Christmas Music Part 3: Albums 11-15

11. Jimmy Buffett ~ Christmas Island When I heard the song Christmas Island on the radio for the first time, I loved it. It took me a few years to figure out who sang it, and I finally bought the cd a couple of years ago. The whole album has an island feel, which makes sense since it is Jimmy Buffet and is just a fun, upbeat Christmas album. I usually keep it in my car throughout the Christmas season. It’s good driving around town while you're Christmas shopping music.

12. Buddy Greene ~ Christmas…Not Just Any Night Buddy Greene is best known for his harmonica playing, but he has a nice singing voice, too. This album is about half harmonica and half vocal, mostly traditional Christmas music. The whole thing is beautiful. I’ve played it for people before, and actually seen tears at the end of The Christmas Song - it’s pretty poignant. Buddy Green is also known for co-writing Mary Did you Know, and even though it is over done on Christmas albums lately, there is a really nice arrangement here.

13. Aliqua ~ All I Want I got this cd last year, and listened to it A LOT. Aliqua is a group of ten girls who sing choral music, but mix it up a little bit. For instance, they sing Britton’s This Little Babe, but instead of the traditional accompaniment, they arranged it with a kind of flamenco beat and guitar accompaniment. Other standouts are A La Nanita Nana, All Is Calm, Christmas Angel, and The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, sung almost entirely on the syllable “plum.” Check it out.

14. Liberace ~ Christmas Through the Years I got this in a bargain bin at Wal-Mart, probably close to 15 years ago, and I still love it. Love him or hate him, Liberace knew how to do Christmas music. All the music on this album sparkles, kind of like Liberace himself. The music quality isn’t the greatest, it sounds like an old record, but I think that adds to the appeal. Some of it is instrumental, while he sings some of the songs, and even recites ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Classic.

15. Michael Crawford ~ A Christmas Album Michael Crawford is another performer that people either love or hate. Obviously I fall on the love side. On this disc, Michael sings mostly traditional songs in the way only he can. He is backed by beautiful orchestrations and choirs throughout the album, and even sings a duet with Twila Paris. I like all the songs on this cd, but my favorite is the non-Christmas Scarlet Ribbons.

Final five tomorrow!