christmas music superlatives

I adopt what I call "life nuggets" from just about all my friends.  They're the evidences of all the people in my life, the handprints they leave on the way I live.

For example, my pastry chef friend, who I met living in New Orleans, taught me to always pick up a pound of stick butter -- unsalted, so as to not alter the sodium content of a recipe -- if it's on sale at the grocery store, because it will always keep in the freezer.  So I do.

My college roommate buys one new Christmas album every year, and that's become one of my own little traditions, too.

Over the years I've collected some very fun albums, and as we're heading into the height of Christmas party season, I'd like to recommend the following favorites for your listening pleasure.  'Tis the season to share!

best vocal



The man can sing', y'all.  That's just all I have to say about that.

best instrumental



He dated Katie Couric, but let's not hold that against him.  This album is perfect for curling up on the couch with a cup of December Cider.

favorites of 2010



 

Do not miss these cuts:

Dave Barnes' "Christmas Tonight" (with Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum)

Jill Phillips and Andy Gullahorn's "You Came Down" and "Baby, it's Cold Outside" (hilarious!)

most original



This is one of my new favorite Christmas traditions.  Read details on that here.

old time faves that never get old



They still have my favorite arrangement of "O Holy Night" ever.




1992 was a good year for her.  This is an album I love all the way through, until "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" which, thanks to my buddy Brad Phelps, is my least favorite secular Christmas tune ever.

honorable mention singles

These are ten songs that while I may or may not endorse the entire album, they have frequent playtime on my iTunes during the holidays:

"Winter Snow" – Chris Tomlin, with Audrey Assad
"Some Children See Him" – James Taylor
"Children Go Where I Send Thee" – Natalie Merchant
"River" – Robert Downey, Jr.
"Mistletoe" – Colbie Callait
"We're Not That Far from Bethlehem" – Point of Grace
"In the First Light" – Glad
"Labor of Love" – Jill Phillips (on Andrew Peterson's album)
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" – Francesca Battistelli
"Auld Lang Syne" – Straight No Chaser 

What about you?  What are your favorite Christmas albums, songs, or arrangements?  Your pick might be my purchase next year!