Double Bass Bearable christmas/holiday albums?

[damonsmith]

I have a retail job at an art supply store and they want xmas music this month.
I get control of the stereo two days a week so I want to get some bearable playlists together.
On the classical end I have:
Bach: St. Matthew Passion
Haydn: Last 7 words of Christ
The Messiah
I'd love more there.
I have the John Fahey and John Zorn albums
For Jazz:
Charlie Brown
Chet Baker
Duke
Ella
Christmas with Dino
I figure most of the singers made one. It looks like Johnny Hartman didn't.

Any more input would be great.

 

[isolated]

Pretty sure Yule Struttin' is still in print. Other than it's Xmas music, there's not much to complain about on that record.

 

[kozmikyak]

The Corelli Christmas Concerto (actually, anything else in that set of concerti grossi would be nice and accessible)

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Its subject matter is not Christmas, but lots of people associate Beethoven 9th Symphony with Christmas. Most people who make this association only think of the last movement, though.

Some people associate the "sleigh ride" (troika) movement of Prokofiev's Lt. Kije suite with Christmas. The rest of it doesn't match well, but if you could make a "mix CD" that movement is accessible and would go over nicely.

There's always the Nutcracker suite, but I personally find that just as annoying as the endless stream of pop-flavored carols that infest my ear canals this time of year.


Handel Messiah has a Christmas section in it and is indeed appropriate. St. Matthew Passion and Last 7 Words of Christ would be more along the lines of Easter music, would they not? But they're beautiful and are definitely related to Baby Jesus, so I'd say they're worthwhile to keep in the list.

 

[kozmikyak]

Bach put together a Christmas Oratorio that's actually closer to a Christmas theme than the Passion. It's BWV #248, and there are recordings of it out there. Bach actually assembled it from parts of other works he wrote, but it's rather nice.

 

[meandering]

Not albums but "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is performed by Bill Evans (Trio '64 w/Peacock & Motian) and Paul Bley (Introducing PB, w/Mingus & Blakey).

"It's Christmas Time" is a unique Sun Ra original on the Singles which also has "Happy New Year To You".

 

[Paul Warburton]

Jack Sheldon........

 

[MLysh]

This is a wonderful CD, full of unusual arrangements of holiday carols by Australian composers such as Carl Vine, Peter Sculthorpe, etc. Highly recommended. And don't be put off by the fact that it is a "youth" orchestra, they sound great.

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Und...keywords=australian+youth+orchestra+christmas

 

[damonsmith]

St. Matthew Passion and Last 7 Words of Christ would be more along the lines of Easter music, would they not? But they're beautiful and are definitely related to Baby Jesus, so I'd say they're worthwhile to keep in the list.

Technically yes, but I am ready to stretch it for bearable music!

 

[Rockin Mike]

A personal favorite:

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[Rockin Mike]

On a more serious note:

Steve Lukather and Friends - The Christmas Song

From his album "Santamental"

 

[MLysh]

Actually, Diana Krall's Christmas CD is very good.

 

[damonsmith]

Actually, Diana Krall's Christmas CD is very good.

I will check it out. I am more of an Album person, I don't want to chase down tracks, although I have the Evans and Bley albums.

 

[Don C]

Oscar Peterson's Christmas CD is very good, and for that Motown flavor - try the California Raisins Christmas Album.

For something quite different you might like the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Albums, I believe there are 3 or 4 of them.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Man I could listen to Gregorian Chant music all day. Adoro Te Devote, Gloria in Excelsis, Kyrie... that stuff just resonates with me....

 

[damonsmith]

Man I could listen to Gregorian Chant music all day. Adoro Te Devote, Gloria in Excelsis, Kyrie... that stuff just resonates with me....

Me too. I think I get it to count, not sure yet. Gesualdo, Perotin, that is some music...

 

[Jason Sypher]

Not to mention the Latin...absolutely beautiful. I've been digging this album O Lux Beatissima on Spotify.

 

[Anonymatt]

Oscar Peterson's Christmas CD is very good, and for that Motown flavor - try the California Raisins Christmas Album.

I think these are great ideas!

For something quite different you might like the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Albums, I believe there are 3 or 4 of them.

But this is a trap, watch out! I'm not sure how these CDs made it into my folks' collection!

 

[SirMjac28]

Just put on A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio and you will bring smiles to every customer one of the most underrated jazz albums and artists ever I play it year round.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

Sugarland's is good, Brad Paisley's is good, even if they are modern country. Harry Connick Jr. Is good. Latin, go find Caliente Christmas. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones is awesome but not for everyone. +1 for all the Jazz ones mentioned.

 

[Chris Symer]

I always get a kick out of "Christmas on the Ponderosa" with the cast from Bonanza. It would work well in a retail space and for those who remember the show it will cause some smiles.