Rank and File: Holiday Tunes

Redartz: Festive December greetings, friends and neighbors! In case you aren't yet tired of hearing holiday tunes from every quarter, today we will look at a few more. As per our "Rank and File" routine, I will give you my list (in this instance, my personal top five) , and you get to chime in with your lists. My favorites are probably familiar to most of you, but don't include some of the biggest hits ( Bing Crosby and "White Christmas", for instance). Most of these get a bit less airplay, and perhaps somewhat less exposure in the malls and stores worldwide. So, overexposure is less likely, and to me, they become that much more valued...

To the list (in no specific order):

 
 

1. "Feliz Navidad" by Jose' Feliciano

 An extremely catchy tune; loved it the first time I heard it. And it holds fond memories from Spanish class back in Junior High School. Love the instrumentation; just sounds like the party you wish you were at.




 






2. "Skating" by Vince Guaraldi Trio

If I was choosing a favorite holiday album, this would win hands down. Absolutely perfect music from a perfect Christmas special. Most folks might think immediately of  "Linus and Lucy", which is

fantastic. But Guaraldi's composition "Skating" really evokes snowflakes and wintry recreation on a pair of blades. Light, airy and beautiful; a part of why that Christmas special is so widely beloved.

3. "Winter Wonderland" by Darlene Love

Perhaps my second choice for favorite Christmas album would be Phil Spector's classic  Christmas LP.  Featuring the Ronettes, Darlene Love, and the Crystals; this album showcased Spector's genius as a producer. In the process, they all provided us with some of the finest pop carols you'll hear anywhere. Darlene Love just knocks this snowball out of the park. I get chills listening to her, and not from the temperature...

 





4. "It Must Have Been Old Santa Claus" by Harry Connick, Jr.

A great tune of somewhat more recent vintage. It has a great bluesy feel. It's a story song (always a good thing). And it was my first introduction to Mr. Connick, as in "hey, that song was cool; who was that anyway?". 









5. "Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives 

Possibly the most frequently heard song among my five. It really needs little explanation; a highlight song from a holiday classic by a wonderful folk tunesmith. Much as I love Frosty, Sam is the snowman for me...

And now you know what will be playing on the car stereo as I'm tackling some last-minute shopping.  What tunes light up your display?