What are your favourite Christmas Al***s?

Posted by: Steeve on 16 December 2007

Ok, so there is a lot of dross around when it comes to Christmas music, but for some reason this year I've been playing quite a lot of it. I'm toying with the idea of adding some more to my collection. I have at least a couple in mind. And no, they are not Slade or Wizzard!

Does anyone have any favourites they want to share with the forum? Or do you hate the whole concept? It doesn't have to be something that specifically mentions Christmas either - just something that has some association.

My 2 favourites in my collection are:

"Christmas" by Low
American indie band. Very laid-back and atmospheric. According to Wikededia, "their music is commonly described as "slowcore," a subgenre characterised by slow tempos and minimalist arrangements."

and

"Yard Style Christmas" by Jah Irest Artists -
a reggae compliation that came out in the early 1980's with a lot of dub versions of traditional music tunes but with rasta-style lyrics. It was played a lot by John Peel.

Steeve

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by Guido Fawkes

1. Funeral
2. Hangin' On A Eyelid
3. Lucifer And The Egg
4. Something You Got
5. Cyclops
6. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
7. Revelations Ch16 Vs 9 21
8. Take To The Skies Listen
9. Death May Be Your Santa Claus
10. Baby You Are Another Monster

Not sure if Death May Be Your Santa Claus by Second Hand qualifies as a Christmas album, but it sounds pretty festive to me. Well a bit festive. Well not really all that festive, but it mentions Santa Claus. Okay, so it's not festive at all, but makes a nice antidote to Slade.

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by Steeve

ROTF, No, that's just the sort of suggestions I was looking for. Just looked it up on Amazon - Sounds very interesting!!

Steeve

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by Guido Fawkes

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by Malky

The Chieftans- The Bells Of Dublin. Seasonal and celtic tunes with guests including Jackson Browne, Rickie Lee Jones, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Elvis Costello and others.

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by hungryhalibut

The Ze christmas record is my favourite. We also have Ella Fitzgerald singing carols.

Nigel

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by GraemeH

James Brown singing 'Santa Clause....in the ghetto'.

Hilarious.

Graeme

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by Stephen Bennett

Can't be doing with Christmas myself, but a friend got me Sufjan Stevens' Songs For Christmas boxed set for my birthday. Superb package and five EPs.

Seconded Low's effort - I also have the Spector album.

Not bad for a humbug!

Stephen

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by Steeve

quote:
Originally posted by Stephen Bennett:
Can't be doing with Christmas myself, but a friend got me Sufjan Stevens' Songs For Christmas boxed set for my birthday. Superb package and five EPs.

Hi Stephen,
That was one that I was thinking of adding to my collection. A recommendation then?

Steeve

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by Stephen Bennett

Definitely - I think the guy has the midas touch.

Stephen

Posted on: 16 December 2007 by Chris Kelly

"Have Yourself a Tractors Christmas". HDCD, the Tractors are a great band from Tulsa with a country twang and some finger snappin' Western swing sounds.

Posted on: 18 December 2007 by Shayman

Malcolm McClaren's 'Ghosts of Oxford Street' soundtrack. Sinead O'connor singing 'Silent Night' and Charles Brown's excellent version of 'Merry Christmas Baby'. Plus you get the added festive joy that is provided by The Happy Mondays singing 'Stayin' Alive'!

Jonathan

Posted on: 18 December 2007 by Jono 13

James Brown - Funky Christmas
Ghosts of Christmas Past - Various Crepuscule Artists

Jono

Posted on: 18 December 2007 by Steve Bull

Blind Boys Of Alabama - Go Tell It On The Mountain.

To be honest, it's not their best album - but it's a great album of Christmas songs, even to Mr Bah Humbug here.

Posted on: 18 December 2007 by worm

The mighty Marah

Posted on: 18 December 2007 by worm

And a touch of class

Posted on: 19 December 2007 by Steve O

I don't really do Christmas songs but I do like The Pogues 'Fairytale of New York' and there's a short sequence in Tangerine Dreams 'Force Majeure' that always makes me think of Christmas.
Regards,
Steve O.

Posted on: 19 December 2007 by Malky

quote:
I don't really do Christmas songs but I do like The Pogues 'Fairytale of New York'

Original or cleaned-up version?

Posted on: 20 December 2007 by ewemon

Spectors Christmas disc.

Posted on: 20 December 2007 by Richard S

quote:
Originally posted by Steve O:
SNIP......there's a short sequence in Tangerine Dreams 'Force Majeure' that always makes me think of Christmas.
Regards,
Steve O.

Really?

Which bit? I'm intrigued.....

Posted on: 20 December 2007 by Steve O

Hi Richard,
The piece of Force Majeure I refer to comes 4 mins 22 secs into the track. I could possibly be the only person in the world who thinks this, but do let me know. And Malky, obviously not the cleaned up version. The original is so funny.
Regards,
Steve O.

Posted on: 21 December 2007 by domfjbrown

quote:
Originally posted by Steve O:
I don't really do Christmas songs but I do like The Pogues 'Fairytale of New York'

DITTO.

I think I'm going to debut Kevin Bloody Wilson's "Return of the yobbo" CD to my sister this christmas though - everybody should hear "Santa Claus you c**t" at least once at Christmas...