Sounds of the Season: The NBC Holiday Collection is the best sounding Christmas album I own. Sounds of the Season came out in 2003 and I had it sitting on my shelves for over a decade. One day, a couple years ago, I played it and was stunned by how good it sounded! Plus, the mix of songs appears to me to be…unusual. Lisa Marie Presley sings “Silent Night” which is followed by a bluesy rendition to “Merry Christmas, Baby” by Bonnie Raitt and Charles Brown.
NBC included some current (for 2003) Christmas hits: Michael Buble’s “Let It Snow,” Josh Groban’s “O Holy Night,” and Sarah Brightman’s “Ave Maria.”
My favorite song on this CD is Kylie Minogue’s pouty “Santa Baby,” a song about what a Material Girl would want for Christmas…with some provocative innuendo. If you’re looking for something different Christmas music to listen to, try Sounds of the Season. GRADE: B+
Tracklist
| 1 | Norah Jones– | Peace | 3:49 |
| 2 | Coldplay– | Have Yourself A Merry Little Xmas (Live) | 2:57 |
| 3 | Liz Phair– | Winter Wonderland | 2:31 |
| 4 | Stacie Orrico– | Christmas Wish | 3:58 |
| 5 | Kylie Minogue– | Santa Baby | 3:24 |
| 6 | Michael Bublé– | Let It Snow | 2:05 |
| 7 | Josh Groban– | O Holy Night | 4:49 |
| 8 | Sarah Brightman– | Ave Maria | 2:59 |
| 9 | Dave Koz and Kenny Loggins– | December Makes Me Feel This Way | 3:40 |
| 10 | Lisa Marie Presley– | Silent Night | 4:49 |
| 11 | Bonnie Raitt and Charles Brown– | Merry Christmas, Baby | 4:34 |
| 12 | Carly Simon– | God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen | 3:07 |
| 13 | Brian Setzer Orchestra– | Jingle Bells | 2:20 |
Nice. Good fidelity is important.
Rick, I’m with you on high fidelity. Many of the CDs I listen to–especially the older ones–sound like they were recorded in a tunnel.
I’ve said before, I really enjoy THE MOST FABULOUS CHRISTMAS ALBUM EVER (there’s also a “Classical” edition with carols & church music). It features standards (including Eartha Kitt doing “Santa Baby”) and I would have loved a poster of that cover on my wall when I was a teenager:
https://www.amazon.com/Most-Fabulous-Christmas-Album-Ever/dp/B00001OHAL/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=QXSN7KF428A5&keywords=the+most+fabulous+christmas+album+ever+cd&qid=1640263248&sprefix=the+most+fabulous+christmas%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-2
I also enjoy CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONES which features popular modern Christmas songs (including Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas,” one of my favorites). Another favorite is DIG THAT CRAZY CHRISTMAS by the Brian Setzer Orchestra with swinging rockabilly takes on Christmas songs. And, of course, it isn’t Christmas in our house until we’ve listened to Elvis’s Christmas Album at least once.
Deb, THE MOST FABULOUS CHRISTMAS ALBUM EVER will be in my Christmas rotation next year. I’ll have to check out CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONES, too!
Is there a Christmas album you don’t own?
Steve, Diane and I own over 100 Christmas CDs. Yes, we probably need to weed some out, but each year, usually after Thanksgiving, our house is full of Christmas music. And, we like variety. But, after Christmas Day, all the Christmas CDs go back on the shelf until next year.
100! Yikes. I own a few – the Phil Spector one Patti mentioned is the most likely to get played. Lisa Marie Presley? Really?
How about “Blue Christmas” by Porky Pig? That’s a favorite of mine.
Jeff, I might have “Blue Christmas” on a Disney DVD.
My favorite will always be the Phil Spector album. But this year I will play none because my system is no longer hooked up. So it will be all left to what Alexa can find for me.
Patti, Patrick gave us GOOGLE PLAY which is similar to Alexa. There should be plenty of Christmas music for you to listen to including that incredible Phil Spector album. Patrick and Katie both had delayed flights but they’re home (sleeping in now). Today is going to be a big baking day as the kids make cookies, cakes, and pies for a Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow.
Blue Christmas
Jeff, thanks for the link! Here’s the fascinating story of how The Carpenters “Merry Christmas, Darling” came to be: https://www.wsj.com/articles/carpenters-merry-christmas-darling-song-11640023413?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1
I didn’t get ALL my Christmas cds loaded into my Vault, and it doesn’t tell me how many, but it does tell me that there are 1130 songs in my Christmas playlist, and it would take 63 hours to play them all. On shuffle I get a nice mix, illustrated by my two purchases this year’ the Deutsche Grammophon 5-disc 100 CHRISTMAS MASTERWORKS and HELL OF A HOLIDAY by Pistol Annie’s (Miranda Lambert and friends), primarily new songs but with a great “Sleigh Ride.”
My favorite remains, as it has since we bought it in 1990, WE THREE KINGS by the Roches. We were lucky enough to see them do one of their last Christmas shows. Great versions of many carols and popular songs.
As for “Blue Christmas,” my favorite rendition is by Chaim Tannenbaum, on THE McGARRIGLE CHRISTMAS ALBUM, which is by Kate and Anna McGarrigle, family and friends. An overall somber, almost morose, selection of holiday music that is another favorite. Rufus Wainwright’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” is another standout.
I will someday compile the perfect “Wainwright McGarrigle Roche” playlist. I’ve been working on it in my head for years, getting the best selection of tracks from these interconnected families. I could throw something good together anytime, but I am aiming for perfection. One hangup: “The Swimming Song.” Loudon’s original, or Kate & Anna’s beautiful version? I go back and forth about this all the time. Sure, I could put both in, but that doesn’t seem…perfect. Maybe one day it will, or I’ll be able to pick one.
Jeff, Diane and I continue to “tweak” our Christmas music playlist each year–adding and subtracting. You do have exquisite taste in Christmas music!
I have a big box of Christmas CDs, but haven’t taken it out for a couple of years, instead just tapping “holiday” in Prime Music.
Rick, I do the equivalent of your “tapping” when I’m driving around and listening to Sirius/XM Radio.
An OK playlist. On the local station that has played holiday music 24/7 since the week before Thanksgiving, Mariah Carey, Wham!, and Kelly Clarkson are on heavy replay, interspersed with Bing, Burl, “Jingle Bell Rock” (variously the Bobby Helms original and the Hall & Oates cover), and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (Brenda Lee and Lee Ann Rimes versions). Some “Blue Christmas” play too, mostly Elvis’ version. “O Holy Night” (versions by Celine and Josh) seems to be the only traditional selection. Or maybe Mariah and Wham! are the new traditional.
Fred, we have a couple of radio stations that start playing Christmas music the day after Halloween and don’t stop play “Holiday” music until after New Year’s Day. I consider that over done.
Add to your stack the Xmas CD from Foxes and Fossils! Yeah, Lisa Marie Presley has me scratching my head! At least she quit the Hubbard cult!
Bob, I’ve never really seen the appeal Lisa Marie Presley generates in some people.