Listmania!
25 for the 25th! (or, my essential Christmas CD library)
By an Amazon.com customer
The Andy Williams Christmas AlbumThe Andy Williams Christmas Album by Andy Williams
Buy used from: $7.99
Andy's first Christmas album, released in 1963, is still his best. Best version of "O Holy Night," my favorite traditional carol, ever. And yes, "Most Wonderful Time" is here, too!
The Christmas SongThe Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
Buy used from: $24.95
Cole and Christmas, another inseperable team. His version of the title song will always be the definitive one for me.
A Jolly Christmas from Frank SinatraA Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra by Frank Sinatra
Buy used from: $3.75
Sinatra at his peak, with one of the best Christmas albums ever recorded by anyone, anywhere.
Frank Sinatra Christmas CollectionFrank Sinatra Christmas Collection by Frank Sinatra
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $7.96
A good follow-up to the previous volume, primarily chronicling Sinatra's Christmas recordings during the Reprise years. Rare recordings with Bing Crosby and Frank's children are an added bonus.
Snowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas AlbumSnowfall: The Tony Bennett Christmas Album by Tony Bennett
Buy used from: $0.01
The Comeback Kid and Christmas seem made for each other here. "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town" and "My Favorite Things" really rock!
The Voice of Christmas: The Complete Decca Christmas SongbookThe Voice of Christmas: The Complete Decca Christmas Songbook by Bing Crosby
Buy new: $15.97 / Used from: $11.45
And Bing is, for anyone who grew up in that era. Here are the complete Decca Christmas sides, including some interesting rarities.
Perry Como ChristmasPerry Como Christmas by Perry Como
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $4.94
A good mix, 40's to 80's, with one of the best "Ave Marias" I've ever heard. Christmas without Como? Unthinkable!
Christmas with Mario LanzaChristmas with Mario Lanza
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $5.95
A great voice stilled much too soon. Mario's mono carols from 1951 have a slight edge on the stereo remakes from eight years later, and the former's what you have here. Lanza at his best!
Pops Christmas PartyPops Christmas Party
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $3.89
The best Fiedler Christmas collection out there, with highlights from "Nutcracker" added for good measure. Sounds great in Living Stereo!
Handel - Messiah - Mormon TabernacleHandel - Messiah - Mormon Tabernacle by George Frideric Handel
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $9.00
For me, this is one of the best recordings of Handel's beloved Christmas oratorio. This magnificent performance, under Eugene Ormandy, was both a best-seller and 1959 Grammy winner.
Menotti: Amahl and the Night VisitorsMenotti: Amahl and the Night Visitors
Buy new: $7.98 / Used from: $3.79
Menotti's beloved Christmas opera, heard all too rarely these days, with the original 1951 TV cast.
The Ultimate Christmas AlbumThe Ultimate Christmas Album by Various Artists
Buy new: $11.99 / Used from: $2.49
This is the first in a series of six (so far) CDs issued by Collectables. All are excellent mixes of old and new, perfect for Christmas parties or just plain casual listening.
A Winter RomanceA Winter Romance by Dean Martin
Buy used from: $6.98
Not entirely a Christmas album, but Dino in peak form, nonetheless. Check out the title song and "Let It Snow!"
Have a Holly Jolly ChristmasHave a Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives
Buy new: $6.98 / Used from: $2.47
Bouyancy, bounce, and Burl make this a must have. If this delightful album doesn't get you in a Christmas mood, you must be the Abominable Snow Monster of the North!
If Every Day Was Like ChristmasIf Every Day Was Like Christmas by Elvis Presley
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $4.98
This CD contains the complete contents of Elvis's 1957 and 1971 Christmas albums with bonus tracks. Any fan of the King and Christmas couldn't ask for more.
Christmas FestivalChristmas Festival by Various
Buy used from: $26.95
Fine performances by organist E. Power Biggs, the Gregg Smith Singers, and Andre Kostelanetz make this one to own. Reasonably priced, understated, and very, very good.
A Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw ChoraleA Festival Of Carols / Robert Shaw Chorale by Robert Shaw Chorale
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $5.95
For lovers of "yuletide carols being sung by a choir," you can stop right here. Shaw and his singers were rarely better.
Christmas With the New Christy Minstrels: CompleteChristmas With the New Christy Minstrels: Complete by The New Christy Minstrels
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $10.50
Like Ives, this one is pure fun. The Christies sound like they're having a good time throughout. You will, too, when you listen to this CD. "Beautiful City" and "Sleigh Ride" get me pumped every time!
Christmas Sing-Along with MitchChristmas Sing-Along with Mitch by Mitch Miller and the Gang
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $4.25
Few people don't enjoy Christmas caroling, and having the great Mitch Miller as leader makes for some good, old-fashioned fun. Everybody sing along with these great traditional carols!
Christmas Adagios: Holiday ClassicsChristmas Adagios: Holiday Classics by Christmas Adagios-Holiday Classics to Touch Your H
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $4.46
Beautiful classical and semi-classical Christmas music from the RCA library. Perfect for sitting (or snuggling) by the fireside with a hot cider, someone you love, and a slow, steady snow outside.
The Joy of ChristmasThe Joy of Christmas by John Francis Wade
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $4.31
This collection may be a bit over-orchestrated in spots, but Bernstein, the NY Philharmonic, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir give it their all, with generally enjoyable results.
22 Merry Christmas Favorites22 Merry Christmas Favorites by Lawrence Welk Orchestra & Chorus
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.00
A one and a two and ... a suprisingly good Christmas album for old and young alike. It's like one of Welk's TV Christmas shows without the pictures. Check out "Carol of the Bells."
A Holiday CelebrationA Holiday Celebration by Peter Paul & Mary
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $9.00
A good Christmas concert with the iconoclastic folkies, originally aired as a PBS special. Highlights: "A Soalin'" and "Cherry Tree Carol."
Luciano Pavarotti: O Holy NightLuciano Pavarotti: O Holy Night
Buy used from: $44.61
Pavarotti at the height of his powers in this Christmas collection that remains a perennial best-seller. To hear his "Panis Angelicus" and "Adeste Fidelis" is to hear greatness.
Merry Christmas FromMerry Christmas From by The Chipmunks
Buy used from: $3.77
No-brainer, stocking stuffer fun to close out our 25. Yes, "Chipmunk Song" is here, but "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Hang Up Your Stockin'" actually swing a little bit. Cute, campy fun. Merry Christmas!