Favourite Christmas albums

[Payton Cross]

And the same to you, PC.

Thanks Mel.

 

[Ome]

Despite 2020 being an...interesting year for the records, there's always one thing you can count on - established music acts celebrating the Yuletide season in style.

This year will be no different, and joining the likes of Christmas staples such as Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson and Michael Buble, a host of well-known artists are dipping their toe into the festive pond.

Here are some of the biggest Christmas LPs dropping this year, from the likes of Dolly Parton and Meghan Trainor.



Carrie Underwood
Release Date: September 25
Carrie Underwood is a country queen transitioning into Christmas this year.

The American Idol winner will release My Gift later this month (September 25), starting the festive season early.

Produced entirely by Katy Perry collaborator Greg Wells, the album will comprise of classic covers, with John Legend also dropping in for a duet.





Dolly Parton
Release Date: October 2
The wonderfully-titled A Holly Dolly Christmas will be Dolly Parton's 47th solo album.

But it certainly won't be her first - the Jolene icon previously delivered the goods with 1984's Once Upon A Christmas with the late, great Kenny Rogers and 1990's Home For Christmas.

The album will also include some interesting collaborations, including goddaughter Miley Cyrus and US talk show host Jimmy Fallon on a cover of Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You.



Meghan Trainor
Release Date: October 30
Meghan Trainor is not resting on her laurels. Yesterday, she announced the release of her fourth album A Very Trainor Christmas, coming next month (October 30).

The singer's new LP will come hot on the heels of her third studio effort Treat Myself, which entered the Official Singles Chart at Number 41, and will include a mix of original compositions and covers of holiday classics.

Meghan's had a colourful Official Chart history, which kicked off when her breakout solo hit, All About That Bass was actually the first song to ever debut on the Official Chart without selling a single physical copy, entering at Number 33 (before peaking at Number 1) based on streams alone.



Goo Goo Dolls
Release Date: October 30
US rockers Goo Goo Dolls are perhaps best known for their 1998 hit Iris, which peaked in the UK at Number 26 a year after its release and recently just passed the 1 million sales milestone too.



Now, the duo composed of Jonny Rzeznik and Robby Takac are preparing for the arrival of their own first Xmas LP.



It's Christmas All Over will arrive on October 30

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Carrie Underwood
Release Date: September 25

Count me in for this one. I've got a couple of heavily-played CU Christmas songs in my library and have been craving more. I have sought out other Christmas music she's recorded but some of those tracks are quite hard to find, so this album is just what the doctor ordered.

I'm glad it's released so early, as it will give time for it to sit in Covid quarantine before I handle it.

 

[Jason73]

Carrie Underwood

Dolly Parton

I’m looking forward to checking these two out.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Each year I buy a number of Christmas albums.

New (for me) in 2020:

The Spirit Of Christmas 2000

Bought mainly for Tina Arena's cover of Stevie Wonder's One Little Christmas Tree.



White Christmas [1999 Re-issue] - Martina McBride

I already own the 2007 edition which has every song on the '99 version plus a few more, but I wanted to get the earlier one in case the mastering/dynamics were closer to her other late-Nineties albums, which are all perfection in terms of sonics. There's not much in it, but I do think think the 1999 version sounds a little nicer.



Christmas: A Season Of Love - Idina Menzel

Idina's earlier Christmas album became an instant favourite of mine the first time I heard it and is one of my more heavily-played festive albums in recent years. This has a different sound but is still very nice indeed.



Bing At Christmas - Bing Crosby with the London Symphony Orchestra

I know some hate these "orchestras rearrange well known hits by dead singers" albums, but I'm quite partial. Hearing familiar tracks sound full and sparkly is a treat for the ears.



Merry Christmas, Baby [Deluxe Edition] - Rod Stewart

Rod's voice is perfectly suited to crooning out these familiar tracks with added husk.



Merry Christmas From London - Lorrie Morgan featuring The New World Philharmonic

An artist that's new to me, so it was a bit of a gamble. She has a great voice, the arrangements are gorgeous and it features guest appearances from Tammy Wynette, Andy Williams and Johnny Mathis.

 

[Jason73]

I see that Spotify has both the Dolly and the Carrie Christmas albums. I think I'll check them out this week. I haven't been in the mood for Christmas music yet this year, but I've read several Christmas books and watched several Christmas movies already, so I imagine music isn't too far off for me.

Lorrie Morgan

I haven't thought of her in ages. She had a song in the early 90's, Something in Red, that I really liked. It was sort of a one hit wonder with me, but after listening to it this morning it's made me want to check out some more of her music.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

She had a song in the early 90's, Something in Red, that I really liked. It was sort of a one hit wonder with me, but after listening to it this morning it's made me want to check out some more of her music.

I just had a listen to it and really like it. It sounds great and I enjoy the way the final verse swells. It's an interesting concept for a song as well (happily, the end was more upbeat than I expected. As it went along I started to feel sure she would end up looking for something in black).

Perhaps I'll also check out some of her other music in the new year.

 

[Jason73]

Oh my goodness--I'm listening to Carrie Underwood's Christmas album and I just got to Little Drummer Boy which she sings with her 5 year old son, Isaiah, and it's the cutest thing ever.

Overall, I really love Carrie's album. It's one of the best new Christmas albums I've heard in a few years.

 

[Jason73]

Merry Christmas From London - Lorrie Morgan featuring The New World Philharmonic

I'm going to do a first listen of this one while I make dinner this evening.

I also listened to Dolly's new one today. It was fun and bubbly.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Another festive addition today (a slightly controversial one, perhaps, after the Ware-gate incident this year, but no matter).

It's a truly beautiful album. Lea's voice is prettier than ever, there are some perfect Glee reunions. The song choices and arrangements make it feel very balanced and satisfying: being comfortingly nostalgic while keeping the interest held.

But which version will end up as my go-to favourite in the long run...?

 

[Crimson]

In general, I don't listen to albums because I prefer my own mix-and-match playlists, but a few Christmas albums I really like:

Both of Vanessa Williams' albums from the 90s: "Star Bright" and "Silver & Gold". She's one of my favorite singers from the era because she was neither one of the ear-piercing divas nor one of the autotuned pop stars who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket; she has a strong, clear, understated voice and style. The albums are smooth and jazzy.

Last year, I discovered Jane Lynch's "Swingin' Little Christmas" and loved it; fun, retro and kitschy.

I like Dolly Parton's new album, "A Holly Dolly Christmas" even if her voice seems to have become a wee bit hoarse.

Kylie Minogue's "Kylie Christmas" is half a great album. Her versions of holiday standards are superb, bright & pop-y. Her "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" might be my favorite Christmas song, period. The other half of the album, the original songs, is just okay-ish.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Another festive addition today (a slightly controversial one, perhaps, after the Ware-gate incident this year, but no matter).

It's a truly beautiful album.

This has proved to be a very worthy investment for me. It's become my go-to album this December and my most heavily played complete album of 2020, taking the crown from the new Mandy Barnett and Steps albums.

My most-played track from the album, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, now has more plays than even the Brenda Lee original. I can't stop playing it.

My second most-played track is It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. It's so much fun to sing along with, and it's not a song I was particularly fond of before. It's the first time any version of this song has appealed to me (in turn this has given me an appreciation for other renditions of the track, especially Martina McBride's 2018 version). Angels We Have Heard On High is a similar story.

I'm happy to report I've pretty much got Jonathan Groff's male harmonies down in my third most-played track, I'll Be Home For Christmas. I like this more mid-tempo version far more than I was expecting on first listen.

And I adore Lea's version of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Each time I listen I feel a little surprised by the brevity. But it works well, and sounds suitably melancholy.

It's been a long time since I've so consistently played an almost entire album repeatedly without getting tired of it. I feel a little sad about the season ending and rotating them out of play and might have to have a few more days' play. At least I can get away with playing Do You Want To Build A Snowman? until February.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Each year I buy a number of Christmas albums.

"A number" is a bit of a stretch for 2021. It's been most uninspiring and I've bought just three Christmas albums this year - one of which is a different version of an album I already own. There's a definite theme going on here (and it's a bit tacky):


Glee: The Music - The Christmas Album Vol. 2 - The Cast Of Glee

Lea Michele's Christmas In The City album was my most-played seasonal album in 2020 and it will probably remain so this year. Now I can add her version of Joni Mitchell's River into the mix.



Holiday Wishes [Deluxe Edition] - Idina Menzel

The standard version of this album has been a favourite of mine since 2016, with enough plays to justify investing in the Deluxe which throws in a couple of additional tracks including a jazzy rendition of Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!


Glee: The Music - The Christmas Album Vol. 3

Bought mainly for Lea's solo version of I'll Be Home For Christmas, but Melissa Benoist's rendition of The First Noel and Alex Newell's Joy To The World are enjoyable as well.

 

[Justine]

So many favourites mentioned here already.

I'd like to add 'A Legendary Christmas' by John Legend, including covers of classics and new tracks

 

[Ome]

This has nothing to do with Christmas albums and will look slightly odd in this thread. However, it is Christmas related, and I wanted to stick it in a Christmassy thread. It's a fascinating look back through the years of every song that just missed out on that special Christmas prize of a number one in the UK.

Every Christmas Number 2 on the Official Chart​

YEAR	TITLE	ARTIST
1952	YOU BELONG TO ME	JO STAFFORD
1953	ANSWER ME	DAVID WHITFIELD
1954	SANTO NATALE	DAVID WHITFIELD
1955	ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK	BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS
1956	SINGING THE BLUES	GUY MITCHELL
1957	MA HE'S MAKING EYES AT ME	JOHNNY OTIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA WITH MARIE ADAMS
1958	HOOT MON	LORD ROCKINGHAM'S XI
1959	WHAT DO YOU WANT	ADAM FAITH
1960	IT'S NOW OR NEVER	ELVIS PRESLEY
1961	TOWER OF STRENGTH	FRANKIE VAUGHN
1962	THE NEXT TIME/BACHELOR BOY	CLIFF RICHARD
1963	SHE LOVES YOU	THE BEATLES
1964	DOWNTOWN	PETULA CLARK
1965	WIND ME UP (LET ME GO)	CLIFF RICHARD
1966	SUNSHINE SUPERMAN	DONOVAN
1967	MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR (EP)	THE BEATLES
1968	BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP	THE FOUNDATIONS
1969	RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN	KENNY ROGERS AND THE FIRST EDITION
1970	WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE	MCGUINNESS FLINT
1971	JEEPSTER	T. REX
1972	MY DING-A-LING	CHUCK BERRY
1973	I LOVE YOU LOVE ME LOVE	GARY GLITTER
1974	YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET	BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE
1975	I BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS	GREG LAKE
1976	UNDER THE MOON OF LOVE	SHOWADDYWADDY
1977	THE FLORAL DANCE	BRIGHOUSE AND RASTRICK BRASS BAND
1978	Y.M.C.A.	THE VILLAGE PEOPLE
1979	I HAVE A DREAM	ABBA
1980	(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER	JOHN LENNON
1981	DADDY'S HOME	CLIFF RICHARD
1982	BLUE CHRISTMAS (EP)	SHAKIN' STEVENS
1983	MY OH MY	SLADE
1984	LAST CHRISTMAS/EVERYTHING SHE WANTS	WHAM
1985	SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU	WHITNEY HOUSTON
1986	CARAVAN OF LOVE	THE HOUSEMARTINS
1987	FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK	THE POGUES & KIRSTY MACCOLL
1988	ESPECIALLY FOR YOU	KYLIE AND JASON
1989	LET'S PARTY	JIVE BUNNY AND THE MASTERMIXERS
1990	ICE ICE BABY	VANILLA ICE
1991	WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME	DIANA ROSS
1992	HEAL THE WORLD	MICHAEL JACKSON
1993	BABE	TAKE THAT
1994	ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU	MARIAH CAREY
1995	WONDERWALL	THE MIKE FLOWER POPS
1996	KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR	DUNBLANE
1997	TELETUBBIES SAY EH-OH!	TELETUBBIES
1998	CHOCOLATE SALTY BALLS (P.S. I LOVE YOU)	CHEF
1999	THE MILLENNUM PRAYER	CLIFF RICHARD
2000	WHAT MAKES A MAN	WESTLIFE
2001	HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE	GORDON HASKELL
2002	SACRED TRUST	ONE TRUE VOICE
2003	CHRISTMAS TIME (DON'T LET THE BELLS END)	THE DARKNESS
2004	FATHER AND SON	RONAN KEATING FT. YUSUF ISLAM
2005	JCB SONG	NIZLOPI
2006	PATIENCE	TAKE THAT
2007	WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD	KATIE MELUA AND EVA CASSIDY
2008	HALLELUJAH	JEFF BUCKLEY
2009	THE CLIMB	JOE MCELDERRY
2010	WHAT'S MY NAME	RIHANNA FT. DRAKE
2011	CANNONBALL	LITTLE MIX
2012	IMPOSSIBLE	JAMES ARTHUR
2013	HAPPY	PHARRELL
2014	UPTOWN FUNK	MARK RONSON FT. BRUNO MARS
2015	LOVE YOURSELF	JUSTIN BIEBER
2016	HUMAN	RAG'N'BONE MAN
2017	RIVER	EMINEM FT. ED SHEERAN
2018	SWEET BUT PSYCHO	AVA MAX
2019	OWN IT	STORMZY FT ED SHEERAN & BURNA BOY
2020	ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU	MARIAH CAREY

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Both of Vanessa Williams' albums from the 90s: "Star Bright" and "Silver & Gold". She's one of my favorite singers from the era because she was neither one of the ear-piercing divas nor one of the autotuned pop stars who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket; she has a strong, clear, understated voice and style. The albums are smooth and jazzy.

A bit of a delayed reaction (a whole year's worth), but having re-read @Crimson's post I've taken a listen to samples of the tracks. As I really like a lot of what I heard I've decided to take the plunge with both of these. Fingers crossed they'll be with me in time to enjoy them this year.

It's a fascinating look back through the years of every song that just missed out on that special Christmas prize of a number one in the UK.

This is fascinating. Some true classics in here (and a couple that made me sigh with relief that they weren't at the top).

I wonder how these compare with their respective #1s. Was the competition just solid gold or did bad taste prevail?

 

[Angela Channing]

This has nothing to do with Christmas albums and will look slightly odd in this thread. However, it is Christmas related, and I wanted to stick it in a Christmassy thread. It's a fascinating look back through the years of every song that just missed out on that special Christmas prize of a number one in the UK.

Every Christmas Number 2 on the Official Chart​

YEAR	TITLE	ARTIST
1952	YOU BELONG TO ME	JO STAFFORD
1953	ANSWER ME	DAVID WHITFIELD
1954	SANTO NATALE	DAVID WHITFIELD
1955	ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK	BILL HALEY AND HIS COMETS
1956	SINGING THE BLUES	GUY MITCHELL
1957	MA HE'S MAKING EYES AT ME	JOHNNY OTIS AND HIS ORCHESTRA WITH MARIE ADAMS
1958	HOOT MON	LORD ROCKINGHAM'S XI
1959	WHAT DO YOU WANT	ADAM FAITH
1960	IT'S NOW OR NEVER	ELVIS PRESLEY
1961	TOWER OF STRENGTH	FRANKIE VAUGHN
1962	THE NEXT TIME/BACHELOR BOY	CLIFF RICHARD
1963	SHE LOVES YOU	THE BEATLES
1964	DOWNTOWN	PETULA CLARK
1965	WIND ME UP (LET ME GO)	CLIFF RICHARD
1966	SUNSHINE SUPERMAN	DONOVAN
1967	MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR (EP)	THE BEATLES
1968	BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP	THE FOUNDATIONS
1969	RUBY, DON'T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN	KENNY ROGERS AND THE FIRST EDITION
1970	WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE	MCGUINNESS FLINT
1971	JEEPSTER	T. REX
1972	MY DING-A-LING	CHUCK BERRY
1973	I LOVE YOU LOVE ME LOVE	GARY GLITTER
1974	YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET	BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE
1975	I BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS	GREG LAKE
1976	UNDER THE MOON OF LOVE	SHOWADDYWADDY
1977	THE FLORAL DANCE	BRIGHOUSE AND RASTRICK BRASS BAND
1978	Y.M.C.A.	THE VILLAGE PEOPLE
1979	I HAVE A DREAM	ABBA
1980	(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER	JOHN LENNON
1981	DADDY'S HOME	CLIFF RICHARD
1982	BLUE CHRISTMAS (EP)	SHAKIN' STEVENS
1983	MY OH MY	SLADE
1984	LAST CHRISTMAS/EVERYTHING SHE WANTS	WHAM
1985	SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU	WHITNEY HOUSTON
1986	CARAVAN OF LOVE	THE HOUSEMARTINS
1987	FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK	THE POGUES & KIRSTY MACCOLL
1988	ESPECIALLY FOR YOU	KYLIE AND JASON
1989	LET'S PARTY	JIVE BUNNY AND THE MASTERMIXERS
1990	ICE ICE BABY	VANILLA ICE
1991	WHEN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME	DIANA ROSS
1992	HEAL THE WORLD	MICHAEL JACKSON
1993	BABE	TAKE THAT
1994	ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU	MARIAH CAREY
1995	WONDERWALL	THE MIKE FLOWER POPS
1996	KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR	DUNBLANE
1997	TELETUBBIES SAY EH-OH!	TELETUBBIES
1998	CHOCOLATE SALTY BALLS (P.S. I LOVE YOU)	CHEF
1999	THE MILLENNUM PRAYER	CLIFF RICHARD
2000	WHAT MAKES A MAN	WESTLIFE
2001	HOW WONDERFUL YOU ARE	GORDON HASKELL
2002	SACRED TRUST	ONE TRUE VOICE
2003	CHRISTMAS TIME (DON'T LET THE BELLS END)	THE DARKNESS
2004	FATHER AND SON	RONAN KEATING FT. YUSUF ISLAM
2005	JCB SONG	NIZLOPI
2006	PATIENCE	TAKE THAT
2007	WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD	KATIE MELUA AND EVA CASSIDY
2008	HALLELUJAH	JEFF BUCKLEY
2009	THE CLIMB	JOE MCELDERRY
2010	WHAT'S MY NAME	RIHANNA FT. DRAKE
2011	CANNONBALL	LITTLE MIX
2012	IMPOSSIBLE	JAMES ARTHUR
2013	HAPPY	PHARRELL
2014	UPTOWN FUNK	MARK RONSON FT. BRUNO MARS
2015	LOVE YOURSELF	JUSTIN BIEBER
2016	HUMAN	RAG'N'BONE MAN
2017	RIVER	EMINEM FT. ED SHEERAN
2018	SWEET BUT PSYCHO	AVA MAX
2019	OWN IT	STORMZY FT ED SHEERAN & BURNA BOY
2020	ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU	MARIAH CAREY

Surprisingly few songs with a Christmas theme in this list.

 

[Crimson]

A bit of a delayed reaction (a whole year's worth), but having re-read @Crimson's post I've taken a listen to samples of the tracks. As I really like a lot of what I heard I've decided to take the plunge with both of these. Fingers crossed they'll be with me in time to enjoy them this year.

If not, you can write your review next year, and I'll respond the year after that -- resulting in a nicely paced conversation.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

If not, you can write your review next year, and I'll respond the year after that -- resulting in a nicely paced conversation.

Ha ha. Well, why not?

Both albums have arrived today, so I'm in for a treat.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I've bought just three Christmas albums this year

I'm up to seven now, thanks to the two Vanessa Williams albums mentioned above and...



Christmas With The Stars and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Re-orchestrating classic Christmas songs might be dismissed as tacky revisionism, but I do have a soft spot for these works because they're usually done really well and they can make for a more pleasant listening experience by overcoming many of the limitations of the era in which they were originally recorded. The added sweeping strings and full-sounding orchestra feel really right for the season and - along with many now being stereo for the first time - make for a warm and immersive listening experience.

The biggest drawback with this particular release is that the track list on the back has the tracks in a completely different order to the one in which they appear on the actual disc (which might explain why I got it for under £2.50), but this is really no problem for me in the age of the playlist.



Kylie Christmas [Snow Queen Edition]

This has yet to arrive, but from the samples I'm expecting a whole lot of nicely produced retro-sounding tracks, with at least a couple that I can listen to throughout the whole year.