In a bit of good timing, Noisetrade.com just made that Over the Rhine Christmas album available for free. If you haven't been there before, they have a lot of music, most from unknown artists, where you can either leave a tip in exchange for music or give them "noise" (word of mouth) by posting on your Facebook or Twitter that you downloaded their album for free. It's a clever way of spreading word of mouth for up and comers, completely legal, and there's some good music on there. That felt a bit like an advertisement, but it wouldn't be a Christmas-related thread without some cheesy holiday advertising, now would it?
I was listening to Christmas music today, of course, and I was reminded how much I love Nat King Cole. Of course "The Christmas Song," but all of his are wonderful. "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", and especially "Oh Holy Night". I think his is the gold standard version of that song.
In the last few days I've increased my Christmas song plays by quite a bit: "All I Want For Christmas Is New Years Day" - Hurts "Peppermint Winter" - Owl City "Christmas Lights" - Coldplay "The First Noel (with Adam Young)" - Toby Mac "Fairytale Of New York" - The Pogues "The Christmas Song" - Owl City "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" - John Lennon
At my office, they began playing Christmas music two days before Thanksgiving and they probably won't stop until after Christmas--or when I take an axe to the CD player. Still, there are a few Christmas songs that I do love to hear: "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)" by U2 "Gabriel's Message" by Sting "Rudolph, The Red Nose Reindeer" by The Temptations "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway The various songs from the Charlie Brown Christmas
All hail Joel Grey. The man who helped give the Christmas mice a voice. [yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ame0sCAj138[/yt]
Whether you celebrate Christmas in a religious or secular way, Merry Christmas! Peace on earth, and good will to men ... [yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxm1FlLSfe4[/yt]