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October 28, 2003
Favorite Largehearted Holiday Albums
Yesterday's post about my love for holiday music made me think about my favorite Christmas albums. In no particular order, here are my favorite eleven:
Punk Rock Xmas, Various Artists: Witty, fun, irreverent, and sometimes offensive (just like the holidays).
Christmas, Low: This EP is luscious, from its original tunes to its covers of the classics.
Merry MeXmas, El Vez: Celebrate south of the border with Mexico's most famous Elvis impersonator.
Making Spirits Bright, Dean Martin: A fun album from an underrated crooner. Plus, I tend to associate the holidays of my youth with lots of parties, highballs and something swingin' on the hi-fi (my parents entertained often).
Merry Christmas From The Space Age, Esquivel: An uneven but unique holiday record from the king of lounge.
Mahalia Sings Songs of Christmas!, Mahalia Jackson: When Mahalia Jackson sings, I listen. "Go Tell It On The Mountain" was my father's favorite holiday song, and Mahalia sings it better than anyone.
Swingin' Christmas, Various Artists: Uptempo holiday tunes that will have you dancing around your tree (and under the mistletoe).
Tis The Season To, Los Straightjackets: Surf-rock instrumentals from the mysterious band of masked men.
Ultra-Lounge Christmas Cocktails, Part I and Part II: For those December evenings when I put on my smoking jacket and ascot, pour an exotic mixed drink and relax in my cool, hip pad.
The Ventures' Christmas Album, The Ventures: The definitive surf guitar holiday record (and almost as old as I am).
There are many more I probably should mention, but it's early and I should be heading out the door. Joyeux Noel, y'all!
