songs on there, so the complete playlist is only available on YouTube or through downloading the mp3s.
If you love one of the smaller artists, buy the song! (particular love for Keston Cobblers Club, The Gathering & The Priestess & The Fool)
If you don't, that is very much expected with my taste.
I hope you have a proper chance to disconnect and relax over the break, and have a hopeful New Year.
Lots of love
Xx
Soundsgood
http://bit.ly/35MN0EE
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLit-IA60pzo8d5V0zdyquYp6jnZtXFr3r
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ijkdlOcMLiiEl7Y1a45mu
Mp3s
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lk7jvccbt6838wf/AACUp3nG5qPD3mMS3a3bLdL0a?dl=0
Miki's Groovy Christmas Playlist 2019!
1. Keston Cobblers Club - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Where, oh where am I going to find another folk cover that will make me teary at its sweetness? I just don't wher- oh, here's one.
2. Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters - It's Beginning To Look a lot Like Christmas (with Mitchell Ayres & His Orchestra)
This song, and specifically its appearance in Home Alone 2, really does make it feel like it's Christmas.
3. Christmas in the Stars (Star Wars Christmas Album) feat. R2D2, C3PO and Meco - Christmas in the Stars
Because we now all gather at Christmas to celebrate the birth of baby George Lucas. Right?
4. James Brown - Merry Christmas, I Love You
Sweeeeeet.
5. The Baseballs - Driving Home for Christmas
I don't really like Chris Rea's song. There I've said it. Maybe because I'm not a huge fan of driving. Maybe because it's about being stuck in traffic. Either way this version made me change my mind.
6. The Torero Band - Good King Wenceslas
It's been a while since we've had some Tijuana Brass/Mariachi style stuff. This band was a group of studio musicians emulating the very successful Herb Alpert and Tijuana Brass Band, and in many ways exceeded him.
7. Los Lobos - La Rama
La Rama means 'the branch', and is a tradition in Mexico at Christmas time, where the family decorates a pine branch. This is the song that's performed, which different towns all have their own versions of. But the chorus is always the same: “Naranjas y limas, limas y limones/más linda es la virgen que todas las flores” (“Oranges and limes, limes and lemons/More beautiful is the Virgin than all the flowers”).
8. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Silver Bells
Amazingly funky. I also love that this one of the few Christmas songs set in the city. Sharon Jones' backup singers always sound like they have the best job ever.
9. Mindy Carson - Christmas Chopsticks
How could we make Christmas music less annoying? By including Chopsticks, of course!
If you go to the mp3s, there's a couple of versions, as the one I wanted to use (Jan Garber & His Orchestra) wasn't available on any streaming sites. So I uses the Mindy Carson's instead, which is actually pretty good, and not nearly as cheesy as ol' Jan's.
10. Dolly Parton - Hard Candy Christmas
I love this song so much! Yes it's depressing, but sometimes Christmas can be tough. Plus it's a belter, perfect for singing along to. Dolly didn't write it - that was Carol Hall for her musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas - but Dolly's voice on it is heavenly.
11. Mabel Scott - Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
A classic.
12. The Skunks - Smitty's Xmas Toy Piano
You thought I was done with anthropomorphic sped-up alternatives to The Chipmunks?? We're never done!!
13. Jacques Dutronc - La Fille du Père Noel
Something about the daughter of Father Christmas meeting the son of another Père Fouettard, or "Father Whipper", a French character who accompanies Saint Nicholas on St Nicholas Day, giving out coal or whippings to naughty children, while St Nicholas concentrates on presents for the good kids. All perfectly sound. Basically, the song is like an adolescent and sexier version of Rise of the Guardians.
14. The Gathering - O Holy Night (feat. Rhiannon Giddens & Jason Sypher)
NOT ON SPOTIFY. Please please listen on YouTube/SoundCloud/the mp3s!
I was so upset when I found this album wasn't on Spotify because it's so beautiful. Rhiannon Giddens has the kind of voice to make you believe in a higher power, and this duet between her and a double bass is breathtaking.
15. The Priestess & The Fool - Fairytale of New York
NOT ON SPOTIFY. Please please listen on YouTube/SoundCloud/the mp3s!
Again I was gutted when I couldn't find this on Spotify, so please check it out. Americans covering The Pogues? Yes I was sceptical too. Then I heard this wheelin', reelin' cover.
16. Sia - Santa's Coming For Us
It's a genuine, modern classic! Mostly new Christmas songs always try to copy Phil Spector/Mariah in desperation for some of those sweet annual royalties. However, apart from a sprinkling of tenor sax, Sia does her own thing, and it's brilliant. The only thing that still jars is that, as a phrase, "Santa's coming for us" does sound a little like a threat. Just me? Oh.
17. The Marcels - Merry Twist-Mas
Party!
18. Harry Connick Jr. - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Yup, more New Orleans swing. Can't help myself.
19. Rotary Connection - Christmas Child
NOT ON SPOTIFY. Please please listen on YouTube/the mp3s!
From a psychedelic soul band, it's trippy and about Jesus and love.
20. The Sauter-Finegan Orchestra - Midnight Sleigh Ride
Jazzy, glitzy swing.
21. BBC Philharmonic (cond. Vassily Sinaisky) - The Snow Maiden Suite - IV - Dance of the Tumblers (Rimsky Korsakov)
Quick, my sled!
22. Mel Torme - The Christmas Song
Nat King Cole's version is rightly the most famous. However, when I heard this version by the man who wrote it, Mel Torme, I was stunned by the tenderness and intimacy of his performance.
Merry Christmas and I hope you have a peaceful, hopeful Happy New Year.
