Rockin' around the Christmas Tree.....

"Things ain't what they used to be and probably never was." ~Will Rogers

I always was a nostalgic kind of child. I liken it to moving a couple times in grade school. I was always pining for the comforts of familiarity while struggling to make my way in a new community. As I have grown, I have come to appreciate living in the now and my nostalgia for the past has waned. But nothing brings out my mushiness more than the holidays. From the moment the first notes of Christmas carols pipe into the air on Black Friday, memories start flooding back of Christmases long ago. Now I must admit that I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas music. I love the songs but hate how overplayed they get during the holiday season. In retail we love to have a festive environment for the holiday shopping season, and for the last 10 years this desire has put me on a quest to find new and fresh Christmas music. So here, I present to you, my favorite picks of Holiday tunes for you to enjoy (be sure to click on the song titles as they are links):

• "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" by the Jackson 5 - This is a joyous rendition done by the Jackson 5 on their 1970 Christmas album. I remember belting this song out as a kid in music class at Ledgeview Elementary School! Little Michael's angelic voice, backed by the sublime harmonies of the rest of the Jackson 5, makes for a fun and mostly traditional take on this tune. This track can also be found on the awesome 1999 compilation A Motown Christmas. Which leads me to my next choice...
• "Someday At Christmas" by Stevie Wonder - Wow...this song, written in 1967, could not be more appropriate for our current times! Stevie gives me chills when he croons, "Someday at Christmas there'll be no wars/When we have learned what Christmas is for/When we have found what life's really worth/There'll be peace on Earth."
  
• "Xmas Curtain" by My Morning Jacket - Well...if you know me AT ALL, you would of course know that My Morning Jacket would appear on this list as they are my most favorite band in the WORLD!!!!! Originally on At Dawn, "Xmas Curtain" is also the opening track on their holiday EP, My Morning Jacket Does Xmas Fiasco Style. Do yourself a favor and get this album (well really, both albums).
• "White Christmas" by Otis Redding - The genius of Irving Berlin meets the genius of Otis Redding. Everyone is familiar with Bing Crosby's iconic performance of this song (it is officially the second best-selling single worldwide). Otis' soulful voice brings out the longing in the lyrics. Gone too soon from this Earth Otis Redding, and thank you for recording this version.
• "The Peace Carol" by John Denver & The Muppets - So this is where nostalgia really rears its head in my world. I was 4 years old when this Christmas special debuted on TV. I am not sure how many years it was run, but it is a very solid part of my childhood Christmas memories. My sisters and I received the vinyl from Santa and it has been played in our family to this day (I can't believe we didn't break or warp the record over the course of 30 years). I have to admit, it was hard to pick a favorite off this album. My family knows all the words to every song and it brings us together in a weird (Muppets, people, we are talking Muppets), but lovely way.
• "What Can You Get a Wookiee For Christmas (When He Already Owns a Comb)?" by The Star Wars Intergalactic Droid Choir and Chorale - Ummm, yes you did read that right! Santa started a family tradition when he brought us Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album LP on Christmas Day in 1980. Rhino re-released this rare gem in 1996 (only 150,000 copies of the LP were pressed and the second pressing never came to fruition), so I suggest you check this out if you are a fan of Star Wars/80's nostalgia. Oh, and one little bonus fact about this album, it features the very first professional recording of one Jon Bon Jovi (no joke)!

Happy Holidays everyone!