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Years ago I created a holiday playlist of music consisting of the ‘best’ version of every Christmas carol there is. I got out my CD collection and went to work. I would examine each carol and figure who has the best version of it, and put it on the list. Over the years this list has grown as long as a winter night in Canada as I keep finding ‘new’ songs and remembering old ones I hadn’t included.* It is one thing to remember to include ‘In the bleak midwinter’ (one of my favorites ) but it is another to decide which one of the many versions out there takes the place on the list. I thought I would amuse the Spo-fans with some of the choices presently on the list. I am curious to see if people agree or disagree, and if you disagree please make your recommendation.
Angels from the realms of glory. Annie Lennox. When I first heard Ms. Lennox’ version I brought tears to my eyes. The power! The harmony! It feels indeed heaven has come down with tidings of great joy.
Ave Maria. Kathleen Battle. Rumor has it Ms. Battle can be difficult to work with but she has a simple soft ave Maria that isn’t too slow or maudlin.
Blue Christmas. Elvis Presley. Who else dares sign this song but The King?
Button up your overcoat. Dick Haymes. He has some fun with this one, conveying the fun of the season without too much seriousness.
Carol of the bells. Pentatonix. This tune is often tedious, rushed, and clanging – like my men. But Pentatonix makes is a spectacular harmony.
Huron Carol. Heather Dale. I love the minor chords of this carol, and Ms. Dale signs it in three languages, Huron, French, and English.
Rejoice and be merry. Maddy Prior. I am forever grateful for Will H. (the dear!) who introduced me to this folksy singer. Her version is charming and approachable; something you would want to dance to.
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree. The partridge family. Every playlist needs some kitsch and The Partridge family fills the bill. They slower, softer songs are cloying but Rockin’ suits their style fine.
Suzy Snowflake. Rosemary Clooney. A Christmas playlist ought to have some songs for the small fry, something to remind us of our first Christmases. Only later in life did I connect the dots it was the great Rosemary Clooney who was singing my favorite version. Note: my later-in-life hearing of Suzy Snowflake she sounds a bit of a floozy.
A Virgin most pure. The Boston Camerta. I sense my New England roots hearing this oh-so-protestant church song. Their version is simple as would have been in small towns in Connecticut in the 1800s.
White Christmas. Bing Crosby. His is the best. Do not dare to question this.
If the was a jolly read, I can list some more.
*Some songs are excluded as they are nasty: ‘Grandma got run over by a reindeer’ and ‘The Christmas song’ to name two. Oh the horror.
Spo-Reflections 