It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Part 2

So here is part two of my Christmas music sharing, and these are all modern pieces. Again, I will link you to the song rather than putting the music video in this post. If it's too big of a hassle, just let me know, and I will consider putting the videos in. Hope these bring good memories and the warm fuzzies of Christmas :)

• I Celebrate the Day- Relient K

If you are a Christian, like me, I would not be surprised if you cried or felt like crying from this song. It has a nice melody, and the lyrics hit home for the religious among us. Wish I could play the acoustic guitar part as well as Matt Thiessen does, but I'll get there eventually. (I Celebrate the Day) I also really like the song In Like A Lion (Always Winter) from that same CD. It's inspired by C.S. Lewis' book The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe.

• You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch- Thurl Ravenscroft

This song is one of the coolest Christmas songs from the older movies. While I'm kind of sick and tired of the actual Grinch movies, I love the music from the original- this song in particular. GO BASSES! If a tenor sung this song, it wouldn't be the same. The lyrics are so interesting, and I like the clarinet parts underneath Thurl Ravenscroft's voice. Even his name fits the tone of the song!

• The 12 Days of Christmas- Straight No Chaser

I think everyone's heard this song/medley by now, but to me it doesn't diminish the fact that I still like it. The a'capella is done very well, and it's funny. If you haven't heard it, you should give it a listen here. Definitely worth your time. 

• The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole

There are a ton of different versions of this song out, but I still come back to this one every time. Nat's voice and phrasing is just so smooth. The version with his daughter. Natalie Cole is also good is as well, but I kind of prefer the original.

• White Christmas- Bing Crosby

Even though I've lived in California my whole life and have never had a real white Christmas, I still like this song. I think it's more about the mentality the song puts you in, rather than it being correct for the area you live in. And of course, you can't go wrong with Bing Crosby singing it either. The Drifters version is also very nice as well.

• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-Michael Buble

I like Michael Buble's voice, especially since it reminds me of Frank Sinatra's voice before the smoking and drinking got to it. This is a slower rendition, which is nice. Michael's voice is nice, and has a more baritone sound (i'm not sure whether he's a tenor or a baritone... if he is a baritone, he's got a great range- or at least a better one than mine). I also enjoy listening to Relient K's version, which is more fast paced and "rock-ish".

• Cool Yule- Louis Armstrong

I had to add a jazzy Christmas song, and who better to add than good 'ol Satchmo himself? I liked this one better than his version (or any version for that matter) of "'Zat You, Santa Claus?". Good for a Christmas party, especially if you like to dance.

• Milk & Cookies- Clint Black

Yes, this is country, and yes I like it *surprise, surprise*. This has been a part of every Christmas since I was a small child. This one is on Clint Black's CD titled "Looking For Christmas". I also like the song The Coolest Pair from the same album.

• Wizards in Winter-Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Definitely the most epic Christmas music out there. Wizards in Winter is my favorite on their album, but I also like Wish Liszt (Toy Shop Madness) as well. The Wizards video is of someone's Christmast lights that they have synced to the song, which is pretty cool- I would have no idea how to do that myself.

• Run, Run Rudolph- Chuck Berry

This is another rock-ish Christmas song, and I definitely dig the 50's rock style. Chuck Berry is awesome! I wouldn't mind a rock 'n roll 'lectric guitar for Christmas either :) 

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, Part 1

So I have decided to start a new series that involves music, since most of my content revolves around video games, fantasy, and reading. Music is a big part of my like, it's what I majored in in college, and I want to share it with you. Basically what I'll be doing is sharing songs I enjoy listening to, talking a little bit about it, and then linking you to a video of the song itself (putting it into the actual post will clog up my blog). Since Christmas is right around the corner, I thought that I would start off with some of my favorite Christmas songs/carols. These are ones that are more traditional- I'll post another one in a day or two with more modern Christmas songs. Hope you like these!

• Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht/Oiche Chiuin

This is absolutely my favorite Christmas carol of all time! While the English version (a.k.a. Silent Night) is nice, I prefer the original German version a lot more. The Gaelic version is also very nice. Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht is the German and Oiche Chiuin is the Gaelic, in case you were wondering, and the links are performed by the St. Thomas Boys Choir & Enya, respectively.

• Carol of the Bells

Whether it's the instrumental or vocal version, I love this song. Both the Celtic Woman & the Philippine Madrigal Singers versions are good.

• Coventry Carol

This song is a traditional English song, I believe, and it is so haunting to listen to. It's even better when sung in a cathedral where the sound just echoes. I like the Hayley Westenra version, but especially the Westminster Cathedral Choir recording.

• In the Bleak Midwinter

Another Engish traditional song, but this time performed by the Gloucester Cathedral Choir. Very pretty song.

• The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71A

There should be no explanation as to why I enjoy this one. Composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

• O Holy Night

Was originally a French Christmas carol called "Minuit Chrétiens", but was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight. Just a typical Christmas carol, but I like the fact that the chorus is so powerful, lyrically and dynamically. I couldn't find a version on YouTube that really caught my interest, but the Josh Groban version isn't too bad.

• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Another traditional English carol first published in 1833. I really like the Annie Lennox- it's pretty cool.

• Still, Still, Still

This song originated in Austria, so it is highly appropriate that I'm linking you to the Vienna Boys Choir recording.

• O Tannenbaum

Another German song, my fellow Americans would recognize this song as "O Christmas Tree". This, as with Silent Night, I feel like the original German is better than the English translation. Nana Mouskouri sings it in this recording.

• Don Oiche Ud I mBeithil

The last one for this post is a Gaelic Christmas song that I think is truly beautiful. In this version, The Chieftains play the instrumental parts with Kevin Conneff singing the lyrics.