Best Traditional Christmas Albums?

[Neuqua]

Ok so I am aware we have not even had Halloween yet but I am anxious to load up my Ipod with some good ol fashioned Christmas music. I am not necessarily talking anything hardcore rock-ish (though if there are recommendations out there then by all means suggest it) but I just like the traditional Sinatra-types singing all the old Christmas favorites.

Any suggestions out there?

[mrsimperless]

John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas is what I grew up listening to and now it doesn't quite feel like Christmas without it.

[Kalypso]

Isn't there some rule about being at minimum mid-November before we break out Christmas music? :)

If you like the Sinatra types I recommend Harry Connick Jr, who has several holiday albums that are great (but then he is my favorite artist and I love pretty much everything he's done) . Close second would be Michael Buble who also has a great traditional crooner voice.

I'd say these are some of my top favs that are on every Holiday mix I make every year:

White Christmas-- Bing Crosby
Sleigh Ride-- Harry Connick Jr.
Silent Night-- Celine Dion
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) –Michael Buble
Santa Baby-- Eartha Kitt
Last Christmas- Wham
Classical Carol of the Bells

Enjoy!
~Kalypso

[WSUCougar]

Nat King Cole
Percy Faith (orchestral)
Carols for Brass
Amy Grant (I like her Christmas stuff)

[Buccaneer]

John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas is what I grew up listening to and now it doesn't quite feel like Christmas without it.

+1

Christmas for Cowboys is still my favorite non-traditional Christmas song.

[Warhammer]

What about Christmas at Ground Zero by Wierd Al?

The best Christmas music is all of Bing's stuff though.

[Raiders Army]

Trans Siberian Orchestra. Although they're rockish, they have some excellent tunes on their cds.

[BYU 14]

For pure instrumental Mannheim Steamroller's holiday albums are incredible.

[cubboyroy1826]

One of my alltime favorites is a bit off the beaten path. Herb Alpert and the Tiajuana Brass Christmas Album. I am also a fan of the best of Johnny Mathis.

[Wolfpack]

There's also the "Charlie Brown Christmas" soundtrack by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The music is absolutely synonymous with Christmas to me.

[AZSpeechCoach]

It's been awhile since a great Novelty Christmas album came out. I love the songs that make the Mrs. cringe as we drive down the highway.

[thealmighty]

Alvin and the Chipmunks.

"Christmas, Christmas time is near....."

[ntndeacon]

I second Johnny Mathis for his Christmas work. That and the Four Seasons Christmas album really got me geared up for the holidays. :)

[rowech]

I think for Christmas music, you have to pick and choose. I have yet to find one Christmas CD that I think is the perfect one. I know Josh Groban has come out with a CD this year and while I've only head snipets, it sounds great.

[Raiders Army]

Mariah Carey's Christmas CD was pretty good too.

[Drake]

The Elvis Christmas album is a must-have for "Blue Christmas" alone.

[kurtism]

See, I generally have a very low tolerance for Christmas music - just too pervaisive, I suppose. My coping method is to buy a bunch of Christmas CDs from bands or artists I like, so at least the musicians are someone I can enjoy.

Recent additions include both of Brian Setzer's Chrismas CDs (with the BS Orchestra - there's a great duet with Ann Margaret on Baby, It's Cold Outside, and a very cool swing jazz Nutcracker Suite); Martin Sexton; Barenaked Ladies' Barenaked For The Holidays (w00t! for Hannukah tunes); Squirrel Nut Zippers' Christmas album from several years back; I'll second the Harry Connick, Jr. recommendation...

I'm sure I'll think of others later in the year. Over the Rhine apparently has a Christmas album coming, probably give that a try as well.

[Celeval]

+1 for Trans-Siberian Orchestra (although that's rock), Amy Grant, Vince Guaraldi Trio. I've also always been partial to the Boyz II Men Silent Night.

[George]

I second Johnny Mathis for his Christmas work.

Add another vote for Johnny Mathis. I'm also partial to old-timers such as Andy Williams and Perry Como.

[timmyw3]

This Christmas by Donny Hathaway. Best Xmas song ever.

[Buccaneer]

I love the Christmas season for a few reasons but one of the best ones is that I get to listen to Trans-Siberian Orchestra over and over and over. One of my biggest regrets was not seeing Jennifer Cella in concert. Christmas Canon Rock is way up there as one of the greatest Christmas songs along Promises To Keep and their awesome rendition of O Come All Ye Faithful/O Holy Night.

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[Buccaneer]

And here's Jennifer in Promises To Keep

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