I have said here before I have a Christmas playlist on my iPod numbering 625 songs. I call it my Christmas list but it also includes songs about Hannukah, Santa Claus, Snow, Grandma’s tragic reindeer story. That kind of thing.
Holiday songs they are, if I must use a phrase that sets off a silly argument.
I was going to give you another random playlist of those songs on the eve of Christmas Day. But I had a better non-original idea. If you were going to be stuck on a deserted island with only Christmas/Holiday music for three months, which five albums would you take?
Here are my 5, most of which I don’t have on vinyl (so this won’t go so far toward my countdown.) I do have them on my iPod and CDs.
No. 1: ‘Blue Yule.’ (1991)
On the island you are going to need the blues to get you to that place of despair where you really don’t care anymore. Lightning Hopkins, John Lee Hooker and Sonny Boy Williamson will get you there. To ease out of that pit of despair and avoid serious withdrawal, you might need to transition with Elvis’ ‘Blue Christmas’ for a foot back into the real world and the fun and schlock of Jingle Bell Rock.
No. 2 Sufjan Stevens ‘Songs for Christmas (2006)
Five ep cd’s in one package, from this indie rock genius. On your island this will put the spirit of God back in you. Banjos on hymns sounds like a bad idea but Stevens is the only guy who can make a banjo sound forlorn. And he can raise his Ebenezer with the best. Watch out for his second package of Christmas songs, it gets even weirder — a little too much so. Get this one first.
No. 3 The Roches “We Three Kings.” (1990)
These three sisters from New Jersey kill it with harmonies. And I love when their Jersey accents kick in or, perhaps, sneak out. Most underrated Christmas album ever. Sustenance on the island.
No. 4 Phil Spector ‘A Christmas Gift for You’ or reissue “Phil Spector’s Christmas Album’ (1963, Original date)
Phil Spector’s records featuring girl groups and happy/sad songs as deep as the wax on an old hot rod, shallow but deeper than you’d think. This is on most critics best Christmas album lists. Spector’s ‘wall of sound’ was much emulated and he became one of the most sought after producers in the world. Now, he resides behind a wall of prison.
No. 5 George Winston – December (1982)
Hey you have to sleep on this island, ,right? May as well be to the sound of an absolute professional tickling the ivories of a Steinway. Beautiful music that makes you feel snuggly cold and warm at the same time.
NOTES: I have a Jimi Hendrix CD where he does Little Drummer Boy, among other songs and, of course, he could not restrain himself from using four dimensions of feedback. I also have a red hot CD of a punky group called the Fleshtones playing Christmas music. Other discs that deserve honorable mention include Festival of Lights (various), Best of Cool Yule (various) j Before and After Christmas (Love Tractor), Go Tell it on the Mountain (The Blind Boys of Alabama), The Best of Cool Yule (various), Christmas in Swing Time (Harry Allen, Christmas, Christmas (Bruce Cockburn) and Caravan (Squirrel Nut Zippers).
Unleashing the Beast: Christmas music