November 02, 2007

If Christmas Can't Bring You Home

XM Radio launched their Christmas station yesterday—I’m not sure when Sirius puts theirs on the air, but be on the lookout. I finally organized all of my Christmas music today. If I’m on top of my game, I’ll get around 500 tracks up over the next two months—I live for this time of year. In the past few days, I’ve been listening to some tunes and feeling the spirit. But two days ago I found some Christmas decorations stored in the shed behind the house, apparently left by the last owners. Oodles of tree ornaments but the true find was a nativity scene snow globe that has to weigh around twenty pounds.

We’re going to do two tributes today. First up is Robert Goulet. When I was a kid, I had no idea who this guy was until he showed up on The Simpsons to sing at a casino Bart opened. Here’s a brief little track of Goulet doing a Simpsons version of Jingle Bells.

Jingle Bells – Robert Goulet

Next up is one that should have been posted a few months ago, Lucianna Pavarotti. There’s nothing I can add that hasn’t already been said. The man was a legend.

Adeste Fideles – Lucianno Pavarotti

Covering an old standard is tough work. So often, a “new” version of a Christmas song sounds exactly like the dozens of others we’ve already heard. But Jigsaw Seen delivers a version of a classic that isn’t like any version ever recorded, at least to my knowledge.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Jigsaw Seen

Dig that bass line that goes as deep as Santa’s bag of goodies. I know nothing about Marguerite Trina but would love to find out when this song was actually recorded.

The Rocking Tree – Marguerite Trina

If you don’t know this by now, My Morning Jacket is one of the absolute best bands recording music today. This live track showcases that they are also one of the best live performers—and the ethereal lead vocals by Jim James are sublime.

Xmas Curtain – My Morning Jacket (live)

PC might be a little angry at me for posting this so early, but it was referenced in our comments yesterday. The way I see it, PC can post it again because you can never get enough of these guys.

Christmas Must Be Tonight – The Band

Finally, this one goes out to Bill Carty. Yes, Bill, you can now say that you’ve been name-checked on a Christmas blog. Thanks for sending this great track our way.

If Christmas Can’t Bring You Home – Reigning Sound

2 comments:

noone said...

What a nice treat to find these tunes! I especially like the fact that they're on Yousendit, which means you can download several files and not have to wait hours in between like with some ::cough cough:: sites.

Bill C. said...

yes!