My 10 Favorite Christmas Recordings
Every year it seems like dozens of new Christmas albums appear in stores. Whether it is a brand new album or re-released recordings, they can get old pretty quick. BUT if properly selected, you could have a plethora of recordings that seem to always keep you in that Holly Jolly Spirit.
These 10 Albums are my standards. Once I start listening to these albums (my rule is the day AFTER Thanksgiving), the holiday season can begin. Each year, I always make it a goal to listen to each album — sometimes more than once! It is really hard to rank them so they are alphabetized by artist/ensemble. Keep in mind, I’m a brass player; hence the “heavy on the brass” choices.
Certainly, these are not the ONLY Christmas albums I listen to; I always try to listen to new albums or not as familiar depending on the genre. But for me, these are the ones I have been listening to the most each year.
Are there other albums that should be on this list? Give your list of favorites in the comment section! Or comment on our Facebook page!
1) Andy Williams: Personal Christmas Collection
Being one of the iconic pop singers of his day, Andy Williams has such a great, festive sound when it comes to holiday tunes. My favorite tracks are “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “The Bells of St. Mary,” and of course the one he is most known for, “Happy Holidays.”
2) Chicago: XXV – What’s it Gonna Be Santa?
Chicago the Band is my all-time favorite band. Therefore, when you can combine the sounds of rock+horns+Christmas, it equals a great thing. Chicago is known for the albums titled by the number of releases (Chicago II, Chicago XXX, etc.) so it is quite fitting that their 25th album be their FIRST Christmas album. They have also come out with another Christmas album equally as good.
3) Christmas in the Morning – A Celebration in Brass
This is one of my favorite brass albums simply because of the high quality of the ensembles involved. It is a collection of tracks that feature the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, the Canadian Brass, and the Michael Laird Brass Ensemble. The opening track is by far my favorite on this album: “O Come All Ye Faithful” with the PBJE. It would be a good thing to turn the volume up on that track!
4) David Crowder Band – Oh for Joy
Since my freshman year in college, I have been a huge fan of the David Crowder Band. I always wished they would produce an Christmas album, and when they finally announced it, I jumped for joy. With his combined sounds of Christian Folk + Electronic music, it is an album that lives up to their standard of music. My favorite tracks by far are “Joy to the World,” “Go Tell it on the Mountain,” and “O Holy Night.” Their version of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Carol of the Bells/Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” is also excellent.
5) Empire Brass Quintet – Joy to the World: Music of Christmas
The Empire Brass is a legendary brass quintet still in existence today. Back in the day, this quintet rose to great fame with Rolf Smedvig as their leader and has included such performers as Scott Hartman on trombone, and Sam Palafian on tuba. I always enjoyed listening to this recording on cassette tape as kid, and am super glad they reissued it in 2005. My favorite tracks are “Joy to the World” and “Make a Joyful Noise.”
6) Handel’s Messiah: Toronto Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Davis
A list such as this could not be complete without a recording of G. F. Handel’s Messiah. With so many great choices, I had to revert back to the one that I have listened to the most. Again, I first owned (and still own) this album on cassette. With powerhouses such as Samuel Ramey, Kathleen Battle, and Andrew Davis it is arguable one of the top all-around recordings of this great masterpiece.
A close second for this classic work? Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
7) Harry Connick, Jr. When My Heart Finds Christmas
This is one of those albums that is just pure genuine. You can tell that enjoyed recording this album. Released in 1993, this is the Connick’s first of three Christmas albums. My favorite track by far is “I Pray on Christmas.”
8) Michael W. Smith – It’s a Wonderful Christmas
MWS has been so instrumental in the Christian music movement as well as being so versatile to share the stage with everyone from Carrie Underwood to Amy Grant to the Dallas Symphony. With four Christmas albums out right now, this one is my favorite specifically because of its originality in composition and its orchestration. In addition to it being recorded in Abbey Road Studios, the recording uses a 67-piece orchestra. The whole album is one to put you in the Christmas Spirit. All tracks are worth listening to.
9) Trombones Under the Tree – Joseph Alessi, Carl Lenthe, M. Dee Stewart, Mark Lawrence
For a trombone player, being in trombone quartet is one of those things you just do. In college your closest friends are the ones you are in a quartet with. The phrase, “Hey do you wanna play quartets?” is a common question heard in university halls. Around this holiday season, trombone quartets can be heard everywhere. This album helped get more Christmas ensemble music for our instrument. When you combine the sounds of these four performers and pedagogues, you get a classic album. All tracks are worth listening to (as well as playing!)
10) University of Texas Trombone Choir: Christmas with the University of Texas Trombone Choir
Yes, trombone choirs exist. It may sound nerdy but it is actually one of the greatest ensemble sounds to be heard. Imagine 8+ trombone players uniting their work and effort for one holistic sound. It is definitely something to experience live. Under the direction of Nathaniel Brickens, the University of Texas Trombone Choir has become one of the staples in trombone choirs today. The balance from top to bottom is superb with clear articulations. Every track on this album is stellar and worth a listen.
Now what are YOUR Favorite Holiday Albums? Leave your Reply Below!
