Nat King Cole's Christmas album.
Every song on it is great!

Bonniebroad - as you TRAVEL through the various Fodor message areas have you noticed the new area for MUSIC at
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1867

and of course, there's always t.o.p.

OMG, really, no offense to anybody, but I can't stand Kenny G. It is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. But, to each his own.

Favorite - I do love the Carpenters. Also the Muppets with John Denver. Any album with Bing's Mele Kalikimaka, Nat King Cole's Christmas song. But the one I can listen to over and over again is any album by Manheim Steamroller. Love their sound...and use of classic intruements.

OK, ONE more? Barbara Streisand's Christmas album from the 70's. Also classic.

For me, the old favorite I grew up with (and wore the grooves out of, playing it over and over for weeks...):

"Merry Christmas" Johnny Mathis

The one with him on skis on the cover, circa early '60s, with these songs:

1. Winter Wonderland
2. The Christmas Song
3. Sleigh Ride
4. Blue Christmas
5. I'll Be Home For Christmas
6. White Christmas
7. O Holy Night
8. What Child Is This?
9. The First Noel
10. Silver Bells
11. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
12. Silent Night, Holy Night

Bless your heart, rb_traveler! Merry Christmas, buddy! Would you like a good fudge recipe?

I play Johnny Mathis all year long, but never the Christmas album. I'll have to buy that this year.

I love Johnny Mathis.

I also love "It's Cold Outside" with Ray Charles and duet with a female singer, who I'm sorry to say, I can't remember her name. Perfect Christmas week tune.

But baby, it's cold outside.

I thought I was the only one alive who still listened to Johnny Mathis album. It just seems to fit my mood when I'm home. Also like the Irish Tenors new Christmas album.

One of the most beautiful voices of the '60's (IMHO) belonged to Gary Puckett. A few years ago, he put out a Christmas CD called "At Christmas." I've never been a big Christmas CD fan, but I was working in radio at the time and we got a bunch of these to give away. One listen and I was so bowled over, I discreetly kept a copy aside for myself. You can probably still order one for yourself if you'd like at www.garypuckettmusic.com

Have you all heard Il Divo? They are kind of like the tenors? four guys, Euro type, great voices. Just got it, haven't heard the CD yet.

Heavens, I have to admit that when I saw your post at just a glance, I thought you were saying that "Devo" had a Christmas CD out. I immediately had thoughts in my head of "Christmas....it is good!" (It's an 80's thing).

I'll have to check out your "actual" recommendation, though. Thanks!

I stand counted as one who has the Johnny Mathis Christmas cassette (which I got at Hallmark store a few yrs ago). The man has a golden voice, like Nat King Cole.

What was I thinking. The Bing Crosby and David Bowie duet is of "Little Drummer Boy"!!! Of course, Bing did also sing White Christmas but that was not w/David Bowie on that Christams Special they did together.

Trans-Siberian orchestra. I listen to it over and over. It's so different from everything else.

Ramsey Lewis "The Sounds Of Christmas"
I have been enjoying it for years and the 1st one I listen to every year.

I love all kinds of Christmas music, but my current fav CD that I own is Alan Jackson's 'Let It be Christmas'.

But the song I'll never get out of my head when I think of Christmas is Elvis' Blue Christmas. On our honeymoon night in Gatlinburg, it kept playing over and over all night long as the 1st new snow of the season was falling and us in our rustic B&B chalet with the roaring fire!

Way'll I'll have a bluuue Christmas without yoooouu!...(I never said I could sing!lol).

That will be 32 years ago day after tomorrow! (Thurs.)

Belle

George Winston's "December" and Jim Brickman's "The Gift"

Another vote for Johnny Mathis and of course Bing and the Andrews Sisters.."Jingle bells, juh juh juh jingle bells." Oh yea, they don't make 'em like that anymore. I like Andrea Bocelli Ave Marias when I feel like meditating or being serious..beautiful.

Don't shoot me, but I love the Mannheim Steamroller sound at Christmas. Lots of energy.

>>I immediately had thoughts in my head of "Christmas....it is good!" (It's an 80's thing).<<

Oh, thanks a lot, Statia - now there's a corner of my mind trying to compose Christmas lyrics to the tune of "Whip It"!

I have cassettes of several Christmas concerts I sang in when I was in college that I love to listen to at home.

I also love "Christmas" by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

The Cambridge Singers' Christmas Album is in my van right now, and I just got a really nice version of Messiah by the English Concert which will be played quite a bit.

Sorry, I can't narrow it down to just one!

Lee Ann

I've never heard of the TSO -- I'll have to check it out!