Master Index of Archived Threads


Recommend a Holiday Cover Song

Johnny Dickshot Dec 20 2006 10:14 AM

I like holiday music, at least this time of year, and I enjoy hearing different artists interpret the classikcs. Here's a list of traditional holiday tunes: Your job is to recommend a popular artist who's done an enjoyable cover version of said tune. Yoiu don;t have to do 'em all, just the ones you know. O Holy Night O Tannenbaum O Come all Ye Faithful What Child is This Little Drummer Boy Frosty the Snowman Holly and the Ivy God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Sleigh Ride We Three Kings First Noel White Christmas It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Good King Wenscelas Angels we have Heard on High Silent Night Joy to the World The Xmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) Xmas Time in the City Jingle Bells Others?

cooby Dec 20 2006 10:18 AM

Johnny, please add "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

DocTee Dec 20 2006 10:24 AM

and Billy Squire's "Christmas is the time to say I love you..." damn, that thing was stuck in my head ALL day

sharpie Dec 20 2006 10:27 AM

Silent Night -- Sinead O'Connor and Peter Gabriel Jingle Bells -- Frank Sinatra The Little Drummer Boy -- David Bowie & Bing Crosby God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen -- Loreena McKennitt The middle two are quite well known. The first and the last and truly wonderful. Brave Combo's "Must Be Santa" is also a very good cover.

cooby Dec 20 2006 10:32 AM

O Holy Night Mahalia Jackson O Tannenbaum O Come all Ye Faithful What Child is This Little Drummer Boy Bing Crosby and David Bowie did a nice version of this but of course the winner is that boys' choier Frosty the Snowman Carpenters (I think) Holly and the Ivy I love this song but I never know who is singing it God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Sleigh Ride We Three Kings First Noel White Christmas It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Good King Wenscelas Angels we have Heard on High Silent Night Joy to the World The Xmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) Carpenters Xmas Time in the City Jingle Bells Barbra Streisand Santa Claus is Coming to Town Michael Jackson (this never fails to make me smile) This is a nice list--there are a lot of songs here that I have heard good versions of but I don't know who is singing them.

Elster88 Dec 20 2006 10:36 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 20 2006 10:40 AM

cooby wrote: Johnny, please add "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" Shirley you're thinking of the Boss? "Clarence have you been good? Have you been practicing your saxophone?"

cooby Dec 20 2006 10:39 AM

Nope, Michael Jackson, as I said. But Springsteen's good too. And Fred Astaire (right?) That's just a good song

Edgy DC Dec 20 2006 10:41 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 20 2006 10:44 AM

O Holy Night: Carpenters. Angels are supposed to be sopranos, but somehow Karen's alto makes it more insistent that you listen, and fall on your knees. O Tannenbaum: Nat "King" Cole. His perfect e-nun-ci-a-tion sounds great in German O Come all Ye Faithful: Pass What Child is This?: Don't know. But I always thought it would be great to hear Hammer do this with the "Super Freak" bassline. (Dooo, Doo-Doo-Doo, Doo-Doo, Doo-Doo) WHAT CHILD IS THIS!? (Dooo, Doo-Doo-Doo, Doo-Doo, Doo-Doo) WHO'S LAID TO REST!? (Dooo, Doo-Doo-Doo, Doo-Doo, Doo-Doo) ON MARY'S LAP! ... Little Drummer Boy: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Almost can't be bad versions of this wunnerful song, but I particularly like Joan's New Yorkese saying "WHEN WE COME!" Frosty the Snowman: Cindy Brady. Almost can't be good versions of this awful song. Holly and the Ivy: The Clare College Choir God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: I think I remember a Beach Boys version I like, but Nat "King" Cole has a way with the internal tone change on "tidings." Sleigh Ride: Um, I dunno. Natalie Cole and Garth Brooks? We Three Kings: Beach Boys, I guess First Noel: Bing. You forgot the umlaut. White Christmas: Crosby. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear: Bruce Cockburn. Good King Wenscelas: Pass Angels we have Heard on High: Pass Silent Night: Emmylou Harris Joy to the World: Pass The Xmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) : Cole Xmas Time in the City: If you mean "Silver Bells" (do you?), then Bing, who does the jazzy counter melody thing. Jingle Bells: Anybody who includes the "Miss Fanny Bright" verse, I guess.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 20 2006 10:44 AM

A few new recommendations from me -- Holly & the Ivy -- The Roches do a killer version O Little Town of Bethlehem -- Bruce Cockburn Angels We Have Heard -- Brian Setzer Orchestra all of these are available on iTunes

cooby Dec 20 2006 10:45 AM

Jingle Bells: Anybody who includes the "Miss Fanny Bright" verse, I guess You'd like Babs' version then...when she's done even the listener is out of breath!

Edgy DC Dec 20 2006 10:49 AM

I set myself up! Ack!

Edgy DC Dec 20 2006 10:58 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 20 2006 11:11 AM

That whole Bruce Cockburn album is fascinating. His trademark bitterness is there, but he spits out the joyous lyrics in a Halleluia Anyway defeat. Cha's recent Chrismas concert featured four or five of the Vince Guiraldi Christmas arrangements, "The Angel Gabriel," Joni Mitchell's "River," and the Pretenders' "2000 Miles." She also pulled out the Pretenders' "Hymn to Her," which is either about the Goddess, or about Mary. Put Guaraldi down as my pick for a "What Child Is This?" interpreter. Elvis should have done a Ramadan album.

cooby Dec 20 2006 11:09 AM

I know I probably go on about Vince Guiraldi way too much, but there is a version of The Little Drummer Boy on the Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack called "My Little Drum". It's done in a minor key or something that gives it an edge that makes it perfect for the season if the season is not really a joyful one for you. I'm not sure how it fit into the TV show, but it's there on the CD and I love it. http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/mediaplayer.asp?ean=013431853824&disc=1&track=3

Johnny Dickshot Dec 20 2006 11:25 AM

The Ronnettes still provide the best Sleigh Ride in town. I have the Carpenters doing "Do you hear what I hear" -- great voice, cheezysweet production. I have Vince Guaraldi doing 'Tannenbaum' and Willie Nelson giving his best shot to redeeming 'Frosty'

Vic Sage Dec 20 2006 11:39 AM

Anything from the Chipmunks Xmas album.

DocTee Dec 20 2006 11:46 AM

O Holy Night --The fat kid from South Park Frosty the Snowman -- Leon Redbone

Edgy DC Dec 20 2006 12:02 PM

Cha also did "The Wexford Carol" another song that's hard to mess up.

cooby Dec 20 2006 12:27 PM

The Ronnettes still provide the best Sleigh Ride in town Very nice

TheOldMole Dec 20 2006 01:41 PM

A vote for Joan Jett's "Little Drummer Boy." It's punk and respectful at the same time, no mean achievement.

TheOldMole Dec 20 2006 01:50 PM

What Child is This Harry Belafonte Little Drummer Boy Michael Doucet Frosty the Snowman Jimmy Durante Holly and the Ivy Steeleye Span, or Maddy Prior solo God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Michael Doucet We Three Kings Michael Doucet Jingle Bells Dean Martin; the Children of France

cooby Dec 20 2006 02:10 PM

There's a pretty version of Silver Bells running through my head that my mom used to play, but though I've checked Patti Page and Doris Day, it doesn't seem to be either of them

TheOldMole Dec 20 2006 02:57 PM

I remembered it was originally from a movie, but couldn't remember which one, so a little research. It was "The Lemon Drop Kid," and was sung in the movie by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell. But I think I know the version you mean -- from the 50s. And I can't quite nail it down either.

TheOldMole Dec 20 2006 03:00 PM

Rosemary Clooney.

cooby Dec 20 2006 03:02 PM

Ooh! I know the one you mean! That song got its start in a movie?

cooby Dec 20 2006 03:05 PM

Could be Rosemary Clooney...I should really call my mom and ask her before I go nuts

Edgy DC Dec 20 2006 03:09 PM

That's the funny thing about so many American classics. We have a house full of sheet music. (Cha's mother was an opera singer and became a singing coach in retirement, and we inherited her music library.) So many songs that are absolute stapes have sheet music trumpeitng the banal obscurities of films they debuted in. So you get. The Very Thought of You From the MGM Motion Picture The Furious Feeneys Three Coins in the Fountain From the RKO Motion Picture Mother Curls Her Hair That's just the way songs were launched back then.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 20 2006 03:11 PM

I like that Michael Doucet stuff I sampled on itunes. The Joan Jett Drummer Boy isn't available there. For that song I have the Jackson 5 as well as a guy called Aldo, who does a bright and sweet piano-only version. I prefer the Aldo of the two.

cooby Dec 20 2006 03:11 PM

Mother Curls Her Hair? heheheh

sharpie Dec 20 2006 04:25 PM

Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour's Christmas playlist: Tom Archia - Swinging For Christmas (Boppin' For Santa) Leadbelly - Christmas Is A-Comin' Lord Nelson - A Party For Santa Bob Seger & The Last Heard - Sock It To Me Santa The Staples Singers - Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas Charles Brown - Please Come Home For Christmas Johnny Paycheck - Jingle Bells Gerry Mulligan & Judy Holiday - It Must Be Christmas Titus Turner - Christmas Morning The Bellrays - Poor Old Rudolph Bob Dorough & Miles Davis - Blue Xmas Little Esther & Johnny Otis Orchestra - Far Away Christmas Blues Patsy Raye & The Beatniks - Beatniks Wish Bob Dylan - 'Twas The Night Before Christmas The Sonics - Don't Believe In Christmas King Stitt - Christmas Tree Huey 'Piano' Smith & Clowns - Silent Night Brave Combo - Must Be Santa The Enchanters - Mambo Santa Mambo Celia Cruz & La Senora Matancera - Fiesta De Navidad Bob Dylan - Peace On Earth (Wordsworth) Hop Wilson & His Buddies - Merry Christmas Darling Alton Davis & The Lipsticks - Merry Merry Christmas June Christy - The Merriest Red Simpson - Truckin' Trees For Christmas The Youngsters - Christmas In Jail Kay Martin & Her Body Guards - I Want A Casting Couch For Christmas Sonny Boy Williamson - Santa Claus Cool Breezers - Hello Mr. New Year Mabel Mafuya - Happy Christmas, Happy New Year The Larks - Christmas To New Year's Nancy Wilson - What Are You Doing New Year's Eve Bob Dylan - Auld Lang Syne (Robert Burns)

cooby Dec 20 2006 04:46 PM

I can't imagine the song "Must Be Santa" without remembering a barely audible, 25 stanza, 3 hour version of it sung by some class at an elementary school holiday hellfest, oops, I mean concert many many years ago. (was NOT either of my kids' classes) I never thought I'd live through it.

metsmarathon Dec 20 2006 04:57 PM

bnl does an excellent god rest ye merry.

cooby Dec 20 2006 04:59 PM

bnl?

metsmarathon Dec 20 2006 05:03 PM

barenaked ladies

Willets Point Dec 20 2006 11:48 PM Re: Recommend a Holiday Cover Song

O Tannenbaum - Vince Guaraldi Trio O Come all Ye Faithful - When I was a kid, my family had an EP giveaway of the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra performing this song that kicked ass. Wish I still had it. Little Drummer Boy - The Temptations Frosty the Snowman - Willie Nelson Holly and the Ivy - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chorus God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Perry Como Sleigh Ride - Combustible Edison We Three Kings - Rahsaan Roland Kirk (as "We Free Kings") White Christmas - Bing Crosby It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Maddy Prior Silent Night - Simon & Garfunkel Joy to the World - Tavner Consort The Xmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting) - Nat King Cole Xmas Time in the City - Dean Martin Jingle Bells - Jimmy Smith Others: Away in the Manger - Mahalia Jackson Blue Christmas - Miles Davis Carol of the Bells - Swingle Singers The Christians and the Pagans - Dar Williams Christmas in Carrick - The Clancy Brothers Christmas Is - Run DMC Christmas Song - Dave Matthews Band Christmastime is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio Cristo Ya Nacio - Pete Seeger Do You Hear What I Hear? - Johnny Mathis Fairytale of New York - The Pogues Hark The Herald Angels Sing - Vince Guaraldi Trio w/ Peanuts kids It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Billie Holiday Merry Christmas Baby - Otis Redding O Little Town of Bethlehem - Sister Rosetta Tharpe Presents for Christmas - Solomon Burke The Rebel Jesus - The Chieftains The Secret of Christmas - Ella Fitzgerald Snoopy vs. the Red Baron - The Royal Guardsmen Three Ships - Cyndi Lauper Winter Wonderland - Jewel (she sings it so sexy it gives me a boner) Anything by the Revels. Lately I just love any song about wassail.

DocTee Dec 21 2006 12:20 AM

Pretenders: 2000 Miles. Luther Vandross: Every Year, Every Christmas

TheOldMole Dec 21 2006 01:51 PM

The Cherry Tree Carol - judy Collins

Willets Point Dec 24 2006 09:44 AM

I have heard "Feliz Navidad" played more this year than any year past. Each day I hear it playing somewhere. I was wondering if it was because Jose Feliciano had died or something so I checked online. Feliciano is alive and well but on his website there is this note: ]USA Today has published the current run-down from the latest Neilsen, BDS and Arbitron surveys of music played on the radio throughout the country and has announced that Jose Feliciano’s “FELIZ NAVIDAD” is the #1 Most played Holiday song of the year! So that verifies that I'm not crazy, but now the question is why? I mean it's not a bad song, but why in 2006 is it suddenly being overplayed?

metsmarathon Dec 24 2006 10:15 AM

to tap into the growing hispanic market. or at least to pretend to tap into the growing market for those who want to pretend they're savvy with the growing hispanic market. like news reporters who overly roll their 'r's