Merry Christmas 2013.
Here are twelve (12) of my favorite Christmas recordings, from Band Aid to Poncho Sanchez. (My list ends with the letter, “S?!?” No Tchaikovsky and nut cracking? And none of the letters post-S. That means no Van Halen, Vivaldi, Webern, Xenakis, Neil Young, Frank Zappa or Jan Dismas Zelenka.)
As with most music, what attracts me to many of the recordings below is creative, surprising and atypical uses of chords, melody, rhythm, tone color, lyrics and/or structure. And in the case of Bob Dylan’s “It Must Be Santa” recording and video, great humor.
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Dave Brubeck was a special gift to the planet. Anything he created fascinated, led and taught me.
Dave Brubeck – The Christmas Song
This was quite a surprise and very un-Monkee-like.
The Monkees – Riu Chiu
This is the same song the Monkees recorded above. It is a beautiful work that does not need frills or excessive ornamentation.
Kalenda Maya – Riu Chiu
Band Aid was one of those gathering of large rock & roll egos but one in which a new song would be recorded. The song was meant as a reminder that there were millions of people living in poverty throughout the world who needed our empathy and support especially at Christmas time, and to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas
This was one of John Lennon’s instant classics – a new Christmas song that did not preach or pronounce typical Christmas sentiments but instead reminded us that we could live better and more peaceably.
John Lennon – Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
As with some Christmas songs and Christmas carols, the origin of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is not specifically known. But the melody and chords set in a minor key lend themselves to many brilliant interpretations.
Cuba L. A. – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
This is the most unusual recording I have selected. It is surprising and insane to hear the names of many American presidents inserted into “It Must Be Santa.” From 1.56 – 2.03: “…Roosevelt, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon…Ronald Reagan…”
Bob Dylan – It Must Be Santa
Dave Brubeck with his band performing “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”
Dave Brubeck – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
There are at least two (2) albums by Cuba L. A. “Deck The Halls” is from their Christmas album, Navidad Cubana, in my opinion, one of the best Christmas albums.
Cuba L. A. – Deck The Halls
A very nice but overlooked and not well known Christmas song written and recorded by Donny Hathaway.
Donny Hathaway – This Christmas
Poncho Sanchez is an often-overlooked Mexican-American percussionist, band leader and singer who has worked with musicians as diverse as Claire Fischer, Hugh Masekala, Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaria and others.
Poncho Sanchez – What Child Is This
A Christmas mashup not intended as a mashup but of the mashup style that is sometimes heard in the music of Bob Marley.
Bob Marley – Christmas Reggae
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Here, without additional text, is the set list in the specific order I favor today, December 25, 2013. This could change in change in 10 minutes but for now for me this order is right and most satisfying!
Dave Brubeck – The Christmas Song
The Monkees – Riu Chiu
Kalenda Maya – Riu Chiu
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas
John Lennon – Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
Cuba L. A. – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Bob Dylan – It Must Be Santa
Dave Brubeck – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Cuba L. A. – Deck The Halls
Donny Hathaway – This Christmas
Poncho Sanchez – What Child Is This
Bob Marley – Christmas Reggae
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Here is the set list if you want to listen to these songs in alphabetical order via recording artist (a fun thing to do!):
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas
Dave Brubeck – Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Dave Brubeck – The Christmas Song
Cuba L. A. – Deck The Halls
Cuba L. A. – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Bob Dylan – It Must Be Santa
Donny Hathaway – This Christmas
John Lennon – Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
Bob Marley – Christmas Reggae
Kalenda Maya – Riu Chiu
The Monkees – Riu Chiu
Poncho Sanchez – What Child Is This
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M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S
M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S