a very vinyl christmas

I have a pretty serious record collection. It all started when we used to go to "sales" (the York County word for auctions), and no one would bid on the box lots of vinyl. The men were there for tools, the women were there for dishes, and no one wanted the records. I would get whole boxes for only a quarter! Most of them were full of Pat Boone and Herb Alpert (cheesy and cheesier), but there were some real gems in those dusty old boxes. In college, I worked in the music library where my love for vinyl deepened further. Since then, I've added to my collection and now have many of Dad's records "on loan" (wink, wink).

I just realized I only have a few more days to fit in all of my Christmas record listening. Here are a few of my faves:

White Christmas with Bing Crosby

This is a classic among classics. Invariably, this is the first one I listen to each year. He had a voice made for Christmas. It's what hot chocolate would sound like.

Top tracks:
White Christmas - Duh, it's his song. He debuted it in Holiday Inn. The song was such a smash they made White Christmas a few years later. Incidentally, White Christmas is one of my top five favorite movies.
Christmas in Killarney - Cause it's a Scottish Christmas song
Jingle Bells - Featuring the lovely Andrews Sisters. This is amazing. Listen to it right now.

John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together

This is one of Dad's, and we grew up listening to it every time we were back in the States. The Muppets make everything better.

Top Tracks:
The Twelve Days of Christmas - Miss Piggy with her golden rings
We Wish You a Merry Christmas - Animal: "won't go. Won't go. Won't go! WON'T GO!"
Christmas is Coming - This is a round with Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Scooter. Super cute.

Amy Grant: A Christmas Album

Say what you will about Amy Grant, this is a fantastic Christmas album (hence the name. duh, i just realize that. what a boring title). This record is starting to skip and get "warpy", so I'm savoring it while I can.

Top Tracks:
A Mighty Fortress/Angels We Have Heard On High -I love having A Mighty Fortress on a Christmas album. It's orchestral and very grand. And I've always loved that piano riff leading into the next song.
Emmanuel/Little Town/Christmas Hymn Medley - Amy Grant is the Queen of the medley. I can never get over what she does with Little Town. So good.

 I couldn't find a clip with all three songs, but just listen to the beginning of Little Town.

A Charlie Brown Christmas with the Vince Guaraldi Trio

It's not Christmas until Charlie Brown is playing. This album is important to our family cause it's what was playing when my dad asked my mom to marry him. She said no (that time), but hey, it's still special. ; )

There are no bad tracks in this album. Every one is better than the last. I'll leave you with O Tannenbaum. Merry Christmas, and happy listening!