Four Christmas Albums That Don’t Suck (and one that might)

A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi

This is the one I put on every year as I attempt to get into the Christmas spirit.  This thing is just about perfect.  The songs flow like water, always going in the right direction.  “Skating” is a particular favorite - you can just imagine the snow falling as you listen to this.  I know my love for this album is linked to the television special but who doesn’t like listening to this one.

tis the Season - Jackie Gleason

This is the soundtrack to Christmas Eve when everything’s done for the day and you can just enjoy the moment.  I’m a huge fan of the Jackie Gleason Orchestra and the sound they developed.  I know there’s some controversy about how much Gleason was involved, but the music is great regardless of who conducted it.  Relaxing without being boring, this is a combination of Christmas standards and lesser known songs and is a winner all the way through.  Unfortunately, according to Amazon this is out of print.

A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector - Phil Spector

This is the classic.   I heard most of these on the radio before I even knew about this album.  Comprised mostly of standards, the performances and incredible, sounding classic but not dated.  Another one that looks like it’s out of print which I don’t even get.

A Winter Romance - Dean Martin

Not really a true Christmas album, the album is a collection of winter-themed songs with some Christmas standards sprinkled throughout.  In addition to “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland”, it’s got a great rendition of “June in January”.  It’s one of the things I listen to when I get burned out on regular Christmas music, and really, can you go wrong with Dean Martin?  Extra credit for the cover as Dean is hugging on a girl and giving another the eye.  However, points off for including one of my most hated songs “Baby It’s Cold Outside”.  It’s a bad song and too many renditions of it exist.

Christmas Eve and Other Stories - Trans Siberian Orchestra

Here’s the thing:  I love big dumb arena rock and have a bunch of Savatage albums, so it only makes sense that I love this.  You can list all the arguments against this about it being overblown and all but I just don’t care.  I love listening to it and in a small way it puts me in the Christmas spirit.  I think this was their first album and I think it’s their best and most consistent.  The instrumental tracks really stand out, with new arrangements of Christmas standards and mutiple melodies weaving through the same same.  I’m not saying everyone should go out and get it, but let’s say that if you think you’ll like it you probably will.